Nov. 15-16: Last Super Soap Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Wow! This was a surprise! This is the last year that Disney is going to host the Super Soap Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the perfect spots on your Walt Disney World maps to live out your television fantasies. (Ok, so that's a stretch... but it really is the place at Disney World that celebrates the world of TV, film and music!)

Cameron Mathison will be the featured star. Joining him are 30 stars from the ABC daytime dramas: Thorsten Kaye, Aiden Turner and Rebecca Budig from “All My Children,” Erika Slezak, Michael Easton and Kristen Alderson from “One Life to Live,” and Laura Wright, Kelly Monaco and Jason Thompson from “General Hospital.” Soapnet.com will reveal the full Super Soap Weekend all-star lineup on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

So here's the official scoop on why this is the last Super Soap Weekend:

This year will mark the last Super Soap Weekend in Orlando as ABC’s Daytime Division embarks on the 2009 Soap Nation Tour, a collection of nationwide events designed to interact with fans on a year-round basis offering greater access to stars in more cities, more often. The final Walt Disney World weekend will be dedicated to the fans with special retrospectives and exclusive productions.

What does this mean for guests? First of all, some very special events! The word is that special trivia and commemorative clip packages will honor the 45th anniversary of “General Hospital,” the 40th anniversary of “One Life to Live,” “All My Children’s” 10,000th episode, and past Super Soap Weekends will be shown during the event. Expect lots of interactive events, including new mobile programs and text trivia. A special musical number will be developed for Colgate Total Street Jam that honors the final event, as well.

Of course, guests will have the opportunity to meet favorite stars from “All My Children,” “One Life to Live” and “General Hospital.” Festivities include celebrity motorcades, autograph sessions, game shows, interviews and the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind memorabilia from each of the shows. The Colgate Total Street Jam will close the event each day with live musical performances by some favorite daytime stars.

And most importantly, expect crowds... large crowds! Super Soap Weekend is always very popular and the "swan song" will most likely bring out even larger crowds. So be sure to study your Disney's Hollywood Studios map and the daily schedule, and plan to arrive before park opening!

Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios

If you've ever thought about heading to Disney World in June *just* to see Star Wars Weekends, then you just gotta see this video:



Enjoy!

American Idol David Cook hits Disney's Hollywood Studios

Looks like the team at Disney World are making progress on the new American Idol Experience. The new idol, David Cook ... who I think totally rocks ... has recorded some video segments that will be used in the attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Here's a look inside:



The American Idol Experience is scheduled to open in January 2009, so you idol wannabes have a while to wait.

And in case you're wondering where Idol is going to appear on Disney World maps... This new attraction is taking over the ABC Theater area on Echo Lake, near the giant hat at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. Should look great!

Focus on Epcot: Disney Pin Trading University September 5-7

If you love pin trading at Disney World... or want a really fun way to get started in pin trading... check out the Disney's Pin Trading University coming in September. The announcement from Disney sounds cool:

Recall your school days with a "superlative" collection of Disney pins created especially for this event. Students will also enjoy games and activities, plenty of pin trading opportunities and "A Live Auction" presented by the drama club. Don't forget to bring your No. 2 pins as Trading Class 101 begins at 9:30 sharp!

Yeah, you can expect lots of hyperactive rah-rahs, but isn't that what Disney World is about? Letting go of the everyday world and having oodles of fun... you bet it is! Here are the details:

• Date: September 5-7, 2008
• Location: Epcot World Showcase
• Cost: $115 per guest, or $100 per guest if you register by July 7 (Admission to Epcot is not included, but is required to attend so plan to add the cost of your admission ticket.)

Here's what included:

• Four specially designed limited edition pin collections
• Purchase incentives and pre-purchase opportunities
• Trading activities
• Commemorative gifts
• Live and silent auctions
• Two $15 gift cards redeemable at Epcot food and beverage locations
• Other bonus surprises!
  

Hmmm, I had been planning a September trip... Looks like I've just decided when to go. I'm more of a pin collector than a trader, but this sounds like lots of fun. Maybe I'll see you at the Disney's Pin Trading University at Epcot!

Read more online at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts - Events, Product Releases & Promotions - Walt Disney World - Disney's Pin Celebration 2008 - Pin Trading University

Happy 10th Birthday to Disney's Animal Kingdom

Is it possible? Can Disney's Animal Kingdom really be 10 years old?

In some ways, the Animal Kingdom still feels like a new park.... It seems like I discover something new every time I visit. There are so many special exhibits hidden along the walkways and ride queues. Maybe it just feels that it's all new because each season brings new and different plants. Maybe the exhibits never get stale or boring because the animals move around in their habitats. In any case, I still feel that there is so much more to explore.

On the other hand, Disney's Animal Kingdom has definitely matured into a very enjoyable experience. The first few months were challenging as the Disney team finetuned traffic flow and signage. Attractions have been added and updated throughout the last decade. And some of the latest additions are among the best -- the new Expedition Everest and "Finding Nemo: The Musical" are definite must-sees.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that there will be a special re-dedication ceremony when the park opens on April 22... I'll be watching for reports and will post them here. Happy 10th Birthday to all of the critters and cast members at Disney's Animal Kingdom!

Stroller Rental Price Increase

We probably should have expected it... Stroller rental prices have been the same for about three years. Last weekend, the price of Walt Disney World stroller rentals increased to $15/day for single strollers and $31/day for double strollers.

Here's a complete listing of the miscellaneous items at Disney World parks:

• Parking: $11 per day or $12 per day for camper/trailer
• Single Stroller: $15 per day, or $13 per day for length-of-stay rentals
• Double Stroller: $31 per day, or $27 per day for length-of-stay rentals
• Locker Rental: $5 per day plus $5 refundable deposit
• Wheelchair: $10 per day, or $8 per day for length-of-stay rentals
• ECV (electric cart): $45 per day plus $5 refundable deposit
• Kennel: $13 per pet per day

To get your refundable deposit back, you have to return the locker key or ECV to the rental location by the end of the day.

With single stroller rentals going so high, it might be worth the effort of bringing your stroller from home or even stopping at a nearby Target or Walmart to pick up a stroller for your stay. That could make your Walt Disney World vacation just a little bit easier!

Disney World Map Spring Update: Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

The Disney World map of Epcot will feature a few extra attractions this spring… all in honor of the 15th annual Flower and Garden Festival. And I'm very excited this year because it's the longest festival ever!

Epcot is one of my favorite parks without any special embellishments. So the Flower and Garden Festival is like icing on the cake -- although that metaphor is probably best reserved for the International Food and Wine Festival scheduled for the fall. Okay… the Flower and Garden Festival is like discovering an extra row of roses blooming in your garden.

If you've ever been to Epcot, you know that part of its magic is the beautiful landscaping. During the Flower and Garden Festival, the Disney crew goes all out. Giant topiaries of your favorite characters, special gardens and exhibits, and even a butterfly house are added to the park. Horticulture experts give special talks… the list goes on and on.

Live musical performances are another Epcot trademark, and the festival takes a special spin on the music angle. Every evening (well, almost every evening), you can enjoy a special "Flower Power" show featuring music from the 60s. Most are tribute bands, but a few are performances by the 60s stars themselves. Each show is about 30-40 minutes, presented three times each evening in the American Showcase Theater. That's the outdoor amphitheater in front of the USA Pavilion.

If you are traveling to Disney World from March 19 to June 1, be sure to include extra time for Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival in your touring plans. As you enter the park, pick up the current Times Guide and special Flower and Garden Festival brochure. They are must-have additions to your Disney World map!