We made it official this week…“World of Color” makes its debut at Disney’s California Adventure park on June 11. Heather not only announced the date but also shared a special introduction from the man behind the magic, Steve Davison from Walt Disney Creative Entertainment:

Here are this week’s most popular posts.

A Model Vacation on Disney Cruise Line – Exclusive Tilt-Shift Video — The latest in our series of tilt-shift videos shows the Disney Wonder cruise ship on a “miniature scale” journey to Castaway Cay.

‘Eat to the Beat’ Concert Series Lineup at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival — We’ve set the schedule for the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series at the 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

First Look: Disney Vacation Connection Desktop Widget — Disney Parks Blog readers got a sneak peek at the new Disney Vacation Connection desktop widget, which will offer news, calendars and information about Disney theme parks, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club.

Tween Crazes Hit Walt Disney World — Pook-A-Looz and Rubber Band Animals have invaded Walt Disney World, and Dara Trujillo helped us navigate these tween trends.

New Retro Inspired Tees Featuring the Matterhorn and the Flying Saucers, Have Landed! — Matterhorn Bobsleds and Flying Saucers retro tees have been added to the attraction t-shirts available for Disneyland’s 55th anniversary.

Tagged: DCA, DCL, DLR, Epcot, Video, WDW, Weekly Recap, World of Color

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Sometimes I travel with my little dog, Daisy. You probably travel with your fur baby, too, so if you’re coming to Disneyland and Fluffy is with you, there’s a special place for him or her at the Disneyland Resort. It’s called the Disneyland Kennel Club, and it’s located to the right of the Disneyland gate.

The kennel is a convenient service for those who travel with their pets. Recently, 52 new kennels replaced old ones and the exercise yard now has artificial turf and porous concrete, along with a mural from “Lady and the Tramp.” Just in case you forget Spot’s favorite blanket, the kennel will provide one at no cost.

The Disneyland Kennel Club welcomes: dogs, cats, birds (unless there is an avian bird flu alert), rabbits and non-venomous reptiles. (They do not accept ferrets.) Dogs and cats four months or older must have official vet records that show their most recent rabies, distemper and hepatitis vaccinations. Cats also need proof of feline leukemia, rhinotracheitus and calcivirus vaccinations. The kennel doesn’t walk or feed your pet. (Sometime soon the kennel cast members will be able to feed your pet, but not right now.) You are responsible for that, so make sure to carve time out of your day to do so. It’s a daytime kennel, so no overnight stays. You can drop off your pet half an hour before park opens and pick up half an hour after park closes. Cost is $20. For more information call: 714-781-POOCH (76624). Enjoy this video to get an inside view of the Disneyland Kennel Club.

Tagged: DL, DLR, Video

Filed: Disneyland Resort

We’ve got kumquats this weekend at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The fruit is part of a special Florida Farmer’s Market celebration “Fresh from Florida” at Garden Town that begins today and runs through April 25. Stop by if you’re enjoying the Festival this weekend.

Also this week, the Walt Disney World Resort is looking for Quick Service food and beverage hosts and hostesses. If food is your passion, visit WaltDisneyWorld.jobs/jobfair for information.

Here are a few more items of interest that didn’t make it to the blog this week.

Where’s Goofy? — The Walt Disney World Moms Panel answers the question, “How can we make sure to see Goofy while we’re at Walt Disney World?”

Disney’s California Food and Wine Fest — Don’t miss the seminars and demos at Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival.

Disney Gardening at Home — Learn the top picks for mixed containers at the Disney Gardening at Home series at Epcot.

Vinylmation Mystery Pin Collection – Urban #4 — This limited release mystery collection features Mickey Mouse in various artistic styles, two randomly selected collector pins and one mystery chaser!

Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Night — Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Night, is tonight, April 23, from 7-10 pm in the Magic Kingdom Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel.

Tagged: California Food and Wine Festival, DLR, International Flower and Garden Festival, Moms Panel, Pin Trading, Pins, Quick Hits, Vinylmation, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

The preservation of the King Arthur Carrousel horses – each of which is a genuine antique, older than Disneyland itself – involves pulling horses off the Carrousel, replacing them with “alternates,” repairing them, sanding them, refinishing them and repainting them. It’s why they always look “new,” even though they’re decades old. Not only are they antiques, they’re probably among the most well-maintained antiques in the world, considering they have guests bouncing up and down on them for hours a day, every day of the year.

You might be surprised to learn that….

• The original fleet of horses came from Canada.
• All the Carrousel horses are made of wood.
• There is one cast member whose sole responsibility is to take care of all 85 horses.
• There are 72 horses on King Arthur Carrousel at a time.
• Horses are rotated whenever they need maintenance.
• In 2008 Jingles, a very special horse, was redesigned and decorated in the theme of “Mary Poppins” as a dedication to actress Julie Andrews.

A Disneyland Resort cast member, Rick Temple, tells us how King Arthur Carrousel is more than just an attraction – it’s a piece of history that he’s happy to preserve.

Tagged: DL, DLR, Video

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Today, we caught up with Emmy Award-winning actress, writer & producer Tina Fey as she enjoyed one of those amazing milkshakes at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant. Tina was visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park while on vacation with her family at the Walt Disney World Resort. As you know, she’s the star of the feature film “Date Night” and executive producer, head writer and star of the NBC series “30 Rock.”

Tagged: DHS, WDW

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

Every cheerleading squad probably thinks it’s the best in the world. Well, this weekend at Walt Disney World, they get their chance to prove it.

Cheerleading squads literally from around the world are arriving at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney for the 2010 International Cheer Union World Championships, which is akin to the Olympics of cheerleading. Squads from China, Finland, Mexico, Thailand, etc., as well as squads from across the U.S., are jumping, bouncing, screaming and tumbling for the chance to be crowned World Champion this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s a huge deal. China, for instance, is expected to bring a delegation of 300 members.

In all, there are expected to be more than 2,000 cheerleaders making up more than 150 squads from 45 or more countries. Teams will compete in various groups, plus there’ll be a competition between each country’s national teams for the world titles.

The competition is fierce, but the event also serves as a great opportunity for the mingling of various cultures in an Olympic village type of setting. Friendships are forged, cultural artifacts are exchanged and memories are created.

The event is open to the public. To purchase tickets, go to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex box office.

Tagged: WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Hi, I’m Christi, manager of public affairs at Disney Cruise Line, and I’m very excited to be the newest Disney Parks Blog author. Together with my colleague Jonathan Frontado, we hope to share even more stories about Disney Cruise Line with you.

If you’re like most of the people I talk to, you want to know how the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are progressing. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where the new Disney ships are being constructed, and I can tell you that it’s an amazing place. The shipyard welcomes 300,000 tourists each year. Visitors learn about shipbuilding and even see ships, like the Disney Dream, being built.

I hope you enjoy my posts as I provide an insider’s view on some of the construction milestones. For instance, check out the latest photo of the stern of the Disney Dream with its elaborate scrollwork. While remarkable in its unfinished phase, soon Sorcerer Mickey will add a bit of Disney magic to complete this signature feature.

Look for more updates on the construction of the ships as well as details on how Disney Cruise Line is giving back to port communities and how we are committed to implementing green initiatives aboard.

Tagged: DCL, Disney Dream

Filed: Disney Cruise Line