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Update for April 30 May 6, 2007
Go directly to: News & Views | Coming Soon | Trivia of the Week | Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule
News and Views
Party on!
Tickets go on sale tomorrow for this summer's Pirate & Princess Party and this fall's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party hard-ticketed events at the Magic Kingdom. Some on our MousePlanet discussion forums have asked if that date is early, and if tickets used to go on sale in June. All I can note is that, since I started tracking it in 2004, the on-sale date has been May 1.
The Pirate & Princess Party will be held on eight nights in August and early September (down from 13 nights this past winter), running August 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31 and September 3. Tickets prices for the event were not available at press time, though there will be Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club member discounts for some dates.
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party will be held on a record 20 nights from mid-September through early November (up from 18 nights last year), running September 14, 21, 28, and 30, October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31 and November 2. The September 30 and November 2 dates had not been previously reported. Tickets for the event will be priced at $38.95 plus tax ($41.49) for adults and $32.95 plus tax ($35.10) for children ages 3-9 when purchased in advance for parties on September 14, 30, October 4, 8, 11 and 14 only. Tickets on the day of the party for those dates, and for all tickets on all other dates will be priced at $45.95 plus tax ($48.94) for adults and $39.95 ($42.55) plus tax for children ages 3-9. Annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can buy advance tickets at a special discount price of $35.95 plus tax ($38.29) for adults and $29.99 plus tax ($31.94) for children ages 3-9, but for September 14 and October 4 only.
Note: Disney-MGM Studio's inaugural Tower of Terror fun run is on October 27, which is the last weekend in October. Although tickets for the party are historically very popular for Halloween night itself, expect tickets for that weekend (October 26 and 28) to be particularly popular among those who plan to go to WDW for the fun run.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will be held on a record 19 nights from mid-November to late December (also up from 18 nights last year), running November 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30 and December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 21. The November 12 and 25 dates, as well as the December 2, 9 and 16 dates, are all one day earlier than originally reported. Tickets for the event will be priced at $41.15 plus tax ($43.82) for adults and $33.95 plus tax ($36.16) for children ages 3-9 when purchased in advance for parties on November 12, 15, 25, 27, 29, December 2, 4, 9, and 11 only. Tickets on the day of the party for those dates, and for all tickets on all other dates will be priced at $47.95 plus tax ($51.07) for adults and $40.95 ($43.62) plus tax for children ages 3-9. Annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can buy advance tickets at a special discount price of $37.95 plus tax ($40.42) for adults and $30.95 plus tax ($32.96) for children ages 3-9, but for November 15, 27, December 11 and 18 only.
Once again, the prices are going up and the discounts are rapidly disappearing. If other trends from recent years continue, the additional perks for party guests will also continue to decrease, as the parties become a worse and worse deal for your dollar. I'll address the entire issue in a future feature column.
For those planning ahead, the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party meet at MouseFest 2007 is all but confirmed for December 6.
The Project Tomorrow post-show area at Spaceship Earth is now open. Photo
by Stephen Kropf.
Spaceship Earth to close briefly, twice, then for extended period
The phased closings of Spaceship Earth begin next week, as the attraction will have its first short closure from May 7-10. Another short closure will take place from June 22-23, before the major refurbishment begins on July 9. The attraction will then remain closed through at least the end of October, and likely longer than that. In the meantime, a new Web site, EpcotSpaceshipEarth.com, has been set up to give some hints at what's to come (and to promote the attraction's new sponsor, Siemens AG).
A giant sphere asks "Will cities run automatically in the future?"
at Project Tomorrow. Photo by Stephen Kropf.
First set of Playhouse Disney concert dates release
The Playhouse Disney in Concert series returns to the Disney-MGM Studios as part of the Little Ones Travel Time Aug. 26-Oct. 28. It appears that, unlike the daily concerts last year, the series will only feature concerts on Thursday-Sunday for 2007.
The first set of dates has now been released:
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Imagination Movers (Aug. 30-Sept. 2)
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The Doodlebops (Sept. 6-9)
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Playhouse Disney Live on Tour (Sept. 13-16)
- TBA (Sept. 20-23)
- TBA (Sept 27-30)
- TBA (Oct 4-7)
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Imagination Movers (Oct. 11-14)
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Johnny & the Sprites (Oct. 18-21)
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Dan Zanes and Friends (Oct. 25-28)
We'll post the rest of the dates as they're released.
Get your MousePlanet swag!The MousePlanet.com store is now open for business (link)! You can get shirts, mugs, hats and even a Teddy Bear! Check it out and show your MousePlanet pride! Now you can show everybody in the parks what site you read! |
A heartfelt "thank you"
I celebrated my birthday yesterday participating in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica to help prevent birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Last year, through your generosity we raised $2,525 in just four weeks. This year, while we did not reach our ambitious goal of $4,000, we did get very close, raising over $3,700 (pending arrival of the last few checks). I am proud to say that MousePlanet readers and MouseStation and MousePlanetWatch podcast listeners came through with over $1,600 of that total! Thank you all so much! It's very fulfilling to know that our MousePlanet community can work together to do such good things.
According to event organizers, the day's event raised somewhere between $160,00-$170,000.
If you were planning to donate but ran into the capacity problems that the WalkAmerica site had last week, my fundraising page should still be taking donations for another couple of weeks or so. You can also just check it out for more information on why I walk, even if you don't plan to donate. Thank you again for your support!
MousePlanet reader and podcast listener Matt Flannery, who was also walking
for March of Dimes, stopped by to wish Mark a happy birthday. Thanks, Matt!
Photo courtesy of Mark Goldhaber.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Castle Boutique
The second location for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will open inside Cinderella Castle on September 10. The location's current tenant, The King's Gallery, will close on July 15 and all merchandise will be moved to the several other Arribas Brothers stores around property. Construction is to take place from July 5 through September 1, and the Boutique will officially open on September 10. (Of course, it's entirely possible that there will be a soft opening from September 2-9.)
As with the current location, reservations are highly recommended (407-WDW-STYLE/407-939-7895), and can be made up to 180 days in advance. Reservations for the new Boutique are now available.
Zagat releases WDW "Insider's Guide"
Zagat Survey has released the first edition of its Walt Disney World Insider's Guide. Based on the opinions of almost 5,000 reviewers, the guide covers attractions, restaurants, shops and hotels. Not surprisingly, the survey's audiencewhich skews toward the high-end of the income spectrumfound Victoria & Albert's to have the best food and the Grand Floridian to be the resort with the best service.
While Expedition Everest ranked as the #1 attraction for adult appeal and Wishes ranked as tops for child appeal, Soarin' took the overall attraction title. Others popular across age lines include Festival of the Lion King, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Splash Mountain.
The book is now available, though those used to planning their trips with more extensive guides such as the Unofficial Guide or Passporter are likely to be disappointed by the length and depth of the content. However, for its target market of regular Zagat readers, it will probably be just fine.
Disney Cruise Line officially signs contract for two new ships
On February 22, we reported that Disney had signed a letter of intent with the Meyer Werft shipyard to negotiate a contract for the construction of two new ships. That negotiation has been completed, and Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin and Meyer Werft Managing Partner Bernard Meyer signed the contract in front of several hundred cheering cast members last Monday.
"Expanding our fleet will give us the flexibility to offer a variety of itineraries in the future," McAlpin said. "We are looking forward to taking our guests on new adventures to different parts of the world with Disney Cruise Line."
The ships are scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012.
Vertical construction of the new restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom has moved out toward the construction wall. Photo by Stephen Kropf.
Menus wanted!Want to help MousePlanet upgrade our park guides? We're looking to add menu information for all restaurants to our Walt Disney World Park Guide (link). Send photos or scans of menus (no fair copying from other Web sites) to menus@mouseplanet.com (link). Please note that there is a 5MB limit on total attachments in a single e-mail. |
Disney tries out "8th Grade Grad Jam"
Disney is trying out a new program called the "Disney 8th Grade Grad Jam." Patterned after the Blast-Off parties held prior to the start of Grad Nite at the Magic Kingdom, the Disney Youth Groups site proclaims:
Graduating Middle School Can Be Quite A Ride...
Give your 8th Grade graduates a magical night to remember at Disney 8th Grade Grad Jam. Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park at the Walt Disney World Resort is exciting new territory for graduates to unite with friends and celebrate their journey from middle school to beyond!
The event, which runs from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on May 4, includes access to Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, Primeval Whirl, Triceratops Spin and Dinosaur; a DJ dance party in Dinoland; and refreshments including burgers, hot dogs, garden salad, chips and lemonade.
Tickets cost $35.95 for both students and chaperons, plus tax when applicable. Groups get 1 free ticket per each 10 purchased.
The event takes place after the park's normal closing time, so there will be no effect on regular park operations. While it seems that Disney is searching for every little oppportunity to create special events, it's certain that there will be many who are thrilled at the opportunity to go play in a theme park after-hours without their families and then stay overnight at a Disney hotel before heading back home. We'll have to see how this one plays out.
To be called the Anandapur Yak & Yeti Restaurant, it's scheduled to open
later this year. Photo by Stephen Kropf.
Small kids may not be up for Gaylord Pirates Treasure Hunt
New York Times travel consumer advocate and blogger Chris Elliott took his family to a soft opening of the Pirates Treasure Hunt at the Gaylord Palms. If you're considering attending the event, be aware that it sounds very similar to a MouseAdventure and that kids under age 10 may not be up for the hunt itself (though they may enjoy the pirate characters walking around).
Quick takes
The new Game Station arcade on the north end of the Contemporary Resort's concourse officially opens today. Early reviews of the soft opening over the weekend have been less than glowing. If you happen to visit the new arcade, please let us know what you think.
Plenty of tickets are still left at all price levels for the first regular-season Major League Baseball games to be held at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The Texas Rangers will be visiting the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at The Ballpark May 15-17. Ticket prices range from $15 lawn seats to $119 seats behind the dugouts.
Work began Friday on refurbishment of the Calypso pool at the All Star Music Resort. The accessible chair lift and transfer station will be replaced, along with other general touch-up work. Similar work on the Fantasia pool at All Star Movies took about five months. In the meantime, All-Star Music guests may continue to use the "quiet" pools as well as the main pools at the other All-Star resorts.
Blizzard Beach will be the first water park to be closed for refurbishment this year, closing on October 28. Typhoon Lagoon will close for its annual refurbishment when Blizzard Beach reopens in late December or early January.
Progress is being made as negotiations continue between Disney and the Service Trades Council Union. The two sides are coming to tentative agreements on many areas, and they have agreed to extend the existing contract until midnight Saturday. Negotiations continue tomorrow.
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Mark here.
Talk about these stories and more on our Walt Disney World discussion forum here.
Coming soon
- Apr. 5 June 3. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
[park guide page].
- Flower Power Concert Series
- April 29?May 1: Peter & Gordon
- May 2?3: Jose Feliciano
- May 4?5: Petula Clark
- May 6?10: Nelson
- May 11?15: Davy Jones
- May 16?19: B.J. Thomas
- May 20?22: Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill
- May 23?25: The Guess Who
- May 26: The SOS Band
- May 27?30: Gary Puckett
- May 31?June 3: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
- Themed Weekends
- May 4?6: Cinco de Mayo Weekend
- May 11?13: Mother's Day Weekend
- May 18?20: Characters in Bloom Weekend
- May 25?28: Memorial Day Weekend
- June 1?3: Festival Farewell Weekend
- Flower Power Concert Series
- May 5. Disney's Minnie Marathon Weekend 5K and 1 Mile.
- May 6. Women Run the World 15 K.
- May 12. Muddy Buddy.
- May 12-13. Danskin Women's Triathlon.
- May 15-17. Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
- May 18-20. Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend.
- May 20. Walt Disney World 70.3 Ironman Triathlon.
- May 21-24. Pirates of the Caribbean Adventures on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
- May 31-June 3. Gay Days 2007.
- May 31 - Disney's Animal Kingdom
- June 1 - Disney-MGM Studios
- June 2 - Magic Kingdom
- June 3 - Epcot
- May 25-28, Jun. 30-Jul. 7, Aug. 31-Sept. 3 and Nov. 19-25, 2007; and Dec. 16, 2007-Jan. 2, 2008. DVC members may not pool-hop on these dates.
Walt Disney World trivia question of the week
This week's question: Who was the original narrator of Spaceship Earth? Stay tuned to next week's park update for the answer.
The answer to last week's question: In honor of last Sunday being Earth Day, "what is Disney's environmental conservation program called, and who is its mascot?" is:
The mascot of the Environmentality program is Jiminy Cricket.
Do you have a trivia question that you'd like to share? If we choose to use your question, we'll give you credit in the Update. Email us here.
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Magic Kingdom
- Haunted Mansion closed for refurbishment from June 6 through September 12.
- Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse closed for refurbishment from April 30 through May 18.
Epcot
- Maelstrom closed for refurbishment from April 30 through May 24.
- Spaceship Earth closed for refurbishment May 710, June 2223 and July 9 at least October 31, if not longer.
- Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki closed for refurbishment through August 20.
- Le Cellier Restaurant closed for refurbishment May 1418.
- The Wonders of Life pavilion has again closed, perhaps forever and perhaps just until next Thanksgiving weekend.
Disney-MGM Studios
- No known refurbishments at this time.
Animal Kingdom
- No known refurbishments at this time.
Resorts
- All-Star Music Resort Work began Friday on refurbishment of the Calypso pool. The accessible chair lift and transfer station will be replaced, along with other general touch-up work. Similar work on the Fantasia pool at All Star Movies took about five months. In the meantime, All-Star Music guests may continue to use the "quiet" pools as well as the main pools at the other All-Star resorts. All buildings not containing Family Suites are being renovated between January and June.
- All-Star Sports Resort All buildings will be renovated between June and November.
- Caribbean Beach Resort The feature pool will be closed for renovation January June, 2008. Exact dates have yet to be announced.
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Building 6 (Concierge) will be closed in September for a full refurbishment.
- Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa Phase I's four buildings and Phase II's eight units are complete, Construction on the six buildings of Phase III is underway, with all six units expected to be completed in late 2007. The new buildings will comprise two additional sections, to be called The Carousel and The Grandstand. The two buildings in The Carousel have been completed, and the four in The Grandstand are well underway.
Water Parks
- Blizzard Beach closed for annual refurbishment October 28 late December.
- Typhoon Lagoon closed for annual refurbishment late December late winter.
Elsewhere
- Cirque du Soleil La Nouba performs Tuesdays Saturdays. No performances May 20?June 4, July 2931, September 23October 1, November 2527.
Park Events
April 2007
- Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link). Apr. 5 June 3. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th annual event.
May 2007
- Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link). Apr. 5 June 3. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th annual event.
- Disney's Minnie Marathon Weekend 5K and 1 Mile (link). May 5. The short runs of the ladies-only running weekend take place at and near Downtown Disney. Registration is now open (link).
- Women Run the World 15 K (link). May 6. The course starts at Animal Kingdom, goes through the Studios and ends at Epcot. Registration is now open (link).
- Muddy Buddy (link). May 12. Athletes get down and dirty in this competition. Registration is now open (link).
- Danskin Women's Triathlon (link). May 12-13. Athletes compete in a 400 yard swim, a 9 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run. Registration is now open (link).
- Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (link). May 15-17. Regular-season Major League Baseball comes to The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports for the first time.
- Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend (link). May 18-20. The annual event features over 30 artists displaying their wares.
- Walt Disney World 70.3 Ironman Triathlon (link). May 20. Athletes compete in a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. Registration opens soon (link).
- Pirates of the Caribbean Adventures on the Seven Seas Lagoon (link). May 21-24. Disneyland may get the movie premiere, but Walt Disney World gets a three-day, multi-tiered event on open water.
- Gay Days 2007. May 31 - June 3. The 17th annual gathering of the GLBT community at Walt Disney World (link1 | link 2).
June 2007
- Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link). Apr. 5 June 3. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th annual event.
- Gay Days 2007. May 31 - June 3. The 17th annual gathering of the GLBT community at Walt Disney World (link1 | link 2).
- Star Wars Weekends (link). June 124. The popular event returns to the Studios in 2007 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original Star Wars film.
July 2007
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp (link). Late July Mid-Aug. The Bucs return to Disney for another year's training camp.
August 2007
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp (link). Late July Mid-Aug. The Bucs return to Disney for another year's training camp.
- Disney's Pirate & Princess Party (link). Aug. 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31 and Sept. 3. A rerun of this past winter's new hard-ticketed event celebrates the pirates and princesses in all of us.
- Tom Joyner Family Reunion (link). Aug. 31 ? Sept. 3. The radio host's annual gathering returns for another year.
September 2007
- Disney's Pirate & Princess Party (link). Aug. 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31 and Sept. 3. A rerun of this past winter's new hard-ticketed event celebrates the pirates and princesses in all of us.
- Tom Joyner Family Reunion (link). Aug. 31 ? Sept. 3. The radio host's annual gathering returns for another year.
- Night of Joy (link). Sept. 7?8. Disney's annual Christian music festival.
- Disney's Pin Celebration (link). Sept. 7?9. This year, the event's theme is "Where Dreams HapPin". Registration opens May 9.
- Walt Disney World Triathlon (link). Sept. 23. Athletes compete in a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride, and a 10K run. Registration opens soon (link).
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (link). Sep. 14, 21, 28, 30, Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, Nov. 2. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs.
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). Sep.28 ?Nov. 11. The 12th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series.
October 2007
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (link). Sep. 14, 21, 28, 30, Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, Nov. 2. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs.
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). Sep.28 ?Nov. 11. The 12th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series.
- Race for the Taste 10K (link). Oct. 7. The annual October classic steers runners through the Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot. Registration is now open (link).
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K and 6.5K (link). Oct. 27. Disney's first night-time endurance event is Halloween-themed, and concludes witha big after-party. Registration is now open (link).
November 2007
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link). Sep.28 ?Nov. 11. The 12th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series.
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (link). Sep. 14, 21, 28, 30, Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, Nov. 2. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs.
- Disney Golf Classic (link). Nov. 14. Joe Durant returns to defend his 2006 title.
- Festival of the Masters (link). Nov. 911. Disney's annual arts festival at Downtown Disney's West Side.
- ABC Super Soap Weekend (link). Nov. 10?11. Your favorite ABC soap opera stars converge on the Disney-MGM Studios.
- Pirates of Castaway Cay pin cruise (link). Nov. 11-15. Pirates, pins and a Disney cruise, all rolled into one.
- Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (link). Nov. 12 ? Jan. 6, 2008. Jennings Osborne's amazing display returns to the Studios.
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (link). Nov. 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21 (dates tentative). Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What's not to like?
- Old Spice Classic (link). Nov. 22, 23, 25. ESPN Regional presents the second annual 8-team, 12-game tournament, featuring George Mason, Kansas State, North Carolina State, Penn State, Rider, South Carolina and Villanova.
- Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade (link). Dates TBA. The Animal Kingdom Parade trades its Jammin' for Jingle in this holiday makeover.
- Holidays Around the World (link). Nov. 23 ? Dec. 30. Epcot's World Showcase gets storytellers, special entertainment and crafts for kids, the Lights of Winter and a spectacular Christmas tree.
- Festival of the Seasons (link). Dates TBA. Downtown Disney gets a holiday makeover.
December 2007
- Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (link). Nov. 12 ? Jan. 6, 2008. Jennings Osborne's amazing display returns to the Studios.
- Holidays Around the World (link). Nov. 23 ? Dec. 30. Epcot's World Showcase gets storytellers, special entertainment and crafts for kids, the Lights of Winter and a spectacular Christmas tree.
- Festival of the Seasons (link). Dates TBA. Downtown Disney gets a holiday makeover.
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (link). Nov. 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21 (dates tentative). Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What's not to like?
- Pop Warner Super Bowl (link). Dates TBA, expected to be Dec. 2?8. Football players and cheerleaders invade the resort for the pigskin championships.
- MouseFest 2007 (link). Dec. 2?10. The annual gathering of the Disney Internet community takes place at sea from Dec. 2?6 and on land from Dec. 6?10.
- Pleasure Island New Year's Eve (link). Dec. 31. Pleasure Island celebrates the actual New Year.
- New Year's Eve at Cirque du Soleil. Dec. 31. Cirque puts on special New Year's performances.
- Atlantic Dance Hall New Year's Eve (link). Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year at the BoardWalk's own dance club.
January 2008
- Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (link). Nov. 12 ? Jan. 6, 2008. Jennings Osborne's amazing display returns to the Studios.
- Walt Disney World Half-Marathon (link). Jan. 12. Registration opens January 8, 2007.
- Walt Disney World Marathon (link). Jan. 13. Registration opens January 8, 2007. [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]
June 2008
- Gay Days 2008. June 6 - 9. The 18th annual gathering of the GLBT community at Walt Disney World (link1 | link 2).
Current Discounts & Promotions
Free dining plan is back for late AugustSeptember
Disney is offering a new free dining package for trips beginning August 26 through September 22. Minimum stay will be three nights and a minimum one-day theme park ticket per person is required to get the free dining package for the length of your stay. Just remember that this is during peak hurricane season, which is why Disney needs to offer this promotion to get people to visit the parks and stay on property. While the odds of a hurricane interrupting or cancelling your vacation are low, you may want to take advantage of the trip insurance offered by Disney, just in case. Packages must be booked by June 24.
Passholder and Florida resident rates
Annual passholders and Florida residents have discount codes for room-only and package stays for mid-April through late May, available for booking through the end of the promotional period, subject to availability. Passholder and resident discount dates are for most nights through May 24. Passholder rates start as low as $74 per night for value resorts, while Florida resident rates are as low as $79 per night for values. Full hook-up campsites for RVs start at $55 per night for passholders, $60 per night for Florida residents.
Hotel Royal Plaza offers discounts to MousePlanet readers
We'd like to welcome the Hotel Royal Plaza as a new MousePlanet sponsor. As part of our new relationship, the Royal Plaza has created a special offer just for MousePlanet readers! From now through the end of the year, anyone booking their stay through the MousePlanet web site will receive discounted rates up to 20 percent off on all room types.
The completely-remodeled 394-room resort is located on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, just a few minutes' walk from Downtown Disney. Bus service to all Walt Disney World theme parks is included with your stay. Their Giraffe Caf restaurant, Giraffe Tavern sports bar, Marketessen deli-style caf and Sips Pool Bar are ready to serve you. And children 10 and under eat breakfast for free!
And so we'd like to thank the Hotel Royal Plaza for joining the MousePlanet family, and invite you to try their hospitality.
Disney's Price Slice golf rates are back
Disney's popular summer golf discount program, Disney's Price Slice, will return from May 14 through September 27. During that time, a round of golf at any of the Walt Disney World courses will be less expensive after 10 a.m. daily, due to the heat of the summer season. The Magnolia, Palm, Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge courses will carry a fee of $55, while the Lake Buena Vista course will cost $45. Rates include the use of an electric cart, and are $34-$44 cheaper than regular rates.
The rates include the use of an electric cart and are discounted from the before-10 a.m. prices of $99 for resort guests/$109 for day visitors (Magnolia and Osprey Ridge), $89 for resort guests/$99 for day visitors (Palm and Eagle Pines) and $79 for resort guests/$89 for day visitors (Lake Buena Vista). To reserve a tee time, call 407-WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653) or go to the Disney Golf Web site (link). Note that the site's front page still appears to have difficulty with browsers other than Internet Explorer. Once you get past the front page, you should be all right.
Magic Your Way ticket price guide
Walt Disney World's entire ticket price structure changed as of January 2, 2005, to the new Magic Your Way passes, and prices increased on January 1, 2006, and again on August 6, 2006. Advance purchase discounts are only available on tickets above the base ticket of at least 4 days, with higher discounts on those tickets with both options. Prices do not include 6.5% Florida sales tax.
Adult/Child Total Cost | 1-day | 2-day | 3-day | 4-day | 5-day | 6-day | 7-day | 8-day | 9-day | 10-day |
Base Ticket | $67 / $56 | $132 / $110 | $192 / $160 | $202 / $168 | $206 / $169 | $208 / $171 | $210 / $173 | $212 / $175 | $214 / $176 | $216 / $177 |
w/ Park Hopper option | $112 / $101 | $177 / $155 | $237 / $205 | $247 / $213 | $251 / $214 | $253 / $216 | $255 / $218 | $257 / $220 | $259 / $221 | $261 / $222 |
w/ Water Park Fun & More option | $117 / $106 | $182 / $160 | $242 / $210 | $252 / $218 | $256 / $219 | $258 / $221 | $260 / $223 | $262 / $225 | $264 / $226 | $266 / $227 |
(plus 3) | (plus 3) | (plus 3) | (plus 4) | (plus 4) | (plus 5) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | (plus 6) | |
w/ both options | $162 / $151 | $227 / $205 | $287 / $255 | $297 / $263 | $301 / $264 | $303 / $266 | $305 / $268 | $307 / $270 | $309 / $271 | $311 / $272 |
w/ both options, no Expiration | N/A | $237 / $215 | $302 / $270 | $337 / $303 | $356 / $319 | $363 / $326 | $395 / $363 | $432 / $395 | $459 / $421 | $466 / $427 |
Advance Purchase Discount - 1 option | N/A | N/A | N/A | $2/$2 | $5/$2 | $6/$2 | $7/$2 | $7/$3 | $7/$3 | $7/$3 |
Advance Purchase Discount - 2 options | N/A | N/A | N/A | $12/$10 | $15/$10 | $16/$10 | $17/$10 | $17/$11 | $17/$11 | $17/$11 |
Park Hours
Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through September 2007.
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MK 9a-10p |
MK 9a-8:30p |
MK 9a-8:30p |
MK 9a-10p |
MK 9a-9p |
MK 9a-10p |
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MK 9a-9p |
MK 9a-10p |
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MK 9a-9p |
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Entertainment Schedule
Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through September 2007.
Theme Park Events
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Monday 4/30 | |||
Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Peter & Gordon 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Tuesday
5/1
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8:30p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Peter & Gordon 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Wednesday 5/2
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8:30p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Jose Feliciano 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Thursday 5/3
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Jose Feliciano 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Friday 5/4
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Flower and Garden Festival Cinco de Mayo Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Tom MacCubbin 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Petula Clark 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Saturday 5/5
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower and Garden Festival Cinco de Mayo Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Tom MacCubbin 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Petula Clark 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Sunday 5/6
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower and Garden Festival Cinco de Mayo Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Tom MacCubbin 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Nelson 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Monday 5/7 | |||
Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Nelson 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p, 10:30p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Tuesday
5/8
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8:30p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Nelson 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Wednesday 5/9
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 8:30p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Nelson 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Thursday 5/10
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower Power Concert Series: Nelson 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Friday 5/11
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 9p |
Flower and Garden Festival Mother's Day Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Raymond Western 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Davy Jones 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Saturday 5/12
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic Parade 9p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower and Garden Festival Mother's Day Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Raymond Western 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Davy Jones 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Sunday 5/13
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Disney Dreams Come True Parade 3p Wishes Fireworks 10p |
Flower and Garden Festival Mother's Day Weekend Great American Gardener Series: Raymond Western 12:30p, 3:30p Flower Power Concert Series: Davy Jones 5:45p, 7p, 8:15p Illuminations 9p |
Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 9p |
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 4p |
Fort Wilderness movie schedule for April/May 2007
Movies begin at 8:40 and will be preceded by a campfire at 7:30 and a singalong at 8:00. The May schedule was not available at press time.
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30 The Rookie |
1 |
2 Robin Hood |
3 |
4 Toy Story 2 |
5 |
6 |
7 The Apple Dumpling Gang |
8 |
9 Home on the Range |
10 |
11 Cars |
12 |
13 |
14 The Princess Diaries 2 |
15 |
16 Mary Poppins |
17 |
18 Tarzan |
19 |
20 |
21 Mulan |
22 |
23 Bambi |
24 |
25 Finding Nemo |
26 |
27 |
28 Bedknobs and Broomsticks |
29 |
30 Valiant |
31 |
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Downtown Disney Entertainment
(Separate admission required)
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Monday 4/30 | |
King's County |
Five For Fighting with Chantal Kreviazuk (main room), $18.50 in advance, $21.50 day of show; 8 p.m. |
Tuesday 5/1
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King's County |
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Wednesday 5/2
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Leonard Brothers |
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Thursday 5/3
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Leonard Brothers |
Damon Fowler (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m. |
Friday 5/4
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Leonard Brothers |
Robin Thicke (main room), $29.50 in advance, $32.50 day of show; 8:30 p.m. Sandy Atkinson (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m |
Saturday 5/5
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Leonard Brothers |
The Wailers and Steel Pulse (main room), $22 in advance, $24 day of show; 9 p.m. Zac Harmon Band (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m |
Sunday 5/6
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Leonard Brothers |
The W.N. McKinney Gospel Choir (gospel brunch), $32.50 adult, $16.25 child (3-9); 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. |
Monday 5/7 | |
Leonard Brothers |
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Tuesday 5/8
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Hip Kitty |
PE, Authority Zero, Mower and Villibillies (main room), $15 in advance, $17 day of show; 7 p.m. |
Wednesday 5/9
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Hip Kitty |
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Thursday 5/10
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Hip Kitty |
Akon (main room), $32.50 in advance, $35 day of show; 9 p.m. Sonny Rhodes (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m. |
Friday 5/11
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Hip Kitty |
Say Anything & Saves The Day with Manchester Orchestra and Meg & Dia (main room), $16 in advance, $19 day of show; 7:30 p.m. Sonny Rhodes (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m |
Saturday 5/12
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Hip Kitty |
House of Blues presents FONSECA Tour Corazon 2007 with Banda Kabuyah y Zambatuka (main room), $40-$60; 10:30 p.m. Sonny Rhodes (Blues Kitchen), free; 10:30 p.m |
Sunday 5/13
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TBA |
TBA (gospel brunch), $32.50 adult, $16.25 child (3-9); 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. |
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Mark here.
 
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