Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for September 25 – October 1, 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

All Star renovations hit snag, now targeted for next year

Due to construction delays, the renovation of rooms at the All Star Resorts is being pushed back. The standard rooms at buildings 3-8 at the All Star Music Resort has been postponed until after January 1. (Rooms in buildings 1, 2, 9 and 10 that have not been converted into suites are already done or being completed.) Rooms will be getting new furniture, drapes, coat racks, beds, and a privacy curtain on the vanity area. The rooms will have a more retro look.

The All Star Sports Resort will get its own round of renovations, but not until Music is completed, which is estimated for June 2007. Those renovations are expected to run until November 2007.

2007 dates announced for Flower & Garden Festival

Dates have been announced for the 2007 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The festival, which will run for a record 60 days (up from 52 last year), will begin on April 5 and run through June 3. It appears that all of the popular events from last year will likely return.

For more information about the festival, see MousePlanet’s park guide page to the event or go to the official page on the Disney Web site.

Laugh Floor Comedy Club has target date and more details

Disney is now saying that the Monsters, Inc. The Laugh Floor Comedy Club attraction will open in mid-to-late January in the former home of Timekeeper in the Magic Kingdom‘s Tomorrowland, which has had 385 seats installed into the former Circlevision theater. Disney calls the show “an immersive and interactive attraction in which guests can laugh, joke, match wits and laugh some more with comedian wannabes recruited by Mike Wazowski, the one-eyed hero from the Disney-Pixar animated film Monsters, Inc. Mike has opened the comedy club to collect laughs that will generate power for the monster world of Monstropolis.”

Disney Wonder to get makeover while in drydock next month

The Disney Wonder is in line for loads of upgrades while it’s in dry dock for the first couple of weeks in October. Most visibly, a jumbo LED screen will be mounted on the aft side of the foreward funnel on deck 9, overlooking the Goofy Pool. The 336-square-foot screen will provide the same type of entertainment as has been available on the Disney Magic since it received a similar screen last year.

An extension to the Mickey Pool on deck 9 is targeted at the smallest cruisers. The new 385-square-foot extension, shaped similarly to Mickey’s sorcerer hat, is a water play area with interactive fountains and splash zones specifically for toddlers who are not yet toilet trained and in swim diapers.

For the older kids, the Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club will also get upgrades, with a new computer simulator in the Lab and additional computer games and stations in the Club.

Adults aren’t being left out, either. There will be three new spa villas at the Vista Spa and Salon, with indoor spa treatment suites connected to private outdoor verandahs with personal hot tubs, open-air showers and chaise lounges. The fitness center at the spa will double in size, adding an additional 1,700 square feet. The entire Vista Spa complex will expand to a total of 10,700 square feet. The Quiet Cove adult pool see the addition of waterfalls cascading from the two hot tubs and new tack chairs.

And for those who have to do business while aboard, the Peter Pan, Fantasia and Steamboat Willie conference rooms on deck 2 are getting major upgrades. Wi-Fi Internet stations are also being added to the Cove Cafe on deck 9.

The Wonder is expected to return to service in time for its scheduled October 15 cruise.

Magic Kingdom entertainment enhancements begin

It appears that the new entertainment events that we told you would be coming to the Magic Kingdom will all debut this week. Starting today, the Main Street Family Fun Day Parade kicks off down Main Street while the new Let’s Have A Ball: The Happily Ever After Party (formerly called the Royal Court Academy) begins in Fantasyland. Starting Wednesday, Woody’s Cowboy Camp takes place in Fantasyland while the High School Musical Pep Rally kicks off in Tomorrowland. Finally, the new castle forecourt stage show (called “Dream Along with Mickey”) will debut on Saturday.

Orlando International Airport slates upgrades for airside terminals

There’s some good news for those who fly to Walt Disney World on United, US Air, Northwest and other airlines that use Airside 3. The terminal, which opened in 1981, is slated for some upgrades over the next two and a half years that will see the addition of a mini food court, skylights and mechanical and electrical upgrades. The work is scheduled to start next month.

Airside 1—home of Continental, American and other airlines—will undergo similar renovations at a later date. Airsides 2 and 4 are newer, and are not currently slated for further upgrades.

Magical Express, Lynx to swap locations

We noted a couple of weeks ago that Disney’s Magical Express is moving its location at Orlando International Airport from the “A” side of the terminal to the “B” side, effective October 3. Apparently, the other half of the equation is that Orlando’s Lynx public transportation system buses will be moving from the “B” side to the “A” side on the same date. The switches will allow both services to get to and from their stops without having to circle around the airport to get where they’re going. An interesting note is that Magical Express is currently advertised on the main page of Orlando International Airport’s Web site.

Quick takes …

…ESPN The Weekend will return to the Disney-MGM Studios from March 2-4 of next year. It appears that events will likely be the same as—or similar to—last year.

…Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex will celebrate its tenth anniversary when the Atlanta Braves return for their tenth full season of spring training next February.

…The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel has closed Palio, their upscale Italian restaurant. Plans are in the works to replace the restaurant, but there are no details yet. In the meantime, those looking for Italian food in the area can head to L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante in Epcot‘s Italy pavilion or Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano at Disney-MGM Studios‘ Streets of America Backlot.

…We’ve received a report that a new “pictorial souvenir” book has been spotted in the gift shops. The approximately 200-page hardcover book doesn’t include the updates to Pirates of the Caribbean, but has some nice new layouts for other attractions and resorts. List price is $21.95.

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.

Coming soon

• August 13 – September 30, “Playhouse Disney in Concert” series at the Disney-MGM Studios.
  • Sept. 25-30 – Dan Zanes and friends (ABC Theater)
• September 29, October 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
• September 29 – November 12, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
• September 29 – November 12, Eat to the Beat Concert Series.
  • September 29–30, Survivor
  • October 1–3. Family Stone Experience
  • October 4–7, Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas
  • October 8–11, Loverboy
  • October 12–14, David Sanborn
  • October 15–16, The Beach Boys
  • October 17–18, Little Richard
  • October 19–21, Three Dog Night
  • October 22–25, The Four Tops
  • October 26–28, Gloria Gaynor
  • October 29–November 1, The S.O.S. Band
  • November 2–4, The Contours
  • November 5–6, Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
  • November 7–8, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
  • November 9–12, Jon Secada
• October 7, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K.
• October 8, Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K.
• October 12. Cast previews for Nemo’s Undersea Adventure.
• October 13–15. DVC and AP previews for Nemo’s Undersea Adventure.
• October 16–22. Funai Classic at Walt Disney World.
• October 28. Blizzard Beach closes for annual refurbishment.
• October 29 – November 2. Disney Pin Cruise.

Trivia question of the week

This week’s question: In what order did the three All Star Resorts originally open? Stay tuned to next week’s park update for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “How many tons of candy has Disney brought in for all the of Halloween parties?” is:

Disney is storing 150 tons of candy for the parties in trailers in the backstage area of Main Street.

If you want to get some of the 150 tons of candy being distributed at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, look for the lit balloons. Photo by Mike Scopa.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• The Hall of Presidents – is closed for refurbishment through September 25.
• Timekeeper – is closed for good. The Monsters, Inc.-themed The Laugh Floor Comedy Club is expected to open in January, 2007.
• Splash Mountain – will be closed for refurbishment January 2–27.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – will be closed for refurbishment January 28 – February 11.

Epcot

• Nemo’s Undersea Adventure – will open in late October in The Living Seas, which will be renamed “The Seas with Nemo and Friends.” Annual Passholder previews will be held October 13–15. Cast previews October 12.
• Living with the Land – has returned from refubishment with a new system to deliver automated spiels.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – is closed for good.
• Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki – will be closed for refurbishment January 15 – May 25, 2007.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – will be closed for refurbishment January 7 – February 10, 2007.
• Backlot Express – will be closed for refurbishment September 20–30.
• Fantasmic – will not be performed November 1–8 while work is done on the island stage.
• Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour – will be closed for refurbishment November 11–13.

Animal Kingdom

• Finding Nemo – The Musical – will open 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 is closed for an extensive rehab through 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 Calypso buildings to Family Suites continues. All work is expected to be completed by October 13. All buildings not containing Family Suites will be renovated between January and June, 2007.
• All-Star Sports Resort – All buildings will be renovated between June and November, 2007.
• 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 later this year. Tahiti is currently being worked on, with an expected completion date in mid-November. Aotearoa and Rarotonga will need to have a brief unexpected shutdown in the next month or so in order to allow some electrical repair to the monorail track. The reconstruction and expansion of Captain Cook’s Snack Company is not scheduled to be completed until early December, though it’s possible that it might soft-open before Thanksgiving.
• Contemporary Resort – The refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in the South Garden Wing also continues, and is now expected to be completed this summer. 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 the six buildings of Phase III is underway, with the six units expected to be completed in mid-2007. The new buildings will comprise two additional sections, to be called The Carousel and The Grandstand.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – Will close for annual refurbishment October 29, and will reopen on January 7, 2007.
• Typhoon Lagoon – Will close for annual refurbishment on January 7, 2007, and will reopen on March 18, 2007.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays. Also, no performances November 19–21 and December 31.

Park Events

September 2006

• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Sept. 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

• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K. Oct. 7. The annual fund-raising event to fight breast cancer will be run at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this year (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).
• 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 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).
• Old Spice Classic. Nov. 23, 24, 26. ESPN Regional presents the inaugural 8-team, 12-game tournament, featuring West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Minnesota, Southern Illinois, Montana, Marist and Western Michigan (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

• Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. Dec. 1 – Jan. 6, 2007. The Animal Kingdom Parade trades its Jammin’ for Jingle in this holiday makeover (link).
• Taping of the Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade. Dec. 1–3. Regis, Kelly and all those performers arrive, and they run those floats slowly down Main Street again and again, causing traffic jams and much merriment in the search for the perfect shot.
• 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).
• 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 is full. [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]
• Walt Disney World Marathon. Jan. 7. Registration is still open (link).
• College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship. Jan. 12-14. Teams descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).
• 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).

February 2007

• National Dance Team Championship. Feb. 2-4. Teams descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).
• National High School Cheerleading Championship. Feb. 9-11. Teams descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).
• Twirlmania. February 16?19. Twirlers, auxiliary guard, pom, and dancers descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).
• Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex. Mid-February ? late March (link).
• Cheer & Dance National Championships. February 24?25. School & Youth Rec Cheer February 24, All-Star Cheer & Dance February 25 (link).

March 2007

• Cheer & Dance National Championships. March 2?4. All Star/Studio March 2, School Dance March 2?4 (link).
• ESPN – The Weekend. March 2–4. Synergy strikes again as Disney’s flagship cable network returns to the Disney-MGM Studios (link).
• National All Star Cheerleading Championship. March 9-11. Teams descend on the Wide World of Sports (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.
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. April 4 – June 3. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays, gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th annual event (link).
• USASF Cheerleading & Dance Worlds. April 21-22. Teams descend on the Wide World of Sports (link).

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

Room discounts available for passholders, Florida residents and general public through end of September

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.

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, Florida resident room rates, general public package deals 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.

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 percent 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 discount offer

The Radisson Resort Orlando – Celebration, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced reduced rates for MousePlanet readers that book their trip by September 30 for trips through the end of the year. Rates start at $59.95 per night through October 5 and $79.95 from October 6 through December 21!

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.

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 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.

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 March 2007.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through March 2007.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for September 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)

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