Walt Disney World Resort Update for July 21 – June 27, 2003

Go directly to: News & Views | Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

New destinations for the Disney Cruise Line – Disney Cruise Line has recently announced new ports of call of seven-night itineraries aboard the Disney Magic, planned for select sailings in 2004. From August through early October, the Eastern Caribbean itinerary will bypass St. Maarten and stop instead at either San Juan or Antigua. In addition, a special 10-night Christmas cruise departs on December 18, 2004 and stops at Key West, St. Martin, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Thomas, and Castaway Cay.

What happened to Yensid? With all of the attention focused on Mission: Space, Mickey's PhilharMagic has been overlooked by many. This attraction, scheduled to open on Wednesday, October 8 in the Magic Kingdom, completes the addition of 3-D movies to all of the Florida theme parks. Apparently, the storyline has Donald Duck stealing Mickey's sorcerer hat (no word on how Mickey came into permanent posession of it from the sorcerer Yensid), and stirs up much trouble, as he usually does.

The show includes musical scenes from Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Peter Pan, and features the world's largest seamless projection screen, at 150-feet wide. Word on the street is that this is going to be an amazing show. We hope to have some reports after the Fantasyland Concert Hall has its soft opening in late September.

Get your dialing fingers ready – WDW starts taking reservations for special dining events at this year's Food and Wine Festival starting at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time this Thursday, July 24.

Disney's Old Key West Resort – now sports new landscaping displays, new furnishings in Community Hall, and new non-stick frying pans and cooking utensils in one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom accommodations.

Harbor Club's permanent temporary closure – The “temporary” closure of the Harbor Club at the Boardwalk Resort appears to be permanent. Disney is consolidating operations with the Sandcastle Club at the Yacht and Beach Clubs, which is open from 4:30 p.m. to midnight.

Re-energizing the universe – The Universe of Energy is undergoing an exterior refurbishment, apparently focusing on the fountain area out front. The attraction will not go down during the rehab. In addition, there's an unconfirmed rumor that Exxon/Mobil may be terminating their sponsorship next spring.

Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – is now open for summer hours, most likely through mid-August.

Ears to the ground

…Latest word is that “previews” of Mission: Space are now taking place daily starting at 4 p.m. (including weekends). They now have three ride bays running, with one more left to be completed. While many people are reporting dizziness from riding, it's reported that a large number of these people have ignored the warnings to keep looking straight ahead. Supposedly, removing your head from the headrest or turning your head increases the feeling of vertigo tremendously.

…Work continues on construction of the store for on-ride photo purchase and other merchandise at the exit to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.

…Work continues on turning the former Geiger's Counter location in Tomorrowland into another Disney Vacation Club sales booth. Have timeshare sales replaced merchandise as the top priority?

…There's a new Reedy Creek Improvement District fire station going up across from the new Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort location on Buena Vista Drive.

…An unconfirmed rumor has it that Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom will be down from August 24 through September 19 for work on enclosing the open-air theater.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures/Openings

Magic Kingdom

• Mickey's Philharmagic is reportedly slated to open on October 8, 2003 with a soft opening in late September.
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress is now open for summer hours, most likely through mid-August.

Epcot

• Mission:Space will have its soft opening on August 15, 2003, with the official opening slated for October, 2003 (reportedly October 9).
• The Universe of Energy is undergoing an exterior refurbishment, apparently focusing on the fountain area out front. The attraction will not go down during the rehab. In addition, there's an unconfirmed rumor that Exxon/Mobil may be terminating their sponsorship next spring.

Disney Studios

• Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios has been closed and is undergoing demolition to prepare the site for a new “E-ticket stunt-show attraction” believed to be an American version of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris.

Animal Kingdom

An unconfirmed rumor has it that Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom will be down from August 24 through September 19 for work on enclosing the open-air theater.

Resorts

• The construction at the Boardwalk Resort is expected to be completed by the end of July.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach will undergo refurbishment beginning November 1, 2003.
• Typhoon Lagoon will undergo refurbishment beginning in late December 2003.

Park Events

Upcoming 2003 events

Through August 15, 2003 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports. There will be no practices July 29 - August 3 while the Bucs are playing in the American Bowl in Tokyo against the New York Jets, and on August 8-9 for a game at Miami and a players' off day.

Through September 1, 2003 - World Music Concert Series. This summer, the rhythms of the world ring out from the America Gardens Theatre stage at Epcot.

August 1 - 3, 2003 - Annual Passholder preview of Mission: Space.

August 23, 2003 - Walt Disney World Captain 'n Mate Golf Tournament. Two-person scramble format, shotgun start. Open to all players and skill levels (Men, Women, Juniors & Seniors). Entry deadline August 16.

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 (934-7639).

September 6, 2003 - National Kidney Foundation of Florida 5K Fun Run/Walk Race.

September 19 – 21, 2003 – Disney's Pin Celebration "Journey Through Time" at Epcot.

September 24 – 27, 2003 - 22nd Annual World Airline Road Races

September 27 – 28, 2003 - Tri-America Triathlon Series Finale.

October 3, 5, 10, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 30 and 31, 2003 – Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom.

October 10 - 11, 2003 - Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic.

October 12, 2003 - Disney's 10K Classic

October 18 – November 16, 2003 – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Included with park admission, sample wine and food from 25 countries. Reservations for special dining events may be made starting Thursday, July 24.

October 23 - 26, 2003 - FUNAI Classic at Walt Disney World Resort. See the pros play the only PGA Tour event to be played at WDW.

October 23 - 26, 2003 - Disney's Martial Arts Festival.

October 27, 28, and 29, 2003 – Magic Kingdom's “999 Happy Haunts Ball.”

November 7 - 9, 2003 - Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney.

November 8 - 9, 2003 - ABC Super Soap Weekend at Disney-MGM Studios.

November 16 – 20, 2003 – Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder.

November 28 - December 24, 2003 - Christmastime in the City at Downtown Disney.

November 28 - December 30, 2003 - Holidays Around the World at Epcot

November 30, December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 19, 2003 – Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. Order by phone at (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639).

December 7, 2003 – Doll & Teddy Bear Weekend.

Upcoming 2004 events

January 9 – 10, 2004 - Disney's Health and Fitness Expo.

January 10, 2004 - FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run.

January 11, 2004 – Disney Marathon and Half-Marathon.

April 16 – May 30, 2004 – 2004 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.

May 2, 2004 - Walt Disney World Inline Marathon.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Free 5-day Park Hopper for Active Military, as well as discounted companion tickets. Offer valid through December 19, 2003 and includes all active military personnel, including Coast Guard, as well as activated National Guard and Reservists.

Play 4 Days pass – Florida residents can purchase a new four-day ticket for just $109, plus tax. (That's almost 1/2 the price of a regular four-day park-hopper ticket) The ticket is valid for four admissions from now until September 30, 2003. These tickets are park-hoppers.

Residents can purchase just one ticket per person, per day, so your out-of-town relatives must buy their own, regular-priced admission. Tickets are non-transferable, and you must show a valid ID each time. These tickets can be applied towards the cost of any Annual Passport, as long as you upgrade by October 31, 2003. (Your annual pass expires one year from the date you first used your Play 4 Days Pass).

The Play 4 Days pass can be purchased at any WDW park ticket window, local AAA offices, Florida Disney Stores, by phone at (407) 939-4329 or on the WDW Web site (link).

Plan ahead and save a few bucks – The Walt Disney World Resort is encouraging visitors to buy their theme park tickets before they even leave home, by offering a slight discount on advance purchases. You can save as much as $22 per adult, per ticket with the 'Advance Purchase Savings' program.

You can also receive these Advance Purchase Savings with packages purchased through AAA.

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:

• Disney's Visa card holders can purchase specially priced Dream Maker packages for check-ins most nights from May 26 to August 3. You do not need to use your Disney Visa to book Disney Visa Summer packages, but you must provide your account number to qualify. There is also a special Disney Visa "Dream Maker" package available most nights 8/24/03 - 10/1/03, which includes just a resort room plus Ultimate Park Hopper passes, as opposed to the standard Dream Maker package.
• Florida residents can buy a “Play 4 Days” Pass for just $109 per person. The park hopper pass is good for any four days between April 1 through September 30, 2003. (July 4 is the only day excluded)
• Cruise Deals – MouseSavers has a list of Disney Cruise Line Magical Rates, available for departures through January 2004, and early-booking discounts for Fall 2003 itineraries.
• Annual Passholder rates are valid for stays from now through August 23.

If you are itching to break in your new Disney Visa card, you can receive a $50 onboard credit when you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation and pay with your Disney Visa. The offer is good for sailings through the end of this year. When you charge your cruise to your Disney Visa, you pay no interest for six months.

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

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!

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• January: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
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2004

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MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.