Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for May 1 – 7, 2006

Go directly to: News & Views | Coming Soon | Trivia of the Week | Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

Very Merry, Not So Scary tickets on sale now

Tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party are on sale now, and apparently went on sale last Friday. Details on the party dates and available discounts were listed last week. The answer to the one item in question, whether or not December 22 would have a Christmas Party, is that the party will be held that night. So the official list of party dates is:

• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party: September 15, 22, 29 and October 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: November 13, 17, 27, 28, 30 and December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22.

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The official park scheduler for Septembe 15 and 22 still has the park closing at 9 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively, which would seem to indicate that the Halloween Party would run until 3 a.m. and 2 a.m. on those nights. I'm still expecting those official hours to change.

Interestingly, the Halloween Party will take place every Friday night from the middle of September through Halloween night, with one exception. There will be no Halloween Party in October on Friday the 13th. Seems like they might be missing an opportunity, unless they have some reason to avoid holding an event on Friday the 13th.

Reminder: the big Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party meets during MouseFest will most likely be on Thursday, December 7. Please plan accordingly.

A topiary of Donald and Daisy Duck in the Tunnel of Love welcomes guests to the 2006 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Disney announces "Magical Beginnings" program

Last Monday, Disney unveiled its latest plan to get families with young children to visit the resort. The new "Magical Beginnings" program (link) combines the current "Stay, Play and Dine" discount with a bunch of downloadable tips for traveling to Disney with small children and some Disney marketing spin. A similar program was unveiled for Disneyland.

The Magical Beginnings (and Stay, Play and Dine) packages provide free dining to Disney guests on a resort package that arrive between August 13 and September 30, for packages booked by June 4.

The additional features include advice commonly found on web sites throughout the Internet, such as "don't over schedule," "take a break in the middle of the day" and "there are baby changing stations in all bathrooms." Also available are downloadable lists of minimum heights for attractions and things to remember to pack.

The marketing spin includes describing Extra Magic Hours as "On select days during the Little Ones Travel Time, Magic Kingdom will be open one-hour early for Disney Resort Guests to enjoy select Fantasyland Attractions like Dumbo and Peter Pan" rather than indicating that the hours are for everyone, and all types of rides will be available for riding in different parks each day, sometimes in the evening as well as the morning.

The "Little Ones Travel Time" is another bit of marketing spin, noting that late August through September is a better time for families with small children to travel, as there would be no concerns about children missing school at that age. Disney is adding special entertainment during those weeks, such as in-park concerts at the Disney-MGM Studios by Disney Channel favorites such as The Wiggles, The Doodlebops and Johnny and the Sprites, as well as extra character appearances in Fantasyland during morning Extra Magic Hours. The special entertainment is open to all park guests, regardless of whether or not they booked Magical Beginnings vacations. (Extra Magic Hours are limited to those staying at Disney hotels, as is always the case.)

The island across from the Italy pavilion is getting some refurbishment. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Repainting is underway on the island's bridge. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Playhouse Disney character meal to debut on June 25; reservations now available

As I reported on April 3 (link), the planned Breakfast and Beyond character meal at the Disney-MGM Studios has been scrapped before it opened and replaced with a new meal featuring Playhouse Disney characters, which will officially debut on June 25. Reservations are now available for both breakfast and lunch, which will take place at the Hollywood and Vine restaurant. Dinner will continue to be the same popular character-free buffet.

Auditions are being held tomorrow for "male and female Musical Theatre Performers to portray Playhouse Pals" at the meal. According to the audition notice, it appears that the meal is going to feature interactive Playhouse Disney moments, characters and songs. I'm hearing that Jojo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins will be among the characters making appearances.

Work continues on the Viking ship adjacent to the Norway pavilion. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Not much is going on inside the construction wall at the moment, though. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Captain Jack Sparrow to appear outside, as well as inside, Pirates attraction

When Pirates of the Caribbean reopens at the beginning of July, featuring Captains Jack Sparrow and Barbossa, as well as Davy Jones, the experience will begin before you enter the attraction's queue. Auditions are being held today for walk-around characters of Sparrow and "his faithful crew member, Mack, who manages to humorously epitomize the 'wrong way' of every 'how-to' moment."

The atmosphere characters will (on a temporary basis) will provide interactive lessons in how to be a pirate, including such important skills as "Swashbuckling for Beginners" and "Run Away - FAST!"

The beautiful parterre plantings have returned for this year's Flower & Garden Festival. Photo by Brian Warneke.

A big personal "thank you"

I'd like to thank all of the members of the MousePlanet community who gave so generously to my WalkAmerica campaign for the March of Dimes. I was able to reach my goal of raising $2,500 for this worthy cause, with MousePlanet readers being responsible for about 30 percent of that total. As I mentioned before, the cause is very personal to me, because it was therapies funded and developed by the March of Dimes that enabled my son to survive after he was born twelve weeks prematurely. Hundreds of us walked the three miles at our walk site yesterday, raising quite a good bit of money. (And for those that asked, below is a photo of me before the walk. As we were among the fastest walkers, we didn't stop to take an "action" photo. We were among the first ten finishers.)

Mark Goldhaber at WalkAmerica's event in Albany. Photo by Mark Leventhal.

Thanks also to those who gave to the Avon Foundation Walk for Breast Cancer campaign of Deb Wills (of AllEarsNet.com). At press time, she had raised $24,206 (link)! Lou Mongello (of DisneyWorldTrivia.com) is continuing to raise money for the Starlight Starbright Foundation (link). Next spring, I'll start campaigning for these causes all over again, as well as Jim Hill (of JimHillMedia), who walks annually in support of the Janet McDonald Memorial Walk Against Cancer (link).

Thanks again for your support!

Universal hikes minimum pay; Disney starting wage now lowest

Last week, Universal Orlando announced a wage hike, effective next Sunday, that will make the minimum wage at the resort $7.25 per hour, up from $6.75. In addition, new employees will no longer have to wait three months to become eligible for life, dental and health insurance and a 401(k) retirement plan. SeaWorld Orlando has a starting wage of $7.00 per hour, with an immediate start to benefits. Disney's lowest-paid employees start at $6.90 per hour.

This may put Disney at a disadvantage as the three resorts enter the big summer hiring season. In addition, Universal is offering an additional 25 cents per hour for those with two years of experience in the tourism or hospitality trade.

Will this lead to a staffing crunch at Disney? Will the gap be filled with additional College Program and International Program students? What will this mean for the overall level of service at Walt Disney World? I don't know. If you notice problems with sufficient levels of staffing or quality of staffing, let me know, and I'll keep track of it and note how things are going. Conversely, if you tink that the levels of service and staffing are continuing unaffected or even improving, let me know that, too.

This topiary of Cinderella and her prince rotates on a turntable. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Will there be a Zamboni?

The Southwest feel of the Coronado Springs Resort will take on a icy feel Friday for "An Evening with Scott Hamilton," a tribute to the popular 1984 Olympic men's gold medal-winning figure skater, with the gala to benefit the World Figure Skating Museum.

At $125 for a Supporter-level ticket and $250 for a Patron-level admission, the benefit will start with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. Festivities will include a film tribute to Hamilton's career, a celebrity roast of Hamilton by his closest skating friends (emceed by Peter Carruthers, 1984 Olympic pairs silver medalist) and an auction of unique skating-related pieces and other items. The items to be auctioned off first collected bids online (link), and bidding will continue at the gala.

For tickets, call 719-488-5654, or get more details at the World Skating Museum web site (link).

Is it Monopoly for Disney?

Will it be Times Square, Fenway Park, the White House or Walt Disney World? The Disney resort is a leading candidate for inclusion in the new Monopoly: The Here & Now Edition, to hit stores this summer. Three landmarks in each of 22 American cities are part of the voting. The city with the most votes gets to have their top-vote-getting landmark replace Boardwalk as the most coveted spot on the game board. At press time, Orlando (where the resort had 90 percent of the vote) was in ninth place, just behind Los Angeles and New Orleans. To vote for your favorite, go to the Monopoly: Here and Now Edition web site (link). Voting closes May 12.

A Stitch topiary waves goodbye to visitors.. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Quick takes …

…Last week, Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com reported (link) that DisneyQuest at the Downtown Disney West Side would be closing in early 2008 to make way for a new ESPN Zone facility. The Orlando Sentinel's blog ran a story (link) noting that Disney had denied that contention. I'll keep an eye on this story and let you know if I hear anything.

…The 2005 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade broadcast has received the Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Special Class Special." It's the first time that the parade broadcast has won the Emmy.

…Universal Orlando is trying out a new promotion to compete with Disney's Magical Express. Instead of providing free bus transportation to the resort, Universal is including a free Dollar rental car in certain packages.

Coming soon

• April 21 – June 11, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
  • Flower Power Concert Series
    • May 1, Gary Puckett
    • May 2–4, The Grass Roots starring Rob Grill
    • May 5–8, Paul Revere & The Raiders
    • May 9–11, The Association
    • May 12–15, Davy Jones
    • May 16–18, The Tokens
    • May 19–22, B.J. Thomas
    • May 23–25, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals
    • May 26–29, The Guess Who
    • May 30–June 1, Tony Orlando
    • June 2–5, Arlo Guthrie
    • June 6–7, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
    • June 8–11, Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
  • Themed weekends
    • May 5–7, Art In The Garden
    • May 12–14, Mother's Day
    • May 19–21, Characters in Bloom
    • May 21, Teddy Bears and Dolls, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
    • May 27–29, Memorial Day
    • June 2–4, I Dig Bugs
    • June 9–11, Festival Farewell Weekend
• May 5–6. Grad Nite
  • May 5–6, Simple Plan, Frankie J, Omarion, Teddy Geiger, Fefe Dobson
• May 5–7, Minnie Marathon Weekend
  • May 5, race expo
  • May 6, 5K and 1 mile runs
  • May 7, Women Run the World 15K
• May 19 – June 11, Star Wars Weekends
  • May 19–21, Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Rick McCallum (producer), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok)
  • May 26–28, Jake Lloyd (young Anakin Skywalker), Matthew Wood (sound editor, voice of General Grievous), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok)
  • June 2–4, Jay Laga'aia (Captain Typho), Bonnie Maree Piesse (young Beru), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok)
  • June 9–11, Jeremy Bulloch (Bobba Fett), Temura Morrison (Jango Fett), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok)
• May 26–29, DVC members may not pool-hop on these dates

Trivia question of the week

What was the first Disney attraction to debut at Walt Disney World and later be copied at Disneyland Park?

(Answer will be posted next week.)

Answer to last week's question: The "Broadway at the Top" show was performed nightly at the Top of the World restaurant, which occupied the top floor of the Contemporary Resort before the California Grill.

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

Talk about these stories and more on our Walt Disney World discussion forum here.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Liberty Square Riverboat – is not operating due to refurbishment, and will return to service on July 1.
• Pirates of the Caribbean – has closed again through July 1 for the addition of characters from the movie that was inspired by the ride.
• Timekeeper – is closed for good.
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns after the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities end.

Epcot

• Ellen's Energy Adventure – is closed for refurbishment through May 14.
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends – will open this fall in The Living Seas.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – is closed for good.

Disney–MGM Studios

• No current refurbishments.

Animal Kingdom

• Finding Nemo – The Musical – will open in the Theater in the Wild late this year.

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 this summer.
• Contemporary Resort – Work is now underway on the complete refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in the tower building and both garden wings, and is now expected to be completed this summer.
• 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 be completed in 2007.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – Will close for annual refurbishment October 29, and will reopen some time in December.
• Typhoon Lagoon – Will close for annual refurbishment when work on Blizzard Beach is complete, and will reopen some time in February or March 2007.

Elsewhere

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

Park Events

Ongoing

• 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) at the 13th annual event.
• Grad Nite. May 5-6. High school seniors take over the Magic Kingdom after an early closing and party all night (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. Registration is now open (link).
• Women Run the World 15 K (link). May 7. The course starts at Animal Kingdom, goes through the Studios and ends at Epcot. Registration is now open (link).
• Muddy Buddy. May 13. Pairs of athletes run, bike and tackle an obstacle course (including a mud pit) in this new endurance event (link).
• Danskin Women's Triathlon. May 13-14. Athletes compete in a 400 yard swim, a 9 mile bike ride, and a 2 mile run (link).
• Epcot Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend. May 18–21. Collectible bears and dolls at Epcot (link).
• Florida Half-Ironman Triathlon. May 21. Athletes complete in a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run (link).
• Star Wars Weekends. May 19-21 and 26-28, and June 2-4 and 9-11. The popular event is slated to return to the Studios in 2006 (link).
• Gay Days 2006. May 31 - June 4. The 16th annual gathering of the GLBT community at Walt Disney World (link1 | link2).

July 2006

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link). July 29 – August 17. The NFC South champions prepare for the 2006 campaign, with practices open to the public.

September 2006

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion. Sept. 1–4. The radio host's annual gathering returns for another year (link).
• Night of Joy. Sept. 8–9. Disney's annual Christian music festival (link).
• Disney's Pin Celebration. Sept. 8–10. This year's event is themed as "It All Started With … Walt" (link).
• Walt Disney World Triathlon. Sept. 24. Athletes compete in a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride, and a 10K run (link).
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs. (link).
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Sept. 29 – Nov. 12. The 11th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series (link).

October 2006

• Disney's Race for the Taste 10K. Oct. 8. The annual Disney 10K race continues its association with the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (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).
• Disney Pin Cruise. Oct. 29 – Nov. 2. This year's cruise is themed as "Cruisin' Through Time" (link).

November-December 2006

• Festival of the Masters. Nov. 10–12. Disney's annual arts festival at Downtown Disney's West Side, now sponsored by Sharpie! (link).
• ABC Super Soap Weekend. Nov. 11–12. Your favorite ABC soap opera stars converge on the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Dates TBA. Jennings Osborne's amazing display returns to the Studios (link).
• Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade. Dates TBA. The Animal Kingdom Parade trades its Jammin' for Jingle in this holiday makeover (link).
• Holidays Around the World. Dates TBA. Epcot's World Showcase gets storytellers, special entertainment and crafts for kids, the Lights of Winter and a spectacular Christmas tree (link).
• Festival of the Seasons. Dates TBA. Downtown Disney gets a holiday makeover (link).
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Nov. 13, 17, 27, 28, 30, Dec. 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What's not to like? (link).

December 2006

• MouseFest 2006. Dec. 3–11. The annual gathering of the Disney Internet community takes place at sea from Dec. 3–7 and on land from Dec. 7–11 (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 2007

• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. Jan. 6. Registration now open (link). [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]
• Walt Disney World Marathon. Jan. 7. Registration now open (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

Free dining plan back, for a limited time

Perhaps the best-received package in recent Disney history, the "Stay, Play and Dine" free dining plan is back. Packages purchased by June 4 for stays from August 13 – September 30 will receive the Disney Dining Plan for free. Essentially, it's the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package for the price of a standard Magic Your Way package. That's a savings of $37.99 per night per adult (ages 10 and up) and $10.99 per night for children (ages 3-9). Add it up and a family of four with kids ages 3-9 will save $97.96 per night, and a family of four with kids over age 9 will save a whopping $151.96 per night.

Disney Visa cardholders can use request code YWL when booking, while the general public should use code YWX.

Passholder discounts now available through June 3

Passholders discounts are now available on the passholder web site for vacations from April 23 through June 3. When calling by phone, use booking code EZN or EZO. Florida resident discounts for the same dates are available on the resident web site, using booking code BOR. Passholder rates start at $74 per night for value resorts, resident rates start at $79 per night for the values.

New Radisson offer

The Radisson Resort Orlando - Celebration, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced reduced rates for MousePlanet readers from now through July 8, plus a special 15 percent discount through September 30.

Rates start at $85 per night from now through June 1, and at $95 per night from June 2 through July 8. In addition, all rooms booked by May 15 for travel dates through the September 30 will receive a 15 percent discount beyond the low rates already published here.

Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now. These special rates and discounts are for MousePlanet readers, so remember to book through our links here.

Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration releases rates through the end of 2006

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.

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 October 2006.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through October 2006.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for May 2006

Movies begin at 8:40. Movies are preceded by a campfire at 7:30 and a singalong at 8:00.

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)