Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for December 19 – 26, 2005

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News and Views

Happy birthday to the Pop Century Resort, which opened two years ago last Wednesday!

Expedition Everest preview dates announced

Disney announced last week that Disney Vacation Club members would be offered a sneak "peak" at Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain January 26-29, 2006. From previously obtained information, it is believed that Annual Passholders and cast members will be offered sneak previews on the same dates. DVC members will be permitted to bring three guests to the preview. The new attraction is expected to officially open on April 22.

We're going to spotlight holiday decorations at Epcot this week, starting with the Lights of Winter. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

While the first operations cast members are reportedly now on the site (most likely the trainers for the opening team), the full opening team is not expected to report until January 8. That the previews are scheduled just two and a half weeks later would seem to indicate that the testing of the attraction is going so smoothly that the Imagineers feel that it will be ready for public just over one month from now. This would bode well for open sneak previews in early February 2006, as we've been predicting since last April.

The lights change color and "dance" along with the holiday music being played along the main walkway from Future World to World Showcase. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Busch parks raise prices

The last of the three major Orlando-area attractions to raise its prices last year, SeaWorld Orlando last week became the first of the "big three" to take the leap this year, with one-day tickets rising from $59.75 to $61.95 for adults, and children's prices rising from $48 to $49.95. Sea World's sister park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, raised its prices from $55.95 to $57.95 (adults) and from $45.95 to $47.95 (ages 3-9), with increases at both parks effective on January 2.

As you approach World Showcase Plaza, Epcot's Christmas tree becomes more visible through the lights. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

However, the blow has been softened by special offers. Visitors can exchange their single-day tickets for passes that allow unlimited visits to that park for the rest of the week. Florida residents get an even better deal, as they can exchange their tickets for the equivalent of an annual pass with no blackout dates.

Epcot's huge Christmas tree has equally huge gifts below it. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

SeaWorld's second gate, Discovery Cove, also announced a price hike— from $259 to $279 per day—effective January 1.

Cypress Gardens Adventure Park also raised its prices this week, from $38.95 to $39.95 for adults and $31.95 to $34.95 for children and seniors.

Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, the two other major Orlando resorts, have not yet announced any ticket price hikes, but are expected to match SeaWorld in the next couple of weeks, as all three parks have largely been matching price hikes for several years.

Looking back toward Future World from the Christmas tree, Spaceship Earth glows from under the arches of the Lights of Winter. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Airport clamps down further on Disney's Magical Express

The Greater Orlando Airport Authority board imposed further restrictions on Disney's Magical Express bus service last Wednesday, and may tighten controls further in the future. The board, which barred Disney greeters from the airport's third level in November, has now created a special class of ground transportation that currently includes only Disney, and has further reduced its access to arriving visitors.

The new class, called "resort transportation service," may have additional members in the near future, as Universal Orlando is one of the groups considering starting a similar service. New restrictions include the removal of Disney's greeters to the first level of the airport, where guests actually board their buses. Only employees of Mears Transportation Group, which operates the Disney's Magical Express buses, may meet arriving passengers as they approach the baggage claim area on the second level.

As for live entertainment at Epcot, the Voices of Liberty perform in Victorian holiday garb. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

In announcing the changes, airport board chairman Jeffry Fuqua said that, despite negotiating for months on the terms of service, the board did not set up the pilot program correctly in the first place. "Yes, we made some mistakes," he told the Orlando Sentinel, "Pilot means pilot. It should have been capped." Among the restrictions that should have been placed on the service from the start, he said, were limiting the number of riders during the pilot period and and requiring the service to operate out of both the A and B sides of the terminal, rather than allowing it to just set up shop on the A side.

A Hanukkah storyteller holds forth inside the American Adventure. The Kwanzaa storyteller performs at the same showtimes outside the pavillion, making it difficult for those interested in multiculturalism to schedule the viewing of both stories. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

While Disney reports that the program has provided a net revenue increase to the airport of $1.6 million from last year, the 10,000 people per day that use the service have drained the customer base from car rental, taxi, limousine and other shuttle services operating out of the airport, putting several out of business and threatening the survival of others.

A further review of the program's pilot phase (which runs through November 2006) is expected to be completed by February.

Walt Disney World to start official podcast

Just five weeks ago (link), I reported that Disneyland had begun a monthly official podcast. I noted "Can Walt Disney World be far behind? Probably." Well, last week, it was quietly announced that Walt Disney World will launch an official weekly podcast on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, La Befana tells her Christmas story in Italy. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Called "Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In," the podcast will feature a mix of behind-the-scenes tours of the resort's theme parks, celebrity interviews, news about upcoming events and conversations with Disney Imagineers. Like the series of podcasts surrounding the May kickoff event for the Happiest Celebration on Earth, these podcasts will be hosted by Disney's David Brady. The first podcast will run longer than the eventual 15-20 minute average length, in order to catch up with what's been happening since May. The podcast will be available at Walt Disney World's podcast Web page (link) or through the iTunes podcast directory.

As you approach The Living Seas, a construction wall steers you toward the former exit. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Celebrity interviews on upcoming podcasts will include Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, Susan Lucci, John Stamos, Raven, the Cheetah Girls, Aly & AJ, Kelly Monaco and John O'Hurley, Vanessa Williams and the young stars of The Chronicles of Narnia.

Also look for Imagineers discussing the design and construction of Expedition Everest as Walt Disney World gears up for the opening of the new attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The temporary entrance through the former exit looks less than inviting. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Millionaire to tape more shows in Florida next month

Meredith Vieira and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire are returning to Florida next month to tape shows at the Disney-MGM Studios. The show will be taking over the studio of its spin-off attraction from January 12 – 15. The show will be taping up to eight shows per day in four sessions. Guests can request tickets online for January 12, 13 and 15 at the show's web site (link). Tickets include free parking and entry into the theme park. All members of the party must have a ticket.

Near the new entrance, a "coral" person from the old Nemo mini-parade attracts attention from guests. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

The show will be taping five "Walk In and Win" shows on January 14. According to the show's web site, "All contestants will come from the special Walk In and Win audience. This audience will be selected by a random drawing from all the people (up to 1,500) who come to the Disney-MGM Studios and are in line by 7:30am. Taping of the five episodes is scheduled to end at 8pm and all audience members must remain through all five tapings." Please check the show's site for further requirements and information.

Meanwhile, the Nemo "float-around" character sits lonely against the wall, attracting no attention at all. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Radisson Resort Parkway drops rates even lower through the end of the year

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has just reduced rates for the rest of December. Rooms are available for as low as $59.95 through December 22, $79.95 for December 23–25 and $139.95 for December 26–31.

Spring training tix for Braves games go on sale January 7

Those wishing to catch a Major League Baseball spring training game or two at Disney's Wide World of Sports facility will be able to buy their tickets in just under three weeks, as individual-game tickets will go on sale on January 7. The Braves open camp in mid-February and begin their exhibition schedule on March 1 with their traditional game against the University of Georgia. They'll play the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 3 before facing off against the Venezuelan team of the World Baseball Classic on March 5. The Braves will play a number of teams twice, including the St. Louis Cardinals on March 12-13, the Houston Astros on March 14 and 17, the Cleveland Indians on March 23 and 25 and the division rival New York Mets on March 11 and 29. Other games are against the Detroit Tigers on March 6 and the New York Yankees on March 27.

As you enter the pavilion, the first thing you see is the lovely gift shop and, ahead to the left, the back of the line for Turtle Talk with Crush. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

The individual game tickets go on sale Saturday, January 7 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster (407-839-3900 and ticketmaster.com) and at the Disney's Wide World of Sports box office. Prices range from $13 (general admission lawn seats) to $21 (lower reserved).

The shop is small, which leaves most of the entryway free for guest traffic. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Wonderland Music CD-on-Demand System releases new titles

Seven more titles have been released into the Wonderland Music CD-on-Demand system. The service allows guests to purchase out-of-print titles burned onto CDs while they wait at the Main Street Cinema at the Magic Kingdom and Once Upon a Toy in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. The service is also available at Disneyland's 20th Century Music Shop.

In front of the site of the once (and future?) sea cabs ride, an "Imagineers at Play" sign hints at things to come. Photo by Brian Bennett.

The seven new albums are: Musical Highlights from the Mickey Mouse TV Show, Walt Disney World Band, The Jungle Book Storyteller, The Hall of Presidents, Mickey Mouse and His Friends, Multiplication and Division and the Grammy-nominated Addition and Subtraction, the latter two featuring Jiminy Cricket. These albums bring the available catalog to over 60 recent and vintage Disney recordings that can now be manufactured right at the store in less than two minutes.

The once-popular "Nemo and Friends" area seems much less crowded. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Grammy-winning Producer Randy Thornton painstakingly remastered the early records in crystal clear digital sound. Other available titles include attractions such as Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, The Enchanted Tiki Room, Golden Horseshoe Revue and America Sings; character albums with Professor Ludwig von Drake, the ?Disney Afternoon? casts and Mickey Mouse; and star showcases featuring Hayley Mills, Annette Funicello and Fess Parker. Each CD is $15.98 plus tax. Additional titles are forthcoming.

Western Beltway segment opens

On Friday, a 5 1/2-mile segment of the new Daniel Webster Western Beltway (State Road 429) opened, running from Winter Garden-Vineland Road to a new interchange at New Independence Parkway (formerly called McKinney Road). The expansion will continue as another segment from New Independence Parkway to Route 192 will open next Friday. Next December, the final segment – from Route 192 to Interstate 4 – will open, and the $450 million project begun in 1998 will have been completed. The road is named for the state Senator who got the road construction deal moving, after the plans had sat around since 1970.

But the crowd at Turtle Talk with Crush fills the area in front of the attraction. Photo by Brian Bennett.

The segment opened Friday will carry a $1 toll, and next Friday's segment will also cost drivers $1. Disney is building a road called Western Way that will connect to a new interchange some time next spring, which will give travelers coming from the northwest a new way to get onto the Disney property. The new highway is projected to take about 45,000 cars daily off of Interstate 4.

And runs almost all the way back to the pavilion's temporary entrance. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Orlando Airport offers holiday diversions, travel tips

To help travelers enjoy their waits at the airport during the holiday season, Orlando International Airport will have some entertainment on hand. The airport will feature concerts by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in the Hyatt Hotel atrium, spa treatments at the d_parture Spa and Salon, an impressive art collection and plenty of last-minute shopping to divert passengers who may have long waits for their flights.

The large signage is hard to make out, but this is Epcot's new solution to complaints that the "Disney Characters on Holiday" bus would leave before all of the children would have a chance to meet their favorite characters. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

The airport also offers these tips to make your travel swifter and more manageable this holiday season:

• Do not wrap holiday gifts. All luggage and packages are subject to search and inspection by the Transportation Security Administration. (TSA)
• Pack light. Know the airlines checked luggage policy. Consider shipping excess luggage and holiday packages.
• Do not leave bags or packages unattended or accept items from strangers for transport.
• Do not travel with lighters. They will be confiscated.
• Remember to put identification tags in and on all baggage including laptops.
• Double check the contents of pockets and bags just to make sure prohibited items were not packed.
• Don't forget an official government issued photo identification. Keep it readily available, as it may be required at several points during the journey.
• Carry money, prescription drugs, jewelry and other valuables on the plane.
• Be prepared to remove jewelry, keys and coats prior to the screening process.
• TAKE SECURITY SERIOUSLY! Do not make jokes or lighthearted comments while being processed for a flight.

Instead of waiting for (then chasing) the bus, Disney characters will be available in one spot from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. every day at the former Pasta Piazza restaurant, just north of Club Cool at Innoventions West. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Ears to the ground

…The Disney water parks have returned to the Extra Magic Hours roster, with both parks opening one hour early every day to Disney resort guests (except, of course, when they're closed for refurbishment).

…Brian Setzer and his 18-piece band have been added to the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade broadcast lineup, performing his version of "Jingle Bells" at Walt Disney World.

…Good news for non-smokers, as the Pop Century Resort has slashed the already-small number of smoking rooms even further.

…The final three nights of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party have sold out, including tonight and Wednesday.

…The Disney's PhotoMovie service (link), of which we reported the release to beta mode last month (link), has now gone live. Prices remain the same as during beta mode, at $49.95 for the first DVD, $19.95 for additional copies. The service does have the ability to use photos from your Disney's PhotoPass card.

The decor at the meet-and-greet is not fabulous at the moment, but if the location proves successful, you can bet that permanent backdrops will appear fairly quickly. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

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

Magic Kingdom

• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – waterproof water park gift certificates refurbishment of seats and carpeting occurring on a rolling basis; the attraction remains open. However, the Carousel has been returned to the list of "seasonal" attractions, so its open status may change at any time.
• 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 locker rental stand area is being converted to stroller rental, with the lockers moving to the former stroller rental area outside of the right-hand tunnel. In addition, the curb in front of the station has disappeared to allow easier transit for newly-rented and about-to-be-returned strollers. The station is also receiving new glass, canopies, paint and so forth.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – is not operating due to refurbishment through April 1, 2006.
• Country Bear Jamboree – will be closed January 3–7 for its return from the Christmas Special to its regular Jamboree show.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin – will be closed January 4 – February 8 for refurbishment.
• Splash Mountain – will be closed January 23 – 27 for refurbishment.
• Timekeeper – open seasonally.
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns after the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities end.

Epcot

• Test Track – will be closed for refurbishment January 9 – February 14, 2006.
• 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. It is now expected to open one final time from December 18 through the end of the year, then close for good.

Disney–MGM Studios

• 50s Prime Time Cafe – will be closed for refurbishment January 7–28, 2006

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 DVC, Annual Passholder and Cast Member previews start January 26, 2006.
• Tarzan Rocks – scheduled to close on January 21, 2006. Its rumored replacement is a show based upon Finding Nemo, which would debut in November 2006 after the Theater in the Wild gets a complete makeover. The stage, lighting and sound system will all be gutted and the theater will be completely enclosed, as with the Lion King theater in Camp Minnie-Mickey.

Resorts

• All–Star Movies Resort – The Fantasia pool will be closed January 3 – early February for refurbishment. Guests can use the Mighty Ducks pool or take a complimentary shuttle service (10 a.m. – 10 p.m.) to the other All–Star resorts to use the pools there.
• Wilderness Lodge – Roaring Forks Snacks will be closed January 9 – late March for refurbishment. Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist Point will remain open, and grab-n-go items will be made available elsewhere during the refurbishment.
• 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 partially-open during refurbishment through September, 2006. Rumors indicate that the buildings may be completely gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club villas. However, another rumor states that new DVC lodgings will be built on the current site of the Disney Tennis Center at the resort, and there is no confirmation of the either rumor yet. Renovations on the rest of the resort are also underway, with the tower building being done one floor at a time and the North Garden Wing to follow, and are expected to run through October, 2006.
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – Phase I's four buildings and Phase II's eight units are complete, Construction on Phase III is underway, with the six units expected to open between June and December, 2006.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – Closed for its annual refurbishment through December 24.
• Typhoon Lagoon – Will close for its annual refurbishment on December 25 and reopen on February 26, 2006.

Elsewhere

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

Park Events

Ongoing

• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Thru Jan. 8, 2006. Millions of lights bombard the eyes at the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• Festival of the Seasons. Thru Dec. 24. Downtown Disney celebrates the season (link).
• Holidays Around the World. Thru Dec. 30. Epcot celebrates the season, including the popular Candlelight Processional (link).
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Dec. 18, 20. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What's not to like? (link).

December 2005

• 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 closed (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 closed (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). February 15 ? March 29.
• Twirlmania. February 17–20. Twirlers, auxiliary guard, pom, and dancers descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).
• Cheer & Dance National Championships. February 25–26. School & Youth Rec Cheer February 25, All-Star Cheer & Dance February 26 (link).

March 2006

• Cheer & Dance National Championships. March 3–5. All Star/Studio March 3, School Dance March 3–5 (link).
• ESPN The Weekend. March 3–5. Corporate synergy brings the cable channel back to the Studios for its third go-round (link).
• World Baseball Classic. March 3-11. Baseball's best players from Australia, Domincan Republic, Italy and Venezuela square off in the first round of the international tournament (link).
• National All Star Cheerleading Championship. March 10–13.
• National Kidney Foundation of Florida Gift of Life 5K Run/Walk. March 19. The seventh annual event to raise money and promote organ and tissue donation awareness (link).

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).
• 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

• Disney's Minnie Marathon Weekend 5K and 1 Mile (link). May 6. The short runs of the ladies-only running weekend take place at and near Downtown Disney.
• Women Run the World 15 K (link). May 7. The ladies-only run starts at Animal Kingdom, goes through the Studios and ends at Epcot.
• Star Wars Weekends. Dates TBA. The popular event is slated to return to the Studios in 2006 (link).
• Epcot Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend. May 18–21. Collectible bears and dolls at Epcot (link).

September 2006

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion. Sept. 1–4. The radio host's annual gathering returns for another year (link).
• Night of Joy. Dates TBA. Disney's annual Christian music festival (link).
• Walt Disney World Triathlon. Sept. 24. Athletes compete in a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride, and a 10K run (link).
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Sept. 29 – Nov. 12. The annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series (link).

October 2006

• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Dates TBA. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs. (link).
• Disney's Race for the Taste 10K. Oct. 8. The annual Disney 10K race continues its association with the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (link).
• ABC Super Soap Weekend. Dates TBA. Your favorite ABC soap opera starts converge on the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World. Oct. 16–22. Lucas Glover will try to defend his title at the 36th annual fall golf classic on the Palm and Magnolia courses (link).

November-December 2006

• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Dates TBA. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What's not to like? (link).

January 2007

• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. Jan. 6. 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. 5. Registration now open (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

Passholder Best Rate Program extended through April 13

The Passholder Best Rate program is now accepting reservations, online only, through April 13, 2006. In addition, some rates have dropped even lower, with value resorts going for $49 most nights from January 16 - February 4, 2006.

Radisson Resort Parkway releases rates through the end of 2006

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates through the end of 2006. Note that the resort has allocated some rooms as low as $59.95 through December 22, $79.95 for December 23-25 and $139.95 for December 26-31..

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

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

Walt Disney World's 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 May 2006.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through May 2006.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)