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News and Views

Mother’s Day Weekend Brunch with the guys

Disney is using Mother’s Day to test, of all things, a character meal
aimed at boys. We’re now hearing that the Mother’s Day Brunch at Epcot
is featuring Disney Heroes, including Mickey Mouse, Aladdin, Hercules,
Beast, Peter Pan, and others. Priority Seatings for Saturday, May 7, from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. are going fast,
and can be booked by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Nearly every spire of Cinderella Castle has received its gilding treatment,
though work on the other details is still just beginning. Photo by Brian
Bennett.

Lights, Motors, Action! dates announced

The new Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at the Disney-MGM
Studios is holding cast previews on Saturday, March 12, at 1:30 p.m. and
Sunday, March 13, at 12:45 and 2:45 p.m. Previews are for Studios cast,
friends and family only. The attraction soft opens to guests for dress
rehearsals on Monday, March 14.

Gold figures of Victor and Laverne (from The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
and Kaa (from The Jungle Book) have been installed on the castle
turrets. We can assume that Hugo will be the next to join his gargoyle
friends, on the next lower turret. Photo by Brian Bennett.

“MGM” disappearance date coming soon?

Jim Hill has reminded us (link)
that the end of Disney’s 20-year contract with MGM to use its name for
the theme park expires this June. We’ll have to wait to see whether Disney
tries to extend the contract or if they finally just change all the signage.

For those wondering, the reason that the vacation planning videos and
DVDs always used the name “Disney Studios” instead of “Disney-MGM
Studios” is that the deal with MGM did not allow them to use the
name in filmed entertainment products, to avoid confusion with filmed
products coming from the actual MGM studio. Now, it appears that the theme
park may soon match all of the advertising.

A close-up look at the castle turrets shows a good view of the gilding
and brocade trim. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Star Wars Weekends Festival events announced

The day after the sixth Star Wars movie (Episode III, Revenge
of the Sith) hits theaters on May 19, Star Wars Weekends kicks off
its 2005 four-weekend run at the Disney-MGM Studios. A quick rundown of
festival activities includes:

• Walk-around characters from every Star Wars film—from
  Kit Fisto and Boba Fett to Princess Leia and Greedo, as well as Jedi
  Mickey Mouse—will be available for photos and autographs.
• Star Wars celebrities will participate in talk show-style interviews
  in the ABC Theater, take part in meet-and-greet sessions and ride in
  Hollywood-style motorcades. The line-up of Star Wars legends
  appearing during the month will be announced soon.
• Special Star Wars-themed editions of Who Wants To Be A
  Millionaire–Play It! will be presented.
• The “Jedi Training Academy” will give young Jedi hopefuls
  the chance to learn moves with a light saber and test their newly acquired
  skills against one of the evil Siths.
• Loads of special-edition merchandise will be available. Event-exclusive
  Star Wars memorabilia—from trading pins and commemorative
  posters to apparel, medallions and other limited-edition items—will
  be available in Tatooine Traders.

Meanwhile, refurbishment continues on the Imperial Walker outside the
Star Tours attraction. At the moment, it is down to a bare steel skeleton.

While on vacation late last Thursday evening, Star Wars creator
George Lucas takes the time to face off with Jedi Mickey Mouse. Photo
© Disney.

“Lobby Concierge” services to debut

All Disney hotels, from Value to Deluxe resorts, are separating the Front
Desk functions into two distinct service areas: Front Desk and Lobby Concierge.
The Lobby Concierge replaces Guest Services and focuses primarily on providing
itinerary planning, dining, recreation, and ticket sales, while the Front
Desk still handles check-in and assistance with issues related to your
room. Recruiting and hiring for the new roles has already taken place,
and the separation should begin shortly. With the new system, there will
be a clear distinction of responsibility.

While Disney “concierge” services generally do not necessarily
match concierge-level services at major hotels in other cities (for example,
just try asking Disney concierges for assistance with tickets or dinner
reservations at a non-Disney location), the new service should be quite
sufficient for most guest needs, and the separation should help to keep
guest service-type requests and check-in services from backing up each
others’ lines.

With the lagoon construction wall down, the area leading to Mickey’s Toontown
Fair is much more spacious. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Companies to give away trips to Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Alamo Rent A Car has launched the Alamo.com Family Vacation Sweepstakes
to promote its best rate guarantee for reservations made online at Alamo.com.
Consumers can enter to win one of 300 trips to Walt Disney World Resort
or Disneyland Resort online at Alamo.com, and also earn four additional
entries with each qualified rental with Alamo from February 7 through
April 30, 2005.

Each of the 300 packages is for four people, and includes airfare, Disney
theme park passes, an Alamo rental car and hotel accommodations at a Walt
Disney World Resort hotel or Disneyland Resort hotel for five days and
four nights. Trips will be given away at the rate of 100 per month, giving
customers who may not win the first month, the chance to win again the
following month. Those who have already entered are automatically entered
in to the next month’s drawing.

At the same time, Clear Channel Radio stations across the country begin
running a specially designed Disney promotion today, along with the participation
of Premiere Network’s Delilah show and American Top 40 with
Ryan Seacrest. There is a call-in component of the radio promotion that
awards vacation packages for four people to the premiere of the “Happiest
Celebration on Earth” at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland
Resorts.

Some of the space behind the lagoon construction wall has been turned
into new “corral” planters. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Magic Mirror sculpture to premiere

A new collectible sculpture debuts on March 18 at several locations at
Walt Disney World. Standing 11 1/2 inches tall, the porcelain Magic Mirror:
“What Wouldst Thou Know, My Queen” sculpture is being offered
for $150 plus tax, in a numbered limited edition of 5,000 pieces. Also
available is the Evil Queen: “Who is the Fairest One of All?”
offered for $150 plus tax.

The sculptures are available at Art of Disney (both at the Downtown Disney
Marketplace and Epcot locations), Animation Gallery (at the Disney-MGM
Studios), King’s Gallery (at the Magic Kingdom), and Disney Outfitters
(at Disney’s Animal Kingdom), as well as through Walt Disney World Resort
Merchandise Mail Order via phone at 407-363-6200. As always, all information
is subject to change without notice.

The walkway between the new planters and the remaining wall provides much
more room to handle the crowds in Fantasyland. We can only guess that
ground will eventually be resurfaced to match the rest of Fantasyland.
The expected Hundred-Acre Wood meet-and-greet is most likely still being
built behind the remaining wall. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Passover package at Walt Disney World

You’re Jewish and you want to go to Walt Disney World during Passover,
but you don’t think that you’ll be able to eat there? Well, Lasko Tours
is presenting a Passover package at the Hilton in the Walt Disney Resort
on Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the Downtown Disney Resort Area. Catered by
Abe Fuchs of New World Caterers and including a character breakfast at
the hotel, the package also includes complimentary children’s tickets
to the theme parks.

For more information, go to the Lasko Tours Web site (link).

The area between the attraction facades and the planters and the remaining
wall also appears to be a bit wider. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Disney receives three Thea Awards at February 5 ceremony

The Walt Disney Company was the recipient of three trophies at the Themed
Entertainment Association’s Thea Awards, presented at an awards dinner
on February 5 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, California.
Winning an award for Attraction with Technological Breakthrough was Walt
Disney World’s Mission: Space. Disneyland’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular
won a Live Show award. Winning a Technology award was Lucky the Dinosaur,
who will appearing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom from May through July this
year. Award winners were chosen in 2004.

There is a new sandy path behind Ariel’s Grotto in the former lagoon area.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

AutoShow in Motion returns

The AutoShow in Motion (link)
returns to Epcot’s parking lot March 3–6. The show, which was last
in town in April 2004, once again offers the chance to check out more
than 150 new cars, trucks, and SUVs. Take a Hummer H2 off-roading, drive
the new Pontiac GTO around a closed-circuit track or just compare the
latest GM vehicles against those from many other major car makers.

Dumbo’s Flying Elephants have returned from refurbishment. Photo by Brian
Bennett.

Scripps to get Disney-style powers?

Earlier this year, Florida legislators created a lot of hubbub in revisiting
the legislation that created the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which
gave Disney governmental powers over its land, because they were concerned
that they had given away too much power to a corporation. Yet now, they
are considering giving similar powers to finally end the delays in beginning
construction of a biomedical research facility by Scripps in Palm Beach
County.

There is still a great deal of conflict on whether or not to grant these
powers, but if they do go ahead with it, it will be much less likely for
the Legislature to again consider removal of the Reedy Creek powers. The
Legislative session begins on March 8.

The rebar-and-chicken-wire construction of the peak of Mount Everest stands
ready for its concrete work. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Ears to the ground

…The Walt Disney World Web site has finally listed an official re-opening
date for “it’s a small world” of March 19.

…Due to popular demand, Disney started selling 8- and 9-day Magic
Your Way passes on February 11. Per-day price differences for base tickets
from days 7-10 are $3–$4.

…The new sign for Epcot’s The Land pavilion is largely completed
and echoes the patterns of the pavilion’s entrance murals, dampening fears
that the murals would be removed.

Workers install rebar around the sides of Expedition: Everest. Photo by
Brian Bennett.

…The Pepper Market and Maya Grill at the Coronado Springs Resort
have just been added to the Magic Your Way Dining plan.

…New cast member name tags will be distributed for the Happiest
Homecoming on Earth. They’re expected to have the “Happiest Celebration
on Earth” logo at top.

…Walt Disney World President Al Weiss has joined former Disney parks
head Dick Nunis on the board of the University of Central Florida. Nunis,
currently Chairman of the Board of Directors at UCF, retired as Chairman
of Disney Parks and Resorts in 1999 after an illustrious career that began
with assisting in preparation of a training program for Disneyland cast
members prior to opening in 1955.

Expedition: Everest as a whole is showing definite signs of progress.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

…The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando is opening a new church in
Celebration. Corpus Christi parish begins holding services in a storefront
in the Disney-created community, but plans to build its own building in
the near future. Boundaries of the parish include a large portion of Osceola
County. The new church would also provide another alternative for Walt
Disney World guests looking for a place to go for mass.

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 thru March 19
  for refurbishment (info).
  
• 20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon – most of the area
  has reopened, featuring “corral” type planters and more walkway
  space. The remainder is still reported to be transforming into a Hundred
  Acre Wood-themed meet-and-greet, with an uncertain opening date..
  
• Astro Orbiter – now reopened.
  
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – refurbishment planned,
  date uncertain.
  
• Timekeeper – opens seasonally. Presidents’ Week run finished.
  
• 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 Central Plaza (hub area in front of the castle) –
  undergoing more refurbishing in preparation for the Cinderellabration
  show coming later this year. About half of the hub has reopened, while
  the rest will remain behind construction walls into March.
  
• Stitch’s Great Escape – is running at half-capacity while
  the show is upgraded. No expected completion date yet.
  
• Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration – last performance was
  Saturday, February 26. Reported to be returning after the 18-month “Happiest
  Celebration on Earth” festivities end.
  
• Cinderellabration – reportedly begins preview performances
  on March 17. Expected to run until the end of the 18-month “Happiest
  Celebration on Earth” festivities.
  

The Merchant of Venus shop is closed for refurbishment while the right-hand
theater of Stitch’s Great Escape is being re-Imagineered. Photo by Brian
Bennett.

Epcot

• Soarin’ – officially scheduled to open in May, but may
  have an earlier soft opening. Cast previews are in early April, and
  passholder and DVC previews are April 15–17 during park hours.
  
• The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses at The
  Land—discontinued construction of the queue area for Soarin’. Will
  resume upon completion of the construction.
  
• The Land pavilion – closed thru April 5 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.
  Presidents’ Week run finished.
  

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. Cast previews will be held on March 12 and 13, and
  the show soft-opens to the public on March 14.
  
• The Imperial Walker in front of Star Tours – closed for
  refurbishment thru March 11.
  
• Mickey Avenue – undergoes work on an expansion thru March
  11.
  
• Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! – closed April 4–10
  for show change-out. It is rumored that a JoJo’s Circus segment will
  replace the Book of Pooh segment.
  
• Sounds Dangerous – Starring Drew Carey – closed February
  23–28. Reopens tomorrow.
  

Animal Kingdom

• Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to appear in May –
  July, 2005.
  
• Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.
  

Construction work along the Magic Kingdom monorail platform continues
as new gates are put in. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Resorts

• Port Orleans Resort – ongoing two-year extensive room
  refurbishment. Phase I’s French Quarter reopened. Phase II is underway,
  and involves Riverside going through a phased refurbishment. The Magnolia
  Bend mansions appear to be completed. Alligator Bayou closed in sections.
  
• Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment
  of longhouses: Rapa Nui and the suites in Tonga through April 1; Tahiti
  April 24 – August 17; Tokelau May – September. Work on the
  Great Ceremonial House also appears to be underway: stores moving to
  the main lobby area; Captain Cook’s Snack Company expanding to fill
  the rest of the rear of the building.
  
• BoardWalk Resort – Conversion of the previous
  Disney Vacation Club sales center into 19 additional villa-style accommodations
  through June, and the second floor villas located directly above the
  project area not available for booking during the construction. Major
  pipe replacement project underway in corridors outside guest rooms daily
  9 a.m. – 5 p.m. through summer 2005. No work scheduled inside guest
  rooms.
  
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – Phase I’s construction
  of four buildings complete; Phase II’s eight units will open one each
  month, beginning in March 2005; Phase III’s the six units due in 2007,
  involves razing the old Fairway Villas.
  
• Yacht and Beach Club Resorts – Refurbishment of Stormalong
  Bay pool area thru early 2005; certain sections unavailable at various
  times. Those parts not immediately worked on are open for use. Flying
  Jib slide work reportedly now complete.
  
• Yacht Club Resort – Siding renovation project to continue
  through mid-2005.
  
• Beach Club Resort – The Sandcastle Club child care center
  closed thru March 31 to refurbish Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe Emporium.
  Harbor Club at the BoardWalk Resort reopens for that three-month period.
  Sandcastle Club reopens April 1.
  
• Coronado Springs Resort – Exhibit hall construction continues;
  scheduled to open spring 2005. Construction noises may be audible throughout
  the Casitas section of the resort during the daytime construction.
  

Construction is underway near the Contemporary Resort’s pool area. Photo
by Brian Bennett.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – closed for annual refurbishment thru
  March 12. It reopens with a new water coaster, the Crush ‘N’ Gusher.
  

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays –
  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.
  

The former Plaza Pavilion is undergoing final work before reopening as
the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Park Events

February 2005

• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports
  complex (link).
  Thru March 31.
  
• Contest of Champions Cheer, Studio, and Dance/Drill Nationals
  (link).
  March 4–6.
  

March 2005

• Doll & Teddy Bear Weekend (link).
  March 18–20.
  

April 2005

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link).
  April 15 – June 5.
  
• Disney Grad Nights (link).
  April 22, 23, 29, 30.
  
• Pin Route 498 pin event (link).
  April 30.
  
• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon Fitness Expo (link).
  April 30 – May 1.
  
• All Star Kids Inline Classic (link).
  April 30.
  

May 2005

• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon & Half-Marathon (link).
  May 1.
  
• Danskin Women’s Triathlon (link)
  May 15.
  
• Star Wars Weekends (link).
  Fridays – Sundays, May 20 – June 12.
  
• Florida Half Ironman at Walt Disney World (link)
  May 22.
  

June 2005

• Gay and Lesbian Day at Walt Disney World (link1
  | link2).
  June 2–5.
  
• National Kidney Foundation 5K (link)
  June 12.
  

September 2005

• Night of Joy (link).
  Dates TBA.
  
• Disney’s International Distance Triathlon (link)
  Sept. 23–25.
  
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link).
  Sept. 30 – Nov. 13.
  

October 2005

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (link).
  Dates TBA.
  
• Disney’s 10K Classic (link)
  October 9.
  
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World (link).
  October 20–23.
  

November 2005

• Super Soap Weekend (link).
  Dates TBA.
  
• Festival of the Masters (link).
  Nov. 11–13.
  
• Holidays Around the World (link).
  Nov. 25 – Dec. 30.
  
• Festival of the Seasons (link).
  Dates TBA.
  

December 2005

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (link).
  Dates TBA.
  
• Pleasure Island New Year’s Eve (link).
  Dec. 31.
  
• New Year’s Eve at Cirque du Soleil (link).
  Dec. 31.
  
• Atlantic Dance Hall New Year’s Eve (link).
  Dec. 31.
  

January 2006

• Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo (link).
  Jan. 6 & 7.
  
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link).
  Jan. 7.
  
• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon (link).
  Registration now open. Jan. 7. [Note: The full- and half-marathons are
  now held on separate days. Read our WDW
  Marathon Guide.]
  
• Walt Disney World Marathon (link).
  Registration now open. Jan. 8.
  

Current Discounts & Promotions

Southwest Airlines announces discount packages for Walt Disney World,
Disneyland

Southwest Airlines is offering vacation packages to the Disneyland and
Walt Disney World Resorts. The packages are valid for trips from through
June 2, 2005, and must be booked by March 17. For complete details, go
to the Southwest Vacations site (link).

DVC golf discount, bonus

Walt Disney World golf courses are now offering Disney Vacation Club
members free club and shoe rentals through March 31, 2005. DVC members
can also purchase a DVC Annual Golf Membership for $50 plus tax. The golf
membership grants special prices and perks at the WDW golf courses.

Discounts for early 2005 are out

Resort discounts valid through April 16, 2005 have been announced. Room-only
and Magic Your Way 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.

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

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

The entire price structure has changed as of January 2 to the new “Magic
Your Way” passes. Advance purchase discounts are only available on
tickets above the base ticket of at least 5 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 April 2005.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through April 2005.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)