Advertisement
Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule
News and Views
The Yeti is out of the bag - At the March 19 Walt Disney Company Annual Meeting, Disney chairman and CEO Michael Eisner prematurely confirmed reports of a addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom park. Based on concept art posted at Intercot, Forbidden Mountain: Legend of the Yeti looks like a cross between Big Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn. Intercot reports that the ride will open in Summer 2005.
Disney was expected to officially announce Animal Kingdom's newest attraction at a press event planned for the park's fifth anniversary on Tuesday, April 22. Was Eisner's slip a true mistake, or was it a planned leak? After Eisner's comments, Disney president Robert Iger quipped "You just made a couple of hundred people on the Internet happier than they ever been in their life."
Perhaps, but Disney stockholders seemed pretty happy, too. Despite war jitters and a related lowered earnings projection, Disney stock rose $1.75 in the two days following the meeting, closing at a price not seen since early last December.
Woody's Last Stand If you purchased a 13-inch Woody doll at Walt Disney World parks, resorts or Orlando airport stores, take the doll away from your child and compare it to the model shown on the Consumer Product Saftey Commission Web site. Walt Disney World is recalling 40,000 dolls, sold between January 2000 and January 2003, because a button on the doll can be removed and pose a safety hazzard. There has been only one report of a button being removed, and no injuries have been reported. If you own this doll, call (866) 228-3664 to receive a refund.
Dolls sold at Disneyland, the Disney Stores, the Disney Catalog and at other retail outlets are not included in the recall. Talking Woody dolls are also excluded.
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
The Blizzard Beach water park refurbishment, originally scheduled to end on March 2, has been extended through Wednesday, April 9, 2003.
Main Street Plaza Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom is closed for refurbishment through Sunday, April 6, 2003.
The Shipwreck Slide, located at Stormalong Bay at Disney?s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, is closed for refurbishment January 3 through April 4, 2003. The pool areas at Stormalong Bay remains open while the pool slide undergoes refurbishment.
The Theater in Epcot's China Pavilion closes for refurbishment March 26 ? May 22. The Gallery, merchandise shop and restaurants will continue to operate.
Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studio is closed for refurbishment February 24 ? April 13.
Park Events
Upcoming events
Feb. 27 through March 28 ? Atlanta Braves Spring Training exhibition games at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. Tickets go on sale January 4. Buy tickets in person at the Disney Wide World of Sports box office, or call Ticketmaster at 407-839-3900.
March 29 All Star Kids Classic, a series of races for youths that takes place as part of Disney's inline skating weekend. Both the marathon as well as Kids Classic are sanctioned by USA Roller Sports, an organization that governs and sanctions skating events around the country.
March 30 ? First-ever Walt Disney World Inline Marathon. Get more information at the Disney Wide World of Sports Web site.
April 25 through June 8 ? 10th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
May 15 through 18 ? 5th Annual Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics cruise and mini-convention aboard the Disney Wonder
May 16 - June 15 ?Star Wars Weekends. Get more information in Brian Bennett's WDW Trip Planning Guide on Star Wars Weekends.
June 3 through June 9 ? Gay Days 2003. This unofficial event is not sponsored by Disney. Event information can be obtained from the event sponsor.
June 14, 2003 ? Mickey?s Toon Town of Pins at the Magic Kingdom
September 19-21, 2003 ? Disney?s Pin Celebration at Epcot
November 16-20, 2003 ? Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder
Current Discounts & Promotions
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.
Date
|
Courtyard View - Weekdays |
Courtyard View - Weekends
(Fri, Sat) |
Pool View - Weekdays
(Sun - Thurs) |
Pool View - Weekends
(Fri, Sat) |
3/23/03 - 4/26/03
|
$81 (all days)
|
$91 (all days)
|
||
4/27/03 ? 6/4/03
|
$63
|
$73
|
$73
|
$83
|
6/5/03 ? 6/7/03
|
$109 (all days)
|
$119 (all days)
|
||
6/8/03 ? 8/9/03
|
$73
|
$83
|
$83
|
$93
|
8/10/03 ? 8/30/03
|
$63
|
$73
|
$73
|
$83
|
8/31/03 ? 10/2/03
|
$59 (all days)
|
$69 (all days)
|
||
10/3/03 ? 11/1/03
|
$73
|
$83
|
$83
|
$93
|
11/2/03 ? 12/18/03
|
$63
|
$73
|
$73
|
$83
|
12/19/03 ? 12/23/03
|
$83 (all days)
|
$93 (all days)
|
||
12/24/03 ? 12/31/03
|
$99 (all days)
|
$109 (all days)
|
MouseSavers is reporting some great rates for travel to Walt Disney World:
- New hotel discount codes are available for check-ins April 27 through July 3. Sample rates range from at $74 at the All-Stars, to $420 for a main lodge concierge room at the Grand Floridian. Travel must be booked by April 26 using the discount codes found at MouseSavers. Note: This is a new discount code that is an even better deal than the one offered just two weeks ago.
- Florida residents can stay on property for as little as $59 at the All Stars, $74 at moderate resorts, and $124 at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. These rates are valid for arrivals between April 27 and July 3, 2003.
- 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.
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 12/31/03. When you charge your cruise to your Disney Visa, you'll pay no interest for 6 months.
- Disney Club Spring Dream Maker Packages - Disney Club members
can receive an additional a $100 discount on Dream Maker packages, for
check-in March 1 through 31.
Prices start at $428 for adults, $223 for juniors and $178 for kids staying in the same room. Book by March 28, using this special discount code.
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 - Friday. Call 407-WDW-Dine for locations and reservations.
Park Hours
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/29
|
|
MK 9a?8p |
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?8p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4/5
|
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?8p |
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
MK 9a?8p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?7:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?5p |
|
|
|
||||
MK 9a?7p EF 9a?6p EW 11a?9p MGM 9a?8:30p AK 9a?5p BB Closed TL 10a?6p |
MK 9a?8:30p |
Entertainment Schedule
|
|
|
|
Monday 3/24 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic! 7:30p |
Mickey?s Jammin? Jungle Parade 4p |
Tuesday 3/25
|
|||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 7:15p |
Illuminations! 9p
|
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic! 7p |
Mickey?s Jammin? Jungle Parade 4p |
Wednesday 3/26
|
|||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 7:15p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic! 7p |
Mickey?s Jammin? Jungle Parade 4p |
Thursday 3/27
|
|||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 7:15p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic! 7p |
Mickey?s Jammin? Jungle Parade 4p |
Friday 3/28
|
|||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 7:15p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic! 7p |
Mickey?s Jammin? Jungle Parade 4p |
Saturday 3/29
|
|||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 7:15p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic! 7p |
Mickey?s Jammin? Jungle Parade 4p |
Sunday 3/30
|
|||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 7:15p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic! 7:30p |
Mickey?s Jammin? Jungle Parade 4p |
Monday 3/31 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 8p |
Illuminations! 9p |
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade 4p Fantasmic! 7:30p |
Mickey?s Jammin? Jungle Parade 4p |
 
Comments