The D23 Expo in Anaheim was a huge success. It marked the first time a convention of this magnitude was ever put on for the Disney community and fans were not disappointed. From movie previews to news about park expansions and everything in between, Disney’s top execs came out to Anaheim to speak to thousands of fans just dying to find out what’s next from the House of Mouse. Well one of the more memorable presentations came courtesy of a galaxy far, far away.

Jay Rasulo, the Chairman of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, took to the stage to make a very special announcement to a crowd of loyal Star Wars fans. Rasulo began his presentation by shocking crowds saying that starting in October of 2010, Star Tours will be closing at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World here in Orlando. But the shocked crowd had no time to react as a legion of Stormtroopers arrived on stage to the sound of “The Imperial March.” Rasulo feigned confusion as “Darth Vader” appeared on the giant screen behind him. Rasulo announced Star Tours 2 would re-open in 2014 which Vader did not approve of. Fans laughed as Rasulo was pressured by the costumed impersonator to open the ride a bit earlier.

After the theatrics the crowd found out they will not have to wait until 2014, but instead 2011. This sent the crowd into another frenzy as Rasulo announced guests will be treated to a sneak peek at special footage of the upcoming Star Tours 2 ride. Audience members were all given 3D glasses as they entered the room and they finally got to find out why. Along with brand new technology for the motion simulator, all of the ride footage will now be in 3D. The interior of the ride is supposed to get a revamp as well but details on that are very hush hush–we will give you the scoop as soon as we find out. As for the footage, fans can expect to race through Tatooine in their own podracer like the scene featured in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. Other popular Star Wars planets and scenes are expected to be featured in the new ride upgrade as well, but details have just started to emerge. Who knows what’s in store for Star Tours 2? But we know 2011 is going to be a great year for Star Wars fans in the Disney theme parks.

Love it or hate it, wrestling has one of the biggest and most loyal fanbase in the history of sports - or more appropriately, sports entertainment. Whether you grew up watching WCW or WWF (now called WWE) there are plenty of kids that grew up liking wrestling who continued to like it through adulthood. If you’ve ever been to the Orlando theme parks you’re sure to have seen people wearing Stone Cold Steve Austin or John Cena t-shirts. Well did you know that you can actually see wrestling live in Orlando?

TNA, or Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, films its shows and Pay-Per-Views (PPV) live at Universal Studios Orlando. TNA features a six-sided ring, the high-flying X Division (where you can see crazy stunts and flips) and the TNA Knockouts, their women’s division. Plenty of wrestling stars that have come from WCW and WWE are now part of TNA and you can see them all live at Soundstage 21 August through December. Kurt Angle, Sting, Mick Foley, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christie Hemme and Awesome Kong are all part of the superstar lineup TNA brings to you throughout the year.

The best part is that getting into the show, even Pay-Per-View, is completely free! All you have to do is purchase a ticket to Universal Studios Orlando and you are game to get a seat for all of the TNA action, so why not get a discount Universal ticket and save some cash while you’re at it? Tapings go on through the year but October is the busiest month with fve shows. November features TNA’s PPV “Turning Point” on the 15th. While you don’t need a ticket, seating is first come first serve so make sure you get there on time. Because of the subject matter you might see at a TNA show, you have to be 14 years of age and older to get in. We recommend showing up about an hour early just so you can grab a prime seat. Doors open at 6 for the regular 6:30 tapings and at 6:45 for their PPV shows. PPV’s also have pre-show tapings at 7:30 until the show goes live from 8:00-11:00 pm. If you love wrestling, Universal Studios Orlando is the place for you!

You all know Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear. But did you know the space ranger actually took a trip into outer space? Last year, NASA took a 12-inch action figure of Buzz Lightyear on an STS-124 rocket to live on the International Space Station (ISS) with astronauts from around the world. For 15 months, from May 31, 2008 to September 11, 2009, Buzz was aboard the ISS as astronauts performed various experiments from biological to chemical. Nations like Japan, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Canada and others all have representatives aboard this massive station that serves as a symbol of international unity and harmony.

You might have heard that Cirque du Soleil creator Guy Laliberté just blasted off into space for his Poetic Social Mission—it seems everyone is getting in on the space craze! Once the Buzz Lightyear figure returned he was brought back to the Magic Kingdom where both toy Buzz and the REAL Buzz were honored with a ticker tape parade. Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, lead the parade in a 1969 Camaro convertible along with Mike Fincke, former commander of the space station. Kids and adults lined the streets cheering the men on as the parade made its way through Tomorrowland.

In this great quote from the Orlando Sentinel we got a look into Aldrin’s humor regarding his space ranger competitor. “Aldrin said he briefed Buzz Lightyear before the doll was launched into space in May 2008 aboard space shuttle Discovery. ‘I said, now look, don’t you forget, I’m the real Buzz,’ Aldrin said, looking serious.”

Disney plans to continue bringing awareness to its company through space education and promotion of Buzz Lightyear. They are working with NASA in a competition that will have children design a new patch for astronauts. The winner of this competition gets a trip to the Kennedy Space Center and Walt Disney World. Disney is also working with NASA on an educational space-themed video game. Disney is apparently working with the Smithsonian Institute to get a permanent exhibit over at the National Air and Space Museum. Buzz Lightyear is here to stay.

Sports fans, there is a place for you at the Walt Disney World Resort. We know you often feel overwhelmed by pirates and princesses despite heading to the parks with your football jerseys and baseball caps to proclaim your sports team allegiance. But there are plenty of sports-themed sights to see within the resort world—there’s even a sports resort to stay in.

On your visit to the Orlando theme parks area, sports fans can stay at the Walt Disney World All-Star Sports Resort. This is one of Disney’s value hotels and a great destination for sports fans. Its 1,920 rooms, their cafes and stores all carry baseball, basketball, football, surfing, tennis and even hockey themes. The merchandise at their gift shops features adorable Disney figurines in their own sports getup. You can find a baseball-playing Mickey Mouse or a hockey-playing Goofy, among other cute figures.

Disney also has a 220 acre sports complex known as the Wide World of Sports Complex. This massive facility hosts 200 amateur and professional events every year. It is also the home to the spring training camp of the Major League Baseball Team the Atlanta Braves. The facility just recently added the Jostens Center which is a 75,000 square foot complex that will host a number of indoor sports events. The Jostens Center has 12 volleyball courts, 6 basketball courts and 2 hockey rinks. You can also quench your thirst and grab a bite to eat at the Wide World of Sports Café where you are surrounded by great sports memorabilia.

No trip is complete without a little souvenir shopping. The ultimate mix of Disney and sports souvenirs can be found at Downtown Disney at the Team Mickey Athletic Club. This shop, found within the great entertainment, dining and shopping complex that is Downtown Disney, features a great selection of sports merchandise. Not only will you find Disney related items, but the Team Mickey Athletic Club also features jerseys from the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and other national sports leagues. While we may no longer have the ESPN Sports Zone at the Disney Boardwalk, there is still plenty to do for sports fans in Disney.

The holidays are almost here! There is no doubt you have probably heard some holiday songs in the stores and started to see the various holiday commercials appearing on the television. Hopefully, you’ve purchased your discount Disney tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and you’re ready to go, because this is going to be a beautiful event Disney and holiday fans of all ages will enjoy! The holiday decorations are already up at the Magic Kingdom. Wreathes and beautiful nutcracker statues decorate the trees and line the streets of the Magic Kingdom. You will find special statues spiced up for the holidays and see snow-themed Mickey balloons, tons of Christmas decorations, and great Christmas-themed Mickey and Minnie Ears. If you like the holidays and you’re a Disney fanatic, this is heaven on Earth!

Tomorrowland will have a brand new look and a brand new show once you get to Walt Disney World. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority was fully refurbished and just re-opened. They even fixed up the bathrooms near Space Mountain for a brand new look. Oh! About Space Mountain, the official re-opening date is November 22nd 2009, but Disney is expected to have a “soft opening,” meaning Disney will let cast members and a few guests test out the ride, as early as this week!

Along with Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, the Magic Kingdom will have a brand new Christmas show that is sure to rock the house and get the little ones into the holiday spirit! A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas will be the newest stage show in the holiday event and it will replace Mickey’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. With a modern take on the holidays featuring Radio Disney hits, holiday songs and your favorite Tomorrowland characters like Buzz Lightyear, Stitch, Mike Wazowski and other holiday favorites, everyone will enjoy this show!

If you’re planning to come to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party, which we hope you are, you will enjoy all of the special features of the holiday invent including the parade, unique fireworks, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas and, of course, a brand new Space Mountain. The holidays at the Magic Kingdom are going to be fantastic.

Starting November 21st Busch Gardens will be unveiling its new look for the holiday season. The park is in its 50th year of operation, bringing a large variety of entertainment options to its guests. Whether you love to ride roller coasters or check out beautiful animals and greenery, there is something for you at Busch Gardens. Unlike the Orlando theme parks, Busch Gardens is located just a short car trip away in Tampa Bay. It’s the #1 destination spot for the bay area and receives a record number of visitors every year, mostly thanks to its amazing roller coasters like Montu, SheiKra, Scorpion and Kumba. For thrill-ride enthusiasts this is definitely the place to be and, usually, Busch Gardens is considered a more adult-friendly theme park. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good place for the kiddies, it’s a great place for everyone—especially during the holidays!

Over at the Stanleyville Theatre, guests will be treated to the show Christmas on Ice. It’s only a limited engagement show, so you’ll have to make sure you get your discount theme park tickets and plan your trip accordingly. Professional ice skaters will delight you with routines choreographed to your favorite holiday songs. Over at the Marrakesh Theater, Christmas from the Heart will feature an amazing gospel choir that will lift your spirits as they perform an incredible medley of holiday and spiritual favorites.

If you like to have a big breakfast experience, reserve a spot at the Santa breakfast at the Desert Grill. At this special breakfast, Santa and his Elves will join diners for a commemorative photo op and then a private performance featuring seasonal songs and tap dancing. Along with all of these great shows, you will also find merry carolers singing throughout the park, beautiful decorations and endless, bright poinsettias. This is just the beginning for the holidays at Busch Gardens, since New Year’s Eve is right around the corner! Special fireworks for the New Year’s celebrations begin December 26th through the 30th and they culminate with a big bash on the 31st.

If you’ve never been to the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park for the holidays, this is a great year to start! You will enjoy the beautiful holiday shows as well as the classic Busch Gardens traditions!