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News and Views

Disney outsources overnight cleaning jobs; redeploys workers

The next time you walk through the lobby of a Disney resort in the middle of the night, those people cleaning the floor won't be Disney cast members. In a move that Disney said would improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness, all third-shift custodial positions at the resorts will be outsourced effective October 1, with the existing third-shift workers redeployed to other positions.

Disney said that the private services that will be contracted to take over the work will maintain the high standards set by the cast members. The displaced cast members will be offered positions that will carry the same base pay rate.

It is uncertain whether this move is aimed at cutting more positions from the internal payroll, finding more bodies to fill the understaffed positions during the day shift, or both.

The third-shift custodial cast members are represented by UNITE HERE Local 362. Local 362 president Morty Miller has stated that he believes that the move violates the existing labor contract and he intends to challenge it, perhaps filing an unfair labor practice charge. He stated that this is the first time that Disney has outsourced union-represented positions in over a decade. (The information technology positions outsourced earlier this year were non-union jobs.)

Local 362 UNITE HERE, which represents about 5,000 full- and part-time custodial, attractions and vacation planning workers, held an emergency meeting of third-shift resorts custodial workers on Saturday morning. At press time, no results of the meeting had been made public.

We'll take a closer look at the trend of outsourcing jobs at Disney, from custodial to animators to Imagineers, in an upcoming article.

A construction wall blocks off a portion of Main Street Station while it's under refurbishment. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Disney Wonder detours around Ophelia

Hurricane (then Tropical Storm) Ophelia caused a change in plans for the Disney Cruise Line last week. Due to the storm's proximity to the Florida coast, the Disney Wonder docked at Port Everlades in Fort Lauderdale instead of its home base of Port Canaveral last Thursday. Disney attempted to modify travel arrangement for as many passengers as possible that were both embarking and debarking at Port Everglades. Those passengers who were not able to reroute their inbound flights to Fort Lauderdale were being bused from Port Canaveral to Port Everglades. Returning cruisers that could not be rerouted were bused from Port Everglades back to Port Canaveral.

Conditions were more stable by the weekend, and the Disney Magic docked at Port Canaveral on Saturday, while the Disney Wonder did the same on Sunday. However, with Ophelia still circling out in the Atlantic off the Florida coast (landfall is predicted for tomorrow), more rescheduling may be necessary this week.

Disney releases more Everest details

Disney has released a short description of the Expedition: Everest attraction scheduled to debut next year.

In Expedition Everest, guests board an old mountain railway destined for the foot of Mount Everest. The train rolls through thick bamboo forests, past thundering waterfalls, along shimmering glacier fields and climbs higher and higher through the snow-capped peaks.

But suddenly the track ends in a gnarled mass of twisted metal and the thrills intensify as the train races both forward and backward through mountain caverns and icy canyons and guests head for an inevitable face-to-muzzle showdown with the mysterious yeti (known to some as the abominable snowman).

The attraction, expected to be offering previews as early as February with an expected official opening on April 22 (but don't plan your vacation around those dates), will have a 44-inch height requirement.

Despite the fact that they're behind the Main Street Station refurbishment wall, ladders are chained together. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Disney introduces Magic Your Way Platinum package for 2006

Looking for a really all-inclusive vacation package with literally all of the frills? Disney has introduced a fourth level of the Magic Your Way (MYW) package for next year. Joining the standard MYW, MYW Plus Dining and MYW Premium packages is the new MYW Platinum Package.

This package includes just about anything that you can think of to do at Walt Disney World, similar to the "Gold Key" plan offered 15-20 years ago. The package includes accommodations at a deluxe resort; MYW tickets with Park Hopper option and Water Park Fun & More option; the complete dining package (including Victoria & Albert's); unlimited access to recreational activities including golf, miniature golf, water sports, parasailing, horseback riding and fishing; reserved seating at Fantasmic; a fireworks cruise (your choice of Wishes or Illuminations); a spa treatment; unlimited access to theme park tours (including DiveQuest and the Aqua Tour); category 2 seats for Cirque du Soleil; unlimited access to kids clubs or in-room child care; personalized itinerary planning; unlimited access to Grand Gathering experiences (if your party is at least 8 people) and a special keepsake.

Basically, if you get this package, there's pretty much nothing else that you'll be spending money on, except for souvenirs.

Disney introduces another "Intimate Wedding" site

Disney's "Intimate Weddings"—a package designed for just the couple and a small group of guests—has added a sixth available location to its portfolio. You can now tie the knot at the Asante Terrace at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, overlooking Arusha Savannah. Intimate Weddings can accommodate up to 20 guests. This location joins the other five existing locations: Sunset Pointe at the Polynesian Resort, the Wedding Pavilion, the Wedding Gazebo at the Yacht Club Resort, Sea Breeze Point at the BoardWalk Resort and Sunrise Terrace at the Wilderness Lodge.

The clock for Main Street Station is safely packed away in a crate, awaiting its reinstallation. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Marathon field now closed

If you've been sitting back and waiting to decide whether or not to sign up for the Walt Disney World Marathon or Half Marathon, time has run out. Both events are now full, selling out all 13,000 spaces in each. Over 700 athletes have signed up for the "Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge" by registering for both races. If you are not signed up and still want to participate in the weekend, you can still sign up for the Family Fun Run 5K race or volunteer to help out at the event. For more information about the Walt Disney World Marathon, you might want to check out Lani Teshima's WDW Marathon Guide here on MousePlanet (link).

More details on World of Disney makeover

Disney has revealed some of the details of the makeover that begins next month at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. Three new rooms being created are the Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Boutique, the Princess Room and the Adventure Room.

The boutique will provide hairstyling, make-up and manicures to transform little girls into their favorite Disney princesses. The Princess Room lets young guests try on princess outfits. The Adventure Room allows boys to build pirate hats or skulls, play the latest video games, and find clothing and accessories for pirate, cowboy, superhero and space explorer costumes.

By request, some alternate supermarket locations

Following our note last month (link) that the Winn-Dixie supermarkets at the Hunter's Creek Shopping Center and the SouthChase shopping center would be closing, we received email from folks who stopped at one of those particular locations on each trip to Walt Disney World asking where there might be other supermarkets along the route from the Orlando International Airport to the Disney resort along the Greeneway (SR-417).

As a public service to them and anyone else who might be wondering, we've located a few supermarkets in that area. Publix has a three locations conveniently located to the Greeneway:

• Colonial Promenade at Hunter's Creek (link), about one mile from Exit 10
• Publix at Landstar (link), less than 1.5 miles from Exit 14
• Publix at Southchase (link), about 1.5 miles from Exit 11

Winn-Dixie doesn't appear to have anything in the immediate vicinity of the Greeneway anymore, but there appear to be a couple of locations (link) somewhat convenient to an endpoint at Walt Disney World. The location at the Shoppes of Lake Avenue is a short drive north up SR-535 from Hotel Plaza Boulevard, while the location at Gooding's Formosa is along SR-192 west of World Drive.

Gooding's has locations (link) at Crossroads Plaza at the intersection of Hotel Plaza Boulevard and SR-535 and in downtown Celebration.

There are also Super Targets, Super WalMarts and warehouse clubs in the area.

Happy grocery shopping!

DVC to get into the Halloween spirit

Disney Vacation Club resorts will feature special Halloween celebrations this year. A special Halloween evening event will be held at the BoardWalk Resort from 5:30-8:30 p.m., with music, characters, trick-or-treating and other activities. The Saratoga Springs Resort will host a Halloween pool party, featuring trick-or-treating, a mummy-wrapping contest and an outdoor Halloween movie. There will be a whole week worth of activities at Old Key West Resort, where daily Halloween crafts projects help count down to Halloween events including pumpkin decorating, costume contests and a pool party. The other DVC resorts (including the Hilton Head Island and Vero Beach Resorts) will also be joining in the fun, as well. So if you're a DVC member who will be visiting on Halloween but not going to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, keep your eye out for special events at your resort!

Corrections and updates

• Last week, we indicated that the Wonders of Life pavilion had been returned to the park maps. It appears that not all of the old maps were discarded when the new maps came out and are still being given to guests, and those who told us that Wonders was back on the map received the old Epcot park map. (The old maps say "GUIDEMAP" in yellow on a purple background, while the colors are reversed on the new maps.) We apologize for the confusion.
• Last week, we noted a rumor that it will cost $2 to embroider your name on your mouse ears starting in October. Apparently, we're a little behind the times. We've been informed that the Magic Kingdom is the only place left at Walt Disney World that doesn't charge for the embroidery. The reason for this is that Magic Kingdom is the only place that still stitches your name by hand. The other locations (at Downtown Disney and the Disney-MGM Studios) use computer-programmed machines. So as long as they are still using the old machines at the Magic Kingdom, there will be no charge for embroidery. So far, park management at the Magic Kingdom is refusing the new system because it's not traditional and doesn't fit in with the atmosphere at Magic Kingdom, so you may be able to continue to get your name hand-embroidered on your ears (the way it's supposed to be) for free in the Magic Kingdom.
• When we mentioned in last week's Update that Pinocchio's Village Haus had switched over to a menu featuring Italian food, we neglected to allay the fears of some readers, according to some email that we've received. So for all of you wondering, the very popular Figaro Fries have survived the menu change.

Ears to the ground

…We're hearing a rumor that the new "Club Cool" will have cans of the various international beverages for sale. If this is true, parties around the country may start featuring cans of Beverly loosed on unsuspecting guests. Frozen Coca-Cola beverages may also be available in the refurbished and rethemed location.

…Disney Vacation Club Member-exclusive champagne brunches will take place at the Grand Floridian on select Sundays in late October and early November during the Food & Wine Festival. More information will be available soon on the DVC Members-only site.

…Oddly, November park hours have still not been published on the Walt Disney World web site at press time.

…For those waiting for an announcement, we have heard a rumor that there will be no 999 Happy Haunts Ball event this year.

…During Friday night's national telethon to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina, nearly 2,000 Disney employees manned the phone lines. A portion of all calls nationally were routed directly into the Disney call centers in Orlando and Tampa. The money raised Friday will go to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to fund hurricane relief efforts.

…Walk-around face characters of Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable are being tested at the Disney-MGM Studios.

…The Magnolia Golf Course has reopened from its lengthy refurbishment this summer

…Disney has announced the dates for the 13th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The event will run from April 21 through June 11

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – refurbishment of seats and carpeting occurring on a rolling basis; the attraction remains open.
• Main Street Railroad Station – under refurbishment through December 20. Guests will still be able to board the train at the station, though the entrance and exit may be relocated during the work. The area surrounding the locker rental stand will be inaccessible due to renovations that are rumored to be moving stroller rentals into that location. The station is also slated to receive new glass, canopies, paint and so forth.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – will reportedly not be operating due to refurbishment September 11–19.
• Haunted Mansion – will be closed for minor mechanical refurbishment November 6–16.
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – will reportedly remain open during a short refurbishment, September 6–23.
• Timekeeper – open seasonally.
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns after the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities end.

Epcot

• The Living Seas pavilion, including the popular Turtle Talk with Crush attraction, is closed for refurbishment through late November. Rumors indicate that another new Finding Nemo-based attraction may be added.
• Ice Station Cool – closed through late this year for refurbishment. It will reopen as “Club Cool.”
• Norway's Stave Church – closed 9/12/2005 - 11/14/2005 for refurbishment.
• 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 is currently closed, and has been removed from park maps. Its future is uncertain.

Disney–MGM Studios

• No current refurbishments.

Animal Kingdom

• Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006. The likely official opening date is April 22, which is both Earth Day and the park's birthday, but previews may start as early as February 2006.

Resorts

• Polynesian Resort – Work is now underway on the complete refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in all buildings, which is expected to be completed by June, 2006.
• Contemporary Resort – The South Garden Wing is closed for refurbishment through September, 2006. Rumors indicate that the buildings may be completely gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club villas. No confirmation of the conversion yet. Renovations on the rest of the resort are also underway, with the tower building being done one floor at a time, and are expected to run through November, 2007.
• BoardWalk Resort – Major pipe replacement project underway in corridors outside guest rooms daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. through summer 2005. No work scheduled inside guest rooms. Meanwhile, the Keister Coaster pool is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 6–26.
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – Phase I's construction of four buildings complete; Phase II's eight units are opening one each month, through October 2005; Phase III's six units due in 2007, involves razing the old Fairway Villas.
• Yacht Club Resort – Siding renovation project to continue through mid-2005.
• Port Orleans Riverside Resort – The Ol' Man Island spa is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 6–23, while the Magnolia Bend quiet pool is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 15–24.
• All-Star Music Resort – The Piano pool is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 6–14.
• Disney's Vero Beach Resort (DVC Resort) – Roof repairs due to hurricane rehabilitation are ongoing and scheduled to run through late November.
• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel – Repainting of the building's exterior is underway. Regular hotel operations are not affected.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – Will close for its annual refurbishment on October 23, and is expected to reopen mid-December.
• Typhoon Lagoon – Is expected to close for its annual refurbishment mid-December, and to reopen in late February or early March.

Elsewhere

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

Park Events

September 2005

• Walt Disney World Triathlon. Sept. 23–25. Competitors race around the resort on water, bike and foot (link).
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Sept. 30 – Nov. 13. The annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series (link).
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Sept. 30, Oct. 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 16, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31. The big celebration of the boo-tiful season (link).

October 2005

• Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure 5K. Oct. 8. The annual fund-raising run for breast cancer research (link).
• Disney's Race for the Taste 10K. Oct. 9. The annual Disney 10K race gets a new name and a theme (link).
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World. Oct. 20–23. The 35th annual fall golf classic is played on the Palm and Magnolia courses (link).

November 2005

• Festival of the Masters. Nov. 11–13. Artists display their works at Downtown Disney (link).
• Super Soap Weekend. Nov. 12–13. Daytime stars descend upon the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Nov. 14 – Jan. 8, 2006. Millions of lights bombard the eyes at the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• Holidays Around the World. Nov. 25 – Dec. 30. Epcot celebrates the season, including the popular Candlelight Processional (link).
• Festival of the Seasons. Nov. 25 – Dec. 25. Downtown Disney celebrates the season (link).
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Nov. 27, 29, Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What's not to like? (link).
• MouseFest 2005. November 30 – December 3. Meet your favorite Disney Internet and guidebook authors (including some of us!) at a gathering of the Disney Internet community around the World (link).

December 2005

• MousePlanet presents a mini-MouseAdventure at MouseFest. Dec. 1. Meet at the outdoor seating area by Casey's Corner in the Magic Kingdom at 10:00 a.m. for this event. This is a shortened version of MousePlanet's signature event (link), and marks the first time that the event has been held in Florida.
• MousePlanet presents the second annual Mike Scopa Dole Whip Meet at MouseFest. Dec. 1. Meet at the Aloha Isle take-out window in Adventureland at noon.
• MousePlanet presents the first annual Shocolate Mousssse Meet at MouseFest. Dec 3. Meet at Boulangerie Patisserie at Epcot's France pavilion at 5:00 p.m. following the Mega Mouse Meet for this event. For more on the origin of the Shocolate Mousssse phenomenon among MousePlanet readers, please see this thread on our MousePad discussion forums.
• Pop Warner Super Bowl. Dec. 4–10. Football players and cheerleaders descend on the resort for the annual championships (link).
• Pleasure Island New Year's Eve. Dec. 31. Pleasure Island celebrates the actual New Year (link).
• New Year's Eve at Cirque du Soleil. Dec. 31. Cirque puts on special New Year's performances (link).
• Atlantic Dance Hall New Year's Eve. Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year at the BoardWalk's own dance club (link).

January 2006

• Disney's Health and Fitness Expo. Jan. 5–7. Check in for the weekend's races and check out the vendors (link).
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run. Jan. 7. The shortest run of the weekend (link).
• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. Jan. 7. Registration now open (link). [Note: The full- and half-marathons are now held on separate days. Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]
• Walt Disney World Marathon. Jan. 8. Registration now open (link).
• College Cheerleading and Dance Team Championship. January 13–16.

February 2006

• National Dance Team Championship. February 3–6.
• National High School Cheerleading Championship. February 10–13.
• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link). Dates in February ? March TBA.
• Twirlmania. February 17–20. Twirlers, auxiliary guard, pom, and dancers descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).

March 2006

• ESPN The Weekend. March 3–5. Corporate synergy brings the cable channel back to the Studios for its third go-round (link).
• National All Star Cheerleading Championship. March 10–13.

April 2006

• Disney's All-Star Kids Classic. April 1. Registration is now open for the kids' inline race (link).
• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon. April 2. Registration is now open (link).
• Star Wars Weekends. Dates TBA. The popular event is slated to return in 2006 (link).
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. April 21 – June 11. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations and the “Flower Power” concert series (link).

May 2006

• Epcot Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend. May 19–21. Collectible bears and dolls at Epcot (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

Passholder rates are out

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.

Radisson Resort Parkway offers reduced special rate this month only

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 rates through the end of 2005

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates through the end of 2005.

Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now.

Disney's Summer Price Slice discount returns to golf courses

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).

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

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.

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 October 2005.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through October 2005.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)