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

On June 17, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will launch a new free level of membership, as well as a massive reimagining of its D23.com website, opening up the wonderful worlds of Disney like never before to its members. The website will provide access to newly digitized content that delves deeply into The Walt Disney Company’s vault of material, past and present, along with exclusive glimpses of the future.

In addition to its existing gold and silver levels, this new free level includes:

Access to all exclusive content on D23.com
Exclusive, limited-edition merchandise and collectibles
Subscription to Weekly D23 FanFare E-newsletter with breaking news and special offers
Discounted tickets to the D23 Expo 2013: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
Access to the Members Only content on D23.com
An array of discounts and special offers

D23.com will continue to offer the latest Disney news free to all guests who visit the site. But D23 Members can unlock even more magic in each section by logging in and accessing content whenever a golden key is shown

Fall 2013 is a grand celebration at Walt Disney World Resort, with the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Boo-tiful Fun, Night of Joy, an Opening Fit for a Princess and more leading up to the holidays. On land – and sea – Disney guests will find unrivaled excitement. As temperatures cool, the fun heats up. Here’s a look at what’s ahead

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.)