Walt Disney World Park Update (Walt Disney World Resort Update) by Mark Goldhaber

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News and Views

Refurbishing The Land

Well, The Land pavilion has been closed and work is underway on retheming it to welcome the Soarin' attraction at the beginning of April. (Look for a soft-open before that.) The balloons that were removed from the ceiling are at the Disney-MGM Studios shops to be repainted from their "aspects of the sun" theme to a "four seasons" theme. No word on whether or not that means that the fifth, center balloon will not be returning.

With the closure of the pavilion, Epcot loses its largest counter service eatery, the Sunshine Season Food Fair. To help feed the masses, a new quick service location was opened in the former Pizza Piazza restaurant in Innoventions West. The menu is varied and includes sandwiches, salads, soups, vegetarian and children's offerings. As we have reported earlier, when The Land reopens, the new food court will be scramble service, where you can visit multiple counters and get food from each, then check out once at a central set of cash registers.

If you're looking to grab a piece of the old pavilion, you may want to get out to eBay fast, since some of the items sell today. Food trays, condiment holders, bathroom signs and a decorative 14-inch fake chocolate chip cookie are among the items in this first round of sales. (Also currently on eBay are pieces of the late, lamented Pleasure Island Jazz Club.)

Stunt Show soft-open date?

Reportedly, the Extra Magic Hour schedule is been modified the week of March 13. The Magic Kingdom adds a second morning on Sunday, March 13, and the Disney-MGM Studios drops that Sunday night and only has a Tuesday morning early opening. According to our sources, this is because the Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show will be having its soft opening that day. Perhaps they're hoping that it will decrease crowd size at the Studios and therefore fewer people will see the first performances.

Marathon snafu: runners shut out of Magic Kingdom, stranded at gate

For approximately 200 marathon and half-marathon runners, the event ended in controversy when they were told that they had passed the time limit for running in the marathon or half-marathon. According to race rules runners must maintain a 16-minute-mile pace. These runners were stopped behind the cutoff outside of the Magic Kingdom (about 10 miles into the race). It is not known at this time whether the cutoff was technically correctly enforced (many of the affected runners dispute it), but it is known that race organizers have not rigidly enforced the limit in the past.

The situation was made worse by a lack of preparation for stopping runners at the location. Participants waited for nearly an hour without water, shade, or restrooms while waiting for event staff members to figure out how to get them to the finish line and back to their families. Eventually one bus load was taken back while the remaining riders were directed to walk to the Magic Kingdom monorail station to ride back to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Two MousePlanet staff members were among those affected. MousePlanet will have further reporting on this later in the week as further details become available.

2005 Walt Disney World Marathon results; register now for 2006

Congratulations to Adriano Bastos and Amy Shertzer, winners of the men's and women's divisions, respectively, of the 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon and also to Michael McGrane and Sabrina Monro, winners in the same divisions of the Half Marathon. Bastos, who finished in 2:19:16, repeated his 2003 victory in the event. He missed last year's event due to an injury. Shertzer finished in 2:56:06. McGrane led the half marathon finishers with an official time of 1:13:07, while Monro took the women's division with a time of 1:19:24.

Now that this year's marathon is over, registration opens today for next year's marathon. Go to the official marathon site (link) for details.

Disney Dining Experience now available to all Annual Passholders

Purchase of the Disney Dining Experience (DDE) is no longer restricted to Florida residents only. Annual Passholders, regardless of their state of residency, can now buy a DDE card for $50, a savings of $25 off the regular price. Benefits of the card include a 20% discount on all food and beverages at over 70 participating restaurants in the theme parks and resort hotels (for parties up to 10 people); invitations to special members-only food and wine events, winemaker dinners and celebrity chef dinners; free resort and theme park parking for dining purposes and half-price admission to Pleasure Island. Blackout dates include major holidays. See the Annual Passholder web site (link) for more information.

Biometrics for all now in place

As we reported in December, all new Magic Your Way adult passes require guests to use the biometric scanners at the entrance to each park. Those using the children's passes (ages 3-9) are exempt from this requirement. To help guests understand the requirements before they reach the turnstiles, Disney has installed large signs with three-step directions that guests can read while on line and also added instructions to the turnstiles themselves.

The color-coded turnstile instructions start with a red box with a #1 indicates the insertion of a ticket and is located next to the ticket slot. A yellow box with a #2 shows you how to put your fingers into the biometric device and is located next to the scanner. A green box with a #3 says to take your ticket and enter, and is located where the ticket is ejected from the machine. It is hoped that these instructions, combined with the new turnstiles recently added, will keep things from bogging down, despite the increased use of the scanners.

ESPN The Weekend returns

Following the success of ESPN the Weekend last summer to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the network, the event returns next month for another synergy-fest. Three weeks after the Super Bowl, the Disney-MGM Studios will host the second event on February 25 through 27. Events include live and taped broadcasts of "SportsCenter," "BassCenter," "Baseball Tonight" and ESPN Radio; celebrity motorcades, talk shows and Q&A sessions; an interactive sports area and a special sports edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! For more information, visit the event web site (link).

Mickey's Mart provides lower-priced souvenirs

A new merchandise location recently opened at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Mickey's Mart, advertising "Everything Ten Dollars and Under," specializes in lower-priced merchandise. Each week, the store offers a different featured item, surprise grab bags containing at least three items for $6.99, and a fill-your-own-box offering that offers up to four items for $10. Targeted at children, the store is located between Disney Tails and Disney at Home.

Busch Gardens raises prices, stays below big Orlando parks

While SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando raised their prices in recent weeks to match Disney's one-day one-park price of $59.75, Busch Gardens has decided to resist the temptation, and only raised their prices by $2, to a total of $55.75 for one day. However, Florida residents who purchase daily tickets online receive a discounted price of $49.95.

Golf course refurb schedule released

Disney is very pleased with how the refurbishment of the Palm Golf Course went this past summer, and are looking forward to expanding the project to the rest of the resort's courses. Installation of the new grass and drainage improvements will roll out to the other courses through 2009.

The Magnolia course will go down this May, followed by the Osprey Ridge course in 2006. Eagle Pines will receive its upgrade in 2007, followed by the Lake Buena Vista course and finally, in 2009, the Oak Trail course will be refurbished. Each refurbishment will run from May through September of each year.

No more film processing

Effective January 3, 2005, film processing is no longer available at Walt Disney World resorts or theme parks. Instead, a new service for digital cameras is available that will allow guests to download their images and other media information from a digital media card to a CD. Each of the camera centers in the four theme parks have been equipped with this new technology, which will be deployed in the Disney resort hotels over the next few months

Another contract signed

As 2004 drew to a close, Walt Disney World got another union to sign on the dotted line. Actors' Equity, which represents about 400 live performers, approved a new, four-year contract. While exact terms were not disclosed, the deal reportedly includes raises of about 2.5 percent per year and bonuses of between 2.5 percent and 9 percent.

Stormalong Bay refurb enters final stretch

Last week, the refurbishment of Stormalong Bay entered its final leg, as the Flying Jib slide was closed due to painting and other work. The work, which is scheduled to run through February 25, will make various sections of the pool unavailable. The three quiet pools at the Yacht & Beach Clubs are still available, and DVC members can pool-hop to any other Disney resort, with the exception of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. All Yacht & Beach Club Resort guests that wish to use a pool slide as part of their vacation may use the Luna Park pool and Keister Coaster slide at the BoardWalk Resort. During this refurbishment project, shuttle transportation will be available to take guests back and forth between the Yacht & Beach Clubs and the BoardWalk.

Children's birthday parties now available at BoardWalk's Harbor Club

The Harbor Club at the BoardWalk Resort now offers children's birthday parties from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. every day. The parties, allow as many as 12 children to enjoy party food, crafts and other activities, Disney videos, free video games and more. Party food can include pizza, hot dogs with mini hamburgers and fries, chicken tenders and fries, or chicken tenders with macaroni and cheese. All choices include juice boxes or sodas and birthday cake. Various themes are available, including Mickey and Minnie, Disney Princesses, sports, circus/carnival and more. The parties cost $250, and can be booked through either 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463) or 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

Ears to the ground

…On April 10th, all three meals at Restaurant Akershus in Epcot's Norway pavilion will become Princess meals. Standard lunch and dinner, including the cold buffet, will be replaced with family style service featuring Norwegian food for adults and kids' favorites for children. The Princess Storybook Breakfast will continue to be American fare. Reservations for the new Princess meals begins today via 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).

…After all of the publicity, it appears that Lucky the Dinosaur will only be appearing at Disney's Animal Kingdom in May and June of this year. Not a long time for that park's big attraction for the "Happiest Celebration on Earth."

…The queue area for the seasonal Timekeeper has been converted for use as a meet-and-greet for Stitch and Buzz Lightyear. Seems like Timekeeper may not be coming back.

…The Plaza Pavilion reportedly closed last week and will reopen later this spring as a an Asian noodle restaurant called the "Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station."

…Apparently due to a problem with the supplier, Trapper Bob's at Epcot's Canada pavilion no longer sells beaver tails. The location now features Canadian wines and beers.

…For the next month, 176 members of the opening team for Hong Kong Disneyland will be touring Walt Disney World to learn about Disney culture, heritage, and traditions.

…Due to the new evening Extra Magic Hours on top of extended park hours for the weeks before and after Easter, Disney's Animal Kingdom will be operating until 11pm for the last two Tuesdays in March. This is the latest the park has been open to the general public, and Disney is hoping that this is the beginning of the transformation to a "two-meal park." It will be interesting to see how big the crowds turn out to be.

…A new WDW watchdog site opened up shop last week as D-Troops (link) debuted on January 4. Run by long-time aficionados and current and former cast members, the site promises to stay on top of all developments and lead campaigns against the loss of story, theming, attractions and pavilions such as the Carousel of Progress and Wonders of Life.

…A new official Disney site focusing on the "Happiest Celebration on Earth" has debuted (link).

…Three people were were caught passing phony $100 bills at the Magic Kingdom last week. After Disney security had gathered enough evidence on surveillance tapes, they called in the U.S. Secret Service, who arrested the three.

Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email us here.

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.” Reopening date unknown.
Astro Orbiter – closed December 20 – March 12, 2005.
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – scheduled rehab has now been postponed until after completion of work on the Astro Orbiter.
Cinderella's Royal Table – closed for rehab January 17–27, 2005. Lunch and dinner resume on January 28, while character breakfasts return on January 29.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant – closed January 10 – February 12, 2005.
Liberty Square Riverboat – will not be operating January 23 – February 5.
Timekeeper – opens seasonally.
Jungle Cruise, the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management, the Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear Jamboree – open at 10 a.m. every day.
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 Surprise Celebration – last performance on February 26, 2005. Expected to return after the 18-month “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” celebration (commemorating the 50th anniversary of the original Disneyland Park in California) ends.
Cinderellabration – begins preview performances in March 2005. Expected to run until the end of the 18-month “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” celebration.

Epcot

Soarin' – 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 construction of the queue area for Soarin'. Expected to resume upon completion of the construction.
The Land pavilion – closed January 2 – March 31, 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 will be open February 12–26..
El Rio del Tiempo not be operating January 10–12.

Disney-MGM Studios

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, an American version of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris – is officially scheduled to debut in May 2005. Rumor has it that the show will soft-open on March 13.
Fantasmic – will not be performed January 24-26.
The Imperial Walker in front of Star Tours – will receive a rehab from January 4–March 11.
Mickey Avenue – will undergo work on an expansion from January 4–March 11.
Stunt Show merchandise cart – will undergo some work from January 9 – February 25.

Animal Kingdom

Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to appear in May and June, 2005.
Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.

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 appear to be completed. Alligator Bayou will close in sections.
Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment of longhouses. Scheduled: Rapa Nui and suites in Tonga January 3 – April 1, 2005, Tahiti April 24 – August 17, 2005. May – September Tokelau. Work on the Great Ceremonial House also appears to be underway. We hear that all of the stores will be moved to the main lobby area, and that Captain Cook's Snack Company will be expanded to fill the rest of the rear of the building.
Old Key West Resort – The main pool is closed through mid-January to construct a new themed water slide.
BoardWalk Resort – Conversion of the previous Disney Vacation Club sales center into 19 additional villa-style accommodations will continue through June. The second floor villas located directly above the project area will not be available for booking during the construction. In addition, a major pipe replacement project is underway in corridors outside guest rooms daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through summer 2005. No work is scheduled inside guest rooms.
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – Construction continues on the rest of the resort; the four buildings of Phase I are complete, the eight units of Phase II are due in 2005, and the six units of Phase III are due in 2007. Phase III will involve the razing of the old Fairway Villas.
Yacht and Beach Club Resorts – An overall refurbishment of the Stormalong Bay pool area 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 main Flying Jib slide will be closed only from January 3 to February 25, 2005, due to a painting project in that area. During the work on the slide, Yacht and Beach Club guests may use the Keister Coaster slide and Luna Park pool at the BoardWalk Resort.
Yacht Club Resort – A siding renovation project is expected to continue through mid-2005.
Beach Club Resort – The Sandcastle Club child care center will be closed from January 1 through March 31 to allow for the refurbishment of the Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe Emporium. The Harbor Club at the BoardWalk Resort will resume operations for that three-month period, with operations returning to the Sandcastle Club on April 1.
Coronado Springs Resort – Construction continues on the 86,000-square-foot exhibit hall that is scheduled to open in spring 2005. Construction noises may be audible throughout the Casitas section of the resort during the daytime construction.

Water Parks

Typhoon Lagoon – is closed for its annual refurbishment from December 12, 2004 – March 12, 2005. It reopens with a new water coaster, the Crush 'N' Gusher.

Elsewhere

Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.
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.

Park Events

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). Registration closed. January 9.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? show tapings (link). January 12–16.

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). February 17 – March 31.
Contest of Champions Cheer, Studio, and Dance/Drill Nationals (link). February 25–27 and March 4–6.
ESPN The Weekend (link). February 25–27.

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 (link1 | link2). June 2–5.

September 2005

Night of Joy (link). Dates TBA.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). September 30 – November 13.

October 2005

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (link). Dates TBA.
Funai Classic at Walt Disney World (link). October 20–23.

November 2005

Super Soap Weekend (link). Dates TBA.
Festival of the Masters (link). November 12–13.
Holidays Around the World (link). November 25 – December 30.
Festival of the Seasons (link). Dates TBA.

December 2005

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (link). Dates TBA.
Pleasure Island New Year's Eve (link). December 31.
New Year's Eve at Cirque du Soleil (link). December 31.
Atlantic Dance Hall New Year's Eve (link). December 31.

January 2006

Disney's Health and Fitness Expo (link). January 6 & 7.
FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link). January 7.
Disney Marathon (link) and Half-Marathon (link). Registration now open. January 8.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Discounts for early 2005 are out

Resort discounts starting in January 2, 2005 have been announced. Discounts are good through April 16. Room-only and Magic Your Way packages are available. See the Walt Disney World web site (link) or MouseSavers (link) for more information.

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.

	Courtyard View	Deluxe Pool View	Bed & Breakfast Pkg - Courtyard View
2005
Jan 2 – Feb 3	$79.95	$89.95	$97.95
Feb 4–16	$109.95	$119.95	$127.95
Feb 17–20	$119.95	$129.95	$137.95
Feb 21 – March 17	$109.95	$119.95	$127.95
March 18 – Apr 9	$119.95	$129.95	$137.95
Apr 10 – 16	$109.95	$119.95	$127.95
Apr 17 – June 29	$89.95	$99.95	$107.95
June 30 – July 4	$99.95	$109.95	$117.95
July 5 – Aug 13	$89.95	$99.95	$107.95
Aug 14 – Sept 29	$79.95	$89.95	$97.95
Sept 30 – Oct 22	$89.95	$99.95	$107.95
Oct 23 – Dec 22	$79.95	$89.95	$97.95
Dec 23 – 31	$109.95	$119.95	$127.95

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 $12 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.

The entire price structure will be changing on January 2 to the new "Magic Your Way" passes. See the summary in the December 6 WDW Update (link) for more details. Advance purchase discounts will only be available on tickets above the base ticket for at least 5 days. Discounts for adults are $7 (5 days), $9 (6 days), $11 (7 days), and $12 (10 days). Child (ages 3-9) discounts are $6 (5 days), $7 (6 days) and $9 (7 or 10 days). We'll have a pricing grid for you next week.

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 March 2005.

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
	1/10	1/11	1/12	1/13	1/14	1/15
	MK 9a-8p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-7p AK 9a-5p BB 10a-5p TL closed	MK 9a-7p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-7p AK 9a-5p BB 10a-5p TL closed	MK 9a-7p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-7p AK 9a-5p BB 10a-5p TL closed	MK 9a-8p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-7p AK 9a-5p BB 10a-5p TL closed	MK 9a-8p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-7p AK 9a-5p BB 10a-5p TL closed	MK 9a-11p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-7p AK 9a-7p BB 10a-5p TL closed
1/16	1/17	MK = Magic Kingdom EF = Epcot, Future World EW = Epcot, World Showcase MGM = Disney-MGM Studios AK = Animal Kingdom BB = Blizzard Beach Water Park TL = Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
MK 9a-8p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-7p AK 9a-5p BB 10a-5p TL closed	MK 9a-8p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-7p AK 9a-5p BB 10a-5p TL closed

Entertainment Schedule