• Manning Answers Reader Questions (1:31)
• Disney's Video of Parade (1:10)
• LaughingPlace.com's Video of the Parade (2:07)

Ridley Pearson returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Thursday, January 26. He will be signing all four books from the “Kingdom Keepers” series from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Writer’s Stop. His newest book, “Kingdom Keepers V: Shell Game,” will be published this coming spring. Devon Burch, Merchandise Special Events Manager, told me that Ridley will be returning in March for an early release event for this book. Stay tuned to ArtofDisneyParks.com for additional details.

On Saturday, January 28, Emma Walton Hamilton will be appearing at Once Upon a Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace. She was the co-author, along with her mother Julie Andrews, of the “The Very Fairy Princess.” We will also have the newest book in the series “The Very Fairy Princess Takes The Stage.” She will be signing books and meeting with fans from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Update: WDWMagic.com Reports the event will be by White House invitation only and Main Street USA will be closed from park opening until after the event.

• May 18-20
• May 25-27
• June 1-3
• June 8 -  10

Casting Crowns – who just won the 2011 American Music Award® for Contemporary Inspirational Artist of the Year (its second such honor) – will headline the lineup for the 30th-year history of Disney’s Night of Joy Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, 2012, along with Christian music greats MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, Third Day, Kutless and needtobreathe. Filling Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort with the sound of contemporary Christian music will be more than a dozen artists with a 20-year legacy of accolades – including multiple GMA Dove Awards, GRAMMY® Awards and numerous other accomplishments.

Here’s the night-by-night Night of Joy 2012 lineup (entertainment, event times and schedule subject to change):

• Friday, Sept. 7, 2012: Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, needtobreathe, Red, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath, Royal Tailor, Disciple
• Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012: MercyMe, Third Day, Kutless, Chris August, Lecrae and Thousand Foot Krutch

Newcomers to Night of Joy include Royal Tailor, bringing the 30-year roster of artists to 150 acts.

Night of Joy is an after-hours event that requires a special ticket. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening. While artists perform at several stages, many popular Magic Kingdom Park attractions also are available for guests. One- and two-night individual Night of Joy tickets will be put on sale in the spring. In addition, there are special benefits for groups of 10 or more. Additional information about individual and group tickets is available at www.nightofjoy.com.

The works of Irish artist Graham Knuttel have found homes among Hollywood royalty like Sylvester Stallone, Whoopie Goldberg and Robert DeNiro. On Nov. 11, 2011, one of the renowned artist’s works will find a home at Walt Disney World Resort.

Renowned Irish artist Graham Knuttel’s latest commission – a painting for Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at Downtown Disney – will be unveiled during the opening day of Festival of the Masters, one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded juried art festivals since 1975. While the painting will be on permanent display at the pub, Knuttel will exhibit a collection of many new pieces at the Nov. 11-13 festival and will appear at Raglan Road “Meet the Artist” events Nov. 12 at 2 and 3:30 p.m.

Friday, September 9

Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

• 7:45 p.m. – Jeremy Camp
• 9:50 p.m. – Newsboys
• 11:55 p.m. – Skillet

“Design stars from the network will talk about home entertaining,” said Michael Jenner, festival manager. “Think about the way interior decorators design a room … and imagine that same creative process brought to the dinner table. It’ll be a great way to get ready for all the holidays coming up.”

Here’s the lineup (subject to change):

• Sept. 30-Oct. 2 – Vern Yip, “HGTV Design Star” and “HGTV Urban Oasis”

• Oct. 7-9 – Monica Pedersen, “Designed to Sell”

• Oct. 14-16 – Erin Loechner, “Design Happens”

• Oct. 21-23 – Taniya Nayak, “Designed to Sell”

• Oct. 28-30 – Kim Stoegbauer, “On-line Party Inspiration”

• Nov. 4-6 – Lisa LaPorta, “Designed to Sell”

• Nov. 11-13 – Emily Henderson, “Secrets From a Stylist” and “HGTV Design Star” winner Season 5 “Design Star” 

Walt Disney World Resort will pixie dust the night skies July 4 with special pyrotechnic shows, including a patriotic display at Magic Kingdom, a rock’n’roll spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a classic sky show at Epcot infused with an Independence Day finale. Here’s what’s in store:

• Magic Kingdom will present “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” This patriotic fireworks spectacular, paying homage to the hopes and dreams of America’s forefathers, will light the skies at 9 p.m. July 4 – and for guests who would like to begin the Independence Day celebration early, the show also will be presented July 3 at 9 p.m.
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, traditional Fourth of July fireworks take on a different spin when Mulch, Sweat, and Shears perform for the all-new “Rockin’ 4^th of July Celebration”! These resident landscapers – with serious rock and roll ambitions – take Disney guests on a musical road trip across America that will highlight each region’s contribution to rock and roll. Fireworks, lighting and special effects – backed by the driving live rock and roll of Mulch, Sweat, and Shears – combine to bring a new twist to celebrating Independence Day. Showtime July 4 is 9:45 p.m. Before or after the show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can thrill to Disney’s Fantasmic!, performing July 4 at 9 and 10:30 p.m.
  

• At Epcot, sky-watchers can check out  “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” bursting high above World Showcase Lagoon. IllumiNations is a 14-minute spectacular during which pyrotechnics, lasers, water and music are all used to tell a story about the past, present and future of our planet. On the Fourth of July, the show will be enhanced with "The Heartbeat of Freedom," an overture of traditional Americana themes displayed in a pyrotechnic and laser light event. The show is at 10 p.m.

In addition, Epcot guests may lend their ears to “Voices of Liberty 4^th of July Concert” and participate in meet-and-greets with Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and Disney characters adorned in patriotic dress at American Adventure. 

Theme park hours on July 4 (subject to change without notice): Magic Kingdom, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Epcot, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on May 20, we will host a live webcast of the grand opening that will feature the ceremonial arrival of several dignitaries from around the galaxy to join in the fun.

Our webcast will include the entire grand opening event plus some material just for those of you watching online. You never know what the Force may bring. The webcast also will be also be live streaming on our Star Tours Facebook page and on ourDisney Parks YouTube page. The webcast will require a computer or mobile device that supports Flash.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (all times are 7p - 12a)

• September 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, and 30
• October 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, and 31
• November 1

Attention all “Cars” fans – I’ve got a great announcement for you tonight. The Disney Parks Blog just got word that the gang from Radiator Springs will head this way next month for a brand new event – Downtown Disney Car Masters Weekend – which will take place May 13-15.

Four-time Piston Cup Champion, Lightning McQueen, Mater and British super-spy, Finn McMissile will hit the road to celebrate the release of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2.” At Downtown Disney Car Masters Weekend, families can hang out with Lightning, Mater and Finn McMissile, plus take part in all sorts of fun “Cars” activities, including a video kiosk, e-photo opportunities and games.

Along with meeting some their favorite characters from “Cars,” families can “test drive” and purchase new “Cars 2” RIDEMAKERZ models. Always wanted to see what Mater would look like as a 4×4? Mix, match and design your very own unique “Cars 2” vehicle.

Families can also throw their love for cars in “reverse” and go back in time to check out dozens of classic cars on display that helped shape the vehicles we drive today. Or check out the original “Cars” film, which will play on the big screen all weekend at the AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres Complex

Grab your best princess or prince attire, from wedding gowns to pajamas, and join us from 4-8am on April 29^th, 2011 as we watch the Royal Wedding live at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion. Cinderella’s Coach, which was made by Bennington Carriages- the same coach makers to the British Monarchy- will be available for pictures while guests enjoy an English-inspired breakfast. Come see our newly-released Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings jewels, complete with Princess-inspired tiaras, and the Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo collection of Princess-inspired gowns. Of course, no sleepover would be complete without a surprise grand finale!

Please note, this is a free event open to the public and does not require Park admission. Be sure to follow the #DisneyRoyal hashtag to keep up with all of the festivities. You can register for the event here.

Excerpted form the Official Disney Parks Blog...

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the acclaimed author of the Kingdom Keepers saga on April 4 & 5, 2011, at Downtown Disney Marketplace and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To make this special event even more exciting, Walt Disney World has been given the honor of launching Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play before the national launch of the novel which means Walt Disney World Guests will have the opportunity to get the book the day before it officially releases!

During Ridley Pearson’s special appearances, he will be meeting and greeting Guests, signing copies ofKingdom Keepers IV: Power Play, and even taking time to answer a few of your question about the Kingdom Keepers Series.

You can meet Ridley at the following Walt Disney World locations on April 4 & 5, 2011:

• Monday, April 4 , 2011, in Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney Marketplace: 4 – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 5, 2011, in The Writer’s Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 2 – 5 p.m.

• Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles, 6/12-18
• Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees, 6/19-25
• Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute, 6/26-7/2
• Little Queen – The Music of Heart, 7/3-9
• Frontiers – A Tribute to Journey, 7/10-16
• Karin Lawson – A Tribute to Janet Jackson, 7/17-23
• 2U – A Tribute to U2, 7/24-30

Concert times are 5:45p, 7p and 8:15p except on July 4th when they're 5:15p, 6:30p, 7:45p and 9p. The concerts are included with park admission and the schedule is, as always, subject to change.

For home cooks and culinary afficionados, Portobello restaurant located in Downtown Disney® at Walt Disney World Resort, brings you a Sicilian cooking demonstration not to be missed. Friday, May 13, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, Chef Tony Mantuano will be hosting a Sicilian Cooking Class for 30 lucky registrants. 

Walk through a full meal demonstration from pre-dinner cocktails to dessert with award winning Chef Mantuano of Chicago’s Spiaggia Restaurant. The class/menu will feature (Each of which attendees will have an opportunity to sample):

• Enoeca Cocktail (featuring Aperol, a blood orange and vodka creation)
• Caponata served with crostini, Eggplant Fries with tomato basil sauce,
• House Cured Sardines, 
• Gnocchi with Pork Ragu
• Lemon Marmalade with fresh goat cheese and raisin semolina crostini.

Chef Tony Mantuano is a multi-year winner of the James Beard Foundation Awards, deemed “the Oscars of the food world,” by Time magazine. The James Beard Foundation Awards are the country’s most coveted honor for chefs, food and beverage professionals and various food and restaurant industry professionals. Chef Mantuano took home a 2010 award in the Outstanding Restaurant category for Spiaggia.

Don’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime to learn and add to your Italian menu repertoire from a master of the trade. Chef Tony Mantuano’s Sicilian Cooking Class is $49.95 per person. To register, call 407-828-8996. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis until the class is full or until Monday, May 9.