It’s shaping up to be a Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks, with a colossal lineup of unforgettable experiences, including entertainment enhancements celebrating the newest Disney•Pixar animated feature, “Monsters University.”

 
Mike and Sulley are dropping in from MU to scare up fun all summer long. Some of the monstrous surprises in store include all-new, collegiate settings in which to meet your favorite aspiring scarers. On the Backlot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll find the Monsters University Student Union, complete with a view of the campus. Meanwhile, when Sulley and Mike step through the door to Disney California Adventure park, you’ll find them right outside the university dorms, recreated in Hollywood Land.

Also at Disney California Adventure park, Mike and Sulley show their MU spirit as they lead daily performances of the Pixar Play Parade, and at Magic Kingdom Park, you’ll chuckle along with the gang at the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, where they’ve been studying new jokes and are ready to graduate to new comedic bits in honor of their alma mater.

It may be summer vacation, but Monsters University will be in session all season at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts! The fun starts on May 24th!

Tagged: DCA, DHS, DLR, WDW

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Eduardo Marques, Jr., has entertained countless fans at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as a driver for the high octane “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.” Now, the Brazilian-born stunt car driver will be returning home to compete on a bigger stage, ESPN’s X Games Foz do Iguaçu.

Later this week, Marques will be competing at RallyCross, which pits 16 of the world’s best drivers side-by-side, drifting and jumping through an exciting dirt track. Of course, that should be nothing new for Marques, as his precision driving skills are routinely on display with edge-of-your-seat jumps, slides and spins as a part of the daily Lights, Motors, Action! show.

We slowed down Marques before his trip to Brazil, just long enough to ask him about his journey to Disney and the X Games.

 
If you want to catch Marques, and the other high-flying athletes of X Games Foz do Iguaçu, tune in April 18-21 to ESPN/ESPN2.

And, of course, you can regularly see all our talented stunt performers in the thrill-a-minute “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show,” featuring gravity-defying automobile, motorcycle and watercraft stunts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.


For more from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, check out these posts:

• Billy Dee Williams, aka Lando Calrissian, Set to Appear at Star Wars Weekends 2013 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• The American Idol Experience Habla Español at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• The New Disney Junior – Live on Stage! Opens Today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tagged: DHS, Video, WDW

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

In May 2012, we opened the first Star Wars Droid Factory experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I’m delighted to announce that we’ve expanded the build-your-own droid experience to new locations at Disneyland park in California and Downtown Disney Marketplace in Florida. I spoke with toy merchandiser Cody Hampton at Disney Theme Park Merchandise about what’s in store for fans.

“The Droid Factory has been an incredibly popular experience with our fans,” explained Cody. “After the initial launch, we heard our fans loud and clear that they also wanted this interactive experience in California. I’m beyond happy that guests are able to exit Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland park and be able to build their own droids.”

A Droid Factory build station opened at Once Upon a Toy in the Downtown Disney Marketplace earlier this month. For California, the new build station can be found in The Star Trader in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park starting April 13.

Guests are able to build “astromech” droids from the Star Wars galaxy. (Here’s a closer look at this series of droids from the official Star Wars website)

The new experiences will feature more build stations for guests to make their own droid action figures. They were designed as a square, which can accommodate up to four guests at one time (that’s two more build stations than the current version at Tatooine Traders in Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

May the Force be with you … and your droids!

Tagged: DHS, DL, DLR, Downtown Disney, Star Wars, WDW

Filed: Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort

Today we’re pleased to announce that everyone’s favorite galactic smuggler, gambler and scoundrel will temporarily leave Cloud City and board the Millennium Falcon with a course set for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as actor Billy Dee Williams returns to Star Wars Weekends for the 2013 edition.

Williams, a fan favorite for his portrayal of Lando Calrissian in the film saga, will attend Weekend IV, June 7-9, 2013.

Lando, who is described on his official StarWars.com bio as having two weapons of choice — a blaster pistol and “a devastating smile” — betrayed the Rebellion when he made a deal with Darth Vader to capture his old friend, Han Solo. However, there was a storybook ending to the tale when he redeemed himself by later helping to free Captain Solo and assisting in the destruction of the second Death Star.

If you make plans to attend Weekend IV, I definitely suggest attending one of the “Stars of the Saga” talk shows that features Williams. It was a highlight for me at past events to hear him tell tales about his portrayal of the suave scoundrel. But be sure to get there early; his appearances will most likely be a popular gathering place for members of both the Empire and the Rebellion.

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

Star Wars: © 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

Tagged: DHS, Star Wars, WDW

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

Don’t miss your chance to meet acclaimed author Ridley Pearson, as we set sail for adventure with the release of his newest book, Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage, the much anticipated addition to the Kingdom Keepers saga. Ridley will be on hand for special appearances and signings at the following locations April 10-11, 2013.

• April 10 – Once Upon A Toy, Downtown Disney Marketplace (4-6p.m.)
• April 11 – The Writer’s Stop, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (9:30-11:30 a.m.)

Here’s a look at the cover as well as on what you can expect from this new book.

The five Kingdom Keepers and their core friends have uncovered a startling truth: Maleficent and the Overtakers (Disney villains) are plotting a catastrophic event that could have repercussions far beyond the world of Disney. Aboard Disney Cruise Line’s inaugural passage through the new Panama Canal, the Keepers and their holograms uncover a puzzle hidden within the pages of a stolen journal. The point of that puzzle will reveal itself in the caves of Aruba, the zip lines of Costa Rica, and the jungles of Mexico. A destructive force, dormant for decades, is about to be unleashed. The five Kingdom Keepers are to be its first victims.

Something to keep in mind: Wristbands will be distributed to guests on the day of the signing with each purchase of Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage by Ridley Pearson, allowing the wristband owner to get two books signed. A wristband from the appearance location is required to meet Ridley Pearson. A limited number of wristbands will be available the day of the signing. Once the wristbands have been distributed, the line to meet Ridley Pearson will close.

For more information on Ridley’s appearance and Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage, please visit ArtofDisneyParks.com

Tagged: DHS, Downtown Disney, WDW

Filed: Special Events, 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

One of Mickey Mouse’s favorite things about Star Wars Weekends is that he gets to dress in his Jedi best and join the galactic fun. Each year, Mickey seems to take on a different role in the official “Star Wars” Weekends logo. This year, his imagination takes him to the Forest Moon of Endor, where he is seen zipping away from scout troopers with Chip and Dale. Mickey’s wild speeder bike ride on this year’s artwork has historical significance, as 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi” — the film that featured the Battle of Endor.

In addition to unveiling the logo for this year’s event, we’re excited to announce a pair of celebrity appearances for Star Wars Weekends 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort, with two legends from the saga doubling the fun in two consecutive weekends.

Action star Ray Park, who portrayed the Sith warrior Darth Maul on the silver screen, will be one of the celebrity guests in Weekends I and II. Actor Warwick Davis, known to Star Wars fans as everyone’s favorite Ewok, Wicket W. Warrick, will be one of the guests during Weekends II and III.

More Star Wars celebrities will be announced soon, so be sure to program your droids to scan the Disney Parks Blog and StarWars.com, as well as DisneyWorld.com/StarWarsWeekends for updates.

Star Wars Weekends takes place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 17-June 9, 2013. Most event activities are included in regular park admission.

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

Star Wars: © 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

Tagged: DHS, Star Wars, WDW

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