© Copyright Disney

“Boo” has never been uttered in a bouncier, bubblier, “not-so-scary” fashion than during “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” … and ghostly apparitions never have been more wistful than they are skittering along the rooftops of Main Street, U.S.A. When you put it together with a green and orange fireworks spectacular and Land-to-Land trick-or-treating throughout Magic Kingdom, you have a Halloween event like none other: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

It’s enough to bring a smile to the face of a Disney villain! And the special-ticket after-hours party on 24 select evenings between Sept. 14 and Nov. 1, 2010, at Walt Disney World Resort will do just that. About the only one not wearing a grin is The Headless Horseman as he rides his trusty steed through the park ahead (no pun intended) of the parade.

Guests wanting to join in the spirit (no pun intended) of the party are welcome to don their favorite Halloween costumes for the 7 p.m.-to-12 midnight event. “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” takes place at 8:15 and 10:30 p.m. and the “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular at 9:30 p.m.

© Copyright Disney

In addition to trick-or-treating, meet and greets with characters and entertainment unique to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, many popular Magic Kingdom attractions – including, of course, The Haunted Mansion – are available to experience (but beware of hitchhiking ghosts).

Party dates in 2010 are:

Sept. 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30;
Oct. 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31;
and Nov. 1.

Prices are $59.95 (ages 10+) and $53.95 (ages 3-9) for all dates except Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 when tickets cost $64.95 (ages 10+) and $58.95 (ages 3-9). Advance purchase (prior to event day) savings of $6 per ticket are available for the parties on Sept. 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30; Oct. 1, 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26; and Nov. 1.

Additional information is available at www.disneyworld.com/halloween. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 407/W-DISNEY.

© Copyright Disney

Viewers around the world will join a one-of-a-kind, online phenomenon in July to experience the extraordinary magic of “World of Color,” the new after-dark spectacular presented nightly in Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim. The interactive tour will feature live shows in four California cities, and the online audience will travel “virtually” to each location to watch the shows and interact with the webcast.

In each city, specially produced animation will be projected onto a familiar city landmark, using a sensational mixture of special effects, high-tech projections and one of the storytelling themes presented in “World of Color.”

The public is invited to participate online only at the “World of Color” Road Show website (www.worldofcolorroadshow.com), where viewers will enjoy a rich experience that includes Disney animation and music, video entertainment and a “viewer’s choice” opportunity to vote for the starring color in that evening’s show. Each city will have a broadcast location designed for media only.

This “online spectacular” is inspired by the dazzling “World of Color” show, which combines music, animation, water and a multitude of special effects in a magical celebration of Disney characters and storytelling. A new venture for the Disneyland Resort, the tour will utilize streaming online video to bring its own special magic to the World Wide Web and to iconic locations in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego and Los Angeles. Each locale will deliver a different, amazing show.

ONLINE EXPERIENCE: Viewers will be able to access the webcast performances live and on encore nights at the website, in English at www.WorldofColorRoadShow.com and in Spanish at www.coloresdisney.com. The site also features an artistic video mashup, interviews with the creators of “World of Color” and the voting option. Video clips from each iconic location will be added to the show on ensuing nights, inspiring viewers to follow the virtual tour throughout California.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Just as fairies cast their spells, online viewers will cast their votes each night for one of three colors representing each of the Three Good Fairies from “Sleeping Beauty” – Flora, Fauna and Merryweather. The color with the most votes will be featured in the show’s opening moment, complete with a trail of pixie dust. In true Disney style, the winning fairy will fly from computer screens to the landmark location and she will conjure the magical transformation of the landmark using the chosen color – red, green or blue. With this bit of magic, online audience members are able to lend their own spark of inspiration to the show.

SHOW THEMES: A different theme will come alive in each of the four cities, with each show reflecting a theme from the“World of Color” production at Disney California Adventure. To experience the show in each city, people will have to visit the website. There will be no accommodations on site in each city.

SAN FRANCISCO: In San Francisco, the unique animation will be projected onto the façade of a landmark that will be revealed online on Opening Night. The presentation is dedicated to the theme of “Love,” featuring romantic couples from Disney and Disney•Pixar animated films. The live show, presented Wednesday and Thursday, July 7 and 8, will repeat continuously from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Pacific time and will be shot from several different angles for the ongoing, live webcast. Encore webcasts (not live) of the San Francisco show will appear online from 9 to 11:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 9-11.

SACRAMENTO: With forest and garden scenes from such films as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Pocahontas,” “Bambi” and “Alice in Wonderland,” the online experience in Sacramento will be built around the theme of “Nature.” Presented Thursday through Sunday, July 15-18, in historic Old Sacramento, it will be webcast live from 9 to 11:30 p.m. each evening.

SAN DIEGO: The next stop will be San Diego where, appropriately enough, “Water” will be the theme of the interactive experience, featuring scenes from “The Little Mermaid,” “Finding Nemo” and others projected onto the U.S.S. Midway Museum at Navy Pier. The San Diego webcasts will be live from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, July 22-25.

LOS ANGELES: The final shows of the online tour will be projected onto the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles Thursday and Friday, July 29 and 30. The theme will be “Sky,” illustrated by scenes from such films as “Aladdin” and “Fantasia.” As before, the live online presentation will be repeated continuously from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Encore performances (not live) will be webcast from 9 to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and Aug. 1.

© Copyright Disney

On the heels of the FIFA World Cup, nearly 200 elite youth soccer teams from around the world, including the Haitian National Women’s Under 17 team, will compete in the Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, July 12-17.

Clubs featuring boys and girls (ages 9-17) from countries such as Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, the United States and others will be joining the Haitian team in creating the largest field in the tournament’s 12-year history.

More than half of this year’s field comes from outside of the continental United States with Puerto Rico leading the international team count with 18 registered clubs. Canada is next (16), followed by Brazil (11). In all, 18 countries are represented.

This year’s field is one of the most diverse and largest we’ve had in our tournament’s history. The Disney Cup continues to be a great opportunity for teams from around the world to compete against other top young athletes while also getting to relax and enjoy a vacation at Disney.
Mark Luster event’s tournament director

Each team will play at least four games before advancing to a single-elimination tournament format. Championship games in various age divisions from under-9 through under-18 take place July 17.

© Copyright Disney

Since 1999, the tournament has attracted teams from more than 20 countries giving participants a unique opportunity to compete on the same fields as teams from the English Premier League and Major League Soccer. For instance, Celtic Football Club, Blackburn Football Club, the MLS Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake have all competed or trained at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

© Copyright Disney

“Captain EO,” the classic musical spectacular that thrilled Epcot guests from 1986-1994, has returned to Epcot for a special open-ended run. The attraction’s return provides new audiences the opportunity to experience the original 3-D production for the very first time, as well as a nostalgic look back for longtime fans wanting to see Michael Jackson in a rare performance created for the big screen.

Twenty-four years ago, Jackson joined forces with Disney, producer George Lucas and director Francis Ford Coppola to create a groundbreaking 17-minute 3-D film experience starring Jackson as Captain EO performing two original songs, and featuring Academy Award®-winning actress Anjelica Huston, and a cast of merry, mythical space characters with dual personalities who undergo magical transformations to become Jackson’s electronic band in conquering the forces of darkness.

The colorful Disney-created characters include: Hooter, the little green elephant-like creature who sneezes wild musical notes through his flute-like trunk; Fuzzball, the orange-haired space monkey with butterfly wings; the Geex, a golden-haired, two-faced personality with two left feet, one right foot and two shaggy heads named Idy and Ody; Major Domo, whose mirrored silver costume becomes a complete set of drums; and Minor Domo with his sparkling purple torso that turns into an electronic synthesizer played by Hooter.

For all its technology, “Captain EO” is first and foremost a musical spectacular and a thrilling space-fantasy adventure. The realism of the 3-D process once again makes it seem that Jackson dances right out of the screen into the theater. While it’s not possible to replicate some of the special effects elements originally in the theater, it will boast a new 70mm print of the film and sound better than ever thanks to acoustical enhancements made to the theater since the film last played there. The total effect is one of motion, color and high energy filled with Jackson’s musical brilliance and various illusions to create an exciting and realistic journey in space for the audience.

During the journey, Captain EO and his merry crew discover a colorless planet where they are confronted by the Supreme Leader (Huston) and her forces of darkness. Using the power of music, dance and light to fill the planet and the theater with all the shades of the rainbow, the EO crew turns the black and white land into a magical world of color and happiness.

The production of “Captain EO” called on Hollywood’s finest choreographers, set designers, costume creators and special effects artists – all of them excited by the challenge of shooting this kind of imaginative film in three dimensions.

“Captain EO” is presented multiple times daily at the Imagination pavilion at Epcot. It replaces “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” which is planned to return at an undetermined date.

© Copyright Disney

The “Main Street Electrical Parade” has returned to Magic Kingdom for a limited engagement this summer and the cherished Disney nighttime spectacle has a new glow. Tinker Bell sprinkles her pixie dust to illuminate the classic parade and the parade’s highly recognizable musical theme is brightened by new technology..

The parade, which normally is featured at Disneyland Resort in California, was last at Walt Disney World Resort from 1999 into 2001. But it has returned to Magic Kingdom to headline “Summer Nightastic!” June 6 through Aug. 14, 2010, and is showcasing lots of features never before seen – or heard – in Florida.

Tinker Bell leads the procession on an all-new float, and her trail of pixie dust enchants all the parade floats with new beauty along the way. The popular pixie waves from the basket of a balloon floating gracefully above a magical garden shimmering with fairy light.

In addition, enhanced versions of two classic favorites return to the lineup after a 13-year hiatus – the shimmering diamond mine of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the Pleasure Island haunts of Pinocchio.

© Copyright Disney

WHAT: The parade twinkles with approximately half a million lights. Of those, nearly 10,000 are new “pixie dust” lights spread over the 23 parade floats. The new LED lights use one-quarter of the power of incandescent lights. The Tinker Bell float alone has more than 25,000 points of light and 75 percent are powered by an LED source.

WHEN: Nightly beginning Sunday, June 6, and continuing through Saturday, Aug. 14, in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

LIGHTS ON DEMAND: A new control system makes it possible, for the first time, for each light to be programmed individually. One example is the new Tinker Bell float, which has 160 dimmers, by far the most of any parade float, to control the lighting. Programming for this parade took approximately two months.

AN EVEN BETTER HOEDOWN: The unforgettable musical theme of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” which has inspired several generations of Disneyland Resort guests to clap along, was adapted from a synthesizer piece known as “Baroque Hoedown,” written in 1967 by Gershon Kingsley and Jean-Jaques Perrey. Disney themes are superimposed over the original piece. For “Summer Nightastic!,” the distinctive “electro-sytho-magnetic” “Baroque Hoedown” has new audio technology that gives it a richer, fuller sound.

Main St. Electrical Parade Fun Facts

• More than 80 performers appear in each presentation of Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade.”
• There are 11,000 lights on the dancers’ costumes alone. Thanks to the energy-efficient LED lights, some of the dancers’ costumes now carry only one battery pack instead of two.
• All the floats are battery-powered. More than 500 batteries supply power for lighting, propulsion, audio and special effects.
• Approximately five miles of wire is used throughout the floats.
• The tallest float in the parade is the Cinderella clock tower, at 18.5 feet tall.
• The Fireworks Finale float, the longest in the parade, has seven cars that span 118 feet.

Main St. Electrical Parade History

• “Summer Nightastic!” 2010 marks the return of the original Disneyland “Main Street Electrical Parade” to Walt Disney World Resort. Previously the parade had a limited engagement in Florida from 1999 through 2001.
• The original “Main Street Electrical Parade” premiered at Disneyland on June 17, 1972.
• The parade was presented at Disneyland nearly every summer until it was “retired” in 1996.
• A version of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” was created for Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in 1977.
• The Magic Kingdom version was presented until 1991 when it was replaced by “SpectroMagic” (“Main Street Electrical Parade” was refurbished for the opening of Disneyland Resort Paris).
• The original Disneyland “Main Street Electrical Parade” was brought out of retirement and extensively refurbished for a limited engagement at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom from 1999 into 2001.
• Following the conclusion of the parade’s limited engagement at Walt Disney World Resort, it premiered at Disney California Adventure in July 2001 as “Disney’s Electrical Parade.”
• The parade has been performed more than 5,000 times at Disneyland Resort.
• The original “Main Street Electrical Parade” floats were “flatter” and less three-dimensional than the current floats. While new floats have been added through the years, some have been retired: “it’s a small world” float, Briny Deep float, and special anniversary floats for Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary (1980) and Mickey Mouse’s 60th Birthday (1988).
• One of the original floats, the Title Drum Unit near the beginning of the parade, was created using an actual bass drum, one of the world’s largest in 1972. This drum had been used in Disneyland parades in the 1960s, when Mickey Mouse used to beat it using large drumsticks.
• A third version of the parade has been presented at Tokyo Disney Resort (premiering 1985).

More About “Summer Nightastic”

From June 6 through Aug. 14, 2010, Walt Disney World guests are able to see Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade,” experience new special effects at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, thrill to the new “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular,” and groove to a dance party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and to the “Sounds Like Summer” concert series at Epcot.

Guests can Learn more about “Summer Nightastic!” and check out deals for summer travel by visiting www.disneyworld.com/night or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or a local travel agent. All special summer events are included in regular theme-park admission.

Star Wars Weekends is a great tradition for the parks in general and Star Wars fans specifically. This past weekend was the premiere weekend for the 2010 event. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the Empire Strikes Back, so there is a lot to celebrate in the Star Wars Universe.

This weekend’s stars are familiar to all fans of the mythology that George Lucas created so many years ago, and has continued to shepherd along these past few decades. The stars in attendance were: Jeremy Bulloch, Ashley Eckstein, Temuera Morrison, Daniel Logan and Dee Bradley Baker. There are plenty of opportunities to meet these folks, who seemed genuinely happy to spend time with the fans, as well as the requisite motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard.

Daniel Logan

Daniel Logan is the actor who portrayed the young bounty hunter we all know and love, Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones.

Temuera Morrison

Temuera Morrison is the actor who plays Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones, as well as playing Commander Cody in Revenge of the Sith.

Dee Bradley Baker

Dee Bradley Baker is the voice behind Captain Rex and all of the clones in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He stopped his car during the procession and leapt out to high-five all of his fans to the delight of the crowd.

Ashley Eckstein

Ashley Eckstein is the voice behind Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and hosted the Clone Wars: Behind the Force autograph sessions.

Jeremy Bulloch

Finally, Jeremy Bulloch brought up the finish to a great motorcade. He played the one and only Boba Fett in Episodes V and VI.

Wrapping it up

It is a great chance to meet and greet some of your favorites from the Star Wars Universe and I highly recommend the event. The event runs ends on Sunday June 13, so make your plans. Some of the treats yet to come are:

May 28-30:

Matthew Wood (voice of General Grievous in “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)
Lorne Peterson (model-maker who worked on all six Star Wars live-action films)
Tom Kane (voice of Yoda in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

June 4-6:

Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian in “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi”)
Ray Park (Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace”)
Dave Filoni (director of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

June 11-13:

Ray Park (Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace”)
Peter Mayhew (who played everyone’s favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca, in four of the live-action films)
James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”

© Copyright Disney

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts unveiled plans today for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, one of the largest new hospitality projects in Florida that will create hundreds of construction jobs in the state. The new resort will feature quality family suites designed around four unique themes: The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars and The Little Mermaid.

We are always looking for opportunities to expand and enhance our Walt Disney World offerings, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a great example of those efforts. This new resort will feature some of our most beloved characters and stories in a unique and special way that we think our guests will really enjoy. This project also underscores our optimism about the future, as we continue to invest in new experiences for our guests around the globe.
Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Located adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the new resort will include 1,120 family suites in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings, and 864 themed rooms in The Little Mermaid wings—for a total of almost 2,000 new units. Suites will feature both a living room and a bedroom, offering added space for families.

These themes have both compelling storylines and vivid visuals which will come together to create a truly memorable, immersive resort experience. With more multi-generational families vacationing together, guests are looking for places where they can play together and stay together. This resort was designed with the needs of families in mind, as we continue the Disney tradition of providing a great guest experience for every taste and budget.
Eric Jacobson, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the 26th resort at Walt Disney World, will be one-of-a-kind, with themed building exteriors and room interiors, and larger-than-life icons from the animated films in the courtyard areas. Walt Disney World Resort currently features 25 uniquely themed, Disney owned-and-operated resort hotels with more than 26,000 guest rooms.

The new resort is expected to create more than 800 construction jobs, beginning immediately. All of the themed suites and rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are expected to open by the end of 2012.

Soccer fans in Central Florida can get swept up in the fever of 2010 FIFA World Cup through unique viewing opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill at Disney has been designated as an official viewing location for the month-long global soccer tournament.  Soccer fans can watch live World Cup matches televised on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 from South Africa involving their favorite soccer national teams on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill’s many large high-definition screens.

In addition, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill will offer special viewing parties running for the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and third-place match (June 26-July 10), which will include guaranteed seating to view the matches and an all-you-care-to-eat buffet featuring Buffalo wings, hot dogs, seasonal fruit, build-your-own salads, a nacho bar, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks – all for $19.99/per person, per game (plus tax).

The beautiful game kicks off on the world stage June 11, with open seating for breakfast and lunch available at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill for the group stage of play running through June 25.  A special viewing area will be available for the championship match July 11.
Reservations can be made starting May 27 by calling 407/WDW-DINE or by visiting espnwwos.com.

The official FIFA World Cup viewing location designation builds on the long-standing soccer tradition at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  The 220-acre complex, the leading multi-sports venue in the nation, hosts nearly 300 sports events each year, including the Disney Cup International Youth Soccer tournament (July) and the coveted Disney Soccer Showcase (December), which features the most decorated youth soccer players in the nation.

For more information on soccer events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, please visit espnwwos.com.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0J5LPUYHzM

Lights, water, music, fire and animation will come together like never before on June 11 when “World of Color” makes its dazzling debut at Disney’s California Adventure theme park. The show is choreographed with revolutionary technology that creates a playful, nighttime spectacular and a new way for guests to experience Disney stories – from the charming to the adventurous.

Presented on Paradise Bay in Disney’s California Adventure park, “World of Color” is a major milestone in the multi-year expansion of the park. The show combines nearly 1,200 powerful fountains, popular Disney music and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, including both classic and new animation projected on massive screens of water. “World of Color” floods the senses and takes the audience on an imaginative, emotional journey into the colorful worlds of Disney classics, such as “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid,” along with Disney•Pixar films including “Toy Story” and “WALL-E.”

What’s great about ‘World of Color’ is there’s something for everybody
Steve Davison of Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment

“World of Color”will take water-infused entertainment to a new level of artistry. Disney’s newest production features an unprecedented infrastructure of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, fog, surround sound and moving fountains that can shoot spouts from 30 feet to 200 feet high. Technical wizardry integrates all the media with one of the biggest show control systems ever built; more than 18,000 active points of control are precisely managed by a single system.

© Copyright Disney

“World of Color” debuts this year as part of “Summer Nightastic!” – a lineup of exciting, after-dark entertainment that will illuminate the night at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure theme parks. “Summer Nightastic!” will run from June 11 through Aug.29, while “World of Color” will continue entertaining guests year-round at Paradise Bay.

At Disneyland park, “Fantasmic!” ignites the night with thrills, life-like creatures including a fire-breathing dragon, and spine-tingling adventures for Sorcerer Mickey. In the skies above Sleeping Beauty Castle, “Magical” sparks to life with a dazzling firework spectacular in which colorful, choreographed pyrotechnics burst and soar to a soundtrack of Disney songs. “Magical” features both Tinker Bell and Dumbo in flight over the castle.

The Disneyland Resort features two theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney’s California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The resort’s three hotels are the luxurious, newly expanded 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the magical 970-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on new attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

© Copyright Disney

Jedis, Wookiees and Ewoks, Oh My!

Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in May and June for Star Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 21-June 13, 2010, Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes the galaxy’s home for out-of-this-world characters including Sith, Bith, droids, bounty hunters, Twi’leks and Rodians.

Dates are May 21-23, May 28-30, June 4-6 and June 11-13. This year’s event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back,” which first appeared in theaters May 21, 1980.

© Copyright Disney

More than 50 Star Wars characters will roam the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities. Also featured: the chance to purchase special- and limited-edition Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, Jedi Training Academy, Star Wars parades, rides aboard Star Tours and the popular “Hyperspace Hoopla” dance party.

Celebrities from the Star Wars films and creative geniuses who helped create the saga will be on hand each weekend for star conversations and autograph sessions.

(*Talent subject to change)

The celebrity hosts for each weekend are Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett in “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi”)and Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”).

© Copyright Disney

Special guests making weekend appearances include:

• May 21-23: Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett in “Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones”), Daniel Logan (Boba Fett in “Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones”), and Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Captain Rex in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)
• May 28-30: Matthew Wood (voice of General Grevious in “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Lorne Peterson (model-maker who worked on all six Star Wars live-action films) and Tom Kane (voice of Yoda in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)
• June 4-6: Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian in “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi”), Ray Park (Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace”) and Dave Filoni (director of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)
• June 11-13: Ray Park (Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace”), Peter Mayhew (who played everyone’s favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca, in four of the live-action films) and James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”).

Event activities are included in theme park admission. For more information, guests may go online to starwars.com, disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends or disneyparks.com/blog.

Jars of Clay from last year's Night of Joy

Past Christian music “Artists of the Year” Third Day, mercyme and Chris Tomlin and 2010 “Artist of the Year” nominees Casting Crowns and Francesca Battistelli head a star-powered 15-act lineup set for Disney’s Night of Joy 2010 Sept. 10-11 when the long-running Christian music event makes its return to Magic Kingdom.

Also part of the two-night event (when specific acts play one evening each): David Crowder*Band, Family Force 5, Red, BarlowGirl, Group 1 Crew, Day of Fire, Smokie Norful, Lecrae, 10th Avenue North and Sidewalk Prophets.

From 7 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. each night – after regular Magic Kingdom hours – the special-ticket event will feature live performances on several stages throughout the park. In addition, guests can experience some of the park’s most popular attractions during Night of Joy hours.

Musically, the acts add up to a lineup that runs the spectrum from Rock, Hip Hop and R&B … to Pop, Adult Contemporary and Gospel – continuing a tradition that has been a hallmark of Night of Joy since 1983 when the event began.

It’s also a lineup laden with accolades. Ten of the artists have amassed a combined 81 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and six The Recording Academy Grammy Awards. Twelve of the artists are nominated for a total of 33 Dove Awards this year. Winners will be announced April 21 at Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House.

Five artists are new to Night of Joy, bringing the event’s all-time talent list to 144 Christian music acts. The newbies:

• 10th Avenue North, the 2009 New Artist of the Year
• Group 1 Crew, which has carried home Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year honors the past two years
• Day of Fire, which earned the Rock Album of the Year accolade in 2005
• Sidewalk Prophets, a pop/rock group nominated for two Doves in 2010, including New Artist of the Year
• Lecrae, a Hip Hop/R&B artist who has garnered nominations in previous years.

Night of Joy tickets go on sale May 1. For more information about the event, visit www.nightofjoy.com.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opened April 16, 2001. This African themed resort is located adjacent to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. One of its main attractions is the ability for guests to watch wildlife graze outside their rooms and public areas in the resort within proximity, conveying the feeling of being in an African savanna. This hotel was designed by architect Peter Dominick, who also designed Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby

We had planned a trip to celebrate a family event and stayed at Jambo House over this past weekend. Although we checked in on the hotel’s anniversary, there was virtually no mention of the occasion to the guests. We did learn that the castmembers did have a private celebration, but I would have thought there would have been a bigger event for those staying in the hotel during this time.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby

The lobby of the hotel are wonderfully appointed and has a massive entry hall decorated to suit the theme of the hotel. From artifacts and carvings to views through the lobby into other areas the lobby is incredibly open and inviting; although it can be a bit noisy for some folks who might have issues with ambient noise.

Detailed railings in lobby

Ceremonial headdress in lobby

Rooms

A "not-so-hidden" Mickey

Upon entering our room we were greeted with a happy Mickey Mouse sculpture. This delighted our girls and set the tone for a great stay. The rooms themselves are nothing outside of the ordinary. We had the view of the parking lot, which was very noisy, but made that trade so our girls could have a bunk bed.

There is a small refrigerator in the room, but we had to call the front desk upon arrival because it did not work. There were some other signs of age in the room and hallways, but the hotel is still one of Disney’s premier resorts for many justified reasons. Ultimately, however, the rooms and fixtures are showing there age and I hope that this hotel is slated for an upgrade soon.

A note to TV fans, there was a time when Disney ran a reel of cartoons designed to keep the little ones entertained while in the room; that is no longer the case. In Disney’s desire to keep you out of the room and in their parks spending your money, their is virtually no way to rent or watch those classics in your room any longer. After a long day of swimming our little ones were too tired to do anything, but there was nothing for them to watch on TV.

Luckily, I had some movies on my iPad to save the day, but plan ahead and bring your own if you and your family like to relax with some movies. Also, the TV did, however, have a breakout box to plug external video sources to the nice flat-screen tv, but you need to have your own cables.

Another item of contention I have with most resorts today, not just Disney, is the lack of internet access. You have to pay for daily access, and it is only via ethernet access. The cost to provide access is minimal and for hotels to charge a daily fee for access in this digital age is akin to charging for baggage on airlines; sure you can do it, but do you really want to nickel-and-dime your guests in this manner?

Any hotel worth its salt provides this free to its guests in room, or at the very least through an open wifi network accessible somewhere in the hotel. I heard the same lament from many other guests as I was checking email with my iPhone throughout the weekend.

Dining

View into Boma from Victoria Falls Lounge

On Friday evening we had reservations at Boma to celebrate out family’s event; Boma features African style cooking in a buffet setting. The selection features items from fifty different African countries. The restaurant is designed to resemble an open African marketplace and the food is prepared in open cooking areas in view of diners.

Like most buffets, the food is adequate, although there are a few shining stars in the menu. Our group, of 4 adults and 2 children, all agreed that the soups are one of the best thing in the menu. The variety and diversity of the soups was fantastic with the She Crab Soup being my favorite item in the whole evening.

Exterior view of Jiko

The other area where the menu really shines is with desserts. There are a number of bite-sized choices ranging from traditional cookies to more extravagant pastries. Be forewarned, however, not all of these are for children since some do contain alcohol.

Pool

Panoramic view of pool

We spent the bulk of the day in the resort’s large pool. It is a great pool fit for everyone from the littlest explorers on up. There is a great slide that the kids enjoy and even a ceremony in the morning to wake the water spirits. It is all in good fun and all the kids have a blast.

Animals

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge savannah

One of the main reasons people come to this resort is the chance to see the animals from different public viewing locations as well as from many of the resort’s rooms. Although we did not have a safari view, we did spend quite a bit of time wandering the property and checking out the different animals.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge savannah

There are two main public areas to view the animals, with several smaller spaces within.

Savannah panorama

A big treat, if you can withstand the onslaught of mosquitos is to view the animals through the night-vision goggle. As soon after sundown as possible, you can queue up for a glimpse of the animals through the night-vision goggles; if you have never had a chance to use them, it is a great treat. From our viewing location we had four giraffes coming by to gaze at the people as well as numerous other animals grazing and wandering the property.

Night-vision view of the savannah

I had tried to take a video through the lens with my iPhone, but could not get an acceptable view and I did not want to hold up the other people waiting their turn. Again, if you are out and about at the resort, this is freely available to anyone and I highly recommend it.

Wrapping it Up

One of the many artifacts on exhibit in lobby

The hotel is a great change from the more traditional Disney resort, offering some unique amenities to differentiate itself from the other resorts available to guests who wish to stay at a Disney resort while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. Even though there are some obvious shortcomings in the resort, they would not keep me from returning again or recommending it to my friends. Honestly, where else can you watch giraffes feeding outside your window? If you are planning a stay, and can afford it, check out Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Sidenote, in keeping with a simple weekend, all the photos were taken with my iPhone; you can find more shots from the weekend at our flickr page. The panoramas were all created with Pano for the iPhone.