If you've been checking the Walt Disney World passholder Web site for the release of reservations for the movie Tinker Bell -- act now. The link was just posted and the tickets are going fast. I'm told there are 1,000 tickets for the four showings on Sept. 27 and 28.

Passholders are invited to advance screenings of the full-length movie, which is due out Oct. 28. The movie, in which Tinker Bell speaks for the first time, will be shown in the theater inside the Exposition Hall in Magic Kingdom.

The events are for passholders only -- no guests -- and each passholder in your party must log in to secure a reservation.

What a difference a year makes. Filming of the Disney Channel Games began today at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, and unfortunately, it was not as fan-friendly as last year.

That became apparent from the start when, during the bag search, we were informed that no food or drinks could be brought into the stadium. Obviously, the folks at Disney want visitors to spend money at the concession stand, but even the theme parks allow sippy cups and snacks! And food and drinks were allowed at last year's games.

Once inside, we were disappointed to see huge production tents side by side on the field. Between those and the stage set up for Saturday's concert, it was almost impossible to see the games. This was not unexpected; Disney Channel was clear in its promotional material that the games were not staged as a sporting event but as a working production. Really, though, would it have hurt to show on the large screens what was going on with the filming?

Were you one of the estimated 2,000 passholders at the taping of the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade at Magic Kingdom today?

Yep, me and the wife and kids were, too.

If you're thinking about going to tomorrow's parade taping or to similar events at Walt Disney World in the future, bear this in mind: Depending on your attitude and expectations, this event and those like it could be seen as several things.

It might be a unique chance to see some behind-the-scenes television production work and a few celebrities, all while getting into the Christmas spirit a little early and wholeheartedly, too.

Or, it could be a unique chance to see how the sausage is made, so to speak, all while having any semblance of holiday spirit diminished by the stifling crowds, the whining children (who just happen to be your own), the restless geriatric passholders who had nothing better to do today than show up and complain about everything, and the endless, mind-numbing wait while production crews readied the set for hours before the star took to the stage for a 10-minute, Tele-prompted performance.

Here are a few observations from this bleary-eyed morning, starting with the negatives and leading to the positives:

My Ranger better half already has described the chaos of seeing the other rangers -- the Power Rangers -- at Disney MGM Studios. Recently, though, I got a chance to experience it, too.

It was, as she described, a mad rush of parents and kids, all trying to get autographs and pictures with their favorite Power Ranger.

Get your head in the game and line up right over here.

It’s not much of a problem for your preteen or teenage kids to catch the new High School Musical 2 show at Disney MGM Studios. They show up and watch the show, just like most anyone else.

But what about the preschoolers and the slightly older kids who also get a kick out of the show? Or, for that matter, what about someone with a disability? Or even Grandma, who’s at the park with the grandkids and wants to see what all the fuss is about over this "school musical"?

The park seems to have taken that into consideration with their unique way of ensuring that guests get up close to the production. Provided, of course, if the guests show up early and queue up in a designated area.

I’m new on the Power Rangers scene, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.

My son, who is almost 5, recently discovered the allure of the Power Rangers. He had never seen a movie or the old television show, but the boys at his preschool talk about these super teens all the time. That, coupled with his seeing their images marketed on toys, books and clothes often, made my son interested enough to request a Red Ranger costume and the opportunity to rent the movie.

I knew what was coming next. “Mommy, I want to meet the Power Rangers and get their autographs. I saw them at MGM Studios,” my theme-park-veteran son says.

So, off we went.

So that explains why there were seven guys and only one chick.

Well, I know, it was 1938. Things were different in those days and, of course, nothing like that today at the Happiest Place on Earth (down toward Kissimmee way, California or worldwide). It's comforting to know my daughter (left) won't grow up in the same kind of man's world as in '38.

Still, is that the coolest rejection-letter stationery or what? More companies should bring back that kind of attention to quality and creativity, even on the letterheads of the correspondence that informs you you’re still a loser and still out of work.

Kinda takes the sting outta rejection when you’re being told off by the fairest of them all, no?

Just a quick reminder: If you want to experience the Star Wars Weekends at Disney-MGM Studios, this weekend will be your last chance this year.

Anthony Daniels, who portrayed C-3PO, and Warwick Davis, who was Wicket the Ewok, are the two Star Wars celebrities to appear at the park during the next couple of days.

There’s more info here and lots of extra info and media here.

Can’t make it out to the theme park this weekend? Well, you can always pop in a DVD and que up the CD player in the comfort of your home.

Last week, me and the Little Rangers were busy preparing for our Star Wars Weekend trip to MGM Studios. The kids were practicing all their Jedi light-saber moves, which basically was hitting one another over the head with their plastic sabers until somebody started crying.

I had some kind of glitch with my BlasTech DL-44 that was preventing me from shooting, first or otherwise. I really wanted to get that fixed before we hit the park, because something told me that Boba Fett would be on the prowl, probably over by the Star Traders site like the previous year. So, of course, I was preoccupied.

The Ranger Wife, though, got my attention when she brought up a theme park topic that is of galactic importance, at least around our house. You see, the kids love the "High School Musical" phenomenon, from the show to the music to the merchandise, and one thing they've really enjoyed this year has been the HSM Pep Rally at MGM Studios.

Would it be held at the same time the park was being overrun by warring Sith and Jedi?

Well, come to find out, it was.

A popular event at Star Wars Weekends at Disney-MGM Studios is the parade that features costumed characters and celebrities from the Star Wars movies.

Even if you’re not into the movie genre as completely as the role-playing fans who show up for the annual event, it’s still a kick to watch the Jedi warriors, Stormtroopers and assorted Sith make their way through the park. Plus, you get a chance to see some actors and stuntpeople up close and get a sense what they might be like when not dressed in 15 pounds of special-effects gear.

If you're flying into OIA, check out the cool ads you'll see for Star Wars Weekends at Disney-MGM Studios. The site also shows some of the merchandise that will be available next month, as well.

You’ve got a couple of weeks to charge your lightsabers before the Star Wars Weekends kick into lightspeed at a theme park not so far, far away. If you’re fan, you’re probably already anticipating this year’s events at Disney-MGM Studios and have been for awhile. But, even if the Force isn’t with you necessarily, you might want to give this event some serious Jedi mind-trick concentration if you have kids, because it’s a happening that’s as fun to take part in as it is to watch.