See you at Mousefest 2004: Mega Mouse Meet December 11Are you attending Mousefest 2004 (link)? Make sure to visit the Mega Mouse Meet on Saturday, December 11, and meet MousePlanet writers Brian Bennett, Mark Goldhaber, Sheila Hagen, Mike Scopa, Lani Teshima, and Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix. Stop by the MousePlanet table at the Mega Mouse Meet just to say hi, and get your very own MousePlanet button. The first 150 people who try their hand at our Mini MouseAdventure (page 14 on the official Mousefest Pocket Guide) get a special edition Mini MouseAdventure button! If you want to let us know you're coming, send an e-mail or post a message to the Mousefest thread on our discussion boards (link) . If you choose to send e-mail, please put Mousefest in the subject to allow for better sorting of e-mail. |
Disney Online and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation have teamed up to open a new area at Innoventions based on their Hot Shot Business Internet simulation game (link), which teaches 9- to-12-year-olds about entrepreneurship. Opportunity City features five learning stations:
It has been several months since we reported that Disney had applied for a trademark for something called PhotoPass (July 6 WDW update), and over the Thanksgiving Weekend, Disney reportedly launched its PhotoPass service to provide guests with the ability to view, share and order the photos that Disney photographers take of them by going to an online site.
When you have your photos taken, you get a Disney's PhotoPass, a card that has a Web address and a unique 16-digit number printed on it. Go to the Web site and type in the number(s) from your card(s) to see your photos. You may get more than one pass while on vacation, and each pass can hold an unlimited amount of photos. Note: As of Sunday morning, the Web site still had a coming soon placeholder graphic.
You can use your PhotoPass every time you get your picture taken by a Disney photographer so that you can see all of your vacation photos from all four theme parks at the same time.
If you wish, you can still buy your photos on site for $16.95 for one 5x7 print and four wallet-size prints at:
Current pricing for purchase of photos on DisneyPhotoPass.com is:
Starting in early February 2005, these additional products are available online:
Disney's PhotoPass photographers are available in the following locations (subject to change):
The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are all decked out for the holidays. December cruises feature:
The themed overlay is in place for all cruises departing in December, including five three-night cruises and four four-night cruises on the Wonder and the three seven-night cruises and one 10-night cruise on the Magic.
On the heels of the Service Trades Council finally voting in favor of a contract proposal from Disney, you might think that its labor woes are over. Well, not quite yet.
Last Wednesday, members of the Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America Local 603 shot down a contract proposal 296 to 26 despite a recommendation from union leaders to accept the contract. The major issues are the same as the previous contract negotiations. Too-low wage increases and too-high insurance premium increases are the main sticking points.
Negotiations were to continue this week.
Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves team has announced its schedule of games for spring training at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, and season tickets are now available through Disney (link). Groups of 10 or more can also purchase tickets now. The traditional opener against Georgia Tech University is on March 2, and the finale is on March 31 against the Houston Astros. Ticket prices range from $13 for general admission lawn seating to $21 for lower level reserved seats. Individual game tickets go on sale to the public on January 7.
In addition to the game against Georgia Tech, the 16-game schedule includes two games each against the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros, as well as single games against the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, Philadedelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos).
Here's a quick rundown of the holiday décor that Disney's pastry chefs have created to deck out the resorts this year:
On the off-site Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resorts front, Disney's Vero Beach Resort showcases a holiday fireplace scene with Mickey and Minnie in rocking chairs, complete with presents and a Christmas tree.
Last Friday, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park finally reopened after 19 and a half months of closure. The soft opening, designed to give the park a final shakedown before its December 9 official daily opening, was timed to the first planned concert at the park. Kenny Rogers played an opening night gig to inaugurate the new park.
Cypress Gardens closed in April 2003 for financial reasons. After a much wheeling and dealing, a deal to save the park was structured, and Georgian Kent Buescher finally bought the park earlier this year. Buescher, who also owns Wild Adventures theme park in Valdosta, Georgia, spent a great deal of money to preserve much of Cypress Gardens' unique entertainment, including the strolling Southern belles, the waterski show and the historic gardens. In return, he was allowed to build a ride-themed section of the park. This section features three roller coasters and much more.
Over 25,000 annual passes have been sold at a price of $64.95. A one-day ticket currently costs $29.95 and includes a free second visit within 6 days of the first. That price will go up to $34.95 on February 28. Prices for children under 10 and seniors will still pay $29.95.
The park is currenly open Friday through Sunday, but goes to a daily schedule after the official opening on December 9.
Jungle Cruise skippers are once again armed with guns to fend off those charging hippos.
Thanks to the hordes descending for MouseFest, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on December 10 has sold out (don't forget to visit us at the Mega Mouse Meet!).
Keep your eyes out for a large purple dragon at Epcot, as a walk-around Figment character debuts within the next week.
Sonny Eclipse has finally returned to Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe.
Disney is rumored to be working on a plan to automate the load gates at monorail stations at the Transportation and Ticket Center, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot. There are currently no plans to install them at the monorail resorts.
Reportedly, the Disney at Home store at Downtown Disney Marketplace is closing on January 3 for refurbishment, returning much smaller than its current size. Moving into the rest of the space is a new, expanded Goofy's Candy Company, including an interactive show kitchen. The candy shop's current location closes about a week before the new location opens, with its old location scheduled for a refurbishment to make room for another, unnamed store.
The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute (link) is scheduled at Walt Disney World on December 8-12. Invitees include 400 of the most seriously wounded and disabled veterans and their immediate families. The conference offers seminars featuring motivational speakers, workshops on educational and employment opportunities, group discussions and ways to take advantage of a wide variety of support services offered by numerous organizations.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel has promoted Anthony Tony Porcellini from assistant food and beverage director to the director position. Porcellini has been with the Hotel for over 13 years, and has also served as a restaurant manager there.
Have any interesting news or rumors? Let us know.
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.
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.
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Deluxe Pool View
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Bed & Breakfast Pkg - Courtyard View
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Through Dec 21
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$69.95
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$79.95
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$87.95
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Dec 22 Jan
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$109.95
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$119.95
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$127.95
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Jan 2 Feb 3
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$79.95
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$89.95
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$97.95
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Feb 416
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$109.95
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$119.95
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$127.95
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Feb 1720
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$119.95
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$129.95
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$137.95
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Feb 21 March
17
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$109.95
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$119.95
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$127.95
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March 18 Apr
9
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$119.95
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$129.95
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$137.95
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Apr 10 16
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$109.95
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$119.95
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$127.95
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Apr 17 June
29
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$89.95
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$99.95
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$107.95
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June 30 July
4
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$99.95
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$109.95
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$117.95
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July 5 Aug
13
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$89.95
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$99.95
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$107.95
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Aug 14 Sept
29
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$79.95
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$89.95
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$97.95
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Sept 30 Oct
22
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$89.95
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$99.95
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$107.95
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Oct 23 Dec
22
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$79.95
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$89.95
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$97.95
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Dec 23 31
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$109.95
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$119.95
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$127.95
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Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now.
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.
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| Children ages 3 - 9 |
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| 7-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults |
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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.
Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through January 2005.
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MK 9a-9p |
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Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through January 2005.
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 8p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Candlelight Processional - narrator Heather Headley 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Illuminations! 9:30p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 3:45p |
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Tuesday 11/30
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 7p-12a |
Candlelight Processional - narrator Heather Headley 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Illuminations! 9:30p |
Hollywood Holly-Day Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade 3:45p |
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Wednesday 12/1
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 6p Wishes Fireworks 7p |
Candlelight Processional - narrator Heather Headley 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Illuminations! 9:30p |
Hollywood Holly-Day Parade 3p Fantasmic 6:30p |
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade 3:45p |
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Thursday 12/2
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 7p-12a |
Candlelight Processional - narrator Kirk Franklin 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Illuminations! 9:30p |
Hollywood Holly-Day Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade 3:45p |
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Friday 12/3
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 7p-12a |
Candlelight Processional - narrator Kirk Franklin 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Illuminations! 9:30p |
Hollywood Holly-Day Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade 3:45p |
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Saturday 12/4
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Candlelight Processional - narrator Kirk Franklin 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Illuminations! 9:30p |
Hollywood Holly-Day Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade 3:45p |
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Sunday 12/5
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 7p-12a |
Candlelight Processional - narrator Jim Caviezel 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Illuminations! 9:30p |
Hollywood Holly-Day Parade 3p Fantasmic 6:30p |
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade 3:45p |
| Monday 12/6 | |||
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 7p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Candlelight Processional - narrator Jim Caviezel 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Illuminations! 9:30p |
Hollywood Holly-Day Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade 3:45p |
(Separate admission required)
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Beautiful Bobby Blackmon |
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Fifth Year Crush |
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Tuesday 11/30
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Beautiful Bobby Blackmon |
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Kabang |
Scissor Sisters with VHS or Beta (main room), $15 advance/$17.50 day of show; 8pm |
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Wednesday 12/1
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Elliot Dyson |
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Kabang |
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Thursday 12/2
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Scott Jeffrey's Band |
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Stormbringer |
Muse (main room), $17.50 advance/$19.50 day of show; 7:30pm Sonny Rhodes (Blues Kitchen), free; 11pm |
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Friday 12/3
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Scott Jeffrey's Band |
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Stormbringer |
Real Rock 101.1's Mistle Toe Jam Featuring Sevendust with Magna Fi and Bobba Flex (main room), $22.50 advance/$25 day of show; 8:30pm Sonny Rhodes (Blues Kitchen), free; 11pm |
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Saturday 12/4
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Scott Jeffrey's Band |
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Stormbringer |
Sonny Rhodes (Blues Kitchen), free; 11pm |
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Sunday 12/5
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Elliot Dyson |
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Stormbringer |
Apostle JL Cash and Praise (gospel brunch), $30 adult, $15 child (3-9); 10:30am, 1pm Peter White's Christmas Show with Mindi Abair and Rick Braun (main room), $19.50 and up; 8:30pm |
| Monday 12/6 | |||
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Elliot Dyson |
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Kabang |
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(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.