Family, travel, mom blog | Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)

So, Theme Park Mom will admit it: I love the “High School Musical” movies. I was a “Grease”-loving little girl who knew all the words to all the songs. Well, all the words that were in the edited for TV version. I was shocked to see the real thing and hear the “Grease Lightning” lyrics later in life.

But “High School Musical” is just a more wholesome, updated version of “Grease” in my mind, and my daughter and I love it. We went to see “High School Musical 3″ in the movie theater on my birthday last fall.

And to celebrate the release of the DVD on Feb. 17, we went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to watch the “High School Musical 3″ show.

Here are Theme Park Mom’s insider tips for the “High School Musical 3″ show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so you’ll know what to expect before you go.

* This show is performed in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat, but it is not performed on the stage there. You actually don’t want to be up close to the stage.

* Stand on either side toward the back of where people are gathering. There will be cast members there temporarily roping the sides off and clearing the street. (more…)

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Mickey Mouse led the way in the motorcade to open the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Theme Park Mom’s story about the American Idol Experience is online now at HeraldTribune.com. Check it out for more information about how the attraction works.

All my star-studded photos of the incredible American Idol Experience media opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are available online now at Facebook, in three galleries here, here and here. And if you missed my previous post about the awesome party Disney threw with all seven past American Idol winners, go back and read it!

I also met some great bloggers at the event, including Beth at Role Mommy and Stefanie of Mommy Musings.

Ryan Seacrest announces the winner of the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Yep, that's David Cook and Jordin Sparks behind them.

I’m still basking in the afterglow of my time hob-nobbing with the largest gathering of American Idol winners and finalists ever. My friends at Walt Disney World invited this Theme Park Mom to the premiere of the American Idol Experience, a new attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And the Idol family turned out in full force.

All seven of the past American Idol winners were on hand at the show. American Idol producer Simon Fuller presented them all with the new American Idol trophy, a silver microphone. The same award will be presented to all future American Idol winners. (more…)

Photo by meagan383

“Woodstock for Idol fans.” That’s what some Disney employees are calling this Thursday’s events at Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be ground zero for all things “American Idol” on Thursday, as the Mouse opens the new attraction “American Idol Experience.”

Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel reported last week that FOUR “Idol” winners – David Cook, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks – will be there, along with more than a dozen others, including David Archuleta, Bo Bice and Justin Guarini. And Theme Park Mom heard this afternoon that the lineup continues to grow.

If you’re an “Idol” fan, you’ll want to be in the park that day if you can. The “Idol” stars will reportedly participate in the motorcade at 4:30 p.m., so that you can catch a glimpse. And if you don’t live close enough to be at Disney World that day, you can watch David Cook on “Good Morning America” live from the park Thursday morning.

And check back here on Friday! Theme Park Mom will be there, and I’ll report back on all the “Idol” goodness and let you all know exactly how the new attraction will work.