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The Great Irish Hooley returns for four non-stop days of incomparable Irish food, live music and fun at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Downtown Disney August 30-Sept. 2. Irish slang for a party or celebration, the Great Irish Hooley debuted in 2012 to such acclaim that it returns in 2013 with top Irish bands, music and dance workshops and Celtic fun for all in the family. A lineup of celebrated Irish bands will play traditional, folk and rock tunes on the restaurant stage and outside on the pub patio. Families can participate in Irish dance workshops led by renowned Irish dancer and choreographer Ronan McCormack of the original Riverdance cast and join in Irish Music Workshops with distinguished Dublin-born multi-instrumentalist Declan Masterson. Guests also can kick up their heels during structured set dancing called the Ceili (kay-lee) — a precursor to today’s country line dancing. Celtic face painting and authentic food and beverages are on tap, as well. ...

Benefit co-hosts Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John Former world No. 1s Venus Williams and Andy Roddick will headline Mylan WTT Smash Hits presented by GEICO, a charity night of tennis co-hosted by longtime friends Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King on Sunday, Nov. 17 at the HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.  The event is hosted locally by Robert and Tricia Earl. Tennis action is set for 6 p.m. ET with the pre-match VIP Reception and Auction kicking off at 4:30 p.m. Last year’s Mylan WTT Smash Hits in Pittsburgh raised a record $1 million, bringing the 20-year total to more than $11.5 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and various local AIDS charities since 1993.  This year’s 21st annual event will benefit EJAF and the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida.  A portion of the funds raised at the pre-match VIP Reception and Auction will be specifically targeted for local progr...

Copyright 2013 - Walt Disney Company Disney’s dastardly villains are ready to unleash some Limited Time Magic at Disney Parks on September 13 — Friday the 13th. Both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort will stay open until the 13th Hour (1 a.m.).  To celebrate the momentous evening, notorious Disney villains like Maleficent, Capt. Hook, Hades will host a wicked dance party, plus lots more spooky fun. The hub of the villains’ festivities will be staged “dead” center of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Hades’ Hangout – the hottest club north of the Underworld. The “Lord of the dead,” Hades, will host spine-tingling fun while his henchmen, dancers, interactive DJ and hot house band keep the nighttime activities on fire.  Hades’ 13 devilish Disney brutes will be waiting in Villain Encounters surrounding Hades’ Hangout for greetings and autographs with guests. To celebrate the imminent arrival of the midnight witching hour ...

The "Dog Days of Summer" are coming to an end, but with a little Limited Time Magic, there's still another chance to party during this celebration of man's best friend! Wag your way over to Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom park, where you can dance along to the tunes of DJ K-9, right alongside popular Disney pups like Pluto, Bolt and Dug too. You may even spot Lilo's "dog" Stitch crashing the block party while you enjoy all the fun games, tasty food and refreshing cool zones—including the watery antics of Drip the fire hydrant. Don't miss this chance celebrate the summertime before it's gone completely to the dogs! Enjoy this Limited Time Magic event from August 26 - September 2, 2013.

Fall Opening Planned for Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom A fall 2013 opening is slated for Princess Fairytale Hall as New Fantasyland, the largest expansion project in the history of Magic Kingdom, continues to grow. Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for Disney princesses to meet their loyal subjects in the Magic Kingdom. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows opening up into a large gallery – an airy space with a high ceiling – where portraits of the Disney princesses adorn the walls. When it’s time for their royal audience, guests will proceed toward an elegantly finished chamber, where they may meet some of their favorite Disney princesses. Each chamber accommodates up to two Disney princesses. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will join the New Fantasyland lineup of fun in 2014. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns Sept. 10 with 23 Nights of Halloween Fun in Magic Kingdom Halloween’s happiest haunts wil...

If you're not ready for a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort, one look at this video just may change your mind! One of the best commercials to come out of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in quite awhile. Enjoy and pack your bags...we'll all be waiting for you!

Some news coming out of Disney's Animal Kingdom: Disney's Animal Kingdom is now operating a new morning opening experience giving early access to some attractions. The previous rope-drop hold near the tip board has been discontinued, with guests now being allowed entry into the park 15 minutes before the official opening time. Once inside the park guests are no longer stopped at a rope, and can experience some of the offerings before the official opening time. Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest & TriceraTop Spin are open for guests, along with some snack kiosks on Discovery Island.  FASTPASS distribution does not begin until the official park opening time.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris is now confirmed to be joining the celebrity narrator line-up for the 2013 Candlelight Processional, part of Holidays Around the World at Epcot. WOOT!!!!! The actor who is known for roles such as Barney in How I Met Your Mother , and Doogie Howser MD is a huge Epcot fan himself, and a fan favorite narrator. He will be appearing December 2-3, 2013. Here is the updated line-up: Nov 29 to Dec 1, 2013: Gary Sinise Dec 2-3, 2013: Neil Patrick Harris Dec 4-5, 2013: Ashley Judd - NEW!  Dec 6-7, 2013: Whoopi Goldberg Dec 8-10, 2013: Sigourney Weaver Dec 11-13, 2013: Dennis Haysbert - NEW!  Dec 14-16, 2013: James Denton Dec 17-19, 2013: Edward James Olmos Dec 20-22, 2013: Trace Adkins Dec 23-25, 2013: TBD Dec 26-28, 2013: Blair Underwood Dec 29-30, 2013: Amy Grant

"Sofia the First" will begin making her meet and greet appearances at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Sunday, August 11, 2013. The new meet and greet will feature a new "Enchancia" backdrop, and will be located just outside 'Disney Junior - Live on Stage!' in the Animation Courtyard. Along with the new meet and greet will also be a new pirate ship backdrop for the "Jake and the Never Land Pirates."

For the first time, “The American Idol Experience” offers guests ages 6-13 the chance to audition and sing on-stage at the Walt Disney World Resort attraction. Copyright 2013 Walt Disney Company “The American Idol Experience Juniors Edition,” the next “Limited Time Magic” offering, hits the stage August 12-18, 2013, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Auditions for kids ages 6-13 will take place from park open to 4 p.m. each day, with the Juniors Show held at 6 p.m. each evening. No “Dream Tickets” will be provided, but young guests will have the opportunity to get a taste of showbiz beginning with an audition in front of a Disney producer. If selected for the Juniors Show, they will get a Hollywood-style showbiz treatment including cosmetology, a vocal training session and walk-through rehearsal before taking the stage in front of the live audience. A list of songs has been chosen specifically for the Juniors Show. For more information and the song list for “The American Ido...

Copyright 2013 Walt Disney Company This year, the Super Greeter program at Walt Disney World Resort has continued to help international guests experience the magic of a Disney vacation in their own language. As the international tour group season winds down, Central Florida and Walt Disney World Resort have once again seen strong visitation from Latin America, especially guests from Brazil. At Walt Disney World, a big part of the success with international tour groups from Latin America may be attributed to the 99 “Super Greeters” stationed throughout the theme parks and resort hotels. As cultural representatives, these Cast Members speak fluent Portuguese and Spanish, helping international tour groups better navigate Walt Disney World Resort, delivering an amazing guest experience and ensuring guests from Latin America and around the world have a magical time during their Disney vacation. Super Greeters are all alumni of the Walt Disney World Resort International Coll...

Copyright 2013 runDisney The 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna crossed the finish line strong, reaching its runner capacity in just under four months, marking one of the fastest marathon sell-outs in runDisney history. In comparison, the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon sold out in five months.  For 2014, nearly 26,000 registered runners will participate in the Disney Marathon Weekend with more than 13,500 of those runners signed up specifically for the 26.2-mile marathon. The marathon race joined the other Disney Marathon race weekend events which sold out quickly, including the Dopey Challenge, the Half Marathon, the 10K and the 5K.  Registration remains open for Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (running the Half Marathon and Marathon). And a limited number of individual registrations are still available for the marathon and half marathon through charity and tour groups. For a list of charity and travel providers, visit rundisney.com The 2...

In the spirit of Disney’s Planes , which soars into theaters on August 9, guests at the Walt Disney World Resort can embark on high-flying adventures at beloved attractions. Voyage to deep space, sail high above Never Land or take a ride on a Starspeeder, all without having to print a boarding pass. Become a frequent flyer by visiting these airborne Walt Disney World attractions: Magic Kingdom Astro Orbiter: Maneuver a rocket-like spacecraft into the farthest reaches of space and back. As the newest star pilot to join the fleet, the time has come for you to take to the sky. Make your way to a gleaming 2-passenger spaceship of your choice and prepare for launch. Then, hold on tight as your spacecraft levitates and begins a series of rapid revolutions around a galaxy of planets, as the sights and sounds of Tomorrowland whizz by in the distance below. The Barnstormer Featuring The Great Goofini: Back when the circus arrived in town and pitched a tent in what is now known...