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News and Views

Southern Baptists become second to drop boycott

Last Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, at its annual meeting, the Southern
Baptist Convention voted overwhelmingly to end its eight-year boycott
of the Walt Disney Company. The Southern Baptists are the second group
involved in the boycott to call it off, proclaiming that changes had been
made and that the boycott was effective. The American Family Association
called off its boycott on May 24.

As with the AFA, the Southern Baptists cited the departure of Michael
Eisner as one of the main reasons for dropping the boycott, in addition
to Disney’s split with Miramax founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein, promotion
of the Night of Joy events at Walt Disney World, and the upcoming release
of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie.

New passholder rate program clarifications

Mid-last week, we received word that Disney is saying—at least to
internal reservations staff—that the new Passholder Best Rate room
reservations program is a supplement to, rather than a replacement for,
the existing Passholder reservations program. That message has been muddied
by the fact that no “standard” passholder rates have been announced for
the program’s rollout period.

Some additional clarifications on the program:

• The modification penalty of $50 per reservation will not be charged
  if the total package price for the reservation is the same or higher.
  Modifications must be made by phone, and may be made up to the day before
  arrival.
• When attempting to make a reservation through the program, read your
  quote screen carefully. The quote screen must state that you are booked
  with the “Passholder Best Rate Program.” If the quote screen reads the
  following, you are booking a standard rate, and are not using the program,
  and you will not have your rate automatically adjusted for new discounts:




“A Passholder rate is not available for the date and resort
you selected and we have returned a standard rate below. To search
for the Passholder rate, please modify your date or resort.”






• It is reported that any future passholder offers released for the
  same accommodations and dates as the Best Rate Program offers will not
  be lower than the Best Rate.

Virtual, Live Magic Kingdoms collide

In-park quests related to Disney’s online Virtual Magic Kingdom game
(link) are now available at “VMK Central”
in the Main Street Cinema at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Quests
are currently available for three lands: Adventureland, Fantasyland and
Frontierland. There are nine questions to be answered for each land, with
three questions in each of three categories: Easy, medium and hard.

Questions for each quest are multiple-choice, with scratch-off fields
for each answer. If all answers are scratched off correctly, players receive
a green glow-in-the-dark plastic VMK bracelet with a code on the inside
to be used to receive a special shirt for their character in the online
game, as well as trading cards with images of the virtual prizes.

Quests come in brochures the size of folded park maps. Easy questions
have two possible answers, medium questions have three and hard questions
have four. Prizes are received for completing each level of each quest,
and include clothing and furniture for players’ online characters.

Next month, expect the addition of free Virtual Magic Kingdom tours.
It is unconfirmed at this time whether the tours will be online or in
the park.

Expedited-traveler system gets started at Orlando airport

Last Tuesday, Orlando International Airport began registering people
for the new CLEAR program, whereby fliers can register their fingerprints
and retina scans, as well as their personal information, and pay a $79.95
annual fee in exchange for priority passage through airport checkpoints.
The program, which we first detailed on June 6 (link),
processed approximately 300 on-site registrations and 1,000 preregistrations
via the Internet in its first day.

Despite running into glitches on the first day, such as too much light
washing out retina prints (temporarily resolved by holding paper over
the registrant’s head until a permanent solution is installed), those
signing up for the program appeared to be satisfied with the process.

The fastest way to sign up for the process requires three steps:

• Apply online at home on your own computer (link)
  or at one of four ClearSpace Enrollment Stations located at Orlando
  International Airport.
• Bring two pieces of government-issued identification to the airport
  enrollment station to have your biometrics collected. Pictures of your
  irises and fingerprints will be gathered along with other vital information.
  This step takes approximately 15 minutes once you get to the head of
  the line.
• Get cleared by the United States, Transportation Security Administration
  (TSA) will use your personal information to make a security threat assessment.
  TSA then approves (or not approves) you for participation in the program.

If approved, you receive your ClearCard in about two weeks. The CLEAR
program is run by Verified Identity Pass and Lockheed Martin, and so far
is only available at Orlando International Airport.

Extra EMH attractions added this week

On Monday and Friday of this week, four attractions will be added to
the evening Extra Magic Hours offerings at the Magic Kingdom. The Jungle
Cruise, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, Swiss Family Treehouse and the Tomorrowland
Transit Authority will be open to the guests for three hours after park
closing. It is uncertain at this time if this addition will continue through
the summer.

See ya, “Sorcery”

On Saturday night, a Pampered Chef convention was the last group to ever
see the full “Sorcery in the Sky” fireworks show. The show was noted for
the inflatable Sorceror Mickey that appeared on the roof of the Chinese
Theater and shot fireworks from its fingers. (It is believed that this
effect had already been dismantled before Saturday’s performance.) The
group had bought out the evening hours at the theme park, which closed
to the general public at 7:00 p.m. The fireworks show began at 11:30 p.m.

While the July 4 fireworks are being billed as “Sorcery in the Sky,”
it will actually be a shorter show known as “Lights, Camera, Fireworks.”
It is unknown at this time whether all future fireworks at the Studios
will be “Lights, Camera, Fireworks” or if a new show is in the offing.

Christmas begins in July at the Studios

Installation of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, which runs from
November 23 through January 8 this year, will begin installation and set-up
on July 11. Expect to see the first construction wall on July 31. The
early preparation work will involve in installation of conduit on the
building facades. The millions of Christmas lights themselves will not
start appearing until late August.

Narnia comes to the Studios

Sets from the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and
the Wardrobe, to be released this winter, will appear in two soundstages
at the Disney-MGM Studios later this year. The updated version of the
Backstage Pass attraction will allow guests to walk through the sets and
view movie props.

Bucs to take over hotel for camp

Don’t expect to be able to visit the Celebration Hotel or eat at its
Plantation Room restaurant for most of August. The National Football League’s
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be taking over the entire 115-room establishment
for the duration of their training camp. The hotel will be closing to
the public on July 25 (players arrive three days later) and will reopen
on August 21 (the team departs August 17).

The training camp will be held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex
from July 29 through August 17. All sessions are expected to be open to
the public.

WDW is no fun?

This year, Forbes magazine listed the “Top 10 best amusement
parks in the world.” Interestingly, while Disneyland in California
made the list, Walt Disney World did not. And while seven of the 10 listed
were outside the United States, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland
did not make the list, either. Of course, Walt Disney World (and, specifically,
the Magic Kingdom) are still leading the pack on annual attendance, but
it appears that they just can’t crack that “most fun” list. Maybe next
year?

Ears to the ground

…The leading candidate for the new name of the Disney-MGM Studios
once the naming deal with MGM expires this year is Walt Disney Studios,
Florida. While nothing has been finalized yet, it would match the name
of the Walt Disney Studios, Paris park.

…For those looking to try to coordinate their trip with the next
space shuttle launch, NASA officials have given a tentative thumbs-up
to a target of a mid-July launch of the shuttle Discovery. The
launch window opens July 13. If the shuttle clears two more reviews next
week, an official launch date will be set on Thursday.

…Renovation of the Tower rooms at the Contemporary Resort is set
to begin this Wednesday. Rooms will be blocked off one floor at a time.
The Tower work is expected to be completed February 19, 2006.

…Pleasure Island will celebrate the Fourth of July with special
entertainment and fireworks July 3–5.

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Toon Park playground in Mickey’s Toontown Fair – closed
  for refurbishment from June 6–30.
  
• 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 of
  seats and carpeting occurring on a rolling basis; the attraction remains
  open.
• Timekeeper – opens seasonally. The attraction is rumored
  to be opening this week for the summer season.
• 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.
• Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station – will be closed
  from May 22 – June 30.
• Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns
  after the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities
  end.

Epcot

• Ice Station Cool – closed through late this year for refurbishment.
  
• 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.
  

Disney–MGM Studios

• No current refurbishments.
  

Animal Kingdom

• Lucky the Dinosaur – is scheduled to appear through July
  28, 2005.
  
• Expedition Everest – is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.
  The likely official opening date is April 22, which is both Earth Day
  and the park’s birthday, but previews may start as early as February
  2006.
  

Resorts

• Polynesian Resort – Work is now beginning on the complete
  refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in all buildings,
  which is expected to be completed by June, 2006.
  
• 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. After the South
  Garden Wing is complete, renovations will continue through the rest
  of the resort, which is expected to run through November, 2007.
  
• 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 six units due in 2007, involves
  razing the old Fairway Villas.
  
• Yacht Club Resort – Siding renovation project to continue
  through mid-2005.
  
• 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

• Magnolia Golf Course – Closed for major renovation from
  May 9 – September 10.
  
• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays –
  Saturdays.
  

Park Events

July 2005

• ESPN Great Outdoor Games. July 7-10. The sixth annual event
  moves to Walt Disney World this year (link).

• A Morning With Harmony Kingdom. July 9. Collectible box release
  at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (link).

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp. July 29 – August 17.
  The National Football League team heads down I-4 to get in shape for
  the season (link).

September 2005

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion. Sept. 2–4. The annual gathering
  hopes not to be cancelled by hurricane again this year (link).
  
• A Precious Weekend – Happiness Shared Together. Sept. 3–4.
  Release of first-ever Precious Moments and Disney Character integrated
  figurines (link).
  
• One Little Spark… A Morning with a Purple Dragon. Sept. 8.
  Release of Figment sculpture and limited-edition pin (link).
  
• Night of Joy. Sept. 9–10. Disney’s annual Christian music
  festival (link).
  
• Happiest Pin Celebration on Earth. Sept. 9–11. The big
  fall pin event, held at Epcot’s World Showplace (link).
  
• Walt Disney World Triathlon. Sept. 23–25. Competitors
  race around the resort on water, bike and foot (link).
  
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Sept. 30 –
  Nov. 13. The annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to
  the Beat concert series (link).

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Sept. 30, Oct. 2, 6,
  7, 11, 13, 16, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31. The big celebration of
  the boo-tiful season (link).
  

October 2005

• Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure 5K. Oct. 8. The annual
  fund-raising run for breast cancer research (link).

• Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K. Oct. 9. The annual Disney
  10K race gets a new name and a theme (link).

• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World. Oct. 20–23. The 35th
  annual fall golf classic is played on the Palm and Magnolia courses
  (link).
  

November 2005

• Festival of the Masters. Nov. 11–13. Artists display their
  works at Downtown Disney (link).

• Super Soap Weekend. Nov. 12–13. Daytime stars descend
  upon the Disney-MGM Studios (link).

• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Nov. 23 – Jan. 8,
  2006. Millions of lights bombard the eyes at the Disney-MGM Studios
  (link).

• Holidays Around the World. Nov. 25 – Dec. 30. Epcot celebrates
  the season, including the popular Candlelight Processional (link).

• Festival of the Seasons. Dates TBA. Downtown Disney celebrates
  the season (link).

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Nov. 27, 29, Dec. 1, 2,
  4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa
  and cookies. What’s not to like? (link).

• MouseFest 2005. November 30 – December 3. Meet your favorite
  Disney Internet and guidebook authors (including some of us!) at a gathering
  of the Disney Internet community around the World (link).
  

December 2005

• Pop Warner Super Bowl. Dec. 4–10. Football players and
  cheerleaders descend on the resort for the annual championships (link).
  
• Pleasure Island New Year’s Eve. Dec. 31. Pleasure Island celebrates
  the actual New Year (link).
  
• New Year’s Eve at Cirque du Soleil. Dec. 31. Cirque puts on
  special New Year’s performances (link).
  
• Atlantic Dance Hall New Year’s Eve. Dec. 31. Ring in the New
  Year at the BoardWalk’s own dance club (link).
  

January 2006

• Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo. Jan. 5–7. Check in for
  the weekend’s races and check out the vendors (link).
  
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run. Jan. 7. The shortest run
  of the weekend (link).
  
• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. Jan. 7. Registration now open
  (link).
  [Note: The full- and half-marathons are now held on separate days. Read
  our WDW Marathon Guide.]
  
• Walt Disney World Marathon. Jan. 8. Registration now open
  (link).
  

May 2006

• Epcot Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend. May 19–21. Collectible
  bears and dolls at Epcot (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

Fall Passholder rates are out

Annual Passholder and Florida Resident discounts have been released for
August 28 through October 4, with rates starting at $59 per night for
value resorts and $89 per night for moderate resorts. The discount code
to use is EXI. 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.

Disney’s Summer Price Slice discount returns to golf courses

Summer Price Slice is back with reduced-price greens fees on tee times
after 10 a.m. daily from May 2 through Sept. 29 on Disney’s five 18-hole
golf courses.

Golfers can play the premier Osprey Ridge course after 10 a.m. for $60
(compared to a normal seasonal greens fee of $119) or Eagle Pines for
$50 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $109). Post-10 a.m. rounds on
the Magnolia, Palm or Lake Buena Vista courses are $45 (compared to a
normal seasonal fee of $89-$94). Prices include golf cart rental.

Disney’s Summer Price Slice also gives golfers the opportunity to play
afternoon rounds late into the day. Golfers can take on Osprey Ridge after
3 p.m. for $35 ($30 after 5 p.m.). Eagle Pines, Magnolia and Palm start
at $30 after 3 p.m. ($25 after 5 p.m.). Rounds at Lake Buena Vista start
at $25 after 3 p.m. ($20 after 5 p.m.).

For tee times, call 407-WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653) or go to the Walt Disney
World Golf web site (link).

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

The entire ticket price structure changed as of January 2, 2005, 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 August 2005.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through August 2005.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)