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News and Views

Disney helps victims of Hurricane Katrina

On Wednesday, the Walt Disney Company announced that it will contribute
$2.5 million for relief and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Katrina.
One million dollars will go to the American Red Cross for immediate relief
efforts, another million will go to children’s charities for rebuilding
efforts and the final half-million will go to volunteer centers providing
services to the affected areas.

“The devastation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is simply heartbreaking
and our thoughts are with those struggling in the aftermath of this disaster,”
said Michael Eisner, CEO, and Bob Iger, president, COO and CEO-elect of
The Walt Disney Company. “We hope that our donation will aid emergency
management teams and organizations in their efforts to provide assistance
to those impacted.”

On Friday, Walt Disney World and the Brunswick Corporation announced
that nine Brunswick Trophy boats will be sent from Walt Disney World to
New Orleans to support hurricane relief efforts. Disney was chosen because
they had a large number of boats available near the Gulf Coast. Disney
responded immediately when approached by Brunswick, and the boats were
send off to the Louisiana coastline. The boats will be used by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to shuttle refugees, officials and
medical supplies in the New Orleans area.

Hurricane outlook shows coast not yet clear

While Hurricane Katrina has left more destruction in its wake than any
other storm in our lifetime, hurricane season still has two months left,
and they won’t be quiet. Hurricane experts at Colorado State University
say that there will be seven more storms (after Hurricane Maria, which
spun off into the Atlantic this week) this season. Five of those storms
are expected to become hurricanes, three of which will be major hurricanes.

There have already been 13 named storms this year, and if the predictions
of William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach bear out, the season will finish
out with 20 named storms. As a point of comparison, the 50-year average
per season (through 2000) is 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3
intense hurricanes per year.

CPSC, Walt Disney World announce recall of children’s red sunglasses

On Thursday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Walt Disney World
announced a voluntary recall of sunglasses from a sunglasses and cap set
for toddlers. The sets feature Mickey Mouse or Stitch on blue caps with
red bills, and sold for about $16 per set. Almost 13,000 of the sets were
sold at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort,
as well as aboard the Disney Cruise Line, between November, 2004, and
June, 2005.

The sunglasses from these glasses/cap sets have been recalled due to high
levels of lead. Photo courtesy of CPSC.

The paint on the sunglasses, which were imported from Taiwan, contains
high levels of lead (lead is toxic if ingested by young children, and
can cause adverse health effects). The recalled sunglasses are a solid
red color with dark plastic lenses, and were attached to the bills of
the caps with Velcro-type fasteners. “Walt Disney World” or
“Disneyland” is stitched on the back of the caps. Other styles
and colors of hats and sunglasses are not included in the recall.

If you purchased one of these sunglasses/cap sets, you should immediately
take the recalled red sunglasses away from children and contact the Walt
Disney World Company for a free replacement pair of sunglasses and 20
Disney Dollars. You can call them toll-free at 866-802-2782 between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays. While the recall notice states
that you can also contact them at the Walt Disney World web site, at press
time there is no apparent link on the site related to the recall.

Radisson Resort Parkway offers reduced special rate this month only

The Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, is offering a $59.95
reduced special rate valid through September 30. Please note that this
special does not include a free upgrade to deluxe pool view accommodations.

Passholder Best Rate program changes; will it be enough?

The Passholder Best Rate program has reduced the advance reservation
requirement from 120 days to 60 days. The program is now accepting reservations,
online only, through February 15, 2006. But the fact that passholders
have to make their reservations two months in advance and lock themselves
in (each change costs them money) has left some with a bad taste in their
mouths, according to MousePlanet’s Mike Scopa.

Mike reports that the program has left many angry to the point that they
are refusing to stay on-property, moving to off-site hotels in protest
of the new program. However, a quick check of the first weekend of December
(MouseFest weekend) shows that there are no rooms available in the resorts
with units in the program for the Pop Century, All Star Movies, Port Orleans
French Quarter, Beach Club, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian,
Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club Resorts. So obviously somebody is using
the program.

Pooh’s Playful Spot opens

The Pooh’s Playful Spot playground on part of the site of the former
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction opened last Thursday. Be aware
that the playground “is intended for the enjoyment of children ages 2
to 5 years old.” The area has the rubberized carpeting surface commonly
found in new playgrounds and features Pooh’s house inside a tree, a pop-jet
fountain area, slides and some hollow logs and a “spilled hunny pot” to
crawl through.

We were advised by a visitor to the area, though, that some of the rockwork
around the edges is quite rough, and that one of the “rock” surfaces nearly
cut his hand. It is likely that the surfaces will smooth themselves out
quickly enough, but if you are visiting in the near future you may want
to exercise care around the “rockwork.”

Living Seas refurbishment rumors

The two-phase work on The Living Seas pavilion at Epcot is underway.
When the first phase opens in late November (currently rumored as November
27), only the Sea Base Alpha area will be open. Turtle Talk with Crush
and the other current Nemo-themed areas will return, and it is rumored
that more Nemo theming will be added.

The second phase, targeted to open next spring, may mark the long-anticipated
return of the Sea Cabs attraction. There is a strong rumor that the ride
track is being extended, possibly to include one of the current pre-show
rooms and the hydrolator area, and that new ride vehicles are being prepared
that will make it harder for guests to step out during the slow ride,
which was one of the problems that caused their original closure.

The rumors go on to hint that the pre-show and sea cabs ride may also
become Nemo-themed. Now, while there’s no real problem with adding characters
to attractions at Epcot, it would be a shame to completely lose the original
theme of The Living Seas (the science of the oceans and man’s interaction
with them) as part of this refurbishment. We’ll have to wait and see how
it comes out.

On another note, the Dolphins in Depth tour will close periodically during
the refurbishment, remaining open at other times. Current scheduled closures
are:

• September 19 – October 28
• November 7 – 11
• November 21 – December 25

Disney Magic back in Florida, prepares for drydock next month

After 12 one-week cruises and 14-night trans-canal voyages out and back,
the Disney Magic has returned to its home port of Port Canaveral,
Florida. On Saturday, the Magic returned from its second trans-canal
trip, then took on a new group of passengers before departing for an Eastern
Caribbean itinerary. The ship will take another three cruises (two Western
Caribbean and another Eastern Caribbean voyage) before heading to drydock
on October 1.

While in drydock, several enhancements will be taking place, including
an expansion to the spa and salon, another new area for kids (to be called
Ocean Quest) and a jumbo LED screen on deck 9 behind the front funnel
stack.

“Tarzan Rocks” may extend to March

Back on May 16, we told you that the closing of the Tarzan Rocks
show in the Animal Kingdom was being pushed back from this September to
January of next year. We’re now hearing that the show may be extended
to March. The performers’ contracts expire in September, but it looks
like they will get an extension. While the rumor that a Finding Nemo-themed
show would replace it after the theater was enclosed is still the most
likely scenario we’ve heard, there’s still no confirmation on what the
next show will be.

Wonders of Life back on park maps

The Wonders of Life pavilion, which disappeared from park maps a week
ago, has reappeared on the maps this week. It’s possible that the new
maps were floated as a way to see if anybody noticed the pavilion missing,
and when guests picked up on it and started asking them questions, they
put it back on to stop the questions. Another possibility is that the
return of the pavilion to the maps is a red herring, and that Disney really
does not intend to reopen the pavilion. Nobody that knows for certain
is talking.

Ears to the ground

…This is still a rumor, but we have heard rumblings that it may
cost an additional $2 to embroider your name on your Mickey ears starting
in October. This seems disingenuous of Disney, as most people who get
the ears have their names embroidered. Why not just raise the price of
the ears? Of course, since this is still not confirmed, it may have been
a trial balloon floated by Disney to gauge response.

…The Fantasmic dinner package has joined the Candlelight
Processional dinner package in being available under the Magic Your
Way Plus Dining package. A credit card is still required to secure your
reservation.

…We’re hearing that the prismatic effects glasses will be returning
to the Osborne Spectacle of Lights this year, which will run from November
14 – January 8. The Happy Holly-Days Parade at the Studios and Mickey’s
Jingle Jungle Parade at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will also begin their
runs on November 14.

…Tickets are now on sale for New Year’s Eve special events at Pleasure
Island and Cirque du Soleil.

…We’re hearing that Walt Disney World will roll out a new biometric
system at the entry gates, which will be able to work with any body part
as long as it’s consistently used. While some people will try using other
body parts to be cute, or because they’re afraid that the scanner is actually
lifting their fingerprints instead of the bone structure of their fingers
as it actually does, the change will allow individuals who may have lost
fingers or are otherwise unable to have their fingers scanned to use the
biometric entry system.

…The Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station has reopened.

…Mike Scopa reports a strong rumor that the Concourse Steakhouse
at the Contemporary Resort will be moving to the lobby level (presumably
under a new name, since it will no longer by on the Concourse level) near
the Food & Fun Center. The FFC’s video area may be moving elsewhere in
the resort. One rumor for the space being vacated by the steakhouse is
something called “Chef Mickey’s Express.” We have no information
on that other than the name. Another rumor is just a straightforward expansion
of the Chef Mickeys restaurant.

…Pinocchio’s Village Haus has finally cut over to Italian menu as
of late last week.

…Beverley fans can relax, as we have confirmed that the beverage
with the “interesting” taste will indeed be returning when Ice
Station Cool reopens as Club Cool late this year.

…Chicken Little and Ugly Duckling are now doing meet-and-greets
at the Animation attraction in the Disney-MGM Studios, replacing Mr. Incredible,
Elastigirl and Frozone. The Incredibles have moved over to the former
Timekeeper attraction queue area in rotation with Stitch and Buzz Lightyear.

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 – a large part of the
  area has reopened, featuring corral–type planters and more walkway
  space in front of “Pooh’s Playful Spot,” a Hundred Acre Wood–themed
  children’s play area featuring slides, climbing structures, and interactive
  pop-jet fountains. The play area opened September 1.
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – refurbishment of
  seats and carpeting occurring on a rolling basis; the attraction remains
  open.
• Main Street Railroad Station – under refurbishment through
  December 20. Guests will still be able to board the train at the station,
  though the entrance and exit may be relocated during the work. The area
  surrounding the locker rental stand will be inaccessible due to renovations
  that are rumored to be moving stroller rentals into that location. The
  station is also slated to receive new glass, canopies, paint and so
  forth.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – will reportedly not be operating
  due to refurbishment September 11–19.
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – will reportedly remain open
  during a short refurbishment, September 6–23.
• Timekeeper – open seasonally.
• Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns
  after the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities
  end.

Epcot

• The Living Seas pavilion, including the popular Turtle Talk
  with Crush attraction, is closed for refurbishment through late
  November. Rumors indicate that another new Finding Nemo-based
  attraction may be added.
• Ice Station Cool – closed through late this year for refurbishment.
  It will reopen as “Club Cool.”
• 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. Its future is uncertain.

Disney–MGM Studios

• No current refurbishments.

Animal Kingdom

• 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 underway 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 is closed
  for refurbishment through September, 2006. Rumors indicate that the
  buildings may be completely gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club
  villas. No confirmation of the conversion yet. Renovations on the rest
  of the resort are also underway, with the tower building being done
  one floor at a time, and are expected to run through November, 2007.
• BoardWalk Resort – 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. Meanwhile, the Keister
  Coaster pool is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 6–26.
• 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.
• Port Orleans Riverside Resort – The Ol’ Man Island spa
  is scheduled to close for refurbishment September 6–23, while the
  Magnolia Bend quiet pool is scheduled to close for refurbishment September
  15–24.
• All-Star Music Resort – The Piano pool is scheduled to
  close for refurbishment September 6–14.
• 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

• Blizzard Beach – Will close for its annual refurbishment
  on October 23, and is expected to reopen mid-December.
• Typhoon Lagoon – Is expected to close for its annual refurbishment
  mid-December, and to reopen in late February or early March.

Elsewhere

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

Park Events

September 2005

• 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. 14 – 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. Nov. 25 – Dec. 25. 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

• MousePlanet presents a mini-MouseAdventure
  at MouseFest. Dec. 1. Meet at the outdoor seating area by Casey’s
  Corner in the Magic Kingdom at 10:00 a.m. for this event. This is a
  shortened version of MousePlanet’s signature event (link), and marks the first time that the event has been held
  in Florida.
• MousePlanet presents the second annual
  Mike Scopa Dole Whip Meet at MouseFest. Dec. 1. Meet at the Aloha
  Isle take-out window in Adventureland at noon.
• MousePlanet presents the first annual
  Shocolate Mousssse Meet at MouseFest. Dec 3. Meet at Boulangerie
  Patisserie at Epcot’s France pavilion at 5:00 p.m. following the Mega
  Mouse Meet for this event. For more on the origin of the Shocolate Mousssse
  phenomenon among MousePlanet readers, please see this thread on our MousePad discussion forums.
• 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).

February 2006

• Twirlmania. February 17-20. Twirlers, auxiliary guard, pom,
  and dancers descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).

March 2006

• ESPN The Weekend. March 3–5. Corporate synergy brings
  the cable channel back to the Studios for its third go-round (link).

April 2006

• Disney’s All-Star Kids Classic. April 1. Registration is now
  open for the kids’ inline race (link).
• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon. April 2. Registration is
  now open (link).
• Star Wars Weekends. Dates TBA. The popular event is slated
  to return in 2006 (link).
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Dates TBA.
  Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations
  and the “Flower Power” concert series (link).

May 2006

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

Current Discounts & Promotions

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. The Passholder Best Rate program has reduced the advance
reservation requirement from 120 days to 60 days. The program is now accepting
reservations, online only, through February 15, 2006.

Radisson Resort Parkway offers reduced special rate this month only

The Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, is offering a $59.95
reduced special rate valid through September 30. Please note that this
special does not include a free upgrade to deluxe pool view accommodations.

Radisson Resort Parkway rates through the end of 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 October 2005.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through October 2005.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)