Due to the Big Thunder Mountain accident at Disneyland over the weekend, this week's Walt Disney World update was put together with unusual haste. If you know of any significant issues or stories that we missed, please send the information to park updates. Thank you.
Florida residents feared that Tropical Storm Henri would do considerable damage as it traveled up the west coast of the state, so soon after Hurricane Fabian had devastated Bermuda just days earlier.
Fortunately, Henri continued to weaken, and by Sunday night, forecasters were downgrading the amount of rainfall they were expecting in the Orlando area.
To be on the safe side, however, Walt Disney World took precautions. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Magic Kingdom crews erected tents over the stages on Friday and Saturday for Night of Joy, a Christian music festival. The park also opened more shops and restaurants to give visitors places to stay dry.
Registration is now open for the next Walt Disney World Inline Marathon, to be held on Sunday, May 2, 2004. More than 1500 inline skaters from around the world participated this past spring for the sold-out inaugural event, which includes both a full and half marathon.
Skaters of all abilities are encouraged register. Entries received on or before April 1, 2004 are $70 for the Inline Marathon and $50 for the 13.1-mile Inline Half Marathon. You can register online directly or print an application to be completed and mailed.
The loop course will whisk skaters down Hollywood Boulevard inside the Disney-MGM Studios and along a charming coastal village at Disney's Boardwalk Resort, before skating past the eleven nations of World Showcase pavilion at Epcot. The race circles back to Disney's Wide World of Sports for the Half Marathon finish, while the marathoners will complete a second loop for the full 26.2 miles.
For more information on Disney's Inline Marathon, and to register, visit the Disney Wide World of Sports Web site (link).
Pre-order The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD or VHS at the Walt Disney World Resort through September 20, and receive free shipping and two free gifts: a limited edition plush Simba, and a limited edition pin. The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD will include new scenes and a new song by Elton John, and can be pre-ordered at Town Square Expo Hall (Magic Kingdom), Pin Central (Epcot), the Sorcerer's Hat (Disney-MGM Studios), Island Mercantile (Animal Kingdom), or Disney's Pin Traders (Downtown Disney Marketplace).
Walt Disney World is offering the "Winter Dream Maker" package starting at $99 per adult per night. The package includes a room at a Disney Value resort and an Ultimate Park Hopper ticket. For example, you can save about $230 on a three-night stay for two adults at the All-Star Movies resort, specially priced at $661 (including taxes). The package is good Monday, November 10 through Wednesday, February 11. Blackout dates are November 25 to 27 and December 27 through January 1. Call 407-939-7843 and ask for code ZXMJ, or book at the Disney World Web site (link). You must book by September 22.
Are you planning a trip this fall? Check out these two offers from the Swan and Dolphin:
Get more details and the discount codes at MouseSavers.com.
MouseSavers maintains a Magical Rates list, updated with the lowest fares each week. Current specials on three-night cruises start at just $379 per person.
Disney Cruise Line is offering special savings for Florida residents on select cruise vacations for late summer and early fall dates. Florida resident rates start at $349 for three-night cruises, $399 for four-night cruises and $599 for seven-night cruises.
Special rates for Florida residents apply to most three-night itineraries departing between August 28 and October 2, most four-night itineraries departing between August 31 and September 28 and seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries departing between August 30 and September 20.
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Rates
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Dates
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| 3-Night | $349 | 8/28, 9/11-10/2 |
| 4-Night | $399 | 8/31, 9/7, 9/21, 9/28 |
| 7-Night | $599 | 8/30-9/20 |
Rates are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability. Government taxes and fees are not included. At least one adult guest per stateroom must be a Florida resident. Proof of residency is required.
Disney is offering a special for active duty military — a free five-day park hopper ticket, as well as discounted companion tickets. Offer valid through December 19, 2003 and includes all active military personnel, including Coast Guard, as well as activated National Guard and Reservists. See their official Web site for more information.
Florida residents can purchase a new four-day ticket for just $109, plus tax — that's almost 1/2 the price of a regular four-day park-hopper ticket. The ticket is valid for four admissions from now until September 30, 2003. These tickets are park-hoppers.
Residents can purchase just one ticket per person, per day, so your out-of-town relatives must buy their own, regular-priced admission. Tickets are nontransferable, and you must show a valid ID each time. These tickets can be applied towards the cost of any Annual Passport, as long as you upgrade by October 31, 2003. (Your annual pass expires one year from the date you first used your Play 4 Days Pass).
The Play 4 Days pass can be purchased at any WDW park ticket window, local AAA offices, Florida Disney Stores, by phone at (407) 939-4329 or on the WDW Web site (link).
The Walt Disney World Resort is encouraging visitors to buy their theme park tickets before they even leave home, by offering a slight discount on advance purchases. You can save as much as $22 per adult, per ticket with the 'Advance Purchase Savings' program.
You can also receive these Advance Purchase Savings with packages purchased through AAA.
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| 4-Day Park Hopper: Adults |
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| Children ages 3 - 9 |
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| 5-Day Park Hopper: Adults |
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| Children ages 3 - 9 |
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| 5-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults |
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| Children ages 3 - 9 |
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| 6-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults |
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| Children ages 3 - 9 |
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| 7-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults |
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| Children ages 3 - 9 |
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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 (407-939-3463) for locations and reservations.
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| Monday 9/8 | |||
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 8:15p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p
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Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Tuesday 9/9
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p
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Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Wednesday 9/10
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 8:15p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p
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Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Thursday 9/11
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Friday 9/12
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Saturday 9/13
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p
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Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Sunday 9/14
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p
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Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4:30p Fantasmic 8p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
| Monday 9/15 | |||
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 8:15p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4:30p Fantasmic 8p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
(Send an email to Mark Goldhaber)
Mark (@MPMark) is a veteran of dozens of trips to Walt Disney World starting in 1972, with a few Disneyland trips thrown in for good measure. As a Disney stockholder and a Disney Vacation Club member, Mark is always in touch with what's going on with The Mouse. Mark serves as MousePlanet's Walt Disney World content coordinator. Mark is a senior information technology manager working for the State of New York. He lives in the suburbs outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son.
