If you've ever seen Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel, you know it's hard to tear yourself away from whatever interesting place she is visiting. By the end of the show, you wish you could travel anywhere on this planet with her because she seems like so much fun. My son has considered her his personal friend since he first watched "Walt Disney World Holidays with Samantha Brown" three years ago. This is by far the most-requested holiday special in our home, especially since his sister is now old enough to relate to activities Sam describes.

Do you love the grapefruit cake at Disney-MGM Studios' Brown Derby? Then be sure to check out Florida Magazine in today's newspaper. Pastry chef Andreas Born gives the recipe and the secret for making this popular sweet treat.

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.

Does the idea of having a child's birthday party at Walt Disney World make you jump for joy at the over-the-top fun of it all, or make you cringe when thinking about the logistics and cost?

We attended a birthday party at Epcot over the weekend that was big on fun AND relatively easy on the wallet. How did they do it?

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.

It’s August, and parents’ thoughts turn to … Halloween costumes?

Walt Disney World sells dress-up outfits all year. You’d have to be blinded by the glitz to miss the fancy displays of princess dresses with matching shoes, tiaras and wands in just about every store.

As fellow ranger Dewayne noted, there is such demand that Disney is opening a second Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where girls can have complete princess makeovers. It’s understandable, though, because parents on vacation here want to make their little girls’ dreams come true. And for many, that means being dressed like royalty when meeting their counterparts in the parks.

What you might not know is that there are plenty of boys costumes at Disney, as well.

There's a new theme-park publication in the works, and you could be a writer for it, too. Well, provided you know how to write well. And, of course, that you love the theme parks here and attend them often.

Former newspaper editor and publisher Matt Roseboom and Disney blogger Ricky Brigante are teaming up to publish, "Orlando Attractions Magazine," an every-other month publication (in the beginning, anyway) devoted to themed attractions here in the theme-park capital of the world.

I could go off on a why-in-the-HalloweenHorrorNights-didn't-anybody-think-of-this-before tangent. But, given my contractual obligations to a certain old-media publication at 633 N. Orange, I'll just whistle, scratch my head and offer up a Goofy-worthy "gwash!" instead.

Does Walt Disney World really not have anything extra planned for the release of High School Musical 2 today? I'm told not. Hard to believe when the franchise is insanely popular around the globe.

But if you're visiting Orlando and your kids love the gang from East High, you can make it a special day. Start at the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney, where yesterday I saw the merchandise for HSM2 that came in this week. There are plenty of things for girls, but I was most excited to see a new shirt for boys. It's the green T-shirt Corbin Bleu wears that says "I majored in vacation." In my treks for all things HSM in Central Florida, I've only been able to find items for my son on Disney property. The most unique accessory I saw: a girls' HSM headband.

The Wildcats section is in the princess room, and the mood is set by a TV playing clips from the original movie and music from both. You do have the HSM2 soundtrack that was released Tuesday, don't you? If not, you can pick it up here or many other locations on property.

As part of my ongoing TP Ranger duties, I’ll be checking up on theme park dining options from time to time. Not just new eating opportunities but the old stand-by restaurants, too.

This week we look in on Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney Soon-Not-To-Be-M-G-M Studios. I haven’t done a full review of HBD since it opened in 1989, so when I visited the full-service restaurant recently it was like going back in time.

In a happy coincidence, I had been skimming The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World With Kids, when I saw that the authors will be answering questions about Orlando vacations at BudgetTravel.com. Anyone can post questions for Liliane Opsomer and Bob Sehlinger through 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Web site.

George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. Mickey Mouse.

Few names conjure up “America” more than those, right? Well, OK, John Wayne. But anyway, there’s no denying that Walt Disney and all he and his company created over the years became one of the strongest embodiments of American ideals and symbolism the world would know. So, as you might imagine, the Disney theme parks will be filled with red, white and blue patriotism on our nation’s birthday, and next week will be a pride-filled experience for patriotic park-goers.

Among some of the highlights:

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.

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.

Well, this isn't the most earth-shattering news you're likely to hear today, and no one is going to slow down the presses, let along stop them. But as of May 31st at all Disney restaurants with full table service, guests nine years of age and younger -- commonly referred to as children unless you're purchasing admission tickets -- may receive free refills on all child beverages. This includes juices, bottled water, sodas and milk. Yes, even chocolate milk!

The free refill policy does not apply to specialty drinks that typically are not included with the kids' meals. That means no free mai tais.

If you or someone you love are having trouble waiting for High School Musical 2 to be released on The Disney Channel on Aug. 17, there is some relief for the summer ahead.

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.

For young children, one of the biggest thrills at Walt Disney World is meeting their favorite characters. There are many opportunities in the theme parks, but the lines can be long. A much more pleasant option, albeit more expensive, is character dining. If you're willing to pay for a table-service meal, the characters come to you.

Let me tell you right off that you are not there for the food. It's adequate, just not anything to write home about.

The theme for today's Photo Treasure Hunt is "What's Missing From This Picture?" Plus, it's two of our archival pictures for the price of one.

Warning: If you are riled by giant arms or enormous sorceror's hats, avoid the jump.

We almost didn't stay to see The Voyage of the Little Mermaid at MGM Studios on Sunday, but am I glad we did.

Ariel is my daughter's favorite Disney princess -- so much so that she already is telling anyone who will listen that her 3rd birthday party will have an Ariel theme. Mind you, her birthday is not until the end of September.

So, there we are -- hot and tired from a full day at Disney World -- when my daughter requests her favorite show before we leave. We head toward the queue and make it into the waiting room fairly quickly. We hadn't been there long when a cast member approached us and asked if my little girl would like to introduce the show.

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.