Update for September 6 – 11, 2005

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News and Views

Disney helps victims of Hurricane Katrina

On Wednesday, the Walt Disney Company announced that it will contribute $2.5 million for relief and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Katrina. One million dollars will go to the American Red Cross for immediate relief efforts, another million will go to children's charities for rebuilding efforts and the final half-million will go to volunteer centers providing services to the affected areas.

“The devastation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is simply heartbreaking and our thoughts are with those struggling in the aftermath of this disaster,” said Michael Eisner, CEO, and Bob Iger, president, COO and CEO-elect of The Walt Disney Company. “We hope that our donation will aid emergency management teams and organizations in their efforts to provide assistance to those impacted.”

On Friday, Walt Disney World and the Brunswick Corporation announced that nine Brunswick Trophy boats will be sent from Walt Disney World to New Orleans to support hurricane relief efforts. Disney was chosen because they had a large number of boats available near the Gulf Coast. Disney responded immediately when approached by Brunswick, and the boats were send off to the Louisiana coastline. The boats will be used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to shuttle refugees, officials and medical supplies in the New Orleans area.

Hurricane outlook shows coast not yet clear

While Hurricane Katrina has left more destruction in its wake than any other storm in our lifetime, hurricane season still has two months left, and they won't be quiet. Hurricane experts at Colorado State University say that there will be seven more storms (after Hurricane Maria, which spun off into the Atlantic this week) this season. Five of those storms are expected to become hurricanes, three of which will be major hurricanes.

There have already been 13 named storms this year, and if the predictions of William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach bear out, the season will finish out with 20 named storms. As a point of comparison, the 50-year average per season (through 2000) is 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes per year.

CPSC, Walt Disney World announce recall of children's red sunglasses

On Thursday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Walt Disney World announced a voluntary recall of sunglasses from a sunglasses and cap set for toddlers. The sets feature Mickey Mouse or Stitch on blue caps with red bills, and sold for about $16 per set. Almost 13,000 of the sets were sold at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disney's Vero Beach Resort, as well as aboard the Disney Cruise Line, between November, 2004, and June, 2005.

The sunglasses from these glasses/cap sets have been recalled due to high levels of lead. Photo courtesy of CPSC.

The paint on the sunglasses, which were imported from Taiwan, contains high levels of lead (lead is toxic if ingested by young children, and can cause adverse health effects). The recalled sunglasses are a solid red color with dark plastic lenses, and were attached to the bills of the caps with Velcro-type fasteners. “Walt Disney World” or “Disneyland” is stitched on the back of the caps. Other styles and colors of hats and sunglasses are not included in the recall.

If you purchased one of these sunglasses/cap sets, you should immediately take the recalled red sunglasses away from children and contact the Walt Disney World Company for a free replacement pair of sunglasses and 20 Disney Dollars. You can call them toll-free at 866-802-2782 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays. While the recall notice states that you can also contact them at the Walt Disney World web site, at press time there is no apparent link on the site related to the recall.

Radisson Resort Parkway offers reduced special rate this month only

The Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, is offering a $59.95 reduced special rate valid through September 30. Please note that this special does not include a free upgrade to deluxe pool view accommodations.

Passholder Best Rate program changes; will it be enough?

The Passholder Best Rate program has reduced the advance reservation requirement from 120 days to 60 days. The program is now accepting reservations, online only, through February 15, 2006. But the fact that passholders have to make their reservations two months in advance and lock themselves in (each change costs them money) has left some with a bad taste in their mouths, according to MousePlanet's Mike Scopa.

Mike reports that the program has left many angry to the point that they are refusing to stay on-property, moving to off-site hotels in protest of the new program. However, a quick check of the first weekend of December (MouseFest weekend) shows that there are no rooms available in the resorts with units in the program for the Pop Century, All Star Movies, Port Orleans French Quarter, Beach Club, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club Resorts. So obviously somebody is using the program.

Pooh's Playful Spot opens

The Pooh's Playful Spot playground on part of the site of the former 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction opened last Thursday. Be aware that the playground “is intended for the enjoyment of children ages 2 to 5 years old.” The area has the rubberized carpeting surface commonly found in new playgrounds and features Pooh's house inside a tree, a pop-jet fountain area, slides and some hollow logs and a “spilled hunny pot” to crawl through.

We were advised by a visitor to the area, though, that some of the rockwork around the edges is quite rough, and that one of the “rock” surfaces nearly cut his hand. It is likely that the surfaces will smooth themselves out quickly enough, but if you are visiting in the near future you may want to exercise care around the “rockwork.”

MousePlanet's Brian Bennett will present a photo tour of the new playground in his next article later this week. Keep an eye out for it!

Living Seas refurbishment rumors

The two-phase work on The Living Seas pavilion at Epcot is underway. When the first phase opens in late November (currently rumored as November 27), only the Sea Base Alpha area will be open. Turtle Talk with Crush and the other current Nemo-themed areas will return, and it is rumored that more Nemo theming will be added.

The second phase, targeted to open next spring, may mark the long-anticipated return of the Sea Cabs attraction. There is a strong rumor that the ride track is being extended, possibly to include one of the current pre-show rooms and the hydrolator area, and that new ride vehicles are being prepared that will make it harder for guests to step out during the slow ride, which was one of the problems that caused their original closure.

The rumors go on to hint that the pre-show and sea cabs ride may also become Nemo-themed. Now, while there's no real problem with adding characters to attractions at Epcot, it would be a shame to completely lose the original theme of The Living Seas (the science of the oceans and man's interaction with them) as part of this refurbishment. We'll have to wait and see how it comes out.

On another note, the Dolphins in Depth tour will close periodically during the refurbishment, remaining open at other times. Current scheduled closures are:

• September 19 – October 28
• November 7 – 11
• November 21 – December 25

Disney Magic back in Florida, prepares for drydock next month

After 12 one-week cruises and 14-night trans-canal voyages out and back, the Disney Magic has returned to its home port of Port Canaveral, Florida. On Saturday, the Magic returned from its second trans-canal trip, then took on a new group of passengers before departing for an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. The ship will take another three cruises (two Western Caribbean and another Eastern Caribbean voyage) before heading to drydock on October 1.

While in drydock, several enhancements will be taking place, including an expansion to the spa and salon, another new area for kids (to be called Ocean Quest) and a jumbo LED screen on deck 9 behind the front funnel stack.

“Tarzan Rocks” may extend to March

Back on May 16, we told you that the closing of the Tarzan Rocks show in the Animal Kingdom was being pushed back from this September to January of next year. We're now hearing that the show may be extended to March. The performers' contracts expire in September, but it looks like they will get an extension. While the rumor that a Finding Nemo-themed show would replace it after the theater was enclosed is still the most likely scenario we've heard, there's still no confirmation on what the next show will be.

Wonders of Life back on park maps

The Wonders of Life pavilion, which disappeared from park maps a week ago, has reappeared on the maps this week. It's possible that the new maps were floated as a way to see if anybody noticed the pavilion missing, and when guests picked up on it and started asking them questions, they put it back on to stop the questions. Another possibility is that the return of the pavilion to the maps is a red herring, and that Disney really does not intend to reopen the pavilion. Nobody that knows for certain is talking.

Ears to the ground

…This is still a rumor, but we have heard rumblings that it may cost an additional $2 to embroider your name on your Mickey ears starting in October. This seems disingenuous of Disney, as most people who get the ears have their names embroidered. Why not just raise the price of the ears? Of course, since this is still not confirmed, it may have been a trial balloon floated by Disney to gauge response.

…The Fantasmic dinner package has joined the Candlelight Processional dinner package in being available under the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package. A credit card is still required to secure your reservation.

…We're hearing that the prismatic effects glasses will be returning to the Osborne Spectacle of Lights this year, which will run from November 14 - January 8. The Happy Holly-Days Parade at the Studios and Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom will also begin their runs on November 14.

…Tickets are now on sale for New Year's Eve special events at Pleasure Island and Cirque du Soleil.

…We're hearing that Walt Disney World will roll out a new biometric system at the entry gates, which will be able to work with any body part as long as it's consistently used. While some people will try using other body parts to be cute, or because they're afraid that the scanner is actually lifting their fingerprints instead of the bone structure of their fingers as it actually does, the change will allow individuals who may have lost fingers or are otherwise unable to have their fingers scanned to use the biometric entry system.

…The Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station has reopened.

…Mike Scopa reports a strong rumor that the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary Resort will be moving to the lobby level (presumably under a new name, since it will no longer by on the Concourse level) near the Food & Fun Center. The FFC's video area may be moving elsewhere in the resort. One rumor for the space being vacated by the steakhouse is something called “Chef Mickey's Express.” We have no information on that other than the name. Another rumor is just a straightforward expansion of the Chef Mickeys restaurant.

…Pinocchio's Village Haus has finally cut over to Italian menu as of late last week.

…Beverley fans can relax, as we have confirmed that the beverage with the “interesting” taste will indeed be returning when Ice Station Cool reopens as Club Cool late this year.

…Chicken Little and Ugly Duckling are now doing meet-and-greets at the Animation attraction in the Disney-MGM Studios, replacing Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone. The Incredibles have moved over to the former Timekeeper attraction queue area in rotation with Stitch and Buzz Lightyear.

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• 20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon – a large part of the area has reopened, featuring corral–type planters and more walkway space in front of “Pooh's Playful Spot,” a Hundred Acre Wood–themed children's play area featuring slides, climbing structures, and interactive pop-jet fountains. The play area opened September 1.
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – refurbishment of seats and carpeting occurring on a rolling basis; the attraction remains open.
• Main Street Railroad Station – under refurbishment through December 20. Guests will still be able to board the train at the station, though the entrance and exit may be relocated during the work. The area surrounding the locker rental stand will be inaccessible due to renovations that are rumored to be moving stroller rentals into that location. The station is also slated to receive new glass, canopies, paint and so forth.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – will reportedly not be operating due to refurbishment September 11–19.
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – will reportedly remain open during a short refurbishment, September 6–23.
• Timekeeper – open seasonally.
• Cinderella's Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns after the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities end.

Epcot

• The Living Seas pavilion, including the popular Turtle Talk with Crush attraction, is closed for refurbishment through late November. Rumors indicate that another new Finding Nemo-based attraction may be added.
• Ice Station Cool – closed through late this year for refurbishment. It will reopen as “Club Cool.”
• 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. Its future is uncertain.

Disney–MGM Studios

• No current refurbishments.

Animal Kingdom

• 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 – Work is now underway on the complete refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in all buildings, which is expected to be completed by June, 2006.
• Contemporary Resort – The South Garden Wing is closed for refurbishment through September, 2006. Rumors indicate that the buildings may be completely gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club villas. No confirmation of the conversion yet. Renovations on the rest of the resort are also underway, with the tower building being done one floor at a time, and are expected to run through November, 2007.
• BoardWalk Resort – 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. Meanwhile, the Keister Coaster pool is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 6–26.
  
• 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 six units due in 2007, involves razing the old Fairway Villas.
• Yacht Club Resort – Siding renovation project to continue through mid-2005.
• Port Orleans Riverside Resort – The Ol' Man Island spa is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 6–23, while the Magnolia Bend quiet pool is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 15–24.
• All-Star Music Resort – The Piano pool is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 6–14.
• 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

• Blizzard Beach – Will close for its annual refurbishment on October 23, and is expected to reopen mid-December.
• Typhoon Lagoon – Is expected to close for its annual refurbishment mid-December, and to reopen in late February or early March.

Elsewhere

• Magnolia Golf Course – Closed for major renovation from May 9 – September 10.
• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays.

Park Events

September 2005

• One Little Spark... A Morning with a Purple Dragon. Sept. 8. Release of Figment sculpture and limited-edition pin (link).
• Night of Joy. Sept. 9–10. Disney's annual Christian music festival (link).
• Happiest Pin Celebration on Earth. Sept. 9–11. The big fall pin event, held at Epcot's World Showplace (link).
• Walt Disney World Triathlon. Sept. 23–25. Competitors race around the resort on water, bike and foot (link).
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Sept. 30 – Nov. 13. The annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series (link).
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Sept. 30, Oct. 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 16, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31. The big celebration of the boo-tiful season (link).

October 2005

• Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure 5K. Oct. 8. The annual fund-raising run for breast cancer research (link).
• Disney's Race for the Taste 10K. Oct. 9. The annual Disney 10K race gets a new name and a theme (link).
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World. Oct. 20–23. The 35th annual fall golf classic is played on the Palm and Magnolia courses (link).

November 2005

• Festival of the Masters. Nov. 11–13. Artists display their works at Downtown Disney (link).
• Super Soap Weekend. Nov. 12–13. Daytime stars descend upon the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Nov. 14 – Jan. 8, 2006. Millions of lights bombard the eyes at the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• Holidays Around the World. Nov. 25 – Dec. 30. Epcot celebrates the season, including the popular Candlelight Processional (link).
• Festival of the Seasons. Nov. 25 – Dec. 25. Downtown Disney celebrates the season (link).
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Nov. 27, 29, Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What's not to like? (link).
• MouseFest 2005. November 30 – December 3. Meet your favorite Disney Internet and guidebook authors (including some of us!) at a gathering of the Disney Internet community around the World (link).

December 2005

• MousePlanet presents a mini-MouseAdventure at MouseFest. Dec. 1. Meet at the outdoor seating area by Casey's Corner in the Magic Kingdom at 10:00 a.m. for this event. This is a shortened version of MousePlanet's signature event (link), and marks the first time that the event has been held in Florida.
• MousePlanet presents the second annual Mike Scopa Dole Whip Meet at MouseFest. Dec. 1. Meet at the Aloha Isle take-out window in Adventureland at noon.
• MousePlanet presents the first annual Shocolate Mousssse Meet at MouseFest. Dec 3. Meet at Boulangerie Patisserie at Epcot's France pavilion at 5:00 p.m. following the Mega Mouse Meet for this event. For more on the origin of the Shocolate Mousssse phenomenon among MousePlanet readers, please see this thread on our MousePad discussion forums.
• Pop Warner Super Bowl. Dec. 4–10. Football players and cheerleaders descend on the resort for the annual championships (link).
• Pleasure Island New Year's Eve. Dec. 31. Pleasure Island celebrates the actual New Year (link).
• New Year's Eve at Cirque du Soleil. Dec. 31. Cirque puts on special New Year's performances (link).
• Atlantic Dance Hall New Year's Eve. Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year at the BoardWalk's own dance club (link).

January 2006

• Disney's Health and Fitness Expo. Jan. 5–7. Check in for the weekend's races and check out the vendors (link).
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run. Jan. 7. The shortest run of the weekend (link).
• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. Jan. 7. Registration now open (link). [Note: The full- and half-marathons are now held on separate days. Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]
• Walt Disney World Marathon. Jan. 8. Registration now open (link).

February 2006

• Twirlmania. February 17-20. Twirlers, auxiliary guard, pom, and dancers descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).

March 2006

• ESPN The Weekend. March 3–5. Corporate synergy brings the cable channel back to the Studios for its third go-round (link).

April 2006

• Disney's All-Star Kids Classic. April 1. Registration is now open for the kids' inline race (link).
• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon. April 2. Registration is now open (link).
• Star Wars Weekends. Dates TBA. The popular event is slated to return in 2006 (link).
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Dates TBA. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations and the “Flower Power” concert series (link).

May 2006

• Epcot Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend. May 19–21. Collectible bears and dolls at Epcot (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

Passholder rates are out

Annual Passholder and Florida Resident discounts have been released for August 28 through October 4, with rates starting at $59 per night for value resorts and $89 per night for moderate resorts. The discount code to use is EXI. See the Passholder web site (link) or MouseSavers (link) for more information. The Passholder Best Rate program has reduced the advance reservation requirement from 120 days to 60 days. The program is now accepting reservations, online only, through February 15, 2006.

Radisson Resort Parkway offers reduced special rate this month only

The Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, is offering a $59.95 reduced special rate valid through September 30. Please note that this special does not include a free upgrade to deluxe pool view accommodations.

Radisson Resort Parkway rates through the end of 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 ticket price structure 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 October 2005.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through October 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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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.