It's a slow week for news as we head into the the Disney Vacation Club/Annual Passholder previews of Expedition: Everest this week, the first paying guests to ride the new attraction.
Following last week's accident at Tarzan Rocks (link), the flying rig on which the actor playing Tarzan would swing was removed from the show for over a week. The rig was apparently also removed from use elsewhere at Walt Disney World, including the flying bird number at the Festival of the Lion King.
Late last week, they apparently figured out what the problem was, and the mechanism was returned to use. This allowed Tarzan Rocks to hold its final performances with the complete show. Reportedly, those members of the popular Animal Kingdom show's cast that were not in each performance were sitting in the audience watching the show. The performances received standing ovations, and the popular show went out on a high note. [Thanks to MousePad members Peter11435 and NitroStitch for their reports from the show's last day(link).]
The Theater in the Wild is now closed, and will begin its makeover into a completely enclosed venue. 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. The Dinoland, U.S.A. venue is expected to reopen in October with a new Finding Nemo-themed show.
A new lenticular postcard created for Everest portrays the Himalayas as a
ski resort, indicating lift hills and trails. Wording on the back states:
"There's no bigger rush than shredding down the insanely steep slopes
of Mt. Everest—except for dropping in on the Yeti on the way down.
If you can't offer him lunch, tuck in and find the lodge—FAST!"
Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Cast previews at Expedition: Everest have largely gone smoothly over the weekend, with the possible exception of the guest who jumped into the lake to try to get past the checkpoint and sneak into the preview and the cast member who slipped on the platform and fell onto the track in front of a stationary train (no injuries were sustained). Waits exceeded 80 minutes on some days, which seems to indicate that there will be some healthy lines at this week's Disney Vacation Club and Passholder previews. Merchandise has been jumping off the shelves, but they have been restocking as quickly as they can (with the exception of the "Scream Like a Girl" T-shirt, which has been discontinued over fears that some might find it offensive).
We'll have photos and more information in an upcoming park update, following the DVC/AP sneak previews.
If you'll be there for the DVC/AP preview, or even if you'll just be in the park that day, join us for lunch on Saturday at 1:00 at Flame Tree Barbecue. Let us know that you're coming either on our MousePad discussion thread about the meet (link) or via email (link).
The other image on the lenticular postcard features the Yeti snowboarding
through the other image. A watermark in the writing area on the back carries
a logo indicating: "Snowboard Competition, Expedition Everest, Himalayan
Yeti, 2006 Champion." The only major problem with the postcard is that
the tiny legend is extremely difficult to read behind the lenticular surface.
Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
After running a story last week about the rumored Toy Story character breakfast at the Hollywood & Vine restaurant in the Disney-MGM Studios, we heard from one of the people who auditioned for a role at the venue. Reportedly, the breakfast is definitely a go, with rehearsals starting in March for an April debut of the meal. The breakfast will be run by "Sarge," of Green Army Men fame. This role will be an Actors Equity actor, as opposed to the Teamsters-represented characters normally found in the theme parks. This would seem to indicate a much higher amount of interactivity, requiring similar skills and representation to streetmosphere characters and other improvisational roles.
We've received an interesting report that at least three World Showcase pavilions will be receiving makeovers in preparation for Epcot's 25th anniversary in October 2007. Reportedly, the movies in France and Canada will receive updates and Mexico's El Rio del Tiempo boat ride attraction will be completely re-Imagineered based upon the film The Three Caballeros. Film footage for the upgraded attraction would be shot in Mexico this spring. If this story pans out, Donald Duck, Panchito and Jose Carioca would become the latest animated characters to become the stars of a pavilion. We'll bring you more information as we receive it.
…Three Downtown Disney restaurants will be under slightly different management, beginning April 17. Levy Restaurants, which owns and operates the Portobello Yacht Club and Fulton's Crab House and operates the Wolfgang Puck Cafe, was bought by British firm Compass Group, Plc. Compass has owned 49 percent of Levy since September 2000, and will buy the rest in three months. No changes are expected at the restaurants.
…On Friday, C.W. "Bill" Jennings, Executive Director of the Orlando International Airport, announced plans to retire from the job in April. It is unknown what effect that will have on the conflict between local limousine, shuttle and taxi services and Disney's Magical Express.
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Mark here.
Talk about Walt Disney World on our discussion forums here.
The Passholder Best Rate program apparently received a cold reception from annual passholders that like to plan their trips on the spur of the moment. The program has been discontinued and been replaced by straight discounts available up until the last minute. Passholders can see discounts for multiple months in advance on the passholder web site (link). Currently, discounts are available through April 8.
The Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration (formerly the Radisson Resort Parkway), a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced special exclusive rates for MousePlanet readers through the end of February. These rates are lower than those that you'll receive through Hotels.com, Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, Radisson.com, or anywhere else on the Internet.
The rates are as follows:
Now through February 2 - $85.00 weekdays / $95.00 weekends
February 3-9 - $95.00
February 10-26 - $105.00 weekdays / $115.00 weekends (EXCEPTION: 2/16 - 2/21
at $135.00 due to Daytona 500 Race)
Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now.
The Radisson Resort Parkway is now the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration! The resort, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their standard rates through the end of 2006. Note that the nightly rates do not include a $7 per night resort fee.
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Standard View
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Pool View
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Bed & Breakfast Package
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Sleep Number - Standard View
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Sleep Number - Pool View
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| 2006 | |||||
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Through – Feb 2
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$95 (M-F)
$105 (S,S) |
$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$114 (M-F)
$124 (S,S) |
$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
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Feb 3 – 15
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$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
$134 (M-F)
$144 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
$135 (M-F)
$145 (S,S) |
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Feb 16 – 19
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$175
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$185
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$194
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$185
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$195
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Feb 20 – Apr 6
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$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
$134 (M-F)
$144 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
$135 (M-F)
$145 (S,S) |
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Apr 7 – 12
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$145
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$155
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$164
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$155
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$165
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Apr 13 – 16
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$175
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$185
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$194
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$185
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$195
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| Apr 17 – 22 |
$145
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$155
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$164
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$155
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$165
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Apr 23 – 29
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$115
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$125
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$134
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$125
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$135
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Apr 30 – May 24
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$95 (M-F)
$105 (S,S) |
$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$114 (M-F)
$124 (S,S) |
$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
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May 25 – 29
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$125
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$135
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$144
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$135
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$145
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May 30 – June 8
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$95 (M-F)
$105 (S,S) |
$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$114 (M-F)
$124 (S,S) |
$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
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June 9 – 29
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$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$124 (M-F)
$134 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
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June 30 – July 8
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$125
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$135
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$144
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$135
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$145
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July 9 – Aug 19
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$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$124 (M-F)
$134 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
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Aug 20 – Oct 5
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$95 (M-F)
$105 (S,S) |
$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$114 (M-F)
$124 (S,S) |
$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
| Oct 6 – Nov 4 |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
$134 (M-F)
$144 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
$135 (M-F)
$145 (S,S) |
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Nov 5 – 25
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$105 (M-F)
$115 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$124 (M-F)
$134 (S,S) |
$115 (M-F)
$125 (S,S) |
$125 (M-F)
$135 (S,S) |
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Nov 26 – Dec 19
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$95
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$105
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$114
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$105
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$115
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Dec 20 – 25
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$115
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$125
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$134
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$125
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$135
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Dec 26 – 31
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$175
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$185
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$194
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$185
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$195
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Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now.
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.
| 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 | $63 / $52 | $125 / $103 | $181 / $149 | $195 / $160 | $199 / $162 | $202 / $164 | $204 / $165 | $206 / $167 | $208 / $169 | $210 / $171 |
| w/ Park Hopper option | $103 / $92 | $165 / $143 | $221 / $189 | $235 / $200 | $239 / $202 | $242 / $204 | $244 / $205 | $246 / $207 | $248 / $209 | $250 / $211 |
| w/ Water Park Fun & More option | $113 / $102 | $175 / $153 | $231 / $199 | $245 / $210 | $249 / $212 | $252 / $214 | $254 / $215 | $256 / $217 | $258 / $219 | $260 / $221 |
| (plus 3) | (plus 3) | (plus 3) | (plus 4) | (plus 4) | (plus 5) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | |
| w/ both options | $153 / $142 | $215 / $193 | $271 / $239 | $285 / $250 | $289 / $252 | $292 / $254 | $294 / $255 | $296 / $257 | $298 / $259 | $300 / $261 |
| w/ both options, no Expiration | N/A | $225 / $203 | $281 / $249 | $305 / $270 | $329 / $292 | $342 / $304 | $359 / $320 | $406 / $367 | $428 / $389 | $435 / $396 |
| Advance Purchase Discount - 1 option | N/A | N/A | N/A | $2/$2 | $5/$3 | $7/$4 | $8/$4 | $8/$4 | $8/$4 | $8/$4 |
| Advance Purchase Discount - 2 options | N/A | N/A | N/A | $12/$10 | $15/$11 | $17/$12 | $18/$12 | $18/$12 | $18/$12 | $18/$12 |
Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2006.
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MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-9p |
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MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-8p |
MK 9a-8p |
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MK 9a-10p |
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Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2006.
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| Monday 1/23 | |||
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 7p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Tuesday 1/24
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Wednesday 1/25
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Thursday 1/26
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 7p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Friday 1/27
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Saturday 1/28
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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 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Sunday 1/29
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
| Monday 1/30 | |||
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 7p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Tuesday 1/31
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Wednesday 2/1
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Thursday 2/2
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 7p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Friday 2/3
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Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations 9p |
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Saturday 2/4
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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 3:30p Fantasmic 7p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
(Separate admission required)
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| Monday 1/23 | |
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Stormbringer |
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Tuesday 1/24
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Stormbringer |
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Wednesday 1/25
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The Big Idea |
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Thursday 1/26
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The Big Idea |
Impulse (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Friday 1/27
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Harrydash |
Big League Productions Presents: Puerto Rican Latin Concert featuring Tony Tun Tun, Grupo Mania, Tito Rojas y su orquesta, El Cano Estremera y su orquesta, Residente Calle 13, Voltio & Wibel and Alex (main room), $45; 6 p.m. Eddie Kirkland (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Saturday 1/28
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Harrydash |
KISS Army: Tribute To KISS (main room), $12.50 advance/$15 day of show; 9 p.m. Eddie Kirkland (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Sunday 1/29
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Stormbringer |
The W. N. McKinney Gospel Choir (gospel brunch), $30 adult, $15 child (3-9); 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. |
| Monday 1/30 | |
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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Tuesday 1/31
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Frankie & the West End Boys |
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Wednesday 2/1
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TBA |
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Thursday 2/2
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TBA |
Eric Culbertson (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
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Friday 2/3
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TBA |
Sister Hazel with TBA (main room), $17.50 advance/$19.50 day of show; 7:30 p.m. Pocket Change (Blues Kitchen), free; 11 p.m. |
(Send an email to Mark Goldhaber)
Mark (@MPMark) is a veteran of dozens of trips to Walt Disney World starting in 1972, with a few Disneyland trips thrown in for good measure. As a Disney stockholder and a Disney Vacation Club member, Mark is always in touch with what's going on with The Mouse. Mark serves as MousePlanet's Walt Disney World content coordinator. Mark is a senior information technology manager working for the State of New York. He lives in the suburbs outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son.
