We have gathered some additional information on the new perk of allowing Walt Disney World hotel guests to book up to 10 days of reservations with one call when the 90-day window opens for their resort stay.
First, we have confirmed that if you cancel your room reservation, all of your dining reservations are automatically cancelled as well. If you plan to alter your vacation itinerary, try to change your reservation instead of cancelling and rebooking within that 90-day window to avoid losing all of your dining reservations. However, this function is apparently not yet working perfectly within the reservations system, so if you have a credit card-guaranteed dining reservation (such as the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue or breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table), you may want to make sure to have the agent verify that the reservation has been cancelled.
In addition, travel agency and wholesaler reservations are entered into the Disney travel system differently than those made directly by individuals. This means that if you booked your reservation through a travel agent, your agent must make the call to take advantage of the extra 10 days of reservations. If you booked through a travel wholesaler such as Travelocity or Expedia, they should be able to provide you with a special number to call.
Make sure to have your room reservation number handy when you call for your dining reservation, as you will need to enter it in before you get transferred to a Dining agent.
Remember, this is a 10-day courtesy extended from the 90-day mark from the beginning of your reservation. Do not try to call 95 days before your room reservation and try to make arrangement for the first five days of your trip. It's 90+10.
The free dining plan with Magic Your Way vacations has returned. For most nights August 21 through October 4, you can get the dining plan for free with your Magic Your Way vacation package. You can either book this online (make sure to select "Special Offers" and then click "Book Now" on the free dining plan offer page) or by calling 407-939-7783 and requesting booking code YNW.
Disney has informed Florida resident Seasonal Passholders via postcard that blackout dates (originally to be through August 18) have been lifted for the rest of the summer. There are no other blackouts until Christmas.
Put together, these two changes would seem to indicate that attendance and/or occupancy rates are well below projections, or at least enough that they're trying to pump up visitor numbers for the rest of the summer and the early fall. We'll have to wait to see if Disney announces any other plans to boost those numbers.
The Living Seas is closing from August 21 through late November for refurbishment. Turtle Talk with Crush will be closed with the pavilion, but reportedly the Coral Reef Restaurant and the in-tank Epcot DiveQuest, Seas Aqua Tour and Dolphins in Depth programs will continue to operate unless the construction interferes with the residents of the tank. Rumors on possible changes include the addition of another Finding Nemo-based attraction (possibly using technology developed for the Finding Nemo sub ride planned for Disneyland), a redesign of the pre-show area, the possible elimination of the hydrolators and relocation of the gift shop. However, these are just rumors and we won't know for sure until the pavilion reopens its doors in late November.
Disney is again adjusting Extra Magic Hours to test crowd patterns. For two weeks starting next Sunday, EMH mornings at Epcot are moving from Monday to Sunday. Epcot will then add an extra Monday night EMH evening to the existing Thursday night. Magic Kingdom retains its summer Wednesday morning, Monday and Friday evening schedule. This means that on Monday nights, guests can choose Extra Magic Hour evenings at both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. It would be interesting to find what information Disney gathers from this experiment.
Walt Disney World is aiming to fill about 4,000 entry-level positions with Polk County residents. Only 10 percent of the county's adult population has a bachelor's degree and only about 56 percent have a high school degree. The county's economy had historically been built on the declining area industries of citrus farming and mining, both of which do not require a highly educated workforce. Disney is recruiting to fill positions with starting pay of $6.80-$9.15 as ticket sales agents, park greeters, security officers, bus drivers, lifeguards, character performers, custodial and many other roles. Disney has found it harder to find applicants to fill roles as the job market picks up.
The Crossroads at Lake Buena Vista, a popular shopping plaza for Walt Disney World guests, was sold by ITW Mortgage Investments IV to TIAA-CREF, Inc. for $57 million. The center, probably best-known for its Goodings supermarket, also includes restaurants such as T.G.I. Friday's, Red Lobster, McDonald's, Jungle Jim's and Chevys, as well as Pirate's Cove miniature golf course, Foot Locker and other retail establishments.
The center, originally developed by Disney and located across State Route 535 from Hotel Plaza Boulevard, opened in the late 1980s. ITW had owned the center for five years. Disney was consulted on the sale, as it retained control over upkeep and other aspects of the property when they sold it.
MouseFest events announcedThe schedule for MouseFest 2005 is starting to fill up. Many Web sites have announced gatherings to be held all over Walt Disney World and aboard the Disney Wonder during the event. Check the MouseFest Web site (link) for details. Thus far, MousePlanet is sponsoring three events for this third annual gathering of the Disney Internet community. First and foremost is a mini-MouseAdventure event, a shortened version of MousePlanet's signature event (link). This marks the first time that the event has been held in Florida. (Last year, a "taste of MouseAdventure" was included in the MouseFest program guide). The event will run from approximately 10:00 a.m. until noon on Thursday, December 1. The mini-MouseAdventure will be immediately followed by our second event, the second annual Mike Scopa Dole Whip Meet, at Aloha Isle in Adventureland. Our final scheduled event will be the first annual MousePad Shocolate Mousssse Meet at Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot's France pavilion at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, following the Mega Mouse Meet event at the Walt Disney World Swan hotel. For more on the origin of the Shocolate Mousssse phenomenon among MousePlanet readers, please see this thread on our MousePad discussion forums. More information will be released about these events in the near future. |
The status of Leanne Deacon is unknown following her heart attack after riding the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at the Disney-MGM Studios. However, recently released information indicates that there have been three deaths at Disney's Florida theme parks. However, two of them could not be deemed as surprising. In February, a 77-year-old Minnesota woman died after riding Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom. According to a medical examiner's report, the woman was suffering from diabetes, had had several ministrokes, and her death "was not unexpected." Records were released by the state on Friday that a 30-year-old man who wore a pacemaker lost consciousness and later died at a hospital after riding Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom on April 30. The man had a history of heart problems, and it would seem that he would did not meet the ride's safety recommendations, as they include "free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems." The third ride death was Daudi Bamuwamye, the 4-year-old who died after riding Mission: Space on June 13.
NFL player agent Drew Rosenhaus is usually known for his hardball negotiating tactics. This year, a number of his clients who are already under contract are talking about holding out for more money, including Terrell Owens, Javon Walker and Edgerrin James. But last week, Rosenhaus was a hero.
Rosenhaus was staying at the Grand Floridian Resort while in town for an event at the ESPN Grill with some clients, and was at the pool with his girlfriend when he heard screaming coming from the kiddie pool. He rushed over to find a 3-year-old boy was unconscious and not breathing. The boy had been at the pool with his 10-year-old brother, who had walked away for a short while and returned to find his brother unconscious in the water. He pulled his brother out and yelled for help. Rosenhaus arrived before the lifeguard on duty, and began CPR. He managed to revive the boy before Reedy Creek Emergency Services personnel arrived.
Rosenhaus, a lifeguard while in college, later visited the boy in the hospital at the invitation of the boy's family. Rosenhaus told the Orlando Sentinel, "It's nice to be the good guy, for once."
Last Tuesday, Orlando International Airport launched the registered traveler program with a dedicated line for CLEAR cardholders, who have applied for and received pre-clearance from the Federal Transportation Safety Administration. So far, about 4,000 travelers have enrolled in the program since they started accepting applications on June 21 (link).
In other registered traveler program news, a temporary kiosk will be set up at SunTrust Bank in downtown Orlando for applicants to submit their fingerprint and iris identification data instead of having to go to the airport. The kiosk will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and may be duplicated at other locations if successful.
After a second meeting with Orlando International Airport officials on Thursday, members of the Greater Orlando Livery Association are still frustrated with the bias that they say the airport is showing toward the Disney's Magical Express service. The service, which gives Disney resort guests free transportation to their resort and separate handling and delivery of their luggage, has been pulling many passengers from the limousines. However, the association's representatives claim that Disney is getting preferential treatment from the airport as well.
Specifically, they complain that Disney is getting extra room outside the terminal, forcing some drivers to circle until a spot comes open, or park in the garage and then pick up the car after meeting their fares. In addition, and more importantly, they claim that Magical Express employees solicit additional riders inside the terminal, while limo drivers are not allowed to solicit business and are required to wait for passengers by baggage claim.
The primary issue is that "Disney's position is that when yhou book a hotel you automatically have admission to Disney's Magical Express," Airport Executive Director Bill Jennings told the Orlando Sentinel. Jennings plans to meet with Disney officials before making a final decision on whether or not the solicitation of additional riders by Disney employees before they reach baggage claim violates the airport's solicitation policy.
Jennings, who had originally come out strongly that Disney employees should not be soliciting, took a softer stance at last week's meeting. It shouldn't be surprising, though, since the Magical Express service probably makes things easier for the airport, as well. Travelers' luggage is picked up in bulk by BAGS, Inc., the baggage contractor for the service, and guests can check in and check their luggage at the hotel for their return flights, lessening the crowds at the airline desks at the airport. This would certainly lower labor costs for the airport, as well as reduce crowding.
The airport will meet again with the livery association and with Disney early next month.
Magic Kingdom park guests on July 17 saw an unusually quiet show. Apparently, a hard drive on the computer running the music for the show crashed, causing the music to first repeat, then stop completely. The rest of the show ran without a soundtrack. Reportedly, while there was redundancy built into the system, for some unknown reason it did not work. Needless to say, Disney is likely working on finding a way to ensure that it will not happen again.
…Don't forget, reservations for special events during this year's International Food & Wine Festival opened at 7 a.m. today. If you're interested, call 407-WDW-FEST (407-939-3378) to see if there's anything left.
…Jet Blue has been added to the Airline Check-In Service at Disney-owned and -operated resorts. The complete list now consists of: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines (including Song), Jet Blue and United Airlines (including Ted). Northwest is expected to be next to come online.
…This week is your last chance to check out Lucky the Dinosaur in Dinoland, U.S.A. The animatronic reptile's last day at Disney's Animal Kingdom is Thursday. After that, he's off to Hong Kong Disneyland to become an opening day "cast member." Later, he will also reportedly visit Disney parks in Tokyo and outside Paris as part of his "world tour."
…The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on Friday, with two-a-day workouts all week. The Celebration Hotel closes to the public today as the team starts arriving to take over the hotel through the end of camp on August 19.
…Work continues on Expedition: Everest. Last week, a test train was on the track with plywood cutouts to ensure adequate clearance beyond any outstretched arms and fingertips. The "mountain temple" structure through which the lift proceeds before entering the main mountain is looking good and beginning to emerge from its scaffolding. Meanwhile, the Yeti is reportedly planned to arrive at the construction site by Labor Day.
…Resort pools are heading for refurbishment right after Labor Day, with the Keister Coaster at the BoardWalk Resort, the Piano pool at the All-Star Music Resort and the Ol' Man Island spa at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort going down September 6. Those pools will reopen on September 26, 14 and 23, respectively. The Magnolia Bend quiet pool at Port Orleans Riverside will also be refurbished, from September 15-24.
…The demolition of the "frozen" entrance to the former Ice Station Cool seems almost complete.
…Construction on the large tree in the Pooh's Playful Spot playground (which opens in September on a portion of the former site of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lagoon) appears to be moving quickly, as branches and leaves are appearing high above the construction wall. A beehive has also been hung on a branch.
…Construction walls are going up at the Main Street Railroad Station. The west side stairs are now completely walled off.
…Due to construction work, the walkway between the yet-to-open Raglan Road pub and the Fulton's Crab House and Portobello Yacht Club restaurants will be closed for the summer. This will make it a bit harder to get to Pleasure Island from the Marketplace.
…Stage sets from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe are expected to be on display at the Disney-MGM Studios from September through December.
…The House of Innoventions exhibit at Epcot's innoventions East pavilion will be getting another new exhibit. Vonage's videophone will soon appear on the tour of the high-tech "home."
…Disney is reportedly giving away a free 5x7 photo via their PhotoPass service to guests booking a Magic Your Way vacation online.
…The video presentation on board Disney's Magical Express buses is undergoing changes. Already removed is the segment indicating that gratuities are included in the free service, and other segments are expected to be modified, as well.
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email us here.
Annual Passholder and Florida Resident discounts have been released for August 28 through October 4, with rates starting at $59 per night for value resorts and $89 per night for moderate resorts. The discount code to use is EXI. See the Passholder web site (link) or MouseSavers (link) for more information.
Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates through the end of 2005.
|
Courtyard View
|
Deluxe Pool View
|
|
| 2005 | ||
|
Through Aug
13
|
$87
|
$97
|
|
Aug 14 –
Sept 29
|
$83
|
$93
|
|
Sept 30 –
Oct 22
|
$107
|
$117
|
|
Oct 23 –
Nov 22
|
$87
|
$97
|
| Nov 23 – Nov 26 |
$107
|
$117
|
|
Nov 27 –
Dec 22
|
$87
|
$97
|
|
Dec 23 – 27
|
$133
|
$143
|
|
Dec 28 – 31
|
$179
|
$189
|
Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now.
Summer Price Slice is back with reduced-price greens fees on tee times after 10 a.m. daily from May 2 through Sept. 29 on Disney's five 18-hole golf courses.
Golfers can play the premier Osprey Ridge course after 10 a.m. for $60 (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 $89-$94). Prices include golf cart rental.
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 and Palm start at $30 after 3 p.m. ($25 after 5 p.m.). Rounds at Lake Buena Vista start at $25 after 3 p.m. ($20 after 5 p.m.).
For tee times, call 407-WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653) or go to the Walt Disney World Golf web site (link).
The entire ticket price structure changed as of January 2, 2005, to the new “Magic Your Way” passes. Advance purchase discounts are only available on tickets above the base ticket of at least 5 days.
| Adult/Child Total Cost | 1-day | 2-day | 3-day | 4-day | 5-day | 6-day | 7-day | 8-day | 9-day | 10-day |
| Base Ticket | $59.75 / $48 | $119 / $96 | $171 / $137 | $185 / $148 | $193 / $155 | $196 / $157 | $199 / $160 | $202 / $162 | $205 / $164 | $209 / $167 |
| W/ Park Hopper | $94.75 / $83 | $154 / $131 | $206 / $172 | $220 / $183 | $228 / $190 | $231 / $192 | $234 / $195 | $237 / $197 | $240 / $199 | $244 / $202 |
| W/ Plus Pack | $104.75 / $93 | $164 / $141 | $216 / $182 | $230 / $193 | $238 / $200 | $241 / $202 | $244 / $205 | $247 / $207 | $250 / $209 | $254 / $212 |
| (plus 2) | (plus 2) | (plus 2) | (plus 3) | (plus 3) | (plus 4) | (plus 5) | (plus 5) | (plus 5) | (plus 5) | |
| Premium Ticket | $139.75 / $128 | $199 / $176 | $251 / $217 | $265 / $228 | $273 / $235 | $276 / $237 | $279 / $240 | $282 / $242 | $285 / $245 | $289 / $247 |
| Premium, No Expiration | N/A | $209 / $186 | $261 / $227 | $280 / $243 | $308 / $270 | $321 / $282 | $334 / $295 | $382 / $342 | $392 / $395 | $399 / $347 |
| Advance Purchase Discount | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $7/$6 | $9/$7 | $11/$9 | $11/$9 | $11/$9 | $12/$9 |
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 August 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-10p |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-11p |
MK 9a-10p |
|
|
|||||
Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through August 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
| Monday 7/25 | |||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Tuesday 7/26
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Wednesday 7/27
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Thursday 7/28
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Friday 7/29
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Saturday 7/30
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Sunday 7/24
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
| Monday 7/25 | |||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Tuesday 7/26
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Wednesday 7/27
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Thursday 7/28
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Friday 7/29
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
|
Saturday 7/30
|
|||
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
(Separate admission required)
|
|
|
|
| Monday 7/25 | ||
|
Stormbringer |
|
|
|
Tuesday 7/26
|
||
|
Stormbringer |
|
|
|
Wednesday 7/27
|
||
|
Leonard Brothers |
|
|
|
Thursday 7/28
|
||
|
Stormbringer |
|
Midnight Ramblers (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
|
Friday 7/29
|
||
|
Stormbringer |
|
Edwin McCain with needtobreathe (main room), $15 advance/$17.50 day of show; 9 p.m. Pocket Change (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
|
Saturday 7/30
|
||
|
Stormbringer |
|
W.A.S.P. with L.A. Guns, Steven Pearcy of Ratt and Wednesday 13 (main room), $19.50 advance/$22.50 day of show; 8 p.m. Pocket Change (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
|
Sunday 7/31
|
||
|
Stormbringer |
|
Apostle JL Cash & Praise (gospel brunch), $30 adult, $15 child (3-9); 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. Howie Day with Anna Nalick (main room), $14 advance/$16 day of show; 7:20 p.m. |
| Monday 8/1 | ||
|
Stormbringer |
|
|
|
Tuesday 8/2
|
||
|
Leonard Brothers |
|
|
|
Wednesday 8/3
|
||
|
Leonard Brothers |
|
|
|
Thursday 8/4
|
||
|
Leonard Brothers |
|
|
|
Friday 8/5
|
||
|
Kabang |
|
112 with TBA (main room), $19.50 advance/$21.50 day of show; 9 p.m. |
(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.
