Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for February 27 – March 5, 2006

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

News and Views

Time for a reality check

It’s been a while since I checked in to make sure that I’m presenting the news
that you need and want in our weekly Walt Disney World Park Update. So now’s
your chance. Let me know what you think of our content.

Do you actually use the Downtown Disney entertainment schedules? Are the park
hours and entertainment schedules helpful, and are two weeks’ worth about right?

Are we giving you too much or not enough coverage of any particular area?

What do we not have that you’d like to see? A summary of the next few weeks’
events that we’ve already detailed in the news months ago, just as a reminder?
Trivia questions?

Let me know what you’d like to see, so that I can give you the Update that
you want to read (and not waste time and space on stuff you’re not interested
in). I’ll report back on your comments next week, along with my planned changes.

So here’s your shot. E-mail me here.

Disney opens family suites at All-Star Music

There’s a new option for families who would normally need two hotel rooms during
their stay at Walt Disney World. The 520 square-foot All-Star
Music Family Suites feature all new furniture in their two bedrooms, two
bathrooms and mini-kitchen. The kitchen has a microwave, a 4.3 cubic-foot “cube”
refrigerator, a sink and a coffee/tea pot with refillable amenities, plus limited
cabinet space.

The main bedroom has a queen bed, plus a 27″ flat-screen TV. The second bedroom
has a double sleeper sofa, a convertible twin chair sleeper and a convertible
twin ottoman, plus additional storage space. Like the rest of All-Star Music,
the family suites also have high-speed Internet access available for an extra
charge.

The 192 units are in the Calypso and Jazz buildings, and are non-smoking only.
The rack rates for these rooms are $169 in value season, $209 in regular season,
$239 in peak season and $259 in holiday season. The room code for these rooms
is AB, and there are no AAA rates for these rooms at this time.

Thanks to MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations (link)
for the information.

If these rooms are as successful as expected, it is quite possible that the
second phase of the Pop Century
Resort (1900s-1940s, The Legendary Years) will begin construction as suites-only.
Nothing newly firm on that, but it would follow from what we’ve heard in the
past.

Disney Magic heading for the Mediterranean?

It looks like the mystery surrounding the Disney Magic’s itineraries for summer
2007 will be revealed in just over a month. On March 28, the Disney Cruise Line
will begin contacting guests who had faxed in their special requests for the
still-undisclosed itineraries.

The waiting list (which is currently closed to new requests) is expected to
be cleared by April 3, and on April 4 all remaining berths will become available
to the general public. There will be some availability left in stateroom categories
4-12 at that time.

If you are not on Disney’s waiting list and want a shot at the remaining berths,
you can contact MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations (link)
to get on their agency’s list, and they will start their attempts at booking
as soon as the phones open up on April 4.

While there is no confirmation yet, reports point to Mediterranean itineraries
between mid-May and Labor Day weekend. Fourteen-night Trans-Atlantic repositioning
cruises would run May 12-26 and August 18-September 1, with alternating 10-
and 11-night Mediterranean cruises running in between those dates.

Thanks to MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations (link)
for this information.

On-board credit special offer from Small World Vacations

MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations is running a one-week-only special
offer of $25 to $100 onboard credit for Disney Cruises booked between Tuesday,
February 28, and Monday, March 6 (link).
This offer can be combined with their “Cash to You” check of up to $200 (link).
Some blackout dates apply. Be sure to mention MousePlanet when you contact them!

Boy hospitalized after falling off coaster at Cypress Gardens

A 13-year-old boy is in intensive care at a hospital in Tampa after being
airlifted there following an incident Saturday evening where he fell from the
Triple Hurricane roller coaster at Cypress Gardens. Martin Llamas “came out
of the car, went over the rail of the ride and dropped a distance of 10 to 12
feet onto grass,” according to Carrie Rogers, spokeswoman for the Polk County
Sheriff’s Office.

Mark Gonzales, of the state Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection, reported that
he could find no problems with the ride following an inspection yesterday morning.
Llamas’ restraint was still secured when the coaster stopped. The ride reopened
following the inspection.

According to a statement released by Cypress Gardens yesterday, Llamas acted
on a dare to maneuver out of his restraint and stood up on the ride, causing
him to fall to the ground before the ride ended. So to anyone out there who
gets dared to get out of their restraint on a roller coaster, we now have a
graphic demonstration of why that’s a really stupid dare to take.

Annual Passholder and Florida resident rates announced through June 3

Annual passholder rates have been announced for April 23 through June 3. This,
of course, confirms that no AP rates were made available for the peak Easter
break dates of April 9-22, as expected. The rates start at $74 per night at
Value resorts, $119 per night at Moderates, and $149 per night at Deluxe resorts.
The booking code for these rates is EZN. (The passholder Web site says EZO,
so I would guess that both would work.)

Florida Residents have their own discounts, using booking code BOR. Availability
dates are also April 23 through June 3. Resident rates start at $79 for Value
resorts, $124 for Moderate, $154 for Deluxe and $184 for Fort Wilderness Cabins.

Magic Your Way packages add free ticket upgrades through June 3

Disney has announced a special offer for packages purchased through March 30.
For vacations between April 23 and June 3, you get free Park Hopping and Water
Parks & More options added to your base Magic Your Way park passes. The Disney
Dining Plan can also be added to these packages. If you’re tring to book on
the Disney Web site, you’ll need to click “Special Offers” on the left side
of the Tickets and Reservations part of the site in order to see the offer.

Thanks to MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations (link)
for the information.

Quick takes

…We’re starting to hear rumors that the Stars and Motor Cars Parade may
be leaving the Disney-MGM Studios later this year in order to head over to the
Walt Disney Studios Paris. Some of those rumors state that the replacement will
be a version of the Block Party Bash currently running at Disney’s California
Adventure. No confirmation on any of this yet, though.

…The Orlando Sentinel has a nice article (link)
saluting Wayne Culver, who is retiring after 39 years as a custodial manager
at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. He was one of two original custodians brought
from Anaheim for the opening of the Florida resort in 1971.

…For those with a lot of money to burn, an eBay auction is featuring
what may be the largest collection of Mickey Mouse memorabilia outside of the
Disney Archives (link).

…Character meet-and-greets that formerly took place in the queue area
for The Timekeeper have been moved. Stitch and Buzz Lightyear will now greet
guests elsewhere in Tomorrowland, while The Incredibles will move back to the
Animation attraction at the Disney-MGM Studios.

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 – 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, and will
  return to service on July 1.
• Pirates of
  the Caribbean – will close from March 1 through July 6 for
  the addition of characters from the movie that was inspired by the ride.
  The attraction will reportedly reopen briefly for the peak Easter crowds
  before closing again to complete the refurbishment.
• Timekeeper
  – is closed for good.
• Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns after
  the 18-month “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities end.

Epcot

• The Wonders of Life pavilion – is closed for good.

Disney–MGM
Studios

• No current refurbishments.

Animal Kingdom

• Expedition
  Everest – is scheduled to officially open in Spring 2006. The
  official opening press event is scheduled for April 7, just before the peak
  season of the two weeks surrounding Easter. Soft openings for the general
  public are now underway.

Resorts

• Wilderness
  Lodge – Roaring Forks Snacks will be closed through March 8
  for refurbishment. Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist Point will remain open,
  and grab-and-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.
• Contemporary
  Resort – The South Garden Wing is partially-open during refurbishment
  through September, 2006. 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, 2007.
• 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

• No current refurbishments.

Elsewhere

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

Park Events

February 2006

• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex
  (link).
  February 17 ? March 30.
• Parti Gras. February 24, 25, 28. Pleasure Island’s annual celebration
  of Mardi Gras includes special decor and live entertainment.

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 10–12
  (link).
• Pleasure Island St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. March 16–18.
  Raglan Road leads the festivities as the Island turns green to celebrate
  the holiday.
• 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).
• Grad Nite. April 28-29, May 5-6. High school seniors take over
  the Magic Kingdom after an early closing and party all night (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 course starts at Animal Kingdom, goes through the Studios and
  ends at Epcot.
• Danskin Women’s Triathlon. May 13-14. Athletes compete in a 400
  yard swim, a 9 mile bike ride, and a 2 mile run (link).
• Epcot Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend. May 18–21. Collectible
  bears and dolls at Epcot (link).
• Star Wars Weekends. May 19-21 and 26-28, and June 2-4 and 9-11.
  The popular event is slated to return to the Studios in 2006 (link).
• Gay Days 2006. May 31 – June 4. The 16th annual gathering of the
  GLBT community at Walt Disney World (link1
  | link2).

July 2006

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports
  complex (link).
  July 29 – August 17. The NFC South champions prepare for the 2006 campaign,
  with practices open to the public.

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).
• Disney’s Pin Celebration. Sept. 8 – 10. This year’s event
  is themed as “It All Started With … Walt” (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).
• Disney Pin Cruise. Oct. 29 – Nov. 2. This year’s cruise is
  themed as “Cruisin’ Through Time” (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). [Read our
  WDW Marathon Guide.]
• Walt Disney World Marathon. Jan. 7. Registration now open (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

Magic Your Way package with free ticket upgrades available through June 3

Disney has announced a special offer for vacations between April 23 and June
3, that will include free upgrades of base Magic Your Way park passes. The passes
will be upgraded with both Park Hopper and Water Parks & More options at
no charge. When booking on the Disney Web site, make sure to click the “Special
Offers” tab on the left side of the page, or the offer may not appear.

Passholder discounts now available through June 3

Passholders discounts are now available on the passholder Web site for vacations
from April 23 through June 3. When calling by phone, use booking code EZN or
EZO. Florida resident discounts for the same dates are available on the resident
Web site, using booking code BOR. Passholder rates start at $74 per night for
value resorts, resident rates start at $79 per night for the values.

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

The Radisson Resort Parkway is now the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration!
The resort, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their standard 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 August 2006.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through August 2006.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)