Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for February 19 – February 25, 2007

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

Tigger will not be charged

As expected, prosecutors from the State Attorney's office will not file charges against Michael Fedelem in the alleged "Tigger assault" on Jerry Monaco, Jr. back in January. In the incident – which was caught on video – 14-year-old Monaco was reportedly pulling down on the cowl around the performer's neck, which would have cut off Fedelem's ability to breathe. From the recording, it appears that Fedelem is reaching around to push Monaco away and brushed against his face in the process.

We have not yet received a response from Disney to a query about Fedelem's employment status. In this editor's personal opinion, it is hoped that he will be reinstated with full back pay, as all he was doing was protecting himself without any assistance from his character attendant.

Contemporary demolition underway

It appears that preparation work at the site of the future DVC resort at the Contemporary Resort is moving along more quickly than anticipated. Demolition is underway on the buildings closest to Bay Lake (the side facing away from the Magic Kingdom). Asbestos abatement is still underway in the buildings nearest to the parking lot. Don't expect any announcements in the near future about the DVC resort planned for the location, though. Once staff involved in selling the resort are officially aware of the resort, by law they must disclose that information to anyone who asks about it. That might impact the sales of the two resorts currently being sold, the third phase of the Saratoga Springs Resort and the first phase of the Animal Kingdom Villas.

Water Park prices jump

Last Monday, prices went up by $3 for one-day admission tickets to the Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks. The price for adults is now $39 plus tax (up from $36) and for children ages 3-9 it's now $33 plus tax (up from $30). In addition, a new ticket type has been introduced. Florida Residents only can purchase an after-2 p.m. Annual Water Park Hopper Pass, allowing admission to both water parks after 2 p.m. any day (subject to park capacity) for $59 plus tax for adults and $47.20 plus tax for children ages 3-9.

New Swan and Dolphin hotel manager is a familiar face there

Jim Hogg has rejoined the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, where his hospitality career began, as hotel manager. He was the reservations manager of the pre-opening team in 1990. In the eight years of his first stint at the resort, he served in many other positions, including assistant director of security, convention services manager, and director of reception.

After serving at other Westin resorts for some time, he most recently was general manager of the Sheraton Vistana Village Resort in Orlando.

Time is running out to enter Disney Dream Job contest

Just a reminder, if you're planning to enter the Disney Dream Job contest from CareerBuilder.com (first reported here on January 29), you'd better hurry. Your YouTube video is due by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time tomorrow night. If you'd like to win a contest to be a Pirate, Princess-in-Waiting, Haunted Mansion Butler or Maid, parade performer or Jungle Cruise Skipper, get you entry in.

As of last night, however, the countdown clock for the end of the entry period on the CareerBuilder site was incorrect. The clock was counting down to midnight tonight, rather than tomorrow night. Rest assured that the contest rules state that entries may be submitted up through 11:59:59 p.m. on February 20. Nationwide voting on the winners begins March 6.

Also, remember that this contest is to publicize regular openings for cast positions on both coasts. So if you'd like to work at a Disney park for real, rather than just for a day as a contest winner, check the Disney Parks Jobs site for the latest openings. You can also call (407) 828-1000 for Walt Disney World and (800) 766-0888 for Disneyland.

Chefs on the move

Chef Jens Dahlmann is moving up from the Flying Fish Cafe at the Boardwalk Resort – 15 floors up, to be exact. Dahlmann is the new chef at the California Grill, high atop the Contemporary Resort. Dahlmann joined Disney from Caf L' Europe in Palm Beach, FL, back in 2004.

To replace Dahlmann, the Flying Fish has brought in Chef Tim Keating, most recently executive chef at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL. A four-time "Best Chef Southwest" nominee for the James Beard Awards (2001-2004), he has also been featured on the PBS show "At the Chef's Table."

There is no word yet on any menu changes that the new chefs may have in store.

Captain VanderDecken sails into the sunset

In September, we had noted that Terry Pendt, one of the co-owners of KeepToTheCode.com (the official fan site for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean movies), was facing some serious medical issues, and we pointed you to a fund-raiser to help to pay his medical bills. It is now our sad task to pass along the news that Terry, perhaps best known as Captain VanderDecken at the KeepToTheCode web site, has passed away on February 17 (just over a month shy of his 46th birthday), after a long battle with kidney disease and diabetes.

There is no calling planned, but there will be memorials in Indianapolis, St Louis, Los Angeles, Orlando and New Orleans later this year. Before his passing, he asked that memorial contributions be made in his name to Broadway Cares. A brief remembrance has been posted at the KeepToTheCode web site.

A personal appeal, for the second year

I'm spending my birthday this year walking to raise money for the March of Dimes again. Last year, through the generosity of friends, family, co-workers and MousePlanet readers, we managed to raise $2,525 in just four weeks. This year, let's beat that. We're starting much earlier this year, so let's see if we can raise $4,000. I think we can. For more information, or to donate, go here. If you'd rather donate to a different cause, but keep your donation within the Disney Internet community, Deb Wills is raising money to fight breast cancer here, and Lou Mongello is raising money for the Starlight Starbright Foundation here.

Quick takes …

…John Kinney and Julie Parsons of Hillsboro, Ore. were selected as the winners of the "Brides" magazine "Dream Team Wedding" at Walt Disney World Resort following a nationwide search. As the winners, they received a once-in-a-lifetime wedding fit for a princess, created by top bridal industry experts. They also got to spend their wedding night in the Royal Bedchamber inside Cinderella Castle.

…Pleasure Island will "turn green" with "Sham Rock 'n' Roll" as the Island celebrates St. Patrick's Day March 15-17 from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Entertainment will feature live music, videos by Irish artists, leprechauns, stilt walkers and more.

…With an increase of nearly 5 percent in December to over 3 million travelers, Orlando International Airport set a new record for travelers last year. over 34.8 million travelers passed through the airport, an increase of 2.13 percent.

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.

Coming soon

• Feb. 23, 26, Mar. 2, 5, 8. Disney's Pirate & Princess Party.
• Feb. 16?19. Twirlmania.
• Feb. 20. Mardi Gras at Pleasure Island.
• Feb. 15 ? Mar. 29. Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
• Feb. 24?25. Cheer & Dance National Championships.
• Feb. 18-24, Mar. 31-Apr. 8, May 25-28, Jun. 30-Jul. 7, Aug. 31-Sept. 3 and Nov. 19-25, 2007; and Dec. 16, 2007-Jan. 2, 2008. No pool-hopping for DVC members.
• Mar. 2?4. Cheer & Dance National Championships.
• Mar. 2–4. ESPN – The Weekend.
• Mar. 3. National Kidney Foundation 5K for Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness.
• Mar. 9-11. National All Star Cheerleading Championship.
• Mar. 15-17. Sham Rock 'n' Roll at Pleasure Island.
• Mar. 16. Mickey's Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort.

Trivia question of the week

This week's question: Which two characters disguise themselves as Mickey Mouse in MuppetVision 3-D? Stay tuned to next week's park update for the answer.

The answer to last week's question: "What was the name of the restaurant inside Cinderella Castle when it first opened?" is:

King Stefan's Banquet Hall. According to MousePlanet's park guide page on Cinderella's Royal Table: "Though it wasn't called Cinderella's Royal Table until April 28, 1997, the restaurant remains essentially unchanged from when it opened with the park in 1971 as King Stefan's Banquet Hall. That was an interesting name since King Stefan was Sleeping Beauty's father and had no connection to Cinderella. Apparently, the name reflects a medieval practice of naming a castle's dining hall after one's closest ally. The character breakfast at this location began in 1996."

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Liberty Square Riverboat – will not operate due to refurbishment February 27 – March 1.
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club – is holding occasional test shows and will have its official grand opening this spring.

Epcot

• El Rio del Tiempo – is closed for refurbishment through April 1, including the addition of a Three Caballeros-themed overlay.
• Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki – will be closed for refurbishment from March 11 through July 14.
• Rose & Crown Dining Room – will be closed for refurbishment from February 21 through March 14.
• Le Cellier Restaurant – will be closed for refurbishment May 14–18.
• Lotus Blossom Cafe – currently closed for major refurbishment. End date for the work is TBA.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has again closed, perhaps forever and perhaps just until next Thanksgiving weekend.

Disney-MGM Studios

• No known refurbishments at this time.

Animal Kingdom

• No known refurbishments at this time.

Resorts

• All-Star Music Resort – Conversion of Calypso buildings to Family Suites continues. All work had been expected to be completed by October 13, but that date has not been met. All buildings not containing Family Suites will be renovated between January and June.
• All-Star Sports Resort – All buildings will be renovated between June and November.
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Building 6 (Concierge) will be closed in September for a full refurbishment.
• Polynesian Resort – The Nanea Volcano pool will be closed for the installation of safety equipment from January 13 – February 28.
• Port Orleans Riverside Resort ? The Riverside Mill food court will be closed for refurbishment through mid-April.
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – Phase I's four buildings and Phase II's eight units are complete, Construction on the six buildings of Phase III is underway, with all six units expected to be completed in late 2007. The new buildings will comprise two additional sections, to be called The Carousel and The Grandstand. The two buildings in The Carousel have been completed, and the four in The Grandstand are well underway.
• Wilderness Lodge – The Silver Springs feature pool and hot tub will be closed from January 29 through March 2. The children's pool will closed on February 12 and also reopen on March 2.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – Closed for annual refurbishment , and will reopen on March 18.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays. No performances March 18–20, May 20?June 4, July 29–31, September 23–October 1, November 25–27.

Park Events

Ongoing

• Disney's Pirate & Princess Party. Feb. 23, 26, Mar. 2, 5, 8. A new hard-ticketed event celebrates the the pirates and princesses in all of us (link).

February 2007

• Twirlmania (link). Feb. 16?19. Twirlers, auxiliary guard, pom, and dancers descend on the Wide World of Sports.
• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link). Feb. 15 ? Mar. 29.
• Cheer & Dance National Championships (link). Feb. 24?25. School & Youth Rec Cheer Feb. 24, All-Star Cheer & Dance Feb. 25.

March 2007

• Cheer & Dance National Championships (link). Mar. 2?4. All Star/Studio Mar. 2, School Dance Mar. 2?4.
• ESPN – The Weekend (link). Mar. 2–4. Synergy strikes again as Disney's flagship cable network returns to the Disney-MGM Studios.
• National Kidney Foundation 5K for Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness (link). Mar. 3. Another race for a great cause.
• National All Star Cheerleading Championship (link). Mar. 9-11. Teams descend on the Wide World of Sports.
• Mickey's Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort (link). Mar. 16. The popular 3-hour event returns to Fantasia Ballroom G.

April 2007

• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon and Half Marathon (link). Apr. 1. Strap your skates on to race from the Wide World of Sports Complex to the Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot, and back again.
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link). Apr. 5 – June 3. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th annual event.
• Disney Grad Nite (link). Apr. 20, 21, 27, 28. Graduating high school seniors have a huge party in the Magic Kingdom.
• USASF Cheerleading & Dance Worlds (link). Apr. 21–22. Teams descend on the Wide World of Sports.
• Mickey's Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort (link). Apr. 27. The popular 3-hour event returns to Fantasia Ballroom G.

May 2007

• Disney's Minnie Marathon Weekend 5K and 1 Mile (link). May 5. 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 6. The course starts at Animal Kingdom, goes through the Studios and ends at Epcot. Registration is now open (link).
• Muddy Buddy (link). May 12. Athletes get down and dirty in this competition. Registration opens February 26 (link).
• Danskin Women's Triathlon (link). May 12-13. Athletes compete in a 400 yard swim, a 9 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run. Registration opens February 26 (link).
• Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (link). May 15-17. Regular-season Major League Baseball comes to The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports for the first time.
• Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend (link). May 18-20. The annual event features over 30 artists displaying their wares.
• Walt Disney World 70.3 Ironman Triathlon (link). May 20. Athletes compete in a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. Registration opens soon (link).
• Pirates of the Caribbean Adventures on the Seven Seas Lagoon (link). May 21-24. Disneyland may get the movie premiere, but Walt Disney World gets a three-day, multi-tiered event on open water. Details to be announced on December 20.
• Gay Days 2007. May 31 - June 3. The 17th annual gathering of the GLBT community at Walt Disney World (link1 | link 2).

June 2007

• Star Wars Weekends (link). June 1–24. The popular event returns to the Studios in 2007 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original Star Wars film.

July 2007

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp (link). Late July – Mid-Aug. The Bucs return to Disney for another year's training camp.

August 2007

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion (link). Aug. 31 ? Sept. 3. The radio host's annual gathering returns for another year.

September 2007

• Night of Joy (link). Sept. 7?8. Disney's annual Christian music festival.
• Disney's Pin Celebration (link). Sept. 7?9. This year, the event's theme is "Where Dreams HapPin". Registration opens May 9.
• Walt Disney World Triathlon (link). Sept. 23. Athletes compete in a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride, and a 10K run. Registration opens soon (link).
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (link). Dates in Sept. and Oct. TBA. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs..
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). Dates in Sept.?Nov. TBA. The 12th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series.

October 2007

• Race for the Taste 10K (link). Oct. 7. The annual October classic steers runners through the Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot. Registration is now open (link).

November 2007

• Disney Golf Classic (link). Nov. 1–4. Joe Durant returns to defend his 2006 title.
• Festival of the Masters (link). Nov. 9–11. Disney's annual arts festival at Downtown Disney's West Side.
• ABC Super Soap Weekend (link). Nov. 10?11. Your favorite ABC soap opera stars converge on the Disney-MGM Studios.
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (link). Nov. 12 ? Jan. 6, 2008. Jennings Osborne's amazing display returns to the Studios.
• Old Spice Classic (link). Nov. 22, 23, 25. ESPN Regional presents the second annual 8-team, 12-game tournament, featuring George Mason, Kansas State, North Carolina State, Penn State, Rider, South Carolina and Villanova.
• Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade (link). Dates TBA. The Animal Kingdom Parade trades its Jammin' for Jingle in this holiday makeover.
• Holidays Around the World (link). Nov. 23 ? Dec. 30. Epcot's World Showcase gets storytellers, special entertainment and crafts for kids, the Lights of Winter and a spectacular Christmas tree.
• Festival of the Seasons (link). Dates TBA. Downtown Disney gets a holiday makeover.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (link). Dates in Nov. and Dec. TBA. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What's not to like?.

December 2007

• Pop Warner Super Bowl (link). Dates TBA, expected to be Dec. 2?8. Football players and cheerleaders invade the resort for the pigskin championships.
• MouseFest 2007 (link). Dec. 2?10. The annual gathering of the Disney Internet community takes place at sea from Dec. 2?6 and on land from Dec. 6?10.
• Pleasure Island New Year's Eve (link). Dec. 31. Pleasure Island celebrates the actual New Year.
• New Year's Eve at Cirque du Soleil. Dec. 31. Cirque puts on special New Year's performances.
• Atlantic Dance Hall New Year's Eve (link). Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year at the BoardWalk's own dance club.

January 2008

• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon (link). Jan. 12. Registration opens January 8, 2007.
• Walt Disney World Marathon (link). Jan. 13. Registration opens January 8, 2007. [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]

Current Discounts & Promotions

Florida resident and AP room rates through March 30

Disney has announced room-only discounts for Annual Passholders and Florida Residents for mid-February through the end of March. Room-only discounts are available for Annual Passholders and Florida residents for most night from February 15 through March 30. Discounts are up to $40 off per night at Value resorts, $61 off per night at Moderate resorts and $131 off per night at Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts. These rates can be booked up to the night of arrival, depending on availability. Discounts are priced off of rack rate. To book the rates, call Disney directly or your travel agent (Small World Vacations is MousePlanet's preferred travel agency) and request booking code FCR (Passholders) or FCT (Florida residents).

Passholders and Florida Residents get six months' admission to Pleasure Island for the cost of one night

From January 1 through March 31 of this year, Annual Passholders and Florida residents can purchase a multi-club Pleasure Island ticket for the regular price of $21.95 (plus tax) and get unlimited visits through June 30. Guests must be over 21 years of age to purchase the tickets, and proof of age, proof of an annual pass or Florida residency, and a valid photo ID are required at the Pleasure Island box office when purchasing a ticket or redeeming a certificate from an online purchase. The offer cannot be combined with other discounts or offers, and is not valid for single-club tickets. Guests must be 21 years of age to enter any of the dance clubs (basically anything other than the Adventurer's Club and the Comedy Warehouse), and must show proof of age at the time of entry.

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, and again on August 6, 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. Prices do not include 6.5% Florida sales tax.

Park Hours

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through August 2007.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through August 2007.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for February 2007

Movies begin at 7:40 and (on Friday and Saturday only) 9:15. Movies are preceded by a campfire at 6:30 and a singalong at 7:00.

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)

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