Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Walt Disney World to be invaded by 700-pound Mickey statues

In honor of Mickey's 75th birthday, Walt Disney World will be putting on display 75 statues of Mickey Mouse, decorated by artists, celebrities, and Disney Cast Members from around the world. The six-foot-tall sculptures, decorated by such folks as figure skaters Michelle Kwan and Paul Wylie, actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Koz, and the cast of The George Lopez Show, will be on display throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Mickey 75 InspEARations display (sponsored by Home Depot, who supplied the Disney Color paint, among other decór) will be unveiled on Mickey's birthday on Tuesday, November 18, and will remain through next April before traveling around the country for the rest of the year, eventually ending up at auction in 2005. The auction (to be part of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary celebration) will be conducted by Sotheby's, and the proceeds will go to charities selected by each Mickey's “designer.”

The Brothers Bush visit WDW

Last Thursday, both U.S. President George W. Bush and Florida Governor Jeb Bush visited the Walt Disney World Resort. President Bush was introduced by his brother at a $2,000-per-person campaign luncheon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, where he urged Congress to adopt a Medicare overhaul before closing its session for the year. The standing-room-only crowd of 600 attendees provided $860,000 for the President's re-election campaign.

The governor also introduced his brother at two other appearances in Central Florida. Jeb also gave a state of education speech at Disney's Contemporary Resort. There was no immediate word of whether they met afterward to invade the “it's a small world” attraction.

Disney Vacation Club gets new head

Jim Lewis, a senior vice president for public affairs at Walt Disney World, has been named to a new position in charge of the Disney Vacation Club unit. According to Disney, he was assigned because it was time to have a senior executive focus on the business full-time because of the growth of the club.

George Aguel, who formerly had that responsibility, will continue to head Disney's group and convention business, but will now add the role of developing joint marketing and other alliances with partner corporations, and will serve as a consulting resource for Lewis.

Lewis comes aboard as Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort nears completion. While Lewis is said to possess a variety of leadership skills, however, he has no timeshare or hotel experience. “I have a lot of work to do,” he said.

Ears to the ground

…The Behind the Seeds Tour at The Land is closing down when the Food Rocks attraction closes for installation of the queue area for Soarin' Over California. It is not believed to be permanent; the tours resume after Soarin' opens.

…Tolls are increasing in April on the Osceola Parkway from $1.25 to $1.50. They will also be installing new toll machines on the road.

…The Washington Square Arch has been removed from New York Street at the Disney-MGM Studios.

…The Earl of Sandwich shop at Downtown Disney Marketplace is still not open. No word yet on what the cause of the delay is.

…The Disney Pin Traders location at the Downtown Disney Marketplace has completed its expansion into the former playground next door.

…At least one of the former Discovery River boats from Disney's Animal Kingdom has been extensively modified to be used for Magical Gatherings fireworks cruises on Seven Seas Lagoon. However, the modifications haven't increased the stability of the boats in an open water environment, and they will not be used in high wind conditions.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain is closed for refurbishment through Saturday, November 22.
• The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closed for good. It is now undergoing a major rehab and will reopen in fall 2004 as Stitch's Great Escape!
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress opens from park open to park close for the duration of the Stitch's Great Escape! construction.
• Timekeeper opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the duration of the Stitch's Great Escape! construction.
• Country Bear Jamboree closes November 17 to 21 to install the Christmas show, and closes again January 12 to 16 to return to its usual program.
• Adventureland now opens at 10 a.m. on non-peak days, but opens with the rest of the park (except for Jungle Cruise) on Sundays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through early December, plus every day of Thanksgiving week (November 23 to 29) including Jungle Cruise.

Epcot

• Food Rocks closes on January 3 to make way for the entrance to the new Soarin' over California attraction.
• The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses at The Land discontinues on January 3 during reconstruction of the Food Rocks area into the queue for Soarin'. The tours are expected to resume upon completion of the construction.
• The Eiffel Tower structure at the France Pavilion is due to return from rehab in December.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Magic of Disney Animation is closed for refurbishment through November 23.
• Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios has been closed and demolished and construction has begun to turn the site into an American version of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris.
• Due to the loss of Residential Street, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights will not be presented this holiday season. It is expected to return in some form for 2004.
• New York Street is undergoing a great deal of construction to change some facades to represent Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. We do not yet have a target completion date for the newly-titled Big City Street yet.
• Sets from the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie are now open in the old Backstage Pass soundstage and will be open through the end of the year.

Animal Kingdom

• No known closures at this time.

Resorts

• Pop Century Resort - Officially opens on December 14.
• Port Orleans Resort - A two-year extensive rehab of this resort's rooms is ongoing. For Phase I, French Quarter closed May 4, 2003. Phase II will involve Riverside going down in sections. We have not yet heard a date for completion of Phase I.
• Polynesian Resort - This resort is seeing the longhouses refurbished one by one. Each longhouse under rehab is walled off and isolated during its rehab. There are only a couple of longhouses remaining. Tuvalu is scheduled for rehab through January 2004. Niue and Rarotonga are the only other longhouses currently scheduled to undergo rehab, and are tentatively scheduled for January 18 to May 2, 2004.
• Shades of Green - Major construction and rehab is ongoing at this MWR-run resort for the military. It is currently expected to reopen in March 2004.
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (a Disney Vacation Club resort) has a tentative grand opening date of May 17, 2004. Reservations will be taken starting on January 5. DVC members can reserve using points on January 5 (home resort) or February 4 (other resorts).

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach is undergoing refurbishment through December 13.
• Typhoon Lagoon undergoes refurbishment December 14 to February 28.

Elsewhere

• The All Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex is now closed Monday-Wednesday. It is open Thursday-Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Park Events

November

• Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. November 16-20.
• Celebrate Mickey… 75 InspEARations showcases 75 very special interestingly decorated Mickey statues to celebrate Mickey's 75th birthday throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. November 18, 2003 through April 2004.
• Festival of the Seasons at Epcot featuring lighting displays, fun window displays, and more. November 28 to December 24.
• Holidays Around the World at Epcot lets you celebrate holidays in the style of the World Showcase countries. November 28 to December 30.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom – Order by phone at (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639). November 30, December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 19.

December

• Doll & Teddy Bear Weekend. December 7.
• Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships (link) December 7 - 13.
• Disney's Pop Century Resort opens December 14.

January 2004

• Disney's Health and Fitness Expo (link). January 9 & 10.
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link) January 10.
• Disney Marathon and Half-Marathon January 11.
• National College Cheerleading and Dance Team Championship (link) January 16-18.
• Annual Passholders' Cruise (4 nights) on Disney Magic. January 25.
• National Dance Team Championship (link) January 31 - February 1.

February 2004

• National High School Cheerleading Championship (link) February 7 & 8.
• Atlanta Braves training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link) February 15 - April 2.

March 2004

• National Cheerleading and Dance Championship (link) March 13 & 14.

April 2004

• Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. April 16 – May 30.

May 2004

• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon (link). May 2.

Current Discounts & Promotions

New vacation packages offered by Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has announced Orlando vacation packages linked with the Disney Dream Maker packages. (link) The offering includes round-trip airfare, lodging, and Ultimate Park Hopper passes. The package is valid from all Southwest markets, and must be booked no later than three business days prior to departure. Travel must be booked by December 4, 2003 for travel between December 7, 2003 and February 10, 2004.

Mousesavers announces special Celebration Hotel rates

MouseSavers has announced special rates at the Celebration Hotel for readers of their web site. (If you haven't visited the site yet, please check it out!)

Get more details and the discount codes at MouseSavers.com.

New Disney Visa Dream Maker Package – Kids Stay Free!

That there is a new Disney's Visa “Kids Stay and Play Free” Package, available most nights January 4 through June 12, 2004, 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! Go to Disney's Kids Free Web page (link) for more information, or call your travel agent and book using package code ZXFA. You must book your package by January 2.

Great rates at the Swan and Dolphin

Are you planning a trip this fall? Check out this offer from the Swan and Dolphin:

• WDW Annual Passholders can book rooms as low as $139 per night, plus tax and resort fee, through the end of 2003, including a free upgrade! Rates include a free upgrade, and are subject to availability.

Get more details and the discount codes at MouseSavers.com.

Military Salute hotel and cruise discounts available

Active U.S. Military personnel or spouses are also eligible for a 40 percent 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.

Free 5-day Park Hopper for Active Military

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.

Annual Passholder and Florida resident rates available

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 to 45 percent off regular rack rates.

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

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.

Annual Passholders

Receive 10 percent 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.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule