May the 4th Be with You!

A short time from now, in a galaxy not so far away… Walt Disney World Resort is throwing a party for the greatest saga ever told!

In honor of Star Wars day, Disney's Hollywood Studios will be hosting "May the 4th Be with You!"—a one-of-a-kind Star Wars-themed celebration for both parents and kids alike.

From meeting classic characters to collecting limited-edition merchandise, it's sure to be an unforgettable extravaganza! Only a Sith would miss this magic event.

Entertainment and character experiences are subject to change.

Meet Iconic Characters
Kick the party off in style—experience a close encounter with some of the most popular characters from across the entire Star Wars saga.

Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Boba Fett and many more will be making appearances and posing for pictures, including a few faces you might not expect. Don't let this amazing meet 'n' greet moment pass you by!

Join Your Kids as a Jedi
Finally, all you parents can team up alongside your younglings and become fellow Padawans in a special edition of the Jedi Training Academy.

Get ready to throw on a Jedi robe and flip the switch on that lightsaber, because it's up to you and your kids to thwart the Sith and defeat Darth Vader, Darth Maul and the Dark Side of the Force once and for all!

Collect Cosmic Merchandise
A cargo hold of magic merchandise awaits collectors of all kinds, including limited-edition pins and special tees made just for the occasion!

With messages like "May the Fourth Be with You" and "Revenge of the Fifth", you can literally wear the hyperspace hilarity on your sleeve. Collect these celebratory pins and tees at Superstar Shop in Disney's Hollywood Studios while supplies last.

Dance the Dark Side Away
Get into the galactic groove, bounce to the Bespin beat and boogie your way over to a Star Wars-themed Dance Party!

Join DJ Lobot as he spins familiar tunes from the Star Wars saga, and then bust a move on the dance floor alongside some fellow fans and a few favorite characters too!

See a Symphony in the Stars
Cap off "May the 4th Be with You" under a sea of stars as a cosmic series of colorful explosions lights up the summer sky.

Come evening time, take a seat on Hollywood Boulevard and settle in for "Symphony in the Stars," a spectacular fireworks display set to close the celebration. Catch all the amazing sights and sounds, the likes of which haven't been seen since the fall of the Empire!

Post originated at http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/let-the-memories-begin/limited-time-magic/star-wars-4th-be-with-you-hollywood-studios/

The Decepticons Have Arrived in Orlando. The Battle Begins June 20!

Universal Orlando Resort Reveals Grand Opening Date for Blockbuster Attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D

Megatron and the Decepticons are closing in on Orlando…we must prepare for battle…

The highly anticipated blockbuster attraction TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D will officially open on Thursday, June 20, 2013, Universal Orlando announced today.

Universal also launched an all-new “Join the Resistance” Facebook experience to prepare fans for the battle they’ll experience on the mega-attraction.  “Recruits” can create their very own NEST IDs, train for battle, access exclusive photos and video and win prizes* – including a trip to the attraction’s grand opening celebration on June 20.  

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D is a mind-blowing, action-packed ride experience that pushes the limits of technology to place guests in the middle of a larger-than-life battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. The ride was created under license from Hasbro, Inc. and is based on its iconic TRANSFORMERS brand.

The battle begins when guests enter the NEST facility – the headquarters for the government operation that partners with the Autobots to protect Earth from the Decepticons.  While inside, they are recruited to help protect the AllSpark – a powerful energy source that would allow the Decepticons to destroy the planet. Guests board EVAC – an Autobot created exclusively for the attraction – to transport the AllSpark to safety.  But beware…the Decepticons are in close pursuit…

Festival of Fantasy Parade Coming to Magic Kingdom Park in 2014

In honor of the completion of New Fantasyland™ in 2014, the characters and settings of New Fantasyland will burst forth onto the streets of the Magic Kingdom® Park in the new Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade.

Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will feature fantastical floats, vibrantly-colored costumes and energetic performances. Featuring a cavalcade of beloved Disney characters interacting with Guests, the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade includes characters from classic Disney animated films such as The Little Mermaid,Sleeping Beauty, Dumbo, Pinocchio and Tangled, along with the new Disney●Pixar favorite Brave.

An original score is being created for the parade – full of beloved Disney classic songs along with a specially-created parade theme.

Legends and Legacies at Fantasy of Flight

Listen to the riveting experiences of the brave men and women who made history on June 6, 1944, how they faced unfathomable fear, and their commitment of service to our country. You will forever be touched by these heroes.  The panelists for the symposium are: LT. Hope Kirkendall  SGT. Harold Heil  SGT. Teddy Fisk  Panelists are scheduled to appear and subject to change.       Fourth in our 2013 Symposium Series, this event will bring to life the true-life experiences of these courageous heroes through exhibits and the collection of legendary aircraft on display at Fantasy of Flight. Dates: May 3 & 4, 2013  Times: 10:30 am & 2:30 pm    Symposium Included with General Admission Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.    For more information on our upcoming Legends & Legacies Symposium Series, visitwww.fantasyofflight.com/livinghistory

Magic Kingdom set for another 24-hour theme park marathon!

The Magic Kingdom will pull another all-nighter next month, Disney World officials announced late Thursday.

The theme park will be open for business from 6 a.m. on May 24 through 6 a.m on May 25. It's the second time Magic Kingdom was gone to a round-the-clock schedule. The first was Feb. 29, 2012.

Special events during the period will be "Monsters University" characters Mike and Sulley as the grand marshals of the afternoon parade, special merchandise and late-night appearances of Disney characters in their pajamas.

Disney's West Coast parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, will also stay open 24 hours on those dates.

The marathon shift is part of a new promotional campaign called Disney's Monstrous Summer. The announcement was by one-eyed "Monsters University" character Mike Wazowski, who was beamed onto Epcot's iconic Spaceship Earth. The round, green one topped out at 180 feet in the unique format.

"Monsters University," which debuts June 21, already has a monorail train with its characters applied to its exterior at Walt Disney World.

This story originally post at OrlandoSentinel.com 

 

SeaWorld Entertainment Goes Public!

On Friday, April 19th SeaWorld Entertainment went public!  Their common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol SEAS!  The picture below shows how the front of the NYSE was all decked out for them.

Legends and Legacies at Fantasy of Flight

Journey Back to the "Great War" with Acclaimed World War I Historian Saturday, April 6 only!      Fantasy of Flight's popular Legends & Legacies Symposium Series continues Saturday, April 6, with a brand new event, "The First World War," featuring Dr. Graydon (Jack) Tunstall of University of South Florida, a recognized and widely published authority on the topic. Dr. Tunstall will present two unique talks: 10:30 A.M.: The Great War  Guests will learn about pilot training throughout the war, the evolution of air war tactics, and Air Aces.  2:30 P.M.: Air Assault Discover the fascinating history of dog fights, bombers, and balloons and the great impact they made on WWI. Additionally, at noon and 2:00 P.M., Fantasy of Flight guests can join Dr. Tunstall, our "Expert in the Collection," as he sheds light on specific World War I aircraft treasures in the South Hangar special exhibition.  Also, Dash McCloud and Tour Guide Joe will be stirring up the South Hangar with great stories of World War I fighter spirit and the phenomenal technology of the day! To top it off, Fantasy of Flight founder and owner Kermit Weeks will fly vintage World War I aircraft throughout the day (weather permitting). If you have never heard the sound of a rotary engine in flight, you will not want to miss this!!!! If you have heard it, we know you will be at Fantasy of Flight this Saturday. Next up for Legends & Legacies   Legends & Legacies events are included in General Admission to Fantasy of Flight. Click here for more information on upcoming Legends & Legacies Symposiums.