May the Fourth Be With You! Two New Star Wars-Themed Character Dining Experiences May 4-June 15 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Force is strong this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

As Gary Buchanan has been sharing with everyone here on Disney Parks Blog, there’s a galaxy full of fun and excitement planned for this year’s Star Wars Weekends. Now there’s even more Star Wars fun coming your way with two new, out-of-this-world character dining experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Guests will be able to start their day with the “Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast” at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Inside, it’s a long time ago in a drive-in far, far away, where out-of-this-world breakfast delicacies are accompanied by thrilling movie moments from the Star Wars saga. Guests may encounter Darth Vader and other Star Wars film characters as they appear to step right off the screen to join the fun.

At dinner, famous Disney pals get dressed up as their favorite Star Wars characters for “Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood & Vine.” Wearing his very own Jedi robe, Mickey joins a host of characters at guests’ tables for an intergalactic celebration of the saga, complete with Star Wars music, interactive moments and a delectable dinner buffet.

Best of all, these exciting new character dining experiences won’t just be offered during Star Wars Weekends event days. Both experiences start May the 4th (known informally by many fans around the globe each year as “Star Wars Day”) and will continue to be offered daily through June 15, 2014.

Price of the breakfast experience is $47.99 for adults and $29.99 for children. The dinner experience is $55.99 for adults and $33.99 for children, or as part of the “Fantasmic!” Dinner Package at a price of adults $59.99 and $36.99 for children. Both experiences include a digital photograph. (Taxes and gratuity are not included in these prices.)

To book these experiences, guests can call 407-WDW-DINE or online at http://ift.tt/1ies5wX.

I can’t wait to take my boys to this. Who else is making reservations?

May the Fourth Be With You! Two New Star Wars-Themed Character Dining Experiences May 4-June 15 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by Shawn Slater: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Commemorative ‘it’s a small world’ Merchandise at Disney Parks to Benefit UNICEF

Some of you may have seen my fellow Disney Parks Blog author Thomas Smith’s recent post sharing the exciting news about the first-of-its-kind, online global sing-along that will take place on April 10 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “it’s a small world.” Today, I have more exciting news to share with you. Our merchandise team has been hard at work creating some very special merchandise as part of this 50th anniversary celebration.

Here’s your first look at the T-shirt and reusable totes that will be available for you to add to your very own collection:

And here is the artwork that will appear on the commemorative pin:

But wait, it gets better! How? One hundred percent – 100%! – of the sale price (exclusive of sales tax) of these select “it’s a small world” items (shown above) at Disneyland park (Emporium and “it’s a small world” Toy Shoppe) and Magic Kingdom Park (Emporium and Fantasy Faire) will benefit UNICEF from April 9 – 13, 2014.

For any of our Disney fans visiting Disneyland Paris from April 10 – 30, keep an eye out for the T-shirt (in adult and kid sizes), as well as the pin, with 100% of the sale price (exclusive of VAT) of these select items benefiting UNICEF as well.

And don’t forget – you can join in the celebration online at SmallWorld50.com!

Commemorative ‘it’s a small world’ Merchandise at Disney Parks to Benefit UNICEF by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

‘Downtown Disney District Celebrates Musica Latina’ with Grammy-Winning Mariachi Divas, April 5-6 at Disneyland Resort

Many Disney California Adventure park guests are fans of the Mariachi Divas, who appear regularly in Pacific Wharf, and if you’re a fan, you probably know that in January they won their second Grammy Award, this one for their album “A Mi Manera.”

In recognition of the Mariachi Divas’ success, the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort will present a two-day festival, “Downtown Disney District Celebrates Musica Latina,” Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, on the main stage between AMC Theatres and the ESPN Zone.

The Mariachi Divas will appear, of course. In addition to their regular Saturday night appearance at Tortilla Jo’s, they’ll be on the main stage Sunday, April 6, from 6 – 10 p.m.

Additional performers may be familiar to guests who enjoyed Disney ¡Viva Navidad! in Disney California Adventure park this holiday season. Mariachi Espectacular will appear from 1 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, followed by the Yari Moré’ Latin Band from 6 – 10 p.m.

Prior to the Mariachi Divas’ evening performance on Sunday, April 6, the jarocho group Ay Mi Mexico will be on the main stage from 1-5 p.m.

Rounding out the Latin flavor of the special weekend entertainment, Downtown Disney District regulars Alturas and flamenco guitarist Robert Simon will be performing in their usual locations.

It’ll be a great, high-energy musical weekend for everyone who loves mariachi, salsa and the other Latin favorites. Bring your dancing shoes!

‘Downtown Disney District Celebrates Musica Latina’ with Grammy-Winning Mariachi Divas, April 5-6 at Disneyland Resort by John McClintock: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog