LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in May and June for Star Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 22-June 14, 2009, Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes the temporary home for a band of out-of-this-world characters, including Wookiees, Sith, droids, Jedi, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Rodians. Dates are May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7 and June 12-14.

A giant, “A to Z” gathering of Star Wars characters – from Anakin Skywalker to Zam Wesell – will roam the streets of the theme park during meet-and-greet sessions. Jedi Training Academy – one of the interactive entertainment experiences featured in the theme park – takes place throughout the day on the event’s main stage and allows young guests to learn from a Jedi Master before testing newly acquired skills in a battle with Darth Vader.

Also featured: the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, special Star Wars parades, rides on the famed Star Tours attraction, and autograph sessions and star conversations with famous Star Wars actors and creative geniuses.

Star Wars Weekends At-a-Glance

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays May 22-June 14, 2009

Celebrity Host -Jay Laga’aia (“Captain Typho”) with special guest Ashley Eckstein (“Ahsoka Tano”)

Activities

A Galaxy of Photo Opportunities – Encounter more than 50 Star Wars characters from the entire saga. From Darth Vader to Darth Maul and Greedo to Chewbacca, you’ll find heroes, bounty hunters, droids and villains from throughout the galaxy.

Celebrities from Star Wars will attend each weekend and participate in:

Autograph Sessions
Legends of the Force – Star Wars themed motorcade

Stars of the Saga – Talk Show and Q&A hosted by Jay Laga’aia

Clone Wars: Behind the Force – A behind-the-scenes show that explores the excitement of Star Wars: The Clone Wars led by Ashley Eckstein,the talented voice behind “Ahsoka Tano.” In addition to being the voice of “Ahsoka Tano” in The Clone Wars TV series and feature film, she has appeared on shows such as “That’s So Raven” and in films including “Sydney White,” which starred Amanda Bynes. She and her husband, Major League Baseball player David Eckstein (a two-time All Star who won the 2006 World Series MVP Award), were married at Walt Disney World Resort in 2005.

Jedi Training Academy – Each young “Obi-wanna-be” who is chosen will learn a lightsaber combination as they prepare to face the dark side!

Star Tours Attraction –Blast your starspeeder through the ultimate Star Wars adventure.

Padawan Mind Challenge – Kids under 12 can test their wits before the Jedi Council!

Hyperspace Hoopla – Star Wars characters and guests gather for an entertaining conclusion to each day’s events.

Wicket’s Warehouse – Shop a galaxy of Star Wars themed and limited-edition merchandise developed just for Star Wars Weekends 2009.

Weekend Celebrities

Weekend 1 (May 22-24)
Ray Park (“Darth Maul”)
Warwick Davis (“Wicket the Ewok”)
James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan in Star Wars: The Clone Wars)**

Weekend 2 (May 29-31)
Peter Mayhew (“Chewbacca”)
Matthew Wood (“General Grievous”)

Weekend 3 (June 5-7)
Jeremy Bulloch (“Boba Fett”)
David Prowse (“Darth Vader”)
Matt Lanter (voice of Anakin in Star Wars: The Clone Wars)**

Weekend 4 (June 12-14)
Dave Filoni (Director of Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
Temuera Morrison (“Jango Fett”)

** Guest appearances in Clone Wars: Behind The Force presentations

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A July reopening is planned for the Hall of Presidents, an iconic attraction in Magic Kingdom. An Audio-Animatronics version of President Barack Obama will join representations of the previous 43 presidents of the United States as part of an attraction that has been celebrating American history since Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971. Disney Imagineers also are updating a broad array of show elements.

ALL THE RIGHT MOVES – Disney Imagineer John Cutry programs an Audio-Animatronics likeness of President Barack Obama in preparation for the July 2009 re-launch of the Hall of Presidents attraction at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The attraction in the Magic Kingdom Park features Audio-Animatronics representations of all the United States Presidents. President Obama’s likeness will have a speaking role, along with “George Washington” and “Abraham Lincoln.”

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‘I’m Going to Disney World!’

New ‘American Idol’ is Seen – and Heard! – in Famous Disney Ad

LOS ANGELES – To celebrate the newly opened “American Idol Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Kris Allen shouted the famous words “I’m Going to Disney World!” immediately after being crowned the newest “American Idol” in the show’s star-studded season finale on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Disney camera crews captured Allen’s celebratory pronouncement on the Nokia Theatre stage mere moments after “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced the champion’s name to millions of viewers watching worldwide.

Not only does the newly crowned Idol shout “I’m Going to Disney World!” at the spot’s conclusion, Allen’s voice also is featured throughout the ad as he performs the iconic song, “When You Wish Upon A Star.”

And with the same immediacy that has made the Disney spot one of the most beloved commercials of all-time, the newest “I’m Going to Disney World!” commercial aired on television within hours of the “American Idol” finale.

Starring in a role usually occupied by sports stars – including Super Bowl heroes and World Series champs – Allen is the second singer to ever star in the Disney commercial in its 20+-year history. (2008 “American Idol” champion, David Cook, was the first.)

The “American Idol” champion’s role in the newest “I’m Going to Disney World” commercial celebrates “The American Idol Experience,” the new “American Idol”-themed attraction that had a February 2009 grand opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, part of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

“The American Idol Experience” – the first major theme park attraction in the world based on the popular television series – was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 TV Ltd.

In the attraction, Disney guests are able to experience the glitz and glamour of the “American Idol” television show, whether they are auditioning for a Disney producer, performing on-stage in front of a packed theater or voting for their favorite performance from their audience seats. Performers who receive the most audience votes in the preliminary shows return to star in that evening’s grand finale show. In addition to their new-found theme park fame, the top vote-getting guest in the finale show receives “The American Idol Experience” Dream Ticket – which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition at a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show.

By starring in the Disney commercial, Allen joins a lineup of superstar professional athletes who have shouted the famous “I’m Going to Disney World” line.

Fittingly, the new “American Idol” will make his celebratory visit to Walt Disney World Resort as Disney Parks asks guests “What Will You Celebrate?”

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UP, UP AND AWAY!: Characters from the new Disney-Pixar animated comedy “UP” made a surprise visit May 14, 2009 to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The three stars — (L-R): Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer; Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old balloon salesman; and Dug, a dog — pose in front of the Sorcerer Hat. Beginning May 15, the characters will make meet-and-greet appearances inside the “Magic of Disney Animation” attraction. “UP,” the 10th film from Disney-Pixar, debuts in U.S. theaters nationwide on May 29, 2009.

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With soft openings occurring regularly and the official grand opening just 10 days away, it’s time to get excited about Manta, the first flying coaster to hit Central Florida. If you aren’t yet one of the lucky ones to have experienced the attraction, here’s a new video from SeaWorld that will get the blood pumping.

Now, if they’d just open the aquarium portion to the public, we’d all get a look at the hundreds of rays and other creatures of the sea.

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