Update for May 2 – 8, 2005

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News and Views

Tarzan Rocks heading to Hong Kong

Mike Scopa reports from Disney's Animal Kingdom that the Tarzan Rocks show is closing permanently in September and relocating to Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney is offering the show's performers a chance to go to Hong Kong with the show, but the initial response from the performers is that they are not happy.

Due to the expected noise level from Expedition: Everest, the theater is converting into an enclosed, air–conditioned theater. The rumor is that the new theater will feature a new show based upon The Jungle Book.

Elephant calf dies during birth

Last Sunday, a baby elephant died during birth at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The first–time mother elephant, Ibala, went into labor early Saturday night after 22 months of gestation, but contractions lessened and a veterinarian had to induce labor. By late Sunday, it was determined via ultrasound that the baby elephant had died inside the mother. Ibala, 26, who came to the park a year before its opening from the Phoenix Zoo, became pregnant through artificial insemination.

Disney veterinarians will wait until the baby is naturally expelled by the mother to perform a necropsy to find the cause of death. The wait could be as long as a year.

The death comes after two successful births in Disney's elephant breeding program. A male elephant named Tufani was born in May 2003 and a female named Kianga was born last July.

Our condolences go out to Ibala and the team involved in the elephant program.

Police release photo, ask for help in case of child abused at WDW

The Orange County Sheriff's Office Sex Crimes Unit has released a photo of a young girl who is thought to be a material witness in the case of another girl abused at the Port Orleans Resort French Quarter at Walt Disney World. The photo of the girl, shown wearing shorts and a tank top and playing a handheld video game on a brown couch, was spotted on a child pornography Web site along with the photos of the abused girl. The location of the photo is identical to the location of photos of the abused girl. There is no current evidence that the girl in the photo was also abused.

The girl in this photo, released to the public by Orange county Sheriff's Office Sex Crimes Unit, may be a material witness to a child abuse and pornography case that took place at Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter. If you recognize her, please contact the Central Florida Crime Line at 1–866–635–4357.

The search started with the Toronto Police Department, which was searching for the offender. After some time of searching fruitlessly, a department computer expert digitally removed the girl from some the photos found online and they were distributed to the media in hopes that someone would recognize any of the locations. Almost immediately, responses came flooding back identifying some of the photos as being taken at Port Orleans. Since then, however, despite searching through thousands of records from the Port Orleans Resort and from Harley Davidson (who manufactured a motorcycle upon which some of the photos were taken), police have not identified any suspects.

Authorities believe that the girl is from the Northeastern United States. The photos appear to be three or four years old and the girl is thought to be 9–12 years old in the photo. Toronto Police have considered releasing a photo of the actual victim's face, but are concerned that it could jeopardize her safety. Orange County authorities are barred from releasing photos of child victims of sexual abuse.

If you have seen the girl in the photo, please call the Central Florida Crime Line at 1–866–635–4357. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Priority Seating gets new name

Mike Scopa reports that apparently, WDW Dining has decided the description “Priority Seating”—in which people would call ahead to hold a place in line for a restaurant—is too confusing for their guests. From now through June 1, WDW Dining is replacing the term with “Advanced Dining Arrangements.” On June 1, the name alters slightly to become “Advanced Dining Reservations.” While the name is changing, the process remains the same: You will get the next available table after you check in for your reservation.

Garden Grill now open

The Garden Grill Restaurant has reopened, and is taking Priority Seatings and booking for all days in the current 90–day window. The restaurant is still serving fixed–price meals, but guests now order their meals off of a menu instead of having a set menu brought to the table for family–style dining. The cuisine is no longer homestyle, but rather “elegant dining.” Reportedly, because of the slower table turnover due to the made–to–order nature of service, they are planning to adjust the menu to get more people through the restaurant in less time.

Pinocchio's says goodbye to burgers

As of this coming Sunday, Pinnochio Village Haus at the Magic Kingdom is no longer offering hamburgers and cheeseburgers on its menu.

The kitchen of this Fantasyland eatery is being refurbished to allow preparation of pizza and other Italian food options, marking the return of pizza to the Magic Kingdom. (The popular dish had disappeared from the park with the conversion of the Plaza Pavilion to the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station.)

The location remains open, serving a limited menu, until it opens its new kitchen on May 22.

Happiest Celebration events this week at WDW

For those who want to avoid the crowds, or for those fanatics who want to wait amid the masses to try to get a sneak peek of the goings–on, here is the schedule for the special events scheduled for Walt Disney World this week. Note: In most cases, the locations will be completely closed to the public.

Wednesday, May 4

• 4:30 p.m., Disney–MGM Studios – “What’s New, What's Next” News Briefing (park closes at 4 p.m.)
• 5:45 p.m., Disney–MGM Studios – Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show Grand Opening (park closes at 4 p.m.)

Thursday, May 5

• 9:00 a.m., Magic Kingdom – Cinderellabration Premiere – Magic Kingdom (park open to the public)
• 10:30 a.m., Magic Kingdom – “Vacathalon” Competition on Main Street, U.S.A. (park open to the public)
• 1:00 p.m., Magic Kingdom – Global 50th Anniversary Ceremony (park open to the public)
• Various times and locations – Custom Tours (parks open to the public)
• 7:00 p.m., Epcot – Soarin’ Grand Opening (park closes at 3 p.m.)

Friday, May 6

• 8:15 a.m., Disney's Animal Kingdom – Expedition Everest Preview (park opens to the public at 9:00 a.m.)
• Various times, Disney's Animal Kingdom – Interact with Lucky the Dinosaur (park open to the public)

Do you feel Lucky?

Lucky the Dinosaur, who has been recently giving preview performances, will begin daily appearances on Wednesday, with his official debut on Friday. He enters that park from the gate at the back of Primeval Whirl at around 15 minutes after the hour from 10:15 to 2:15. Performances last a half–hour.

More Dining Plan choices available

Guests who opt for the Magic Your Way Plus Dining Plan now have many more options to choose from. Those who have complained about the lack of choices at Epcot will be pleased to see that a half–dozen table service locations and a half–dozen counter–service locations have been added to the plan, as well as a few more locations at Downtown Disney and the resorts. In addition, fruit, chips, and apple juice have been added as snack choices.

Will Disney be the #1 draft pick?

Disney, whose ESPN subsidiary broadcasts the National Football League entry draft, has been pushing the NFL to move the draft to the Milk House at Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports Complex. The league, which moved the draft from its 10–year tenure at New York City's Madison Square Garden to the Jacob Javits Convention Center after the Garden's owners took a stance against a new stadium for the New York Jets adjacent to the convention center, is considering moving the draft out of New York City entirely.

A number of cities have submitted proposals in addition to Disney. Another plan proposed by the league would have the draft held each year in the city of the team that holds the top pick in the draft. (How that would be affected by a team trading the top pick is unknown.) The league has not announced a timetable for making the decision.

Fireworks news

While new special versions of the Wishes fireworks show are being prepared for Mickey's Not–So–Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party this year, it seems that another special–version fireworks show will not be updated, at least not this year. On Sunday, July 3, and Monday, July 4, the special patriotic version of Fantasy In The Sky will be presented.

Disney had been planning to test the special fireworks show for Wednesday's press event at the Disney–MGM Studios on Saturday night. The display was expected to be large enough that they were warning guests at the Pop Century Resort about the noise level. The show was cancelled due a downpour, and they were going to try again last night (Sunday). We hav yet to receive word on whether or not that happened. Also, a huge stage has been set up in front of the Sorcerer's Hat at the Studios for the live entertainment at the press event.

Another marathon, another problem

After the furor surrounding the Walt Disney World Marathon participants who made it past all sweep points only to be shut out of the Magic Kingdom and forced to wait for an hour before any of the race organizers found them, one would expect that future events would run smoothly. Not quite.

Yesterday, the Disney Inline Marathon was marred by weather delays and eventually converted to a half–marathon–length “skate tour” instead of a race. One participant relates the progression of events:

The forecast for today had always called for rain, which was the case when I arrived at the Sports Complex at 4:30 a.m. (yes that's right). I, like pretty much every other competitor, sat in my car waiting for the rain to pass. Eventually, around 5:30, I went to the tent that was to be used for race–day check–in, where I was told to go to the Milk House. When I got there, all the racers were sitting around to wait out the storm and we were told that the race would not be held and instead the event would be a “skate tour,” a non–competitive 13.1 mile skate on the course. Those of us that chose to do the tour were to be in our corrals at 6:45 for a 7:15 start. Those of us that chose to call it a day were still given the finisher medals (what else could Disney do with them?).

By 6:45 the rain had stopped, and at 7:15 when we started, the roads still had some slick spots, but were perfectly skateable. I used the “skate tour” as a chance to push myself for 13.1 miles, and I'm very proud of my time, but not of my “finisher medal” that I could have just picked up and walked out with at 5:30. I thought you might like to hear about this chain of events. In the whole thing, I had two major frustrations:

1. When any event in the parks (parades, Fantasmic, etc.) is threatened by weather, a decision is not made until the last possible moment (I know this from personal experience), as to avoid a situation exactly like this one where the weather cleared up and conditions became skateable.

2. If we were permitted to skate on the course (and be timed), what was the problem with racing? I treated today like a race, as did many others.

It is understandable that, due to the late start, it wouldn't be prudent to race a full marathon for fear of disrupting park operations with skaters at full speed trying to avoid pedestrian guests, since no provision was made for skaters and guests to be in the park at the same time. However, if the skaters were going to be timed anyway, it should have been possible to at least let all skaters race a half–marathon. We are waiting for more details as to the circumstances of the need to convert the race to a “skate tour.”

Disneyland CD set sells quickly

Amazingly, it appears that it took less than 24 hours for the six–CD limited edition A Musical History of Disneyland set, featuring a gold vinyl album reproduction of Walt Disney Takes You To Disneyland: A Musical Tour of the Magic Kingdom, the first every album released by Walt Disney Records, to sell out the 1,000 copies allocated to Disney Direct. If you were not one of the lucky 1,000, do not yet despair. Walt Disney World will have 1,000 copies to sell, and 3,000 copies are at Disneyland. Some copies have been leaking out at Disneyland, but there should still be many copies left when they officially go on sale on May 5. If the color of the vinyl doesn't matter to you, a “Special Edition” (the same recordings, but the vinyl is black instead of gold) is now available at Disney Direct (link) for the same price. The item number, for those ordering by phone, is #61589. An open edition (with no vinyl) will be available from retailers, starting in September, for the same list price as the Special Edition that is available from Disney.

Ears to the ground

…Tickets for Mickey's Not–So–Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are now on sale. Reportedly, tickets for Halloween Night are selling very quickly. If you wish to make Advanced Dining Reservations for Tony's Town Square Restaurant or the Liberty Tree Tavern on the night that you're attending one of the parties, you may do that at the time that you order your tickets.

…Paint crews have been seen behind a green tarpaulin, repainting the huge DNA sculpture in front of the Wonders of Life pavilion at Epcot. Rumors speculate that Disney is marketing sponsorship opportunities to the major pharmaceutical companies, and that this is part of that effort. Alternately, this could just be spiffing up in preparation for opening the pavilion for Thursday night's major press event at the park.

…Stitch's Great Escape is in the midst of more updates. Last week, the attraction ran without Fastpass while one theater was closed to add projected images of Stitch on the walls while the cannons are trying to shoot him. Reportedly, it helps the attraction quite a bit. No word, though on whether there has been any help for the attraction's dreadfully lacking storyline.

…The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade broadcast was nominated for two daytime Emmy Awards this year. The show received nominations in the categories of Outstanding Special Class Special and Outstanding Special Class Directing.

…As part of the 50th Anniversary press event for Disneyland, Disney will apparently be announcing a major donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs. Reportedly, the company will be giving $1 million to the Orlando club, $1 million to the clubs in California, and $1 million to the organization's headquarters in Washington, DC.

…Unnoticed amid the press frenzy for Walt Disney World's participation in the Happiest Celebration on Earth is the fact that Disney's governmental entity, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, plans to issue approximately $106.6 million worth of bonds backed by tax revenue this week. The bonds are to finance road and fire protection improvements, and to refinance outstanding tax–backed bonds.

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Peter Pan's Flight – closed for refurbishment from May 22–26.
• 20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon – most of the area has reopened, featuring corral–type planters and more walkway space. The remainder is transforming into a Hundred Acre Wood–themed children's play area featuring slides, climbing structures, and interactive pop–jet fountains. The area, to be called “Pooh's Playful Spot,” is expected to open around September..
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – refurbishment planned, date uncertain.
• Timekeeper – opens seasonally. The attraction is currently closed.
• 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.
• Stitch's Great Escape – is running at half–capacity while the show is upgraded. Work on the first theater has been completed. We do not have an expected completion date on the second theater yet.
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration –reportedly returns after the 18–month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities end.
• Cinderellabration – preview performances are underway. Official opening is May 5. Expected to run until the end of the 18–month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities.

Epcot closes at 3 p.m. on May 5 for the “Happiest Celebration on Earth” media and VIP event.

• Soarin' – officially scheduled to open on May 5, but soft openings are already underway.
• 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 closed.

Disney–MGM Studios closes at 4 p.m. on May 4 for the “Happiest Celebration on Earth” media and VIP event.

• 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 on May 4. Preview performances for the public for test–and–adjust purposes have been returned to limited runs once or twice a week. Show times are subject to change, and there is no guarantee that the show will run on a given day. Fastpass tickets are available beginning at 9 a.m. each day that the show will run.

Animal Kingdom

• Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to appear in May – July, 2005. Official debut is May 6 but – following recent previews – he'll be walking around this week beginning on May 4.
• Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006. The likely official opening date is April 22, which is both Earth Day and the park's birthday, but previews may start as early as February 2006.

Resorts

• Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment of longhouses: suites in Tonga through May 12; 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.
• Contemporary Resort – The South Garden wing will be closed for refurbishment from May 30 – October 31. Rumors indicate that the buildings may be completely gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club villas. No confirmation of the conversion yet.
• 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 are opening one each month, through October 2005; Phase III's the six units due in 2007, involves razing the old Fairway Villas.
• Yacht Club Resort – Siding renovation project to continue through mid–2005.
• Disney's Vero Beach Resort (DVC Resort) – Roof repairs due to hurricane rehabilitation are ongoing and scheduled to run through late November.
• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel – Repainting of the building's exterior is underway. Regular hotel operations are not affected.

Water Parks

• No current refurbishments.

Elsewhere

• Magnolia Golf Course – Closed for major renovation from May 9 – September 10.
• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays. There will be no performances Jun 5–20.

Park Events

Ongoing

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link). April 15 – June 5.

May 2005

• Danskin Women's Triathlon (link) May 15.
• Star Wars Weekends (link). Fridays – Sundays, May 20 – June 12.
• Florida Half Ironman at Walt Disney World (link) May 22.

June 2005

• Gay and Lesbian Day at Walt Disney World (link1 | link2). June 2–5.
• National Kidney Foundation 5K (link) June 11.

July 2005

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp (link). July 29 – August 17.

September 2005

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion (link). Sept. 2–4.
• Night of Joy (link). Sept. 9–10.
• Walt Disney World Triathlon (link) Sept. 23–25.
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). Sept. 30 – Nov. 13.
• Mickey's Not–So–Scary Halloween Party (link). Sept. 30, Oct. 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 16, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31.

October 2005

• Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure 5K (link) Oct. 8.
• Disney's Race for the Taste 10K (link) Oct. 9.
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World (link). Oct. 20–23.

November 2005

• Festival of the Masters (link). Nov. 11–13.
• Super Soap Weekend (link). Nov. 12–13.
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights (link). Nov. 23 – Jan. 8, 2006
• Holidays Around the World (link). Nov. 25 – Dec. 30.
• Festival of the Seasons (link). Dates TBA.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (link). Nov. 27, 29, Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20.

December 2005

• Pop Warner Super Bowl (link). Dec. 4–10.
• Pleasure Island New Year's Eve (link). Dec. 31.
• New Year's Eve at Cirque du Soleil (link). Dec. 31.
• Atlantic Dance Hall New Year's Eve (link). Dec. 31.

January 2006

• Disney's Health and Fitness Expo (link). Jan. 6 & 7.
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link). Jan. 7.
• Walt Disney World Half–Marathon (link). Registration now open. Jan. 7. [Note: The full– and half–marathons are now held on separate days. Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]
• Walt Disney World Marathon (link). Registration now open. Jan. 8.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Summer passholder and Florida resident rates are out

Annual Passholder and Florida resident resort discounts valid most nights from April 17 through July 4 have been announced. Rates start at $74 for value resorts and $104 for moderates. See the Passholder 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.

Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now.

Disney's Summer Price Slice discount returns to golf courses

Summer Price Slice is back with reduced–price greens fees on tee times after 10 a.m. daily from May 2 through Sept. 29 on Disney's five 18–hole golf courses.

Golfers can play the premier Osprey Ridge course after 10 a.m. for $60 (compared to a normal seasonal greens fee of $119) or Eagle Pines for $50 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $109). Post–10 a.m. rounds on the Magnolia, Palm or Lake Buena Vista courses are $45 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $89–$94). Prices include golf cart rental.

Disney's Summer Price Slice also gives golfers the opportunity to play afternoon rounds late into the day. Golfers can take on Osprey Ridge after 3 p.m. for $35 ($30 after 5 p.m.). Eagle Pines, Magnolia and Palm start at $30 after 3 p.m. ($25 after 5 p.m.). Rounds at Lake Buena Vista start at $25 after 3 p.m. ($20 after 5 p.m.).

For tee times, call 407–WDW–GOLF (407–939–4653) or go to the Walt Disney World Golf web site (link).

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

The entire price structure has changed as of January 2, 2005, to the new “Magic Your Way” passes. Advance purchase discounts are only available on tickets above the base ticket of at least 5 days.

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.

Park Hours

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2005.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2005.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)

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

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!

PREVIOUS UPDATES

2005

• January: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• February: 7, 15, 21, 28
• March: 7, 14, 21, 28
• April: 4, 11, 18, 25
• May: 2, 9, 16, 23, 31
• June: 6, 13, 20, 27
• July: 5, 11, 18, 25
• August: 1, 8, 15, 22, 30
• September: 6, 12, 19, 26
• October: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• November: 8

2004

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