Summer at Walt Disney World Resort Includes the Rock Your Disney Side Celebration and Car Masters Weekend

Summer officially kicks off at the Walt Disney World Resort on May 23 with the 24-hour 'Rock Your Disney Side' celebration.

The party begins at 6 a.m. on May 23 and runs until 6 a.m. on May 24. The celebration will feature a variety of good-vs.-evil stories with character meet-and-greets, special merchandise, and special food and beverage items.

The 24-hour celebration is also planned for Disney California Adventure Park.

Once the Rock Your Disney Side celebration is over, summer has just begun. The Walt Disney World Resort has a great lineup of summertime fun in store for guests.

Star Wars Weekends begin May 16 at Disney's Hollywood Studios and run every weekend until June 15 " which is one extra weekend than in previous years. New to this year's event is the nightly "Symphony in the Stars" pyrotechnic show set to music.

And, Star Wars fans will be lining up for the first-ever appearance by Luke Skywalker himself, actor Mark Hamill.

Disney will be celebrating Father's Day at Car Masters Weekend in Downtown Disney on June 14-15. The festival features all things Cars, including the chance to meet Lightning McQueen and Mater. More than 150 classic, exotic, and muscle cars will be showcased during the event.

The weekend also includes a Cars and Cars 2 movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24.

Downtown Disney guests will have a chance to experience an all-new retail concept when The Marketplace Co-Op opens with six unique boutiques under one roof. The stores include Beautifully Disney, Cherry Tree Land, D-Tech on Demand, Zoey and Pickles, The Trophy Room, and Disney Centerpiece.

Two new Starbucks locations are also opening in Downtown Disney this summer.

And, in mid-summer the Festival of the Lion King will reopen at Disney's Animal Kingdom in an all-new theater in the Africa section of the park.

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