Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for March 12 – 18, 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

Pirates and Princesses to return in August

The decision was made so recently that no dates have yet been determined, but Disney's Pirate & Princess Party will return on "selected dates in August." Disney is hoping that they'll get a better turnout this time, because they were very disappointed in the number of tickets sold during the first 13 parties held in January through March.

For more information on the event, take a look at our park guide page on the party, or listen to Episode #5 of our MouseStation podcast to listen to interviews of some of the people behind the party and a summary of the event.

Little Ones Travel Time to return this fall

Walt Disney World will again promote Little Ones Travel Time this fall, as toddler-themed entertainment and special Fantasyland-only Extra Magic Hours return from August 26 through October 28. Live concerts already scheduled (subject to change, as always) include The Doodlebops, Johnny and the Sprites and Dan Zanes.

New discounts announced for everyone, plus passholder and Florida resident rates

Disney has announced new discount codes for room-only and package stays for mid-April through late May. It appears that the discounts are approximately 15 percent off of value and moderate resorts and 25 percent off of deluxes. (Values start at $84 per night.) The rates are valid April 15-19, April 22-26 and April 29-May 23. Use rate code BUC, for room-only reservations. For Magic Your Way packages, use ZHD, and use ZHE to add dining to your package. You'll have to book these rates by April 14.

Annual passholders and Florida residents have longer to book their discounted rates, as their rates are available through the end of the promotional period, subject to availability. Passholder and resident discount dates are for most nights from April 15-19 and April 22-May 24. Passholder rates start at $10 less per night than the regular discounts (as low as $74 per night for value resorts), while Florida resident rates are $5 less than the regular discounts (as low as $79 per night for values). Full hook-up campsites for RVs start at $55 per night for passholders, $60 per night for Florida residents.

Disney, other theme park operators named in patent suit

In the "frivolous misuse of the U.S. Patent system" news, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Safety Braking Corp. of Newport Beach, California, is suing Disney, Universal, Six Flags, Busch and Cedar Fair for infringing on patents on magnetic brakes used on roller coasters. The company claims that the theme park operators infringed on patents that they exclusively licensed from Magnetar Technologies Corp. and G&T Conveyor Co. Safety Braking, Magnetar and G&T Conveyor are seeking a jury trial, an order to stop infringing the patents and royalties on its usage.

Now, why the three companies are going after the theme park operators rather than the companies that made the coasters is highly questionable, even if the coasters in question do use the patented part. It's like suing everybody that buys a mobile phone that uses an infringing part, rather than the manufacturer of the phones. Even if the parks specified that the parts should be used in the construction of their coasters, it was up to the manufacturers to license the patent and build that expense into the cost of the coaster.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware on March 1. We'll see if anything actually comes of this.

Hotel tax numbers show Disney's strength

Despite the fact that Walt Disney World has less than 18 percent of all hotel rooms in the Orlando area, it was responsible for 33 percent of Orange County resort tax collections in 2006, and 22 percent of Osceola County's resort tax dollars. The numbers are likely a combination of higher occupancy rates and higher room prices. Throw in the Downtown Disney Resort Area hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, and it's easy to see that Disney is really the big dog on the block. Come 2010, when the Four Seasons Hotel is built along Vista Boulevard and the value-priced hotels are up and running (and perhaps even the long-awaited Pop Century Phase II is completed), hotels on Disney property will have a tremendous share of the area's hotel dollars. That would likely give Disney an even greater amount of power in determining how the resort tax dollars are used. As it is, much of the money raised right now is going to promoting tourism in the area, which of course carries a tremendous benefit to Disney. We'll see what happens in a couple of years, when the target of the resort tax collections is scheduled to shift toward construction of a new arts center and arena for Orlando, as well as a major upgrade for the Citrus Bowl.

Mansion finally slated for refurbishment

The long-awaited refurbishment of the Haunted Mansion has finally hit the official Disney schedule. The popular attraction will receive some much-needed care while it is closed from June 6 through September 12. (It will return just in time for the first night of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.) During the three-month refurbishment, the unintentionally-creaky portions of the attraction's infrastructure will be fixed up, and (if rumors are to be trusted) the attraction will receive a copy of some of the recent enhancements created at Disneyland's version of the attraction, including the new bride and the floating Madame Leota crystal ball. Even if those enhancements to not materialize, it will still be nice to see the failing audio and other pieces receive some much-needed TLC.

Roof work around the world

Some major work is on tap for the flat roof portion of the Great Ceremonial House and monorail platform over at the Polynesian Resort. Officially-filed paperwork notes that the "[m]onorial [sic] station roof may have to be stripped down to rafter system and structural system constructed. This location will require extensive scaffolding and coordination with monorail operations." So if you're planning to stay at or just visit the Polynesian Resort in the near future (there is no exact date attached to the legal notice), be aware that this work may be going on.

Meanwhile, over in Epcot, while the Rose & Crown is closed for renovations, it's going to have some roof repairs done, and the China pavilion will also be undergoing repair and full fabric coating of its roof.

Quick takes …

…Annual passholder previews for the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club will be held March 30 – April 1.

…We've finally got dates for the 12th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The popular event will take place from September 28 ? November 11.

…The refurbishment of the Mitsukoshi restaurants (Teppanyaki Dining Room, Tempura Kiku and Matsu No Ma Lounge) has been pushed back again, this time to April 15 through August 25.

…The "Meet the Robinsons" walk-around characters first seen at last week's annual meeting of shareholders are now in the parks to promote the film.

…The Maelstrom attraction in Epcot's Norway pavilion will be closed from April 30-May 24. It is rumored that the new film for the attraction will finally appear when this is completed, though there's no confirmation of that at this time.

…The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund is one of three organizations that bought a large plot of Brazilian land in an attempt to protect the endangered Lear's macaw. The organizations teamed to purchase over 3,000 acres of habitat for the rare bird. Only 451 of the birds remain.

…An additional stroller parking area is being created behind the Nemo photo spot outside the Seas With Nemo and Friends pavilion.

…The storefront awnings along the Boardwalk are slated for replacement. That work should begin shortly, if it's not underway already.

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. 15 ? Mar. 29. Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
• Mar. 15-17. Sham Rock 'n' Roll at Pleasure Island.
• Mar. 16. Mickey's Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort.
• Mar. 18. Typhoon Lagoon reopens from its annual refurbishment.
• Mar. 24. "Still Goofy After All These Years" cel release and artists signing.
• 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.

Trivia question of the week

This week's question: Where can you pilot your own miniature Jungle Cruise boats? Stay tuned to next week's park update for the answer.

The answer to last week's question: "Who are "In what attraction can you spot Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in hieroglyphic form?" is:

The Great Movie Ride, in the Indiana Jones sequence. You can also spot hieroglyphic versions of C-3PO and R2-D2 in that scene.

Do you have a trivia question that you'd like to share? If we choose to use your question, we'll give you credit in the Update. Email us here.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Haunted Mansion – will be closed for refurbishment from June 6 through September 12.
• Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – will be closed for refurbishment from April 30 through May 18.
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club – is holding occasional test shows and will have its official grand opening on April 2. Annual passholder previews will be held March 30 – April 1.

Epcot

• El Rio del Tiempo – is closed for refurbishment through April 1, including the addition of a Three Caballeros-themed overlay.
• Maelstrom – will be closed for refurbishment from April 30 through May 24.
• Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki – will be closed for refurbishment from April 15 through August 25.
• Rose & Crown Dining Room – currently closed for refurbishment from 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.
• Caribbean Beach Resort – The feature pool will be closed for renovation January – June, 2008. Exact dates have yet to be announced.
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Building 6 (Concierge) will be closed in September for a full refurbishment.
• 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.

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

• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (link). Feb. 15 ? Mar. 29.

March 2007

• Mickey's Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort (link). Mar. 16. The popular 3-hour event returns to Fantasia Ballroom G.
• "Still Goofy After All These Years" cel release and artists signing (link). Celebrate Goofy's 75th birthday at the Disney-MGM Studios with a new collectible.

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 is now open (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 is now open (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.
• 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

• Disney's Pirate & Princess Party (link). Dates TBA. A rerun of this past winter's new hard-ticketed event celebrates the pirates and princesses in all of us.
• 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). Sep. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 1, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 (dates tentative). Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs..
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). Sep.28 ?Nov. 11. 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). Nov. 13, 15, 16, 26, 27, 29, 30, Dec. 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21 (dates tentative). 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 September 2007.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through September 2007.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for February 2007

Through March 10, Movies begin at 7:40 and (on Friday and Saturday only) 9:15, and are preceded by a campfire at 6:30 and a singalong at 7:00. Starting March 11, movies begin at 8:40 and will be preceded by a campfire at 7:30 and a singalong at 8:00.

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)

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