LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — From the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, California Grill has been, literally and figuratively, at the top since its opening on May 15, 1995.

Illustrious chefs have come and gone, and today Chef Brian Piasecki is at the helm in the kitchen, continuing the Walt Disney World restaurant’s run as an award-winning dining destination.

Aluminum, glass, marble and wood combine to create a sleek modern look, and the room has a spectacular view — diners can see Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon, and get a picture-perfect view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Countless awards, including a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon, confirm the restaurant’s enduring appeal.

California Grill classics, like the popular roast pork and polenta, have been on the menu since opening day.  All meals are made from scratch in a stage kitchen divided into seven stations, including a sushi bar, a brick pizza oven, a wood-burning grill and a dessert shop.

Among staff there since the beginning is Yoshie Cabral, one of just a handful of female sushi chefs in the United States. Her creations are one of the most-requested menu items — on a good day she’ll make more than 2,000 pieces of raw fish and rice into pristine morsels for diners, and train her protégés to slice and dice.

The restaurant’s general manager, Bridget Sherren, is a graduate of the Advanced Course of the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently preparing for the Master level.

“Wine is an essential element in the dining experience at California Grill,” explains Sherren. “And education without intimidation is one of our major goals.” She updates daily a 100-item wine list, with every wine available by the glass.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Jedis, Wookiees and Ewoks, Oh My!

Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in May and June forStar Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 21-June 13, 2010, Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes the galaxy’s home for out-of-this-world characters including Sith, Bith, droids, bounty hunters, Twi’leks and Rodians.

Dates are May 21-23, May 28-30, June 4-6 and June 11-13. This year’s event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back,” which first appeared in theaters May 21, 1980.

More than 50 Star Wars characters will roam the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities. Also featured: the chance to purchase special- and limited-edition Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, Jedi Training Academy, Star Wars parades, rides aboard Star Tours and the popular “Hyperspace Hoopla” dance party.

Celebrities from the Star Wars films and creative geniuses who helped create the saga will be on hand each weekend for star conversations and autograph sessions.

The celebrity hosts for each weekend are Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett in “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi”)and Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”).

Special guests making weekend appearances include:

May 21-23: Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett in “Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones”),Daniel Logan (Boba Fett in “Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones”), and Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Captain Rex in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

May 28-30: Matthew Wood (voice of General Grievous in “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Lorne Peterson (model-maker who worked on all six Star Wars live-action films) and Tom Kane (voice of Yoda in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

June 4-6: Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian in “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi”), Ray Park (Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace”) and Dave Filoni (director of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

June 11-13: Ray Park (Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace”), Peter Mayhew (who played everyone’s favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca, in four of the live-action films) and James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”).

FEEL THE FORCE: The power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in Star Wars Weekends. Walt Disney World guests of all ages are attracted to the annual sci-fi fan-fest – to be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 21-June 13, 2010. Meet-and-greets, Star Wars parades, autograph sessions, Jedi Training Academy and more are included as part of regular Disney’s Hollywood Studios admission. Walt Disney World Resort is in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

A MAGICAL BIRTHDAY: Jay DeMarcus (left) of the country music trio “Rascal Flatts,” and his mother Caron Myers (right) pose April 9, 2010 with Pluto in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. DeMarcus took his mother to Walt Disney World to celebrate her 60th birthday. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR: Space shuttle Discovery is seen April 5, 2010 lifting off over Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The pre-dawn launch with the crew of STS-131 occurred at 6:21 a.m. EDT in nearby Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – True Disney foodies know you haven’t arrived until you’ve dined at the crème de la crème of restaurants – Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  But now the top-rated dining room has a new “must do”: the gorgeous Queen Victoria’s Room.

Queen Victoria’s Room is behind closed doors just off the main dining room.  With just four tables, restaurant manager Israel Perez promises attention to your every whim.  They’ve brought back French gueridon service – a gueridon is a fancy rolling cart that goes from table to table for customized service and “wow” factor – a flourish of Himalayan sea salt atop your filet, a decadent wine sauce or a lavish display of cheese, for instance.

Anyone who’s tasted Chef Scott Hunnel’s exquisite creations knows this is a memorable affair.  How often do you savor perfectly seared Kurobuta pork tenderloin and belly, or butter-poached lobster with bisque and lobster roe foam?  And vegans and vegetarians are Hunnel’s favorite challenge.  The sommelier happily will pair something delicious with each of the 10 courses.  Yes, 10 courses, but they’re small.  Still, plan on three to four hours of leisurely dining.

It’s worth the price of a baby-sitter – no kids under 10 are allowed in the dining room, so you’re guaranteed an evening of blissful quiet.  Be advised, men must wear jackets (tie optional) for this formal affair.

THANK YOU BOBBY!: Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox smiles as he sits in the dugout at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, March 31, 2010, prior to the start of his final game at the complex’s Champion Stadium. Cox is retiring as Braves manager following the 2010 season, and has trained the Braves each spring at Walt Disney World Resort since the sports complex opened in 1997. The Braves faced the Houston Astros in their final spring training home game of 2010 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)

CUSTOMIZED AND TRICKED-OUT RIDES: Kids of all ages can now build the toy car of their dreams at the newly-opened Ridemakerz at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The fun shifts into overdrive at this interactive experience as guests move through various shop zones and choose from dozens of bodies and paint jobs, rev it up with various sound effects, and customize with colored treads, pinstriping, radical wheels, decals, spoilers and more. More than 649 million possible variations are offered including a remote control option. Ridemakerz is located in the space previously occupied by Virgin Records Megastore.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – At the Walt Disney World Resort two exciting additions are coming to Epcot World Showcase, with culinary expansions under way at the Italy pavilion and Mexico pavilion.

The 14,000-square-foot space will include indoor and outdoor dining.  

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The 17th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicks off March 3 – earlier than ever – and continues for 75 days through May 16, 2010, with bold strokes of seasonal color and brand-new topiary whimsy. Last year’s festival began March 18; now Walt Disney World guests get a head start on the gardening season as they explore exhibits and activities geared toward discovery and outdoor fun.

Even before spring has sprung, Donald Duck and his topiary pals set up camp in full floral color to celebrate the Great Outdoors at the Epcot front entrance. The elaborate topiary with a North American theme, live waterfall and pond features Goofy in a fly-fishing misadventure, Daisy Duck roasting marshmallows over a campfire and Pluto in his “pup tent.” It’s a must-stop photo op for guests as soon as they pass through the park turnstiles.  Packing more floral punch this year, the festival showcases more than 100 expertly crafted topiaries — including a new American Gothic Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

“The advantage of starting earlier is that we’ll be able to feature more brilliant color than ever, with richly hued petunias, violas, snapdragons and other hardy flowers,” says festival horticulture manager Eric Darden. “By starting earlier and going through mid-May, it allows more guests than ever to experience the festival and to plan ahead for their spring and summer gardening.”