Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for June 26 – July 2, 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

DVC rumor update

We've received some new information that appears to indicate that the rumor that we reported last week about a possible new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort on the site of the STOLport is incorrect. We had had some difficulty believing it ourselves, as the attempt to make it an Epcot monorail resort would seem to present a number of difficulties, including the location of the Epcot monorail beam so close to World Drive. In order to be able to host a monorail station attached to the hotel, the resort would have to be built right up next to the roadway, which would pose a number of operational difficulties.

What we've heard is a variation of an even older rumor, that the North Garden Wing of the Contemporary Resort would become a DVC resort. Now, prior rumors had indicated that the South Garden Wing would be converted to DVC lodgings, while still others indicated that a new DVC resort would be built on the current site of the Contemporary's tennis center. The South Garden Wing has already been refurbished into upgraded hotel accommodations. The tennis center is not in danger due to Reedy Creek Improvement District zoning regulations, which preclude new construction that close to the water. In fact, the North Garden Wing location cannot host new construction due to those same rules.

However, refurbishment of the Contemporary Resort is officially scheduled for completion this summer, yet no work has been done to date on the North Garden Wing buildings. The new reports indicate that the North Garden Wing buildings will be gutted down to the steel superstructure. (They can't remove the steel, because then it would be "new construction" and would violate the zoning laws. The old structures would be grandfathered in as existing structures being "renovated.") They'd then add two floors to the top and rebuild the interiors as DVC lodgings.

There's no word on whether the resort would have a separate front desk area, but it's more likely that it would use the Contemporary's front desk area, as is done with the DVC lodgings at the Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club and BoardWalk Resorts.

As with the previous rumor, we do not expect the new resort to be announced until the Saratoga Springs Resort sells out. We expect that Disney is hoping that it will occur in time for the new resort to be announced at the fall press event in October.

Very Merry confusion ahead?

An interesting item that appears to have gone unnoticed is sitting on the Magic Kingdom's calendar on the Walt Disney World Web site for selected nights in November and December. While the September and October dates for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party show the park closing at 6:00 and the party starting at 7:00 as in previous years, Disney appears to be letting themselves in for some trouble later on.

On the nights of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the calendar shows the park closing at 7:00, following showings of the Wishes fireworks at 6:00. Yet the Christmas party also begins at 7:00. For this year's Halloween parties, as well as in the past, the hour between the official park closing and the beginning of the party allowed them to herd all party guests into one land while clearing the park of all those who were not wearing the special wristband for the event. With the park closing at the same time as the party starts, this will present a whole host of problems.

The park has already been experiencing a problem with non-paying guests hiding out in the park until the event starts and taking advantage of viewing the parades, fireworks and other special entertainment for the party without wearing event wristbands. (The wristbands, obtained in exchange for the special passes for the hard-ticketed event, are really only checked when the guests attempt to board an attraction.) Without the time to sweep the park for non-paying guests, it's almost guaranteed to be a mob scene as hundreds or even thousands of extra guests swell the park beyond the 25,000 people who paid to attend the "exclusive" event.

It's unknown at this point whether Disney has another method in mind for clearing those who did not pay in order to preserve seats at "Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and other popular shows for those who had actually paid for the privilege. Also endangered will be the supply of free hot chocolate and cookies given to party guests.

Unless Disney is looking for a way to kill the event by making it look like the crowd control was a major debacle, it's hard to see why they would let themselves in for this kind of trouble. We'll just have to see how this situation resolves itself.

New Radisson offer

The Radisson Resort Orlando - Celebration, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced reduced rates for MousePlanet readers from now through September 30. Rates start at $89 per night from June 30 through September 30.

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.

Disney Cruise Line announces special airfare deal for selected cruises

The Disney Cruise Line has just released a great deal on airfare for the 10- and 11-night special Caribbean cruises departing on September 7 and 17, respectively. The offer provides $99 roundtrip airfare per person for most cities east of the Mississippi, $199 for most cities west of the Mississippi (not including taxes and fees). The offer does not include Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico or Europe.

Guests coming from the West Coast that are taking a flight that requires them to spend one night in a hotel before the cruise, accommodations at the Hyatt at Orlando International Airport are included in the price of the airfare. (Those taking a red-eye and getting in early on the morning of the cruise will not receive accommodations.) Also, for all guests, the roundtrip transfers from the airport to the ship and back are included in the price of the air.

Please note that this is for new bookings only. If you try to modify an existing reservation to include the airfare deal, the fare for your cabin will be adjusted to the current rate.

The offer can be combined with a Florida Resident discount if available.

Thanks to our friends at MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations (link) for the information.

Cubs fans to gather again at Walt Disney World this December

Following last year's successful event (link), the Chicago Cubs baseball team, AAA Chicago and Disney are teaming up for their third annual event. Following the Magical Gathering for Cubs Fans and the Happiest Celebration on Earth for Cubs fans, the event will again take on the year's Disney marketing theme and will be called the Walt Disney World Dream Vacation for Cubs Players & Fans.

This year's event will be held from December 8-12 and will feature private events and receptions featuring several past and present Cubs team members. Confirmed so far are returnees Ernie "Mr. Cub" Bank, Billy Williams and Michael Barrett, and new attendees Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Dempster. Reservations must be made in advance through AAA Chicago, and include a choice of accommodations at different price levels. Packages go on sale this coming weekend. Contact AAA Chicago for more information.

Cell phone parking lot to be built at Orlando International Airport

Last week, the Orlando International Airport approved construction of a free 100-space cell phone parking lot south of the airport on a portion of the current Red Satellite Lot. This will provide a safe, comfortable place for drivers to park their cars while waiting to pick up travelers at the airport.

Due to federal security requirements, cars can no longer wait for arriving passengers at the curb, so there have been a large number of cars that just keep circling the terminal until their passengers to appear at the curb. Now, drivers can save gas and keep the roadways clear by waiting for their passengers to call and let them know that they have collected their baggage and are ready to be picked up.

The $250,000 lot is expected to be ready by the Thanksgiving holiday travel season.

Hasbro joins Disney at sea

The Disney Cruise Line and Hasbro announced last week that Hasbro toy lines including Playskool will be introduced to the play centers aboard both the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic ships as part of the ongoing relationship between Hasbro and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.

The Flounder's Reef Nursery will now include such Playskool lines as Weebles, Gloworm, Busy Basics and Wheel Pals. The nursery for children ages 2 and under will also make use of the Playskool Ages and Stages system. The Oceaneer's Club (for children ages 3-7) will feature such new activities as a Play-Doh and Disney themed play session and a Pirate Mr. Potato Head-branded scavenger hunt.

Quick takes …

…We're still hearing (as we've been noting since April 10) that there will tentatively be a soft opening of Pirates of the Caribbean this Saturday, July 1, ahead of the official reopening on July 7, but this is of course subject to change at any time.

…We're hearing that, on the heels of the May 31 announcement of new Hilton and Waldorf-Astoria hotels and the June 7 announcement of a new Wyndham hotel, another 500-room hotel could be announced in the near future for the Bonnet Creek Resort adjacent to Disney's Caribbean Beach and Pop Century Resorts. The new hotel would bring the resort up to its zoned maximum of 2,400 hotel rooms. The Fairfield Resorts timeshare complex at the resort property will include the maximum 1,594 timeshare units, bringing the property's total to 3,994 total hotel and timeshare units.

…2005 Walt Disney World Ambassador Jeannie Amendola has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, also known as The Able Trust. The group is a nonprofit foundation serving Floridians with disabilities. Blind since birth, Amendola is president of Disney's CastABLE Diversity Resource Group, a 400-member organization that mentors job seekers and employees with disabilities at Disney.

Coming soon

• Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot's America Gardens Theater, concerts by "tribute" bands
  • Hotel California (Eagles), June 19 – July 1
  • 52nd Street (Billy Joel), July 2–14
  • Draw The Line (Aerosmith), July 15–21
  • Bjorn Again (ABBA), July 22 – August 6
  • [or Parrots of the Caribbean (Jimmy Buffet), July 31 – August 6]
  • Transit Authority (Chicago), August 7–13
• June 27, reservations open for Christmas Eve dinner (note: those staying at a Disney-owned hotel may make reservations up to 10 days earlier, depending on their date of arrival)
• July 1?8, DVC members may not pool-hop on these dates
• July 28 – August 16, Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
• July 31, reservations open for special events at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Trivia question of the week

What was Disney's Old Key West Resort called when it opened in December, 1991?

(Answer will be posted next week.)

Answer to last week's question: The four crew roles that you can assume when riding Mission: Space are commander, pilot, navigator and engineer.

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.
• Mad Tea Party – will be closed for refurbishment August 21–22.
• Timekeeper – is closed for good.
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns at the beginning of November, following the final performance of Cinderellabration.

Epcot

• 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

• Fantasmic – will not be performed November 1–8 while work is done on the island stage.
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – will not be performed for one week in mid-November (dates uncertain at this time) while the set is touched up and the stunt crew practices and gets recertified.

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, followed by rooms in the Calypso section. All work is expected to be completed by October 13.
• 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 on the tower building is now complete, while the complete refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in the South Garden Wing continues, and is now expected to be completed this summer. Rumors now appear to indicate that the North Garden Wing could be completely rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club lodgings.
• Wilderness Lodge – Work is now underway on the replacement of furniture in all rooms, which is 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. Also, the Turf Club is being expanded into the Turf Club Bar & Grill, to be a table-service eatery opening this summer.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – Will close for annual refurbishment October 29, and will reopen some time in January.
• 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 July 30 – August 1 and September 17–25.

Park Events

July 2006

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link). July 28 – August 16. 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. Nov. 13 – Jan. 7, 2007. 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. Nov. 24 – Dec. 30. 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

• Pop Warner Super Bowl. Dec. 3–9. Football players and cheerleaders invade the resort for the pigskin championships (link).
• 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

Passholder and Florida resident discounts extended through late summer

New Passholder and Florida resident discounts were announced for the month of August. In addition, the very limited discounts released earlier for July have been extended on the front side to begin on June 30, rather than July 5. Rather than the all-resorts rates that we've seen in the past, the earlier rates are very specifically targeted to five resorts ? two Disney Vacation Club resorts and three deluxe resorts, indicating that bookings property-wide are up, with only these five resorts selling below the expected point, necessitating the issuing of discounts. The new rates are available at all resorts.

From August 6-26, the discounts are $25 per night off Value resorts, $50 per night off Moderate resorts and $75 per night off Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts. Passholders should use promotional code EZX or EZY, while Florida residents should reference code FAA or FAC.

The earlier discounts are now for June 30 through August 5 at the Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Yacht Club Resort, Beach Club Resort and BoardWalk Inn Resort. (The Beach Club Villas and BoardWalk Villas are not included in the discount.) Discount rates at the DVC resorts begin at $159 per night for a studio room, and rates at the deluxes start at $189 per night in a standard room. Other levels of accommodations at those resorts are also available at higher rates. A limited number of rooms are available at the discounted rates. Passholders should reference promotional code EZT or EZU, while Florida residents should reference promotional code EZW.

To receive the discount, you can either make your reservations through the Passholder or Florida resident Web sites, through travel agents or by calling the special Passholder or Florida resident phone numbers (available at the respective Web sites).

At check-in, Passholders will be required to show an annual pass or exchange voucher, and Florida residents will be required to show proof of Florida residency.

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 July 30 ? August 1 and September 17?25.

Golf Price Slice returns

A round of golf at Walt Disney World will be less expensive after 10 a.m. again this summer as the resort is bringing back the Disney's Price Slice promotion. From May 22 through September 30, greens fees will be "sliced" to $55 for the Magnolia and Eagle Pines courses, $49 for the Palm course and $45 for the Lake Buena Vista course. The rates include the use of an electric cart and are discounted from the before-10 a.m. prices of $89 (Magnolia and Eagle Pines), $79 (Palm) and $69 (Lake Buena Vista). The Osprey Ridge course is not involved in the promotion, as it will be closed from May 15 through September 23 for refurbishment. The Tifdwarf grass on the greens is being replaced by TifEagle turf, tee boxes are being laser leveled and other work will also be done. The annual makeover of a selected course has been extremely well-received, with the Palm course going first in 2004 and the Magnolia getting upgraded last year. It is unknown at this time whether the Eagle Pines or Lake Buena Vista course is scheduled for next year. To reserve a tee time, call 407-WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653) or go to the Disney Golf Web site (link). Note that the site appears to have difficulty with browsers other than Internet Explorer.

Special offer for Super Soap Weekend travel from Small World Vacations

New Radisson offer

The Radisson Resort Orlando - Celebration, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced reduced rates for MousePlanet readers from now through September 30. Rates start at $89 per night from June 30 through September 30.

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 December 2006.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through December 2006.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for June 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)