This week, we continue our “Year of the Ear” celebration as part of “Limited Time Magic” with the release of two new hats. In recent years, the headwear team has designed some unique hats inspired by things found at Disney Parks. Some of my favorites include the hats that look like Disney characters or the hats inspired by pavilions from World Showcase at Epcot. On April 1, these new sweet and cozy hats join my favorites list. I asked Disney Design Group artist Mark Seppala how he created the strawberry ear hat.

“I took photos of four different strawberries to design this hat,” explained Mark. “After merging the four photographs, I rendered the image to get the final art. The ear hat looks wonderful; it exceeded my expectations. Spring is a great time for enjoying strawberries, so we thought this hat would make a nice addition to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.”

My son and I love the chocolate, caramel-covered strawberries from Karamell-Küche in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot. I snuck a quick photo of him wearing this hat, which we’ll both need during our next strawberry eating excursion.

On April 1, look for this hat in select locations at Epcot, including the Festival Center located between Mission: SPACE and Universe of Energy.

My other new favorite hat was inspired by the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park. I first enjoyed some of their delicious treats last summer during a vacation in California (churro bites for the win!).

Several Disney Design Group artists, including Brian Blackmore, Mark Seppala and Mike Posluszny, collaborated on the design. They used elements from the awesome neon sign like the motel logo and the “Zs.” I convinced my fellow Disney Parks Blog author Erin Catalano to let me photograph her wearing the hat (she was a good sport and now I owe her one).

Look for this hat starting April 1 at Sarge’s Surplus Hut in Disney California Adventure park.

You can find updates on our latest extra sprinkle of pixie dust on our LimitedTimeMagic.com web page, or join the conversation on Twitter using hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic.

Tagged: DLR, Limited Time Magic, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

With Easter only a few days away, I donned my Oswald the Lucky Rabbit ear hat and hopped around Walt Disney World Resort in search of bunny rabbit merchandise. According to the Chinese Zodiac, I was born in a rabbit year so I must have a special connection to them (owls and cats, however, still top my “favorite animals” list).

My fellow author Jennifer Fickley-Baker previously shared a roundup of Disney rabbits. Those same bunnies have found their way onto merchandise from Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

I think my favorite bunny item this year is the Vinylmation figure that resembles a chocolate bunny wrapped in gold foil (I’m an “ears first” kind of guy).

Here is an image gallery of a few other bunny-themed goods from Disney Parks.

“Hoppy” Easter!

Tagged: DLR, Gallery, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

I was delighted to see the logo for Star Wars Weekends 2013 as shared by my fellow author Gary Buchanan. He said the artwork gives a nod to the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.” I vividly recall seeing the film in theaters with my parents in May 1983. I was completely obsessed with Star Wars at the time, so I love this poster as it reminds me of my childhood. Disney Design Group artist Tyler Dumas said they had some different poster concepts, like Mickey Mouse in the Rancor pit, before selecting an iconic scene from the Battle of Endor.

Here is a look at some new items with this year’s logo coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 17, 2013.

The logo is featured on numerous items including a Disney pin, a coffee mug, a photo frame and more. Disney Design Group also created a unique Star Wars Weekends “title crawl” image for merchandise, which reminds me of the opening title sequences from the Star Wars motion pictures.

We are trying a few new things this year, like an oversized calendar with 13 previous Star Wars Weekends posters. Each poster measures 12-inches by 18-inches, and can be removed from the calendar for framing. We are also introducing a deluxe autograph and photograph book (I’m adding that to the “long overdue” column). The popular Star Tours nametags using Aurebesh will be returning. This year, we will have a new black name tag for Annual Passholders only!

I’m particularly excited about some new toys this year. Jedi Mickey’s Starfighter is amazing (insta-buy)! We will also have new Muppets action figures and new die-cast cars of Disney•Pixar “Cars” characters portraying Star Wars characters. I think the oversized Salacious B. Crumb latex character and the thermal detonator “hot potato” game are perfect for this year’s theme.

Finally, we will have new Vinylmation at this year’s event including a limited release mystery series; a Vinylmation, Jr. series with droids; and two limited edition figures – a removable, 3-inch figure of Han Solo in Carbonite, and a 9-inch Jabba the Hutt figure with a 1.5-inch Salacious B. Crumb figure.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog, StarWars.com and DisneyWorld.com/StarWarsWeekends for future updates. I can’t wait for May!

Join the conversation online by using the hash tag #StarWarsWeekends on Twitter.

Star Wars: © 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

Tagged: DHS, Gallery, Star Wars, WDW

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

In January, I shared with you some answers to popular merchandise questions I hear at Disney Parks. One question, however, stands out from the rest in the comments – readers want to know if items will be offered on our Disney Parks online store. I’m not surprised by this question because I also love shopping online (it’s super easy, especially from the mobile device I always have in my hand). The great news is that our online store is adding many new Disney Parks Authentic items in the coming weeks. I spoke with Meredith Gaiser, e-commerce planner for the online store, about what fans can expect to see.

“I’m happy we are adding new Disney Parks items to the online store as this decision was based on fan feedback,” exclaimed Meredith. “After reading the comments from fans, we felt it was time to expand our online assortment. Guests will see new items from departments like toys, home, collectibles and others. This is a great thing especially for guests who may be planning a trip to Disney Parks or who maybe missed an item during a recent visit. The assortment will vary so we hope guests will visit often.”

The best place to find these items each week is in the “Disney Parks New Arrivals” section. Some examples of highly demanded items that were recently added include the Star Tours – The Adventures Continue action figure play sets first introduced in 2011, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom trading card home game, and the incredibly awesome 30th Anniversary of Epcot bracelet I discussed in January. I’m also in love with the new seasonal items inspired by Walt Disney’s animated classic “Alice in Wonderland.”

To celebrate these new arrivals and fans who asked for more options, we are holding a special one day only sale on March 26, 2013.

Guests who shop on the Disney Parks online store that day only should use the code PARK25 to save 25%-off select Disney Parks merchandise. There are some exclusions like Dooney & Bourke handbags and accessories and Duffy the Disney Bear, so please read all terms and conditions.

Tagged: DLR, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

One reason I enjoy Disney Parks is that there is always something to do. I enjoy annual events like the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival or the upcoming Star Wars Weekends. There are also many smaller events held each month that offer chance encounters with some cool people. One such opportunity will take place this weekend when pop artist Romero Britto visits Walt Disney World Resort.

Brazilian-born Britto has been creating colorful masterpieces for years. He uses bold patterns and vibrant colors that he says are a “visual language of hope and happiness.” Romero has lived in Miami, Florida, since the late 1980s. I recall hearing about his art in 2007, when he created a giant pyramid in Hyde Park to celebrate the return of Tutankhamen to London, England (in another life, I would be an Egyptologist).

In recent years, Romero created several whimsical Disney figurines of some well known characters like Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket and Kermit the Frog. These figurines have been carried in the Art of Disney gallery locations at Disney Parks. I also found some of his non-Disney works at Pop Gallery located at Downtown Disney West Side.

We are releasing three newer items this weekend that my fellow author Michelle Harker first told you about in early March. They include figurines of Sorcerer Mickey and Mickey Mouse with stylized heart. We are also releasing a figurine plaque that shows Mickey and Minnie Mouse in a loving embrace.

I invite you to stop by this weekend to meet Britto. On March 22, he will be at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. He will be at the Art of Disney in the Downtown Disney Marketplace on March 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please note that we will be distributing wristbands to guests who purchase Britto merchandise on the day of the signing and would like to have two items signed.

Tagged: Art of Disney, WDW

Filed: Art of Disney, Walt Disney World Resort

A few weeks ago, I shared a glimpse at some exciting changes planned for Vinylmation. One of the first series the team addressed dates back to the very beginning of Vinylmation – the Urban series. This graphic focus series allows Disney artists to express their individual art styles on figures shaped like Mickey Mouse. I met with Disney Design Group artist Thomas Scott to learn about the new direction for this series.

“We began considering enhancements to Vinylmation in early 2012,” explained Thomas. “We released nine different Urban series in the past four years, but felt it was time for change. We titled this new series ‘Urban Redux,’ as we wanted a fresh start. We kept some of the great elements like strong visual graphics and whimsy, and added some new things we think collectors will love.”

The first noticeable thing is the tray now consists of eight boxes, not 24 as previously featured. Each tray will contain at least one of each of the five known designs shown on the packaging. The tray will also contain at least one of the following three figures – a “mystery” chaser, a variant figure or a super mystery chaser. Odds are also now featured on the individual boxes which indicate your chances of finding a particular figure. These changes mean that a tray may not contain a mystery chaser figure like before.

“We wanted the strongest possible designs for these smaller collections,” Thomas continued. “The smaller series will give our fans the ability to complete a series faster. We also added fun surprises to Urban Redux, like a small number of figures hand signed by the artists that we mixed into the trays.”

I asked Thomas if those autographed figures were considered the super mystery chasers. Smiling, Thomas said they were not such figures. Rather, they were something very unique and something we’ve not done before for a mystery series.

This new series will be released on March 22 at D Street in California and Florida. The series will launch on the Disney Parks online store on March 25. We are holding a special release party on Friday, March 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at D Street in Downtown Disney West Side at the Walt Disney World Resort. There, you can meet the Disney artists behind this new series, including Thomas Scott, Maria Clapsis, Billy Davis, Caley Hicks and Monty Maldovan.

For more news on Vinylmation, read the posts below:

• Radio Disney Music Awards Show Will Feature Award Inspired by Disney Parks Collectible
• Vinylmation Evolution: Exciting Future for Collectible Figures at Disney Parks
• Disney Parks Celebrate ‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ with New Merchandise

Tagged: DLR, Vinylmation, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Characters from Disney, Pixar and the Muppets have inspired many things at Disney Parks. I think some of my favorites, however, are the delicious treats found in several locations throughout Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. There are candy apples resembling Kermit the Frog, or Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. I love the packaging for the Wonderland Tea items, which will be perfect for my next unbirthday. One of the more unique items I discovered in Goofy’s Candy Company at Downtown Disney Marketplace was oversized Rice Krispies cakes that look like Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse.

Here is a look at a few other items I found. What is your favorite treat from Disney Parks? Please share in the comments below.

Tagged: DLR, Gallery, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort