Disney’s Port Orleans (my favorite “moderate” resort at Walt Disney World) is about to get even more magical. There are two sections to the resort: French Quarter and Riverside (formerly “Dixie Landings Resort”). I have always preferred the more magically themed French Quarter, but, starting this March, Port Orleans Riverside is about to give the [...]

For years the non-magical resorts that surround the 45 square miles of WDW property have had one tiny thing over their magical Disney counterparts — free Wifi. Despite all the perks and magic that go along with staying at an official Disney resort, this was the one thing that the Muggle-thinking guests had to their [...]

The Disney Parks Blog has posted a fascinating account of the history of my tied-for-number-1-and-2-Disney-World-resrots-to-stay-at!… Filled with awesome, never-before-seen pictures of their construction, (incredibly, construction began in February 1971, less than eight months before the first guests were scheduled to arrive!) this is not to be missed by an WDW fan! …And for the rest [...]

October 1996 It seems like just yesterday when WDW celebrated it’s 25th in grand style. While the 40th isn’t bringing as many festivities, there will be amazing fun and magic to be had at the Magic Kingdom tomorrow. If you are in or around Orlando, you won’t want to miss out on Retro Day! Retro [...]

So, by now you know this: James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants on the project and will work side-by-side with our Walt Disney Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our guests deep into worlds of AVATAR like never before. There [...]

Disney’s Contemporary Resort was the first Disney resort I ever slept at (back in 1984) and has always been my favorite alongside Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Here’s a great shot of what the rooms looked like when the resort opened back in October 1971, thanks to the Disney Parks Blog… For comparison, here is what the [...]

Well, don’t get TOO excited. He’s not back in EPCOT… but… For one night only, the beloved Dreamfinder character returned to Walt Disney World after years of absence from his home at EPCOT. He appeared on stage at D23′s Destination D: Walt Disney World event as part of the finale concert, which starred songwriter Richard [...]

Here’s an exclusive video first featured on The Disney Parks Blog, created from a series of photos snapped inside the Magic Kingdom Park. Pretty neat, but I question the use of such unmagical music… why not use one of the awesome soundtracks to one of their attractions – it would be much more effective. Thanks [...]

Many of you will be headed to Orlando next month for the big opening celebration of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. As exciting as that is, Star Wars won’t take up 100 percent of your vacation – you’ll want to be visiting Hogsmeade while in Florida. Up until now, you’d either have to have a [...]

Progress City USA has a look at a lost concept for EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion – giant trees which were actually in production and half constructed before being scrapped! Also – Speaking of EPCOT, here’s a few time portals back to 1983 and 1984 showing the then one year old park where Horizons, World of Motion, [...]

And now, finally, we have an official release date of Nov. 30th! Check out this new trailer with glimpses of magic from the parks that will be included in this adventure, along with some Tron-ness!! UPDATE — check THIS out. Awesome.

Star Tours as we know it closed forever on Sept. 7, 2010 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. D23 held a final flight event so members and their guests could be the last ones to ride. Stormtroopers escorted the guests from the front gates to the Star Tours attraction and rode along with us during the final [...]

Watch along with Threepio as this historic attraction is blown up by Boba Fett during Celebration V’s Last Tour to Endor. Which would have been a really awesome send off… if the ride wasn’t still open until September 8th.

Through the entire WDW hotel boom of the nineties – which was labeled “The Disney Decade” by Eisner – there were many $200, $300 and sometimes even $400 nights in my never-ending quest to lay my head down at least once in every single Disney Resort. Still – every time a new hotel was announced, [...]

Here it is! Richard Sherman’s homage to himself and the former magic heard around The Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. D23′s interview with Sherman revealed an exclusive scoop: “Make Way for Tomorrow Today” is slated to appear in the upcoming Captain America film (“different style, same song,” Richard notes)!!!! Open up the interview in another tab [...]

With summer upon us, lets check in to the parks on both coasts for what we can expect in the near future… None of this is brand new information, but here’s a brief recap of the amazing future awe coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World: – TRON – lots of merchandise to support the [...]

Awesome & scary at the same time… From Screamscape — Could Star Tours 2 be announced at the Anaheim D23 Expo? A hint posted to D23 site leads some to think so as they announce that “Imperial dignitaries” will be attending the Expo and as a result a legion of the 501st Battalion Stormtroopers will [...]

Watch Obama learn the word “animatronic,” after the jump…

With the largest-ever gathering of “American Idol” winners joining in the celebration, Walt Disney World Resort Thursday night raised the curtain on “The American Idol Experience,” a new attraction capturing the energy and excitement of the hit TV show. Thursday’s grand premiere, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, was attended by all seven winners of the series, [...]

When I went to the World of Disney store on 55th & 5th on Friday to check out the Pirates Opening Day festivities… …I noticed real Pirates right outside the store… …only a few feet away from these beasties… Life imitates art yet again!