Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Walt Disney World cuts 25 management jobs

Last Monday, Walt Disney World laid off 25 management and professional
employees as part of “internal organizational changes,” purportedly
to streamline the decision–making process. The cuts, which are less
than one-20th of one percent of all those employed by the resort, seem
to follow in line with the reorganization of the corporate Strategic Planning
Division just a week and a half earlier in the attempt to push the making
of decisions down toward those more closely involved with the business.

In their announcement of the cuts, Disney said that they were providing
professional outplacement assistance and severance pay to the laid–off
employees. However, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that those
perks went only to full–timers, and not to part–time staff.
The positions are reportedly in several different areas, but would not
affect the experiences of resort guests.

The last time that the resort laid anyone off was last January, when
the remaining 260 employees at the Florida animation studio were terminated.

However, Disney continues to hire hourly and professional positions,
expecting to fill more than 2,000 full–time, part–time, and
seasonal positions for the peak summer season.

Tech workers to be outsourced?

Disney is considering outsourcing some of its Information Technology
(IT) jobs. The jobs, which cover everything from writing software, to
maintaining networks, to repairing PCs, are being examined as possible
candidates for outsourcing at a corporate level. This news comes just
a month after the appointment of Tony Scott as the new corporate Chief
Information Officer, although it is uncertain whether the two events are
linked.

The IT staff at Disney could very well be hired by whichever contractor
might take over the services, but that is not guaranteed. Also not guaranteed
is whether those hired by the contractor would receive a similar pay–and–benefits
package as they currenty enjoy with Disney.

Disney has contracted out many jobs over the years, from Aramark running
the employee food service and Mears Transportation handling airport bus
service to various firms doing construction and maintenance work on attractions.
The key would be whether the outsourcing would save money without affecting
the guest experience at the resort.

No decision on the potential outsourcing has been made yet. It is hoped
that the review of IT operations should be complete and at least a preliminary
decision reached by June.

Pal Mickey 2.0 due on April 20

The popular Pal Mickey interactive plush is getting an upgrade next week.
Due to debut on April 20, the Happiest Celebration on Earth edition of
Pal Mickey includes some new features. The 10 1/2-inch doll comes with
a removable tuxedo jacket and bow tie, and interacts with something called
a “Happiest Celebration Glow Medallion,” sold separately.

The new edition also comes with its own carrying lanyard strap and has
a louder speaking voice. Mickey also holds what appears to be a Walt Disney
World pin on his hand. (No word on whether the pin comes off or is permanently
attached.)

The new version of Pal Mickey also carries a hefty price increase, at
$65 plus tax, versus the current $50 plus tax. If you are one of the early
purchasers of the doll, we’d love to hear
what you think of it.

The new version of Pal Mickey will set you back 30% more than the original.
Image © Disney.

Radisson Resort Parkway lowers special rates!

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has reduced its special
discount rate available for MousePlanet readers. This exclusive rate of
$89.95 per night is only available through the Internet. Rates are valid
for April 2 to June 16.

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

Mike Scopa one of the Happiest Passholders on Earth

MousePlanet’s Mike Scopa has been selected as one of the 50 winners of
the Happiest Passholder on Earth contest. Mike’s winning essay about some
father/son moments shared at Walt Disney World won him ringside seats
at the special invitation–only media event kicking off the Happiest
Celebration on Earth with the official opening of the Light, Motors,
Action! Extreme Stunt Show on May 4. öKeep your eyes open for Mike’s
story about his winning entry.

Disney Magic to debut new musical during Trans-Canal cruise

Moving its base of operations to the West Coast and visiting new ports
are not the only new things that are going on aboard the Disney Magic
next month. During the May 25 Trans-Canal sailing from Florida to California,
the Disney Cruise Line ship premieres Twice Charmed – An Original
Twist on the Cinderella Story.

The new musical picks up where the original movie left off, at the wedding
of Cinderella and her Prince. Her stepmother, Lady Tremaine, and her stepsisters
Anastasia and Drizella get some help from Lady Tremaine’s evil Fairy Godfather
to wreak some havoc upon the happy couple.

Two of the eight songs in the show are from the original film, while
six were created for the new musical. The show replaces Hercules –
The Muse-ical aboard the Magic. The last performance of the
Herc-themed show will be aboard the April 9 sailing. (The show continues
aboard the Disney Wonder for the time being.)

For the intervening cruises, special performances fill the gap between
the musicals. On the April 16 and April 23 sailings, the “cirque-like”
Bumblesquats perform, while magician Mike Super does his stuff on the
April 30 cruise, and the May 7 sailing features the juggling team of Wilde
& Haines.

Disney Inline Marathon to feature new course

Disney Sports Attractions has announced a new course for this year’s
Walt Disney World Inline Marathon. The third annual skating competition
features a course that makes racers much more comfortable, as they now
only have to traverse 100 yards of the rough plank surface at the BoardWalk,
rather than the extended stretch of previous years.

This year’s course skates from the Wide World of Sports Complex up Osceola
Parkway, World Drive and Buena Vista Drive to the annex entrance to the
Disney-MGM Studios behind the Tower of Terror. From there, skaters race
around the Disney-MGM Studios theme park, exiting down Hollywood Boulevard
and out the front entrance.

Next, the course proceeds along the walkway to the bridge by the Swan
and Dolphin resorts, then along the water in front of the Yacht & Beach
Clubs, entering Epcot at the International Gateway. Skaters circle World
Showcase and sprint through the middle of Future World, exiting Epcot
at the front gates. From there, it’s clear sailing along the resort’s
highways as they go along Epcot Center Drive, World Drive and Osceola
Parkway to finish up back at the Wide World of Sports Complex.

Half-marathon skaters complete the 13.1-mile course once, while full
marathoners skate the loop twice. The races start at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday,
May 1.

Give your My Little Pony a Disney theme park experience

The Once Upon a Toy store at the Downtown Disney Marketplace has now
added a interactive station that allows guests to create their own My
Little Pony play sets, including Disney princess costumes and accessories.
It also allows kids to create their own My Little Pony storylines, allowing
their ponies to ride Disney theme park attractions.

Beach Club shop work done

The Atlantic Wear and Wardrobe Emporium at the Beach Club Resort reopened
on Friday, March 25, featuring new food items. Now on the menu are continental
breakfast options, deli-style sandwiches, tossed salads, pastries, house-made
gelato and soups of the day. Sandwiches and salads are available both
freshly made and grab–and–go style. The location also features
a drink refill station.

With the completion of work on the store, the Sandcastle Club has also
reopened, taking childcare operations back from the Harbor Club, which
now goes back into mothballs.

Ears to the ground

…Walt Disney World is beginning to roll out the new Disney’s Magical
Express service at the deluxe resorts. Guests can check their luggage
and get their boarding passes if they are flying home on participating
airlines between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. They will continue to expand the service
until it is available at all Disney-owned resorts by May 5.

…The Emporium expansion, which replaced the former West Center Street,
is undergoing a refurbishment of its facade. Work is expected to continue
through the end of the month.

…The temporary stage that was erected in Tomorrowland for Magic
Music Days is scheduled for removal the first week of June.

…The nut wagon in Fantasyland returns from refurbishment on April
20.

…Goofy’s Candy Company at the Downtown Disney Marketplace opens
late this month.

…Due to early closings for Grad Night celebrations, SpectroMagic
and Wishes are not performed on April 22, 23, 29, 30.

…Dan Lund and Tony West’s ode to the end of traditional animation
at Disney, Dream on Silly Dreamer, showed yesterday at the Florida
Film Festival in Maitland. No word yet on how the film was received.

…The construction area between African Outpost and Germany in Epcot’s
World Showcase will be the location for the WaterFULL World Garden Outpost,
Children’s Garden, Ladybug Release and other Flower and Garden Festival
events.

…Golden mouse ears for the Happiest Celebration on Earth went on
sale at Walt Disney World on Friday, April 1.

…The Fantasia pool at the All-Star Movies Resort closes for refurbishment
April 11 to 15.

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
  closed.
• 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. 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’.
  Officially resumes on May 5, though previews are reportedly being offered
  for free to those riding Soarin’ previews.
  
• The Land pavilion – closed thru May 1 for completion of
  the retheming to match the new Soarin’ attraction. The Garden Grill
  Restaurant is not expected to return until at least July 7.
  
• 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 closed.
  
• 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. Preview performances for the public for test-and-adjust
  purposes have been returned to limited runs once or twice a week. Show
  times are subject to change, and there is no guarantee that the show
  will run on a given day. Fastpass tickets are available beginning at
  9 a.m. each day that the show will run.
  

Animal Kingdom

• Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to appear in May –
  July, 2005. Official debut is May 6. There are reports that he is already
  making unannounced visits in the park in the Chester & Hester’s
  Dino-Rama area.
  
• Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.
  

Resorts

• Polynesian Resort – nearing completion of the refurbishment
  of longhouses: suites in Tonga through May 12; 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 – 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 are opening one each
  month, through October 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.
  
• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort (DVC Resort) – Roof repairs
  due to hurricane rehabilitation are ongoing and scheduled to run through
  late November.

• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel – Repainting of the building’s
  exterior is underway. Regular hotel operations are not affected.
  

Water Parks

• No current refurbishments.
  

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays –
  Saturdays. There will be no performances Jun 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 11.
  

August 2005

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp (link).
  Dates TBA.

September 2005

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion (link).
  Sept. 2–4.
  
• Nights of Joy (link).
  Sept. 9–10.
  
• Walt Disney World 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

• Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure 5K (link)
  Oct. 8.

• Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K (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

• Pop Warner Super Bowl (link).
  Dec. 4–10.
  
• 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)