This Saturday, Disney Parks Blog fans came ashore at Disney California Adventure park for a special performance by Sharky and Bones – the Never Land Pirate Band from the Disney Channel hit series, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.”

Before the band took the stage, “Jake and the Never Land Pirate Band” Meet-Up guests visited with the stars of the show – Jake, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee – in an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity. Pirate games throughout the room gave our partying pirates the chance to test their skill at essential pirate tasks like firing the cannon!

During the concert, Sharky and Bones performed some of their popular tunes from “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” and also treated the meet-up guests to two brand-new pirate rock songs, “Gold Dubloons” and “Rattle Yer Bones.”

Jake, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee even joined the band onstage for a few numbers and danced with the pint-sized pirates in the “Pirate Pit” in front of the stage.

After the performance, Sharky and Bones stuck around to greet their fans and sign autographs. Meet-up guests were also invited to spend the rest of the day at Disney California Adventure park, where they received a private, exclusive showing of “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” and FASTPASSes to the evening’s performance of “World of Color.”

Each guest also left with a copy of the “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” soundtrack, courtesy of Walt Disney Records! Check out the video below to see all the fun. Yarr!!

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for the chance to join us at our next meet-up!

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Meet-Up, Video

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

Get ready for another runDisney meet-up opportunity, adding some extra pixie dust to the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland Resort. This event marks the first time participants will get to run through Disneyland park as part of a runDisney meet-up.

In true race-weekend fashion, official runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway will lead the group on a two-mile journey through the park before offering training tips during the meet-and-greet. Running with the former Olympian is among several other surprises guests have come to expect at runDisney meet-ups.

For an opportunity to be selected to run-walk-run with Galloway at the Disneyland Resort next Saturday, RSVP right now to WDW.SportsMeetUps@Disney.com. Only 30 qualified runners will be selected to participate, so be one of the first to apply.

You can also see Galloway at the upcoming Expo, held at the Disneyland Hotel Exhibit Hall, and at future runDisney events.

In the meantime, here are a few things you should know:

• All participants must be available for a 6:30 a.m. PT start time on Saturday, Jan. 28.
• Qualified applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
• A valid ID is required. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Valid RSVPs must include your name. RSVPs that include more than one person or are missing information (e.g. incomplete names) will not be accepted.
• Admittance to the event is non-transferable and limited to the selected applicant; no additional guests please.
• The event and individual appearances are subject to change or cancellation.
• Because this is a running-oriented event, we ask that applicants be experienced runners, able to maintain a 12-minute per mile pace.
• Selected applicants attending the meet-up are not required to purchase admission.
• We will send an email to selected qualified applicants who sent their valid RSVP via email before we reached capacity to confirm their attendance for the event. We plan to send this email at approximately 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET today, and we will also post a link on the Disney Parks Blog that will include a list of names of all selected runners. If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation and your name does not appear on the list of selected applicants, your RSVP was not selected.

UPDATE: We have reached capacity! Thanks for everyone’s interest in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Meet-Up Event, and we appreciate your quick responses. At approximately 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET, we will send the meet-up attendees a confirmation email. By 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET, we will post a link to the complete list of attendees. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for additional unique opportunities in the future.

If you’re looking to gain tips and training advice from Galloway, he will also be available at the upcoming Expo on Friday at Noon and 6 p.m. PT and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. PT. Also, there is additional Galloway training information at www.runDisney.com.

UPDATE: Click here for a complete list of attendees. If you are on the list and did not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at wdw.sportsmeetups@disney.com.

Please note that we will not be responding to questions via this email address. If you have questions, please ask them on the Disney Parks Blog, and we will do our best to answer them.

Tagged: DLR, Meet-Up, runDisney

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Special Events

UPDATE: Click here for a complete list of attendees. If you are on the list and did not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at wdw.sportsmeetups@disney.com.

Please note that we will not be responding to questions via this email address. If you have questions, please ask them in the comments, and we will do our best to answer them.

UPDATE: We have reached capacity! Thanks for everyone’s interest in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Meet-Up Event – we appreciate your quick responses. At approximately 2 p.m. ET, we will send the meet-up attendees a confirmation email. By 3 p.m. ET, we will post a link to the complete list of attendees. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for additional unique opportunities in the future.

If you’re looking to gain tips and training advice from Galloway, he will also be available at the upcoming Expo on Thursday at Noon and 6 p.m. ET, Friday at 1 and 6 p.m., and Saturday at 3 and 4 p.m. ET. Also, there is additional Galloway training information at www.runDisney.com.

There’s something special about runDisney events that draws runners to Disney Parks time and time again. The upcoming 19th Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is a great example of magical moments for runners at Walt Disney World Resort.

To kick off the weekend, we’re once again hosting a Meet-Up and Warm Up with training tips from official runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway. The former Olympian will be joined by a surprise celebrity fitness guru who will offer cross training tips for runners, as well as other reality television celebrities.

Members of our entertainment team will also share a sneak peak of behind-the-scenes magic of runDisney events. With the recent announcement of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend, set to debut in 2012, there are plenty of entertaining tidbits to be shared.

For an opportunity to be selected to run-walk-run with Galloway at Walt Disney World Resort next Friday, RSVP right now to WDW.SportsMeetUps@Disney.com. Remember, only 40 qualified runners will be selected to participate, so be one of the first to apply ASAP.

Not one of the 40 participants selected this time? Post your training questions for Galloway in the comments and I’ll get him to answer a few of them on a future Disney Parks Blog post. You can also see Galloway at the upcoming Expo, held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and at future runDisney events.

In the meantime, here are a few things you should know:

• All participants must be available for a 7:30 a.m. start time on Friday, Jan. 6.
• Qualified applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
• A valid ID is required. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Valid RSVPs must include your name. RSVPs that include more than one person or are missing information (e.g. incomplete names) will not be accepted.
• Admittance to the event is non-transferable and limited to the selected applicant; no additional guests please.
• The event and individual appearances are subject to change or cancellation.
• Because this is a running-oriented event, we ask that applicants be experienced runners, able to maintain a 12-minute per mile pace.
• Selected applicants attending the meet-up are not required to purchase admission.
• We will send an email to selected applicants who sent their valid RSVP via email before we reached capacity to confirm their attendance for Friday. We plan to send this email at approximately 2 p.m. ET today, and we will also post a link on the Disney Parks Blog that will include a list of names of all selected runners. If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation and your name does not appear on the list of selected applicants, your RSVP was not selected.

Tagged: Meet-Up, runDisney, WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

This wasn’t your ordinary crowd. Hitchhiking Ghosts, a few Snow Whites and even a giant, walking, talking hot dog were among a group of hundreds who joined us last night for our first “Trick or Meet Up” at Magic Kingdom Park. We kicked things off with a talk from Walt Disney Imagineer Jason Surrell and a chance to show off some of your amazing costumes.

And there were some great characters in attendance. We’ve posted a gallery of favorites.

During the night, attendees got special guided tours of the new Haunted Mansion Queue with Walt Disney Imagineering show designer and art director Pete Carsillo and Walt Disney Imagineering show producer Eric Goodman. Both Pete and Eric gave blog readers a sneak peek of the queue in March.

Senior graphic designer Tom May also signed some special Disney posters for a group of lucky people.

There were trick-or-treat stations at the event and unique character meet & greets before wrapping things up with a grand exit by the same Headless Horseman you’ll see at this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Now that’s an ending, right?

Chances are I’ll likely never talk to a group of hundreds dressed as Indiana Jones standing next to a giant talking turkey leg and that’s what made this event so fun. See for yourself.

We’d like to thank all of our new blog friends for joining us and everyone else who came out in costumes last night. Keep your eyes on the blog for first word of our next event.

Tagged: Halloween, Meet-Up, MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

UPDATE: The list of attendees for our “Trick or Meet-Up” has now been posted. Please check the list to see if your RSVP was accepted. If you do not receive an e-mail from us confirming your reservation and your name does not appear on the list of attendees, your RSVP was not accepted. Be sure to check the Disney Parks Blog for updates on future meet-up events.

UPDATE: Oh my, what an amazing response for our “Trick or Meet-Up” at Walt Disney World Resort. Sign-up for the event is now closed. All participants have been or soon will be notified. Thank you and stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for first word of future meet-ups.

Attention foolish mortals, we’re now taking RSVPs for our first-ever “Trick or Meet-Up” at the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s happening on the night of September 29, 2011, at Magic Kingdom Park just after the park closes to the public.

Meet-up attendees will be treated to special tours of The Haunted Mansion attraction queue hosted by Walt Disney Imagineers as well as some unique experiences on The Haunted Mansion attraction itself. There will be ghoulish photo opportunities and of course, a few other surprises.

The Disney Parks Blog team will be wearing their best Halloween costumes and it’d be great if you did too.

Our meet-up begins at 9:00 p.m. on September 29 and ends at 11:59 p.m. – a stroke before midnight. Please note that attendance is limited so sign up now.

• All guests who RSVP for the event must be 18 years or older, but your guest does not need to be 18. You can only bring one guest.
• Valid RSVPs must include 1) “Trick or Meet-Up RSVP” in the subject line and 2) your name in the body of the email. All RSVPs will be for the person who responds plus one guest.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.

We will send an e-mail to those whose valid RSVPs are received by us before we reach the planned capacity to confirm their attendance for the September 29 event. Depending on your e-mail settings, you may not receive the confirmation e-mail, so we recommend that you also check the list of attendees on the Disney Parks Blog this week. We will give an update at the top of this post that will include a link to the list of names of all confirmed attendees. If you do not receive an e-mail from us confirming your reservation and your name does not appear on the list of attendees, your RSVP was not accepted.

Please note the event is subject to change or cancellation.

Tagged: Halloween, Meet-Up, MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

UPDATE 5/16: Congratulations to all who were randomly selected to attend the “Star Tours Early Departure” at Disneyland park on May 20. Notifications have been sent to all who entered for a chance to attend. If you have any questions, please ask in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more upcoming events.

UPDATE: Thanks to all who entered for a chance to attend the “Star Tours Early Departure” at Disneyland park on May 20. The entry period is now closed, and eligibility confirmations are being sent to those who were randomly selected to participate.

We are very excited to provide the opportunity for Disney Parks Blog fans to be among the first in the galaxy to experience the new 3-D attraction at Disneyland Resort, before it officially opens June 3. In order to allow the randomly selected, eligible participants to experience the attraction when Disneyland park opens at 9:00 a.m., event check-in will be from 4 – 7:30 a.m. Good news – Toy Story parking lot will be available to eligible participants starting at 3:30 a.m. (parking fees not included). To commemorate the flight, participants will receive a button proclaiming them to be among the first to experience the new 3-D attraction at Disneyland park.

As you have heard through many galactic transmissions, the creative forces of Disney and Lucasfilm Ltd. have joined to create new spaceports that will be home to 3-D Star Tours attractions at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

As we prepare to open these new spaceports, you have learned this week that Rebel forces have managed to enact secret plans to give Disney Parks Blog readers the opportunity to be on the very first departures of Star Tours Flight #1401.

On Thursday, Thomas Smith invited you to a special Star Tours Meet-Up at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. To celebrate the opening of “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” at Disneyland Resort, we are inviting 1,200 of you (and a guest) to be among the first in the galaxy to experience the new 3-D attraction at Disneyland park on May 20.

Now through Monday, May 9, at 11:59 p.m. (PDT), you can enter for a chance to attend the “Star Tours Early Departure” at Disneyland park. We will randomly select 1,200 entries, and those selected will be able to bring one guest to experience Star Tours at Disneyland park on May 20. (Please see official rules for eligibility requirements. We will notify you via email if you are selected.)

Enter now. I’d wish you luck, but as Obi-Wan Kenobi so famously said, “…in my experience, there’s no such thing as luck.”

Tagged: DL, DLR, Meet-Up, Star Wars

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

UPDATE - Wow, we’re thrilled with the great response for our Star Tours meet-up at Walt Disney World. Sign up for the event is now closed. All participants have been or soon will be notified. Thank you for your interest and stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for word of additional meet-ups in the future.

Attention Star Tours and Walt Disney Imagineering fans – just after Disney’s Hollywood Studios closes to the public on May 19, parts of the park will re-open for a special meet-up to celebrate the galactic debut of the new 3-D attraction.

Those in attendance will be among a group at our panel discussion with Walt Disney Imagineers. They’ll offer an insider’s look at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and share some behind-the-scenes details about the experience. Fans will also have a chance to ask questions about the making-of the attraction and what it’s like to work on this project. There will also be a few surprises you won’t want to miss.

The event begins at 12:01 a.m. on May 20 and runs until 2 a.m. Attendance is limited so sign up early.

To attend, RSVP to meetups@disney.go.com and follow these directions carefully:

• All guests who RSVP for the event must be 18 years or older, but your guest does not need to be 18. You can only bring one guest.
• Valid RSVPs must include 1) “Star Tours Meet-Up RSVP” in the subject line and 2) your name in the body of the email. All RSVPs will be for the person who responds plus one guest.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.

We will send an e-mail to those who send their valid RSVP before we reach capacity to confirm their attendance for the May 20 event. Depending on your e-mail settings, you may not receive the confirmation e-mail, so we recommend that you also check the list of attendees on the Disney Parks Blog. We will give an update at the top of this post that will include a link to the list of names of all confirmed attendees. If you do not receive an e-mail from us confirming your reservation and your name does not appear on the list of attendees, your RSVP was not accepted.

Please note the event is subject to change or cancellation.

Let us know if the “Obi-Wanna-Be” inside of you wants to attend our first meet-up at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Tagged: DHS, Meet-Up, Star Wars, WDW

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