Recent rumors that have circulated online point to a new “living” animatronic character that may be showing up soon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Luxo Jr., the mascot of Pixar Animation Studios, is rumored to be the next installment in Disney’s ongoing Living Character Initiative, joining the company of Lucky the Dinosaur, the Muppet Mobile Lab, [...]

By Derrik J. Lang, AP; Photo of The American Idol Experience stage by Matt Roseboom LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Allen or Adam Lambert won’t just be crowned the next “American Idol” — one of them is going to Disney World. Whichever singer wins will shout the famous phrase “I’m going to Disney World!” in [...]

Characters from the new Disney-Pixar animated comedy Up made a surprise visit today, May 14, 2009 to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The three characters – Russell, an eight-year-old wilderness explorer; Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old balloon salesman; and Dug, a dog – are seen here posing in front of the park’s Sorcerer Hat. Beginning tomorrow, Friday, May 15, [...]

The Democrat and Chronicle newspaper out of Rochester, N.Y. has a good story about one of its former citizens, Tim Trombitas. But you may know him better as Vladimir Pooey, one of the Streetmosphere characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Who knew he used to be famous as Ranger Bob, was a football star, a disc [...]

The popular Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction Toy Story Mania is coming to the Nintendo Wii home video game system in September Here are a few images and videos depicting the gameplay, which should seem very familiar to anyone who has been on the ride. Thanks to @KlayMan2007 for the video link.

Club Penguin characters Rockhopper and Blue Penguin made their first appearance in a Disney theme park at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World on April 30, 2009: httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uT-mX3nwuw You can download standard and high-definition copies of this video in our Video section. Rockhopper, the pirate penguin, and Blue Penguin have several scheduled meet-and-greet times [...]

Today, May 1, 2009, marks the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When it opened two decades ago as the Disney-MGM Studios, it was Walt Disney World’s third theme park rand revolved around the idea of television and movie-making. In honor of the 20th anniversary, Disney held a special rope-drop ceremony this morning at 8 [...]

Here are some of the new things happening around Walt Disney World this summer. We’ve written about some of these before, but some of this is brand new information. Be sure to get a copy of our Summer 2009 issue for more information on many of these happenings. Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration Everybody’s favorite galactic pal [...]

They’re all ears. Singer/songwriter Katy Perry (left) and actress Hayden Panettiere strike a pose April 25, 2009 with Minnie Mouse at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The duo was enjoying the theme park prior to their evening performance for the Disney Grad Nite, an annual, in-park celebration for high school seniors. Panettiere stars on the NBC series [...]

The Characters in Flight helium balloon ride at Downtown Disney officially opened on April 21, 2009. The balloon, operated by Aerophile, takes up to thirty guests 400 feet in the air for around five minutes, providing 360-degree views of all of Walt Disney World and the surrounding Orlando area. One of the most-discussed aspects of [...]

At this past weekend’s FX! International Show, a Disney products panel was held, hosted by Disney product developer Brad Schoeneberg, in which new merchandise was revealed for the upcoming Star Wars Weekends event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are some of the highlights (click the images to enlarge them): New to this year’s Star Wars [...]

From wdwcelebrations.com: On Friday May 1, 2009, the date of the anniversary, the park will open at 8:00 am with a special rope drop ceremony welcoming guests into the park to kick off the celebration. In addition, two special sessions to commemorate the anniversary will take place in the Premiere Theater, one at 9:00 am [...]

Recently, we have added downloadable high-definition versions of our most recent videos to our Videos section. These include: MC Hammer at Universal Studios Mardi Gras A tour through The Holy Land Experience Racing experiences at the Walt Disney World Speedway Zipline Safari at Forever Florida 2009 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival opening celebration The American [...]

Volume 2, Issue 3 (April / May 2009) of Orlando Attractions Magazine is now available for preview and pre-Order. FEATURES: • COVER STORY: Idol Opportunity Visitors to Disney’s Hollywood Studios get into the act in the new American Idol Experience. • Unleash Your Inner Celebrity VIP tours offer a unique way to see Orlando’s theme [...]

Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature Toy Story, will be released exclusively for the Wii home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar [...]

ESPN the Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Feb. 27 to March 1) will feature a “who’s who” lineup of athletes and ESPN personalities involved in a one-of-a-kind experience for sports fans of all ages. The growing list of big names from sports scheduled to appear during the sixth edition of ESPN the Weekend includes Super [...]

Rounding out our ongoing coverage of the American Idol Experience world premiere event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on February 12, 2009 is a video series of the entire show that Disney put on for the media. I’ve split it into several parts for easier consumption. It’s kind of like watching the American Idol television show [...]

Here’s another fun video from the premiere of the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It features all 27 of the American Idol celebrities that were in attendance for the event gathering together and posing for the cameras, chatting between shots. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Qdvg573E0 Included in this video are Jordin Sparks, Fantasia Barrino, Kelly Clarkson, Paula [...]

While on the blue carpet, we had a chance to interview eight of the American Idol celebrities that were in attendance for the premiere of the American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Here are the interviews: httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL72sVp0lMk Justin Guarini, American Idol Season 1 Runner-Up httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJR3ORkM9JI Carly Smithson, American Idol Season 7 Finalist httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7rB4_W-3-8 [...]

Here are just a few samples of the more than 100 pictures now in our photo gallery from The American Idol Experience premier on Thursday night. You’ll see all the stars in attendance from the motorcade, to the blue carpet interviews, to the show, to the photo shoot afterwards and the after party. Click Here [...]