You’ve probably seen Tom Smith’s “Quick Hits” series that covers a variety of items that didn’t make the Disney Parks Blog. Today, I’m starting a new series of updates and highlights from the Disneyland Resort that might interest you. We’re calling it “Disneyland Resort Notes.”

Replicas of Original 1955 Attraction Vehicles – Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily released several pieces of vintage 55th merchandise on July 17, and they’re creating several replicas of attraction vehicles for attractions that debuted when Disneyland park opened in 1955. Last week we shared a photo of their new “Rocket to the Moon” replica on Twitter, and today you can take a peek at one of their upcoming replicas of Walt’s Car (shown above). You can see more of their work at artofdisneyparks.com.

“World of Color” Creator – Have you played around with the “World of Color” Creator yet? It’s a way of bringing home some of the fun of this popular, new show. Visit www.worldofcolorcreator.com to create a video that combines Disney characters, music, and spectacular fountain effects with your favorite Disney memories. You can even upload your own photos and videos to make a one-of-a-kind video to share with your family and friends. See a sample on the Disney Parks YouTube Channel.

Summer Nightastic! Customized Video – For more video fun at home, we’ve created a personalized Summer Nightastic! video experience for our devoted Facebook fans. Visit www.mysummernightastic.com and follow the prompts to enter your Facebook login information and allow access (don’t worry, we won’t post anything to your Facebook account or use your information for anything other than a bit of fun). Then, sit back and watch a surprising Summer Nightastic! video – starring you! Here’s a tip for Disney Parks Blog readers: select “Replay” at the end of your video. You’ll see a slightly different video each time!

Taste of Downtown Disney – Tickets are now available for a Taste of Downtown Disney, which features a champagne reception and wine/spirits/beer pairings at several restaurants in the the Downtown Disney District. The event will be held August 12 and it benefits the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Which of these Disneyland Resort notes strikes your fancy?

Tagged: DCA, DL, DLR

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Hey Star Wars Fans. Star Wars Weekends may have come and gone at light speed, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until next year to add new Star Wars collectibles to your out of this world collections.

Coming this August, the creative teams at Disney Theme Park Merchandise, Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Classics Collection are pleased to release the newest sculpture created especially for Disney Parks, Jedi Mickey Mouse. This striking piece was created with precise detail that is synonymous with Disney, Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Classics Collection.

Jedi Mickey Mouse stands 6 ¼” tall and is hand-crafted of kiln-fired porcelain with accents of metallic paint on Mickey’s lightsaber hilt.

While Jedi Mickey Mouse won’t be available until the end of August, we’re giving you a chance to pre-order before it hits the shelves at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts! If you’d like to add Jedi Mickey Mouse to your collection, call Walt Disney Event Services at 407.827.7600.

For more information on Jedi Mickey Mouse by Walt Disney Classics Collection, check out ArtOfDisneyParks.com.

Tagged: DLR, Star Wars, WDW

Filed: Art of Disney, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

At ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, there’s a lot of attention paid to keeping the playing fields in tip top shape partly because the pro athletes demand it but more importantly because America’s youth athletes compete there virtually every day. Even though you don’t have big-league ballplayers playing on your lawn, you can still try to keep it in immaculate condition with the help of our sports complex experts.

The staff that grooms all 220 acres of the Complex, known as the Sportscape team, will be passing along their tips and tricks to help you treat your lawn like the pros. To start off our series of tips here are some on general lawn care:

1. Remember, a thick and healthy turf is the best weed control. It can be beneficial to apply a weed preventer called a pre-emergent herbicide to your lawn twice a year. The first application should be applied in February for summer weeds and another in September for winter weeds.
2. Fertilize your lawn using a slow release fertilizer during the growing season (March – November) every 6-8 weeks. Use a complete fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorous, potash and if possible some micro-nutrients such as iron and sulfur. This will feed your turf and keep it green and lush.
3. It is better that your lawn receives one good soaking either through rainfall or watering once per week, versus several small applications. Also, it is best to water your lawn during the early morning hours if possible to help prevent disease.
4. Most lawns need to be mowed at a height of 3.5 – 4 inches tall. This height will keep it greener longer, with less water and less stress on the turf. Keep the cutting blade(s) sharp so you are cutting the turf and not ripping it.

If you have some questions about your lawn and garden, be sure to reply below and we will try to have our Sportscape crew pass along their insight.

Tagged: WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

I agree with Dave, Club Cool at Epcot is a perfect stop on a hot summer day – like today. And once inside, you’ll likely hear chatter ( maybe even a few stories) about an Italian beverage called Beverly. It’s made by The Coca-Cola Company and it has a distinct taste. I certainly remember the first time I tasted it and here are a few others who probably will too. Check it out:

Yes, some Guests crave the stuff – I’ve met a few. Of course, you can sample other Coca-Cola products from countries around the world at Club Cool. Here’s the list:

• Krest Ginger Ale from Mozambique
• Fanta Kolita from Costa Rica
• Vegeta Beta from Japan
• Kinley Lemon from Israel
• Lift Apple from Mexico
• Smart Watermelon from China
• Mezzo Mix from Germany

Have you tried Beverly? Share your favorite beverage in the comments.

Tagged: Epcot, Video, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Today’s video gives a unique look at the new, nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure park, “World of Color.” This is a VIP view that most of us will never have the chance to see. While you can get FASTPASS tickets for a ground view of “World of Color,” there’s no FASTPASS ticket that will get you access this high up.

The footage was shot from a fixed-wing aircraft recently at approximately 1,800 feet above Disney California Adventure park. I particularly like the wide shot where you can see Glow Fest, “World of Color,” and the whole city of Anaheim around Disney California Adventure park.

Let us know what you think in the comments.

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Video, World of Color

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

Our Guests tell us they love that Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to animals of enormous diversity – everything from 2-gram poison dart frogs to 13,000-pound African elephants. What they are sometimes surprised to learn is the critical role biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, plays in these animals’ survival – and our survival too.

On July 28, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity at Rafiki’s Planet Watch from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Guests can learn why biodiversity is so important by participating in fun, informative activities and presentations, including animal meet-and-greets featuring diverse animal species; “biodiversity bingo,” using the Conservation Station wall of animal faces; a “match the species to the habitat” game hosted by the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund team; presentations on seed diversity by the agricultural sciences team from The Land pavilion at Epcot; a display on sea life diversity; and animal medical examinations and procedures taking place at our veterinary hospital.

Biodiversity is essential to sustaining the living networks and systems that provide us with food, water, fuel and the other things necessary for our survival. For example, most of the oxygen we breathe comes from plankton in the oceans of the world and lush forests around the globe. To enhance public awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity – and the threats to biodiversity we face today – the United Nations General Assembly declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity with the goal of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss globally.

Tagged: Conservation, DAK, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom

A quick update to our recent post on Canoe Races of the World, also known as C.R.O.W.; a new champ reigns supreme for 2010.

Of 79 participating teams, Shut Up and Let Me Row… HEY! from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, was crowned the 2010 C.R.O.W. grand champion on July 23. The title is a first for the co-ed recreational team, who competed against five other finalists in the grand championship round, held pre-dawn on the Rivers of America in the Magic Kingdom.

Team captain Kari Harlow says strong communication and unity among the team members to keeping them in sync on the river and ultimately cinching the victory. A sense of humor helped too. Harlow says the team loves to laugh, which kept them feeling positive throughout the competition.

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort