The Force is strong at Walt Disney World Resort with the start of Star Wars Weekends yesterday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Join Star Wars celebrities and characters, check out Star Wars-inspired merchandise, try out the D-Tech Me experience, and more at the annual festival. Read the posts below to find out how you can visit a galaxy far, far away, now through June 9, 2013 at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Take 5: Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

1. It’s (Not) a Trap! Countdown to Star Wars Weekends Continues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Get details as well as a list of scheduled celebrity appearances for this year’s Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
2. Star Wars – D-Tech Me Experience Returns to Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Starting May 17, 2013 – Star Wars – D-Tech Me experience returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year for Star Wars Weekends!
3. First Look at Star Wars Weekends 2013 Merchandise at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – ”Preview this year’s Star Wars Weekends merchandise, including pins, coffee mugs, toys and more.
4. New Disney Gift Cards Available During Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Disney Gift Cards will be offering a new unique Star Wars-themed design each week during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
5. Yummy Confection Goes to the ‘Dark Side’ for Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World Resort – Try the new Darth Vader cupcake available during Star Wars Weekends at participating restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort!

Join the conversation online by using the hash tag #StarWarsWeekends on Twitter.

Take 5: Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

UPDATE: This event has filled to capacity. Please CLICK HERE to view a list of the accepted event attendees. If you are on the list and do not receive a confirmation email by 5 p.m. EST on Monday, please contact us at WDW.BlogMeetUps@disney.com.

We’re about a week away from our first-ever three park Monstrous Summer 24-hour “all-nighter” at Disney Parks. And to kick things off at Walt Disney World Resort, we’re offering a special experience for Disney Parks Blog readers.

Our Monstrous Morning Meet-Up begins at 4:30 a.m. on May 24, and it will include the opportunity to see an early preview screening of Disney•Pixar’s new movie “Monsters University” before it opens in theatres in 3D on June 21. There will be plenty of fun, including a Monstrous donut bar and – like all Disney Parks Blog meet-ups – a surprise or two added on to what is already planned at Magic Kingdom Park.

Space is limited, so RSVP now by sending us an email with your name, address, and if you’re inviting a guest to WDW.BlogMeetUps@disney.com.

Also, there are a few things you should know:

• All participants who sign up for the event must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18 or older.
• Limit one guest per registrant.
• We will send an email to individuals whose valid RSVPs are received by us via email before we reach the planned capacity to confirm their attendance for the event.
• If confirmed, it will be necessary for the registrant and guests to check in at the front entrance of Magic Kingdom Park for access to the event. The confirmation will include those details.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.
• Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value.
• Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person plus their number of specified guests.
• If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation, then your RSVP was not accepted.
• The event and individual appearances are subject to change or cancellation.

This post will be updated when capacity has been reached. Please note the event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Hope to see you there.

Join Us for a Monstrous Morning Meet-Up at Walt Disney World Resort by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

This Week in Disney Parks Photos: Adventurers Outpost Debuts, New Merchandise on the Way by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

UPDATE: Confirmation emails for the Disney Parks Blog Magical Meet-Up have been sent. All registered participants should receive a confirmation email.

UPDATE: The Disney Parks Blog Magical Meet-Up has reached capacity, and confirmation emails will be sent shortly. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for future events!

“Mickey and the Magical Map” is just around the corner at Disneyland park, so we’re getting ready to celebrate here on the Disney Parks Blog. Join us May 31, 2013, for a private showing of the new Fantasyland Theatre show! And afterward, we’ll hear from some of the people behind the scenes who are bringing the show to life.

Space for the event is limited and you must sign up here. Please remember the following:

• All participants who sign up for the event must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18.
• Limit one guest per registrant.
• Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value.
• Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person plus one guest.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.
• Park admission will be provided beginning at 4:30 p.m. for the event, but participants will be responsible for any parking fees.

I will give an update at the top of this post when capacity has been reached. Please note the event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Sign Up Now for the Disney Parks Blog Magical Meet-Up at Disneyland Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Fantasyland Theatre Through the Years at Disneyland Park by Valarie Sukovaty: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

We won’t give away all the ideas the chefs have planned, but here are a few:

The cupcake craze gets a nod at Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park, with a chocolate cupcake topped with tasty “Monsters University” sweets. And we can’t resist the “Eye Scream Sundae” at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Plaza Restaurant in two flavors – mint chocolate chip or strawberry.

The Launching Pad in Tomorrowland will have two theme drinks, Randall’s Suds and Mike’s Punch.

At the Disneyland Resort, tasty treats are everywhere. From a steak and eggs breakfast at Carnation Café in Disneyland park to a Monster Nacho Dog at Award Weiners at Disney California Adventure park, there are dozens of creations added to menus. We expect lots of guests will be looking for early-morning eats, like the breakfast pizza at Redd’s Pizza Port with eggs, chorizo, roasted tomatillos, mozzarella and pico de gallo. Blue Bayou is adding roasted bourbon shrimp stuffed with Dungeness crab mousse served with spinach, pasta and smoked tomato-habanero-artichoke sauce. Café Orleans has decadent bananas Foster French toast, or, if you must behave, fresh fruit with yogurt and granola.

For breakfast goodies at Disney California Adventure park, Golden Vine Winery Trattoria has a Wine Country breakfast with scrambled eggs, herbed potatoes, biscuit, bacon or sausage and fruit; or spinach frittata made with egg whites. For around-the-clock eating, the potstickers are back at Lucky Fortune Cookery, or head to Pacific Wharf Café for a hearty loaded baked potato soup in a fresh sourdough bread bowl.

Oh, there’s so much more, like the mac-and-cheese flatbread pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, or the Monstrous Open-Face Turkey Sandwich at Flo’s V-8 Café (brioche piled high with turkey and topped with gravy, cranberry marmalade on the side).

Come hungry, and you can bet there are plenty of delicious eats to keep you going around the clock.

Special Eats Part of Monstrous All-Nighter Fun at Disney Parks by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

I can’t wait for the upcoming all-night party that will kick off a Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks on May 24, 2013. I had a blast at last year’s 24-hour party with my fiancée, so I imagine this one will be even more “eye-mazing!” As part of Limited Time Magic, Disney Theme Park Merchandise has created some commemorative items featuring Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, stars of Disney•Pixar’s upcoming film “Monsters University.” Here are some things you can expect starting May 24.

We will have a new logo shirt featuring Mike, created just for the 24 hour party. The shirts will be similar on each coast except for a small logo change on the sleeve (either “Magic Kingdom” for guests in Florida or “Disneyland Resort” for guests in California). This shirt will also be offered on our Disney Parks online store from May 24-27 at http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents. (Please note that items will be shipped in 6-8 weeks from time of order.)

My favorite items are the Sulley-inspired Disney ear hat (it’s furry!) and Mike’s one-eyed novelty sunglasses. We will also be offering an embroidered Disney ear hat with a “Monstrous Summer” logo that day.

The apparel, ear hats and sunglasses will be released at the Emporium and select locations in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. At Disneyland Resort, look for these items in Emporium at Disneyland park and Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park, among other select locations.

The Consumables team will offer some treats inspired by Mike and Sulley, including blue and green cotton candy, cake pops, and decorative candy apples. My favorite (mostly because they gave me a sample to try) is the delicious cupcake complete with green icing and a chocolate logo square. Look for select goodies in locations like the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, Candy Palace at Disneyland park or Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure park.

All of these items will be available for a “limited time” only beginning May 24, while supplies last.

Finally, I invite you to follow the Disney Parks Blog on May 24, as I will be traveling coast-to-coast to party in three Disney Parks that day. I look forward to seeing friends on both the east and west coasts! If you are in the parks, please say hello!


Check out these posts to learn more about our Monstrous Summer All-Night Party on May 24:

• 24 Hours of Fun and Entertainment in Three Disney Parks
• Video: Spaceship Earth Transforms from Disney Parks Icon to Disney●Pixar ‘Eye-Con’
• First Three-Park All-Nighter Kicks Off Monstrous Summer at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts

‘Eye-mazing’ Merchandise for Monstrous Summer All-Night Party at Disney Parks on May 24, 2013 by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

At Magic Kingdom Park, Mike and Sulley from this summer’s new Disney•Pixar film “Monsters University” will pop in to “scare up” some excitement at the “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!” Street Party, and serve as Grand Marshals during a special pre-parade, complete with a cheer squad, flag corps and a marching band playing the MU Fight Song! You can catch this procession just ahead of each of that day’s two performances of the “Celebrate a Dream Come True” Parade. In Tomorrowland, the Rockettower Plaza Stage plays host to a “Monster Mania” DJ Dance Party from 4 – 9 p.m. and “Monsters University Movie Night” from 11 p.m. – 5 a.m., featuring back-to-back showings of the original “Monsters, Inc.” and an opportunity to meet Mike and Sulley! Finally, you can dance the night away at Disney’s Up All Night Dance Party at Cinderella Castle, keeping things lively from 2 – 5:45 a.m.

At Disneyland Resort, the fun spreads out across two Disney Parks! Disney California Adventure park is having a Hollywood Viewing Party, screening “Monsters, Inc.” inside Muppets Theater and hosting Mad T Party outside in Hollywood Land. Both start at 9 p.m. and continue through the night. Elsewhere, the “Monsters University” gang will be out and about with the new MU float from the Pixar Play Parade, happy to pose for pictures with you.

Disneyland park celebrates with a Disney Character Pajama Party, starting after midnight in Mickey’s Toontown with classic Disney cartoons, a Mickey Mouse Party Zone with DJ and activities for kids, plus goodies available for purchase, like hot chocolate, milk and cookies and other treats. Over in Tomorrowland, there will be Star Wars characters to meet and the TLT “Monstrous” Dance Club at Tomorrowland Terrace, where you can keep the party going from midnight to 5:30 a.m.

During the All-Nighter, the Royal Theatre at Fantasy Faire hosts a Royal Swing Ball, with a live band from 10 p.m. – 1:40 a.m., and beginning June 15 the “Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party” will return to the Royal Theatre for select nights during the summer. Keep an eye on the calendar page on Disneyland.com for dates and information.

So whether you’re heading to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort for the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer All-Nighter, you’re in for a monster-sized good time!

*Hours of operation 6:00 a.m. on 5/24/13 to 6:00 a.m. on 5/25/13; subject to capacity restrictions. Only select attractions, entertainment and services will be available. Valid theme park admission required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

24 Hours of Fun and Entertainment in Three Disney Parks by Shawn Slater: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Here are some new things to keep your electrobinoculars looking for during the event:

• A giant rancor has taken up residence this year in Darth’s Mall. The intricate, fan-created beast from Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi is sculpted from 2,000 square-feet of expanded polystyrene foam.

• Our lovable pair of chipmunks, Chip and Dale, get into the Star Wars fun this year by dressing as Ewoks. Clad in their Ewok best, the duo also is depicted on this year’s event logo with Jedi Mickey.
• Stormtroopers will be “on the move” this year, with mobile sentry outposts along Hollywood Blvd. These new outposts offer the Empire’s shock troops new vantage points to survey the areas for Rebel spies.
• Tosche Station, made famous as the place where Luke Skywalker wanted to pick up some power converters, finds a new home this year at Star Wars Weekends at the main stage on Hollywood Blvd. Atmospheric entertainment keeps the galaxy festive throughout the day before transforming into a DJ dance party.
• Warwick Davis, the actor who brought Wicket the Ewok to life on the silver screen, hosts a new one-man show entitled “An Ewok’s Tale – my short story” for two weekends this year.

Star Wars Weekends takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through June 9. Most event activities are included in regular park admission.

Join the conversation online by using the hash tag #StarWarsWeekends on Twitter.

Star Wars: © 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.
(*celebrities and entertainment schedule subject to change)

Star Wars Weekends Launches Today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by Gary Buchanan: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Then you won’t want to miss this Sunday’s episode of “AFV,” which was filmed in New Fantasyland, right here at Walt Disney World Resort. The maker of this year’s winning video will take home a grand prize that includes a vacation for four to the Walt Disney World Resort, plus a guided vacation with Adventures by Disney to one of 16 destinations.

This episode of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” will air Sunday, May 19, at 7 p.m. EST on ABC.

‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’ Taped at Walt Disney World Resort Airs May 19 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog