Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for May 8 – 14, 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

Part of Mission: Space to become no-spin zone

In the wake of the second rider death on Mission: Space, Disney on Tuesday announced a change to the popular Epcot thrill ride. Beginning some time this summer, there will be two distinct experiences at the attraction. In addition to the current "wild" version a second "mild" version will become available. Basically, Disney will turn off the motors in one or two (depending on demand) of the centrifuges. Signs posted in the queue area will outline the difference between the two modes and provide health advisories appropriate for each experience. It is uncertain whether the gimbal motors will also be turned off, for a completely stationary experience, or whether there will still be some rocking and shaking of the capsules.

While it may seem like a simple modification—"just turn off the motors"—the change will not go into effect until summer due to logistical reasons. There needs to be design work done to accommodate two queues, two sets of Fastpass machines, and a new set of signage. A new set of pre-ride films may also be necessary. Once that is accomplished, Mission: Space will convert over to the two-tiered system.

Disney has stated that the changes have nothing to do with the deaths of riders. "By offering a second adventure, we hope to broaden the appeal of Mission: Space and enable even more Guests to experience the attraction," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "Providing a choice between two ride options will help to further encourage all Guests to carefully consider posted health advisories when making their decision."

By offering the ability to see what the attraction is all about without having to go on the centrifuges, people who are uncertain whether they should ride or not will choose not to submit themselves to the rough ride just to "see what it's all about," since they can see what it's about by taking the milder version. Basically, it will apparently be a permanent accommodation made in the same or a similar fashion as the occasional on-demand "test flight" mode for Star Tours, used to accommodate those in wheelchairs and with motion sickness when crowd levels allow.

Of course, there may still be people who think that they're up for the wild ride and will have difficulty with it, and people with undetected ailments will still ride not knowing that they're in danger. However, people who ride just so that they won't miss out will now have a safer alternative.

Have an opinion on this? Join the discussion on this topic on our MousePad discussion forums.

Dining Plan snacking gets enhancements

Last week, Walt Disney World greatly expanded the options available for snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan. A snack will now be defined to be under $4 (pre-tax), edible, non-alcoholic and non-merchandise/souvenir. It will include:

• Ice cream sundaes, floats, smoothies, etc. (if under the $4 price)
• All nachos including those with chili and/or meat
• All dessert items at Starring Rolls Bakery and Sunshine Seasons if under the $4 price

The following items are excluded:

• All pizza slices and whole pizza
• Sides of fish, chicken, beef
• Pool bars, due to the gratuity

Some merchandise snack options are available from merchandise locations, and do not need to be purchased from counter service or snack cart locations. These options are included:

• 12 oz. Coke Classic, Diet Coke, Barq's Root Beer, or Sprite
• 20 oz. Coke Classic, Diet Coke, Diet Coke Caffeine Free, C2 Coke, Cherry Coke, Barq's Root Beer, Sprite, Nestea Cool, or Mello Yellow
• 24 oz. Dasani Water
• 20 oz. Powerade Fruit Punch, Mountain Blue, or Lemon Lime
• 6 oz. V-8 Juice
• 15.2 oz. Minute Maid Pink Grapefruit, Cranberry/Apple/Raspberry, Apple, or Orange
• Nestle Chocolate Milk or Strawberry Milk
• Mickey Premium Bar
• Butterfinger Ice Cream Bar
• King Crunch Ice Cream Bar
• Mickey Mouse Chocolate Rice Treat
• Mickey Mouse Chocolate Stick Rice Treat; and
• Mickey Mouse Stick Rice Treat

Pleasure Island demolition continues

Work continues at Downtown Disney as Pleasure Island continues to lose its "haven-for-adults" feel. Brian Warneke has again supplied us with some great photos this week.

Demolition near the base of the bridge from Pleasure Island to the West Side continues. Photo by Brian Warneke.

The walkway under the trestle bridge has been largely demolished. Photo by Brian Warneke.

The West End Stage is gone, and the area behind it is being prepared to support the new bridge. Photo by Brian Warneke.

The Harley Davidson/DTV/Zen Zone building is blocked off in preparation for demolition. Photo by Brian Warneke.

The Hub Stage is no more. Photo by Brian Warneke.

The former Changing Attitudes is preparing for the installation of the relocated Harley Davidson store. Photo by Brian Warneke.

A look at what Pleasure Island will look like after the work is done. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Woman dies after swim at Coronado Springs Resort

Nancy Heizer, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died Thursday night after being found face-down in the pool at the Coronado Springs Resort. The 58-year-old woman was found motionless in the pool at around 8:00 Thursday night by other guests. Several guests pulled her from the pool and administered CPR, and a guest who was a registered nurse used the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) provided by Disney in attempts to revive her. The Reedy Creek Fire Department arrived on the scene and continued resuscitation efforts while transporting her to Celebration Hospital. She was pronounced dead at the hospital just before 9:00. It is unknown at this time whether there were any other circumstances contributing to her death.

Man arrested for stealing Disney cash registers

On Friday afternoon, April 28, Orange County Sheriff's deputies arrested Jamie Driscoll in the lobby of the Pop Century Resort. Driscoll, 40, later confessed to eight thefts. He reportedly snipped the wires from the registers and took the entire registers away in large garbage bags when the clerks were not looking. Driscoll had previously hit the Magic Kingdom park, Polynesian Resort and six other resorts, taking a total of about $7,000 since March 24.

According to police reports, Driscoll was caught after Disney security spotted him on property and notified the sheriff's office. He claimed that he was stealing to support his cocaine habit. Reportedly, he also confessed to planning an armed robbery at the post office on Turkey Lake Road later that day.

Buh-bye, parade snowglobes?

We have a couple of reports that the Share a Dream Come True Parade floats will be undergoing some changes in the near future. Word is that floats will be taken out of the parade one at a time for removal of the "snow globes" and perhaps some other modifications. Work is planned for completion by August. No word yet on whether this means any changes to audio, choreography or the name of the parade.

Work to enclose the Theater in the Wild at Disney's Animal Kingdom continues. Photo by Mike Scopa.

The new Finding Nemo – The Musical begins performances here later this year. Photo by Mike Scopa.

Florida drought raises fire fears

Central Florida is suffering through a severe dry spell. Brush fires in Volusia and Brevard counties are chewing up acres of dry foliage. It appears that there are concerns about flammability at the theme parks, as well. Mike Scopa reports that Cinderellabration has not been firing the pyrotechnics at the end of the show, and that there are many new sprinklers along the track of the Walt Disney World Railroad to wet down the dry plants and trees. It is unknown whether nightly fireworks might be affected if the drought worsens.

Liberty Belle refurbishment continues

According to Mike Scopa, the Liberty Belle Riverboat was finally removed from the backstage channel behind the Rivers of America early Friday morning and towed to the drydock on the northern shore of Bay Lake by the Richard F. Irvine ferry. Mike reports that the riverboat is in bad shape. The boat is now scheduled to return to service on September 22. It is also expected that the Rivers of America may be drained and cleaned at some point this summer.

Correction on Disney's Magical Beginnings

Last week, our description of the new Disney's Magical Beginnings program noted:

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.

There will in fact be additional Fantasyland-only Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom for resort guests every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday during the "Little Ones Travel Time" period. Another note in that statement could possibly have been misinterpreted. The portion about "the hours are for everyone," meant all resort guests, not just those on Magical Beginnings packages. Thanks to all of those who brought it to our attention, we apologize for any confusion that this may have caused.

Building 2 of Jazz Inn at the All-Star Music Resort has been wrapped to hide the family suites conversion from view. Photo by Leslie Meister.

Hoops Hotel at the All-Star Sports Resort is having some landscaping work done. Photo by Leslie Meister.

Touchdown Hotel's helmet at the All-Star Sports Resort needs a touch-up. Photo by Leslie Meister.

Quick takes …

…Some time in the last couple of weeks, Disney changed its water park refurbishment schedule. Blizzard Beach will now be closing first, on October 29, with Typhoon Lagoon closing in December when Blizzard Beach reopens. Please plan accordingly. Thanks to reader James for pointing this out.

…The new menu at the Pinocchio Village Haus Restaurant appears to be extremely popular. In fact, Mike Scopa reports that there are not enough tables to handle the patrons.

…A new display in the queue area of the Great Movie Ride features the children's fur costumes from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

…Conversion of rooms to family suites at the All-Star Music Resort continues. Building 9 will be the next to go down as work on building 2 wraps up. When those two Jazz Inn buildings are completed, work will move to the Calypso buildings. I'm being told that the rooms will be less "music icon" themed and more "Disney" themed, with plain rugs, round game tables, and lots of Mickey heads

…The Contemporary Resort has "curtains" along the entire interior balconies of the sixth and 12th floors, visible from the fourth floor main concourse. Work continues on exterior balconies on the marina side.

…Word is starting to circulate that Cinderellabration's last performance may take place on October 31, with Cinderella's Surprise Celebration returning immediately after that.

…Keystone Clothiers on Hollywood Boulevard at the Disney-MGM Studios is closed for renovation.

Coming soon

• April 21 – June 11, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
  • Flower Power Concert Series
    • May 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 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 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 (Boba Fett), Temura Morrison (Jango Fett), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok)
• May 21 – June 5, no Cirque du Soleil performances
• May 26–29, DVC members may not pool-hop on these dates

Trivia question of the week

Thirty years ago, if you were to walk out in Frontierland from Liberty Square and stay to the right alongside the Rivers of America, what was the furthest attraction that you could walk to?

(Answer will be posted next week.)

Answer to last week's question: While many attractions from Disneyland were copied at Walt Disney World, the Country Bear Jamboree was the first Disney attraction to debut at Walt Disney World and later be copied at Disneyland Park?

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

• Pirates of the Caribbean – is closed through July 1 for the addition of characters from the movie that was inspired by the ride.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – is not operating due to refurbishment, and will return to service on September 22.
• Timekeeper – is closed for good.
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns at the beginning of November, following the final performance of Cinderellabration.

Epcot

• Ellen's Energy Adventure – is closed for refurbishment through May 14.
• Liberty Inn – is closed for refurbishment. No reopening date is available at this time.
• 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

• All-Star Music Resort – Conversion of the Jazz Inn buildings to Family Suites continues. Building 2 is in process, and building 9 will be next.
• 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. Also, no performances May 21 – June 5, July 30 – August 1 and September 17–25.

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.

May 2006

• 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.

Cirque discounts for Passholders and DVC members

Passholders and DVC members get 25 percent off Category 2 admission to performances of Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba through September 30, 2006. Each passholder or DVC member can buy up to four tickets. Tickets should be purchased by phone at 407-939-7604 up to 30 days in advance, and must be picked up at the box office with valid Passholder or DVC identification. The offer is not valid on Saturday shows during July, and the show will not be performed on Sundays and Mondays, as well as May 21 - June 5, July 30 August 1 and September 17?25.

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)