As we reported on last Thursday's MousePlanetWatch news podcast, one teenager was shocked with a Taser gun, and she and four others were arrested last Sunday night at the Magic Kingdom after they attacked officers responding to reports that they were creating a disturbance at the park. The five were detained by Disney security for spitting and cursing at other park guests and for possibly being drunk.
Brian Guilfoil, 19, his 17- and 16-year-old sisters and 14-year-old brother, and 20-year-old Rose DiPietro, all of the same address in Shirley, NY (it is unknown whether DiPietro is related to the Guilfoils), were each charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. Guilfoil's 17-year-old sister was also charged with felony battery on a uniformed officer for assaulting a Disney security guard. We are withholding the names of the underage suspects.
According to the deputy's report, "I was punched in the face with closed fists several times by all defendants. I defended myself by throwing counter punches in their faces and bodies in an attempt to break free of the affray."
The report states that each time the deputy tried to defend himself against one of the youths, the rest would attack him from behind. "During the fight, Security Officer Michael Torantello was punched in the face by [the 17-year-old girl]. I observed [her] strike Torantello, and I attempted to gain control of her by placing her on the floor. When I did, the remaining four defendants continued to punch and push me. I again turned to defend myself and [she] stood up. At that time, more responding Deputies were arriving to assist. I turned my attention towards [her] again. She turned towards me to engage me again, and I deployed my electronic control weapon. [She] then complied and was handcuffed. The remaining defendants were also handcuffed by assisting deputies."
A Mickey-head fireworks display greets the Disney Magic as it pulls into the
port of Barcelona on Friday. The ship began its first of eight cruises around
the Mediterranean on Saturday. Photo © Disney.
Late last Monday, the Service Trades Council Union and Walt Disney World came to agreement on the extension of the existing labor contract for another 30 days, to June 20. This follows the 2,870-to-2,583 rejection by union members of a contract offer from Disney. The contract would have covered 21,000 of Disney's 60,000 employees. The union also represents 8,000 workers under a separate contract for part-time employees, which does not expire until September.
But things are not rosy in the accord between the STCU's six member unions. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that several STCU members, allegedly from Teamsters Local 385, have filed complaints about voting irregularities with election results from the other member unions.
The two sides resume negotiations tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.
The Disney Magic pulled into the port of Barcelona on Friday to a huge fireworks
display. MousePlanet's Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix was aboard, and will have
a full report soon. Photo © Disney.
Disney has released discounted room rates for passholders and Florida residents through most of the summer. Discounts are available for select Disney Vacation Club and deluxe resorts from June 3 through August 4, and for select moderate resorts between July 1 and August 4.
For passholders, the DVC rates start at $164 per night plus tax in a studio at the Old Key West or Saratoga Springs Resorts. Prices go up from there depending on the resort and accommodations. In addition to those two DVC resorts, discounts are also available at the Yacht Club, Beach Club and BoardWalk Resorts. Rates at the moderates start at $139 per night. For Florida residents, the DVC rates start at $169 per night and the moderates start at $145 per night. Minimum stay requirements apply for Friday and Saturday arrivals.
All rates can be booked up until the date of arrival. Passholders and Florida residents can book via their respective web sites, by calling their travel agent (Small World Vacations is MousePlanet's preferred Disney travel provider) or by calling 407-560-7277 for passholders or 407-560-7722 for Florida residents.
Passholder discount codes are FDL (DVC/Deluxe) and FDJ (Moderates). Florida resident discount codes are FDP (DVC/Deluxe) and FDN (Moderates).
Get your MousePlanet swag!The MousePlanet.com store is now open for business (link)! You can get shirts, mugs, hats and even a Teddy Bear! Check it out and show your MousePlanet pride! Now you can show everybody in the parks what site you read! |
We've got an updated list of the Sounds Like Summer concert series schedule. Slippery When Wet and Kevin White have switched dates, and Charlene Bedassie is now known as Respect. Here's the updated schedule:
Starting this Thursday, Disney will be providing free refills on children's beverages at all table service restaurants. The policy does not apply to specialty drinks. By providing free refills of beverages that largely do not cost them much, they help to keep kids (who generally don't drink all that much) from becoming dehydrated in the parks and buy goodwill from parents.
Menus wanted!Want to help MousePlanet upgrade our park guides? We're looking to add menu information for all restaurants to our Walt Disney World Park Guide (link). Send photos or scans of menus (no fair copying from other web sites) to menus@mouseplanet.com (link). Please note that there is a 5MB limit on total attachments in a single email. |
Last week, we reported that Mickey Avenue would be closed for construction in preparation for the next phase of work on the Toy Story Mania facade, entrance and exit, and that rumors indicated that the entire street will be re-themed. It looks like, while that may eventually be the case, it won't be happening immediately.
During the month of June, the Jabba's Hut store (the official merchandise location for Star Wars Weekends) will again be located on a soundstage on Mickey Avenue. The area will become the Empire Sector for the duration of Star Wars Weekends, carrying Star Wars theming.
Once the event is over, Walt Disney Imagineering will be free to work on the facade of the building. In the meantime, Imagineering has plenty to do. They just filed construction paperwork to begin work on the Audio/Visual and Ride Install packages for Toy Story Mania. We'll keep you informed as we hear more.
Meanwhile, MGMStudios.org's Matt Hochberg will be blogging live from Star Wars Weekends this weekend. You can follow along here.
Mission: Space has some new competition – from NASA. The Shuttle Launch Experience at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opened on Friday. The $60 million attraction took three years to develop and build under the guidance of NASA and veteran Space Shuttle astronauts.
As opposed to the Epcot attraction's fantasy mission-to-Mars theme, the NASA attraction is an attempt to produce the realistic sensation of being launched on a space shuttle's eight-and-a-half minute trip to orbit. It also relies on a standard motion simulator, as well as specially-enhanced seating effects such as seat backs that compress as if the cabin were truly under multiple-G stress. While not tame, it is certainly less stressful than the centrifugal acceleration of Mission: Space's Orange Team version.
The Shuttle Launch Experience joins the Apollo/Saturn V Center, IMAX 3-D theater and other enhancements added to the visitor center since the Delaware North Companies began operating it for NASA. The attraction is included in admission to the center.
The visitor center, at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, is located 45 minutes east of Orlando.
…As of yesterday morning, the 2008 Walt Disney World Half Marathon is at 95% capacity and the full Marathon is at 65%. If you're interested in running the Half next year, you'd better hurry up and sign up (half | full) now! [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]
…Sounds Dangerous - Starring Drew Carey will be closed May 31–June 3, June 7–10, June 14–17, June 21–24, June 28–30 while the theater is used for Star Wars Weekends events. It's uncertain whether that last weekend being blocked off means that Star Wars Weekends will be extended by a week this year, but it certainly leaves the possibility open.
…Disney has filed paperwork for "Downtown Disney West Side Quest Simulator Demolition - Demo and canopy, column, ride cards and concrete pedestal. Replace with pavers." Could this be the end of CyberSpace Mountain at DisneyQuest? Or is there some other simulator on the West Side? If you have some insight, please let us know. [Note: Apparently this editor's infrequent visits to the West Side are showing, as by Monday night no fewer than 17 helpful readers have written in to inform us that there is a display model of the CyberSpace Mountain simulator on a pedestal on the walkway between DisneyQuest and Cirque du Soleil. Thanks to the readers for the information, and we apologize for any premature terror over the possible demise of DisneyQuest.]
…Disney has also filed construction paperwork for the installation of handicap accessibility equipment at the "All Star Music [sic] Mighty Ducks Pool." We're not sure why they're identifying a pool at the All Star Movies Resort as being at All Star Music, but we'll assume that they're correct in identifying the Mighty Ducks pool. Be ready for some construction there over the summer.
…A new 20-minute video featuring cast, creators and highlights from Finding Nemo: The Musical has just been released over at BroadwayWorld.com.
…The acting director of veterinary services for Disney?s Animal Programs at Walt Disney World has been named a 2007 Oustanding Young Alumnus by the University of Florida. Scott Terrell, a 1997 graduate of the school's College of Veterinary Medicine, was honored on April 14.
…Walt Disney World's 13th annual Environmental Excellence Awards recognized more than 300 Cast Members for their commitment and dedication to the environment. The awards are meant to recognize Cast Members whose efforts in recycling, waste minimization, and conservation are exceptional. Four Cast Members were recognized as Jiminy Cricket Award Winners for their exemplary commitment to protecting the environment: Christy Conk, Animal Keeper at Disney?s Animal Kingdom; Dennis Krupinksi, Engineering Department; and Sheri Elmore and Christa Kelley, Disney Cruise Line.
This week's question: This week's question was submitted by MousePlanet reader Ryan. What color carpet covers the stairs of the steps leading up to Cinderella's Royal Table? Stay tuned to next week's park update for the answer.
The answer to last week's question: "Which famous author helped design Spaceship Earth, and the themes, along with narration?" which was contributed by MousePlanet reader Marcus Stone, is:
Science Fiction and classic short story author Ray Bradbury.
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.
Disney is offering a new free dining package for trips beginning August 26 through September 22. Minimum stay will be three nights and a minimum one-day theme park ticket per person is required to get the free dining package for the length of your stay. Just remember that this is during peak hurricane season, which is why Disney needs to offer this promotion to get people to visit the parks and stay on property. While the odds of a hurricane interrupting or cancelling your vacation are low, you may want to take advantage of the trip insurance offered by Disney, just in case. Packages must be booked by June 24.
We'd like to welcome the Hotel Royal Plaza as a new MousePlanet sponsor. As part of our new relationship, the Royal Plaza has created a special offer just for MousePlanet readers! From now through the end of the year, anyone booking their stay through the MousePlanet web site will receive discounted rates up to 20 percent off on all room types.
The completely-remodeled 394-room resort is located on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, just a few minutes' walk from Downtown Disney. Bus service to all Walt Disney World theme parks is included with your stay. Their Giraffe Caf restaurant, Giraffe Tavern sports bar, Marketessen deli-style caf and Sips Pool Bar are ready to serve you. And children 10 and under eat breakfast for free!
And so we'd like to thank the Hotel Royal Plaza for joining the MousePlanet family, and invite you to try their hospitality.
Disney's popular summer golf discount program, Disney's Price Slice, will return from May 14 through September 27. During that time, a round of golf at any of the Walt Disney World courses will be less expensive after 10 a.m. daily, due to the heat of the summer season. The Magnolia, Palm, Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge courses will carry a fee of $55, while the Lake Buena Vista course will cost $45. Rates include the use of an electric cart, and are $34-$44 cheaper than regular rates.
The rates include the use of an electric cart and are discounted from the before-10 a.m. prices of $99 for resort guests/$109 for day visitors (Magnolia and Osprey Ridge), $89 for resort guests/$99 for day visitors (Palm and Eagle Pines) and $79 for resort guests/$89 for day visitors (Lake Buena Vista). 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's front page still appears to have difficulty with browsers other than Internet Explorer. Once you get past the front page, you should be all right.
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.
| Adult/Child Total Cost | 1-day | 2-day | 3-day | 4-day | 5-day | 6-day | 7-day | 8-day | 9-day | 10-day |
| Base Ticket | $67 / $56 | $132 / $110 | $192 / $160 | $202 / $168 | $206 / $169 | $208 / $171 | $210 / $173 | $212 / $175 | $214 / $176 | $216 / $177 |
| w/ Park Hopper option | $112 / $101 | $177 / $155 | $237 / $205 | $247 / $213 | $251 / $214 | $253 / $216 | $255 / $218 | $257 / $220 | $259 / $221 | $261 / $222 |
| w/ Water Park Fun & More option | $117 / $106 | $182 / $160 | $242 / $210 | $252 / $218 | $256 / $219 | $258 / $221 | $260 / $223 | $262 / $225 | $264 / $226 | $266 / $227 |
| (plus 3) | (plus 3) | (plus 3) | (plus 4) | (plus 4) | (plus 5) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | |
| w/ both options | $162 / $151 | $227 / $205 | $287 / $255 | $297 / $263 | $301 / $264 | $303 / $266 | $305 / $268 | $307 / $270 | $309 / $271 | $311 / $272 |
| w/ both options, no Expiration | N/A | $237 / $215 | $302 / $270 | $337 / $303 | $356 / $319 | $363 / $326 | $395 / $363 | $432 / $395 | $459 / $421 | $466 / $427 |
| Advance Purchase Discount - 1 option | N/A | N/A | N/A | $2/$2 | $5/$2 | $6/$2 | $7/$2 | $7/$3 | $7/$3 | $7/$3 |
| Advance Purchase Discount - 2 options | N/A | N/A | N/A | $12/$10 | $15/$10 | $16/$10 | $17/$10 | $17/$11 | $17/$11 | $17/$11 |
Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through November 2007.
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Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through September 2007.
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| Monday 5/28 | |||
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower and Garden Festival Memorial Day Weekend Flower Power Concert Series: Gary Puckett 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Tuesday
5/29
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Gary Puckett 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Wednesday 5/30
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Gary Puckett 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Thursday 5/31
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Friday 6/1
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower and Garden Festival Farewell Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Georgia Tasker 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests: Jay Laga'aia (host), Warwick Davis, Kenny Baker Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Saturday 6/2
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower and Garden Festival Farewell Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Georgia Tasker 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests: Jay Laga'aia (host), Warwick Davis, Kenny Baker Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Sunday 6/3
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower and Garden Festival Farewell Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Georgia Tasker 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests: Jay Laga'aia (host), Warwick Davis, Kenny Baker Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
| Monday 6/4 | |||
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Tuesday
6/5
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Wednesday 6/6
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Thursday 6/7
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Friday 6/8
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests: Jay Laga'aia (host), Ray Parks, Daniel Logan Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Saturday 6/9
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests: Jay Laga'aia (host), Ray Parks, Daniel Logan Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
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Sunday 6/10
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p, 11p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Illuminations 9p |
Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests: Jay Laga'aia (host), Ray Parks, Daniel Logan Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Movies begin at 8:40 and will be preceded by a campfire at 7:30 and a singalong at 8:00. The movie schedule for June was not available at press time.
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28 Bedknobs and Broomsticks |
29 |
30 Valiant |
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(Separate admission required)
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| Monday 5/28 | |
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Untouchables |
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Tuesday 5/29
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Orange Avenue |
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Wednesday 5/30
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Orange Avenue |
Dimmu Borgir with Unearth and Kataklysm (main room), $22 in advance, $24 day of show; 7:15 p.m. |
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Thursday 5/31
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Orange Avenue |
Ziggy Marley and The Neville Brothers (main room), $29.50 in advance, $32.50 day of show; 8:30 p.m. Impulse (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m. |
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Friday 6/1
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Hip Kitty |
The L Word and Music with a Twist Presents Goddess & She AND Kristen Price (main room), $20 in advance, $24 day of show; 8:30 p.m. |
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Saturday 6/2
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Hip Kitty |
Pandora & Alison Burgos presents Girls in Wonderland '07 with DJ Pride (main room), $26 in advance, $31 day of show; 9 p.m. High Octane (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m |
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Sunday 6/3
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Hip Kitty |
Apostle JL Cash and Praise (gospel brunch), $32.50 adult, $16.25 child (3-9); 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. Shiny Toy Guns (main room), $13 in advance, $15 day of show; 7:30 p.m. |
| Monday 6/4 | |
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Hip Kitty |
Crossfade & Eve to Adam (main room), $12 in advance, $14 day of show; 8 p.m. |
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Tuesday 6/5
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Hip Kitty |
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Wednesday 6/6
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Leonard Brothers |
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Thursday 6/7
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Leonard Brothers |
Joe Turner and the Memphis Blues Caravan (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m. |
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Friday 6/8
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Kings County |
Toxic Audio (main room), $19.50; 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Joe Turner and the Memphis Blues Caravan (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m. |
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Saturday 6/9
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Kings County |
Frontline Promotions present Musiq Soulchild (main room), $32.50; 9 p.m. Joe Turner and the Memphis Blues Caravan (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m. |
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Sunday 6/10
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TBA |
The Turner Brothers (gospel brunch), $32.50 adult, $16.25 child (3-9); 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. |
(Send an email to Mark Goldhaber)
Mark (@MPMark) is a veteran of dozens of trips to Walt Disney World starting in 1972, with a few Disneyland trips thrown in for good measure. As a Disney stockholder and a Disney Vacation Club member, Mark is always in touch with what's going on with The Mouse. Mark serves as MousePlanet's Walt Disney World content coordinator. Mark is a senior information technology manager working for the State of New York. He lives in the suburbs outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son.
