Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap Jun. 19, 2011

Did you mark your calendar? This week, we announced a world-first ceremony to welcome Rapunzel as our tenth member of the Disney Princess Royal Court. It’s happening on October 2, 2011 at Kensington Palace in London, UK.

All ten Disney Princess characters will be there, joined by VIPs, celebrities and little princesses from around the globe. Check back here for more details in upcoming months.

And how about that, we have some new friends coming to Disney California Adventure park this summer. Next weekend, the Wilderness Explorers’ Camp will open at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney•Pixar film, “Up.” Check our original post for details.

Now, here’s a look at some of the other stories we’ve been working on.

Raiders of the Disney Parks Merchandise – Steven Miller shares an exclusive look at the latest Indiana Jones-inspired merchandise coming to Disney Parks.

Dumbo Isn’t the Only Flying Elephant at Disneyland Park – Watch as one of the Jungle Cruise’s African bull elephants travels high above Disneyland park.

The Scoop on the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – The Epcot Food & Wine Festival returns for its 16th year, featuring celebrity chefs, wine tasting seminars and the Eat to the Beat! Concert Series.

Video: New Travel Series Explores Disney Parks – Travelocity travel expert Genevieve Shaw Brown breaks down Walt Disney World’s resort categories and offers some of her own recommendations for you and your family.

Lightning McQueen Joins the Cast at Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – We share some exclusive details before Lightning McQueen speeds in to the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios later this summer.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Royal Guest Rooms Now Available for Booking – Beginning in 2012, guests can enjoy Walt Disney World Resort hotels in brand news ways at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.