Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Disney’s Magical Express to speed guests on their way to the parks

The latest phase of Destination Disney was announced last week, as Disney
introduced “Disney’s Magical Express.” This program, which starts
running on May 5, allows guests to check their luggage in at their departure
airport and not see it again until it arrives in their hotel room. Upon
arrival at Orlando International Airport, guests would go directly to
the Disney Airport Welcome Center, where they would check in and get free
motor coach transportation to the resort. On return flights, guests check
in their luggage and receive airline boarding passes before leaving their
resort.

This service is only be available to guests of Disney-owned resorts,
meaning those staying at the Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green or the Hotel
Plaza Boulevard hotels are out of luck. This will serve as the latest
attempt to convince guests to stay at a Disney hotel and then never leave
the property again.

For more information, see the full story at the Walt Disney World Web
site (link).

Major roadwork at I-4 and US 192 begins

Work begins today on a major reconstruction of the intersection of Interstate
4 and U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee. The project, which is expected to
take two years to complete, takes place in sections, with various detours
during this process. The first detour, which starts on Sunday, require
drivers heading west on U.S. 192 to drive past I-4, turn south on World
Drive, then use the westbound entrance ramp directly onto I-4. For more
information on the construction project, visit the project’s Web site
(link).

SeaWorld joins Disney, Universal in raising prices

SeaWorld Orlando, apparently feeling left out of the latest round of
price increases by rival parks at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando,
has raised the price of their day tickets to $59.75, matching their competitors.
However, they are offering a discount price of $53.75 to those who order
the tickets from their web site in advance.

Disney guard arrested in murder-for-hire plot

Disney security guard Parl Dicks was arrested on Wednesday on charges that he tried
to hire someone to kill his wife’s ex-husband for $4,000 in order to end a child
custody dispute. Dicks, who was arrested at Fort Wilderness by federal, state and
county officers, in conjunction with Disney security, was charged with solicitation
to commit murder. Disney has placed Dicks, an eight-year employee, on administrative
leave.

Disney Cruise worker dies in cabin

A 24-year-old Disney Cruise Line assistant beverage server from Poland was found dead
in her cabin last Monday while she was off-duty. There was no indication of foul play,
but since she was found while the ship was docked in Nassau, the Bahamian government
is investigating.

Brazilian girl dies after being stricken at park

An 11-year-old girl from Brazil died on Christmas Day after being stricken
at the park the day before. The girl, who was reportedly “throwing
up and passing out” while waiting in line at Space Mountain, was
rushed to Celebration Hospital, where she died after midnight. According
to the sheriff’s report, the girl, who had pre-existing respiratory and
pulmonary problems, had ridden the ride three times and was waiting in
line for a fourth ride shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve when she
started getting sick. Disney offered to assist the family, but had not
heard back from them since that night.

Ears to the ground

…Please note that the attraction listing for the evening Extra Magic
Hours that we listed last month (link)
are for evenings only. The morning Extra Magic Hours continue to operate
with the existing restricted number of attractions (for example, just
Tomorrowland and Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom).

…For the second time in a month, the Orlando offices of Gay Days
have been hit by vandals. On Wednesday night, the front window was struck
by eggs, painballs and bullets. Orlando police are investigating it as
a possible hate crime.

…On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that it would
hold their 2005 training camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex
for the fourth year in a row. The team will also house its players, coaches
and staff at the Celebration Hotel for the third consecutive year. While
the official dates are yet available, camp generally runs from late July
to mid-August. All practices is open to the public free of charge.

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.
  
• Astro Orbiter – closed December 20 – March 12, 2005.
  
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – scheduled rehab has
  now been postponed until after completion of work on the Astro Orbiter.
  
• 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.
  
• 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 – closed 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 is rumored but not confirmed to be open 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.
  
• Fantasmic – will not be performed January 24-26.
  
• The Imperial Walker in front of Star Tours – will receive
  a rehab from January 4–March 11.
  
• Mickey Avenue – will undergo work on an expansion from January 4–March 11..
  
• Stunt Show merchandise cart – will undergo some work from January 9$#150;February 25.
  

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 appear to be completed. Alligator Bayou will close in sections.
  
• Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment
  of longhouses. Scheduled: Rapa Nui and suites in Tonga January 3 –
  April 1, 2005, Tahiti April 24 – August 17, 2005. May – September
  Tokelau. Work on the Great Ceremonial House also appears to be underway.
  We hear that all of the stores will be moved to the main lobby area,
  and that Captain Cook’s Snack Company will be expanded to fill the rest
  of the rear of the building.
  
• Old Key West Resort – The main pool is closed through
  mid-January 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 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.
  
• 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

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 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 $12 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.

The entire price structure is 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), $11 (7 days), and $12 (10 days). Child (ages
3-9) discounts are $6 (5 days), $7 (6 days) and $9 (7 or 10 days). We’ll
have a pricing grid for you next week.

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)