ABC's stars hit Disney World to help celebrate final event

But this year will be their last for Super Soap Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios along with more than 30 other soap stars from the three ABC soaps, including Susan Lucci, Erica Kane of "All My Children."

This marks the 13th and final year of the event on Nov. 15 and 16, when an estimated tens of thousands of fans are expected to swarm the park to meet their favorite stars.

ABC is going to a new format next year with the Soap Nation Tour, featuring more nationwide events, including an already planned three-day March cruise. Some fans are signing a petition to try to continue Super Soap.

Disney and ABC officials said the final Orlando event is expected to bring surprises. There will be sneak peeks of the shows and special events to honor the fans and the 45th

anniversary of "General Hospital," the 40th anniversary of "One Life To Live" and the 10,000th episode of "All My Children," which airs this month. That soap has been on the air since 1970.

Fans, as in the past, will have the chance to get autographs and party with actors at nightly street jams. Other festivities include a celebrity motorcade, talk shows and

game shows with fan interaction and a chance to do a scene on stage with one of the actors.

A regular park ticket is needed for admission into the event.

"We are pulling out all the stops to show our appreciation," said Mathison, 39, who is headlining the weekend by hosting some events, including The Colgate Total Street Jam in which actors will sing and perform. Sherri Shepherd, co-host of ABC's "The View," will help host the jam. "(The daytime fans) are the most devoted fans in the world. We

are in their living rooms every day."

Mathison of New York City, whose wife and two children also will enjoy the Disney parks, has recently been a special correspondent for "Good Morning America," including interviewing some of the cast of "Desperate Housewives" for a segment sheduled to air this month. He was on "Dancing with the Stars" last year and said it was "incredibly tough." 

He said his partner and teacher Edyta Sliwinska "got me to move in ways I could not believe I was able to do."

Meanwhile, DePaiva, 47, also of New York, who has been on "One Life To Live" since 1993 and previously on "Guiding Light," will be singing during the Street Jam. She said she also will be doing a duet with Bobbie Eakes, who stars as Krystal Martin on "All My Children."

"It's really a fun time for both the fans and the stars," said DePaiva, whose son and husband, former "One Life To Live" star James DePaiva, will be coming to Disney.

In addition to acting, DePaiva sang at the Grand Ole Opry and was a backup singer for soul singer Bobby Womack. DePaiva, Eakes and Kathy Brier, who plays Marcie on "One Life To Live," also will perform at various locations nationally as the Divas of Daytime.

 

 

WHO: Super Soap Weekend

 

WHEN: Nov. 15 and 16

 

WHERE: Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista

 

TICKETS: Cost is included in park admission. Park tickets are $75 per day for adults or $67.50 for Florida residents. A three-day Florida pass is $129.

 

INFORMATION: 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639) or go to disneyworld.disney.go.com

 

For Super Soap info, call 407-397-6808 or go to soapnet.com to see the list of stars attending and other information.

 

HOURS: Park is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., though the gate can open early at discretion of management. Fans have been known to line up in the middle of the night to get a head start.