Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for February 13 – 19, 2006

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News and Views

Big Mountain to visit the Big Apple

Walt Disney World will be taking Expedition Everest on the road, as "Everest in the City" visits New York City this Wednesday and Thursday. The show will feature a pair of billboards on two skyscrapers at Broadway and 47th Street in Times Square. The images will show a runaway train careening down a track, escaping an encounter with a Yeti.

Periodic shows will feature acrobats from Project Bandaloop flying through the sky, navigating the mountain image to an original musical score.

The Everest in the City event even has its own logo. Image (c) Disney.

The taller billboard features wording urging spectators to "Ride the Mountain" and "Face the Legend" with the Expedition Everest and Walt Disney World logos and the DisneyEverest.com Web site. The other billboard, on which the Yeti appears, tells those on the ground to "Dare to confront the Yeti" and to "TXT 'DISNEY' to '4YETI' (49384)."

The billboards for the Everest in the City event will rise 57 stories high. Computer-assisted rendering (c) Disney.

And why should people send that text message? Sending the word "DISNEY" to the short code "4YETI" will make the Yeti's eyes flash at a specific time. Those not able to visit New York City this week can view the video of the event on AOL CityGuide (link). Those visiting the site can also enter an online contest where 25 winners will win trips for four to Walt Disney World to experience an exclusive tour of Expedition Everest.

In other Everest news, we neglected to mention last week that all of the blue construction walls are down, and the attraction is definitely scheduled for soft openings through the official opening on April 7. Of course, soft openings do not guarantee that the attraction will be open every day, or all day on the days that it is open. But the downtime is expected to be limited, as things are working well right now.

Pirates will temporarily reopen during Easter peak week

We've received some additional information about the refurbishment of Pirates of the Caribbean, including some good news for those visiting during the peak weeks around Easter. When the attraction closes on March 1, work will begin on the first phase of the refurbishment, with upgrades to the ride system, pumps, flume walls, lights, speakers and some of the existing audio-animatronic figures.

Following the first phase of the work, which will not result in any major visible changes to most guests, the attraction will reopen in early April in time to soak up the spring break crowds. At the end of April, it will close again for the installation of the new Jack Sparrow and Barbossa animatronics, plus a projection-effect Davy Jones, which will reportedly be located in the "transition grotto."

For those who read last week's Park Update before we were able to correct it, the Siren's Cove enhancement that we reported was a hoax. Multiple people at MousePlanet were contacted by different sources, all claiming to be passing along artwork for a poster to be handed out to park visitors advertising a previously unannounced enhancement to the attraction. We have determined that it was not a piece of Disney artwork, and we removed it from the site before the end of the day on Monday. We apologize for allowing it to be published here.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to open April 5

If you read our brief description of the makeover of portions of the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney when we ran it back in September (link) and wondered when you would be able to shell out big bucks for your little princess to get a real makeover into a Disney princess, the time is approaching quickly, and you can make your reservations now.

Starting April 5, children ages 3 and up will be able to get makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, with packages ranging from $35 to $175. The royal treatment will be applied by "fairy godmothers-in-training" seven days a week, between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Appointments are being taken now at 407-WDW-STYLE (407-939-7895). While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are strongly encouraged, as Disney is not able to guarantee availability for walk-ins.

Young guests visiting the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at can be magically transformed into their favorite Disney princess for a price, beginning April 5. Image (c) Disney.

Three packages are available:

• The Coach Package ($35 plus tax) includes one of three different hair style options (Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva or Pop Princess) along with accessories including hair extensions and make-up.
• The Crown Package ($45 plus tax) includes all of the offerings of the Coach package, plus fingernails.
• The Castle Package (starting at $175 plus tax) includes all the offerings of the Crown Package, plus a complete costume of your choice, accessories and an imaging package (four 4x6 prints and one 6x8 print of the Disney Princess after her makeover). Note that the photos are not with a Disney princess.

Princess dress sizes run from XXS (child size 2/3 or 4/5) to L (child size 10/12).

Teens and adults can also sign up for the Coach and Crown packages. (The Castle package is not available for teens and adults, likely due to unavailability of larger-sized princess costumes.)

Also opening April 5 will be the Princess Room and Adventure Room. In the Princess Room, girls can play dress-up in princess costumes (and then plead with you to buy the costume for them), while in the Adventure Room, boys can build their own pirate hat or skull, play the latest Disney video games and try on pirate, cowboy, superhero and space explorer costumes (and then plead with you to purchase them).

Pleasure Island and Raglan Road celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Now that Pleasure Island has a new Irish pub, where else should the St. Patrick's Day celebrations be centered but Raglan Road? The pub will be open from noon until 2 a.m. on March 17, with a cover charge of $15 per person starting at 4 p.m.

In addition to its regular complement of Irish food and drink, the pub will feature wall-to-wall Irish entertainment. Tuskar Rock, the pub's house band, will perform Irish music, while maitre'd Jay Shanahan will sing and tell stories. Champion Irish dancer Danielle Fitzpatrick will perform a repertoire of Irish dance steps, and Irish dance troupe Celtic Pulse will perform step dancing throughout the evening.

Pleasure Island itself will extend the celebration from March 16-18, with live music, leprechaun characters and other live and recorded entertainment. The festivities, which will run from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m., will be available to all visitors. Visiting the Pleasure Island clubs will still require paid admission.

One Mighty Weekend to benefit Elton John AIDS Foundation

As plans firm up for Gay Days May 31 – June 4, the umbrella organization for the major weekend festivities has named a charity beneficiary for its events. One Mighty Weekend (link) producer Johnny Chisholm has announced that the Elton John AIDS Foundation (link) will receive a portion of the proceeds of the various events produced under the One Mighty Weekend name.

"That's why we selected a respected, nonprofit organization founded and chaired by Sir Elton John. In our twelfth year of this event, we are so proud to be able to support an organization that is effectively addressing one of the world's most serious public health problems," Chisholm said.

Gay Days, in its 16th year, is a gathering of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities at Walt Disney World. While the event is not sponsored or supported by Disney, neither is it barred. The One Mighty Weekend events have been a part of the festivities for 12 years, including after-hours parties at Disney and other area venues. The Gay Days events generate an estimated $150 million in revenue for the Orlando area.

Caribbean Beach newest site for bass fishing

Walt Disney World visitors will have yet another location to try their hand at bass fishing next month. In mid-March, Disney will begin running private fishing excursions on tournament-style Nitro bass boats on Barefoot Bay at the Caribbean Beach Resort. The boats can accommodate one or two guests, along with a Disney bass guide.

The catch-and-release excursions cost $200-$230, depending on the time of the trip, which includes the boat, guide and equipment for one or two guests. For information or reservations, you can call 407-WDW-BASS (407-939-2277).

Wide World of Sports to welcome inaugural World Baseball Classic next month

As we mentioned back in November (link), the World Baseball Classic (link) is coming to Walt Disney World next month. Six round-robin first-round games between the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Australia and Italy will take place between March 7 and March 10.

Marquee names playing in the games at The Ballpark at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex include the Dominican Republic's Albert Pujols, Pedro Martinez, Miguel Tejada, Vladimir Guerrero, and Manny Ramirez, Venezuela's Bobby Abreu, Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez, and Italy's Mike Piazza.

All four teams will be in action on March 7, with the Dominican Republic facing Venezuela during the afternoon and Italy taking on Australia at night. The next night, Italy will face Venezuela. All four teams will play on March 9, with Italy facing the Dominican Republic in the afternoon while Venezuela takes on Australia at night. The final game takes place in the evening of March 10, with Australia taking on the Dominican Republic. The official schedule is available in PDF format on Disney's Web site (link).

Tickets for all six games are available through Ticketmaster via Web (link) or phone (407-839-3900). Six-game ticket packages are available via phone at 407-WDW-GAME (407-939-4263) or online (link).

Wide World of Sports is again home of the Braves

Perennial National League East champion Atlanta Braves will return to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for spring training this week, as pitchers and catcher report on Thursday. Position players are due by next Tuesday, and the first full workout is next Wednesday.

Seventeen exhibition games are scheduled from March 1-30, before the Braves leave to play two final exhibition games at Turner Field in Atlanta on March 31 and April 1. The Braves will play road games March 7-10 while the World Baseball Classic's opening round is played at the Disney facility.

Tickets (priced from $13.50 to $22) are available through Ticketmaster at 407-839-9300 or online (link). Group tickets are available at 407-WDW-GAME (407-939-4263).

Ward, Bettis enjoy their parade following Super Bowl championship

Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward and veteran Pittsburgh runningback Jerome "The Bus" Bettis rode in convertible during a parade down Main Street, U.S.A. last Monday, the day after the Steelers won the Super Bowl and Ward filmed his traditional Disney commercial. Ward gave the commercial a twist, though, as he extended the trademark phrase. The 36th spot in the series had Ward exclaiming "I'm going to Disney World... and I'm taking The Bus!"

Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward gives a thumbs-up during a parade ride with Mickey Mouse the day after recording his "I'm going to Disney World" commercial following the Super Bowl. Photo (c) Disney.

Ward was pleased to ride in a red convertible with Mickey Mouse, because Ward has called Mickey his favorite character because "he's always happy." Bettis rode behind in another red convertible with Minnie Mouse. Behind the two Steelers stars was NFL all-time rushing leader and future Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, along with members of the NFL Youth Football program.

Apparently unaware of the Disney "two-finger point" policy, Jerome Bettis rides down Main Street, U.S.A. with Minnie Mouse in a procession following the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl win. Photo (c) Disney.

"Tomato tree" at Epcot passes world record, keeps going

The greenhouses at The Land pavilion in Epcot's Future World have long been producing food for consumption at Walt Disney World's restaurants. But one plant has produced more than any other of its kind in the world. A "tomato tree," which we had first mentioned last May (link) as producing thousands of tomatoes, is still at it.

The plant, which can be seen on the Living with the Land boat ride, has produced over 20,000 golf ball-sized fruits with a total weight of more than 850 pounds. The tomatoes are served in restaurants around the Walt Disney World resort. The only one of its kind in the United States, it was brought over from Beijing, China, and planted in the greenhouse in December 2004.

Ears to the ground