Earlier this week, legendary singer-songwriter Rod Stewart brought his family to the Disneyland Resort to celebrate his son Aiden’s second birthday. We caught up with the Stewart family in Disney California Adventure park where Goofy stopped by for a photo aboard the Red Car Trolley. Rod, one of rock’s style icons, let Goofy know how much he liked his suit and it was obvious that the birthday boy immediately recognized him from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Junior – the two even danced a little jig while singing the show’s catchy theme song – hot dog!

Rod is a huge model railroad enthusiast, and before he and Aiden disembarked the Red Car Trolley, they couldn’t resist blowing the whistle of car 623. All aboard for a special rockin’ birthday memory!

Tagged: DCA, DLR

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

It would have made a great “I’m Going to Disney World!” moment.

“Tina Fey, your award-winning series ’30 Rock’ has just ended its successful seven-season run on television. What are you going to do next?”

The response from the multi-talented writer, producer, actress, author, show creator and comedienne easily could have been “I’m going to Disney World!” — because that’s exactly what she did. After production recently ended on her acclaimed comedy series, Fey enjoyed a visit to Walt Disney World Resort. Her next film, “Admission,” is a comedy/drama co-starring actor Paul Rudd and is scheduled to debut in theaters next month.

Disney Parks Blog author Gene Duncan was on hand today at Epcot to capture this photo of Tina posing with “the fairest of them all,” Snow White, at the Germany Pavilion in World Showcase.

Tagged: Epcot, WDW

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom Park had a distinctive purple haze to it this afternoon as Baltimore Ravens fans joined other park guests and Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco in celebrating the team’s big win with a parade down Main Street, U.S.A.

Flacco rode in the parade along with Mickey Mouse, who dressed for the occasion by wearing his own football uniform, as confetti and balloons swirled around them amid cheers from the crowd.

Flacco, who was accompanied by his wife and other family members, is appearing in the famous “I’m Going To Disney World” commercial that is airing this week. Flacco threw three touchdown passes to lead the Ravens over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII and become part of our 26th “I’m Going To Disney World” campaign.

In case you missed it, here are some photos from the parade.

Tagged: Gallery, MK, Video, WDW

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

The world just saw quarterback Joe Flacco lead the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl win tonight in New Orleans, so the only question now is what Flacco is going to do next. Unless you have been stuck inside Space Mountain the last 20 years, the answer is pretty obvious: He’s going to Disney World, of course!

Yep, immediately after Flacco and his team beat the San Francisco 49ers tonight 34-31 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Flacco stood on the field, stared into a camera and shouted those now famous words: “I’m Going To Disney World!” The iconic moment is being used as part of a national TV commercial that, over the years, has become woven into the very fabric of the Super Bowl.

Flacco was the hero of the game, throwing three touchdown passes – all in the first half of the game – and completed 22 of his 33 passes for 287 yards to lead the Ravens to victory in front of a packed superdome crowd and a worldwide TV audience of more than 100 million. The performance earned him the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

More importantly for Walt Disney World Resort guests, the performance means Flacco will be coming to Magic Kingdom Park on Monday for a celebratory Super Bowl parade down Main Street, U.S.A., featuring balloons, confetti and Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie. It’s the perfect way for Flacco and fans to spend some “Disney Time” which very likely will become magical memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Check back on the Disney Parks Blog late Monday afternoon and I will have pictures and video from the parade to share with you.

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Last Friday, music superstar and Disney Legend Elton John played pianos all across North America, Japan, Korea, Australia, Russia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Singapore — and he did it all from the stage of the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park utilizing Yamaha’s groundbreaking DisklavierTV, powered by RemoteLive technology.

Elton John was one of more than a dozen music stars participating in a special private concert event celebrating the 125th anniversary of Yamaha, the official music instrument provider of the Disneyland Resort and the sponsor of our popular All American College Band, Disney’s Performing Arts, and The Community Arts Showcase.

The evening began with the host for the event, Sinbad, introducing performances by an eclectic group of top artists including Amy Grant; Chaka Khan; Dave Grusin; Earth, Wind & Fire; David Foster; Dave Koz; Michael McDonald; Sarah McLachlan; Toto; Lucy Schwartz; and an exciting new artist, LEOGUN. The Trojan Marching Band from USC even made a surprise appearance!

As the finale for this great evening, Sir Elton played five of his classic songs on a Yamaha Disklavier reproducing piano onstage at the Hyperion, accompanied by a 60-piece orchestra. His actual piano keystrokes were faithfully played, note for note, in real time (via MIDI data) on each of the remote Disklavier pianos all over the world just as if he were there, while the entire orchestra was seen and heard on adjacent monitors in perfect sync with the remote piano performance. The result was an amazing blend of artistry and technology.

Backstage, Elton John was presented with a special gift from Yamaha to commemorate his history-making performance.

Disneyland park guests can experience Yamaha’s amazing Disklavier technology every day at the Innoventions Dream Home in Tomorrowland. There, you can imagine legendary musicians playing “live” in your own home! Yamaha pianos can also be heard at some of your favorite locations throughout the Disneyland Resort, including Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, The Golden Horseshoe, Refreshment Corner hosted by Coca-Cola and the stage at Big Thunder Ranch.

Tagged: DCA, DLR

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

As they were getting ready to face off in the Pro Bowl game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu last week, NFL players stopped for a bit of fun and relaxation with their families at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, in Ko Olina, Hawai`i. On Friday, Jan. 25, the NFL Players Association hosted a special reception at the resort, which featured hula dancing, ukulele lessons, visits with Disney characters and more.

Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings was there with his family and posed for photos with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Stitch.

Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans was there with his family, who stopped to take a photo with Goofy.

Get a peek inside the event in the video below, and keep an eye out for more NFL stars such as Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys (who plays a mean ukulele) and Antonio Cromartie of the New York Jets.

Tagged: Aulani, DVC, Video

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts

Working mom Vanna White stopped by while filming “Wheel of Fortune” in Orlando to share her vacation tips on the brand spanking new Disney Parks Moms Panel website. Enjoy!

For more from the “Moms Panel Monday” series, check out the posts below:

• Announcing the Disney Parks Moms Panel
• Moms Panel Monday: He’s Not Resting On His Laurels, He’s Collecting Them!
• Moms Panel Monday: Your Resolution? Casey Jr. at Walt Disney World Resort Has The Right Idea!

Tagged: Moms Panel, Video, WDW

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Walt Disney World Resort