The Coaster Critic has published an interview with  Louis Alfieri, one of the designers of Universal Studios Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Here are a few of the most interesting new details to emerge about this unique upcoming roller coaster. From thecoastercritic.com: For the first time, riders will be able to create their very own seven minute personal [...]

The latest addition to Disney’s Vacation Club is called the Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and though it is very much still under construction, we had a chance to walk through the building today and snap a few pictures to bring you on a photo tour. The new 15-story building is located next [...]

Track testing has begun on Universal Studios’ upcoming major attraction, the Hollywood RipRide Rockit roller coaster. The new coaster winds its way through the theme park’s streets, over, around, and even through buildings. While the coaster is just now beginning testing, it’s rumored to be opening to the public in early July. Here’s a video [...]

Moments after becoming the newest American Idol, Kris Allen let the world know that he would be “going to Disney World.” Now we’ve found out that he’ll be making an appearance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 29 at 10 a.m. in a celebrity motorcade. There’s no word yet as to whether he’ll sing at [...]

One of the most popular (and most entertaining) parts of the annual Star Wars Weekends events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the day-ending performance of Hyperspace Hoopla. The highlight of this character-filled show is the Dance-Off with the Star Wars Stars during which characters from the Star Wars universe have a chance to bust a move [...]

Today was the first day for Star Wars Weekends 2009 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As always, a popular part of the galactic festivities was the Star Wars Parade /Celebrity Motorcade featuring Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok), Ray Park (Darth Maul), James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Clone Wars), Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano in [...]

Up, the latest film from Disney/Pixar, will be released nationwide one week from today. Here’s a quick look at the new meet-and-greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the film’s stars Carl, Russell, and Dug. It’s located within the The Magic of Disney Animation attraction. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf4Ovzz-WsY

The New York Times has shared this first look at the Audio-Animatronic of President Barack Obama along with a wealth of fantastic information about the development of the upcoming update to the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom. Here’s an excerpt from their article: From nytimes.com: The president supplied not just his measurements, but [...]

Today marked the official opening of Manta, SeaWorld’s newest roller coaster. As part of the opening festivities, we were invited to ride the thrilling attraction and have our trip recorded on the “MantaCam,” allowing us to bring you a first-person look at all of the twists and turns that can be found throughout. Prominently featured [...]

Just two days following the official grand opening of its new Manta roller coaster, SeaWorld launches its nighttime entertainment series called AfterDark, running nightly from May 23 through September 7, 2009. Returning this year is the popular Shamu Rocks show, combining killer whales with a light show and upbeat music. Reflections offers guests exciting fireworks, [...]

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 [...]

  The Peterson Companies announced today the sale of land at its National Harbor development near Washington, DC to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Disney is considering using the 15-acre site overlooking the Potomac River in National Harbor, MD as the location for a resort hotel for families and others visiting the National Capital Region. [...]

The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, Presented by T. Rowe Price, opens tomorrow, May 19, bringing basic saving and investing concepts to life in a fun and captivating way through a live, first-of-its-kind interactive experience at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot. It features a series of entertaining games that bring to life and teach key financial themes of [...]

With the success of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, based on the theme park ride of the same name, it’s no surprise that more park-inspired films are on the way. Rumors of a Jungle Cruise movie have been bouncing around the Internet for many months, but it now appears that Tomorrowland may be the [...]

Disney’s D23, the Official Community for Disney Fans, today announced its Summer 2009 Special Events Calendar that includes movie screenings, visiting the Walt Disney Studios, Archives and the new Walt Disney Family Museum. Here are more details on the charter member-only special events: May 28 D23 “Up All Night” at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre (FREE) [...]

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, [...]

Disney’s 14th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will take place this year from Sept. 25 – Nov. 8. Festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces around the World Showcase, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States [...]

A new poll has been added to the official Web site for Islands of Adventure’s upcoming “theme park within a theme park”, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This poll asks you to tell which Harry Potter item scares you the most. The choices are: The Whomping Willow A Hungarian Horntail An Acromantula A Dementor [...]

Disney launched a new section of their online store (DisneyStore.com) today featuring merchandise from Disney theme parks. Selections include the famous Mickey Mouse ear hats, working monorail sets, and other collectibles, apparel, toys, and home decorations. Each section is currently fairly limited in selection, with only a handful of items to choose from. With hundreds of stores scattered throughout [...]