Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for May 29 – June 5, 2006

Go directly to: News & Views | Coming Soon | Trivia of the Week | Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

A quick administrative note

Many people had noticed that our RSS feed stopped working a while ago. The problem has been fixed and things have been set up in such a way that the problem should not recur. So, those who use the feed (link) to be updated when we publish new articles, it should be working again. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if anything seems off.

NOAA warns of another “very active” hurricane season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency that runs the National Hurricane Center, announced last week that they expect the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season to again be “very active,” and warned people “to make preparations to protect their lives and livelihoods.” The outlook calls for 13 to 16 named tropical storms, of which eight to 10 will become hurricanes, four to six of which are expected to become major hurricanes of Category Three or higher. Each of those numbers is one higher than last year’s pre-season predictions.

On average, there are 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. Last year, which broke just about all records, saw 28 storms and 15 hurricanes, including seven major hurricanes. Four of those major hurricanes his the United States. “Although NOAA is not forecasting a repeat of last year’s season, the potential for hurricanes striking the U.S. is high,” said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with a peak in activity from August through October. In light of last year’s hurricane season, if you’re planning to travel to Walt Disney World during that time frame, it may be wise to have contingency plans in place.

Walt Disney World sells more land

Back in April, when we reported on Walt Disney World selling off three properties totalling 130 acres, we noted that “It is not known at this time whether Disney will sell off any further properties.” Well, now it’s known. Disney is selling almost 460 acres just beyond the northwestern fringes of the property for housing and a high school.

It looks like 349 acres north of Seidel Road, set around Panther Lake, as well as another 50 acres south of Seidel Road, will be sold to Centex Homes, which bought 47 acres off of Reams Road from Disney back in December. An additional 60 acres just to the west of the 50-acre plot south of Seidel will be reserved for a new high school to serve the area.

The properties are actually beyond the official boundaries of the Walt Disney World Resort. The 349-acre plot is owned by Disney, while the 50- and 60-acre plots are officially owned by the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney’s governmental arm. The Reedy Creek parcels must be de-annexed by the District before sale, while the Disney parcel was never covered by the District. The land had previously been used as a site for treated waste water to irrigate orange trees. As more ways to reuse waste water have been developed, less land is needed for that purpose.

The sale price for the 349- and 60-acre tracts is not yet available, but the 50-acre parcel was sold for $8.3 million.

In other news, the 30-acre parcel along U.S. 192 that was in the process of being sold in April is now back on the market, after the deal fell through.

Disney plans more development in Celebration

The Celebration Company, Disney’s subsidiary that still controls a large amount of undeveloped land in the town of Celebration, received permission last Monday to build two high-rise projects in the town’s southwest corner. The 16-story buildings, to be built on either side of World Drive just southeast of Interstate 4, would have a condominium complex on one side of the road and an apartment complex on the other, totalling 999 units. The two developments would be near Celebration High School, which sits at the end of Celebration Boulevard, just southwest of where World Drive ends at an intersection there.

Indians, Braves stadium-sharing plan back on table

Way back in August of 2004, we reported that Disney and Osceola County officials were in discussions to bring Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians team to bring the team to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for spring training, beginning in 2006. The Indians’ agreement with Winter Haven to hold their camp at Chain of Lakes Park was to expire in 2005. The team subsequently signed an extension with Winter Haven to stay through 2007.

The Indians are again looking for a new home for after the expiration of their contract, as Winter Haven is looking to redevelop the land that the ballpark sits on. Disney and Osceola County are again stepping up to the plate to negotiate with the team. In 2004, Disney was up against Fort Myers, Florida, and Tuscon, Arizona, in the hunt for the deal. This year, contenders include Apopka, Cape Coral and Port Charlotte, Florida, as well as Arizona.

As with the efforts two years ago, much would have to be done to allow the Indians to co-exist with the Atlanta Braves, who already hold their spring training at Disney’s sports complex. Additional practice fields, office space, clubhouses and amenities for players would need to be built, requiring 30-40 acres of land and about $20 million.

The current plan is for Disney to contribute the land, while Osceola County would fund as much as half of the cost of the clubhouses and office space with tourism tax money. The county is also looking for the State of Florida to kick in additional funding. Since Disney’s current contract with the Braves states that the team would be the sole tenant for spring training, the team would have to sign off on any changes to that situation.

The Braves and Indians would not be the first two teams to share a spring training home. The St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins currently share Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.

The Braves have not yet commented on the possibility of sharing the complex with the only other Major League team to have a Native American-themed nickname.

Old jetport is history

Another link to the early days of Walt Disney World is history, as the buildings at the original Orlando International Airport are being demolished. The former McCoy Air Force Base (from where Orlando got the “MCO” airport code) had most recently been used by United Parcel Service as a packaging facility. The buildings were torn down to make way for future commercial development. The buildings ceased operations as an airport terminal in 1981, when the current Orlando International Airport facility opened. Demolition work is expected to be completed by mid-June.

Disney cruises go wireless

A few weeks ago, the Disney Cruise Line introduced wireless Internet access aboard both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Those with wireless-ready laptops will be able to connect in most public areas, including the Promenade Lounge, Studio Sea, Cove Cafe, Beat Street (Disney Magic)/Route 66 (Disney Wonder) and all open areas on decks nine and 10.

Per-minute rates are identical to those in effect at the Internet cafes on board in the Promenade Lounge, Cove Cafe and Aloft (Disney Wonder) and the Stack (Disney Magic) at $0.75 per minute. However, unlike the Internet cafes, there is no access to printing and no unlimited access plan ($39.99 on 3/4-night cruises, $89.99 on 7-night cruises and $129.99 on 10-night cruises).

Instead, access is available in “bundled minutes,” as on the 14-night cruises. 100 minutes are available for $55, while 250 minutes are available for $100. Aboard 14-night cruises only, 300 minutes of bundled access can be purchased for $105.

40% gone, 40% off

Former MousePlanet writer Dan Steinberg has moved on and currently sells large satellite photos of the Disney theme parks and other landmarks. He is currently having a clearance sale to get rid of his remaining 2006 Disney Theme Park calendars with each month highlighting a different arial view. While supplies last they are 40% off (link).

Quick takes …

…Dates for this years’ Osborne Lights display have been announced. The popular event at the Disney-MGM Studios will open on Monday night, November 13, and close on Sunday night, January 7, 2007. Holidays Around the World events at Epcot (including the Candlelight Processional) will run as expected from November 24 (the day after Thanksgiving) through December 30 (the night before New Year’s Eve). Candlelight narrators have not yet been announced.

…The five-year redesign process for the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels is approaching completion. By September, the rooms and public spaces will have been completely made over, removing much of the whimsical details insisted upon by former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. Exhibit space, restaurants and spa facilities were added, as well. Unfortunately, however, the gigantic fish and fowl atop the buildings will be staying.

…Senior vice president for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts George Aguel was awarded the 2006 APEX Award for distinguished service by “Black Meetings & Tourism” magazine.

Coming soon

• Through June 11, Epcot
  International Flower & Garden Festival
  
  
  
  • Flower Power Concert Series
    
    
    
    • May 29, The Guess Who
      
    • May 30–June 1, Tony Orlando
      
    • June 2–5, Arlo Guthrie
      
    • June 6–7, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
      
    • June 8–11, Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone

  • Themed weekends
    
    
    
    • June 2–4, I Dig Bugs
      
    • June 9–11, Festival Farewell Weekend

  
  
• Through June 11, Star Wars Weekends
  
  
  
  • June 2–4, Jay Laga’aia (Captain Typho), Orli Shoshan (Shaak Ti), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok)
    
  • June 9–11, Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), Temura Morrison (Jango
    Fett), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok)

• Through June 5, no Cirque du Soleil performances
• May 31 – June 4, Gay Days 2006 (link1 | link2), the 16th annual gathering of the GLBT community at Walt Disney World (not Disney-sponsored)
  
  
  
  • June 1, Animal Kingdom (GayDayS.com)
    
  • June 2, Epcot (GayDay.com), Disney-MGM Studios (GayDayS.com)
    
  • June 3, Magic Kingdom (both groups)
    
  • June 4, Epcot (GayDayS.com), Animal Kingdom (GayDay.com)

  
  
• July 1?8, DVC members may not pool-hop on these dates
  

Trivia question of the week

How many trees and shrubs were planted by Walt Disney World landscapers by opening day of the resort?

(Answer will be posted next week.)

Answer to last week’s question: The license plate number of the Star Speeder whose owner is paged in the queue for Star Tours because it is parked in a “no-hover zone” is THX-1138, which was the title of George Lucas’ first film, and which manages to appear in some form or another in every film made by Lucas.

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

Talk about these stories and more on our Walt Disney World discussion forum here.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Pirates of the Caribbean – is closed through July 1 for the addition of characters from the movie that was inspired by the ride.
  
• Liberty Square Riverboat – is not operating due to refurbishment, and will return to service on September
  22.
  
• Timekeeper – is closed for good.
  
• Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration – reportedly returns at the beginning of November, following the final performance of Cinderellabration.

Epcot

• The Seas with Nemo & Friends – will open this fall in The Living Seas.
  
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – is closed for good.

Disney–MGM Studios

• No current refurbishments.

Animal Kingdom

• Finding Nemo – The Musical – will open in the Theater in the Wild late this year.

Resorts

• All-Star Music Resort – Conversion of the Jazz Inn buildings to Family Suites continues. Building 2 is in process, and building 9 will be next, followed by rooms in the Calypso section. All work is expected to be completed by October 13.
  
• 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 this summer.
  
• Contemporary Resort – Work is now underway on the complete refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in the tower building and both garden wings, and is now expected to be completed this summer.
  
• Wilderness Lodge – Work is now underway on the replacement of furniture in all rooms, which is expected to be completed this summer.
• 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 be completed in
  2007.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – Will close for annual refurbishment October 29, and will reopen some time in December.
  
• Typhoon Lagoon – Will close for annual refurbishment when work on Blizzard Beach is complete, and will reopen some time in February or March 2007.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays. Also, no performances May 21 – June 5, July 30 – August 1 and September 17–25.

Park Events

Ongoing

• 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) at the 13th annual event.

May 2006

• 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. Sept. 8–9. 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).
  
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs. (link).
  
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Sept. 29 – Nov. 12. The 11th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat concert series (link).

October 2006

• Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K. Oct. 8. The annual Disney 10K race continues its association with the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (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

• Festival of the Masters. Nov. 10–12. Disney’s annual arts festival at Downtown Disney’s West Side, now sponsored by Sharpie! (link).
  
• ABC Super Soap Weekend. Nov. 11–12. Your favorite ABC soap opera stars converge on the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
  
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Nov. 13 – Jan. 7, 2007. Jennings Osborne’s amazing display returns to the Studios (link).
  
• Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. Dates TBA. The Animal Kingdom Parade trades its Jammin’ for Jingle in this holiday makeover (link).
  
• Holidays Around the World. Nov. 24 – Dec. 30. Epcot’s World Showcase gets storytellers, special entertainment and crafts for kids, the Lights of Winter and a spectacular Christmas tree (link).
  
• Festival of the Seasons. Dates TBA. Downtown Disney gets a holiday makeover (link).
  
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Nov. 13, 17, 27, 28, 30, Dec. 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What’s not to like? (link).

December 2006

• Pop Warner Super Bowl. Dec. 3–9. Football players and cheerleaders invade the resort for the pigskin championships (link).
  
• MouseFest 2006. Dec. 3–11. The annual gathering of the Disney Internet community takes place at sea from Dec. 3–7 and on land from Dec. 7–11 (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 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

Free dining plan back, for a limited time

Perhaps the best-received package in recent Disney history, the “Stay, Play and Dine” free dining plan is back. Packages purchased by June 4 for stays from August 13 – September 30 will receive the Disney Dining Plan for free. Essentially, it’s the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package for the price of a standard Magic Your Way package. That’s a savings of $37.99 per night per adult (ages 10 and up) and $10.99 per night for children (ages 3-9). Add it up and a family of four with kids ages 3-9 will save $97.96 per night, and a family of four with kids over age 9 will save a whopping $151.96 per night.

Disney Visa cardholders can use request code YWL when booking, while the general public should use code YWX.

Limited Passholder and Florida resident discounts released for summer

Very limited discounts were released for Passholders and Florida residents last week. Rather than the all-resorts rates that we’ve seen in the past, the new rates are very specifically targeted to five resorts ? two Disney Vacation Club resorts and three deluxe resorts, indicating that bookings property-wide are up, with only these five resorts selling below the expected point, necessitating the issuing of discounts.

The released discounts are for July 5 through August 5 at the Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Yacht Club Resort, Beach Club Resort and BoardWalk Inn Resort. (The Beach Club Villas and BoardWalk Villas are not included in the discount.) Discount rates at the DVC resorts begin at $159 per night for a studio room, and rates at the deluxes start at $189 per night in a standard room. Other levels of accommodations at those resorts are also available at higher rates. A limited number of rooms are available at the discounted rates.

To receive the discount, you can either make your reservations through the Passholder or Florida resident Web sites, through travel agents or by calling the special Passholder or Florida resident phone numbers (available at the respective Web sites). Passholders should reference promotional code EZT or EZU, while Florida residents should reference promotional code EZW.

At check-in, Passholders will be required to show an annual pass or exchange voucher, and Florida residents will be required to show proof of Florida residency.

Cirque discounts for Passholders and DVC members

Passholders and DVC members get 25 percent off Category 2 admission to performances of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba through September 30, 2006. Each passholder or DVC member can buy up to four tickets. Tickets should be purchased by phone at 407-939-7604 up to 30 days in advance, and must be picked up at the box office with valid Passholder or DVC identification. The offer is not valid on Saturday shows during July, and the show will not be performed on Sundays and Mondays, as well as May 21 ? June 5, July 30 ? August 1 and September 17?25.

Golf Price Slice returns

A round of golf at Walt Disney World will be less expensive after 10 a.m. again this summer as the resort is bringing back the Disney’s Price Slice promotion. From May 22 through September 30, greens fees will be “sliced” to $55 for the Magnolia and Eagle Pines courses, $49 for the Palm course and $45 for the Lake Buena Vista course. The rates include the use of an electric cart and are discounted from the before-10 a.m. prices of $89 (Magnolia and Eagle Pines), $79 (Palm) and $69 (Lake Buena Vista). The Osprey Ridge course is not involved in the promotion, as it will be closed from May 15 through September 23 for refurbishment. The Tifdwarf grass on the greens is being replaced by TifEagle turf, tee boxes are being laser leveled and other work will also be done. The annual makeover of a selected course has been extremely well-received, with the Palm course going first in 2004 and the Magnolia getting upgraded last year. It is unknown at this time whether the Eagle Pines or Lake Buena Vista course is scheduled for next year. To reserve a tee time, call 407-WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653) or go to the Disney Golf Web site (link). Note that the site appears to have difficulty with browsers other than Internet Explorer.

New Radisson offer

The Radisson Resort Orlando – Celebration, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced reduced rates for MousePlanet readers from now through July 8. Rates start at $85 per night from now through June 1, and at $95 per night from June 2 through July 8.

Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now. These special rates and discounts are for MousePlanet readers, so remember to book through our links here.

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 November 2006.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through November 2006.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for May/June 2006

Movies begin at 8:40. Movies are preceded by a campfire at 7:30 and a singalong at 8:00.

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)