Walt Disney World online dining reservations system for its restaurants via is now available atSimply search for your dining location of choice in the "search box" or select the "restaurants" or "dinner shows" boxes below and find your location, and put in a single date or range of possible dates. If it’s available, you can book online with no charge. If that time or location is not available, an alternate will be offered to you. Guests can book 90 days in advance, and will need to provide the names of everyone dining, also the ages of the children. Modifications will still need to be made by phone at 407-WDW-DINE.  A credit card may be required to secure the reservation, depending on the locationDisney’s PhotoPass has introduced some new options for their CDs, including a CD that includes all of the stock photos you will find available for use in products other than the PhotoCD onFor just $39.95, you can own over 300 hi-res images of Walt Disney World stock photos including many not available on the PhotoPass site. Purchasing the Photo Gallery CD grants you a license to unlimited personal use of the images, but unlike traditional Disney’s PhotoPass photos, you are prohibited from distributing the photos. Additionally, for all of the photos you have uploaded and added Disney borders to, you can now order an archive CD for $19.95 which includes the license to print the photos with the graphics.

Star Wars Weekends may be over, but coming this October in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland will find three new characters from the Star Wars Potato Head series available for purchase exclusively from the two parks. Chipbacca, Mashter Yoda, and C-3PotatO will each retail for about $12.95. Check them out atpeaking of Star Wars, I wanted to give big thanks to the folks over at Lucasfilm and StarWars.com. I was recently interviewed about the relationship between Disney and Star Wars, in light of the recent Star Wars Weekends events. I talk about the past, present and possible future of the relationship and give some trivia facts and questions as well.Disney is testing a new Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party in the Magic Kingdom starting on Tuesday, June 23 and continuing until Saturday, August 29 at by the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. The parties can accommodate up to 160 people and will feature an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet and beverages, and will run from 1 hour prior to Wishes through the end of Wishes. The cost is $17.99 for adults and $9.99 for kids, and can be booked and must be prepaid in advance by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3563). Note that the dessert reception will be held regardless of weather, and there will be no refunds if the fireworks are cancelled on account of poor weather.On to the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill….

Let’s start on one of the ones that has really gained great deal of interest lately, as possible leaks about it becoming reality continue to surface around the internet. And yes, I’m talking about Star Tours once again, because not only does it seem like we’re now just looking for confirmation of WHEN this will happen, but some interesting new details are surfacing and WHAT may be coming as well. Rather than simply just a makeover of the story and effects, in true Disney/Lucas fashion, the entire experience will be something unlike anything we have ever seen before. The storyline seems to take us to a period between Episode’s 3 and 4. Thus Queen Amidala is history, and so is Anakin who is now very bitter and for some reason chooses to wear a cape. Contracts have been signed and construction on the Death Star is probably underway, although it’s been blown up countless times before on Star Tours, but I digress… But the real wow factor comes from the fact that unlike other attractions, shows and even simulators like this, not only will the story be told in 3D, but the story will change - Every time you ride it. Supposedly there will be multiple variations in how the story begins and ends, as well as plot points in between.

Speaking of rumors that not only never die, but may be getting closer to reality, let’s move over to Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, where I’m once again hearing talks of the expansion beyond just a new attraction coming to the surface once again. As I’ve discussed in the past, Fantasyland has a VERY large space available to it for expansion, as the Pooh’s Playful Spot area had only taken up a small portion of the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lagoon, and there was already additional space behind there as well. So the rumor now is that in addition to a possible Little Mermaid attraction, similar to the one being built for DCA in California, the entire land may expand as well. And how will it expand? How about into an enchanted forest, filled with Disney Princesses, shows, a new attraction, storytelling and special events. In fact, some of the surrounding literal and figurative landscape may change as well. We’re keeping our eyes and ears peeled for more definitive information as it comes out.

Over at the resorts, I’ve heard more rumors about Pop Century’s Legendry Years once again being on the board for completion, but this time with a new Animation theme. As this one has been rumored for the last couple of years, I’ll wait until I have something a little more definitive before I start making my reservations.

Over at the Boardwalk Villas, they are rumored to be ready for a refurbishment that includes new flat-panel HDTVs,  and new appliances, with rehabs starting this summer through early 2010.

Finally on the Disney Cruise Line, I’ve heard talk about the introduction of the Turtle Talk with Crush show or technology being added to the ships, possibly in a dining location such as the Animator’s palette, which may be getting some additional interactive technology upgrades as well. Again, we’ll have to wait and see.