Touting the theme of “It's a Sports World After All,” ESPN
The Weekend returns to the Disney-MGM Studios February 25–27. The
sports invasion features on-site ESPN telecasts, including SportsCenter,
Baseball Tonight, Cold Pizza and BassCenter; star
motorcades and Q&A sessions featuring athletes and ESPN personalities;
appearances by Disney characters; sports shows in the ESPN Theater with
ESPN commentators and athletes; a visit from ESPN The Truck; live ESPN
Radio broadcasts on Friday, Feb. 25; ESPN Deportes SportsCenter telecasts;
interactive sports activities; and a special sports edition of the theme
park’s game show attraction Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!
There will even be select wake-up calls from ESPN personalities.
Featured athletes include current and former Olympians, as well as stars
from professional baseball, football, basketball, and hockey.
Be on the lookout for another ESPN event at the end of July, which may
include a “sports trivia challenge.”
Construction continues on Phase II of the Saratoga Springs Resort, which
opens eight buildings at a rate of one per month starting in March. Photo
by Brian Bennett.
Pirate Adventure has competition
For those who are looking for an alternative to the children's Pirate
Adventure that sails from the Grand Floridian, you are now in luck. Disney
is now offering the Albatross Treasure Cruise, which sails from the Bayside
Marina at the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.
The cruise is very similar to the Pirate Cruise in most ways. The cruise,
which can be booked up to 90 days in advance, is for children aged 4 to
10, who must be potty-trained with no pull-ups. The children wear bandanas
and follow clues to search Crescent Lake and Epcot for treasure and more
clues. Lunch is provided at the final stop of the cruise, where children
also split up the gathered treasure. At least two cast members, including
a lifeguard, accompany the group.
Cost for the cruise, which currently runs on Wednesdays from 9:30–11:30
a.m., is $28.17 plus tax per child ($30.00 including tax).
Batten down the hatches again this year?
Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center are predicting that this
year will be another above-average season for Florida due to the continued
presence of a strong high-pressure ridge. The “Bermuda High”
keeps hurricanes from turning north into the Atlantic, instead keeping
them on course for Florida. If there is no change between now and the
beginning of hurricane season at the beginning of June, it could again
be a rough season for the southeastern United States.
While it's highly improbable that Florida will again get hit with four
strong hurricanes, it is not unlikely for two major strikes to slam the
state. Of course, as with all weather predictions, this is all subject
to change at a moment's notice. In the meantime, let's hope that the Bermuda
High dissipates in the next couple of months.
At the conclusion of Saratoga Springs Resort's Phase II, the Fairway Villas
gets demolished to make way for Phase III, which is slated to be completed
in 2007. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Goodbye, Sid, and thanks
Danny Dillon, who had appeared as Sid Cahuenga at the store of the same
name at the Disney-MGM Studios for 16 years, passed away on Wednesday
after a battle with cancer at age 82.
Dillon, who had a long show business career before signing on at Disney,
had performed at Walt Disney World since the 1970s and was popular with
theme park visitors for his celebrity impersonations and improvisational
skills.
He is survived by three sons and his wife, Pam Brody, who performs at
Epcot's Rose & Crown Pub & Restaurant.
Changes for special dietary needs
AllEarsNet is reporting (link)
that special dietary requests at Walt Disney World restaurants now need
to be made at least 72 hours in advance, rather than the previous 24 hours.
All table-service restaurants that accept Priority Seating requests can
accommodate a long list of dietary needs, including allergies to gluten/wheat,
shellfish, soy, lactose/milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and eggs. Make
your special requests when making Priority Seatings by calling 407-WDW-DINE
(407-939-3463).
Kosher meal requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance for table-service
restaurants, and must be guaranteed with a credit card. Kosher meals are
not offered at Garden View Afternoon Tea, Teppanyaki Dining Room, Gulliver's
Grill, Palio, House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, Fulton's Crab House, Portobello
Yacht Club, Rainforest Cafe, Shula's Steakhouse, Todd English's bluezoo,
and Fresh Mediterranean Market. However, Kosher meals are available with
no advance notice at some counter service locations, including the food
courts at the Caribbean Beach Resort, both sides of the Port Orleans Resort,
the Pop Century Resort and all three All-Star Resorts; Pizzafari at Animal
Kingdom, ABC Commissary at Disney-MGM Studios; Cosmic Ray's Starlight
Cafe at the Magic Kingdom; and Liberty Inn at Epcot.
Construction is also ongoing on the Coronado Springs Resort's Veracruz
Exhibition Hall, which is scheduled to open in April. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Ears to the ground
…Pitchers and catchers report Thursday for the Atlanta Braves' spring
training at Disney's Wide World of Sports.
…We're hearing that WDW Dining no longer requires a credit card
to hold Priority Seating times on major holidays. This policy does not
apply to those meals that always require a credit card, such as the Spirit
of Aloha Polynesian Revue or the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue.
…The Bonnet Creek Golf Club has undergone a name change to reduce
confusion. It is now known as Disney's Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge Golf
Club, to match the names of the courses there.
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips,
rumors, and comments. E-mail us here.
“it's a small world” – closed thru March 18
for refurbishment (info).
20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon – transforming into
a Hundred Acre Wood-themed meet-and-greet. Reopening date unknown.
Astro Orbiter – closed thru March 12.
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – refurbishment postponed
until after completion of work on the Astro Orbiter.
Timekeeper – opens seasonally.
Jungle Cruise, the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New
Management, the Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear
Jamboree – open at 10 a.m. every day.
The Central Plaza (hub area in front of the castle) –
undergoing more refurbishing in preparation for the Cinderellabration
show coming later this year. Reopening date uncertain.
Cinderella's Surprise Celebration – last performance on
February 26. Expected to return after the 18-month “Happiest Homecoming
on Earth” celebration (commemorating the 50th anniversary of the
original Disneyland Park in California) ends.
Cinderellabration – begins preview performances in March.
Expected to run until the end of the 18-month “Happiest Homecoming
on Earth” celebration.
Epcot
Soarin' – officially scheduled to open in May, but may
have an earlier soft opening.
The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses at The
Land – discontinued construction of the queue area for Soarin'.
Expected to resume upon completion of the construction.
The Land pavilion – closed thru March 31 for completion
of the Soarin' attraction.
The Wonders of Life pavilion – open seasonally. The Pure
and Simple eatery and the Well and Goods Limited shop have
been removed, while the Body Wars, Cranium Command, and
The Making of Me attractions now open when the pavilion is open.
The pavilion is currently open thru February 26.
Disney-MGM Studios
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, an American version
of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from the Walt
Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris – is officially scheduled to
debut in May. Rumor has it that the show will soft-open on March 13.
The Imperial Walker in front of Star Tours – closed for
refurbishment thru March 11.
Mickey Avenue – undergoes work on an expansion thru March
11.
Stunt Show merchandise cart – undergoes some work thru
February 25.
Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage! – closed April 4–10
for show change-out. It is rumored that a JoJo's Circus segment replaces
the Book of Pooh segment.
Sounds Dangerous - Starring Drew Carey – closed February
23–28.
Animal Kingdom
Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to appear in May –
July 2005.
Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.
Resorts
Port Orleans Resort – ongoing two-year extensive room
refurbishment. Phase I's French Quarter reopened. Phase II is underway,
and involves Riverside going through a phased refurbishment. The Magnolia
Bend mansions appear to be completed. Alligator Bayou closed in sections.
Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment
of longhouses: Rapa Nui and the suites in Tonga through April 1; Tahiti
April 24 – August 17; Tokelau May – September. Work on the
Great Ceremonial House also appears to be underway: stores moving to
the main lobby area; Captain Cook's Snack Company expanding to fill
the rest of the rear of the building.
BoardWalk Resort – Conversion of the previous
Disney Vacation Club sales center into 19 additional villa-style accommodations
through June, and the second floor villas located directly above the
project area not available for booking during the construction. Major
pipe replacement project underway in corridors outside guest rooms daily
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. through summer 2005. No work scheduled inside guest
rooms.
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – Phase I's construction
of four buildings complete; Phase II's eight units will open one each
month, beginning in March 2005; Phase III's the six units due in 2007,
involves razing the old Fairway Villas.
Yacht and Beach Club Resorts – Refurbishment of Stormalong
Bay pool area thru early 2005; certain sections unavailable at various
times. Those parts not immediately worked on are open for use. Main
Flying Jib slide closed thru February 25 for a painting project: Yacht
and Beach Club guests can use the Keister Coaster slide and Luna Park
pool at the BoardWalk Resort.
Yacht Club Resort – Siding renovation project to continue
through mid-2005.
Beach Club Resort – The Sandcastle Club child care center
closed thru March 31 to refurbish Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe Emporium.
Harbor Club at the BoardWalk Resort reopens for that three-month period.
Sandcastle Club reopens April 1.
Coronado Springs Resort – Exhibit hall construction continues;
scheduled to open spring 2005. Construction noises may be audible throughout
the Casitas section of the resort during the daytime construction.
Water Parks
Typhoon Lagoon – closed for annual refurbishment thru
March 12. It reopens with a new water coaster, the Crush 'N' Gusher.
Elsewhere
Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays –
Saturdays.
The All Star Cafe at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex
– now closed Monday–Wednesday. Open Thursday–Sunday,
from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Walt Disney World golf courses are now offering Disney Vacation Club
members free club and shoe rentals through March 31. DVC members can also
purchase a DVC Annual Golf Membership for $50 plus tax. The golf membership
grants special prices and perks at the WDW golf courses.
Discounts for early 2005 are out
Resort discounts valid through April 16 have been announced. Room-only
and Magic Your Way packages are available. See the Walt Disney World Web
site (link)
or MouseSavers (link)
for more information.
Radisson Resort Parkway announces rates through 2005
Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates
through the end of 2005.
Courtyard
View
Deluxe Pool View
Bed & Breakfast Pkg - Courtyard View
2005
Feb 4–16
$109.95
$119.95
$127.95
Feb 17–20
$119.95
$129.95
$137.95
Feb 21 – March
17
$109.95
$119.95
$127.95
March 18 – Apr
9
$119.95
$129.95
$137.95
Apr 10 – 16
$109.95
$119.95
$127.95
Apr 17 – June
29
$89.95
$99.95
$107.95
June 30 – July
4
$99.95
$109.95
$117.95
July 5 – Aug
13
$89.95
$99.95
$107.95
Aug 14 – Sept
29
$79.95
$89.95
$97.95
Sept 30 – Oct
22
$89.95
$99.95
$107.95
Oct 23 – Dec
22
$79.95
$89.95
$97.95
Dec 23 – 31
$109.95
$119.95
$127.95
Click here
for more information, or here
to make reservations now.
Plan ahead and save a few bucks
The entire price structure has changed as of January 2 to the new “Magic
Your Way” passes. Advance purchase discounts are only available on
tickets above the base ticket of at least 5 days.
Adult/Child Total Cost
1-day
2-day
3-day
4-day
5-day
6-day
7-day
10-day
Base Ticket
$59.75 / $48
$119 / $96
$171 / $137
$185 / $148
$193 / $155
$196 / $157
$199 / $160
$209 / $167
W/ Park Hopper
$94.75 / $83
$154 / $131
$206 / $172
$220 / $183
$228 / $190
$231 / $192
$234 / $195
$244 / $202
W/ Plus Pack
$104.75 / $93
$164 / $141
$216 / $182
$230 / $193
$238 / $200
$241 / $202
$244 / $205
$254 / $212
(plus 2)
(plus 2)
(plus 2)
(plus 3)
(plus 3)
(plus 4)
(plus 5)
(plus 5)
Premium Ticket
$139.75 / $128
$199 / $176
$251 / $217
$265 / $228
$273 / $235
$276 / $237
$279 / $240
$289 / $247
Premium, No Expiration
N/A
$209 / $186
$261 / $227
$280 / $243
$308 / $270
$321 / $282
$334 / $295
$299 / $347
Advance Purchase Discount
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$7/$6
$9/$7
$11/$9
$12/$9
Annual Passholders
Receive 10 percent 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 Mondays through Fridays. Call 407-WDW-DINE
(407-939-3463) for locations and reservations.
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips,
rumors, and comments. E-mail Mark here.
PSST!
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!
MousePlanet®
is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its
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at www.disney.com.
This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary,
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of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change.
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