Our “Monsters University” Homecoming celebration is underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and today we’re sharing a look at some of the fun from our latest “Limited Time Magic” experience.

If you missed Friday’s announcement, The Monsters University School of Scaring is hosting a campus bash inspired by Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University.” During the party, the monsters of rock, Scare Supply, are on stage playing a medley of monster mash-ups and they’re joined by Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan.

The Monsters University Cheerleaders are also leading the Monster University Fight Song to keep the energy up during the night.

The Monsters University Homecoming “Limited Time Magic” celebration will continue for the entire Monstrous Summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Tagged: DHS, Gallery, Limited Time Magic, WDW

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

With the return of summer, I’m longing to visit a beach (road trip to Key West, anyone?). Fortunately, with Walt Disney World Resort in my backyard, there are plenty of places for me to cool off. I recently visited Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, one of two Disney Water Parks in Florida, to survey some of the fun beach-themed goods offered at Disney Parks.

Singapore Sal’s is the main merchandise location at Typhoon Lagoon. Inside this shop, you will find an assortment of beach essentials such as towels, bathing suits, shirts, sandals and much more. I particularly liked the brightly colored Mickey Mouse-themed shovels and castle-shaped sand sculpting molds. They would have been nice to use the time I built a sand castle by hand on Castaway Cay while on a Disney cruise.

The location also carries underwater, one-time-use cameras; plastic cases to protect identification cards and other things from water; and Coppertone sunscreen (a must while enjoying the outdoors).

Speaking of sun protection, the headwear team recently introduced several new sun hats that utilize a special fabric from Coppertone. These hats offer an Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+, and block 98% of UVA and 99% of UVB rays. There are hats for children and adults, and they feature Disney characters like Mickey Mouse or the logos for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.

After spending a few moments outside in the warm Florida sun, I was tempted to change into a bathing suit, rent a Polar Patio at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon (or at Disney’s Blizzard Beach – I’m not picky), and spend a day “working” outside. I’m sure I could call that “work.”

Happy summer!

Tagged: DLR, WDW

Filed: Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

With the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room coming up this Sunday, June 23, I wanted to take a few minutes for you to meet some friends of mine. I’ve spent many an afternoon sharing a Dole Whip and friendly conversation with these wooden residents of the garden outside the Enchanted Tiki Room, watching them come to life and introduce themselves. Let’s meet the Tiki gods of the Enchanted Tiki Garden:

• Pele: This Hawaiian fire goddess lives in the Kilauea volcano and likes to torment her neighbor …
• Ngendei: from Fiji, he is the creator of all the gods. He’s also got a big job as balancer of the whole world. That pressure combined with the torment he suffers from Pele – it’s no wonder there’s an earthquake every time he moves.
• Maui: The Polynesian trickster who gave people time and roped the playful Sun.
• Rongo: The Polynesian god of agriculture, also known as Lono in Hawai`i, is also the provider of food. He also discovered electricity, naturally.
• Koro: The Midnight Dancer, under whose spell all ladies and men learned to dance.
• Tangaroa-ru: Also known as Mapui-Kaufanga in Maori tales, she is goddess of the east winds, which bring rain.
• Hina Kaluua: This Hawaiian mistress of rain, from Hilo, Hawai`i, keeps it in the family – her daughter, Hina, is the mother of the trickster, Maui.
• Tangaroa: The father of all gods and goddesses, he took the form of a tree (a tree that no one ever did see).

While these Tiki carvings were based on legends of the South Pacific, a few of our own Disney Legends worked on the Tiki gods you find in the Enchanted Tiki Garden. They were primarily designed by Imagineers Marc Davis and Rolly Crump. The plaques and dialogue were written by Marty Sklar, who went on to become vice chairman and principal creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering.

I think my favorite Tiki god is poor Ngendei – I mean, who hasn’t felt like you were “just hanging on”? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog over the next few days, as we bring you even more features in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room!

For more from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disney Parks, read the posts below:

• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room 50th Anniversary Event at the Disneyland Resort – Merchandise Update
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room 50th Anniversary Event at the Disneyland Resort
• Imagineers Go Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Tagged: DL, DLR, Video

Filed: Disney History, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort