Disney World News Today

Beginning Thursday, May 23, current Disney Vacation Club members will be able to purchase real estate interests at what will be Disney Vacation Club’s 12th resort. General sales will begin June 19.

Disney Vacation Club is building 106 two-bedroom equivalent villas on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon as part of a previously announced expansion of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa that will also include a lively children’s water-play area and other amenities.

Once opened, the new property will feature deluxe studios and one-bedroom villas that sleep five guests, as well as two-bedroom villas that sleep nine guests. Additionally, expansive grand villas will sleep 12 guests and will feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as a media room with a home theater system, all designed to bring families closer to create memories that last a lifetime. All of the deluxe studios and villas will feature decor reminiscent of the Victorian era, made playful and relaxed with classic Disney touches

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the site of Star Wars Weekends, a Star Wars fan-fest, which take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 17-June 9, 2013. The event features Star Wars parades, celebrity appearances, live entertainment, limited-edition merchandise releases, behind-the-scenes presentations and special editions of Jedi Training Academy. Most Star Wars Weekends activities are included in regular theme park admission

Bongos certainly does not receive as much hype or publicity as some of the other restaurants in Downtown Disney and when discussing it with family and friends it seemed as though no one that I knew had ever been there. After finally dining there, the only thing I can say now is “what took me so long?”

Disney fans, who also are Star Wars fans, know that for four weekends in May and June, Disney’s Hollywood Studios turns into a mecca for all things related to that galaxy far, far away. As the event has grown, so have the number of things that are geared toward kids. This year, we had a more casual approach to our arrival time because we weren’t seeking an autograph. That was a mistake, though. The Force is not with families who do not line up outside the turnstiles at least an hour before park opening

Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Welcome happens on the Event Stage by the Sorcerer Mickey Hat. This welcome hosted by James Arnold Taylor and features Ray Park, Dee Bradley Baker, Jeremy Bulloch, and co-host Ashley Eckstein. Lots of Star Wars characters also appear on stage for great photo ops

One of THE most popular events during Star Wars Weekend is the now famous Hyperspace Hoopla Watch Star Wars Characters “Dance Off” ! This is the entire show from May 17,

The Sounds Like Summer concert series is held annually at Epcot’s America Gardens Theatre, featuring “tribute” bands that cover music by popular artists. Entrance to the concerts is free with paid admission to the park.

2013 SCHEDULE (subject to change):

June 9 – June 15: Stayin’ Alive (tribute to the Bee Gees)

June 16 – June 22: Hotel California (Eagles tribute band) (pictured above)

June 23 – June 29: Mike Delguidice & Big Shot (The Ultimate Billy Joel Show)

June 30 – July 6: Slippery When Wet (he Ultimate Bon Jovi tribute)

July 7 – July 13: Southbound and Company (tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd)

July 14 – July 20: The Police Experience (a tribute to the Police)

July 22 – July 27: 2U (U2 tribute band)

Showtimes are 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. (except on July 4 – showtimes are scheduled for 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.)

The Celebrity Motorcade is the finale of the Legends of the Force Motorcade featuring the weekend celebrities. This video features Ray Park, Jeremy Bulloch, Dee Bradley Baker, James Arnold Taylor, and Ashley Eckstein

Star Wars Character Encounters can be found on Commissary Lane as well as the area around the Star Tours attraction

Chip and Dale make their debut as Ewoks at the 2013 Star Wars Weekends in Disney’s Hollywood Studios