Walt Disney World Park Update

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Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment
Schedule

News and Views

The entrance to Mission: Space at Epcot.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Previews of coming attractions – Many of the
construction walls around yet–to–open Mission: Space attraction
at Epcot have been removed, allowing visitors to walk almost to the entrance
of the attraction.

The future home of the Yeti?

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

At Animal Kingdom, cast members point to this area, located
between Asia and Dinoland, as the probable location for the just-confirmed
Forbidden Mountain: Legend of the Yeti attraction.

New package inspection stations at the
Magic Kingdom have just opened.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Security Matters – New package check stations, shown above,
have been completed outside the Magic Kingdom. These permanent installations
replace the temporary stations, shown below, constructed following the
events of September 11, 2001. Similar stations are in various stages of
construction at the three remaining parks.

The old checkpoints are being replaced
at the three remaining parks.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

C’est la vie? Fearing an anti–France backlash because of
the French government’s strong stance against the U.S. in the Iraq war,
Disney is quietly increasing the security presence around the France pavilion
at Epcot, and reassigning some of the young French nationals with French-speaking
Italians and Canadians. Based on the behavior of some visitors to the
area, unfortunately, park officials seem justified in having serious concerns.
One MousePlanet staff member recently witnessed a group of rowdy American
men storm through the pavilion as they shouted epithets and made obscene
gestures at the cast members.

Animal Kingdom’s new store features the
same merchandise, but in pretty new cases

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A new shop for Animal Kingdom – A tiny new Art
of Disney store has opened in Animal Kingdom. A few unique items can be
found amid the mix of Walt Disney Art Classics pieces, animation-inspired
art, “Big Fig” sculptures, and Marie Osmond dolls sold at most
Art of Disney stores around the resort.

A scattering of park-inspired merchandise
is displayed among the animation figurines and dolls.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

To celebrate the grand opening, the store hosted several
artist appearances and signings, including sculptor Robert King from Harmony
Kingdom, who signed the exclusive Mickey Safari box.

The Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion gets a facelift.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

A new sign outside Disney-MGM Studios invites
visitors to the new Tower of Terror.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Theater in Epcot’s China Pavilion closes for refurbishment
March 26 to May 22. The gallery, merchandise shop and restaurants continue
to operate.

Construction continues around the Sorcerer’s
hat, Disney-MGM Studio’s new park icon.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studio is closed for
refurbishment February 24 through April 13.

Park Events

Upcoming events

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 Wonde.r

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.

MouseSavers.com
reports 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. Use the discount
  codes found at MouseSavers.

• 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
the end of this year. When you charge your cruise to your Disney Visa,
you pay no interest for six months.

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 through Friday.
Call 407-WDW-Dine for locations and reservations.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule