Even though Toy Story 3 does not come out until June 18, 2010, Disney is already releasing goodies for the loyal Toy Story fans that have been waiting for new info. In the third installment of the popular Pixar franchise, Andy has grown up and is ready to head off for college, leaving the toys in a panic. Their biggest fear is that they will be thrown away and forgotten, but what really happens is that Andy decides to keep Woody and get rid of his other toys. The rest of the crew, including Jessie, Buzz, Rex, Hamm and Slinky Dog, are given to a daycare and decide to plan their escape while Woody tries to find his friends. As usual there are some comedic twists thrown in, including Buzz Lightyear being reset into Spanish mode, as the toy crew tries to find a new home for themselves. As for what happens to them, we’ll have to wait until next year to find out, but there are many ways to get your Toy Story fix early.

Disney has already released teaser posters featuring your favorite Toy Story characters holding a “3” in the signature Toy Story font. There are also plans for a Nintendo Wii game called Toy Story Mania which features a number of shooting gallery games and even exclusive 3D levels to go with the third movie’s IMAX and 3D release. If you’re familiar with the name, it’s probably because you rode the attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The 3D enhanced attraction is suitable for riders of all ages and takes you through a fun carnival-like atmosphere where you can shoot at targets to get points. Over at the Magic Kingdom, the ever-popular Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin sends you on a mission into outer space right alongside Buzz as you shoot at evil aliens and try to get the most points out of all the space rangers on the ride.

Recently, Disney held a successful special double-feature showing of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D to promote the upcoming installment in what is now a trilogy. In between the two movies, a trailer of Toy Story was shown to get the crowds ready for Toy Story 3. Are you ready for the Woody and Buzz’s latest adventure?

Are you excited for Disneys return to 2D animation? Fans all over the world have December 11th marked on their calendars as they eagerly await the arrival of Disney’s first African-American princess, Princess Tiana. Disney’s 49th animated film will take place in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana and follow the story of Tiana, a 19 year old waitress with dreams of having her own restaurant and Prince Naveen, a man who is cursed by a voodoo doctor and turned into a frog. When Naveen searches for the beautiful girl that will reverse his curse with a kiss, he finds Tiana who agrees to kiss him, only to get turned into a frog herself. Naveen and Tiana then have to head out on an adventure through the swamps of Louisiana to find a way to revert back to their human forms. As always, they will encounter lovely animal friends to help them on their journey as well as an evil witch doctor and a good voodoo priestess that allies with Tiana and Naveen to help them both.

This story is going to be great and will hopefully get Disney back onto the 2D animation ball. The parks and the Walt Disney Company are going full speed ahead to promote this movie. Not only will Princess Tiana get her own riverboat show at both Disney parks this October, merchandise for the movie is already on shelves and tickets are being sold for the limited November 25th release in select cities. If you aren’t lucky enough to live in a city that is having the November 25th showing, Disney still has a treat for the rest of us that will have to anxiously await December 11th,2 009.

Starting October 5th, everyone over the age of 10 that visits Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will all receive a special certificate. Guests will then be able to redeem these certificates at various locations throughout the parks for a voucher of $8 off a child admission to the movie theatre when you purchase a regular price adult ticket. This is yet another great reason to get your discount Disney tickets and make it out to the parks this fall to get a head start on your The Princess and the Frog movie experience!

Not everything in the Walt Disney World Resort has to be done early. Unlike other Orlando theme parks, the Walt Disney World Resort takes advantage of their customers wanting to spend as much time in the parks as possible. Most people come to Orlando on vacation and who likes to wake up early during their vacation when you can sleep in and charge up for the day? For the night owls out there, the Disney parks have Extra Magic Hours available to all guests of the Walt Disney World Resorts.

Here’s how it works. If you’re staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you’ll be given special access to stay at the park three hours after it closes. Just approach a cast member at the wristband locations set up throughout the parks with your hotel key and admission ticket for a wristband. Once the park closes during its official hours, everyone without a wristband must leave. This will weed out a large majority of the crowd and make certain park attractions easier to visit. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT all participate in the Extra Magic Hours. Many times you will be able to ride your favorite attractions back to back as the lines are greatly diminished.

Most of the parks most popular attractions remain open at this time. At EPCOT, rides like Soarin’, Mission Space and the Gran Fiesta Mexico ride remain open. Tower of Terror, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and Star Tours are open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom maintains Splash Mountain, It’s A Small World and the Haunted Mansion operating for the Extra Magic Hours time. If you aren’t sure what is open during your time in the parks, just ask a Disney cast member for assistance.

Another great bonus of staying late is the characters. The lines for character greetings and photo opportunities will be far shorter than they are during the day. Nights also provide relief from the warmer day temperatures one might experience in Orlando, so waiting in line will be a lot less troublesome. You’ll be able to get photos with many characters you don’t see in the parks earlier during the day. Late night Extra Magic Hours are a great way to experience the Disney parks without the larger crowds, so make sure you check out the Walt Disney World Resort hotels to ensure you can get in on the fun.

This weekend America lost one of the most legendary journalists in our history. Walter Cronkite, at the age of 92, passed away in his New York home this past Friday night. Both print and media news have been covering the death and remembering the enormous contribution he made to the journalism world. Many of today’s news anchors and reporters called into shows on CNN and MSNBC over the weekend to recount how Cronkite inspired them to join the exciting, yet rocky world of journalism.

Walter Cronkite led America through the challenges the nation faced from World War 2 onward. He began his career as a young man, covering America’s participation in the war and even the Nuremburg Trials. He was there during the Vietnam War and the chaos that erupted because of it back home. He wiped away tears from underneath his thick-rimmed glasses as he announced to the country that John F. Kennedy had been assassinated, and he held back child-like joy as Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 mission 40 years ago. Because of his character and his integrity, Cronkite was nicknamed “the most trusted man in America.”

But Cronkite also lent his talents to other media outlets. Along with hosting special news reports and documentaries, “Uncle Walter” leant his image and his voice to various Walt Disney projects and a classic ride in the Disney lineup: Spaceship Earth. It makes sense that Cronkite would lend his distinct voice to the educational ride. As a man which America welcomed into their living rooms every night to inform them on the country’s on goings, Cronkite was a fitting choice to narrate the progress of communication throughout the history of civilization on EPCOT’s signature ride.

From 1986 to 1994, it was Cronkite’s voice that one would hear as they began their spiraling ascent through history and into the future on Spaceship Earth. He was the only American to narrate the ride, as he was then replaced by Brits Jeremy Irons (Lion King) and Dame Judy Dench. Cronkite continued his work at EPCOT by narrating the special Holiday Illuminations fireworks show that ran from 1994-1999.

Over at Disney Hollywood Studios, which was then known as Disney MGM Studios, he worked with Robin Williams on the video “Back to Neverland," a feature that would play to visitors of the Backlot Tour. Together, Williams and Cronkite demonstrated how Disney animators worked hard to bring classic stories to life through the animation process. He was as much a part of the Disney family as he was part of the American news world.

OrlandoFunTickets.com and Disney fans across the globe mourn the loss of this news legend and Disney contributor. As Walter Cronkite would say, “that’s the way it is.”

This week marks the 15th anniversary of Disney Hollywood Studios Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror thrill ride. This ride, popular with the thrill seeking crowd, was inspired by the renowned 1960’s sci-fi/horror series of the same name. Sci-fi genius Rod Serling created the show which featured weekly episodes covering a variety of topics. His writing was considered ahead of his time, as he touched on many political and social issues that many in the conservative era didn’t want to cover on American television.

The series earned Serling his legendary status and launched Twilight Zone spinoffs and movies, none that were ever as popular as the original series. You can still catch the show on reruns and holiday television marathons. There is certainly no lack of Twilight Zone fans—even within the Disney Imagineers themselves. When Disney Hollywood Studios (then called MGM Studios) was opened, it was done primarily to compete with Universal Studios and to alleviate some of the budget costs EPCOT was experiencing. Disney wanted to bring the Hollywood experience to its guests, and the park evolved into what it is today.

Originally, there were plans for a Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” hotel that would include the haunted factor mixed in with Mel Brooks’ comedy influence. But after Brooks left Disney, Imagineers were left with the desire to build some sort of hotel-themed attraction. This is where The Twilight Zone came in. They decided to incorporate elements from the sci-fi television classic into the attraction’s design. Imagineers decided the ride would focus on five travelers who disappeared when their elevator was struck by lightning on Halloween Night. Some of the television show’s memorabilia was brought into the waiting area of the Tower of Terror, including Meredith Burgess’ broken glasses from the classic episode “Time Enough At Last.”

While on the ride, you travel through the hallways of the Hollywood Tower Hotel as the impersonated voice of Rod Serling (done by Mark Silverman) narrates what happened to those five guests. Once you reach the end of this hallway, two doors open to reveal the Disney Hollywood Studios park below before you plummet at speeds of 39 mph. When the attraction opened, riders only had to experience the 13 story drop once. This has since changed, as with each anniversary or special promotion, Disney changes the drop pattern.

Now when you visit Disney Hollywood Studios to ride the Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror, you’ll have no idea what to expect. You might drop one time or you might drop three times; the only way to find out is to ride it yourself—so hold on tight!

Kris Allen - you have become the newest American Idol! What are you going to do next?

"I'm going to Disney World! WOO!" Kris Allen shoted from the American Idol stage in the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.

Moments after being proclaimed 2009's American Idol on the night of May 20, Kris Allen participated in a Disney tradition that dates back to Super Bowl XXI in 1987. Over fifty football heroes, Olympic medalists, and World Series champions have uttered the famous phrase, "I'm Going to Disney World!" after some kind of victory, with their taped declaration airing on TV as a commercial soon afterwards. And now, it seems as though American Idols will be the latest to join the campaign. Allen is the second singer in history to film the iconic commercial, following season 7 American Idol winner David Cook last year.

In accordance with tradition, the new Disney World commercial aired hours after the show's finale. It featured photos of Allen when he was young along with clips from his first American Idol audition, all set to the sound of Allen's sweet voice signing, "When You Wish Upon a Star." It concluded, of course with Allen enthusiastically announcing his future trip to Disney World.

The best part of this famous advertising campaign, however, is that Allen really will go to Disney World! The dates of his trip haven't been released yet, but he'll undoubtedly meet with park guests and star in a parade, like many athletes and celebrities before him.

When Allen does come to Walt Disney World, it's a sure bet that he'll participate in a filming session to update American Idol Experience, which currently features clips of past American Idols and contestants like Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta, and David Cook, singing and giving contestants a little stage advice.

One of the newest attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the American Idol Experience captures the energy amd excitement of American Idol, and just like the show, it offers real people a chance to become stars every day. Regular park guests audition to take the spotlight on stage, and the chosen performers with the most talent compete in shows throughout the day while fellow guests in the audience cheer them on and vote for their favorites.

Hours before the American Idol finale wrapped up and the newest American Idol proclaimed his love for Disney, several past American Idols and former contestants walked the red carpet and gave kudos to the American Idol Experience.

"The American Idol Experience really will blow your mind. If you've never been to the show, you pretty much have been to the show after you've been there," said Jason Castro, season 7 finalist.

"Disney does it right, that's all I can say," added Melinda Doolittle, season 6 finalist. "Going to the American Idol Experience, I was blown away."

If you're an American Idol fan, you'll definitely want to check out this fun and musical attraction at Disney. And stay tuned to find out when Kris Allen will be heading to Disney World - it might be sooner than you think! Check out Walt Disney World tickets on OrlandoFunTickets.com to get ready for his arrival.

This weekend, in a Walt Disney World theme park not so far away, hundreds of Star Wars fans will gather for a celebration unline any other in the galaxy. It is time for Star Wars Weekends yet again, an annual special event at Disney's Hollywood Studios that brings together an incredible assortment of Star Wars characters, stars from the legendary saga, and fun activities and shows in tribute of the epic Star Wars saga and the new animated TV series The Clone Wars. If you love the films and the show, then this is the place to be as Jedi Masters, Sith Lords, and Wookies get down with their bad selves in special shows and presentations.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May 22 through June 14, Star Wards Weekends will take over Hollywood Studios in a very noticeable way. Not only will guests be able to grab photo ops and autographs with dozens of famous Star Wars characters like Princess Leia and Chewbacca, but passionate fans take it upon themselves to dress up like their favorite movie figure as well! You'll feel like you've been suddenly transported to another planet as you navigate a Hollywood Studios filled with Ewoks, Wookiees, Stormtroppers, droids, and more. And each day of the event, those famous figures will star in "Legends of the Force," a Star Wars motorcade.

Fans will also get a chance to get autographs from some real life Star Wars stars during the Weekends. Celebrity guests during this year's Star Wars Weekends include Ray Park, Warwick Davis, and James Arnold Taylor (May 22 - 24); Peter Mayhew and Matthew Wood (May 29 - 31); Jeremy Bulloch, David Prowse, and Matt Lanter (June 5 - 7); and David Filoni and Temuera Morrison (June 12 - 14). To a non Star Wars fan, these names might seem meaningless, but devotees of the series know that Ray Park played Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, Jeremy Bulloch played Boba Fett in two of the films, and Peter Mayhew appreared in four of the six films as the unforgettable Chewbacca.

In addition, each Star Wars Weekend will be hosted by Jay Laga'aia ("Captain Typho") with special guest Ashley Eckstein ("Ahsoka Tano"). Laga'aia will host "Stars of the Saga," a talk show and Q&A about the saga, and Eckstein will host "Clone Wars: Behind the Force," a behind-the-scenes show that explores The Clone Wars.

Other fun highlights to look for during the event include a Jedi Training Academy, where each young Jedi who's chosen will learn a lightsaber combination as they prepare to face the dark side; the Star Tours attractions, where guests will blast through the galaxy on a starspeeder; the Padawan Mind Challenge, where kids under 12 can test their wits before the Jedi Council; and Wicket's Warehouse, where guests can find an abundance of Star Wars themed and limited-edition merchandise developed just for Star Wars Weekends 2009.

At the end of each Weekend day, the fun will wind down with a blast, as Star Wars characters and guests gather for Hyperspace Hoopla - a show filled with music, comedy, dancing, and more.

As previously mentioned, Star Wars Weekends are free to all with regular admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios. So if you want to hang with Luke, Leia, and Han Solo this weekend (can you think of any cooler plans for Memorial Day weekend?), snap up your Walt Disney World tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com. And may the force be with you!

The third theme park to be built at Walt Disney World, Disney Hollywood Studios, will be celebrating a big event this week - its 20th birthday! It’s hard to believe, but the park dedicated to show business fun and magic will have been open for 20 years this Friday, May 1. And though it certainly won’t be celebrated with Disney’s usual level of enthusiasm (they’ll save that for the 25th anniversary), fans can mark the occasion by visiting Hollywood Studios this Friday for a few commemorative events and some rare information sessions.

On Friday, Hollywood Studios will open at 8 am with a special rope drop ceremony welcoming guests into the park and kicking off the celebration. Then, at 9 am and 10:45 am, there’ll also be two sessions where fans will be able to listen to Walt Disney Imagineers share their insights about the development of the park and the creation of Hollywood Studios.

Taking place in the Premiere Theater, the sessions will feature Bob Weis, Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Executive Vice President and Senior Creative Executive Tom Fitzgerald, and Senior Vice President of Creative Development Eric Jacobson. Each session will last one approximately one hour and give fans a rare chance to get insider information behind the magic at Hollywood Studios.

In addition, the park will be full of anniversary merchandise on Friday. Starring Rolls will be selling special anniversary cupcakes, and many of the restaurants will feature menu items that were sold when the park first opened. On Friday, Disney will also release five 20th Anniversary pins, which feature Mickey Mouse clad in a director’s outfit. Each of the five designs will only have 1,500 pins available, so expect them to sell out quickly.

Here are a few fun facts about Disney's Hollywood Studios. Most older Disney fans will likely remember that the park was originally named MGM Studios and grew from the idea for a pavilion that was originally planned for Epcot. Newly appointed CEO Michael Eisner, however, proposed that the pavilion be expanded into a new park devoted to the secrets behind movie and television production, and he cut the ribbon on MGM Studios on May 1, 1989.

“The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood—not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be,” Eisner said at the dedication.

And from then on, the park that eventually became known as Hollywood Studios really was a miniature Hollywood, with Disney shows and films being produced at the park. Until Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat was added in 2001, the park’s architectural icon was even a water tower (the Earful Tower) based on those typically found in the backlots of early Hollywood studios. Hollywood Studios eventually stopped being an active production studio, but many of the park’s early sound stages and sets are still there, blended in with attractions like Toy Story Midway Mania!

Today, Hollywood Studios consists of six themed areas modeled after Hollywood sets, studios, and buildings. Guests will feel like they’ve really stepped into tinseltown with attractions like the Studio Backlit Tour, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, and The American Idol Experience.

To visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios and see why this park has been a Walt Disney World favorite for 20 years, check out Walt Disney World tickets on OrlandoFunTickets.com. And from everyone here at OrlandoFunTickets.com, Happy Birthday, Hollywood Studios! Here’s to twenty more years of making Hollywood magical.

With four theme parks and over 35 years of history behind it, there is so much to learn about Walt Disney World. And even if you have been to the parks a thousand times, chances are there’s still plenty of interesting Disney World facts you may have never heard before. We ourselves are learning new ones all the time! (See our first ‘Did You Know?’ blog.) So in honor of one of our favorite Orlando theme parks, or rather, several, here’s a sprinkling of even more Disney knowledge to brighten your day.

Magic Kingdom’s Secret Underground Lair

Originally considered a Disney urban legend, the intricate maze of service tunnels underneath Magic Kingdom is a sight that few guests ever get to see. But the Utilidors are 100% real, and they’re responsible for many of the seamless operations that go unseen by guests in the park. For example, have you ever wondered how cast members and characters seem to just randomly appear? They travel through the park via these tunnels, which were first created because Walt Disney was bothered by the sight of a cowboy walking through Disneyland’s Tomorrowland on his way to his post in Frontierland. Today, the Utilidors are also used deliveries and even collection of trash. It all happens under guests’ feet in what is actually the ground floor of Magic Kingdom – the park, unbelievably, is the second level of a massive structure!

Beastly Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom focuses on animals, obviously, but even more specifically, it focuses on three classifications of animals: those that exist today, those that did exist but are now extinct (dinosaurs), and those that exist in legend and mythology. And in the original designs for Animal Kingdom, there was supposed to be an area specifically devoted to this third category called Beastly Kingdom.

The area was supposed to feature mythical creatures like unicorns, dragons, and sea monsters, split into two different realms of good and evil creatures. The plans were all drawn up and the attractions all mapped out, but regrettably, budget limitations prevented the area from being built. In its place, Camp Minnie-Mickey was constructed, and rumor has it that the Imagineers who thought up Beastly Kingdom were laid off and rehired at Universal Islands of Adventure, where they created the coaster Dueling Dragons. Today, however, you can still see remnants of the Beastly Kingdom plans in the form of dragon figures throughout the park, as well as the Unicorn parking lot.

In the Movies

As many older Disney lovers know, Disney’s Hollywood Studios used to be called MGM Studios, and in the heart of those fans, the name change never took place. What many younger folks also might not know, however, is that the park really was a functioning TV and motion picture production facility back in the day – and that that was the Walt Disney Company’s original intention for the Studios. In the late 80s, feature-length films such as Ernest Saves Christmas and Newsies were filmed there prior to its completion and opening as a theme park.
From the early 90s to early 2000s, MGM Studios was also the birthplace of Disney animated films like Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear, in addition to other Disney projects like the Mickey Mouse Club and Adventures in Wonderland, and many more third-party productions. Even a radio studio is located on the lot, appropriately behind “Sounds Dangerous.”

If you want to learn more about your favorite Disney theme park, one of the best and most fun ways to do that is to visit! Score your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a Disney expert. And in the meantime, stay tuned to our blog for more interesting Disney factoids.

Sure, everyone sees them when they enter the park, but chances are that most guests do not really know the many purposes of the Guest Relations centers at Walt Disney World. If you have special needs, however, are young, old, lost, speak a different language, or are allergic to peanuts, the Guest Relations center can provide you with a lot of help to make your Disney experience better. Here are a few of the things you can score through Guest Services at Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

First of all, Guest Relations has every kind of map you could possibly need in Walt Disney World. For families traveling with little ones, Guest Relations has special guide maps pointing out all the best kid stuff. They’re especially handy for finding characters, though they also make it easier to find attractions, entertainment, and interactive activities that are of special interest to young children. There’s also the Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities, which provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for guests with disabilities – including those with mobility, hearing, visual, and non-apparent disabilities.

Theme park guidemaps are also available in six languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, and Portuguese. Visitors can also find times guides for shows, character greetings, parades, and fireworks in their language of choice.

Guest Relations is also the place to go if you’ve become separated from your party, or if you’ve lost a member of your party. If you need to exchange your foreign currency for US dollars, Guest Relations can help you out; they can even provide you with Disney Dollars. And let’s say you need to score a special gift for someone – try giving a Walt Disney World Gift Certificate, available for purchase at Guest Relations.

What if you want to stay or eat someplace really special within Walt Disney World? At Guest Relations, you can arrange your Disney Resort reservations and even make advanced reservations for dining. Speaking of dining, if you have a specific diet or food allergies that need to be taken into account, just make a mention of it and Disney will make sure your culinary needs are met.

And don’t forget that the guest services at Walt Disney World don’t end at the Guest Relations center. Throughout each theme park, guests can also find Baby Care Centers, ATMs, First Aid, Lockers, Wheelchair and Pushchair rentals, and even Camera Services. The latter is particularly cool – let’s say you’ve filled up all the memory on your digital camera. Simply head to one of the camera services spots within the park and you can burn all your photographs to a CD, leaving you free to wipe your camera’s memory card and continue photographing your fun at Disney.

There’s no end to the help you can find at Disney; they’ve thought of nearly everything a guest might possibly need to make their day at the parks a great one. But if, perchance, you can’t find what you’re looking for on a map or have a different kind of special request not listed here, Guest Relations will bend over backwards (as far as they can) to assist you.

So if you’ve been making excuses not to go to Walt Disney World because of some special circumstance, give Disney Guest Relations a chance to make that circumstance a non-issue. Start your Disney adventure today by checking out Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

One Mans Dream, an exhibit at Disney Hollywood Studios documenting the life of Walt Disney and his legacy through photos, artifacts, and film, is a longtime favorite of park-goers at Walt Disney World. Located in the Animation Courtyard area of the park, this museum-like attraction takes guests on a trip through time from Disney’s 1901 birth in Chicago to his creation of some of the most innovative inventions and visions that still continue to touch us today. And just as Disney’s dreams come to life, the parks, keep improving, One Man’s Dream has gotten a fresh makeover thanks to D23, a new Disney community created especially for fans.

Now sporting a sign on its marquee that reads, “D23 Welcomes You,” the exhibit’s change of hands to D23 signals that One Man’s Dream will now celebrate the fans, who are equally important to the Disney legacy.

“D23 is the ultimate Disney fan community and One Man's Dream is the ultimate attraction tribute to Walt Disney in our parks, so they fit together perfectly,” explained Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, whose team thought of partnering with D23 on the endeavor. “One Man's Dream showcases the history of Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company and gives our Guests a look at what is new around the world and a sneak peak at what's coming. D23 has a similar mission for its members.”

But the result of this partnership isn’t just the addition of a new sign. Along with new D23 theming, the exhibit will now offer a new display case featuring the room of a Disney fan, adding to the extensive collection of Disney history on display.

The new display case features items that have been pulled from the Walt Disney Archives, but which are real pieces a Disney fan might own. There’s the Ultimate WALL·E, a “Treasures of the Archives” lithograph, and the five-Mickey pin set, which was the very first Walt Disney Archives Collection item.

“Plus, a lot of the books are favorites for us in the Archives, like Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, The Disney Poster Book, and of course from the Disney Archives, Disney A to Z by our very own Dave Smith!” said Becky Cline, manager of the Walt Disney Archives and a D23 team member.

Other artifacts from the Archives on display in One Man’s Dream include Jimmie Dodd's Mouseguitar from the 1955 Mickey Mouse Club, original props from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Walt Disney's working office, in addition to his second-grade school desk.

You don’t need to be a D23 member to enjoy the exhibit, but if you’re interested in joining, a one-year charter membership costs $74.99. Members receive the special Disney Twenty-Three quarterly publication, a membership card and certificate, a surprise collectible gift, offers for exclusive special events and merchandise throughout the year, a subscription to the bi-weekly D23 FanFare e-newsletter, and an invitation to the D23 Expo, the ultimate Disney fan convention taking place in Anaheim, California on September 10, 2009.

Many Disney fans, however, will instead opt to visit the One Man’s Dream exhibit, a fascinating collection of Disney history that really puts a day at Walt Disney World in perspective. After all, it all started with a mouse.

So be sure to check out the new additions to Hollywood Studios’ One Man’s Dream, a great attraction for any Disney fan. Book your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be on your way to stepping inside one great man’s world.

Sure, it is easy to easy to sit in front of the TV and vote (or boo) for the performers on stage during American Idol. But actually performing in front of a live audience is no picnic, and that’s a challenge Walt Disney World guests can experience for themselves at the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Though it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a lot of fun, performing on stage can be nerve-wracking, especially when there’s a Dream Ticket on the line. So, Disney rounded up some American Idol experts at the premiere of the American Idol Experience and asked them to give their best tips for a great Idol performance.

Ace Young summed up his winning formula. “You pick a song that you love, that you enjoy, that you can’t forget the lyrics to, and you’re good to go,” said the season 5 finalist.

“Perform in front of a mirror – it can help you out a lot to see what you look like before you let everyone else see what you look like,” offered Bucky Covington, season 5 finalist.

When it comes to nerves, the finalists agree it’s important not to let them wreak havoc on your performance. A few of them offered some suggestions for keeping stage fright under control.

“Make sure you take deep breaths, because when you get nervous you never know what’s gonna happen,” said Kimberly Locke, season 2 finalist.

“I think the trick is you have to use the nerves,” said Mandisa, season 5 finalist. “You just kind of channel it into adrenaline. You get out there, and especially if you’re doing an upbeat song, nerves can actually work in your favor.”

And one genuine Idol expert, judge Paula Abdul, emphasized the importance of being unique.

“Find your own unique sound – don’t be a sound-alike – no karaoke, we’ve got every Mariah, we’ve got Whitney, we’ve got Christina. We need original people,” said Abdul.

Fantasia Barrino agreed, but said having fun and relaxing was also key.

“My tip is to be yourself and to have fun. You’re only human, and nobody’s perfect. Be yourself. And the gift that you have is something that God has given you, and everybody wants to hear it, so share it!” said the winner of Idol season 3.

“If you love to sing, and there’s certain songs – whatever, just get out there and do what you love, and show everyone how much you love it. That’ll make everything about 30 times better, it’ll be great,” Carrie Underwood, season 4 winner, added.

Season 7 winner David Cook echoed the sentiments of the winners before him. “It’s real easy to get caught up in the competition aspect of it but if you can kind of step back and realize you’re there to enjoy yourself, you’ll usually perform better that way.”

But in the end, getting the audiences’ votes and the golden ticket often comes down to one thing, eloquently phrased by a season 7 finalist.

“Sing real good,” said Jason Castro with a grin.

Those who sing the best will earn the coveted Dream Ticket, which provides a front-of-the-line pass at a regional American Idol audition. Anyone ages 14 and up can participate in the American Idol Experience, which starts with an open audition in front of a Hollywood Studios casting director early in the day. Those with the most star potential will get to perform in one of seven preliminary shows, with the chance of performing in a talent-packed finale at night.

To try out your talent and test the Idols’ advice, get your Walt Disney World tickets today at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

As the American Idol Experience gets ready for its official launch on February 14 at Walt Disney World, the new attraction that simulates all aspects of the beloved reality show is currently in preview form at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And while the attraction is being fine-tuned, we at OrlandoFunTickets.com were able to check out the fun in a special sneak preview.

If you’re unfamiliar with the American Idol Experience, it’s a new attraction developed by Disney Imagineers in conjunction with the producers of the hit TV show American Idol. Perfectly in cue with Hollywood Studios, the Experience immerses guests in the authentic feel of a live Idol performance and results show.

Like the FOX show, The American Idol Experience takes everyday people visiting the park and gives them a chance at being a star through daily auditions. If Disney decides a guest has that special “star quality,” he or she goes on to perform at one of seven preliminary shows that day.

We were on hand for one of those shows in the park’s ABC Theater, which has been beautifully redesigned to look just like the American Idol stage, twirling neon signs and all. TV screens on the left and right provide close-ups of the happenings in the theater, a large screen at center provides unique footage during the show, and another screen behind the audience provides lyrics to the performers.

As the show begins, you’ll feel like you’re really on set for the taping of a live show; a friendly, energetic performer comes out at first to warm up the crowd and provide voting instructions. Meanwhile, camera operators weave seamlessly through the theater capturing different angles of the show. And, as things kicks off, three judges and a host (sorry ladies, it’s not Ryan Seacrest) come out to make the Experience complete.

The best part of the American Idol Experience and what makes it different from any other Disney attraction is the amount of guest involvement. In the Experience, Disney guests really are the star of the show; a fun or especially talented performer can capture the crowd and create Disney magic on stage. Similarly, the audience is heavily involved in all aspects of the show, and their enthusiasm (or lack of it) can make or break the Experience.

Overall, the American Idol Experience is cute, fun, and possesses nearly all the qualities of the TV show. Disney’s famous attention to detail is definitely present; for example, the judges table has three Coca Cola cups on it, just like in the show. And though the judges might not be as entertaining as Randy, Paula, and Simon, the involvement of some famous American Idols in the show mostly makes up for the trio’s absence.

If you plan to vie for stardom at the American Idol Experience, head to the park early and be ready to sing a 30-90 second snippet of a song. If Disney staff decides you have what it takes, you’ll audition again in front of a casting director. And if you make it past that, you’ll be taken to hair and makeup and receive a one-on-one session with a vocal coach before hitting the stage for a preliminary show. To audition, you must be age 14 or older. The performers with the most votes in each preliminary all go on to compete in the final performance of the day at 7 pm; the winner of that performance will receive the coveted Dream Ticket, which provides a skip in line and a guaranteed audition at an actual American Idol stadium audition (an American Idol audition FastPass; if you will).

To check out the American Idol Experience and be part of someone’s journey to stardom (or start your own!), don’t miss the attraction’s debut on February 14. Start preparing for your close-up now by getting your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

In the continuation of our How to Celebrate at Walt Disney World series, we are dishing out all the newest products, services, and programs at Walt Disney World for celebrating a special event in Disney style.

When it comes to a special achievement that needs to be commemorated in a special way, look no further – Walt Disney World has plenty of options available to celebrate a graduation, a job promotion, or any special event you can think of!

For graduates, Disney has got the perfect way to congratulate 8th graders and high school seniors for a job well done. 8th graders can commemorate the end of the year with the Disney 8th Grade Grad Jam, a celebration on May 1st, 2009 where graduates take over the Disney’s Hollywood Studios and enjoy rides and attractions such as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and Jim Henson’s Muppet Visions 3*D, as well as games, food, and music just for them.

Then, for the class of 2009’s older graduates, there’s Disney Grad Night, where seniors will experience red carpet treatment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios along with concerts by some of the hottest names in music, rides and attraction, games, dance parties, fireworks, and more. Hayden Panettiere will be hosting Grad Nite 2009, and a number of celebrities will be making appearances – some of the musical acts performing include Metro Station, Katy Perry, Lloyd, Mishon, Lesley Roy, Wynter, and more. Grad Night will be on April 17, 18, 24, and 25 in 2009.

Not celebrating a graduation? No problem. Whether you’re celebrating a new job, a baby on the way, or any kind of special award or achievement, Disney offers multiple entertainment and dinner packages that are perfect for a festive evening with friends. We especially recommend the Fantasmic Dinner Package, offered at select Walt Disney World restaurants on select nights, which includes dinner as you take in the fantastic fireworks and dancing water jets of Fantasmic. The International Dinner & IllumiNations Dessert Reception is also a great way to mark a special occasion – you and friends can taste cuisine from all over the world to international songs, dance, stories, and fireworks. And for something a little more adventurous, you can try the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where you’ll dine on an all-you-can-eat South Seas banquet with friends among hula dancers and fire twirlers. Best yet, you can order a specialty celebration cake to enjoy on your celebratory evening.

But if you’re in the mood for a particular kind of party theme, Disney can make that happen for you as well. You can plan a custom event at one of the unique private dining park locations or resort catering venues, complete with a personalized dessert or celebratory wine. The Disney planners are extremely helpful in helping you plan the perfect celebration worthy of that special event in your life.

So whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary or wedding, or a celebratory feast – Disney has all the tools you need for a great soiree, or perhaps just a day of fun and entertainment at the parks. Even though you don’t need a special reason to enjoy some Disney magic, there’s no shame in making up one just to try some of these great new features and packages. We won’t tell!

One of the biggest changes the Walt Disney World Resort has seen in years became final when the new year began. On January 7, 2008, Disney’s Hollywood Studios made its debut, and there are loads of new reasons to visit in the coming year. Before we even get to the changes guests can experience in the park, we have to tell you about the great discount Disney tickets you will find right here at OrlandoFunTickets.com. We are your number one source for tickets to all of the great theme parks and attractions at Walt Disney World.

Disney officials said the park’s new name “reflects all that Hollywood has to offer: movies, music, theater and television.” And in keeping with that description, they are adding some great new entertainment to give park visitors an even more interactive and enjoyable experience.

Handy Manny joined the cast of characters at The Studios late last year, and next month he and his new friends will team up in a wonderful new live production. The “Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!” show promises to be fun for the kids and Mom and Dad too, with performances from the Mickey Mouse Club House, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny and more!

Springtime at Disney Hollywood Studios will bring the “Block Party Bash,” a brand new parade that will replace the “Disney Stars and Motor Cars” parade. The new traveling show is reported to be the “most interactive parade in Disney history,” and guests will agree as they dance and sing with over 20 characters from their favorite Disney-Pixar Films: “The Incredibles,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.”

And the excitement keeps on coming. Disney’s Hollywood Studios plans to take interactivity and entertainment to the highest levels this summer when they introduce Toy Story Mania! This “innovative ride-game experience” combines characters, games, 3-D and a carnival midway.

With all the excitement promised in the coming year, you know you want to visit Orlando and take in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the newest park at the Walt Disney World Resort (even if in name only!). Make your Orlando vacation affordable and get all of your Disney tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com. We always have cheap tickets to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and all of the theme parks at Walt Disney World. We are also your one-stop shop for tickets to other Orlando attractions like SeaWorld and Universal!