Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

We’re freshly back from MouseFest, and we’ve got plenty of photos for
you! In fact, we’ve got so many that ycu’ll also be seeing them in next
week’s update, as well as two feature articles in the next couple of weeks.
This week, we’ll feature construction photos.

It doesn’t look likely that anything is opening in the old 20,000 Leagues
lagoon site any time soon. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Televised WDW Christmas offerings include parade, Night of Joy

The 21st Annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade airs on Christmas
Day across the country. The two-hour parade broadcast, once again pre-taped
the first weekend of December for your viewing enjoyment, airs at a new
afternoon time, starting at 1:00 p.m. (ET), noon (CT), 11:00 a.m. (MT)
and 3:00 p.m. (PT). The headline act is Mariah Carey, performing “Joy
To The World” and “All I Want For Christmas.” Once again
hosting are Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa.

Another Christmas week broadcast of a pre-taped event is Night of
Joy: A Holiday Celebration of Faith and Family, a one-hour special
on the PAX network hosted by Kirk Cameron, on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The special features concerts by several Christian music artists, including
Grammy- and Dove-Award winner Kirk Franklin and gospel superstar Yolanda
Adams. Performances took place at Night of Joy 2004 on three consecutive
evenings from September 9 to 11. The show also includes Cameron shooting
home video of the Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Mission: Space, Rock ‘n’ Roller
Coaster, and Kilimanjaro Safaris attractions.

Guard union rejects contract again, agrees with Disney to cooling-off
period; call center workers approve five-year pact

On December 9, members of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of
America Local 603 rejected a contract proposal from Disney for the second
time in two weeks, over the recommendations of union leaders. The next
day, union and Disney negotiators agreed to a temporary break in talks
over a new employment contract. There is no word yet on how long the time-out
may last.

Also on December 10, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers Local 2088, which represents about 350 call-center operators and
technicians, voted to approve a five-year contract.

Construction continues on Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
park. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

The mountain has all of its peaks installed except the highest one. Photo
by Mark Goldhaber.

The highest point of the mountain is on site, awaiting installation. Photo
by Mark Goldhaber.

The mid-lift temple for Everest is making good progress. Photo by Mark
Goldhaber.

Braves single-game tix going on sale January 8; anthem auditions January
16

Individual game tickets for the Braves’ home spring training season go
on sale Saturday, January 8, 2005, at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports
box office and through Ticketmaster at 407-839-3900. Prices range from
$13 (general admission lawn seats) to $21 (lower reserved). This will
be the public’s first opportunity to see Tim Hudson, newly acquired in
a trade with the Oakland Athletics, pitching in his new Braves uniform.
For more information on spring training, go to Disney’s Wide World of
Sports web site (link).

An open audition is scheduled for Sunday, January 16, from noon-4 p.m.
at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Top singers earn the right to perform
the National Anthem prior to Atlanta Braves Spring Training games in March.
Auditions will be held at Cracker Jack Stadium on a first-come, first-serve
basis. Singers should bring a photo and resume and be ready to perform
their best a capella-style anthem. Participants may bring family and friends
to cheer for them. For more information, call 407-939-1415.

Magic Kingdom again world’s most visited park

The Magic Kingdom was again the most-visited theme park in the world
in 2004, with estimated attendance of over 15.1 million guests, according
to Amusement Business magazine’s annual ranking of the world’s
top 50 parks. The Magic Kingdom was followed by California’s Disneyland
at 13.3 million visitors and Tokyo Disneyland with 13.2 million. In North
America, Epcot (9.4 million), the Disney-MGM Studios (8.3 million) and
Disney’s Animal Kingdom (7.8 million) filled the third through fifth slots,
giving Disney the top five positions on the domestic chart.

Disney’s California Adventure was in eighth place, following Universal’s
two Florida parks. With SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood
in ninth and 10th place, the top 10 parks in North America are all located
in the Orlando and Los Angeles areas. While all of the Walt Disney World
theme parks showed increases (of 5-9 percent), attendance still has not
matched figures from before September 11, 2001.

In addition to claiming the top five slots on the domestic chart, Disney
parks in the United States, France and Japan grabbed eight of the top
10 slots worldwide.

Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend comes to Epcot in March

On March 18-20, over 30 artists showcase their teddy bear and doll creations
at the Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend at Epcot’s World ShowPlace. Event packages
include:

• Admission to convention events including: private shopping, continental
  breakfast, banquet dinner, live auction and evening social with artists.
  
• Two-day park hopper ticket valid for March 19th and 20th. Note: Annual
  Passholders may deduct this ticket from their package for a reduction
  of $108 per person ($86 for children ages 3-9).
  

Event packages are $350 per person (328 per children ages 3-9). A block
of rooms has been reserved at Disney?s Caribbean Beach Resort for event
guests at a rate of $99.24 per room, per night, including tax.

For more information, visit the event web site (link).
For package reservation questions, please call 407-827-7600, fax 407-566-1387,
or e-mail WDW.Bear.and.Doll@DisneyWorld.com.

Construction continues on Phase II of the Saratoga Springs Resort. Photo
by Mark Goldhaber.

Judging by the Sealy Mattress truck glimpsed at far left, these Saratoga
Springs units are nearing completion. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Other Phase II units at Saratoga Springs have a bit more work remaining.
Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Reedy Creek district review complete; action unlikely

Comcast’s hostile takeover bid for Disney earlier this year caused a
great deal of concern among Florida’s legislators over the possibility
of a new owner abusing the rights bestowed upon the Reedy Creek Improvement
District, the quasi-governmental agency controlled by Disney. In April,
Florida State Representative Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) requested the Legislature’s
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to review
the legislation creating the district. The office has finally completed
that review, and published a report of its findings last week.

The report indicates that current laws are sufficient to prevent a new
owner from “making drastic changes to district services, operations
and development activities” on the property, however it also suggests
two potential legislative changes that could reign in potential abuse
of the district’s powers. The two changes would make it more difficult
to replace district board members and remove the district’s exemptions
from filing Development of Regional Impact (DRI) reviews.

Reedy Creek administrator Roy Maxwell stated that it is not necessary
for the district to be subject to the DRI process because the district
must follow a comprehensive plan already submitted to the state. Disney
gadfly Richard Foglesong, author of the book Married to the Mouse:
Walt Disney and Orlando, complained that Disney is abusing its privileges
and not living up to its responsibilities.

Gardiner said that he was confident that the safeguards currently in
place were sufficient, and that further legislation was not necessary
at this time.

More honors for resort, restaurant

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been
awarded a AAA Five Diamond rating for the fifth consecutive year and is
among just 57 restaurants in North America earning AAA’s highest distinction
in 2005. Last month we had already reported that Victoria & Albert’s had
been awarded four stars by the 2005 Mobil Travel Guide—one
of only two restaurants in Central Florida to earn the honor.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was named among the “Top 20 Hotels
of the World” by Fodor’s Travel Publications “Fodor’s Choice
Hotels 2005” list The resort won in “The Kids Will Love It,
Too” category.

Ears to the ground

…Keep a close eye out during the Mickey’s ‘Twas the Night Before
Christmas show—it may be the only time that you ever see Mickey &
Minnie in bed together.

Due to minor delays, construction of the sand castle slide at the Old
Key West Resort continues for another couple of weeks. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

…Cinderella’s Royal Table returns from refurbishment for lunch and
dinner on January 27 and breakfast on January 28. On January 30, the Once
Upon a Time Character Breakfast at the restaurant begins extended breakfast
hours, with the last seating for breakfast changing from 10:20 to 11:15.
This change reduces the restaurant’s lunch hours, running from 1:00 to
2:55 p.m.

…There is a rumor that, with the introduction of the Magic Your
Way passes on January 2, all passes will now carry biometric identification,
thus relegating ticket transfers between friends to the past. We’ll have
to wait to see if this comes to pass.

…A great deal of painting is going on all over the resorts and parks.

…Parking lot reconstruction at many resorts is causing people to
park along the sides of roadways, causing much congestion.

…Construction on the sandcastle slide at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
has seen some minor delays, but may yet be completed by the end of the
year.

The Wonders of Life pavilion is now open through the end of the year,
and likely during the closure of The Land pavilion through the end of
March. Its fate beyond that point is anybody’s guess. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

…The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine in Fantasyland reopened yesterday as a seasonal
Food & Beverage location. This new location offers fresh fruit, snacks,
Smuckers Uncrustables, Dannon yogurt, bottled soda, bottled water, and
drink boxes.

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• “it’s a small world” – closed through March
  18, 2005 for rehab (info).
  
• 20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon – walled off to “clear
  the land as well as add landscape for future use.” Reopening time
  unknown.
  
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – expected to remain
  open for the holiday season, then will go down for major rehab.
  
• Timekeeper – opens seasonally. Unconfirmed: Likely open
  for the last two weeks of December.
  
• Jungle Cruise, the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New
  Management, the Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear
  Jamboree – open at 10 a.m. every day.
  
• The Hub area in front of the castle – undergoes more refurbishing
  in January 2005 in preparation for the Cinderellabration show coming
  later in the year.
  
• Cinderella’s Royal Table – closed for rehab January 17–27,
  2005. Lunch and dinner resume on January 28, while character breakfasts
  return on January 29.
  
• Astro Orbiter – closed January 25 – March 12, 2005.
  
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant – closed January 10 – February
  12, 2005.
  
• Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration – last performance on
  February 26, 2005. Expected to return after the 18-month “Happiest
  Homecoming on Earth” celebration (commemorating the 50th anniversary
  of the original Disneyland Park in California) ends.
  
• Cinderellabration – begins preview performances in March
  2005. Expected to run until the end of the 18-month “Happiest Homecoming
  on Earth” celebration.
  

Epcot

• Soarin’ – is officially scheduled to open in May 2005,
  but may have an earlier soft opening.
  
• The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses at The
  Land – discontinued construction of the queue area for Soarin’.
  Expected to resume upon completion of the construction.
  
• The Land pavilion – will close January 2 – March
  31, 2005 for completion of the Soarin’ attraction.
  
• 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 will be open December 18–31, and it is rumored but
  not confirmed that it will be open next January – March during
  the closure of The Land pavilion.
  
• El Rio del Tiempo not be operating January 10–12.
  

Disney-MGM Studios

• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, an American version
  of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from the Walt
  Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris – is officially scheduled to
  debut in May 2005.
  
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – returns this
  year on the Streets of America backlot, November 24 – January 2.
  
• Fantasmic – will not be performed January 24-26.
  

Animal Kingdom

• Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to debut in Spring 2005.
  
• Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.
  

Resorts

• Port Orleans Resort – Ongoing two-year extensive rehab
  of its rooms. Phase I’s French Quarter has reopened. Phase II is underway,
  and involves Riverside going through a phased rehab. The Magnolia Bend
  mansions will first be worked on one by one, and will be followed by
  Alligator Bayou closing in sections.
  
• Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment
  of longhouses. Each longhouse under rehab is walled off and isolated
  during its rehab. Room refurbishments are resuming. Scheduled: Rapa
  Nui January 3 – April 1, 2005, Tahiti April 24 – August 17,
  2005. Tokelau, not yet refurbished, is not yet scheduled.
  
• Old Key West Resort – The main pool is closed through
  late December to construct a new themed water slide.
  
• BoardWalk Resort – Conversion of the previous Disney Vacation
  Club sales center into 19 additional villa-style accommodations will
  continue through June. The second floor villas located directly above
  the project area will not be available for booking during the construction.
  In addition, a major pipe replacement project is underway in corridors
  outside guest rooms daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through summer 2005.
  No work is scheduled inside guest rooms.
  
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – Construction continues
  on the rest of the resort; the four buildings of Phase I are complete,
  the eight units of Phase II are due in 2005, and the six units of Phase
  III are due in 2007. Phase III will involve the razing of the old Fairway
  Villas.
  
• Yacht and Beach Club Resorts – An overall refurbishment
  of the Stormalong Bay pool area is running through early 2005. Certain
  sections of the pool will be unavailable at various times during the
  project. Those parts of the main pool not immediately being worked on
  will remain available for use. The first portion of the work should
  be completed by December 23. The main Shipwreck Slide will be closed
  only from January 3 to February 25, 2005, due to a painting project
  in that area. During the work on the slide, Yacht and Beach Club guests
  may use the Keister Coaster slide and Luna Park pool at the BoardWalk
  Resort.
  
• Yacht Club Resort – A siding renovation project is expected
  to continue through mid-2005.
  
• Beach Club Resort – The Sandcastle Club child care center
  will be closed from January 1 through March 31 to allow for the refurbishment
  of the Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe Emporium. The Harbor Club at the BoardWalk
  Resort will resume operations for that three-month period, with operations
  returning to the Sandcastle Club on April 1.
  
• Coronado Springs Resort – Construction continues on the
  86,000-square-foot exhibit hall that is scheduled to open in spring
  2005. Construction noises may be audible throughout the Casitas section
  of the resort during the daytime construction.
  

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – is closed for its annual refurbishment
  from December 12, 2004 – March 12, 2005. It reopens with a new
  water coaster, the Crush ‘N’ Gusher.
  

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through
  Saturdays, but is also be closed December 26.
  
• The All Star Cafe at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex
  – now closed Monday–Wednesday. Open Thursday–Sunday,
  from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  

Park Events

Ongoing

• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights (link).
  November 24 – January 2.
  
• Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney (link).
  November 26 – December 24.
  
• Holidays Around the World (link).
  November 26 – December 30.
  

December 2004

• Disney’s Soccer Showcase (link).
  December 27 – January 2, 2005.
  
• New Year’s Eve celebrations at Pleasure Island (link)
  and Atlantic Dance (link).
  December 31.
  

January 2005

• Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo (link).
  January 7 & 8.
  
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link).
  January 8.
  
• Disney Marathon (link)
  and Half-Marathon (link).
  Registration closed. January 9.
  

February 2005

• Twirl Mania – The Twirler’s Championships (link).
  February 18–21.
  
• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports
  complex (link).
  Dates in February – March TBA.
  
• Contest of Champions Cheer, Studio, and Dance/Drill Nationals
  (link).
  February 25–27 and March 4–6.
  

April 2005

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link).
  April 15 – June 5.
  
• Walt Disney World® Inline Marathon (link).
  April 30 – May 1.
  

May 2005

• Star Wars Weekends (link).
  Weekends in May – June TBA.
  

June 2005

• Gay and Lesbian Day at Walt Disney World (link1
  | link2).
  June 2–5.
  

September 2005

• Night of Joy (link).
  Dates TBA.
  
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link).
  September 30 – November 13.
  

October 2005

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (link).
  Dates TBA.
  
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World (link).
  October 20–23.
  

November 2005

• Super Soap Weekend (link).
  Dates TBA.
  
• Festival of the Masters (link).
  November 12–13.
  

Current Discounts & Promotions

Discounts for early 2005 are out

Resort discounts starting in January 2, 2005 have been announced. Annual
Passholder and Florida Resident discounts are valid through February 16,
while general and Canada Resident discounts are good through April 16.
Room-only and Dream Maker packages are available. See the Walt Disney
World web site (link)
or MouseSavers (link)
for more information.

Radisson Resort Parkway announces rates through 2005

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates
through the end of 2005, and has reduced their rates for much of the rest
of this year. Guests can receive a complimentary upgrade to deluxe pool
view accommodations for the remainder of 2004 simply by typing in the
code of “UPGR” in the promotional field of the reservation.

Click here
for more information, or here
to make reservations now.

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

The Walt Disney World Resort is encouraging visitors to buy their theme
park tickets before they even leave home by offering a slight discount
on advance purchases. You can save as much as $26 per adult, per ticket
with the “Advance Purchase Savings” program. These prices are
before the 6.5 percent Orange County sales tax.

You can also receive these Advance Purchase Savings with packages purchased
through AAA.

NOTE: The entire price structure will be changing on January 2 to the
new “Magic Your Way” passes. See the summary in the December
6 WDW Update (link)
for more details. Advance purchase discounts will only be available on
tickets above the base ticket for at least 5 days. Discounts for adults
are $7 (5 days), $9 (6 days) and $11 (7 days). Child (ages 3-9) discounts
are $6 (5 days), $7 (6 days) and $9 (7 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 February 2005.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through February 2005.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)