The Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in California will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24 to 6 a.m., May 25, 2013, local time* marking the beginning of a summer of fun inspired by the upcoming Disney•Pixar comedy adventure Monsters University.

Here are a few of the details of what’s planned for the park’s anniversary.

• Special opening ceremony – Meet at the Tree of Life at 8:40 a.m., to hear from Josh D’Amaro, Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Dr. Jackie Ogden, Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment. Make sure you arrive early for this!
• Earth Day “Party for the Planet” festivities – Special interactive activities that focus on animals and nature will take place throughout the park from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Artists and other vendors will present their work on in Africa and on Discovery Island, with their work available for purchase.
• Opportunity to purchase special 15th anniversary merchandise, available in limited quantities.
• Special food & beverage.

The first bullet point initially included Joe Rohde as one of the opening ceremony participants. 

Car Masters Weekend, now in its third year, is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day as Downtown Disney West Side hosts a classic car show with a modern twist June 14-16, 2013. Featuring all things “Cars,” the event showcases more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars; a chance for guests to meet “Cars 2″ stars Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile; and special appearances by automotive designer Chip Foose and Disney-Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward. Completing the car-nucopia of events, fans may purchase tickets for a ”Cars” & “Cars 2″ movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24, “test drive” Ridemakerz “Cars” models, and enjoy caricatures, themed food and beverage, live entertainment and more. Entertainment subject to change.

Don’t miss your chance to meet acclaimed author Ridley Pearson, as we set sail for adventure with the release of his newest book, Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage, the much anticipated addition to the Kingdom Keeperssaga. Ridley will be on hand for special appearances and signings at the following locations April 10-11, 2013.

• April 10 – Once Upon A Toy, Downtown Disney Marketplace (4-6p.m.)
• April 11 – The Writer’s Stop, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (9:30-11:30 a.m.)

The complete line-up includes:

• Friday, September 6: Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman & Michael W. Smith, Skillet, Mandisa, Matthew West, Audio Adrenaline, Moriah Peters, We As Human, City Harbor
• Saturday, September 7: TobyMac, Francesca Batistelli, Newsboys, Britt Nicole, Group 1 Crew, Building 429, For King and Country, Jamie Grace

Friday, September 7

Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

• 7:45 p.m. – NEEDTOBREATHE
• 9:50 p.m. – Chris Tomlin
• 11:55 p.m. – Casting Crowns

Galaxy Stage

• 7:30 p.m. – Francesca Battistelli
• 8:50 p.m. – Francesca Battistelli
• 10:25 p.m. – Red
• 12:10 a.m. – Brandon Heath

Rockettower Plaza Stage

• 8:15 p.m. – Disciple
• 9:40 p.m. – Disciple
• 11:20 p.m. – Royal Tailor

Saturday, September 8

Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

• 7:35 p.m. – Gospel Music Association Winner Theresa Bailey
• 7:55 p.m. – Lecrae
• 9:55 p.m. – Third Day
• 11:55 p.m. – MercyMe

Galaxy Stage

• 7:30 p.m. – Kutless
• 8:50 p.m. – Kutless
• 10:25 p.m. – Thousand Foot Krutch
• 12:10 a.m. – Yolanda Adams

Rockettower Plaza Stage

• 8:15 p.m. – Chris August
• 9:40 p.m. – Chris August
• 11:20 p.m. – Dara Maclean

Never heard of a “Hooley?”  Then it ‘s time to step up and experience Central Florida’s first Great Irish Hooley August 31-Sept. 3 at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Downtown Disney Pleasure Island.

The hooley – Irish slang for a party or celebration -will pack Labor Day weekend at Raglan Road with six top Irish bands playing traditional and rock tunes, Irish Dance Workshops for the whole family, structured set dancing called the Ceili (kay-lee) that’s a precursor to today’s country line dancing, Celtic face painting and authentic food and beverages.  Musicians will perform inside the pub and outside on the patio.

Celebrating their successful debut album, Full Set plays the festival Friday through Monday to begin a U.S. tour that includes the Milwaukee Irish Fest.  Elevation, the popular U2 Tribute band, plays sets on Saturday and Sunday.  Other great bands on tap are The Raglan Rogues, Danny Burns, Johnny “Snaggs” Norton and house band Creel.  The six-member, award-winning Raglan Road Irish Dancers perform throughout the weekend.  And renowned Irish dancer and choreographer Ronan McCormack of the original Riverdance cast will lead Irish Dance Workshops from Saturday through Monday.

Throughout the hooley, guests can belly up to one of Raglan Road’s 130-year-old imported-from-Ireland bars or grab a table for authentic fare by Irish celebrity chef Kevin Dundon.

The Great Irish Hooley schedule of entertainment and events is at www.raglanroad.com.

The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney headlines a list of celebrities who will be a part of the 20^thanniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna. 

Sweeney, an aspiring author (she has two books coming out in the next couple of years) and well-known for her role on Days of Our Lives in addition to The Biggest Loser, is entered in the Disney half marathon during the Disney Marathon Weekend, Jan. 10-13, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort near 

Sweeney is an avid runner who has competed in various marathons and half marathons around the country, however the Disney half marathon will be her first runDisney event. Sweeney is expected to attend the race along with her husband and two children.

Only July 14, France commemorates the storming of the Bastille marking the beginning of the French Revolution. We invite you to participate in a Discovery Experience to explore France and discover interesting facts about the country. Receive an award certificate upon completing the experience. All ages welcome! The Discovery Experience will be offered from 11:00am to 5:00pm at the Kidcot Fun Stop station.

Hailed as the most groundbreaking theme park of its time, Epcot marks its 30th anniversary on Oct. 1, 2012, and D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is preparing a unique celebration of one of Disney’s crowning achievements. On Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, D23’s Epcot 30th Anniversary Celebration will whisk D23 Members back to a time touted as when “the 21st century begins”—those early Epcot years when guests first marveled at “Astuter Computers,” “Smellitzers,” and the novelty of “riding on sunshine,” and were awed by a massive geodesic sphere called Spaceship Earth. This journey to yesteryear, the future, and around the world takes place one day only: on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. inside Epcot (Park admission is required and not included in the event ticket price). Each D23 Member may bring up to three guests.