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News and Views

Lights, Motors, Action accident; more conflicting preview information

Wednesday’s 5:45 preview performance of the Lights, Motors, Action
Extreme Stunt Show at the Disney–MGM Studios came to a sudden
end when two cars crashed into each other, injuring one stunt driver.
The accident occurred in front of an audience of about 2,200 guests. It
is rumored, but not confirmed, that Disney CEO-elect Robert Iger was in
attendance at that performance. It is known for a fact that Iger had been
spending several days at the resort walking around and taking in some
of the new attractions in the parks.

During the opening “ballet” sequence, one of the black “pursuit”
cars clipped the side of a building on the set at around 50 mph. The impact
caused the car to spin out and collide with the red “hero” car,
which them became wedged under a “bridge” set piece. The driver
of the red car had to be cut from the car by Reedy Creek emergency services
personnel, and was treated and released at a nearby hospital. The driver
aggravated an existing back injury sustained while performing in the original
Paris version of the stunt show, but is OK and driving again; however,
he has been restricted from real stunts for at least two weeks. The only
new injury that he sustained was a broken thumb.

Despite the crash, the show was performed again on Thursday.

In addition, the conflicting information on the show continues. On the
heels of last week’s word that the preview schedule had been stepped up
to daily test–and–adjust performances, we are now hearing that
there will be no scheduled public shows in April, although “they
may have one or two shows a week.” Perhaps the increased schedule
was due to the Easter crowds, and with attendance levels falling back
to normal the performances are no longer necessary.

According to our source, “During this time they will hone in the
skills and fix the vehicles as well as test certain what–if situations
that will prepare them for the event should it happen during a show.”
The show is expected to permanently reopen to the public on May 5, following
the official opening press event on the evening of May 4. However, it
is still uncertain whether or not the jet skis will be ready by then.
These schedule changes are reportedly unrelated to this week’s accident.

Soarin’ previews continue; a narrated tour of the queue and other Land
news

After a temporary halt to previews to resolve a technical issue, Epcot’s
Soarin’ attraction is continuing previews for all guests via an entrance
adjacent to the Imagination pavilion. MousePad reader marktips has posted
an excellent and lengthy description of the attraction queue (link),
which sounds quite pretty. Here is some additional queue information from
a Disney press release:

As guests begin their journey and walk to their boarding gate, they
pass through the Great Hall, the attraction’s main embarkation area.
Lining the wall of the Great Hall are five 20-foot-wide photographic
vistas showing Earth’s varied environments in vibrant detail. Organized
by biomes, or eco-zones, they highlight Earth’s diverse natural beauty—the
burnt orange of the desert landscape, the emerald green of the rainforest,
the crystal blue of the Arctic, the majestic purple of mountains and
the multi-colored brilliance of the deciduous forest. Under each biome
depiction is a large, flat-screen monitor showing fun facts and quizzes
about the eco-zones.

In keeping with the theme of flight, the design of the attraction’s
other pre–show areas (ticketing, skyway, concourses, gates) are
suggestive of a stylish airline terminal, with cast members dressed
as though they are part of a fashionable flight crew.

In other news of The Land pavilion, the Garden Grill Restaurant at Epcot’s
Land pavilion has again extended its refurbishment. The new target return
date is July 7.

Part of The Land entrance ramp has been revealed, with only the walkway
up the building itself blocked off. A sign for the Soarin’ attraction
has gone up near the entranceway murals. Part of the new disabled access
ramp into the building is now visible. Most of the plants have been put
into the planters, but a few are still out in buckets.

Epcot news roundup

…Last Friday, the Hong Kong Disneyland Preview Center opened at
Epcot’s China pavilion. The center features blueprints, attraction models
and more information on the meeting of Disney design and Chinese culture.

…Banners are up at the American Adventure, France, Japan and China
pavilions, featuring images of each country’s respective Disney castles
announcing the Happiest Celebration on Earth and each national park’s
opening date. The American banner features Disneyland.

…Turtle Talk with Crush at the Living Seas pavilion is so popular
that guests may have to wait in line through two complete shows before
getting in to see the show themselves. The popularity of this attraction
despite the lack of major advertising is probably why there is virtually
no advertising for it—it doesn’t need it!

…The facades of the France pavilion have been refurbished and look
great. The facade outside the exit of the O Canada attraction at the Canada
pavilion is next to get a touch–up, as construction walls are already
up. This will not affect the attraction.

…A new walkway from Test Track is under construction. The path allows
traffic to flow between the attraction and Innoventions Plaza without
having to travel through the MouseGear shop or Innoventions.

…Refurbishment of the America Gardens Theater is proceeding quickly.
A small Colonial–style building in the center rear of the theater
is now visible. The two structures that formerly flanked the rear of the
theater, and which previously provided some covered seating while supporting
rigging for lighting and sound equipment, have been completely removed.

…Construction walls have been erected in the area adjacent to the
Outpost area where the Australia and Andalucia, Spain locations were set
up for past Food & Wine Festivals, but there’s no word on what’s being
built there. We don’t know of any Flower & Garden Festival displays
targeted for that area.

Radisson Resort Parkway announces special rate available this week only!

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced a special
new rate discount available for MousePlanet readers. This exclusive rate
of $97.95 per night is only available through the Internet. Rates are
valid for April 2 – June 16, and must be reserved by April 10.

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

ESPN Great Outdoor Games to come to Walt Disney World

In yet another case of synergy run wild, the 2005 ESPN Great Outdoor
Games will be held at Walt Disney World July 7–10 for broadcast the
following week on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. The majority of the games will
be held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, with rifle and shotgun
events taking place at the Tenoroc Range in Lakeland.

Competition events include ATV skills, target sports, timber events and
sporting dogs. The fishing event has been discontinued, as ESPN’s BASS
fishing events are large enough to now stand on their own.

The competition are sponsored by regional cable provider Bright House
Networks.

Happiest Celebration on Earth schedule

In case you’re looking to avoid the media crush (or try to squeeze in
and see what they see), the schedule for media events for May 4–6
has been released. Here’s where the press will be:

• Wednesday, May 4: Disney-MGM Studios (4:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.)
• Thursday, May 5: Magic Kingdom (5:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.), Epcot
  (4:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.), with the Global 50th Anniversary Ceremony
  taking place in the Magic Kingdom at 1:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 6 Disney?s Animal Kingdom (5:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Ears to the ground

…Crowds at the Magic Kingdom last week were large enough to trigger
phased closings on more than one occasion last week.

…The magic mirror on Cinderella Castle has begun rotating the images
of the castles from all five Magic Kingdom-style theme parks around the
globe.

…We are hearing that this year’s first Star Wars Weekend will feature
Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett).

…Epcot has new souvenier cups with light-up images of the Illuminations
fireworks on a semi-opaque container. There are clusters of three LED
lights in the base that make the whole thing sparkle, flashing through
red, blue and green makes for a really cool night-time effect.

…Expect to see a Disney Vacation Club Preview Center crop up in
Anaheim later this year. The announcement should come in May. No word
on DVC resorts out west at this point, though. They’ll just be selling
the inventory at Saratoga Springs that hasn’t moved yet, as well as any
additional inventory created at the BoardWalk when the Preview Center
there has completed its conversion to vacation villas.

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• 20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon – most of the area
  has reopened, featuring corral–type planters and more walkway space.
  The remainder is transforming into a Hundred Acre Wood-themed children’s
  play area featuring slides, climbing structures, and interactive pop-jet
  fountains. The area, to be called “Pooh’s Playful Spot,” is
  expected to open around September..
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – refurbishment planned,
  date uncertain.
• Timekeeper – opens seasonally. The attraction is currently
  open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Saturday, April 2.
• 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.
• Stitch’s Great Escape – is running at half-capacity while
  the show is upgraded. Work on the first theater has been completed.
  We do not have an expected completion date on the second theater yet.
• Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration –reportedly returns
  after the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities
  end.
• Cinderellabration – preview performances are underway.
  Cast previews are scheduled for April 4–5. Official opening is
  May 5. Expected to run until the end of the 18-month “Happiest
  Celebration on Earth” festivities.

Epcot

• Entire park – closes at 3 p.m. on May 5 for the “Happiest
  Celebration on Earth” press event.

• Soarin’ – officially scheduled to open on May 5, but soft
  openings are already underway. Cast previews are April 8–10, 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 due to construction of the queue area for Soarin’.
  Resumes when the pavilion reopens.

• The Land pavilion – closed thru April 26 for completion
  of the retheming to match the new 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 currently open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday,
  April 2.
  
• America Gardens Theater – undergoing refurbishment, but
  should reopen in time for the Flower & Garden Festival’s Flower
  Power concert series.
  

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 on May 4. Cast previews are scheduled for April 6–7. Daily
  preview performances for the public are underway for test-and-adjust
  purposes. Show times are subject to change, and there is no guarantee
  that the show runs on a given day. Fastpass tickets are available beginning
  at 9 a.m. each day that the show runs.

• Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! – closed April 4–10
  for show change-out. A JoJo’s Circus segment is replacing the Rolie
  Polie Olie segment. The show returns with newly installed Fastpass machines
  to replace the manually distributed system currently in place.
  

Animal Kingdom

• Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to appear in May –
  July, 2005. Official debut is May 6.
  
• Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.
  

Resorts

• Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment
  of longhouses: suites in Tonga through May 10; 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.

• Contemporary Resort – The South Garden wing will be closed
  for refurbishment from May 30 to October 31. Rumors indicate that the
  buildings may be completely gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club
  villas. No confirmation of the conversion yet.

• 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 Club Resort – Siding renovation project to continue
  through mid-2005.

• 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.

Water Parks

• No current refurbishments.
  

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays –
  Saturdays. There are no performances June 5–20.
  

Park Events

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

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion (link).
  Sept. 2–4.
  
• Nights of Joy (link).
  Sept. 9–10.
  
• Disney’s International Distance Triathlon (link)
  Sept. 23–25.
  
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link).
  Sept. 30 – Nov. 13.

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (link).
  Sept. 30, Oct. 2, 4, 7, 11, 13, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31.
  

October 2005

• Disney’s 10K Classic (link)
  Oct. 9.
  
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World (link).
  Oct. 20–23.
  

November 2005

• Festival of the Masters (link).
  Nov. 11–13.

• Super Soap Weekend (link).
  Nov. 12–13.

• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights (link).
  Nov. 23 – Jan. 8, 2006

• Holidays Around the World (link).
  Nov. 25 – Dec. 30.
  
• Festival of the Seasons (link).
  Dates TBA.

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (link).
  Nov. 27, 29, Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20.
  

December 2005

• 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

Summer passholder and Florida resident rates are out

Annual Passholder and Florida resident resort discounts valid most nights
from April 17 through July 4 have been announced. Rates start at $74 for
value resorts and $104 for moderates. See the Passholder 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 June 2005.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through June 2005.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)