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Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 9 – June 15, 2003 |
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Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule News and Views
Finding Nemo – according to a Disney press release, Nemo is not all that hard to find in Walt Disney World. Visitors can take photos with Nemo at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Nemo also appears in the new Finding Nemo pre-parade, just prior to the Share a Dream Come True Parade at the Magic Kingdom. The pre-parade includes Nemo gliding down the parade route along with Finding Nemo-themed floats and two walking seaweed characters. And Disney would also like you to know that Finding Nemo merchandise is available now at more than 25 locations across the Walt Disney World Resort. Wow — you won't like what you find in your credit card statement next month.
The Nemo you can visit is the same thing you can see at Disneyland. The big fish on a platform contains a (presumably cramped) driver who can drive Nemo about. Otherwise, interaction is minimal between the character and guests. You can take a picture with Nemo but he won't be signing autograph books. Accompanying Nemo are two strands of moving seaweed. Similar in concept to DiVine (from DCA), these two characters are people who do their best to imitate plants. Helping to cross the communication barrier – WDW has recently started testing two new devices in the theme parks: Personal Translation Units, and Handheld Captioning Devices. These handheld units, built around iPAQ Pocket PCs, provide pre-recorded attraction narration for non-English speaking visitors, and written attraction narration for the hearing impaired.
T minus ? According to two sources at Epcot, public previews of the new Mission: Space attraction, may begin as soon as this afternoon on Monday, June 9. WDW employees were allowed to experience the attraction during Cast previews last week, and we have heard reports that a few guests were randomly pulled from the park to participate in these previews. This next testing phase would allow up to 3000 guests to ride each day, most likely in the late afternoon or evening when Future World begins to close and Epcot's visitors migrate back towards World Showcase.
Don't call in sick just yet. Cast members tell us that Mission: Space was "having a lot of trouble" on Sunday, and Epcot Guest Relations was unable to confirm the reported soft-opening schedule. As we get more details, we'll be sure to post them here.
Honey I redecorated the waiting area – The pre-show for Honey I Shrunk the Audience has new look. Instead of one large screen, there are now 14 small flat-panel screens, which play a seemingly endless commerical for Kodak. None of the screens are yet equipped to display closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
New tastes for Epcot – Regular visitors to Ice Station Cool may have noticed that the Coke beverages from Brazil and Mexico are no longer served in the tasting area. Cast members say that the two flavors have been permanently removed from the beverage bar, and that two new flavors are expected to replace them later this summer.
Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studio closed for refurbishment on February 24. The ride was originally scheduled to return on April 13, then the closure was extended to June 29. MousePlanet confirmed that the ride finally reopened this past Saturday. I've got a headache this big — and it's got Disney written all over it – Disney likes to keep in touch with participants for the 2004 Walt Disney World Marathon. The race planners send out a cute little newsletter every so often to let registrants know just how proud they are of them — and to remind registrants that there are still spots available, in case family members and friends also want to stagger across the finish line. The lastest edition of the newsletter came complete with a section called “Training Tips,” otherwise known as a four-paragraph ad for Tylenol. Here's a snippet: Active pain, such as muscle aches, sprains and strains, occasionally experienced by runners, can often go untreated. That is why the makers of TYLENOL have developed a new product that is specially formulated for the extended relief of body pains associated with active pain. It goes on to explain how the miracle drug is made in “layers,” yadda yadda yadda. That's a training tip? Good grief, if we wanted to be inundated with blatant product placements, we'd watch reality TV. 999 Happy Haunts — and a few empty wallets – Walt Disney World has released details of the upcoming 999 Happy Haunts Ball. Three packages are available, starting with a $109.99 general admission ticket. Tickets go on sale on Monday, June 16, and are expected to sell out the same day. Trying to best Disneyland's popular and over-the-top Haunted Mansion Dinner, WDW is offering a three-day package. For $2250, you get two nights at the Grand Floridian, five meals, and an assortment of mini-events. By Disney standards, that's almost reasonable. It's also a better value than the two-day Disneyland package, which offers one hotel night, three meals, and an artist meet and greet for the same price. The “Phineas” Package includes:
The “Gus” Event Package includes:
The “Ezra” Event Package includes:
Wild About Safety – Disney has launched a new safety awareness campaign, designed to remind visitors about personal safety issues. A “Wild About Safety” reminder is printed in the park maps, reminding visitors of four points (The comments in parenthesis are direct quotes — we couldn't make this stuff up):
To make sure that some visitors pay attention (to the logo, if not necessarily the message), Disney has started placing “Wild About Safety” logo pins onto Cast pin trading lanyards.
Current Refurbishments and Attraction ClosuresO Canada! is closed for refurbishment June 9 - 13, 2003. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is closed for refurbishment until June 27, 2003. Pooh's Thotful Shop will be open during this refurbishment. Park EventsUpcoming events May 16 - June 15 - Star Wars Weekends. Also see the May 19 Park Update: WDW column for details. June 14, 2003 - Mickey's Toon Town of Pins at the Magic Kingdom. September 5 - 6, 2003 – Night of Joy. An evening of Contemporary Christian Music at Magic Kingdom. $35.95 for one night (all ages) or $57.95 for both nights. Buy tickets online or call (407) W-Disney. September 19 - 21, 2003 – Disney's Pin Celebration at Epcot. October 3, 5, 10, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 30 and 31 – Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. October 18 - November 16, 2003 – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The festival is included with park admission, and wine and food samples starting from $1.50 are available from 25 countries. October 27, 28, and 29 – Magic Kingdom's 999 Happy Haunts Ball. November 16-20, 2003 - Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. November 28 - December 30, 2003 – Epcot Holidays Around the World. November 30, December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 19 - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. Order by phone at (407) W-DISNEY. December 7, 2003 – Doll & Teddy Bear Weekend. The 2003 Flower and Garden Festival closed on Sunday, ending with a concert by Arlo Guthrie. The 2004 Festival will be held April 16 through May 30, 2004.
Current Discounts & PromotionsFree 5-day Park Hopper for Active Military, as well as discounted companian tickets. Offer valid through December 19, 2003 and includes all active military personnel, including Coast Guard, as well as activated National Guard and Reservists. The Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor hotel, is offering great rates to MousePlanet readers through December, 2003. Sample rates for selected dates and rooms are listed below. To take advantage of these special rates, make your reservations using the link found on this page.
MouseSavers.com reports some great rates for travel to Walt Disney World:
Annual Passholders can receive 10% off the price of their lunch meal at selected Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants, and the discount is good for up to three guests. The offer is valid Monday through Friday. Call 407-WDW-DINE for locations and reservations. Park Hours
Entertainment Schedule
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Did you recently notice something new or different in the park? Are you a CM with something intriguing to share? Heard any good rumors lately, or know of something our readers will wanna know? Send them in to Mark Goldhaber so we can follow up on them!
2005 • January: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 2004 • January: 5, 12, 19, 26 2003 • January: 6, 13, 20, 27 2002 Don't forget our Park Updates: Disneyland, published on Mondays. |
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