On Wednesday, the Walt Disney Company announced that it will contribute $2.5 million for relief and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Katrina. One million dollars will go to the American Red Cross for immediate relief efforts, another million will go to children's charities for rebuilding efforts and the final half-million will go to volunteer centers providing services to the affected areas.
“The devastation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is simply heartbreaking and our thoughts are with those struggling in the aftermath of this disaster,” said Michael Eisner, CEO, and Bob Iger, president, COO and CEO-elect of The Walt Disney Company. “We hope that our donation will aid emergency management teams and organizations in their efforts to provide assistance to those impacted.”
On Friday, Walt Disney World and the Brunswick Corporation announced that nine Brunswick Trophy boats will be sent from Walt Disney World to New Orleans to support hurricane relief efforts. Disney was chosen because they had a large number of boats available near the Gulf Coast. Disney responded immediately when approached by Brunswick, and the boats were send off to the Louisiana coastline. The boats will be used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to shuttle refugees, officials and medical supplies in the New Orleans area.
While Hurricane Katrina has left more destruction in its wake than any other storm in our lifetime, hurricane season still has two months left, and they won't be quiet. Hurricane experts at Colorado State University say that there will be seven more storms (after Hurricane Maria, which spun off into the Atlantic this week) this season. Five of those storms are expected to become hurricanes, three of which will be major hurricanes.
There have already been 13 named storms this year, and if the predictions of William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach bear out, the season will finish out with 20 named storms. As a point of comparison, the 50-year average per season (through 2000) is 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes per year.
On Thursday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Walt Disney World announced a voluntary recall of sunglasses from a sunglasses and cap set for toddlers. The sets feature Mickey Mouse or Stitch on blue caps with red bills, and sold for about $16 per set. Almost 13,000 of the sets were sold at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disney's Vero Beach Resort, as well as aboard the Disney Cruise Line, between November, 2004, and June, 2005.
The sunglasses from these glasses/cap sets have been recalled due to high
levels of lead. Photo courtesy of CPSC.
The paint on the sunglasses, which were imported from Taiwan, contains high levels of lead (lead is toxic if ingested by young children, and can cause adverse health effects). The recalled sunglasses are a solid red color with dark plastic lenses, and were attached to the bills of the caps with Velcro-type fasteners. “Walt Disney World” or “Disneyland” is stitched on the back of the caps. Other styles and colors of hats and sunglasses are not included in the recall.
If you purchased one of these sunglasses/cap sets, you should immediately take the recalled red sunglasses away from children and contact the Walt Disney World Company for a free replacement pair of sunglasses and 20 Disney Dollars. You can call them toll-free at 866-802-2782 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays. While the recall notice states that you can also contact them at the Walt Disney World web site, at press time there is no apparent link on the site related to the recall.
The Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, is offering a $59.95 reduced special rate valid through September 30. Please note that this special does not include a free upgrade to deluxe pool view accommodations.
The Passholder Best Rate program has reduced the advance reservation requirement from 120 days to 60 days. The program is now accepting reservations, online only, through February 15, 2006. But the fact that passholders have to make their reservations two months in advance and lock themselves in (each change costs them money) has left some with a bad taste in their mouths, according to MousePlanet's Mike Scopa.
Mike reports that the program has left many angry to the point that they are refusing to stay on-property, moving to off-site hotels in protest of the new program. However, a quick check of the first weekend of December (MouseFest weekend) shows that there are no rooms available in the resorts with units in the program for the Pop Century, All Star Movies, Port Orleans French Quarter, Beach Club, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club Resorts. So obviously somebody is using the program.
The Pooh's Playful Spot playground on part of the site of the former 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction opened last Thursday. Be aware that the playground “is intended for the enjoyment of children ages 2 to 5 years old.” The area has the rubberized carpeting surface commonly found in new playgrounds and features Pooh's house inside a tree, a pop-jet fountain area, slides and some hollow logs and a “spilled hunny pot” to crawl through.
We were advised by a visitor to the area, though, that some of the rockwork around the edges is quite rough, and that one of the “rock” surfaces nearly cut his hand. It is likely that the surfaces will smooth themselves out quickly enough, but if you are visiting in the near future you may want to exercise care around the “rockwork.”
The two-phase work on The Living Seas pavilion at Epcot is underway. When the first phase opens in late November (currently rumored as November 27), only the Sea Base Alpha area will be open. Turtle Talk with Crush and the other current Nemo-themed areas will return, and it is rumored that more Nemo theming will be added.
The second phase, targeted to open next spring, may mark the long-anticipated return of the Sea Cabs attraction. There is a strong rumor that the ride track is being extended, possibly to include one of the current pre-show rooms and the hydrolator area, and that new ride vehicles are being prepared that will make it harder for guests to step out during the slow ride, which was one of the problems that caused their original closure.
The rumors go on to hint that the pre-show and sea cabs ride may also become Nemo-themed. Now, while there's no real problem with adding characters to attractions at Epcot, it would be a shame to completely lose the original theme of The Living Seas (the science of the oceans and man's interaction with them) as part of this refurbishment. We'll have to wait and see how it comes out.
On another note, the Dolphins in Depth tour will close periodically during the refurbishment, remaining open at other times. Current scheduled closures are:
After 12 one-week cruises and 14-night trans-canal voyages out and back, the Disney Magic has returned to its home port of Port Canaveral, Florida. On Saturday, the Magic returned from its second trans-canal trip, then took on a new group of passengers before departing for an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. The ship will take another three cruises (two Western Caribbean and another Eastern Caribbean voyage) before heading to drydock on October 1.
While in drydock, several enhancements will be taking place, including an expansion to the spa and salon, another new area for kids (to be called Ocean Quest) and a jumbo LED screen on deck 9 behind the front funnel stack.
Back on May 16, we told you that the closing of the Tarzan Rocks show in the Animal Kingdom was being pushed back from this September to January of next year. We're now hearing that the show may be extended to March. The performers' contracts expire in September, but it looks like they will get an extension. While the rumor that a Finding Nemo-themed show would replace it after the theater was enclosed is still the most likely scenario we've heard, there's still no confirmation on what the next show will be.
The Wonders of Life pavilion, which disappeared from park maps a week ago, has reappeared on the maps this week. It's possible that the new maps were floated as a way to see if anybody noticed the pavilion missing, and when guests picked up on it and started asking them questions, they put it back on to stop the questions. Another possibility is that the return of the pavilion to the maps is a red herring, and that Disney really does not intend to reopen the pavilion. Nobody that knows for certain is talking.
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. 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 next week. |
…This is still a rumor, but we have heard rumblings that it may cost an additional $2 to embroider your name on your Mickey ears starting in October. This seems disingenuous of Disney, as most people who get the ears have their names embroidered. Why not just raise the price of the ears? Of course, since this is still not confirmed, it may have been a trial balloon floated by Disney to gauge response.
…The Fantasmic dinner package has joined the Candlelight Processional dinner package in being available under the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package. A credit card is still required to secure your reservation.
…We're hearing that the prismatic effects glasses will be returning to the Osborne Spectacle of Lights this year, which will run from November 14 - January 8. The Happy Holly-Days Parade at the Studios and Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom will also begin their runs on November 14.
…Tickets are now on sale for New Year's Eve special events at Pleasure Island and Cirque du Soleil.
…We're hearing that Walt Disney World will roll out a new biometric system at the entry gates, which will be able to work with any body part as long as it's consistently used. While some people will try using other body parts to be cute, or because they're afraid that the scanner is actually lifting their fingerprints instead of the bone structure of their fingers as it actually does, the change will allow individuals who may have lost fingers or are otherwise unable to have their fingers scanned to use the biometric entry system.
…The Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station has reopened.
…Mike Scopa reports a strong rumor that the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary Resort will be moving to the lobby level (presumably under a new name, since it will no longer by on the Concourse level) near the Food & Fun Center. The FFC's video area may be moving elsewhere in the resort. One rumor for the space being vacated by the steakhouse is something called “Chef Mickey's Express.” We have no information on that other than the name. Another rumor is just a straightforward expansion of the Chef Mickeys restaurant.
…Pinocchio's Village Haus has finally cut over to Italian menu as of late last week.
…Beverley fans can relax, as we have confirmed that the beverage with the “interesting” taste will indeed be returning when Ice Station Cool reopens as Club Cool late this year.
…Chicken Little and Ugly Duckling are now doing meet-and-greets at the Animation attraction in the Disney-MGM Studios, replacing Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone. The Incredibles have moved over to the former Timekeeper attraction queue area in rotation with Stitch and Buzz Lightyear.
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. The Passholder Best Rate program has reduced the advance reservation requirement from 120 days to 60 days. The program is now accepting reservations, online only, through February 15, 2006.
The Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, is offering a $59.95 reduced special rate valid through September 30. Please note that this special does not include a free upgrade to deluxe pool view accommodations.
Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates through the end of 2005.
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Courtyard View
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Deluxe Pool View
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Through Sept 29
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$59.95
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$93
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Sept 30 – Oct
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$107
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$117
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Oct 23 – Nov
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$87
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$97
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| Nov 23 – Nov 26 |
$107
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$117
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Nov 27 – Dec
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$87
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$97
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Dec 23 – 27
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$133
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$143
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Dec 28 – 31
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$179
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$189
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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 October 2005.
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MK 9a-6p |
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MK 9a-9p |
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Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through October 2005.
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Tuesday 9/6
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Wednesday 9/7
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Thursday 9/8
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Friday 9/9
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Saturday 9/10
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5:30p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Sunday 9/11
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
| Monday 9/12 | |||
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 8p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Tuesday 9/13
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Wednesday 9/14
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 8p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Thursday 9/15
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Friday 9/16
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Saturday 9/17
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 8p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 5p Fantasmic 8:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
(Separate admission required)
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| Monday 9/5 | ||
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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Tuesday 9/6
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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Wednesday 9/7
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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Thursday 9/8
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Stormbringer |
Caliente |
TBA (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Friday 9/9
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Kabang |
Caliente |
Charlie Vega (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Saturday 9/10
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Fifth Year Crush |
Caliente |
House of Punk featuring Against All Authority, Libyan Hit Squad, Thee Obscene and The New Threat (main room), 21+ free/under 21 $7; 8 p.m. High Octane (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Sunday 9/11
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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The Mighty Golden Voices (gospel brunch), $30 adult, $15 child (3-9); 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. |
| Monday 9/12 | ||
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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Tuesday 9/13
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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Wednesday 9/14
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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Perpetual Groove (main room), $10 advance/$12 day of show; 8:30 p.m. |
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Thursday 9/15
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Stormbringer |
Caliente |
Playstation Dualplay Presents DJ Z-Trip with Black Sheep and DJ Goldenchyld (main room), $17.50 advance/$19.50 day of show; 7:30 p.m. Joe Turner and the Memphis Blues Caravan (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Friday 9/16
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Kabang |
Caliente |
Less Than Jake (main room), $14; 8 p.m. Joe Turner and the Memphis Blues Caravan (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Saturday 9/17
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Fifth Year Crush |
Caliente |
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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.
