Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for January 3 – 8, 2006

Go directly to: News & Views | Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

Happy New Year!

Aside from a price increase, news is pretty light this New Year’s week, but we’ve got some night-time photos of Disney’s Animal Kingdom (taken during an Extra Magic Hours evening) for you to enjoy. And good luck to all of our readers who are running in the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon this coming weekend!

The Tree of Life looks somewhat like a stalk of broccoli in this shot. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Did you go to MouseFest 2005?

If you were at MouseFest this year, thanks so much for joining us! But now we’re already starting to plan MouseFest 2006, and we’ve got a survey (link) to help us figure out what to do for 2006 and beyond. The planning team is looking for your input. Thanks for your help!

(And don’t forget to join us for MouseFest 2006, scheduled for December 3-11, 2006. The MouseFest Cruise will sail December 3-7, while the land portion runs December 7 – 11.)

The always-garish Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama seems even more so at night. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Walt Disney World raises ticket prices to match SeaWorld; Universal expected to follow suit

As expected, Walt Disney World increased its ticket prices effective New Year’s Day, following the earlier announcement of a January 2 price hike by SeaWorld Orlando. Universal Orlando, the last of the big three, has not yet announced its annual price hike, but is expected to do so shortly.

Perhaps emboldened by the recent release of figures showing it as again the most-visited theme park resort in the world, Disney raised its one-day rates from $59.75 to $63, surpassing SeaWorld’s increase to $61.75 and making it the top ticket price in the area. As before, ticket prices for multi-day tickets get cheaper on a per-day basis, with the increase slowing so quickly that the cost of a 10-day ticket is only $15 more than the cost of a 4-day ticket. In fact, while the per-ticket increase tops out as a $10 rise in the 3-day and per-day ticket prices (from $171 to $181 and from $185 to $195, respectively), the drop in ensuing days leaves the cost of a 10-day ticket at just $1 more than it cost previously.

The street through Anandapur is deserted at night. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Add-on prices have gone up, as well. The cost to add the Park Hopper option has gone up from $35 to $40, while the Water Park Fun & More (while adding one visit at each level), has gone up from $45 to $50. The No Expiration option has increased as well, with the 10-day add-on going from $110 to $135. (The No Expiration only remains the same for two- and three-day tickets, at $10, with other daily prices increasing by $5 to $35.)

Advance purchase savings have undergone a change, as well. Previously, the discounts were for all tickets above the base ticket, starting at a 5-day ticket, and all tickets of the same length had the same discount. The savings now start with a 4-day ticket, and the savings are tiered. The discount on tickets with only one of the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options ranges from $2 (adult and child) on 4-day passes up to $8 (adult) and $4 (child) on 7- through 10-day passes. However, for those purchasing both options, the discounts range from $12 (adult) and $10 (child) for 4-day passes to $18 (adult) and $12 (child) for 7- through 10-day passes.

Expedition: Everest as seen from the lower dining area at Flame Tree Barbecue. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Annual Passport prices have also gone up. Annual Passes have gone up from $395 (adult) and $336 (child) to $415 and $365. Premium APs have gone up from $515 and $438 to $539 and $475. Disney Vacation Club discounts on Annual Pass prices still apply to the higher rates.

Florida resident pass prices have risen, as well, with Annual Passes going from $315/$268 (adult/child) to $325/$285. Premium APs go from $415.$353 to $429/$379 and Seasonal Passes go from $209/$178 to $215/$189.

Our ticket price chart below (link) has been updated to reflect the changes.

Everest towers over the wide new walkway from Dinoland U.S.A to Asia. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Annual Passholder Everest preview now official; same dates as DVC member preview

It took an extra couple of weeks to announce, but the Annual Passholders will be joining the previously confirmed Disney Vacation Club members in getting a special sneak preview of Expedition: Everest on January 26-29. Unlike DVC members, however, passholders will not be allowed to bring any guests with them. All attendees will get a special pin and lanyard for riding. We’re looking at scheduling a meet for MousePlanet readers some time during that weekend (link), so if you’re interested, sign on to our MousePad discussion forums and let us know!

The umbrella at a cast member’s position is not needed at night, as Everest rises behind. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Disney Dining Plan to be available to Disney Vacation Club members

Disney Vacation Club members have been asking for some time whether the dining plan would be made available to them, since it had only been available to those purchasing all-inclusive packages and DVC members by definition could not get a package. For those reservations booked on or after April 1, 2006, members can book the Disney Dining Plan. However, the dining plan must be booked in advance of arrival and must be purchased for the entire travel party (ages 3 and over) for the entire length of stay. The plan may be purchased through Member Services, either when making your reservation or any time between then and your arrival date.

Two lonely cast members are the only souls around in the village of Harambe. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

The end for “The Boo”?

The building once known as the Big Bamboo Lounge, a favorite hangout for Disney Imagineers and cast members during the early years of Walt Disney World, was nearly destroyed in a fire on December 18. The building, which was also damaged by hurricanes during 2004, and had been abandoned for a number of years. It was reported that the fire was started by homeless people trying to keep warm in the vacant building. The former owner of the bar, Bruce Muir, died in February 1999, and his heirs have been squabbling over the property ever since, with Muir’s daughters wanting to reopen the bar and his widow not even responding to messages from the daughters or the press. With the damage from the latest fire, this may spell the end for the establishment that was once decorated by cast member name tags, business cards, drawings and other memorabilia.

The Creature Comforts store is nicely lit. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

New name for the Radisson now in place

The Radisson Resort Parkway has now officially changed its name to the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration. The resort is a MousePlanet sponsor. For rates, see below (link).

Ears to the ground

…There will be 50 tickets per day for the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire tapings on January 12, 13 and 15 at the Disney-MGM Studios reserved specifically for Disney Vacation Club members. DVC members can pick up tickets at the DVC booth at the Studios on the day of the shows. There is a limit of four tickets per DVC member. You must show a valid membership card to get your tickets.

…Sunday will be the last night of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights for this season.

Pathway lighting is provided by these lovely lanterns. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Don’t keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Mark here.
Talk about Walt Disney World on our discussion forums here.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – refurbishment of seats and carpeting occurring on a rolling basis; the attraction remains open. However, the Carousel has been returned to the list of “seasonal” attractions, so its open status may change at any time.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – is not operating due to refurbishment through April 1, 2006.
• Country Bear Jamboree – will be closed January 3–7 for its return from the Christmas Special to its regular Jamboree show.
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – will be closed January 4 – February 8 for refurbishment.
• Splash Mountain – will be closed January 23 – 27 for refurbishment.
• Pirates of the Caribbean – is expected to close from May through mid-September for the addition of characters from the movie that was inspired by the ride.
• Timekeeper – open seasonally.
• Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns after the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities end.

Epcot

• Test Track – will be closed for refurbishment January 9 –

  February 14, 2006.

• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has closed again following

  its holiday 2005 season run, and is thought to be closed for good..

On the night that our photos were taken the Animal Kingdom’s Christmas Tree was glowing brightly. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Disney–MGM Studios

• 50s Prime Time Cafe – will be closed for refurbishment January 7–28, 2006

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 DVC, Annual Passholder and Cast Member previews start January 26, 2006.
• Tarzan Rocks – scheduled to close on January 21, 2006. Its rumored replacement is a show based upon Finding Nemo, which would debut in November 2006 after the Theater in the Wild gets a complete makeover. The stage, lighting and sound system will all be gutted and the theater will be completely enclosed, as with the Lion King theater in Camp Minnie-Mickey.

Resorts

• All–Star Movies Resort – The Fantasia pool will be closed January 3 – early February for refurbishment. Guests can use the Mighty Ducks pool or take a complimentary shuttle service (10 a.m. – 10 p.m.) to the other All–Star resorts to use the pools there.
• Wilderness Lodge – Roaring Forks Snacks will be closed January 9 – late March for refurbishment. Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist Point will remain open, and grab-n-go items will be made available elsewhere during the refurbishment.
• 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 partially-open during refurbishment through September, 2006. Rumors indicate that the buildings may be completely gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club villas. However, another rumor states that new DVC lodgings will be built on the current site of the Disney Tennis Center at the resort, and there is no confirmation of the either rumor yet. Renovations on the rest of the resort are also underway, with the tower building being done one floor at a time and the North Garden Wing to follow, and are expected to run through October, 2006.
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa – Phase I’s four buildings and Phase II’s eight units are complete, Construction on Phase III is underway, with the six units expected to open between June and December, 2006.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – Closed for its annual refurbishment through February 26, 2006.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays.

Park Events

Ongoing

• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Thru Jan. 8, 2006. Millions of lights bombard the eyes at the Disney-MGM Studios (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 closed (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 closed (link).
• College Cheerleading and Dance Team Championship. January 13–16.

February 2006

• National Dance Team Championship. February 3–6.
• National High School Cheerleading Championship. February 10–13.
• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex (link). February 15 ? March 29.
• Twirlmania. February 17–20. Twirlers, auxiliary guard, pom, and dancers descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).
• Cheer & Dance National Championships. February 25–26. School & Youth Rec Cheer February 25, All-Star Cheer & Dance February 26 (link).

March 2006

• Cheer & Dance National Championships. March 3–5. All Star/Studio March 3, School Dance March 3–5 (link).
• ESPN The Weekend. March 3–5. Corporate synergy brings the cable channel back to the Studios for its third go-round (link).
• World Baseball Classic. March 3-11. Baseball’s best players from Australia, Domincan Republic, Italy and Venezuela square off in the first round of the international tournament (link).
• National All Star Cheerleading Championship. March 10–13.
• National Kidney Foundation of Florida Gift of Life 5K Run/Walk. March 19. The seventh annual event to raise money and promote organ and tissue donation awareness (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).
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. April 21 – June 11. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations and the “Flower Power” concert series (link).

May 2006

• Disney’s Minnie Marathon Weekend 5K and 1 Mile (link). May 6. The short runs of the ladies-only running weekend take place at and near Downtown Disney.
• Women Run the World 15 K (link). May 7. The ladies-only run starts at Animal Kingdom, goes through the Studios and ends at Epcot.
• Star Wars Weekends. Dates TBA. The popular event is slated to return to the Studios in 2006 (link).
• Epcot Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend. May 18–21. Collectible bears and dolls at Epcot (link).

September 2006

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion. Sept. 1–4. The radio host’s annual gathering returns for another year (link).
• Night of Joy. Dates TBA. Disney’s annual Christian music festival (link).
• Walt Disney World Triathlon. Sept. 24. Athletes compete in a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride, and a 10K run (link).
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Sept. 29 – Nov. 12. The annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series (link).

October 2006

• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Dates TBA. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs. (link).
• Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K. Oct. 8. The annual Disney 10K race continues its association with the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (link).
• ABC Super Soap Weekend. Dates TBA. Your favorite ABC soap opera starts converge on the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World. Oct. 16–22. Lucas Glover will try to defend his title at the 36th annual fall golf classic on the Palm and Magnolia courses (link).

November-December 2006

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Dates TBA. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What’s not to like? (link).

December 2006

• 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 2007

• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. Jan. 6. 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. 5. Registration now open (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

Passholder Best Rate Program extended through April 13

The Passholder Best Rate program is now accepting reservations, online only, through April 13, 2006. In addition, some rates have dropped even lower, with value resorts going for $49 most nights from January 16 – February 4, 2006.

Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration releases rates through the end of 2006

The Radission Resort Parkway is now the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration! The resort, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates through the end of 2006. Note that the nightly rates do not include a $7 per night resort fee.

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

Magic Your Way ticket price guide

Walt Disney World’s entire ticket price structure changed as of January 2, 2005, to the new “Magic Your Way” passes, and prices increased on January 1, 2006.. Advance purchase discounts are only available on tickets above the base ticket of at least 4 days, with higher discounts on those tickets with both options.

Park Hours

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2006.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2006.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)