Walt Disney World has its eye on you, "so get ready to be scared!." In all likelihood, the sight of Monsters University's Mike Wazowski staring down at Epcot visitors from the iconic Spaceship Earth ball will make people laugh more than it'll make people scream. But it'll also likely remind people that the Monsters Inc. prequel is headed into theaters on June 21. The film will take us back to when monsters Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman) were both just starting out in their training as Scarers at Monsters University or "MU."
Mike Wazowski appears to be a perfect fit to take over the Epcot ball. As you can see in the above video, his arrival was part of the official announcement from Disney that they'll be keeping three of their theme parks open for 24 hours on Memorial Day Weekend, which is the traditional start of the family travel season. This year, it's also the start of the "Monstrous Summer" Disney Parks has planned for both coasts. This is the first time they're doing the three-park, all-night party, and it's set to take place at Magic Kingdom Park in the Florida-set Walt Disney World, and Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure out on the West Coast. The parks will stay open from 6:00 a.m. on May 24 to 6 a.m. May 25, local time.
There are different Monster University-themed events set up at each location. In Florida, Mike and Sulley will be the Grand Marshals of the "Celebrate a Dream Come True" day parade in Magic Kingdom. They'll also make appearances in Tomorrowland. Visitors to the Magic Kingdom can expect extra entertainment throughout the day and night, including characters in their pajamas in Town Square during the late night and early morning, and late-night dance parties in and around the courtyard of Cinderella's Castle. WDW knows how to do parades, so the Monsters University focus during the day parade sounds like a real treat, but the late-night events sound particularly exciting, especially for WDW fanatics who can't resist something special and new at the parks, and it sounds like both would most certainly apply to this event.
Meanwhile, in California, Star Wars will be getting in on the mix, as characters from the franchise will appear in Tomorrowland, along with characters from Monsters University and TLT Monstrous. There's also going to be a late-night Character Pajama party in Mickey's ToonTown at Disneyland park. They're also turning Fantasy Faire Royal Theater into a Ryal Dance Hall late at night, which will feature a live band and dancing. And in Disney California Adventure park, there will be Monstrous photo opportunities with new Monsters University "Dorms" in Hollywood Land and a Monsters University float leading the Pixar Play Parade.
Needless to say, there's going to be no shortage of Monsters University representation at Disney World and Disneyland this Memorial Day. Those willing to brave the heat and the inevitable crowds might want to plan a trip to the parks to get in on the fun and enjoy the promised limited-edition specialty merchandise and food and beverage offerings and other surprises to be featured during the event.
Watch the latest trailer for Monsters University here.
