If you haven’t started carving that Halloween pumpkin, here’s a new idea! Have you ever considered turning the pumpkin on its side and using the stem as a nose? That’s a tip from Dave Caranci, a cast member from the Resort Enhancement Team at the Disneyland Resort who often thinks of new and different ways to decorate the Resort. Here’s how he and his team decorate the Resort for Halloween. You’re sure to pick up a new idea for this year or the next.

Last week, we kicked off this series with a look at the “Halloweenmosphere” created by our friends at Disneyland Paris. Now, here’s another treat – some unique sights from Tokyo Disneyland where the entire park is decked out for Halloween. They’re celebrating the season with a special event called “Disney’s Halloween” at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

There’s a new parade at Tokyo Disneyland this year called Disney’s Halloween Street “Welcome to Spookyville.”And as you can see, Mickey, his friends and guests are part of the celebration. Stay tuned for our next post in this series featuring sights you won’t see at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World.

Did you know that soaps and shampoos from Walt Disney World Resort hotels have a second life after their initial use by guests?

Disney VoluntEARS work with Clean the World, an Orlando-based nonprofit, to collect, sanitize and repackage discarded amenities from the nearly 28,000 hotel rooms on Disney property so they may be distributed to people in need worldwide.

All 24 Walt Disney World Resort hotels participate in the innovative recycling effort that aims to improve health and personal hygiene in impoverished areas around the world. So far this year, Disney Resorts have donated 25,710 pounds of soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion.

Teams from Clean the World are currently in Haiti aiding in efforts to contain the cholera outbreak by delivering more than 100,000 bars of sanitized soap to several orphanages, clinics and schools. Shawn Seipler, executive director at Clean the World, points out that soap can’t cure cholera but it can help prevent spread of the disease. As you can see from the photos he shared with us, some of these items look familiar.

Considering that Disney is one of the chief suppliers for Clean the World, more Disney soaps will be on the way to Haiti soon. The nonprofit is planning to deliver another 200,000 bars of soap in November.

Clean the World’s efforts complement Disney’s commitment toward improving children’s lives and doing what is right for the environment.

Their mission is impressive and I hope you join me in wishing them continued success.

Great news – the A-lister spot for Magic Kingdom fireworks watching, the Tomorrowland Terrace private dessert party, has been extended until Dec. 29. Oh, these gorgeous fall and early winter days are such a delight for playing all day in the Magic Kingdom, then relaxing with an abundance of sweets while the sky fills with spectacular fireworks.

The party happens most nights – and you can head over to the lower level of the terrace an hour ahead of scheduled fireworks for plenty of time for the sweet buffet and beverages (no alcohol – this is the Magic Kingdom!).

Make your reservations at 407-WDW-DINE or at any resort front desk, concierge, Guest Relations or restaurant table-service location. If you don’t have reservations, you can walk up and try for a coveted spot, but it’s first come, first served. A Magic Kingdom park ticket is required. (Sorry, can’t use the Disney Dining Plan.)

It was great to read your comments about the pilots of Star Tours on my last post. Some people really want to see Rex again in the new show. Others are excited about the introduction of the new character “Ace.” And then there are those who are speculating about a bigger role for Threepio. So, I thought it was time we set the story straight about just who will be in the cockpit in the new show. And guess what? You’re all right!

As explained earlier, all Star Tours Starspeeder 1000s are flown using the latest AC-series Tour Droids. And in fact, our initial plans were for our flight to be piloted by AC-38 better known as “Ace.” However, in discussions with George Lucas during the course of our production, we decided to take the story in a very different direction.

So…while AC-38 is supposed to be our pilot, by the time we actually take off, the droid sitting in the pilot’s seat will be none other than…C-3PO!

It’s one of the biggest changes and surprises in the new show. “Professional grit stopped me from yelling the glorious new storyline from the rooftops,” said Anthony Daniels recently. “It’s fun having secrets like this, waiting to share them at the right time.”

You’ll see just how Threepio becomes our pilot when the adventures continue next year.

This week, our Imagineering team begins installation of the Audio-Animatronics figures into the Starspeeder cabins at Disneyland park, and next month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Oh, and for all you Rex fans, don’t worry – we have a spot for him in the new show!