Space Mission Coincides With 'Launch' of New Educational Initiative and the Debut of Toy Story Mania! at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort

Space Mission Coincides With 'Launch' of New Educational Initiative and the Debut of Toy Story Mania! at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, May 29/PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

It's a dream come true for Buzz Lightyear as Disney Parks and NASA send
the 12-inch-tall action figure "to infinity and beyond!". Buzz Lightyear will
blast off aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-124. Lift-off from
Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 5:02 p.m. ET on May 31.

Buzz's dream of going "to infinity and beyond" will finally come true
during the mission when - with the help of the crew - he will fly in zero
gravity inside the International Space Station as part of NASA's "Toys in
Space" initiative. Through this program, Buzz will help introduce fun
elements from space into science and math classrooms across the country.

With Buzz will launch the aspiration of millions of school children who
dream of space travel. STS-124 will coincide with the kick-off of the Space
Ranger Education Series - part of NASA's "Toys in Space", an educational
program for teachers and students. The program builds on NASA's educational
goals of encouraging students to pursue studies in science, technology and
mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are vitally important in sustaining U.S.
economic competitiveness and technological leadership.

Developed by Disney and NASA, "Toys in Space" features materials for
educators to download and integrate into their classroom curriculum as well
as online, educational games linked to each key component of the mission. The
series, hosted at http://www.nasa.gov, will be available throughout 2008.

"NASA is excited to help students understand the science and engineering
currently underway on the International Space Station," said Dr. Joyce
Winterton, NASA assistant administrator for Education. "The educational games
and resources from this partnership will allow students to explore the
science and math behind space exploration with a beloved character."

Buzz's groundbreaking mission into space also coincides with the launch
of his latest debut on Earth in Toy Story Mania!, Disney Parks' new
attraction that opens May 31 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and June
17 at Disneyland Resort in California.

"The Space Ranger Education Series will give teachers an opportunity to
incorporate a fun and engaging moment into the classroom with a character
that children really love," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks
and Resorts. "We're pleased to join NASA in creating a program that can help
keep kids excited about math and science."

Buzz's Space Itinerary

Buzz will spend several months in space at the International Space
Station (ISS) testing the limits of zero gravity before returning home to a
hero's welcome at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida later this year. While
in space, Buzz will participate in an experiment flying in zero gravity and
appear in a video downlink from the ISS.

The Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-124 will travel with seven
astronauts to install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) and the
lab's robotic arm system.

For additional information about the educational series and NASA
programs, guests may visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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Note to Editors

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Source: Walt Disney World

Please call Sarah Hodson or Nikki Palmas in the Walt Disney World UK Press Office on +44(0)208-222-2829.

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