Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Forbidden Mountain: Legend of the Yeti ? Several sources report that Disney may officially announce Animal Kingdom's newest attraction at a press event planned for the park's fifth anniversary on Tuesday, April 22.

Easing travel worries ? Three U.S. airlines — Continental, Delta, and US Airways — are hoping to encourage passengers to make travel plans by offering them the ability to change their plans without penalty. US Airways' new policy takes effect should the Department of Homeland Security raises the national alert level to Code Red, or if military action begins in Iraq. The Continental and Delta policies are already in effect, but apply only to select transatlantic flights. For complete details, see the airline's Web sites.

Attention sports fans ? check out these dates and suggestions for upcoming Walt Disney World events:

• Inaugural Disney Inline Marathon ? Although this event, scheduled for Sunday, March 30, is 26.2 miles long, the course differs substantially from the January WDW Marathon. For one thing, those doing the full marathon actually repeat the course twice. The event starts at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, down Hollywood Boulevard inside the Disney-MGM Studios and along the Boardwalk Resort, then through Epcot's World Showcase before circling back to Disney's Wide World of Sports. Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom are not part of this route.
  
  
• Disney has announced the All-Star Kids Classic, a series of races for youths that takes place on Saturday, March 29 as part of Disney's inline skating weekend. Both the marathon as well as Kids Classic are sanctioned by USA Roller Sports, an organization that governs and sanctions skating events around the country.

The 2003 Marathon finish line.
Photo by Lani Teshima.

• WDW Marathon ? Registration for the 2004 Walt Disney World Marathon and Half-Marathon is now available at the Disney Sports Web site. Both events, scheduled for Sunday, January 11, 2004, are extremely popular, and registration fills to capacity by early summer. Disney Vacation Club members can register for the marathon at a special discounted rate — details are available in the members-only section of the DVC Web site.
  
  
• If you plan to stay at the Coronado Springs Resort for the WDW Marathon next January, think again. Although the fitness expo was held at the convention exhibit hall at the Coronado Springs for 2003, Disney has decided to move it back to the Wide World of Sports for 2004. This means staying at the Coronado Springs offers absolutely no additional benefit from other on-property resorts. MousePlanet recommends that you consider one of the three monorail resorts (the Contemporary, the Polynesian, or the Grand Floridian) if their high prices are within your budget; these are the most convenient for marathon participants.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Toontown Barnstormer is closed for refurbishment March 2 ? March 7.

The Blizzard Beach water park refurbishment, originally scheduled to end on March 2, has been extended. The park may open as early as Sunday, March 16, 2003, but that return date is tentative.

Main Street Plaza Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment through Sunday, April 6, 2003.

The Shipwreck Slide, located at Stormalong Bay at Disney?s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, is closed for refurbishment January 3 through April 4, 2003. The pool areas at Stormalong Bay remains open while the pool slide undergoes refurbishment.

The Theater in Epcot's China Pavilion closes for refurbishment March 26 ? May 22. The Gallery, merchandise shop and restaurants will continue to operate.

Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studio is closed for refurbishment February 24 ? April 13.

Park Events

Upcoming events

Feb. 27 through March 28 ? Atlanta Braves Spring Training exhibition games at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. Tickets go on sale January 4. Buy tickets in person at the Disney Wide World of Sports box office, or call Ticketmaster at 407-839-3900.

March 14-16 ? After-hours Annual Passholder event at Disney-MGM Studios. APs can ride Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and purchase exclusive merchandise.

March 14-17 ? St. Patrick's Day at Pleasure Island. 'Sham-rock' and roll at Pleasure Island , as the nighttime entertainment district celebrates St. Patrick's Day. The island turns green with live music and videos by Irish artists, as well as leprechauns, green specialty beverages, and access to Pleasure Island's eight fun-filled clubs.

The St. Patrick's Party at Pleasure Island is included in regular Pleasure Island admission. For more information, contact the Downtown Disney Information Hotline at (407) 939-2648.

March 29 - All Star Kids Classic, a series of races for youths that takes place as part of Disney's inline skating weekend. Both the marathon as well as Kids Classic are sanctioned by USA Roller Sports, an organization that governs and sanctions skating events around the country.

March 30 ? First-ever Walt Disney World Inline Marathon. Get more information at the Disney Wide World of Sports Web site.

April 25 through June 8 ? 10th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

May 15 through 18 ? 5th Annual Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics cruise and mini-convention aboard the Disney Wonder

May 16 - June 15 ?Star Wars Weekends. Get more information in Brian Bennett's WDW Trip Planning Guide on Star Wars Weekends.

June 3 through June 9 ? Gay Days 2003. This unofficial event is not sponsored by Disney. Event information can be obtained from the event sponsor.

June 14, 2003 ? Mickey?s Toon Town of Pins at the Magic Kingdom

September 19-21, 2003 ? Disney?s Pin Celebration at Epcot

November 16-20, 2003 ? Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder

Current Discounts & Promotions

MouseSavers.com is reporting some great rates for travel to Walt Disney World:

• New hotel discount codes are available for check-ins April 27 through - July 3. Sample rates range from at $84 at the All Stars, to $550 for a main lodge concierge room at the Grand Floridian. Travel must be booked by April 15, using the discount codes found at MouseSavers.
  
  
• Whatcha doing in April? Take advantage of fabulous rates for last-minute travel on the Disney Cruise Line. If you can sail on April 12, you can try out the hot new 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary for just $799.
  
  Prices are per adult, based on double occupancy, and the usual taxes apply. Only 50 cabins are available at this rate. If April 12 is a little too soon to travel, MouseSavers has a list of Disney Cruise Line Magical Rates, available for departures through January 2004.
  
  
• Disney Club Spring Dream Maker Packages - Disney Club members can receive an additional a $100 discount on Dream Maker packages, for check-in March 1 through 31.
  
  Prices start at $428 for adults, $223 for juniors and $178 for kids staying in the same room. Book by March 28, using this special discount code.
  
  
• The Disney's Atlanta Braves Spring Training Vacation package is now available. A two-night package starts as low as $273 per person based on double adult occupancy at a select Disney value resort and is valid for travel most nights from Feb. 20 through March 27, 2003. Junior rate for this package is $184 per guest ages 10-17 and child rate is $151 per guest ages 3 to 9. Packages must be booked by March 25, 2003. Additional game tickets are available, as well as additional nights and other resorts at varying rates.
  
  Included with the Atlanta Braves Spring Training package, you can also attend team workouts (earlier that same day) and any other general admission events taking place at the Disney's Wide World of Sports complex that day.
  
  
• Going camping? Enjoy these special rates at Fort Wilderness.
  • Partial hook-up campsites $35
  • Full hook-up campsites $45
  • Cabins from $169

  
  These rates are available for campsites April 27 - June 7, and for cabins April 27 - July 3. You must book by March 8, using this special discount code.

Annual Passholders can receive 10% off the price of their lunch meal at selected Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants - and the discount is good for up to three guests. The offer is valid Mondays through Fridays. Call 407-WDW-Dine for locations and reservations.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule