Disney News

By Heather Straight, Magic Maker®

I suppose it was inevitable that my children would be Star Wars™ fanatics.  Their mother has always been a fan, and their father is, well, let’s just say the man watches a lot of sci-fi.  So it’s no surprise we have two young boys who spend much of their free time pretending to be Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who have Star Wars™ bedsheets, lunch boxes and movie posters on their walls.  They spend quality time with dad building the Millennium Falcon and X-Wing fighters from Legos, and I’ve lost track of the number of light sabers we have in the house.  It must be at least 8, not including the closet full of foam models fashioned from pool noodles and duct tape that were a party favor from the last force-inspired birthday party.

It was for these reasons that I decided to surprise them all last June with a trip to Star Wars™ Weekends at the Walt Disney World® Resort.  We’d always wanted to visit during these special weekends, because it was as if they had invented the whole thing just for our family.  What could be better than the Disney Parks AND Jedis, Wookiees and Darth Vader?  Mickey Mouse dressed up as Luke Skywalker?  Boba Fett wandering the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios™?  Priceless! With a little bit of planning, it’s a great trip for Star Wars™ fans, young and old.

Star Wars™ Weekends happen every weekend from mid-May to mid-June (this year they’re scheduled for every Friday-Sunday, May 20 through June 12).  So is all the hype about Star Wars™ Weekend worth it?  You bet it is!  From the moment we arrived and saw Storm Troopers up on the gates of Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ taunting guests, we knew we were in for a good time.  Some of the highlights you won’t want to miss:

1. Jedi Training Academy – our six-year-old nearly died and went to heaven when he made it into one of the shows and fought Darth Vader.  They take 30 kids per show, so my advice is to arrive in time for Rope Drop and head to the sign up location (which will be listed in the Star Wars™ Weekends special event map).  You get in line for a special FastPass that will list the show time your kids are in, and you report back about 20 minutes before it begins.  Kids ages 4-12 are welcome to participate, and the show is fun for kids of all ages to watch.
2. The opening show – get to the gates of Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ early, about 30-45 minutes before the official park opening.  Storm Troopers appear on top of the gates, and fun ensues.
3. The parade – we staked out a spot about 40 minutes early so we had front row seats for every imaginable Star Wars™ character AND three celebrities in this fantastic parade.  I mean, who doesn’t love seeing R2-D2 rolling along, followed by legions of Storm Troopers, Darth Vader, along with stars from the movies and the animated series.
4. Hyperspace Hoopla – Darth Vader dancing to “Beat It,” complete with sequined glove.  Need I say more?  This hilarious “dance party with the Star Wars™ stars” that closes the day is a laugh riot.  Every year they change things up a bit with new dance routines.  This is a tremendously popular show, so I’d suggest getting to the last Jedi Training Academy show of the day a little early to get a good spot, watch that show and then wait for Hoopla to begin shortly after.
5. The atmosphere – roaming the park with strains of Star Wars™ music piped through the speakers, stumbling upon bounty hunters, Tuscan Raiders and bargaining with Jawas was so much fun.  Around every turn was something else to see and another character to interact with.

Other highlights of this special event include autograph opportunities with Star Wars™ stars, talks/Q&A sessions given by the celebrities, special merchandise, photo opportunities with popular characters, and much more.  If you have a Star Wars™ fan in the family, this is definitely the event for you!  Don’t forget to your camera, because great photos are waiting around every turn.

Click here to request a quote to plan your vacation to this special event at the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Remember when planning that this annual event happens this year every
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 20-June 11, 2011.

Read more about Star Wars™ Weekend by clicking here.

Have you visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ for this iconic weekend?
Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

Admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ required.
Appearances and entertainment subject to change without notice.
Star Wars © 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

A project is currently underway that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland®, the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom® history. Scheduled to open in phases beginning in late 2012, the new Fantasyland® will immerse guests in their favorite stories as never before. Among the highlights planned:

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
A major, all-new attraction during which guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves – all against a musical backdrop of songs from the classic film.

The Castle of the Beast and Belle’s Village
The Beast’s castle stands majestically upon a hill just across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious West Wing of the castle. With seating for 550, this magnificent facility will offer counter service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle’s Village, guests will find the rousing Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Just outside the village is Belle’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience. Guests are transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive, re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”

But that’s just the beginning of what guests will discover when the multi-phase project is completed. Here’s more of what’s in store:

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Hop on board a mine train that will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs. (Click photo to see the new coaster.)

Princess Fairytale Hall
Join Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel, will greet guests in their new home, an elegant royal court on the site where Snow White’s Scary Adventures stands today.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant
The sound of the calliope will lead guests to the brand new Storybook Circus and not one but two circling carousels of airborne pachyderms on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Before taking to the skies on this Fantasyland® favorite, guests can experience an array of fun-filled family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages inside the Big Top.

The Great Goofini
Next door in Storybook Circus, the classic Goofy’s Barnstormer (currently in Mickey’s Toontown® Fair) gets a bright new look as well, featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini. It’s a twisting, turning roller coaster “flight” high above the circus fun.

This offer is no longer available.  Please click here for current Disney Cruise Line® offers.

Set a course for the last frontier! As part of each Alaska itinerary, you will experience breathtaking scenery, an abundance of wildlife and the rich history and customs of Alaska’s native culture. Combined with unparalleled Disney quality and service, one-of-a-kind entertainment, immersive experiences plus favorite Disney Characters, it’s a vacation experience that every member of the family will feel was created especially for them.

Offer Details
Book a Verandah or Oceanview stateroom and kids ages 17 and under, traveling with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom, SAIL FREE* on select 7-night Alaskan cruises departing between May 3 to May 24, 2011.

*Offer is only available to U.S. and Canada residents. Rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Valid for stateroom categories 4A through 9D only. The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included. Certain restrictions may apply. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or onboard credits. See Disney Cruise Line® brochure for applicable Terms and Conditions.

While Imagineers continue to help create the newest Star Tours adventure at the Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort, plenty of

Jedi,Wookiees and droids are gearing up for Star Wars™ Weekends, the annual celebration of all-things-Star Wars™ at Walt Disney World® Resort.

And today you can start making your plans to journey to a galaxy far, far away and step into the Star Wars saga, as we officially announce this year’s event dates for the first time. Star Wars™ Weekends 2011 will be held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ park every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 20-June 12.

The event features one of the galaxy’s largest gatherings of Star Wars™ characters all around the theme park, offering photo and autograph opportunities. There are special Star Wars™ parades, trivia challenges, Jedi Training Academy, limited-edition merchandise and memorabilia, behind-the-scenes presentations, star conversations and more. Star Wars™ celebrities make special appearances in talk shows and grand motorcades, and sign autographs throughout the weekend.

We’ll announce a complete and more detailed Star Wars Weekends celebrity lineup soon, but we can tell you now about two fan-favorites returning for 2011.

• Anthony Daniels, known worldwide for his portrayal of everyone’s favorite protocol droid, C-3PO, will return this year for Weekend 1 (May 20-22) and Weekend 2 (May 27-29).
• Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano, in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” will appear each weekend this year as Celebrity Host of a behind-the-scenes talk show entitled “Clone Wars: Behind the Force.”

Other events to look forward to:

Characters
Encounter over 50 Star Wars characters from the entire saga. From Darth Vader to Darth Maul and Anakin to Chewbacca, you’ll find heroes and villains from throughout the galaxy.

Celebrities from Star Wars will attend each weekend and participate in:

• Autograph Sessions
• Legends of the Force – Celebrity motorcade
• Stars of the Saga – Talk Show and Q&A

Celebrity Hosts
To be Determined

Jedi Training Academy
Each young Padawan who is chosen will learn a lightsaber combination as they prepare to fact the dark side!

Behind the Force: Experience the Clone Wars
Explore the excitement of Star Wars: The Clone Wars with a fascinating look behind the scenes of the all-new animated adventure!

Star Tours Attraction
Blast your starspeeder through the ultimate Star Wars adventure in this re-imagined attraction. The Star Tours 3-D simulator ride, which will now focus on the time period between Episodes III and IV from the films, will be open on May 20, 2011 just in time for the Star Wars™ Weekends.

Padawan Mind Challenge
Kids under 12 can test their wits before the Jedi Council!

Hyperspace Hoopla
Star Wars characters and Guests gather for an entertaining conclusion to each day’s events.

A Galaxy of Photo Opportunities

Plan now to be part of Star Wars Weekend 2011.
Contact your Magic Maker® for details or click below to request a quote.

Admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ required.
Appearances and entertainment subject to change without notice.
Star Wars © 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

In a dramatic new projection show filled with special effects and magic, Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World® Resort and “it’s a small world” at the Disneyland® Park transform into shimmering spectacles during “Let the Memories Begin.”  The ten-minute projection show, presented on select nights, is highlighted by images of guests photographed that same day while playing in the parks.

The nightly show combines guest photos from that day in Disneyland® Park and Magic Kingdom® Park with photos and videos taken from Disney’s “Let the Memories Begin” online hub. Classic Disney music is woven into the new “Let the Memories Begin” theme song, creating a musical and visual journey that traces the family vacation experience from surprise announcements through arrival and fun at the Disney Parks.

The show finale features a burst of fireworks over “it’s a small world” or Cinderella Castle.

That’s what it looks like. It’s harder to tell you what the show feels like. Watching the photos will remind guests of all ages of their most cherished Disney memories, as a kaleidoscope of images is projected onto the classic Disney icons.

Check your Daily Times Guide for specific show times.

This incredible show is only available during 2011.  Start planning your trip below:

Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, California

Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida