Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

The Yeti is out of the bag – At the March 19 Walt Disney
Company Annual Meeting, Disney chairman and CEO Michael Eisner
prematurely confirmed reports of a addition to Disney’s Animal
Kingdom park. Based on concept art posted at Intercot,
Forbidden Mountain: Legend of the Yeti looks like a cross
between Big Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn. Intercot reports
that the ride will open in Summer 2005.

Disney was expected to officially announce Animal Kingdom’s newest
attraction at a press event planned for the park’s fifth anniversary
on Tuesday, April 22. Was Eisner’s slip a true mistake, or was
it a planned leak? After Eisner’s comments, Disney president Robert
Iger quipped “You just made a couple of hundred people on
the Internet happier than they ever been in their life.”

Perhaps, but Disney stockholders seemed pretty happy, too. Despite war

jitters and a related lowered earnings projection, Disney stock rose $1.75

in the two days following the meeting, closing at a price not seen since

early last December.

Woody’s Last Stand – If you purchased a 13-inch Woody
doll at Walt Disney World parks, resorts or Orlando airport stores,
take the doll away from your child and compare it to the model
shown on the Consumer Product Saftey Commission Web
site. Walt Disney World is recalling 40,000 dolls, sold
between January 2000 and January 2003, because a button on the
doll can be removed and pose a safety hazzard. There has been
only one report of a button being removed, and no injuries have
been reported. If you own this doll, call (866) 228-3664 to receive
a refund.

Dolls sold at Disneyland, the Disney Stores, the Disney Catalog and at

other retail outlets are not included in the recall. Talking Woody dolls

are also excluded.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

The Blizzard Beach water park refurbishment, originally

scheduled to end on March 2, has been extended through Wednesday, April

9, 2003.

Main Street Plaza Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom
is 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 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

The
Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor hotel, is offering
great rates to MousePlanet readers through December 2003. Sample
rates for selected dates and rooms are listed below. To take advantage
of these special rates, make your reservations using the link
found on this
page.

MouseSavers
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 $74 at
  the All-Stars, to $420 for a main lodge concierge room at
  the Grand Floridian. Travel must be booked by April 26 using
  the discount
  codes found at MouseSavers. Note: This is a new discount
  code that is an even better deal than the one offered just
  two weeks ago.

• Florida

  residents can stay on property for as little as $59 at the All

  Stars, $74 at moderate resorts, and $124 at Wilderness Lodge and Animal

  Kingdom Lodge. These rates are valid for arrivals between April 27 and

  July 3, 2003.

• Cruise Deals – MouseSavers has a list of Disney Cruise Line
  Magical
  Rates, available for departures through January 2004,
  and early-booking discounts for Fall 2003 itineraries.

If you are itching to break in your new Disney Visa card, you

can receive a $50 onboard credit when you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation,

and pay with your Disney Visa. The offer is good for sailings through

12/31/03. When you charge your cruise to your Disney Visa, you’ll pay

no interest for 6 months.

• 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.

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 Monday – Friday. Call

407-WDW-Dine for locations and reservations.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule