School’s out for most kids, and with a climb in attendance just around the corner, Walt Disney World is adding entertainment, special events, and additional dining options for summer. Here’s a brief rundown:

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ “Star Wars Weekends” are well underway and will continue through June 10.
• Magic Kingdom has already begun running a summer edition of “The Magic, the Memories, and You” which features a sand castle scene, surfing, water skiing, and all sorts of other summer images.
• Animal Kingdom will introduce a “Sundown Celebration” from June 3-30. While we have no specific details, the name itself indicates that the park will likely be open later into the evening. Expect additional food and entertainment offerings.
• From June 1 through July 8, Epcot is hosting “The Highland Games Tournament” to tie in with the upcoming release of Brave. A sand sculpture and playground have already been built, and there will be Scottish games and other representations of Scottish culture featured.

In addition, expect most attractions and restaurants that are listed as “open seasonally” to be open throughout the summer months.

Wow! It’s all I can do to stifle the tears when I see what one 9-year-old did this morning on Good Morning America. The story had me at “Disney”–but I had no idea what I was in for. Here’s the basic story: Brendan Haas was inspired by the Red Paper Clip (a guy made a series of trades that took him from a red paper clip to a house!) to do something similar–start with a toy soldier and keep trading up until he got a trip to Walt Disney World that he could give away to a military family. He accomplished his goal, and a family was chosen from a pool of deserving military families via drawing. Here’s the initial story.

Already this young man has inspired and impressed me. But it gets better! Brendan was featured on Good Morning America this morning, and Robin Roberts had the privilege of telling him that Disney would provide a free trip to WDW to him and his family, including making him an honorary citizen of Walt Disney World–all the VIP treatment he deserves for his selfless act. So what did he do? He gave it away. He said he couldn’t accept the trip, but that he had plenty of other families that could use it. Amazing kid. Truly.

I have a nearly 9-year-old daughter. She is kind and often generous. But I cannot imagine a scenario where she would give up two trips to Disney World. Brendan Haas amazes me. I want to be him when I grow up.

“In planning a new picture, we don’t think of grownups and we don’t think of children, but just of that fine, clean, unspoiled spot down deep in every one of us that maybe the world has made us forget.” –Walt Disney

Save between 15 and 25% off regular rack room rates at most Walt Disney World Resorts for travel dates June 15 through August 14. Offer must be booked by June 14. Here is the breakdown of discounts:

• 15% off: Value Resorts
• 20% off: Moderate Resorts, along with the Grand Floridian and Contemporary
• 25% off: other Deluxe Resorts and Villas

Not all resorts are available with this offer. Click here for more details or to book.

If history is any indication–and, let’s face it, it usually is–ticket prices at Walt Disney World will be going up very soon. In fact, I would expect them in the next week or two. Last year, prices went up on June 12, a Sunday. A few years back, ticket prices were usually raised in early August. So, if you’re planning a trip and haven’t purchased tickets yet, now is the time. Some official ticket vendors may have remaining inventory of tickets at current prices, but there are no guarantees.

As far as how much they’ll go up, you can expect a one-day Magic Your Way ticket to increase from $85 to around $89, with multiple-day tickets increasing at varying rates. Let’s hope that the recent hefty $100 increase from $749 to $849 for Disney’s Premier Passport, which allows guests entry into both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, is no indication of a trend in future ticket price increases. Ouch!

UPDATE: The official word from the Disney Parks Blog is that prices are going up June 3, so get your tickets today!

Found this one in an Oriental Trading catalog: