Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for December 3 – December 9, 2007

Go directly to: News & Views | Coming

Soon | Trivia of the Week | Refurbishment/Attraction

Closures | Discounts/Promotions | Park

Hours/Park Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

Cast member dies at Primeval Whirl | Castaway

Ray’s celebrates 50,000 served | Disney to sell land

at Flamingo Crossings | Construction update | Quick

Takes …

[Ed. note: Since I’ll be at MouseFest this week, I’m going to do my best

to get next Monday’s Park Update out on time. There is a possibility that

it will either be abbreviated or a day late, but I’ll get something out for

you next week.]

Cast member dies following injury while working at Primeval

Whirl

A cast member was injured last Saturday and died on Thursday after being

struck by a ride vehicle and falling at Primeval Whirl at Disney’s Animal

Kingdom.

Karen Price, 63, was reportedly working at the load station for the attraction

when she stepped into an area that is off-limits during the operation of the

attraction and was struck by one of the ride vehicles. She fell off of a platform

and hit her head. Reportedly, Price was alert and talking immediately after

the accident, so her head injury was thought to be not serious.

Price’s condition turned grave late Wednesday afternoon and she died Thursday.

Primeval Whirl was shut down after the accident, but reopened Sunday morning

after a full inspection. The Occupational Safety and Heath Administration

is investigating Price’s death.

Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak told

the Orlando Sentinel that “Our sympathies are with the family tonight.

We offer them our support during this difficult time.”

Walt Disney World has not yet responded to a MousePlanet request for additional

safety information regarding cast member procedures at the attraction, whether

anyone else working the attraction knew what Price was doing in the danger

zone, and any further comment.

Castaway Ray’s celebrates 50,000 served

The Disney Cruise Line celebrated another milestone in early November when

Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure welcomed its 50,000th guest. The Paparo

family from New Jersey was presented with a certificate and gift bag for the

occasion, followed by an exclusive training experience with the stingrays.

The milestone comes after just two years of operation for the stingray program

at Castaway Cay.

Disney to sell land at Flamingo Crossings complex

Things are moving forward at the retail, dining, lodging and entertainment

complex at the Western Way entrance to Walt Disney World, now known as Flamingo

Crossings. Disney’s Buena Vista Land Co. (the arm of Walt Disney Imagineering

charged with land management of Disney’s Florida property) has begun offering

land for sale within the 450-acre site.

Flamingo Crossings will be just northwest of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Note

that the Coronado Springs Resort label in this image is down and to the left

of the resort’s actual location. It should be more in a straight line between

Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Image © Disney.

Disney is selling the land instead of leasing it (as it does with the tenants

at Downtown Disney and Hotel Plaza Boulevard) because, according to Buena

Vista Land Company spokeswoman Andrea Finger, “Flamingo Crossings is a unique

project: It will be located outside the gateway, and will include third-party

branded businesses, similar to Little Lake Bryan and Crossroads.” No decision

has been made yet as to how much of the site Disney will retain at full build-out.

Flamingo Crossings will include a shopping/dining/retail district, as well

as value-priced hotels. Image © Disney.

What is certain, though, is that the Flamingo Crossings property will not

be de-annexed from the Reedy Creek Improvement District, unlike the property

for the private vacation homes adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort project

announced at the same time back

in March. While that will give others the right to vote in Reedy Creek

elections, it won’t make much of a difference, as voting is on the basis of

the amount of land owned. At one vote per acre, the 450 acres of Flamingo

Crossings are a mere blip compared to the 17,000 acres still owned by Disney.

The project, which will be developed in phases over the next 8-10 years,

will eventually feature 4,000–5,000 low- to mid-rise value-priced lodging

units and 300,000–500,000 square feet of commercial space. Asked if the

planned hotels will receive the same official status/privileges as the Downtown

Disney Hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Finger would only note, “The project

is still in the early planning stages.”

The “retail village” portion of Flamingo Crossings will be pedestrian-friendly.

Image © Disney.

“Flamingo Crossings is the latest example of Disney’s commitment to creating

great places for families to enjoy,” said Matt Kelly, vice president of Buena

Vista Land Company. “This unique, master-planned destination is part of Disney

Parks and Resorts’ strategy to generate growth within existing businesses

and expand around the central Florida resort.”

Asked whether there were any potential tenants/purchasers lined up, Finger

noted that it was too early at this point. If you happen to be an interested

retail, dining or hotel developer, you can contact Buena Vista Land Company

at 407-566-1900.

Construction update

This week’s listing of interesting items from paperwork filed with Orange

County was very light in the last week:

• Walt Disney Imagineering has filed another Kim Possible Adventure-related

  installation, this one for “Epcot WS Interactives – SFX Package.”

• All wire rope and rigging hardware will be replaced in the American Adventure

  Theater as part of the curtain replacement scheduled for January 7–February

  3.

• The fabric projection screen material in Theaters #1 and #2 of the Universe

  of Energy Attraction will be replaced.

• The roof of the One Man’s Dream theater building at the Disney-MGM Studios

  will be replaced.

• The popcorn cart in Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be expanded.
• New handrails will be installed in the four Magnolia Bend buildings at

  Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

• A new stair entrance will be built at Alligator Bayou building #27 at

  Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

• A window and door will be replaced at Captain Jack’s Restaurant in the

  Downtown Disney Marketplace.

• Two new bus shelters will be built at the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Quick takes …

…A 72-year-old man at the Magic Kingdom with his family slipped and

fell outside a restaurant on Thursday and died of his injuries on Friday according

to the Orlando

Sentinel. The man, whose name was not released, had been taken to

a hospital after his fall.

…A new

Web site promotes the upcoming Toy Story Mania attractions at both the

Disney-MGM Studios (soon to be Disney’s Hollywood Studios) and Disney’s California

Adventure.

…The Luna Park pool complex at the BoardWalk Resort closes to guests

starting on January 7 to resurface the pool. Work is expected to be completed

by early February. Those staying at the resort will have the privilege of

pool hopping to Stormalong Bay pool during the renovation. Thanks to MousePlanet

reader Charles for the information.

…Fantasmic will not be performed January 28 – February 1.

…We’ve finally heard rumblings of the dates for the closure of Nine

Dragons for its refurbishment. Expect the Epcot eatery to close April 30 –

November 30.

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

• Now through Jan. 6, 2008. Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.
• Now through Jan. 6, 2008. Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.
• Now through Dec. 24. Festival of the Seasons.
• Now through Dec. 30. Holidays Around the World.
• Dec. 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas

  Party.

• Dec. 1–8. Pop Warner Super Bowl.
• Dec. 2–10. MouseFest 2007 (unofficial event).
• Dec. 4. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End special release event.
• Dec. 7-8. Peter and the Secret of Rundoon book signing.
• Dec. 15. A Royal Carousel collection release.
• Dec. 15. Part of Your World cel release.
• Dec. 21. Mickey’s Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort.
• Dec. 31. Pleasure Island New Year’s Eve.
• Dec. 31. New Year’s Eve at Cirque du Soleil.
• Dec. 31. Atlantic Dance Hall New Year’s Eve.
• 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: What scale are the giant bowling pin icons at

Disney’s Pop Century Resort (where you can find me staying most of this week

for MouseFest)? Stay tuned to next week’s park update for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “Which two animated characters

had their original lead animators return to develop their appearance in 3-D

for Mickey’s PhilharMagic?”, is:

Lumiére (Nik Ranieri) and Ariel (Glen Keane).

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

• Magic Carpets of Aladdin – closed

  for refurbishment December 3–14.

• Mad Tea Party – closed for refurbishment

  December 15–21.

• Minnie’s Country House – closed

  for refurbishment January 1–February 1.

• Splash Mountain – closed for refurbishment

  January 1–February 15.

• Snow White’s Scary Adventures –

  closed for refurbishment January 28–February 15.

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth – closed for refurbishment

  July 9 – February 18.

• American Adventure – closed for

  refurbishment, including replacement of the stage curtain and related tapestry

  and hardware, January 7 – February 3.

• Tutto Italia Ristorante – is now open, but will close in the spring

  of 2008 to be completely remodeled, and will reopen in fall 2008 under yet

  another new name.

• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has again closed as such, perhaps

  forever and perhaps just until Thanksgiving weekend.

• Nine Dragons – closes April 30

  – November 30 for renovations that include the creation of an exhibition

  kitchen.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Voyage of The Little Mermaid –

  closed for refurbishment December 10–14.

• Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! –

  closed for refurbishment, including the replacement of the primary characters

  in the show, January 2–27.

• Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe –

  closed for refurbishment and likely conversion to a Prince Caspian theme,

  January 2 – May 23.

• Mickey Avenue – closed through

  at least next spring for installation of the Toy Story Mania attraction

  and related theming.

Animal Kingdom

No known current refurbishments.

Resorts

• All-Star Sports Resort – All buildings

  will be renovated between June 2007 and February 2008.

• Animal Kingdom Lodge – Construction

  of the Kidani Village annex building for the Disney Vacation Club’s Animal

  Kingdom Villas is expected to take until spring 2009.

• Caribbean Beach Resort – Feature

  pool closed for renovation January 7–mid-September, 2008. Temporary

  “child-sized” slides will be added to the quiet pools in the Jamaica and

  Barbados Villages while the main pool is closed.

• Coronado Springs Resort – Jaguar

  water slide closed for refurbishment from November 26 – December 14.

  The Dig Site feature pool and all quiet pools will remain open during the

  refurbishment.

• T-Rex Cafe – reportedly opens in Downtown

  Disney in late 2008.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – closed for annual refurbishment October 28

  – January 5.

• Blizzard Beach – closed for annual refurbishment January 6

  – March 8.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays –

  Saturdays. No performances November 25–27. Will hold special performances

  on New Year’s Eve.

Park events are now found in the monthly Park

Hours/Park Events/Entertainment Schedule pages

Current Discounts & Promotions

Hotel Royal Plaza offers discounts to MousePlanet readers

MousePlanet sponsor Hotel Royal Plaza, in the Downtown Disney resort area,

has enhanced its deal for MousePlanet readers. From now through the end of

the year, anyone booking

their stay through the MousePlanet Web site has been able to receive discounted

rates up to 20 percent off on all room types. Now, for a limited time, you

can get even more! The discounted rates now include free breakfast for two

in the Giraffe Café!. Plus children 10 and under always eat breakfast for

free! (Two children 10 and under eat free from the kids menu when accompanied

by an adult dining from the regular menu.)

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 Café restaurant,

Giraffe Tavern sports bar, Marketessen deli-style café and Sips Pool Bar are

ready to serve you.

We’d like to invite you to try

their hospitality!

Passholder, Florida resident discounts announced through end of the year

Disney has released discounted room rates for passholders and Florida residents

for the end of September through md-December. Discounts are available for

select resorts for most nights from September 30 through December 23. (The

nights of November 21-24 and November 30-December 7 are excluded at non-DVC

resorts, most likely due to Thanksgiving weekend and the Pop Warner Super

Bowl invasion, while only the Thanksgiving dates are blocked at the DVC resorts.)

There are two effective rate periods for this discount, with September 30-October

3, November 25-29, and December 8-19 carrying passholder rates of $59 per

night in value resorts and $164 per night in a DVC studio. The remaining dates

in the promotion period (except for the nights of November 21-24, which have

no discounts due to Thanksgiving weekend) have nightly passholder rates starting

at $79 for values and $194 for DVC studios. Florida resident rates are $5

higher than passholder rates.

Minimum stay requirements apply for Friday and Saturday arrivals. All rates

can be booked up until the date of arrival. Passholders and Florida residents

can book via your respective Web sites, by calling your travel agent (Small

World Vacations is MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel provider) or

by calling 407-560-7277 for passholders or 407-560-7722 for Florida residents.

An interesting twist on this deal is that, for certain check-in dates, you

can get a Disney Dining Card with $20-$100 per room with your minimum 2-night

reservation. This perk is available for stays with check-in dates between

October 21-November 3, November 11-17 and December 9-15. The card can be used

toward food & beverage only, and not toward merchandise.

Rooms available at these rates are very limited, and they’re going quickly!

For ticket prices, park hours, and entertainment schedules, please go here.

Don’t keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors,

and comments. Email Mark here.