Walt Disney World Park Update

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| Current Refurbishments/Attraction Closures | Park
Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park
Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

Mickey’s Very Soggy Christmas Party – All shows and
parades during the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on Thursday,
December 12, were cancelled due to pouring rain. Reader Kim C. wrote to
let us know that guests who attended that evening’s party can mail
their event ticket to the address below, and receive a one-day park-hopper
ticket in return. Mail your tickets to:

WDW

PO Box 10040

Lake Buena Vista FL 32803

ATTN: Guest Communications

Last chance to see… If you are visiting the World this week,
don’t miss these holiday treats, big and little, that make this season
so magical:

• Gingerbread Village at the Grand Floridan Resort.


• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – through January 5. And
  don’t forget the 3-D glasses.


• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade – through December
  31.

• Epcot Lights of Winter – this synchronized music and light display
  is one of the under-publicized gems of the season.


• Candlelight Processional – through December 30.

• Gorgeous Christmas decorations throughout the resort.


• Shopping in Downtown Disney Marketplace – whether you need to
  fill a Christmas stocking or buy one, this is the place to start.

Ring in the New Year at WDW

Say goodbye to 2002 and hello to 2003 by spending New Year’s Eve
at Walt Disney World, which will offer extended park operating hours,
enhanced entertainment and special guests to the Pleasure Island New Year’s
Eve Party.

Extended park operating hours

• Magic Kingdom Park: 9:00a – 2:00a


• Epcot Future World: 9:00a – 1:00a & World Showcase: 10:00a –
  1:00a


• Disney-MGM Studios: 9:00a – 1:00a


• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: 9:00a – 6:00p

[See Park Hours below for a full schedule.]

Enhanced entertainment

• Magic Kingdom Park: Live DJs and an extra-magical Fantasy in the Sky
  fireworks show.


• Epcot: Musical performances from around the globe, and two performances
  of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth


• Disney-MGM Studios: Live DJs, three performances of Fantasmic! and
  the Sorcery in the Sky fireworks show.


• Pleasure Island New Year’s Eve Party – Featuring performances
  by B-52’s, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Chris Botti, plus
  complimentary dessert buffet and midnight champagne toast with fireworks
  spectacular Admission price is $79, plus tax, and includes admission
  to festivities and all eight Pleasure Island clubs. Guests must be 21
  years or older, and present valid ID for admission [See Events/Entertainment
  Schedule below for a full listing.]

Or…

If you won’t be able to visit WDW, watch the ABC News special, ABC2003,
airing 7:00-10:00 pm (EST). Starting at 10:00 pm, it’s an annual
date with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Dick will
be braving the elements in Times Square. Both of the shows feature live
cut-ins from the Walt Disney World Resort throughout the evening as we
count down to 2003.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment, and reopens
December 29, 2002.

Stormalong Bay slide closure – Beginning January
3 and continuing through April 4, 2003, the Shipwreck Slide located at
Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort will be closed
for refurbishment. The pool areas at Stormalong Bay will remain open while
the pool slide undergoes enhancement.

Park Events

Epcot World Showcase: Holidays Around the World – through
December 30. Nightly tree-lighting ceremony; nightly Candlelight Processional
performances, and international holiday celebrations. Included in park
admission. [Read
the details of the 2001 event, by Sheila Hagen.]

Disney-MGM Studios: The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights –
through January 5, 2003. The Studios’ Residential Street is decorated
with 5 million twinkling Christmas lights. Included in park admission.
[Read the details
of the 2001 event, with photos, by Sheila Hagen.]

Pleasure Island: Pleasure Island New Year’s Eve – December
31. Featuring B-52s, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and Chris Botti.
$79 per person, ages 21 and over only.

Epcot World Showcase: Rock & Roll New Year’s Eve Buffet
– MouseSavers.com has
details about a special New Year’s Eve event at Epcot. The event
will be held at the Epcot World ShowPlace pavillion, and features a buffet
dinner, D.J., live classic rock & roll band, and more. Adults are
$25.99, children 3-11 are $13.99. Make reservations by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Mickey’s Parti Gras Pin Event
– Saturday, February 1, 2003. $115.00 per person, register
online at the Disney Event Services website.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Florida residents can take advantage of New Year’s discounts at
Walt Disney World resort hotels:

• Value resorts start at $49 per night


• Moderate resorts from $79 per night


• Deluxe resorts from $109 per night

These special rates are available most nights from January 2 through
February 13, 2003. Book through your travel agent or directly through
Walt Disney World Travel at 407/W-DISNEY. Proof of Florida residency is
required.

Disney’s Winter Dream Maker package can be booked now through December
23, 2002 for travel January 2 to February 13, 2003. The packages include
resort accommodations, theme park tickets, souvenir pins, and additional
perks. Book through your travel agent or directly through Walt Disney
World Travel at 407/W-DISNEY or Disneyworld.com. This package is especially
useful if you want to catch the 100 Years of Magic celebration before
it ends this February.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule