Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for January 9 – 15, 2006

Go directly to: News & Views | Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

Universal hikes prices, offers online deals

As expected, Universal Orlando has joined Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando in the annual rite of the raising of the ticket prices. Universal matched Disney's one-day, one-park price hike in going from $59.75 for adults and $48 for children ages 3-9 to $63 and $52, respectively. The increase went into effect on Saturday.

However, Universal has thrown in a twist. If you purchase your ticket online, you can buy it for the old price. (Note: at press time, Universal's web site still showed the old prices, so you could buy your ticket even cheaper until the web site catches up with the new pricing.)

In addition, while two-day, two-park tickets went from $104.95 for all to $107.95 for adults and $97.95 for children ages 3-9 when purchased at the gate, the bonus pass, which is only available online, will not only continue to cost $99.95 per ticket but will also provide admission for up to five consecutive days.

The online-purchase savings is possible because it will allow Universal to lower their staffing needs at the ticket windows.

Everest cast previews

On Saturday, a number of lucky cast members were able to participate in testing of Expedition: Everest. The testing also included the filming of a commercial for the attraction, which is being directed by Rob Cohen (director of The Fast and the Furious). When the cast members reported at 7 a.m., the temperature was so cold that the track had frozen, and portable heaters were necessary to thaw the track in order to free up the brake sensors. By the time that the attraction was ready for them to ride, it was 11 a.m.

Word coming out of the test is that the new attraction is absolutely amazing, the Yeti Animatronic is mind-boggling and the queue may be the best-themed Disney queue yet. We'll have photos and more information in three weeks, following the sneak preview for Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders. If you'll be there for the event, join us for lunch on Saturday at 1:00 at Flame Tree Barbecue (link).

Bastos repeats as marathon winner; Michiganders sweep half marathon

While Brazilian Adriano Bastos finished 28 seconds behind his winning time of last year, he still managed to win Sunday's Walt Disney World Marathon by more than 11 minutes over his nearest competitor. After leaping through the finish-line tape in 2:19:44, Bastos also became the first three-time winner of the event.

On the women's side, last year's winner, Amy Schertzer, finished three minutes behind her winning time of last year, and almost eight minutes behind winner Paige Higgins. Higgins won in her first marathon race ever, in a time of 2:51:38.

Men's and women's champions in the Master's Division for those aged 40 and over were Michael Mollod (41) and Lynn Leonard (40). Mollod finished tenth overall.

In Saturday's Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Michiganders dominated the event, as members of the Hanson's Brooks Distance Project running club in Rochester, Michigan, not only won both the men's and women's events but also took second in both divisions and third on the men's side.

On the men's side, Josh Eberly edged out teammate Josh Moen to win the race in 1:08:12, with Jeff Gaudette 10 seconds back. Melissa White won the women's division in 1:18:34, ahead of teammate Dorothy McMahan. Master's Division winners were Bob Winn and Mandi Kowal. Winn finished fifth overall.

Registration opens today for next year's events (link), which will again be held on separate days. The Half Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, January 6, 2007, while the Marathon will be held the next day.

Half marathoner dies after collapsing at finish line

Not all of the news from Marathon Weekend was happy, however. A former professional golfer collapsed at the finish line and was pronounced dead at a hospital after finishing the Half Marathon on Saturday.

Willie Kane, a club pro from Arizona, collapsed just after crossing the finish line in 2:27:36 and was immediately attended to by paramedics stationed nearby. They began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Kane, who was rushed to Florida Hospital Celebration Health. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Kane, who played golf professionally until 1992, took up running about four years ago in order to help him remain healthy.

It is believed to be the first Half Marathon death at Walt Disney World. In 2000, a 56-year-old died after having a heart attack and collapsing just over a mile into the Walt Disney World Marathon.

Disney Dining Experience price increase

A new price increase has gone into effect for the Disney Dining Experience program, which gives diners a 20 percent discount at most dining locations in Walt Disney World and is available for Florida residents and Annual Passholders only. The base price for Florida residents has gone up from $75 to $85, with renewal prices increasing from $60 to $70. The Passholder discount price has increased from $50 to $60, effective for new and renewal cards. But that's not all. A second card for a spouse or other family member, which used to be free, will now cost $25, the same as for a lost card replacement.

February special events at Pleasure Island

Pleasure Island will host two special party events in February. On February 10, 11 and 14, the Island will host Sweetheart Island, with Cupid roaming the streets, "Love Prophets" foretelling guests' romantic futures in the West End Plaza and loads of heart-shaped balloons and feather banners.

And once again, the Island will celebrate Fat Tuesday with the Parti Gras party on February 24, 25 and 28. Special entertainment will include the "Krewe of Confusion" and the "World's Dinkiest Mardi Gras Parade." Jester heads and giant beads will be the decor du jour.

Because of the special events, demolition of the West End Stage has been put on hold, so that The Leonard Brothers can perform during the Sweetheart Island celebration and Doo Wah Riders can do the same for Parti Gras.

New fire station construction

Disney's growing infrastructure has necessitated the construction of two new fire stations for Reedy Creek Emergency Services, which protects the resort property. Station 3 is being built near the Grand Floridian, while Station 5 is under construction in the south service area of the property. The new Station 3 replaces an old station in that area, and will support the Magic Kingdom, the resorts in that area and the support facilities backstage in that area. Station 5 will cover the new Western Beltway that was constructed through Disney property, as well as the south service area and any other structures to be built in the area.

Reminder: Those interested in the Reedy Creek fire stations can tour Station 1 (the brick-and-Dalmatian patterned buildings on Buena Vista Drive) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary, unless your group is very large. Also, at Station 4 (the new station near the Saratoga Springs Resort with an entrance shaped like a firefighter's helmet and a fire hose fountain out front), "Protecting the Magic" T-shirts are available for purchase.

Two more gates go empty at Orlando airport

Thursday's shutdown of Independence Air will leave their two gates empty at Orlando International Airport. If Delta is successful in its legal action to abandon 16 gates, that will create a total of 18 gates looking for airlines to fill them.

Passholder suites for Braves game back

Following last year's sellout, Disney will again have a special Passholder suite day for the Atlanta Braves' spring training game against the New York Mets at 1:05 p.m. on March 11 at Crackerjack Stadium. For $57 (adults) and $45 (children ages 3-9), Passholders get admission to the game, a collectible progran and an all-you-can-eat buffet, not to mention run of a climate-controlled suite. The extremely limited tickets go on sale on February 1 at 407-938-3223.

Gooding's declares bankruptcy, remains open

Citing massive debt loads created by the construction, opening and closing of a location in the town of Celebration, Gooding's Supermarkets, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 30. A lawsuit against its Celebration landlord, Unicorp National Developments, Inc., is still pending.

The chain's catering business and two remaining locations, at Crossroads Plaza and on International Drive, will remain open during the bankruptcy proceedings.

Ears to the ground

…We've got an additional note about the Royal Anandapur Tea Company. The new food location near Expedition: Everest actually features loose-leaf tea, brewed fresh in the cup using tea drops (kind of like a loose filter that hangs over the edge of the cup and can be lifted out when the tea is dark enough). This provides a much fuller taste to the teas.

…We're hearing that some people who were expecting their tickets for the tapings of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" at the Disney-MGM Studios this coming weekend have not yet received their tickets and were given no way to follow up to find out where their tickets are. While we have no answers for them, we would suggest showing up and hoping that their names are on a list of ticket reservations. Also, we have heard that there may be a limited number of tickets available on a same-day basis. If you are one of those who did not receive expected tickets and you attempt to get into the tapings, please let us know how it goes.

…The 24-hour pool at the Grand Floridian (including the children's pool and hot tub) closed for refurbishment on Tuesday, and will be down for an undetermined length of time. The themed pool and slide will remain open during the closure, but will continue to operate at its normal hours, leaving those who wish to swim in the middle of the night out of luck.

…Catching up on news from a couple of weeks ago (link), the baby elephant born on December 19 has been given the name Nadirah, which is Swahili for rare, precious or gift.

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 – While currently open daily, the Carousel has been returned to the list of "seasonal" attractions, so its open status may change at any time.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – is not operating due to refurbishment through April 1, 2006.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin – will be closed through February 8 for refurbishment.
• Splash Mountain – will be closed January 23 – 27 for refurbishment.
• Pirates of the Caribbean – is expected to close from May through mid-September for the addition of characters from the movie that was inspired by the ride.
• 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 through February 14, 2006.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has closed again following its holiday 2005 season run, and is thought to be closed for good.

Disney–MGM Studios

• 50s Prime Time Cafe – will be closed for refurbishment through January 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. Several lucky cast members were able to ride on Saturday, January 7 for the filming of the commercial for the attraction, and it sounds as if it's ready to go.
• 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 through 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 through late March for refurbishment. Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist Point will remain open, and grab-and-go items will be made available elsewhere during the refurbishment.
• Grand Floridian Resort and Spa - The 24-hour pool (including the children's pool and hot tub) are closed for refurbishment for an undetermined length of time. During the closure, the themed pool and slide will remain open during its normal operating hours.
• 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

• Typhoon Lagoon – Closed for its annual refurbishment through February 25, 2006.

Elsewhere

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

Park Events

January 2006

• 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).

December 2006

• 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 2007

• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. Jan. 6. Registration now open (link). [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 Orlando-Celebration releases rates through the end of 2006

The Radission Resort Parkway is now the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration! The resort, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates through the end of 2006. Note that the nightly rates do not include a $7 per night resort fee.

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

Magic Your Way ticket price guide

Walt Disney World's entire ticket price structure changed as of January 2, 2005, to the new “Magic Your Way” passes, and prices increased on January 1, 2006.. Advance purchase discounts are only available on tickets above the base ticket of at least 4 days, with higher discounts on those tickets with both options.

Park Hours

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2006.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2006.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)