Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap Jul. 14, 2013

We counted your votes this week and announced some of the long-lost Disney friends returning to Magic Kingdom Park for “Limited Time Magic” at Walt Disney World Resort.

Beginning tomorrow, a group of rarely seen Disney characters who received the most online votes will step into the spotlight at Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. Here’s the list:

• From “Robin Hood”: Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John
• From “Chicken Little”: Chicken Little and Abby Mallard
• From “Song of the South”: Brer Bear, Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox

Visit Magic Kingdom Park July 15-21 to find out who else will be visiting during “Limited Time Magic” at Walt Disney World Resort.

And did you see? We shared a first peek at the progress being made on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland park. Disneyland Chief Photographer Paul Hiffmeyer had the opportunity to check in on Rainbow Ridge Mining Town and you can see a few more of his images in Erin’s original story. The refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be complete in fall 2013.

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

Iconic ‘CALIFORNIA’ Letters Dedicated at 160th California State Fair – The iconic C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters that previously stood at the entrance of Disney California Adventure park were dedicated this week at the site of their new home, the California State Fair.

Trade for New Hidden Mickey Pins Arriving at Disney Parks in Late July 2013 – Are you a pin collector? Check out the 2013 Hidden Mickey pin collection, arriving at Disney Parks by the end of the month!

Then and Now: Celebrating 58 Years at the Disneyland Resort, Part 1 – Leading up to the 58th anniversary of Disneyland next week, check out part one in a special “Then and Now” series featuring Disneyland Resort cast members.

Happy Holidays! Booking for Candlelight Processional Packages at Epcot Starts Today – We’re getting into the holiday spirit VERY early! Booking for Candlelight Processional packages at Epcot started this week.

Caption This: Donald & Pluto Have a Blast at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World Resort – This week, Jenn asked us to “Caption This” photo of Donald Duck and Pluto having a blast at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Spotlight on 2013 Posters for July, August and September from Disney Design Group – Take a look at the July, August and September posters that the Disney Design Group created for an oversized 2013 calendar.