Mark your calendars – On August 13, we begin booking reservations for premium events for the 18th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. And this week, Pam shared a list of experiences planned for this year’s 46-day fest, including some new ones:

• New Scotland, Land of Food And Drink (Sept. 28), $95 or $115
• New Spirits Confidential (Nov. 1), $80 or $95
• New Parisian Breakfast (Saturdays), $37
• New Hibachi Experience (Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5), $120

There are many more experiences, including The Discovery of Chocolate, to be found in Pam’s original Epcot International Food & Wine Festival story. Also, here’s the all-important number to keep handy: 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378).

And did you catch the water performance by The Aqualillies during their visit to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort? The synchronized swimming team showed off their skills with style in the resort’s Big Blue Pool – the largest pool we have at the entire the Walt Disney World Resort.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Disney Parks After Dark: Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea – The “Disney Parks After Dark” series continues with a beautiful view of Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea.

A Look Back: Sailing Ship Columbia Debuts at Disneyland Park 55 Years Ago This Week – In honor its 55th anniversary, take a look at some new and vintage photos of the Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland park.

New Savory Treat at Disneyland Park: Slow-Roasted Pork Shank – The slow-roasted pork shank, which debuted at Gaston’s Tavern at Walt Disney World Resort, is now on the menu at Edelweiss Snacks in Fantasyland at the Disneyland Resort!

Finish That Disney Parks Sign: A ‘Tangled’ Poster at Magic Kingdom Park – Jenn asked us to identify what prestigious collection will be on display in the Lavender Tea Room at Magic Kingdom Park.

Retelling a ‘Tale as Old as Time’ with New Vinylmation Series Debuting at Disney Parks on June 21 – Take a look at the new “Beauty and the Beast” Vinylmation series that is set to debut at Disney Parks on June 21.

Cruise Over to Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney This Father’s Day – Car Masters Weekend returns to Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort June 15-16.

Like Father, Like Son: Kevin Rafferty and Kevin Rafferty, Jr. – In honor of Father’s Day, enjoy an interview with a father-son duo that help create two generations of magic for Disney Parks.

Tagged: DLR, International Food and Wine Festival, Video, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

With Father’s Day tomorrow, it’s time to show your dad just how important and appreciated he is. At Disney Parks, we’re honoring valued dads around the globe from a siamang with twin daughters to Walt Disney’s dad, Elias, to the Rafferty father-son duo, and more. Whether you’ll be celebrating this June 16 at Disney Parks or at home, read the posts below for tips and gift ideas that dad is sure to love. How are you going to celebrate Father’s Day this year? Share your plans in the comments below.

Take 5: Celebrating Father’s Day with Disney Parks

1. Wildlife Wednesdays: Siamang with Twins is Father of the Year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates a siamang with twins as father of the year.
2. Like Father, Like Son: Kevin Rafferty and Kevin Rafferty, Jr. – In honor of Father’s Day, here’s an interview with a father-son duo that helps create magic for Disney Parks.
3. Surprise your Hero on Father’s Day – This Father’s Day, recognize the champion in your life and show dad how much you care with a one-of-a-kind gift from Disney Floral & Gifts.
4. Making Time for Dad This Father’s Day at Disney Parks – Focus on timepieces for Dad this Father’s Day with these Disney Parks watches!
5. Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Elias Disney – Our tour of the Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park continues with the original “Disney Dad” – Elias Disney.

Tagged: DLR, Take 5, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Some of the most interesting sights to be seen at Walt Disney World Resort this week can be spotted right now at the kickoff of Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney. More than 150 crazy, quirky and collectible cars have already pulled into the West Side area, including a few famous faces from the Disney•Pixar film, “Cars” and “Cars 2.”

Car Masters Weekend will run through June 16, from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and features meet and greets with Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile, appearances by Disney•Pixar’s Cars filmmaker Jay Ward and automotive designer Chip Foose, “Cars” movie marathons and much more.

Check out the gallery below to see other key moments in Disney Parks photos this week.

Tagged: DLR, Downtown Disney, Gallery, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort