Take a Peek at High School Musical 2

01 of 08

HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

Now that they're all big stars, how does the cast get along? "We were close in the first movie, but we're like a family now," says Ashley Tisdale of Lucas Grabeel, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Monique Coleman and Corbin Bleu (not pictured). "It's like living with brothers and sisters ... Vanessa's like my shopping sister. Monique's the sister you go to advice for, Corbin's like the brother you always go to if [you need to talk] and Zac's the goofy one."

02 of 08

TETE-A-TETE

Bleu (Chad) shares a break from filming with Coleman (who plays Taylor). Throughout the shoot, the actor wore a green T-shirt emblazoned with the message "I Majored in Vacation," which was selected by fans in an online contest. For Coleman, it's been anything but rest. "I have a sweating problem," she said after complaining about the heat, adding jokingly to an assistant: "Do you have any grapes?"

03 of 08

STAR TREATMENT

Since the premiere of High School Musical last year, Zac Efron's learned about life as a heartthrob. "If I head into a mall, I should expect to have some extra company on the way," he says. "But if you're ready for it, it's very gratifying." Next up for the 19-year-old: starring in the new movie musical Hairspray, due out in July.

04 of 08

AN OPEN BOOK

Sharpay (Tisdale) dazzles her classmates with a classic end-of-school ritual – and her gold Miss Sixty skinny jeans. But when the cameras stop rolling, Tisdale opts for comfort – trading her metallic heels for white slippers with painted-on toes.

05 of 08

JUST FRIENDS

They may play high school sweethearts Troy and Gabriella, but off-set, Efron and Hudgens are friends who like to grab snacks together between takes (Fruit Roll-Ups for her, granola and PowerBars for him). "We all had instant relationships like brothers and sisters," says Hudgens. But the 18-year-old does admit to having an "Oh my God!" moment when she first saw her costar. "I think every girl would do that!"

06 of 08

CHANGE OF SCENERY

Once East High is out for the school year, the cast heads to the Country Club for the summer. "We didn't want to recreate the first movie," says Bleu. "Between the choreography, the storyline and the music, everything is definitely stepped up."

07 of 08

A 'MANLY' MOMENT

Lucas Grabeel (the flamboyant Ryan) plays it low-key on the set after undergoing knee surgery and having to wear a brace. "They called me 'Gramps,'" he joked. Still, the star – who said of his character, "I don't think anyone wears this much pink" – clocked quality time with director Kenny Ortega's teacup Yorkie, Manly, who is both the school's mascot and a costar.

08 of 08

'TIME' TO DANCE

"What Time Is It?" – the film's 3-minute opening number – was a major production, taking three days to shoot and 200 extras, most of whom where handpicked Utah residents. "In the first movie we had dancing, but it was very basic," Efron says. "I didn't realize how far we could push this thing. This movie has been kicked up a notch for sure."

Take a Peek at 'High School Musical 2'