Disney News

Fans of Disney•Pixar’s Cars will be running “full throttle” this weekend as the Walt Disney World® Resort presents Car Masters Weekend. The event, which is now in its second year, is a celebration of everything Cars.

This years activities include:

• Meet-and-Greets with Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn McMissile
• Movie marathon of showings of Cars and Cars 2 at AMC® Downtown Disney 24
• Test-drive RIDEMAKERZ®  model cars
• Car Show presented by Hess – with over 100 classic, muscle and exotic cars as well as some of GM’s newest models on display
• NEW  Appearance by automotive designer Chip Foose – contributing designer of Ramone from Cars
• NEW  LEGO® interactive zone
• NEW  Cars-themed topiaries
• NEW  Dance party with live DJs

Also just announced for this year is high-performance karting from the Richard Perry Driving Experience! This karting experience will challenge your driving skills in a high-action race environment while trying to score the best lap time in your racing group. Cost is $20 (plus tax) per person and is open to any licensed drivers age 16 and older. Each additional ride is $10. All participants must sign a waiver, and closed-toed shoes are required.

Hours for the Car Masters Weekend in the Downtown Disney® Area is 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. on June 2nd & 3rd, 2012.

On this Memorial Day, may we remember all of the brave men and women who have passed while serving and protecting our country.

“Actually, if you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white and blue stripe.”  – Walter Elias Disney

Since the Magic Kingdom® Park opened back in 1971 through present, the Flag Retreat Ceremony has taken place in Town Square. As a tradition that was started in Disneyland® Park, this ceremony performed by the Disney Security Color Guard, The Main Street Philharmonic, the Dapper Dans, and a special Honorary Veteran of the Day selected from that day’s guests. Held daily at 5pm, the ceremony is a wonderful way for young and old to honor our military and our country.

Please enjoy our video of the Magic Kingdom® Park Flag Retreat Ceremony:

Tuesday morning, Walt Disney World® Resort photographer Matt Stroshane had an opportunity to catch a rare photograph at the early hours of the morning.

This shot shows Epcot’s® popular Future World Mission: SPACE® Attraction in the foreground as the flame from the SpaceX Rocket streaks across the background. At 3:44 a.m. Eastern, the SpaceX Falcon 9 launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (appox. 60 miles from Walt Disney World® Resort). This mission marks the first commercial company in history to attempt to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.

For all those photo buffs, this photo is a 64-second exposure of f11 at ISO 100 utilizing a neutral density filter.

The schedule of events for the second week of Star Wars™ Weekends has been announced.

• Celebrity Host Meet and Greet at Echo Lake – will use Disney’s FASTPASS® Service
• James Arnold Taylor (Voice behind Obi-Wan Kenobi and Plo Hoon in Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) – 9:45a
• Ashley Eckstein (Voice behind Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) – 4:30p, 5:45p
• Additional Celebrity Meet and Greets at Echo Lake – will use Disney’s FASTPASS® Service
• Ray Park (Double lightsaber wielding Sith, Darth Maul from the Phantom Menace) – 10:15a, 1:45p
• Andy Secombe (Watto from The Phantom Menace) – 10:15a, 1:30p, 4:30p
• Tom Kane (Voice of Yoda from Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) – 3p, 4:30p, 5:45p
• Padawan Mind Challenge (registration at park opening near ABC Sound Studio) – 2:10p, 6:30p
• Hyperspace Hoopla – 8:00p
• Jedi Training Academy(sign-up in front of Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular) – 9:15a, 9:45a, 10:15a, 10:45a, 11:15a, 11:45a, 12:15p, 1:30p, 2:00p, 3:45p, 4:15p, 4:45p, 5:15p, 5:45p, 6:15p, 6:45p
• Star Wars™ Character Encounters (locations around Star Tours – The Adventure Continue, Backlot Tour and Premiere Theater) – 9a-7p
• Behind the Force – 11:00a, 1:45p
• Stars of the Saga – 3:15p
• Obi-Wan and Beyond – 4:45p
• Visit to the Maul – 6:00p

Star Wars™ Weekends will take place Fri – Sun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ through June 10, 2012.

by Magic Maker® Leslie Aldridge

The rhythmic clacking of the train echoes through the thunderous mountains of Frontierland® Area. The joyous squeals of kids and adults alike pierce the air. And with that, the world famous Walt Disney World® Resort Mountain Range is once again complete with the May 28, 2012 re-opening of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® Attraction.

Since January 2012, the corner of Frontierland® Area that is home to the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® Attraction appeared to be dormant. But in reality, Disney Imagineers have been working behind the scenes for the last five months to upgrade the 32-year old ride and enhance the already exhilarating mine car coaster ride. With its many dips, twists and tight banking turns, this nearly three-minute train ride will bring smiles to the faces of everyone who braves the caves and caverns of this Old West mining settlement.

While no one knows exactly what awaits riders, you can rest assured the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® Attraction will live up to its reputation as “the wildest ride in the wilderness.”

So contact an Off to Neverland® Travel Magic Maker® today to book your next trip to Walt Disney World® Resort. Then you and your family can take in the full experience of the Magic Kingdom® Park’s Mountain Range including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® Attraction, Space Mountain® Attraction and Splash Mountain® Attraction.

Thrilling and fun-filled memories wait for you.