Last night, Disney’s D23 held a private after-hours event for members who attended its (slightly early) first anniversary party in which most of the existing Fantasyland was turned into a bounty of attractions, unique character meet and greet experiences and dessert party.

Aside from the party, there were two key events. The first of which was a buffet style dinner inside the Diamond Horseshoe in which D23 head Steven Clark offered a presentation concerning the first anniversary of the first official community for Disney fans.

Introduced by Walt Disney World ambassador Clay Shoemaker, Clark talked about his own personal experience as a fan prior to joining the company, attending an event in the early 90s in which many Disney legends (past, present and future) were in attendance and presented upcoming projects from The Walt Disney Company. He spoke of meeting Walt Disney Studios archivist Dave Smith whom he had recognized from Dave’s column in Disney Channel magazine. He spoke fondly of Smith’s warmth and how Smith had offered him a private tour of the Studios in Burbank. Clark recalled how he had encountered a custodian with a fanny pack at the Studios and watched as a squirrel ran up the custodian’s leg, took food out of the fanny pack and ran off, appearing to gesture a thank you along the way. It was then, Clark notes, he knew he ‘was at Disney.’ Clark then led the room in a toast saluting D23 and its members and both of their successes. He introduced several key members of the D23 group that were in attendance (and a couple that were not) and spoke of their contributions to the success of the club and the expo.

AFTER THE JUMP: More details on this and other D23 events plus dozens of photos

The Walt Disney World resort has provided us with the (almost) full line-up of the annual Sounds Like Summer concert series at Epcot’s America Gardens Theatre. Admission to the concert series which features established cover bands is free with paid admission to the park. This year’s series runs from June 12 through July 31 and includes the following acts:

• June 12 – June 19: Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)
• June 20 – June 26: Hotel California (Eagles)
• June 27 – July 3: TBD
• July 4 – July 10: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)
• July 11 – July 17: Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi)
• July 18 – July 24: 2U (U2)
• July 25 – July 31: Beginnings (Chicago)

Showtimes are scheduled for 5:45 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:15 pm except on July 4 on which shows are scheduled to occur at 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:45pm and 9:00 pm.

Beginning March 8, Florida residents can head to EPCOTGARDENCONTEST.COM and enjoy two ways to celebrate Epcot’s annual International Flower and Garden Festival.

Through an Instant Win online game, Walt Disney World will be giving 54 pairs of 4 Day Dream Passes (good for one theme park per day, valid from 3/8/10 – 3/26/10 and 4/10/2010 – 5/25/2010). All entrants will also then have the opportunity to compose an original essay nominating a non-profit organization to receive the grand prize of a custom designed garden by Disney’s own professional horticulturists. The garden will even include elements from this year’s Flower and Garden Festival.

Although the contest begins March 8, rules and additional information is available now at EPCOTGARDENCONTEST.COM

AMC Theatres® (AMC), a leading theatrical exhibition and entertainment company, today announces that guests will be able to see movies in a new, entirely superior fashion when the AMC Enhanced Theatre Experience (ETXTM) makes its U.S. debut on March 5 at AMC Pleasure Island 24 at Downtown Disney® Area at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

ETX includes a 20-percent larger screen, 3D technology, digital projection and an upgraded sound system. Specifically, the digital projection system produces images comprised of 2 million pixels, which delivers a higher resolution than HD. This eye-popping image is then showcased on a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screen that immerses guests in the image.

The ETX auditorium also boasts 12 audio channels fueled by 50,000 watts of power, which is a major upgrade and three times the power of typical auditoriums with six audio channels. As a result of this improved sight and sound experience, guests will not simply watch a movie. They will live it in ETX.

“We are proud to launch our new ETX concept for the first time in the United States at AMC Pleasure Island 24,” said John McDonald, executive vice president, U.S. operations. “We truly believe this premier location at Downtown Disney deserves the absolute best entertainment experience AMC can offer, and ETX is the cornerstone of that experience.”

The high-tech, state-of-the-art ETX auditorium will feature Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures’ “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” in 3D when the movie opens across the United States on March 5.

“With the upgraded screen and sound system, in addition to the premium viewing experience digital cinema offers, we believe our guests at AMC Pleasure Island 24 will walk away with a new perception of how movies should be delivered,” said McDonald.

Movies shown in the ETX auditorium will cost $2 more, while 3D titles such as “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” will cost $4 more to see it in ETX. For more information about ETX and amenities at AMC Pleasure Island 24, please visit www.AMCEntertainment.com.

The Walt Disney World Resort reports that its previously announced ‘Summer Nightastic!‘ program which features the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade will begin on June 6 and run through August 14.

Walt Disney World has officially announced that the Downtown Disney area in Walt Disney World will soon be receiving a couple of shops that have already recently made the Disneyland Resort their home.

Vinylmation will find its east coast home in D Street, an urban art-inspired shop that has already proven itself successful since opening in Anaheim just a few months ago.

DTD will also receive a RIDEMAKERZ, a place for guests to custom design and build their own radio controlled vehicles.

Actress Eva La Rue (right), star of the CBS series “CSI: Miami,” and her daughter Kaya (left), age 8, pose March 1, 2010 with Minnie Mouse at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Prior to joining the cast of “CSI: Miami,” La Rue appeared on the ABC Daytime drama “All My Children.” (Gene Duncan, photographer)

The marina at the Marketplace District in Downtown Disney is currently closed and is expected to re-open sometime in mid-March on an unspecified date.

The Baby Care Center in Magic Kingdom is currently scheduled to be closed from May 14 through May 21.

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Olympic Gold Medal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson poses Feb. 27, 2010 with Minnie Mouse at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Johnson, a past champion on ABC-TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” series, was at Walt Disney World appearing at “ESPN The Weekend,” a sports fan festival held annually at the theme park. She also was a special celebrity guest for the grand “re-launch” of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)