The Wilderness Explorers experience is aimed at ages 7-10, but kids of all ages can participate, offering a chance to get up close with animal within the park, included with admission. The goal is to deepen the understanding of animals and the natural world.

More than 30 badges will be available to earn throughout the park’s Discovery Island, Asia, Dinoland U.S.A., Africa, and Rafiki’s Planet Watch, as shown on the map below.

Explaining more about the what the Wilderness Explorers is and how it will work in the video below is the experience’s field art director, Imagineer Alex Wright.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXqO8zjwaFY

Colleen is seen here dressed in the official costume for the new experience, featuring the “WE” logo that guests will need to keep an eye out for in the park to identify opportunities to earn badges.

Unlike the Wilderness Explorer Camp in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at the Disney California Adventure Park, which features “Up” characters Russell and Dug, the Wilderness Explorers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is not a character experience, instead simply offering a chance for guests to take a closer look at their surroundings while exploring the theme park.

No specific debut date has been announced yet for the Wilderness Explorers experience, but it is said to be open in time for summer.

Located only one mile from Walt Disney World the 1,500 acre Grand Cypress resort features sprawling golf courses and a surprisingly large amount of greenery, preserved from being taken over by nearby strip malls. And within the grounds sits the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, having just wrapped up a $54 million renovation.

From upscale, but reasonably priced rooms with contemporary decor to elaborate new poolside experiences to a variety of dining opportunities, the whole hotel is just begging for a visit.

At its recent grand re-opening, hotel staff showed off their many upgrades, presenting a nice escape from the colorful, character-filled adventures of Walt Disney World into a more relaxed, serene, and modern environment, from the updated grand foyer to the exceptional balcony views from every room.

Rooms are equipped with modern technologies, like flat screen TVs, rain showers, and RFID locks along with comfortable bedding and furniture.

Flavors sampled from the hotel’s restaurants were all delicious, including sushi, sliders, and plenty of desserts.

Outside, the enhanced lagoon pool is located alongisde 1,000 feet of white sandy beach, featuring 12 waterfalls, heated and non-heated pools, two whirlpools, new Water Slide Tower Pavilion, new Water Jet Splash Zone, new children’s Rock Climbing Stations, rope bridge, walking paths, and expansive, wrap-around sundecks.

Access to an impressive array of water activities is included with a stay at this hotel, such as beach volleyball, tether ball, watersports with paddleboats, kayaks, hydro bikes, canoes, aqua cycles, and sailboats.

More information can be found at HyattGrandCypress.com.

More photos from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress:

From Dec. 8-13, 2013, the cruise will take place aboard Disney Cruise Line’s first ship, leaving from Miami with stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay.

TCM host Robert Osborne announced the news about TCM’s upcoming cruise during his closing remarks for the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival, which welcomed 25,000 of movie fans from all 50 states and other countries for four days of screenings, guest appearances, panel discussions and much more.

“This past January, we had a wonderful time on our second TCM Classic Cruise, which featured special guests Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, Arlene Dahl, Sally Ann Howes and Norman Lloyd, along with the hilarious Rich Little and game show host Alex Trebek,” Osborne told the crowd just before the closing-night screening of Buster Keaton’s silent comedy classic The General (1926). “We chose the Disney Magic for our next cruise because of its state-of-the-art theater and other remarkable, newly renovated facilities. TCM fans should start making plans to join us for what it certain to be the trip of a lifetime.”
 
Along with Osborne, TCM host Ben Mankiewicz will also be on board the special cruise along with many yet-to-be-revealed special celebrity guests.

Mickey Rooney

Alex Trebek

TCM Classic Cruise, January 2013

TCM hosts and Hollywood legends will be featured in panel discussions and Q&A sessions along with film screenings, music, dancing and classic movie trivia contests.

Prices per person start at $647 up to $2,145, depending on the room type and occupancy, and include access to all screenings, presentations, activities and entertainment in addition to the amenities of the Disney Magic.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, June 3, 2013. More information can be found at TCMCruise.com.

Replacing the Mardi Gras area now that Universal’s celebration of that festive holiday is over is an area devoted to Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular lagoon show and Superstar Parade. Included are a screen that mimics the water screen at the lagoon show with movie clips projected onto it, a “fireworks” panel allowing visitors to press buttons to set off a light show projected on the ceiling, a chance to do the “Hop” dance from the parade Dance Dance Revolution-style and more.

A bit of theme park magic is also shared at the History Center as classic classic Universal movie posters come to life via Universal’s free augmented reality app called Universal ScreenPlay.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7i_4Et1__o

Coming up throughout June and July is a series of special programs put on by Universal, included with admission to the History Center:

Saturday, June 8 - Universal Orlando Drumming Demonstration with Show Directors Richard Cravens and Lora Wallace

Saturday, June 22 - Universal Orlando Pyrotechnics and Special Effects Q&A with Pyrotechnics and Special Effects Manager Brad Ritti

Saturday July 13 - Universal Orlando Lighting and Water Technology Q&A with Lighting Manager Tony Humphry

Saturday, July 27 - Universal Orlando Stunt Demonstration with Manager of Entertainment, Environmental Health, and Safety Mike Mergenthaler and Creative Manager Rick Spencer

Each of these sessions will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The “Backstage to Onstage” exhibit will be updated two more times before it ends its run on January 26, 2014, once for Halloween Horror Nights in the fall and again for Christmas time in winter.

“Mickey and the Magical Map” presents Mickey in his timeless role as the sorcerer’s apprentice as Yen Sid directs his Mapmakers, a singing-dancing ensemble cast that paints a giant map on stage, serving as the show’s backdrop.

In addition to featuring songs from “The Jungle Book,” “Pocahontas,” “Mulan,” “Tangled,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Lilo and Stitch,” the show adds an original song, “Journey of the Imagination.”

“Mickey and the Magical Map” is produced by Ray Coble with music produced by Bruce Healey, supervised and arranged by Timothy Williams and supervised by Matt Walker.

A few weeks ago, we offered a first look at the newly redesigned Fantasyland Theatre and a preview of “Mickey and the Magical Map.”

Now, in the first video below, Coble offers a behind-the-scenes look at the recording of the orchestral music featured in the show as well as a trip backstage as Disneyland assembles the Mapmakers’ costumes and brings it all together through a rehearsal performance of ““I Wan’na Be Like You” featuring King Louie. Then see a few clips from an on-stage dress rehearsal leading up to this week’s official debut.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBZZSXnNX_0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdANPfjjgtg

“Each new show we create is a chance to push storytelling in a new direction,” said Michael Jung, Theatrical Development Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment. “At Disney, we love the challenge of continuously looking at our classic tales and most recent stories to see how we can bring live entertainment and excitement to today’s audiences.”

Fantasyland Theatre, a classic Disneyland venue, was inspired by the original Fantasyland Theater (former spelling) which showed Disney cartoons and Mouseketeer footage from 1955 to 1964. The current theatre debuted in 1985 as Videopolis, a dance location, which quickly drew crowds for stage productions including “One Man’s Dream,” “Dick Tracy Starring in Diamond Double Cross,” “Mickey’s Nutcracker,” and one of Disney’s first stage productions of “Beauty and the Beast.”

In 1995, the venue was renamed Fantasyland Theatre with the debut of “The Spirit of Pocahontas.” “Animazement – The Musical” enjoyed a popular three-year run and “Snow White—An Enchanting Musical” played for two years. The theatre was then converted to an area where guests could meet Disney Princesses.

Come back to Inside the Magic this Thursday, May 23 for a first look at the debut of “Mickey and the Magical Map” in a special preview performance.

“Star Wars Rebels” will launch as a one-hour special on Disney Channel, then into series on Disney XD.

Screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) is the new show’s executive producer, along with Dave Filoni a notable name of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” since 2008. Executive producer Greg Weisman is also on board.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bdfFos3PYQ

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “The entire team at Lucasfilm has provided extraordinary creativity and innovation for over three decades, and we’re thrilled to be bringing the expansive and imaginative world of Star Wars to Disney XD’s viewers.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president, Lucasfilm. “I think Star Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars.”

Jumping a movie ahead of “The Clone Wars” time period, the new series is set between the events of Episode III and IV, this time featuring the Empire “hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a fledgling rebellion against the Empire is taking shape.”

Star Wars Rebels will be produced by Lucasfilm Animation, with “many of the key talents that made Star Wars: The Clone Wars” though specific casting is not yet announced.

More information will on StarWars.com and facebook.com/starwarsrebels.

Under Disney’s D-Tech Me product line, custom Stormtrooper figures can be created using 3D scanning and printing technology.

For around $120 (including tax and shipping), guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can step into a special booth featuring an array of cameras capturing facial expressions from multiple angles to create an accurate and lifelike 3D scan to have fan faces accurately 3D printed onto Stormtrooper figures.

See my own Stormtrooper figure creation in the video below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWxJY-D8-j4

The whole process takes just a few minutes, located inside Darth’s Mall, the huge tented merchandise location for Star Wars Weekends. Both female and male Stormtrooper bodies and hairstyles are available, along with a variety of skin tones.

Participating guests can pose in up to three facial expressions, selecting the best afterward for 3D printing production.

Custom figures will be shipped and are estimated for delivery 7-8 weeks later, so check back here in July to see how my figure turned out.

The custom Stormtrooper figures follow the debut of Disney’s Carbon Freeze Me experience last year, which used the same technology to create figures of Han Solo trapped in carbonite, but with fan faces instead of that of Harrison Ford.

Here’s a look back at my Carbon Freeze Me experience:

Video: Carbon Freeze Me experience at Star Wars Weekends 2012

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3zMvJTAq5Q

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUfAYGBf3z0

Carbon Freeze Me and the custom Stormtrooper figures are available only during Star Wars Weekends, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through June 9, 2013 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324).

It’s the first Hyperspace Hoopla since Disney purchased Lucasfilm and Star Wars, but the show went on mostly following the same format as in previous years, with one big Disney-style surprise at the end.

As the good guys face off against the evil Empire, this year’s performances includes Emperor Palpatine dancing to the Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right to Party”, Darth Vader and Boba Fett breaking it down to Michael Jackson’s “Bad”, Chewbacca and Ewoks grooving to Outkast’s “Hey Ya” and, naturally, a huge group performances of Gangnam Style, the Harlem Shake, and even Sweet Brown’s viral hit “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That.” Plus, Jedi Mickey makes a first-ever appearance with a surprise finale dance.

And as with every year, the results are simply hilarious, as seen in the full videos below, followed by a few highlights.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kc7y2R_SSc

www.youtube.com/watch?v=45-QEbqnI_k

Hyperspace Hoopla and Dance-Off With the Star Wars Stars 2013 highlights and individual songs:

Video: Emperor Palpatine dances to Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right to Party”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-NWZRdr8EI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PomOsYxpzY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBUdzyv-M5w

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZi6hO7V9Kg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N72kRzWD2gU

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMFgKtcT3zE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU_dq74dH1M

www.youtube.com/watch?v=96uRVe-Tll0

Individual dance songs:
1. Fight For Your Right to Party - Beastie Boys
2. Hey Ya - Outkast
3. Bad - Michael Jackson

Cantina Band medley songs:
1. Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That by Sweet Brown
2. Bug Hunt by Skrillex (off the Wreck-It Ralph soundtrack)
3. Beauty and A Beat by Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj
4. I Cry by Flo Rida
5. Cinema by Benny Benassi ft. Gary Go
6. Let’s Go by Calvin Harris ft. Ne-Yo

Here’s the list of finale medley songs:
1. Don’t Stop the Party - Pitbull
2. Scream and Shout - will.i.am & Britney Spears
3. Thrift Shop - Macklemore and Lewis
4. Blow Me One Last Kiss - Pink
5. Runaway Baby - Bruno Mars
6. Locked Out of Heaven - Bruno Mars
7. I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift
8. Harlem Shake - Baauer
9. Good Time - Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City
10. Gangnam Style / 2 Legit 2 Quit - Psy and MC Hammer

Songs Jedi Mickey danced to:
1. Feel This Moment by Pitbull ft. Christina Aguilera
2. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson

Jedi Mickey finishing off the show was definitely a first for Hyperspace Hoopla, but with Disney’s recent acquisition of Lucasfilm, it’s surely not the last time we see further integration between the world of Star Wars and Disney’s classic characters. With Mickey’s appearance it’s clear that Disney was emphasizing that they own Star Wars now.

Need more dancing Star Wars insanity? Take a look back at the Dance-Off With the Star Wars Stars from 2012, 2011, and 2010.

Each day of Star Wars Weekends ends with the Hyperspace Hoopla and Dance-Off with the Star Wars Stars on the big stage in front of the park’s Sorcerer Mickey hat icon, taking place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through June 9, 2013, included with admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

More photos from the Dance-Off With the Star Wars Stars 2013:

At this year’s May-Hem event, headlining celebrity guests include Norman Reedus of “The Walking Dead,” Disney’s Ursula voice Pat Carroll, Betsy Russell of the “Saw” film series, a reunion of “The Warriors,” cast members from SyFy’s hit TV show “Face Off,” and, oddly enough, an appearance by Dennis Rodman.

The whole event will kick off with a zombie walk up and down International Drive followed by three days of presentations, performances, and plenty of exhibits and merchandise for sale, each surrounding all things, well, spooky.

Those wanting to look past horror films and TV to the real-life world of haunted attractions will be amazed at the offerings of Halloween Extreme, the first-ever public convention organized by TransWorld, the same group behind the annual Halloween and Attractions Show for the industry.

Halloween Extreme will take place alongside Spooky Empire’s May-Hem for all three days, though separate admission is required for each. Its schedule of seminars includes a huge variety of informational presentations aimed at home and professional haunters looking to learn more about how to effectively scare and entertain come Halloween. From creating flickering lights to airbrushing to pumpkin carving to prop building and beyond, there will be plenty to learn here.

But the big guys will be showing off their skills too. Universal Orlando will present a look behind the scenes of Halloween Horror Nights and Busch Gardens will do the same for Howl-O-Scream.

And on the evening of its first day, Halloween Extreme will hold a massive party called the Zombie Prom, requiring all attendees to dress in their deadest attire to rock the night away.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWiB-yopVIc

More information can be found at SpookyEmpire.com and HalloweenExtreme.com.

It starts during the All-Nighter party when the Royal Theatre, within the recently-opened Fantasy Faire, will have a “Royal Swing Ball” featuring live music from 10 p.m. – 1:40 a.m.

Then a few weeks later, beginning June 15, the “Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party” will make a triumphant return to its former location on select nights throughout the summer.

The Royal Theatre was formerly Carnation Plaza Gardens, where decades of swing dancing ended with its closure in April 2012. When it reopened this year as part of Fantasy Faire, Disneyland officials said swing dancing was a possibility for its future, depending on how crowds took to the new area. The Royal Theatre is being used for daily performances of “Tangled” and “Beauty and the Beast” storytelling shows.

Now fans missing the old date nights at Disneyland will be able to return to the location under a new name - but on the exact same dance floor, never removed during the transition.

The calendar page on Disneyland.com will soon feature exact dates and information on the return of swing dancing.

Here’s a look back at the final night of swing dancing at Carnation Plaza Gardens:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF2ctiQF83c