Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Various slide sections and railings for the water coaster lie in the staging area. Photo by Paul C. Martens.

Looking up

Construction of Typhoon Lagoon's water coaster is continuing. The Master Blaster-style coaster has been rising behind the Out Of The Way Cay area of the park. Vertical construction continues, and it appears that some of the uphill water pumps have arrived at the staging site. Once the water park goes down for its annual refurb on December 12, the construction crews should have a little more latitude in doing their work, since they won't have to worry about disrupting guests in the park. We have a few pictures scattered through the Update this week, thanks to MousePlanet reader Paul C. Martens. For more photos by Paul, you can go to his web site (link).

Early support structures for Typhoon Lagoon's new water coaster are going up. Photo by Paul C. Martens.

Looking down

MousePlanet's Mike Scopa and Brian Bennett and The Unofficial Guide's Len Testa were able to attend a sneak preview of the Stitch's Great Escape attraction on Saturday. Early word from the group is that they were "disappointed" and that it's not necessarily as small-child friendly as we may have hoped. We hope to have more details on this next week after Mike gets home and has an opportunity to write up his thoughts. In the meantime, we have a couple of photos from inside the attraction to whet your whistle.

In the meantime, it appears that Stitch has trashed the Magic Kingdom in a commercial that will be coming to a TV near you soon. In preparation for the grand opening of the attraction on November 16, Disney shot a commercial in the central Hub area of the theme park in which it appears that Stitch has tossed much of the furnishings of Cinderella Castle about the Hub, and he has toilet-papered the area, as well. An alert reader has contributed a couple of photos of the scene.

A photo shoot is set up for a commercial to promote the Stitch's Great Escape attraction. Photo by anonymous contributor.

Stitch has apparently tossed out many of the Castle's furnishings and tossed toilet paper in the trees, on the lamp posts and even on the Partners statue. Photo by anonymous contributor.

The former S.I.R. animatronic, renamed SARGE and fitted out with a uniform, salutes a viewscreen in the attraction preshow. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Rookie wins FUNAI Classic at WDW; course to get changes for next year

Congratulations to Ryan Palmer for winning the FUNAI Classic at Walt Disney World. The tour rookie made four consecutive birdies down the stretch to finish with a tour record tying final-round total of 62, ten strokes under par. Palmer's four-round total of 266 beat Briny Baird and defending champion Vijay Singh by three strokes.

Palmer's string of birdies may not be easy to duplicate next year. The Magnolia Course, home to three of the tournament's four rounds, will be closed for four months next summer starting in early May for major renovations that will make the course much more difficult to play. In the first major work done on the Joe Lee-designed course since 1993, Magnolia will be lengthened by over 200 yards, to at least 7,400 yards. In addition, the greens will be resodded with Tifeagle, a hybrid Bermuda grass that was installed this summer during the rehab of the Palm Course, home to the other round of the FUNAI Classic. The final two holes of the course will be lengthened to 480 or 490 yards each, which will make it that much more difficult to mount a final birdie charge at the tournament. The course should reopen some time next September.

The Stitch animatronic runs amok in the chamber. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Holiday happenings update

Special holiday events are set for the entire Walt Disney World Resort, but don't count on seeing the Very Merry Christmas Parade if you're not going to be at one of the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party events. In response to a query, MousePad member RememberthMagic received an email response from WDW Guest Communications stating that they have no plans to run the parade at any time other than during the Christmas parties at this point. The Share a Dream Come True Parade will run daily through the holidays. This would mark the first time in three years that the Christmas Parade will not run during the day. The parade may run during the day in staggered segments on December 3-5 in order to tape it for broadcast. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, there are plenty of other special events going on to celebrate the holidays.

Magic Kingdom

The forementioned Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party features special holiday shows, fireworks and treats as the park opens for a five hour party after the day guests leave. Up to 25,000 guests per night will enjoy the event on 12 evenings: Nov. 28 and 30, Dec. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17.

During the day, live holiday entertainment may be seen in the park, not to mention the enormous Christmas tree in Town Square.

Epcot

World Showcase features holiday storytellers at each pavilion. The American Adventure pavilion will feature Kwanzaa and Hanukkah exhibits in addition to the storytellers. Each night, Disney characters lead a tree-lighting ceremony at World Showcase Plaza. The Lights of Winter again brightens up the walkway between Future World and World Showcase with its canopy of lights. "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" features a holiday-themed finale. The festivities run from November 26 thorugh December 30.

The Candlelight Processional — a retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir — runs three times nightly from November 26 through December 30. A show-and-dinner package that provides reserved seating at the performances is available.

Disney-MGM Studios

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights returns to the Disney-MGM Studios after a one-year hiatus. This year's "Spectacle" should be interesting, as the five million lights will be set up on the Streets of America in a main guest traffic area of the park instead of the out-of-the-way Residential Street. This year's display will run from November 24 through January 2.

Animal Kingdom

"Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade" replaces the usual daily "Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade" from November 30 through January 1 as it takes a festive holiday theme. In addition, Santa Goofy and other Disney characters take up residence in Camp Minnie-Mickey as it receives a holiday makeover.

Downtown Disney

The Festival of the Seasons runs from November 26 through December 24 and features window displays and a giant tree. Holiday lights line the rooftops, and Santa is available for photo opportunities.

Resorts

As usual, the Disney resort hotels will all get gussied up in their finest holiday decor. Christmas trees and other themed holiday decor will be on display at all hotels, while some of the deluxe resorts will continue their annual tradition of gingerbread structures.

What new Disney attraction would be complete without ... a merchandise shop at the exit? Photo by Brian Bennett.

NYC World of Disney store not quite so heavily remodeled

Last week, we attempted to give an update on the remodel of the Disney Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City to a new World of Disney location. Relying on Disney press releases and second-hand reports, we stated that the store had been "completely remodeled from its life as a Disney Store/Disney Gallery." MousePlanet reader Gregg Jacobs wrote with some first-hand observations contradicting that information:

You said that the World of Disney Store in New York had been "completely remodeled from it's life as a Disney Store/Gallery". I live in New York City, and no one was more thrilled than I was when I heard they were shutting down what was left of the Disney Store on Fifth Avenue and remodeling it into a World of Disney Store. Upon attending opening day this month, I expected a completely different shopping experience from what was there before, something similar to what we enjoy in Orlando and Anaheim. Imagine my surprise when I walked in and found virtually the exact same store they closed in March. They did add the princess room on the 3rd floor (replacing the Disney Gallery), added a video game area on the 3rd floor and crammed a Mr. Potato Head dispenser into the Toy Area, but otherwise, it's pretty much the same. The fixtures are virtually identical, and the merchandise is very similar to what they had before. The marquee out front is even essentially the same, only changed to say World of Disney instead of The Disney Store. Where is the cool kitchen stuff and fancy jewelry they have at the World of Disney in Florida? All in all, they slapped the World of Disney name on a big Disney Store. Disney missed a chance to really wow New Yorkers.

Disney Wonder back from refurb

The Disney Wonder returned to service last week after a visit to dry dock in Norfolk, Va., for interior and exterior refurbishing, as well as its regularly scheduled inspection. As with the Disney Magic's refurbishment last year, the ESPN Skybox was converted into Aloft, a teen hangout. Common Grounds has been replaced, and there are two new adult areas on the ship. Cove Cafe is a quiet lounge near the adults-only pool serving coffee and light snacks, where adults can read a magazine, check email, or enjoy quiet conversation. Diversions is a sports bar in the nighttime entertainment district that features a variety of entertainment options. The entire hull was painted from top to bottom, and the superstructure and engines were given a thorough test. MousePlanet staff members are on the refitted Wonder's second cruise this week, and we hope to have more information on its new look soon.

Discounts for early 2005 are out

Resort discounts for the first part of 2005 have been announced. Annual Passholder & Florida Resident discounts are valid for January 2 through February 16, while general & Canada Resident discounts are good for January 2 through April 16. Room-only and Dream Maker packages are available. See the Walt Disney World web site (link) or MouseSavers (link) for more information.

Supports and stairwells for the Typhoon Lagoon's new water coaster await installation. Photo by Paul C. Martens.

Ears to the ground

…Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is sold out for October 29 and October 31. The only nights still available for purchase are October 26 and October 28.

…The main lift hill is up at Expedition Everest as construction continues.

…We are now hearing that Cinderella's Surprise Celebration will run through Feb. 26, then shut down for the duration of the run of the Cinderellabration show that will be staged for the "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" celebration. The new night-time show is expected to start preview performances on March 13, so that it will be up during the Easter holiday rush. Cinderella's Surprise Celebration is currently expected to return at the conclusion of Cinderellabration's run after the 18-month celebration.

…Watch yourself in the Magic Kingdom parking lots next month. The 2004 Snap-On Tools Stars of Karting National Finals will turn the Grumpy and Bashful parking lots of Magic Kingdom into a temporary go-kart track where six National Championship races in various classes will take place from Nov. 12-14.

…We're hearing that noise from the construction work on expanding the convention center exhibit space at the Coronado Springs Resort is audible throughout the Casitas section of the resort. No word on when the exterior work will be completed.

Have any interesting news or rumors? Let us know.

The interior of one of the water coaster's pipes shows either a drain or an air vent. Photo by Paul C. Martens.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• “it's a small world” – closed through March 18, 2005 for rehab (info).
• 20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon – walled off to “clear the land as well as add landscape for future use” through November 19, with the walls tentatively coming down on November 11.
• The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter – closed for good to be replaced with new Stitch's Great Escape. Latest word is AP/DVC previews November 5-7, official grand opening press event November 16, soft openings TBA.
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – expected to remain open for the duration of the Stitch's Great Escape construction, then will go down for major rehab.
• Timekeeper – opens seasonally.
• Adventureland – opens with the rest of the park daily with the exception of the Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management, which open at 10 a.m.
• The Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear Jamboree – open at 10 a.m. every day.
• Ariel's Grotto – closed September 13 – November 11 for theme-matching with the 20,000 Leagues Lagoon reclamation.
• Cinderella's Carousel ? will not be operating November 2–14.
• The Hub area in front of the castle – undergoes more refurbishing in January 2005 in preparation for the Cinderellabration show coming later in the year.
• Cinderella's Royal Table – will be closed for rehab January 17–27, 2005.
• Astro Orbiter – closed January 2 – February 16, 2005.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant – closed January 10 – February 12, 2005.
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration – last performance on February 26, 2005. Expected to return after the 18-month "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" celebration ends.
• Cinderellabration – begins preview performances in March 2005. Expected to run until the end of the 18-month "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" celebration.

Epcot

• The Universe of Energy – may close for a short rehab at any time to remove the ExxonMobil signage that has remained for an inexplicably long time since its pavilion sponsorship ended.
• Food Rocks – closed permanently to make way for the entrance to the new Soarin' attraction, which is officially scheduled to open in May 2005, but may have an earlier soft opening.
• 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'. Expected to resume upon completion of the construction.
• The Land pavilion – expected closure January 2 – April 6, 2005 for completion of the Soarin' attraction.
• 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 now open when the pavilion is open. The pavilion did not open this summer, which does not bode well for the future. However, it is expected to be open next January – March during the closure of The Land pavilion.

The sign for the upcoming Stitch's Great Escape attraction lights the Imagineering family preview night. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios – closed and demolished and construction 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. The show is officially scheduled to debut in May 2005.
• New York Street – undergoes construction to change facades to represent Chicago and San Francisco. Previously believed to be renamed Big City Street, the newly confirmed name of the area is the Streets of America Backlot.
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – returns this year on the Streets of America backlot, November 24 – January 2.

Animal Kingdom

• Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to debut in Spring 2005.

Resorts

• Port Orleans Resort – Ongoing two-year extensive rehab of its rooms. Phase I's French Quarter has reopened. Phase II is underway, and involves Riverside going through a phased rehab. The Magnolia Bend mansions are being worked on one by one, and will be 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 are resuming. Scheduled: Rapa Nui January 3 – April 1, 2005, Tahiti April 24 – August 17, 2005. Tokelau, not yet refurbished, is not yet scheduled.
• Disney's Old Key West Resort – The main pool is closed through mid-December to construct a new themed water slide.
• Disney's BoardWalk Resort – portions of the resort will see work on the piping system take place in corridors outside guest rooms daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through summer 2005. No work is scheduled inside guest rooms.
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – 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.
• Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts – An overall refurbishment of the Stormalong Bay pool area at the Beach Club is running through early 2005. Certain sections of the pool will be unavailable at various times during the project. Those parts of the main pool not immediately being worked on will remain available for use. The first portion of the work should be completed by December 23. The main Shipwreck Slide will be closed only from January 3 to February 25, 2005, due to a painting project in that area..

New paper towel dispensers have been installed in the bathrooms near the Plaza Restaurant. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – undergoes its annual refurbishment from October 24 – December 11.
• Typhoon Lagoon – closes for its annual refurbishment on December 12.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays, but closes December 5–13.
• The All Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex – now closed Monday–Wednesday. Open Thursday–Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Disney's Vero Beach Resort (a Disney Vacation Club resort) – still closed due to hurricane damage. The resort will "soft open" on November 8, but some common areas may remain closed for repairs, including Sonya's and the Tiger Lily wet deck.

Park Events

October 2004

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). Through November 14.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (link). October 26, 28, 29 and 31.
• 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 & 30, December 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, & 17.
• Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney (link). November 26 – December 24.
• Holidays Around the World (link). November 26 – December 30.

December 2004

• Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships (link). December 5-11.
• Join MousePlanet at MouseFest (link). December 9-13.
• Disney's Soccer Showcase (link). December 27-January 2, 2005.
• 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

• Twirl Mania - The Twirler's Championships (link). February 18 - 21.
• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link). Dates in February – April TBA.

April 2005

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link). April 15 – June 5.
• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon (link). April 30 - May 1.

May 2005

• Star Wars Weekends (link). Weekends in May – June TBA.

June 2005

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

Current Discounts & Promotions

Discounts for early 2005 are out

Resort discounts for the first part of 2005 have been announced. Annual Passholder & Florida Resident discounts are valid for January 2 through February 16, while general & Canada Resident discounts are good for January 2 through April 16. Room-only and Dream Maker packages are available. See the Walt Disney World web site (link) or MouseSavers (link) for more information.

Play 4 Days is back

The Florida Resident Play 4 Days Ticket allows Florida residents four days of play in Disney's four theme parks through November 21, 2004 for $119 per person ($126.74 including tax). Park-hopping is permitted on the days used. The ticket is available at Disney theme parks, Florida Disney Stores, and other locations such as Florida AAA offices. Proof of Florida residency is required.

Radisson Resort Parkway announces rates through 2005

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates through the end of 2005, and has reduced their rates for much of the rest of this year. 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.

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 December 2004.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through December 2004.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)