There’s a new monorail in town here at Walt Disney World Resort that you’ve just gotta see! One of the monorails on the Magic Kingdom Park/Resorts loop now features the cast of Disney•Pixar’s new movie “Monsters University,” including Mike, Sulley and a host of new characters you’ll meet when it comes to theaters June 21.

Last time we saw them on-screen, Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan seemed to be an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other – and that’s the story told in “Monsters University,” which lets us take a fun look back at how Mike and Sulley met and eventually became the best of friends.

In case you haven’t seen it, I think the previews look hilarious. Check out the clip below and be sure to look for it in theaters in 3D June 21.

Tagged: Video, WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Today’s “Caption This” photo is of a few friends monkeying around at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

In it, King Louie, Terk, Timon, and Baloo gather to show a little character. What do these friends have in common? Are they thinking of the fun they had on the park’s 15th anniversary yesterday? Tell us in the “Comments” section below – go ahead and Caption This!


Read on for more chances to “Caption This”:

• Caption This: Piracy in the Caribbean at Walt Disney World Resort
• Caption This: A Curious Visitor at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
• Caption This: Printing History at Spaceship Earth at Epcot

Tagged: DAK, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the fourth theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort, will celebrate its 15th anniversary today, April 22, which also happens to be Earth Day.

Today’s celebration featured a special opening ceremony led by Josh D’Amaro, Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Dr. Jackie Ogden, Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment, and was highlighted with a fun performance of “Circle of Life” from the park’s “Festival of The Lion King.” Other fun planned for the day includes special Earth Day “Party for the Planet” festivities, and unique merchandise and food & beverage offerings.

The park originally opened in 1998 to feature several lands dedicated to exploring wildlife and wild places – Africa, Discovery Island, Oasis, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and DinoLand, U.S.A. An additional land, Asia, was added in 1999. The park has seen many exciting additions since its debut, including TriceraTop Spin in 2001, Primeval Whirl in 2002, Expedition Everest (one of my favorites!) in 2006, “Finding Nemo – The Musical,” which grand-opened in 2007, and Wild Africa Trek in 2011.

Which Disney’s Animal Kingdom offering has been your favorite over the years? Tell us in the “Comments” section below.

To join the celebration online, use the hashtag #DAK15 on Twitter.

Tagged: DAK, Gallery, Video, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Sara Peterson, editor-in-chief of HGTV Magazine, will take the HGTV Designers’ Stage at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival this weekend to talk tips on boosting your home’s curb appeal.

While she was here on Friday, she took time to sample a few of the Garden Marketplaces located around World Showcase. Check out her review below!

You can catch Sara at the HGTV Designer’s Stage at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tagged: Dining, Epcot, International Flower and Garden Festival, Video, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

This week’s “Finish That Disney Parks Sign” can be found at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The sign is one that Andy (from “Toy Story”) has posted on his door…looks like only one person is allowed in. What name is blurred out above? Tell us in the “Comments” section below. We’ll update the post later today with the answer.

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Tagged: WDW

Filed: Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

With the 15th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom coming up next week (on April 22), we thought we’d share this visual treat with you early – it’s a look at the early construction of the park’s Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life is the centerpiece of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – and for me, it has always been one of the most visually stunning sights in the park. This 145-foot-tall masterpiece was designed as a symbol of the circle of life and features 325 animals sculpted into its roots, trunk and branches. No matter how many times I visit the park, I love to try to count how many different animals I can spot.

Check out this video, which shows the construction of the tree from ground up.

For more on what’s planned for the park’s anniversary, don’t miss our previous post.

To join the conversation about the park’s anniversary online, use the hashtag #DAK15 on Twitter.

Tagged: DAK, Video, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

When we were sorting through images to use in today’s coverage of the 30th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland, one image in particular caught my eye – it’s a shot of a huge group of Disney characters assembled for the opening ceremony.

One character in this group caught my attention: It’s the pink character on the very far right, wearing a blue hat. I didn’t recognize him, and neither did a few of my coworkers. Pretty soon, a whole cluster of Disney friends were surrounding my computer tossing out guesses.

After a call to the Disney Archives, we finally found the answer. Can you identify him? Leave your guess in the “Comments” section below. I’ll update the post later with the answer – it may surprise you!

Be sure to check the Disney Parks Blog later today for a look at the 30th anniversary festivities.

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Tagged: Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo Disneyland

Filed: Tokyo Disneyland