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AMERICA’S IDOL AND MICKEY MOUSE! LET THE MEMORIES BEGIN: Newly crowned “American Idol” Scotty McCreery takes a celebratory ride May 30th, 2011 with Mickey Mouse through Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. McCreery was honored in a parade at the Disney theme park and performed his new single “I Love You This Big.” On Wednesday, the 17-year-old singer was crowned the new “American Idol” on the season finale which was viewed by an estimated 29.3 million people. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

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You can currently see the The Muppets in 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but later on this year you’ll be able to see them on the big screen as Disney releases its newest Muppets full-length feature film!

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.

With secret, signature, celebrity cameos, “The Muppets” hits the big screen Nov. 23, 2011.

Check out the two teaser trailers that have been released so far.

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Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush band at Lombards Landing in Universal Studios Florida.  Big Time Rush has just been picked up for a 20 episode third season. © 2011 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved

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With a worldwide gross of more than $540 million, 2010’s “Despicable Me,” from directors Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin, is the sixth most successful film that Universal Pictures has ever distributed. It is now the 10th-biggest animated film in U.S. history. The 3-D animated adventure thrilled audiences across the globe with its outrageous humor, endearing characters and compelling storyline – all of which guests will be able to experience exclusively at Universal Orlando in 2012. The “Despicable Me” experience will replace the Jimmy Neutron attraction.

“Despicable Me” will become the first-ever Universal animated film to be transformed into a theme park experience. The Universal Creative team is working closely with producer Chris Meledandri, the founder of Illumination Entertainment, to create all-new animation for an all-new “Despicable Me” adventure that places guests right in the center of the action.

Gru, one of the world’s greatest super-villains, is bringing his high-tech empire – and his three adopted daughters – to Universal Studios, and he is looking for all the help he can get. First, he will transform guests into an army of mischievous, scene-stealing minions. Then he will train them. And that kicks off an unforgettable ride experience that creates a hysterical mix of chaos and family fun.

Guests will:
• laugh as they embark on an entirely-new, high-tech 3-D digital adventure with their favorite characters from the film – Gru, daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes, and of course, Gru’s not-so-bright pit crew, the minions
• marvel as they explore Gru’s lair and descend into his secret lab
• shriek as the entire family is transformed into minions
• celebrate as they are swept into a first-ever, minion-inspired, interactive dance party where they can show off their best moves

“The ‘Despicable Me’ attraction is the latest example of how we tap into pop culture’s most compelling stories and turn them into extraordinary theme park entertainment,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “This is a perfect fit for Universal Orlando, and we can’t wait to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life.”

“As we write, design and animate our films at Illumination, it is our singular goal to bring to life endearing and, hopefully, enduring characters,” said Chris Meledandri. “With the creation of next year’s ‘Despicable Me’ attraction at Universal Orlando, audiences will be able to immerse themselves in Gru’s world for many years to come.”

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The “Sounds Like Summer” concert series returns to Epcot featuring tribute bands that will bring back the sounds of decades of summers gone by. Opening with Hotel California – a Salute to the Eagles, June’s lineup of bands will also “play” tribute to the timeless tunes of the Bee Gees and Bon Jovi. Sounds like Summer concerts are under the skies of the open-air America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase at Epcot. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. Here’s the summer lineup (subject to change without notice):

o   June 12 – June 18: Hotel California — A Salute to the Eagles

o   June 19 – June 25: Stayin’ Alive — A Tribute to the Bee Gees

o   June 26 – July 2: Slippery When Wet — The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

o   July 3 – July 9: Little Queen — The Music of Heart

o   July 10 – July 16: Frontiers — A Tribute to Journey

o   July 17 – July 23: Karin Lawson — A Tribute to Janet Jackson

o   July 24 – July 30: 2U — A Tribute to U2

*Summer concerts are included with Epcot admission*

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STARS OF “STAR WARS”: Walt Disney Co. president and CEO Bob Iger (fourth from left) poses with “Star Wars” creator George Lucas (fifth from left), “Star Wars” celebrities and “Star Wars” characters May 20th, 2011 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, FL following grand opening ceremonies for “Star Tours — The Adventures Continue,” a new 3-D attraction based on the “Star Wars” films. The attraction, which features more than 50 possible random ride experiences, opened May 20, 2011 at Walt Disney World in Florida and will open June 3, 2011 at Disneyland Resort in California. Pictured, L-R: are James Arnold Taylor, voice actor from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”; Dave Filoni, director of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”; Iger; Lucas; “Star Wars” character C-3PO; Anthony Daniels, the actor who portrayed C-3PO in “Star Wars”; Ashley Eckstein, voice actor from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”; and Daniel Logan, who portrayed Boba Fett in “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.” (Kent Phillips, photographer)

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• Casual, in-theatre dining
• Upgraded, comfortable reserved seating
• Table-top dining
• Seat-side service and a personal call button that discreetly alerts a server
• An extensive menu including a wide array of entrees such as an enticing selection of quesadillas, burgers, flatbread pizzas, grilled sandwiches, house specialties, as well as appetizers and deserts
• A wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty drinks, beer and wine
• Fork & Screen guests must be at least 18 years old unless accompanied by a parent or guardian

• A full-service bar and lounge area inside AMC Downtown Disney 24
• The perfect place to hang out with friends before the show or discuss the movie after it ends
• Named after a term coined by famed filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock
• Features a variety of beer, wine, cocktails and the full Dine-In Theatre menu, including appetizers and desserts
• MacGuffins Bar & Lounge guests must be at least 18 years old; minors accompanied by a parent or guardian (at least 21) are welcome

• Ticket prices range from $6-13, depending on day of week and showtime, for the Dine-in Theatre experience.
• Menu items start at $6.59-8.99 for appetizers and adult entrees range from $8.59-11.99.

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SPECIALTY ROOMS BRING FAIRYTALES TO LIFE: New royal guestrooms fit for a princess are underway at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The rooms celebrate Princess Tiana from the popular Disney film “Princess and the Frog.“ Ornately decorated headboards feature fiber optic special effects accented with gold and crystal bling. Royal bed coverings and drapes, unique artwork as well as mementos from Disney princes and princesses create a regal experience.

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Classic cars will meet their match as star racecar Lightning McQueen, pal Mater and master British spy Finn McMissile from Disney-Pixar’s upcoming animated motion picture “Cars 2? race into town during Car Masters Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort May 13-15, 2011. Car lovers will delight in a weekend devoted to all things cars, with activities from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Downtown Disney West Side:

• Muscle cars will line the Downtown Disney promenade alongside the largest life-sized, radio-controlled replica cars ever built–which bring their big-screen “car-acter” counterparts to life for fans to meet face to face.
• Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cars” Franchise Guardian and resident car expert, Jay Ward, has been tapped to judge the Classic Car show which takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
• NASCAR fans can get a peek at Richard Petty’s racecar on display inside RIDEMAKERZ at Downtown Disney.
• The family-friendly weekend will feature special Disney-Pixar “Cars 2? merchandise –including new RIDEMAKERZ models — and bonus entertainment.
• The 2006 Disney-Pixar “Cars” film returns to the big screen with a limited engagement viewing at AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres throughout the weekend. Moviegoers can even catch a glimpse of the new movie trailer from “Cars 2,” which gets the “green flag” on June 24, 2011, presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX 3D® in select theaters.

State Farm brings Disney-Pixar’s “Cars 2” adventure directly to fans with the “Agents on a Mission” tour, showcasing cars modeled after their big-screen likenesses. Guests can check out the cars and take part in a variety of “Cars 2?-themed activities, including a video kiosk, e-photo opportunities, games and giveaways. They can also enter the “Agents on a Mission” sweepstakes, which features 18,000 prizes, including a new car.

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NIGHT OF JOY ARTIST MERCYME: Contemporary Christian pop music group MercyMe returns to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2011, as a headline act along with TobyMac and Jars of Clay. The Saturday night lineup also will include Marvin Sapp, Sanctus Real, Kutless, Chris August and VaShawn Mitchell.

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