Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Forbidden Mountain: Legend of the Yeti ? Several sources report
that Disney may officially announce Animal Kingdom’s newest attraction
at a press event planned for the park’s fifth anniversary on Tuesday,
April 22.

Easing travel worries ? Three U.S. airlines — Continental,
Delta, and US Airways — are hoping to encourage passengers to make
travel plans by offering them the ability to change their plans without
penalty. US Airways’ new policy takes effect should the Department of
Homeland Security raises the national alert level to Code Red, or if military
action begins in Iraq. The Continental and Delta policies are already
in effect, but apply only to select transatlantic flights. For complete
details, see the airline’s Web sites.

Attention sports fans ? check out these dates and suggestions
for upcoming Walt Disney World events:

• Inaugural Disney Inline Marathon ? Although this event, scheduled
  for Sunday, March 30, is 26.2 miles long, the course differs substantially
  from the January WDW Marathon. For one thing, those doing the full marathon
  actually repeat the course twice. The event starts at Disney’s Wide
  World of Sports Complex, down Hollywood Boulevard inside the Disney-MGM
  Studios and along the Boardwalk Resort, then through Epcot’s World Showcase
  before circling back to Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Animal Kingdom
  and Magic Kingdom are not part of this route.

• Disney has announced the All-Star Kids Classic, a series of
  races for youths that takes place on Saturday, March 29 as part of Disney’s
  inline skating weekend. Both the marathon as well as Kids Classic are
  sanctioned by USA Roller Sports, an organization that governs and sanctions
  skating events around the country.

The 2003
Marathon finish line.
Photo by Lani Teshima.

• WDW Marathon ? Registration for the 2004 Walt Disney World
  Marathon and Half-Marathon is now available at the Disney Sports Web site. Both events, scheduled for
  Sunday, January 11, 2004, are extremely popular, and registration fills
  to capacity by early summer. Disney Vacation Club members can register
  for the marathon at a special discounted rate — details are available
  in the members-only section of the DVC Web site.

• If you plan to stay at the Coronado Springs Resort for the
  WDW Marathon next January, think again. Although the fitness expo was
  held at the convention exhibit hall at the Coronado Springs for 2003,
  Disney has decided to move it back to the Wide World of Sports for 2004.
  This means staying at the Coronado Springs offers absolutely no additional
  benefit from other on-property resorts. MousePlanet recommends that
  you consider one of the three monorail resorts (the Contemporary, the
  Polynesian, or the Grand Floridian) if their high prices are within
  your budget; these are the most convenient for marathon participants.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Toontown Barnstormer is closed for refurbishment March
2 ? March 7.

The Blizzard Beach water park refurbishment, originally
scheduled to end on March 2, has been extended. The park may open as early
as Sunday, March 16, 2003, but that return date is tentative.

Main Street Plaza Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom will
be closed for refurbishment through Sunday, April 6, 2003.

The Shipwreck Slide, located at Stormalong Bay at Disney?s
Yacht & Beach Club Resort, is closed for refurbishment January 3 through
April 4, 2003. The pool areas at Stormalong Bay remains open while the
pool slide undergoes refurbishment.

The Theater in Epcot’s China Pavilion closes for refurbishment
March 26 ? May 22. The Gallery, merchandise shop and restaurants will
continue to operate.

Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studio is closed for
refurbishment February 24 ? April 13.

Park Events

Upcoming events

Feb. 27 through March 28 ? Atlanta Braves Spring Training exhibition
games at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. Tickets go on sale January
4. Buy tickets in person at the Disney Wide World of Sports box office,
or call Ticketmaster at 407-839-3900.

March 14-16 ? After-hours Annual Passholder event at Disney-MGM
Studios. APs can ride Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and
purchase exclusive merchandise.

March 14-17 ? St. Patrick’s Day at Pleasure Island. ‘Sham-rock’
and roll at Pleasure Island , as the nighttime entertainment district
celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. The island turns green with live music and
videos by Irish artists, as well as leprechauns, green specialty beverages,
and access to Pleasure Island’s eight fun-filled clubs.

The St. Patrick’s Party at Pleasure Island is included in regular Pleasure
Island admission. For more information, contact the Downtown Disney Information
Hotline at (407) 939-2648.

March 29 – All Star Kids Classic, a series of races for youths
that takes place as part of Disney’s inline skating weekend. Both the
marathon as well as Kids Classic are sanctioned by USA Roller Sports,
an organization that governs and sanctions skating events around the country.

March 30 ? First-ever Walt Disney World Inline Marathon. Get more
information at the Disney Wide World of Sports Web site.

April 25 through June 8 ? 10th Epcot International Flower & Garden
Festival.

May 15 through 18 ? 5th Annual Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics cruise and
mini-convention aboard the Disney Wonder

May 16 – June 15 ?Star Wars Weekends. Get more information in
Brian
Bennett’s WDW Trip Planning Guide on Star Wars Weekends.

June 3 through June 9 ? Gay Days 2003. This unofficial event is
not sponsored by Disney. Event information can be obtained from the event sponsor.

June 14, 2003 ? Mickey?s Toon Town of Pins at the Magic Kingdom

September 19-21, 2003 ? Disney?s Pin Celebration at Epcot

November 16-20, 2003 ? Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney
Wonder

Current Discounts & Promotions

MouseSavers.com
is reporting some great rates for travel to Walt Disney World:

• New hotel discount codes are available for check-ins April
  27 through – July 3. Sample rates range from at $84 at the All Stars,
  to $550 for a main lodge concierge room at the Grand Floridian. Travel
  must be booked by April 15, using the discount
  codes found at MouseSavers.

• Whatcha doing in April? Take advantage of fabulous rates for last-minute travel on the Disney
  Cruise Line. If you can sail on April 12, you can try out the hot new
  7-day Western Caribbean itinerary for just $799.

  Prices are per adult, based on double occupancy, and the usual taxes
  apply. Only 50 cabins are available at this rate. If April 12 is a little
  too soon to travel, MouseSavers has a list of Disney Cruise Line Magical
  Rates, available for departures through January 2004.

• Disney Club Spring Dream Maker Packages – Disney Club members
  can receive an additional a $100 discount on Dream Maker packages, for
  check-in March 1 through 31.

  Prices start at $428 for adults, $223 for juniors and $178 for kids
  staying in the same room. Book by March 28, using this special discount
  code.

• The Disney’s Atlanta Braves Spring Training Vacation package
  is now available. A two-night package starts as low as $273 per person
  based on double adult occupancy at a select Disney value resort and
  is valid for travel most nights from Feb. 20 through March 27, 2003.
  Junior rate for this package is $184 per guest ages 10-17 and child
  rate is $151 per guest ages 3 to 9. Packages must be booked by March
  25, 2003. Additional game tickets are available, as well as additional
  nights and other resorts at varying rates.

  Included with the Atlanta Braves Spring Training package, you can also
  attend team workouts (earlier that same day) and any other general admission
  events taking place at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex that
  day.

• Going camping? Enjoy these special rates at Fort Wilderness.
  • Partial hook-up campsites $35
  • Full hook-up campsites $45
  • Cabins from $169

  These rates are available for campsites April 27 – June 7, and for
  cabins April 27 – July 3. You must book by March 8, using this special
  discount
  code.

Annual Passholders can receive 10% 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 for locations and reservations.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule