Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for August 21 – 27, 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

Annual Passholder, Florida resident, Disney Visa and general discounts announced for October through December

Annual passholder rates have been announced for October 1 through December 23. Of course, there will be no AP rates during peak Christmas Week dates of December 24-31. The rates very by season (the period covered spans regular, value and holiday seasons), but they’ll give you approximately $20 off per night at Value resorts, $40 off per night at Moderates, and $71-$80 per night at Deluxe resorts. The booking code for these rates is FBZ. (The passholder Web site says FCB, so I would guess that both would work.)

Florida Residents have their own discounts, using booking code FBY. Availability dates are October 5 through December 23, and rates are $5 more than the AP rates.

Both of these rates can be booked up until December 23.

The general public has not been left out, either. Disney has announced a special discount for packages purchased through September 30. For vacations between October 1 and December 23 (with the possible exception of November 19-23 and December 2-8), a great low rate, with the example rate given as $355 per adult for five nights at a value resort, based on double occupancy, with lower per-person rates for juniors and children staying in the same room. The Disney Dining Plan can also be added to these packages.

To book online at the Disney Web site, click “Special Offers” on the left side of the Tickets and Reservations part of the site to see the offer.

To book via phone or through a travel agency, use code ZBG for Magic Your Way packages and ZBH for Magic Your Way Plus Dining.

Disney Rewards Visa cardholders got access to the same discount three days earlier, and can also book through September 30. It’s unknown whether they get anything more than the general public, but the cardholders can book with code ZBC for Magic Your Way packages and ZBD for Magic Your Way Plus Dining.

Thanks to MousePlanet sponsors MouseSavers (link) and Small World Vacations (link) for the information.

Walt Disney World, Disney Vacation Club announce new presidents

Walt Disney World has finally chosen a successor to Al Weiss as the resort’s president. Longtime Disney veteran Meg Gilbert Crofton, who has served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for the past four years, has been named to the post.

In her most recent role, Crofton was in charge of all HR-related services for 99,000 cast members at all Disney-owned parks worldwide. With the silo-like current structure of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (WDP&R), Crofton goes from a member of the division’s Executive Committee, reporting directly to WDP&R Chairman Jay Rasulo, to a second-level position in another silo, reporting to Weiss who reports to Rasulo, yet the change is considered a step up.

New Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton. Photo © Disney.

At the same time, Disney Vacation Club Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Lewis was elevated to the new position of President of the timeshare group. With the promotion, he goes from reporting to the President of Walt Disney World Resort to reporting to the President of Worldwide Operations for WDP&R. Essentially, he will continue to report directly to Al Weiss, rather than reporting to Crofton, as Weiss finally steps out of the “acting” president role.

Lewis’ promotion is seen as the next step before a major expansion of the Disney Vacation Club, both at Walt Disney World and at new locations outside of Disney’s current resort properties. He has been with Disney for 10 years, coming to the company from PepsiCo.

While Lewis has been very involved in the Central Florida community since joining Disney, representing the Walt Disney World Resort on the boards of Enterprise Florida, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and the Coalition for the Homeless, as well as serving as a board member and 2006 Chairman of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, Crofton is an unknown in the area despite keeping her home in the area. Her job has kept her traveling around the world, with little time to participate in local affairs.

However, while Crofton has spent most of her Disney career at Walt Disney World, spending much of that time with responsibility for hotel operations, convention sales and account services, most Walt Disney World cast members have no clue who she is, what she’s like, or where she came from. Some who do have expressed concerns that she will not be close to the guests or to the cast. However, since their experience with her was in her previous position, which may have required her to take a different stance on issues, we’ll wait and see how she actually performs in the job before forming an opinion. She is expected to be out and about this week, meeting cast members and getting to better know the resort. We’ll see how the reaction is after that.

New Disney Vacation Club President Jim Lewis. Photo © Disney.

One has to wonder how much independence she’ll have in her new position, with Weiss still based out of Florida. Will she work collaboratively with Weiss, or will he dictate her every move? There’s no way of knowing at this point.

Some have highlighted these two promotions as the continuation of a push by Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger to increase diversity in the company’s executive ranks. Taken with the recent appointment of Ed Grier as Disneyland Resort President and Erin Wallace as Walt Disney World’s Executive Vice President of Operations, that makes two women and two black men appointed to high-ranking positions in the division in less than a month. As to the four’s performance in their respective positions, we’ll wait and see. It should be interesting.

Orlando Airport appoints new executive director

Orlando International Airport also appointed a new chief last week, selecting Steve Gardner as the new Executive Director for the Greater Orlando Airport Authority. Gardner has been serving as Interim Executive Director since the retirement of Bill Jennings. Gardner had reportedly hoped to return to his previous position as Senior Director of Engineering and Construction for the Authority, and only filled the position on a temporary basis upon request. He has apparently changed his mind, saying “I found out I can do this” upon his appointment.

Radisson extends promotion

The Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration, a MousePlanet sponsor, has extended the booking dates for their previously announced $59.99 rate special available to MousePlanet readers for September 3–30. You can now book this rate right up through the end of September.

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

Hurricane forecast revised downward

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) has revised its predictions for this year’s hurricane season, but only marginally. Despite the relatively quiet season thus far, the NOAA has lowered the forecast from 13-16 named storms down to 12-15, from 8-10 hurricanes down to 7-9, and from 4-6 major hurricanes down to 3-4. We’ll see how their predictions turn out as the season runs its course.

Magical Express leaving more time for Condition Orange

Just a little more information to add to last week’s story about changes to travel dictated by the Department of Homeland Security declaring Threat Condition Orange. Disney’s Magical Express will now depart from resorts four hours before departing flights, rather than the previous three hours. This will give departing passengers more time to make their way through security before their flights.

Quick takes …

…The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have closed up training camp and headed home to finish preparations for the upcoming National Football League season.

…Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It has given its final answer. The attraction closed for good Saturday night.

…A quick blatant plug, if I may: For those that didn’t read about it Mike Scopa’s column from Friday (link), I’m co-hosting a new podcast with Mike Demopoulos. The Magical Moments Podcast (link) focuses on sharing those magical Disney moments that we all experience at the parks and resorts, through movies, from music, and anywhere else that Disney magic affects our lives.

Coming soon

• August 13 – September 30, “Playhouse Disney in Concert” series at the Disney-MGM Studios
  • Aug. 20-23 – The Doodlebops (ABC Theater)
  • Aug. 24-27 – “Mickey’s Magic Show” (Soundstage 1)
  • Aug. 28 – Playhouse Disney Dance Party (Sorcerer Mickey Hat stage)
  • Aug. 29-Sept. 1 – The Wiggles (Epic Theater)
  • Sept. 2-10 – Johnny & the Sprites (ABC Theater)
  • Sept. 11-16 – Ralph’s World (ABC Theater)
  • Sept. 17 – Playhouse Disney Dance Party (Sorcerer Mickey Hat stage)
  • Sept. 18-24 – Imagination Movers (ABC Theater)
  • Sept. 25-30 – Dan Zanes and friends (ABC Theater)
• September 1?4, Tom Joyner Family Reunion
• September 1?4, DVC members may not pool-hop on these dates
• September 8–9, Nights of Joy
• September 8–10, Disney’s Pin Celebration: “It All Started With … Walt”

Trivia question of the week

This week’s question: Disney’s Old Key West Resort wouldn’t feel authentic without a tribute to that famed Key West inhabitant, author Ernest Hemingway. Where is this tribute? Stay tuned to next week’s park update for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “Where was the first restaurant to be called the Tomorrowland Terrace at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom located?” is:

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe was originally called the Tomorrowland Terrace from 1971 through 1994. As part of the “New Tomorrowland” renovation of 1994, it closed temporarily and reopened as Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.

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

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Liberty Square Riverboat – is not operating due to refurbishment, and returns to service on September 8.
• Mad Tea Party – closes for refurbishment August 21–22.
• Mickey’s Country House – closes for refurbishment September 11–15.
• The Hall of Presidents – remains open during a refurbishment September 11–25.
• Timekeeper – is closed for good. The Monsters, Inc.-themed The Laugh Floor Comedy Club is expected to open in January, 2007.
• Cinderellabration – has its last performances on September 16.

Epcot

• Nemo’s Undersea Adventure – opens in November in The Living Seas, which will be renamed “The Seas with Nemo and Friends.”.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – is closed for good.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It – closed August 19. A new interactive ride-through attraction, Midway Madness, opens in summer 2008.
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – will not be performed September 14–19.
• Studios Catering Company – closes for refurbishment September 14–19.
• Backlot Express – closes for refurbishment September 20–30.
• Fantasmic – will not be performed November 1–8 while work is done on the island stage.

Animal Kingdom

• Finding Nemo – The Musical – opens in the Theater in the Wild on November 12, with soft openings slated to begin on November 5.

Resorts

• All-Star Movies Resort – the Fantasia pool closes for an extensive rehab from September 11 – December 11. All-Star Movies guests can use the “quiet” pools as well as the main pools at the other All-Star resorts.
• All-Star Music Resort – Conversion of the Jazz Inn buildings to Family Suites continues, 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 on rooms in the tower building is nearly complete, with the final piece in the puzzle being the 14th floor concierge suites, which closes from July 23 through August 23 for their extreme makeover. The refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in the South Garden Wing also continues, and is now expected to be completed this summer. Work is now proceeding on the fourth floor concourse area, with construction walls blocking off much of the floor space. Rumors indicating that the North Garden Wing could be completely rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club lodgings are growing much stronger.
• 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 – Closes for annual refurbishment October 29, and reopens on January 7.
• Typhoon Lagoon – Closes for annual refurbishment on January 7, and reopens some time in March 2007.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays. Also, no performances September 17–25.

Park Events

September 2006

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion. Sept. 1–4. The radio host’s annual gathering returns for another year (link).
• Imagine the Possibilities – A Friendly Figment Reunion. Sept. 7. Fans of the popular purple dragon gather for a sculpture release (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 for the full marathon, 5K and kids’ races is still open (link), however the half-marathon and the marathon/half-marathon Goofy Challenge are both full.
• Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party. Jan. 22, 26, 29, Feb. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 23, 26, Mar. 2, 5, 8. A new hard-ticketed event celebrates the the pirates and princesses in all of us (link).

April 2007

• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon and Half Marathon (link). April 1. Strap your skates on to race from the Wide World of Sports Complex to the Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot, and back again.

May 2007

• Disney’s Minnie Marathon Weekend 5K and 1 Mile (link). May 5. The short runs of the ladies-only running weekend take place at and near Downtown Disney. Registration is now open (link).
• Women Run the World 15 K (link). May 6. The course starts at Animal Kingdom, goes through the Studios and ends at Epcot. Registration is now open (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

New room discounts for passholders, Florida residents and general public

Disney has announced new room rate discounts for travel through September 30. New, lower room rates are available to the general public beginning August 19 as room-only reservations or as a Magic Your Way package with or without dining.

Passholders and Florida residents get even lower rates, with value resorts starting at just $59 per night. These rates start August 27, following the already-existing discounts that run through August 26.

To make reservations at the general public rates, use promotional code BPN or BPO for room-only reservations, YYC for Magic Your Way packages and YYD for Magic Your Way Plus Dining. Passholders should use promotional code FAU or FAV, while Florida residents should reference code FAR.

Passholder and Florida resident discounts extended through late summer

Passholder and Florida resident discounts are available for the month of August. The rates are available at all resorts.

From August 6-26, the discounts are $25 per night off Value resorts, $50 per night off Moderate resorts and $75 per night off Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts. Passholders should use promotional code EZX or EZY, while Florida residents should reference code FAA or FAC.

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).

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.

Special offer for Super Soap Weekend travel from Small World Vacations

Small World Vacations, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced a special offer for those traveling during this year’s Super Soap Weekend event. The travel agency will give one free One Life, Many Voices CD with each qualifying Disney Magic Your Way Vacation package that falls during 2006 Super Soap Weekend (November 11 and 12) booked with Small World Vacations (link).

The One Life, Many Voices CD is an independent fundraising effort with 100% of net proceeds going directly to aid 2005 Hurricane Disaster Relief, created by the stars of the ABC soap One Life to Live.

The free CD will be mailed with final travel documents. If the guest cancels their Super Soap vacation reservation, the offer is null and void. Small World Vacations’ minimum night stay policy applies. Small World Vacations has donated to the One Life, Many Voices Hurricane Relief Fund on behalf of their guests.

New Radisson offer

The Radisson Resort Orlando – Celebration, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced even lower reduced rates for MousePlanet readers from now through September 30. Rates start at $89 per night from June 30 through August 21 and $59.95 per night from June 30 through September 30!

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.

Swan and Dolphin Resort announces special summer deal for teachers, Straight-A students

Florida teachers and Straight-A students will receive more than fifty percent off of the standard room rate at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort (link) this summer. At check-in, teachers must present their school ID and students must present a report card showing all As. Students will get additional perks. When showing the straight-A report card, students will receive a “Straight A Club” cap, which will entitle the wearer to a complimentary character dinner at Gulliver’s Grill at the Swan (when dining with a parent).

The special rate ends on September 4, 2006. Rates are based on availability and do not include tax. To make reservations at this rate, call 800-227-1500 and ask for the “Teachers and Students” special offer.

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 show will not be performed on Sundays and Mondays, as well as 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 closes 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.

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, and again on August 6, 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. Prices do not include 6.5% Florida sales tax.

Park Hours

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through February 2007.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through February 2007.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for August 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)