Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba has introduced a new tiered pricing scheme. Tickets are broken into three categories:
Mission: Space Mickey and Goofy work the crowd. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
At a recent seminar for business writers, WDW Resort President Al Weiss confirmed that the 2,000-person media event this week will include new attraction announcements. Most likely to be announced, based on visual and anecdotal information, are:
At the same press conference, when asked about new parks, Weiss said that while Disney has approval to build up to seven parks on the property, a fifth park in Florida will not be planned until the first four parks are filled to capacity. On the subject of international expansion, he mentioned South America and Korea as possible candidates.
The stage has gone up for this week's big press event. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Michael Broggie, Roger Broggie, Jr., and other members of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society will be at Walt Disney World on Tuesday, October 21 for the rededication of the brass and green Roger E. Broggie steam locomotive on the Walt Disney World Railroad. Roger Broggie, Sr., who died in 1991, built the Carolwood Pacific Railroad in Walt Disney's backyard in 1949, and became the first Imagineer. He found and purchased the four steam engines in use at Walt Disney World in Mexico for $800 apiece and oversaw the rehab work in Tampa as they were prepared for the 1971 opening of the Resort. The younger Broggies will give a presentation in the Walt Disney Story Theater about their childhood, their father, and Walt Disney.
The 34-year-old mother of two from Jensen Beach, Florida, who had a heart attack on the Hulk coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure on Tuesday, September 23, never regained consciousness and was removed from life support on Saturday, September 27. The ride reopened on Thursday, September 25.
In a scene vaguely reminiscent of a fatality a couple years ago, a park guest again exited a Splash Mountain log early. Our own Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix had quite the surprise when she found herself passing a woman standing on the side of the canal, just before the first lift, during a ride on Splash Sunday morning.
When asked what she was doing, the woman responded that she couldn't do the drop and was going to take a picture of her party as they went down the big drop (which is visible from that point).
Adrienne's log continued on its way, and the rest is pieced together from obvservation and a conversation with a security CM.
Apparently the woman got her desired photo and then began climbing the stairs next to the lift to get to an emergency exit at the top. At this point the woman became visible on a camera and the ride was immediately put into an e-stop.
A cast member could then be heard over the PA telling the woman to remain where she was, then telling her to not go into the building. And finally, telling her to come back out of the building. These warnings went unheeded, and according to the security CM, she made it through the building out another exit, accross the train tracks, and then they lost track of her.
Obviously, just about the stupidest thing a guest can do it exit a ride vehicle early, without assistance. Two years ago, a guest was killed on Splash Mountain when he climbed out of his log, fell into the water and was hit by the next log.
If guests insist on doing stupid stuff like this, the Disney lawyers can hardly be blamed for the sometimes too-far pursuit of safety. If this keeps happening on Splash, we wouldn't be suprised if they eventually belt you in.
However, there is also no good reason for there to be a portion of the ride out of camera range.
…Jetsgo (link) begins non-stop service from Montreal's Dorval International Airport to Orlando Sanford airport on November 1.
…Pal Mickey is a bit more expensive now. A recent price increase brings the tab for one of the plush park guides to $60, including tax.
…The rehab of the Animation tour attraction will include the removal of the Return to Neverland film featuring Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite, the addition of a new live introduction with an animator interacting with Mushu (lifted from the other, more recent Animation attractions in other Disney parks), and a new opportunity at the end of the tour to take a lesson in drawing a Disney character.
A large construction crane behind Epcot's The Land. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Booths for the Food & Wine Festival have appeared in Epcot. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Mousesavers.com reports that there is a new Disney's Visa “Kids Stay and Play Free” Package, available most nights 1/4/04-6/12/04, where when you buy a full-price Walt Disney World Dream Maker Package with your Disney?s Visa card, for each adult on the package, one child (3-9) gets a free Ultimate Park Hopper pass for the length of stay. 4-night minimum. Plus you receive $100 in Disney Dollars per package at check-in!
Mousesavers.com is also reporting that there is a special Disney Visa 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 also includes a $50 bonus in Disney Dollars. Dates are November 2 through December 25, with blackout dates of November 25 to 27, and you must book by October 14. To book this package, contact a Disney Specialist travel agent and ask for booking code ZXBL for a Value resort or ZXBM for Moderate, Deluxe or Home-Away-From-Home resorts.
Mousesavers.com has an exclusive offer (link) of a free daily continental breakfast for two at the Celebration Hotel, along with special rates, for stays from now through December 31. Reservations must be booked by October 15.
Are you planning a trip this fall? Check out this offer from the Swan and Dolphin:
Get more details and the discount codes at MouseSavers.com.
Active U.S. Military personnel or spouses are also eligible for a 40% savings per night (based on the non-discounted price of the same room) at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and special rates on Disney Cruise Line sailings. This offer is available most nights through December 19, 2003 at Walt Disney World, and for most sailings through December 18 on the Disney Cruise Line. Hotel rooms and staterooms are limited at this special rate.
For more information, call (407) 939-7424 for Walt Disney World, and (800) 951-2659 for the Disney Cruise Line. You must be 18 or older to call these numbers.
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.
WDW Annual Passholder and Florida resident rates are available at select Walt Disney World resorts for check-ins October 2 through November 24, and November 28 through December 26. Discounts range from approximately 30-45% off regular rack rates.
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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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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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 8p (Final performance of this show) |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic 7:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Tuesday 10/7
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic 7:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Wednesday 10/8
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic 7:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Thursday 10/9
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8p, 10p Wishes Fireworks 9p (Public premiere of new show) |
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Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic 7:30p, 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Friday 10/10
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic 7:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Saturday 10/11
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8p, 10p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic 7:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Sunday 10/12
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic 7:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
| Monday 10/13 | |||
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic 7:30p |
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.
