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News and Views

Details now available for the fall Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Get your phones ready; reservations for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival start at 7 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, July 20).

EXCLUSIVE EVENINGS AT EPCOT

This prestigious dining event takes place at the World Showplace Pavilion (formerly the Millennium Village.) A six-course dinner prepared by a team of celebrity and Walt Disney World chefs is served with fine wines.

During your meal you'll enjoy live entertainment. The evening ends with reserved viewing of the Illuminations Fireworks. The event begins at 6:00pm and ends at 9:00pm.

Gentlemen are requested to wear jackets; the suggested attire for ladies is cocktail wear.

$185.00 per person including tax and gratuity. The themes are as follows:

• 10/3 – Fess Parker's Frontiers. Hosted by Fess and Eli Parker, featuring the Fess Parker Winery
• 10/8 – South America Sensations. Guest Chefs – Randy Zweiban of Nacional 27 and Chicago's Martin Rios from This Old House in Sante Fe, NM. Wineries: Casa Lapostolle and Concha Y Toro
• 10/15 – Pure New Zealand. Guest Chef from New Zealand. Winery: Brancott Vineyards
• 10/17 – Italian Impressions. Guest Chef: Roberto Donna from Restaurant Galileo, Washington, DC and Enzo Sargione from Restaurant Barolo in Washington, DC. Winery: Castello Banfi
• 10/22 – Pacific Northwest Passage. Guest Chefs: Thierry Rautureau from Seattle's Rovers Restaurant and Eric Tanaka, the recipient of the 2004 James Beard Best Chef of the Pacific Northwest Award.. Pastry Chefs: Cindy and Dominique Duby, Authors of “Wild Sweets” cookbook. Winery: St. Michel from King Estates, Inniskillin
• 10/24 – French Finesse. Guest Chefs: Dominique Macquet from Dominique's Restaurant, New Orleans, Marc Ortaly from Tigalle's Restaurant, Boston and Joel Antunes from Joel's Restaurant in Atlanta. Pastry Chef: Jacque Pfeiffer from the French Pastry School, Chicago. Winery: Chateau Lynch-Bages
• 10/29 – California Dreaming. Guest Chefs: Mark Franz, Farallon Restaurant, San Francisco, and Tim Keating from Four Seasons in Houston. Pastry Chef: Emily Luchetti from Farallon Restaurant, San Francisco. Winery: Caymus Vineyards, Flora Springs
• 11/5 – Awesome Aussies. Guest Chef: To Be Announced. Winery: Penfolds
• 11/7 – Tour De France. Guest Chef: Muchael Ginor from Hudson Valley Foie Gras, NY and Laurent Gras from the Fifth Floor Restaurant in San Francisco. Winery: To Be Announced
• 11/12 – Exclusively Espania. Guest Chef: Wayne Johnson from the Andaluca Restaurant in Seattle, WA and Santi Zabelata from the Caberna Del Alabardero in Washington, DC. Pastry Chef: Carlos Salazar from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Wineries: Montecillo, Osbourne and Maltica

LUNCH AND LEARN WITH THE CHEFS

This event takes place at the Odyssey Pavilion. You'll observe a guest chef prepare a four-course luncheon. Each course is served with a wine pairing. This is held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 1:30pm.

$75.00 per person including tax and gratuity. The schedule is as follows:

• 10/1 – New England Culinary Institute
• 10/2 – TBA
• 10/3 – Bob Waggoner from the Charleston Grill, Charleston
• 10/8 – Alan Wong from Alan Wong's Restaurant, Hawaii
• 10/9 – Art Smith: Author and Chef for Oprah Winfrey
• 10/10 – Cat Cora – Host of the Food Channel's “Melting Pot”
• 10/15 – Giuliano Hazen from the Villa Giona Cooking School in Verona, Italy
• 10 /16 – TBA
• 10/17 - Celebrity chef from New Zealand
• 10/22 – Celebrity chef from New Zealand
• 10/23 – Paula Deen from the Lady and Sons Restaurant in Savannah and host of Paula's Home Cooking on the Food Channel
• 10/24 – Ken Vedrinski from the Woodland Resort and Michael Kramer from McCrady's Restaurant in Charleston
• 10/29 – TBA
• 10/30 – TBA
• 10/31 – John Ash, author and creator of California Cuisine
• 11/5 – TBA
• 11/6 – TBA
• 11/7 – Brooke Vosika from Four Seasons in New York City
• 11/12 – TBA
• 11/13 – Rick Bayless from the Frontera Grill in Chicago
• 11/14 – Alan Susser from Chef Alan's

PARTY FOR THE SENSES

You'll begin this memorable event at the 5:45 performance of the Eat to the Beat Concert. From 6:30 to 9:00pm, you'll be sampling the culinary creations of 20 renowned chefs as well as 50 great beers and wines. This event takes place at the World Showplace Pavilion (formerly Millennium Village.)

$95.00 per person including tax and gratuity. The evening ends with preferred viewing of the Illuminations Fireworks. The schedule is as follows:

• 10/2 – Kool and the Gang
• 10/9 – Starship
• 10/16 – Taylor Dane
• 10/23 – Commodores
• 10/30 – Survivor
• 11/6 – Eddie Money
• 11/13 – Chubby Checker

SIGNATURE DINNER

This event features a five-course dinner prepared by a Guest Chef and the Chef from the host restaurant. Each evening includes selections from two to three wineries served with your meal. Check in is at 5:30pm with dinner beginning at 6:00pm and ending at 9:00pm.

$125.00 per person including tax and gratuity. The schedule is as follows:

• 10/10 – Jiko's
• 10/31 – California Grill
• 11/14 – California Grill

SWEET SUNDAYS

If you want to satisfy your Sweet Tooth, then this is the event to choose. Top Pastry Chefs will prepare three delicious sinfully sweet treats for you to enjoy.

This event is held from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Sundays during the Food and Wine Festival: 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7 and 11/14.

$55.00 per person including tax and gratuity.

VERTICAL TASTING

The focus is wine at this event, which is hosted at the Beach Club. This is the perfect seminar for both the serious wine gourmand and for those wishing to learn more about fine wines from around the world. Each event features 10 vintages.

The times for the Vertical Tasting are 2:00pm to 3:30pm. The price includes tax and gratuity and varies according to the date:

• 10/2 - $125.00 per person - Originally Australian
• 10/9 - $95.00 per person – Stars of South Africa
• 10/16 - $150.00 per person – Italian Delights
• 10/23 - $150.00 per person – Brilliance of Bordeaux
• 10/30 - $125.00 per person - Napas Noble Wines
• 11/6 - $95.00 per person – Gems of Germany
• 11/13 - $125.00 per person - Napas Classic Cabernets

WINE PAIRINGS

This event features three wines paired with three tasting portions of fine cuisine.

$35.00 per person including tax and gratuity. The schedule is as follows:

• Alfredo's Ristorante, Bistro De Paris: 2:30 to 4:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays beginning on 10/2 through 11/4.
• Coral Reef: 2:30 to 4:00pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays beginning on 10/1 through 11/12.
• Le Cellier: 3:00 to 4:30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays beginning on 10/1 through 11/12.
• Marrakesh, Nine Dragons: 3:30 to 5:00pm on Tuesdays beginning on 10/5 through 11/9.
• Teppanyaki: 3:30 to 5:00pm on Monday's beginning on 10/4 through 11/8.

WINE SCHOOLS

Whether you're a novice or wine connoisseur, you'll enjoy this daylong program featuring winemakers from the finest vineyards around the world. As you sample and learn about each wine, you'll be served a delicious lunch. At the end of the program each participant receives a certificate. It begins at 9:00am and ends at 3:00pm.

$125.00 per person including tax and gratuity. The schedule is as follows:

• 10/16, 10/17 – Wine School of Italy hosted at Alfredo's
• 10/23, 10/24 – Bordeaux French Wine School hosted at the Bistro De Paris
• 10/30, 10/31 – Wine School of Napa Valley location TBA
• 11/6, 11/7 – The Australian Wine School location TBA

DIVINE DINNER AT CITRICO'S

This is a one-time opportunity to enjoy a magical evening at one of the Grand Floridian's finest restaurants. Your meal will be prepared by Gray Byrum, one of the world's leading chefs. Australian cuisine is featured and will be paired with Rosemount Estate wines.

There are two seatings. The first is at 5:30 and the second at 7:30.

This event takes place on Sunday, 10/3 and the price is $125.00 per person including tax and gratuity.

BREWERS DINNER

Beer lovers will delight in this dining event designed to celebrate the diversity of beer. Featuring recipes from casual to elegant with beer as the main ingredient, you'll also enjoy various brews served with your meal.

The price is $55.00 per person including tax and gratuity and takes place from 4:00 to 6:00pm. The schedule is as follows:

• America Pavilion – Boston Beer Company with brewers from Samuel Adams; 10/13, 10/27 and 11/10
• Rose and Crown – Stella Artois and Boddington's Beer; 10/6, 10/20 and 11/3

Bands Battle on Pleasure Island

On July 22, Pleasure Island's Battle of the Bands 9 is hosted by the Rock & Roll Beach Club (performances throughout the evening). The winning band receives a one-night contract to perform at Pleasure Island. Winner is announced at 1:30 a.m. Event is open to all ticketed Pleasure Island Guests.

Competing bands include:

• 8:45 p.m.: VOW – group from Helena, AL
• 10:05 p.m.: Born into Kaos – a local group based in Tampa and Orlando, FL
• 11:25 p.m.: One Wants – group based in Baton Rouge, LA
• 12:40 a.m.: 21 Complaints – from Tampa and Pasco County, FL

Walt Disney World Marathon New Military Division

For the first time in its history, the organizers of the Walt Disney World Marathon have announced a new military division.

Active, reserve, and retired members of the military are invited to participate in the Walt Disney World Marathon as part of a new military division. Qualified members can participate in one of the following categories: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy.

Military personnel who have already registered for the Walt Disney World Marathon or Half Marathon and would like to join the military division need to send an e-mail to emmi2@emmi.com with participant's name, address, and military division.

The Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon are held once a year in early January. The next event is on January 9, 2005.

Although the half marathon has traditionally filled up well before this period, neither the full nor half events are full, and registration is still available. This may be due to an increase in maximum-allowable registrants (especially for the half distance), but it may also be due to a scheduling conflict; the very popular Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon is scheduled for the same day, and has announced an inaugural half marathon distance, also for January 9. \

To register, visit the Disney World Sports Web site (link).

Rate reductions at Radisson Resort Parkway

Radission Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has advised us of the newest discount rates for the remainder of 2004. See our Discounts & Promotions section for details. 2005 rates will be available by the end of July.

Ears to the ground

…The Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room returned from refurb last Tuesday. The refurbishment included new countertops in the pub, new locks on the pub's liquor cabinets, and reworked bathrooms.

…Demolition of the show building at the 20,000 Leagues lagoon is nearly complete. We've heard a rumor that the the short-term plans for the area will be a Princesses meet-and-greet, rather than Pooh. Still no word on which of the competing plans for the long term are still in the running.

Have any interesting news or rumors? Let us know.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• “it's a small world” – closed for rehab through March 18, 2005. The work is expected to be for upgrades to the lighting, audio, and electrical systems, rehabs to sets and Audio-Animatronic figures, asbestos abatement, roof repair, regular water maintenance (draining and refilling), replacement of boats, and the rumored swapping of the entry and exit queues for better traffic flow and more stroller parking. The audio upgrade will include a return to a cleaned-up copy of the stereo soundtrack heard at the 1964 World's Fair, which has been very well received since it returned to Disneyland a couple of years ago.
• 20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon - has been walled off to “clear the land as well as add landscape for future use.” The work is expected to run through November 19, with the walls tentatively coming down on November 11.
• The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter – closed for good. It is now undergoing a major rehab and reopens in fall 2004 as Stitch's Great Escape. The official opening of the new attraction is scheduled for October 1.
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – expected to remain open for the duration of the Stitch's Great Escape construction.
• Timekeeper – seasonal operation. The attraction will be open for the summer season from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. through August 14.
• Adventureland – now opens again with the rest of the park daily with the exception of the Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management, which still open at 10 a.m. However, Jungle Cruise will open with the rest of the park for the summer, from mid-June through mid-August.
• The Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear Jamboree also open at 10 a.m. every day.
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - remains open during its rehab. Work on the grandstand and other support areas will run through mid-August, and track work will continue through late September.
• Fantasyland Skyway building area - will go under rehab from July 11 - September 30. While the building itself will not be worked on, the grounds in front will be completely redone. The waterfall, bridge and pond will be removed and replaced with a meet-and-greet for Snow White and a new stroller parking area for "it's a small world."
• Donald's Boat - will be down for rehab from July 12 – August 12.
• Tom Sawyer Island - will be closed from July 25 – September 25 for a major refurbishment, though the Rivers of America will be unaffected.
• Jungle Cruise - will be down for rehab from August 22 – September 5.
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin – down for rehab September 13 – October 15.
• Ariel's Grotto – down for rehab September 22 – November 19 for theme-matching with the 20,000 Leagues Lagoon reclamation.
• The Hub area in front of the castle - will undergo more refurbishing in January, 2005.
• Astro Orbiter – down for rehab January 2 – February 16, 2005.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant – down for rehab January 10 - February 12, 2005.

Epcot

• The Universe of Energy – may close for a short rehab at any time to remove the ExxonMobil signage now that its pavilion sponsorship has ended.
• Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room – has returned from rehab.
• Food Rocks – closed permanently 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 – discontinued during reconstruction of the Food Rocks area into the queue for Soarin'. The tours are expected to resume upon completion of the construction.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – open seasonally. The Pure and Simple eatery and the Well and Goods Limited shop have been removed, while the Body Wars, Cranium Command, and The Making of Me attractions will now be open when the pavilion is open. It appears that the pavilion will not open this summer, which does not bode well for the future.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios – closed and demolished and construction is well underway to turn the site into the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, an American version of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris.
• New York Street – undergoing a great deal of construction to change some facades to represent Chicago and San Francisco. Previously believed to be renamed Big City Street, the newly-confirmed name of the area will be the Streets of America Backlot. The target completion date is October 2.
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – will return this year on the Streets of America backlot, from November 24 through January 2.

Animal Kingdom

• No currently reported rehabs.

Resorts

• Port Orleans Resort – A two-year extensive rehab of this resort's rooms is ongoing. For Phase I, French Quarter has reopened. Phase II is underway, and involves Riverside going through a phased rehab. The Magnolia Bend mansions will go down one by one, followed by Alligator Bayou closing in sections.
• Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment of longhouses. Each longhouse under rehab is walled off and isolated during its rehab. Room refurbishments at the Polynesian Resort are resuming. Rapa Nui is scheduled for January 3 through April 1, 2005, and Tahiti will get its makeover from April 24 through August 17, 2005. Tokelau has not yet been refurbished, but has not yet been scheduled, either.
• Disney's Old Key West Resort – The main pool will be closed from September through the end of the year for construction of a new water slide.
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (a new Disney Vacation Club resort) – now open. Construction continues on the rest of the resort; the other three buildings of Phase I are due by the end of the year, the eight units of Phase II are due in 2005, and the six units of the newly-announced Phase III are due in 2007. Phase III will involve the razing of the old Fairway Villas.

Water Parks

• No current water park rehabs underway.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays, but will be closed August 22–25, October 17–20, and December 5–13.
• The All Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex – now closed Monday-Wednesday. It is open Thursday–Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Park Events

July 2004

• E-Ride Nights at the Magic Kingdom. July 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30.
• “ESPN The Weekend” (link). July 31 and Aug. 1.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link). July 31 through August 19.

August 2004

• E-Ride Nights at the Magic Kingdom. August 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13.

September 2004

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion Weekend (link). September 2–5.
• Nights of Joy (link). September 9 – 11.
• A Family Pin Gathering - Disney's Pin Celebration 2004 (link). September 10 – 12.
• Disney's International Distance Triathlon (link). September 26.

October 2004

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). October 1 – November 14.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (link). October 1, 3, 8, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29 and 31.
• 2004 Komen Central Florida Race For The Cure 5K (link). October 9.
• Disney's 10K Classic (link). October 10.
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World (link). October 21–24.
• 999 Happy Haunts event (link). October 25-27.

November 2004

• Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney (link). November 12–14.
• Super Soap Weekend (link). November 13-14.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (link). November 28 and 30, December 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 17.
• Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney (link). November 26 – December 24.
• Holidays Around the World (link). November 26 – December 30.

December 2004

• New Year's Eve celebrations at Pleasure Island (link) and Atlantic Dance (link). December 31.

January 2005

• Disney's Health and Fitness Expo (link). January 7 & 8.
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link). January 8.
• Disney Marathon (link) and Half-Marathon (link). January 9.

February 2005

• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link). Dates in February through April TBA.

April 2005

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link). Dates in February through April TBA.

June 2005

• Gay and Lesbian Day at Walt Disney World (link). June 2-5.

Current Discounts & Promotions

New August Dream Maker package discount

A new specially-priced Dream Maker package is available for most nights from August 1-28. The discount is on the room portion of the package only. Reservations must be made by July 31. See the Walt Disney World web site (link) or MouseSavers (link) for more information.

Room discounts through August

Discounts are available on rooms at Walt Disney World for stays from now through August 28. Deeper Annual Passholder and Florida Resident discounts are also available. See the Walt Disney World web site (link) or MouseSavers (link) for more information.

Rate reductions at Radisson Resort Parkway

Radission Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has advised us of the newest discount rates for the remainder of 2004. In addition to these reduced rates, guests can receive a complimentary upgrade to deluxe pool view accommodations for the remainder of 2004 simply by typing in the code of ?UPGR? in the promotional field of the reservation.

Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now.

2005 rates will be available by the end of July.

Florida Resident Cirque du Soleil La Nouba special

Florida residents can receive 20 percent off Category Two tickets at Cirque du Soleil in Downtown Disney's West Side from June 1 – September 30, 2004. Blackout dates are June 20 – July5 and August 22–25. Proof of residency and advance purchase are required. The discount is not available at the ticket window, and there is a limit of four tickets per transaction. To order call 407-939-1282.

Gaylord Palms to pay for gas

Guests of the Gaylord Palms Resort will receive a $75 credit to cover the higher cost of gasoline for stays of at least three nights from June 15 through Sept. 6. The Orlando-area resort will provide the room credit to guests who make a reservation using the promotion code FREEGAS. It is not a requirement that guests drive to the resort in order to get the discount.

Disney's Summer Price Slice returns

Summer Price Slice is back with special-value greens fees on tee times after 10 a.m. daily from May 17 through Sept. 30 on Disney's five championship courses.

Golfers can test the premier Osprey Ridge course after 10 a.m. for $65 (compared to a normal seasonal greens fee of $119) or Eagle Pines for $50 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $109). Post-10 a.m. rounds on the Magnolia, Palm or Lake Buena Vista courses are $45 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $99). Cart is included.

Disney's Summer Price Slice also gives golfers the opportunity to play afternoon rounds late into the day. Golfers can take on Osprey Ridge after 3 p.m. for $35 ($30 after 5 p.m.). Eagle Pines, Magnolia, Palm and Lake Buena Vista start at $30 after 3 p.m. ($25 after 5 p.m.).

For tee times, guests may call 407/WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653). For information on the Walt Disney World golf courses Web site (link).

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 $26 per adult, per ticket with the “Advance Purchase Savings” program. These prices are before the 6.5 percent Orange County sales tax.

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

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through September 2004.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through September 2004.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)