Walt Disney World Park Update

More DVC at Contemporary looks likely

While it does not confirm that the project will take place, as no project at Disney is truly confirmed until the concrete is poured—and sometimes not even then—recent documents do indicate that construction of a Disney Vacation Club resort adjacent to the Contemporary Resort is at least being planned.

On September 6, the South Florida Water Management District issued an Environmental General Resource Permit to Walt Disney World for a water management plan for a project described as “construction and operation of a surface water management system to serve a 2.89-acre commercial project known as DVC @ The Contemporary Construction Trailer Compound.” The compound would be located at the STOLport, the small airport across World Drive from the parking lot at the Transportation and Ticket Center. There are certain time restrictions by which Disney would have to move forward with the project or the permit will be revoked or expire. (A PDF document of the entire permit can be found here.)

This compound would allow the construction headquarters trailer park to be near the construction site, which would be the current location of the resort’s North Garden Wing, while still being out of sight of guests of the resort.

We had heard that the DVC resort at the Contemporary is number 3 in line for construction, following the Animal Kingdom Villas and a resort yet to be announced for California near Disneyland. However, nothing has been publicly confirmed and, even if publicly announced, could always be pulled back. (Does anybody remember the DVC resort announced in 2001 to be built near the Eagle Pines golf course?) And yet, while we have received reports of construction work at the North Garden Wing, it can not be confirmed whether that work is similar to that which was done on the South Garden Wing or if it is DVC-related. We’ll keep you informed as we find out more.

Universal looking to Blue Man Group and iVillage talk show to boost attendance

Universal Orlando continues to try to find ways to draw visitors set on staying at Walt Disney World. To that end, they have announced two additions to their entertainment lineup, one beginning in a few weeks, one next June.

In a synergistic move, Univeral and parent NBC will be presenting a new talk show, “iVillage Live,” to be broadcast weekdays from the former Toon Amphitheater at the Islands of Adventure park. The upgraded, 300-seat venue, to be renamed the iVillage Live Amphithater, will be filled through a combination of reserved advance tickets and first-come, first-served walk-ups. The show will be broadcast live on NBC’s Bravo channel, as well as the network’s 10 owned and operated stations in major cities. It will also be webcast live on an iVillage Live site. Live shows will begin on December 4, though dry runs with an audience may begin as soon as November 20.

In an attempt to have their own “destination” show on the level of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney, Universal and Blue Man Group will debut a new show at the former Nickelodeon Studios soundstage at the Universal Studios park next June. The 1,000-seat theater will have entrances from the park and from CityWalk (adjacent to the Hard Rock Cafe), to allow patrons to see the show whether they have purchased theme park admission or not. Matinee tickets will cost $45, while evening performances will cost $55 for the production, which expects to run 15 shows per week during peak tourist season and seven during off-season.

Cypress Gardens not giving up, despite bankruptcy filing

Despite filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in September, Cypress Gardens is pressing ahead with its ambitious expansion plans, investing $5 million in moving a roller coaster from Panama City Beach’s Miracle Strip Amusement Park and more money into starting construction of a new children’s section. The park is also pushing a new admissions deal for passholders at other parks through late this year.

Installation of the classic 1963 John Allen-designed Starliner wooden coaster will begin shortly, with completion and opening scheduled for late May, 2007. The half-mile out-and-back track features many hills and bunny hops. The new “A Bugsville Adventure” section will open in 2007 with 13 rides and a theater and will eventually include a large interactive play structure, all inside a four-story building.

To lure more visitors to the park this year, owner Kent Buescher has announced a deal that will allow season-passholders at any other theme park in the United States to get into Cypress Gardens for free through December 24. The other park’s pass must be presented for this offer.

Next year, the park’s annual pass will cost $69.95, and will include free parking and one year’s admission at both Cypress Gardens and Buescher’s other park, Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia. One-day admission will remain steady at $39.95 per day for adults, $34.95 for kids ages 3-9 and seniors ages 55 and over.

With hurricane-related debts of $25 million and an additional $25 million of debt, the bankruptcy filing allowed the park to borrow an additional $13 million of short-term funding to hold it over until the hurricane insurance dispute is settled. In the meantime, the park is doing well, with attendance projected to hit 1.3 million this year.

Gatorland vows to reopen following fire

Following a fire that charred the park’s signature alligator-mouth entranceway and gutted the entrance building and gift shop, the owners of Gatorland vowed to reopen the attraction. The venerable 57-year-old Central Florida attraction, now in its third generation of family operation, suffered $2-$3 million in damages in the fire, which was caused by a faulty electrical heating pad in a snake exhibit in the entrance building. Two pythons and a dwarf crocodile were killed in the blaze, but all other animals remained safe in their enclosures.

While the reconstruction of the entrance building and gift shop is expected to take 9-15 months, owners said that they hope to have the park open to visitors by November 22.

Makeover for El Rio del Tiempo on the way?

Disney has just posted refurbishment dates on its Web site for El Rio del Tiempo, with the boat ride in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion closing on January 2 and returning on April 2. While there’s no word leaking out yet, this might be the long-rumored makeover of the attraction to theme it to The Three Caballeros in time for the park’s 25th anniversary next October. If any readers out there have further information, please let us know.

Call for support for MousePlanet staff member’s fundraising run in WDW Marathon

Occasionally in this column, we promote fund-raising efforts by MousePlanet staff, especially those involving athletic events. On January 7, MousePlanet Mailbag Editor Stephanie Wien will be running in the Walt Disney World Marathon as part of Team in Training, with a goal of raising $3,500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The organization’s mission is to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. For more information or to donate, please visit her fundraising Web site (link). You can also contact Steph here.

Quick takes …

…Contrary to what we reported earlier, the Magic Kingdom’s Christmas tree has been erected in the Rose Garden again this year. It will sit there until after the filming of the Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade with Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa on December 1-3, at which time it will be moved back to its traditional location in Town Square.

…Lowell Doringo, originally of Houston, Texas, and Michael Kelley, originally of Gravette, Arkansas, were named the 2007 Walt Disney World Ambassadors at a ceremony last Monday at Epcot. The 36th team to serve in the positions, Doringo and Kelley were chosen over seven other finalists. They will represent the resort and its cast at events at the resort and around the world.

…Orlando International Airport has now opened a peripheral parking lot for those waiting for passengers to arrive. The lot, located south of the terminal on airport grounds, has a two-hour parking limit. Drivers waiting for their passengers to arrive can relax and use free Wi-Fi Internet access to check flight arrival status or just wait for their party call their cell phone before going to pick them up at the curb in the arrivals area. The airport is hoping that this will ease congestion around the terminal, as motorists will no longer have to keep circling the terminal until their party arrives.

…While Disneyland’s attendance was down 7 percent for the company’s fourth fiscal quarter, largely due to the end of the Happiest Homecoming on Earth promotion, Walt Disney World showed an increase of about 5 percent for the same quarter. For the entire fiscal year, Disney Parks & Resorts posted increases of 10 percent in sales and 30 percent in operating profit.

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.

Coming soon

• Nov. 13, 17, 27, 28, 30, Dec. 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
• Nov. 13 – Jan. 1, 2007. Hollywood Holly-Day Parade.
• Nov. 13 – Jan. 6, 2007. Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.
• Nov. 13 – Jan. 7, 2007. Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights.
• Nov. 20-26, 2006. No pool-hopping for DVC members.
• Nov. 23, 24, 26. Old Spice Classic.
• Nov. 24 – Dec. 30. Holidays Around the World.
• Dec. 1–3. Taping of the Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade.
• Dec. 3–9. Pop Warner Super Bowl.
• Dec. 3–11. MouseFest 2006.
• Dec. 23 – Dec. 31, plus nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade.

Trivia question of the week

This week’s question: What decades are the four scenes of the Carousel of Progress intended to represent? Stay tuned to next week’s park update for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “Where can you find a tribute to one of the original Mouseketeers in the pre-show for MuppetVision 3-D?” is:

Imagineers and Muppeteers who worked to create the show space for Jim Henson’s MuppetVision 3-D created an homage to original Mouseketeer Annette Funicello by hanging A Net Full-o-Jello from the rafters in the pre-show of the 3-D movie..

A Net Full-o-Jello (at left) is a tribute to original Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closes for refurbishment November 15.
• Timekeeper – is closed for good. The Monsters, Inc.-themed The Laugh Floor Comedy Club is expected to open in January, 2007.
• Splash Mountain – closes for refurbishment January 2–27.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – closes for refurbishment January 28 – February 11.

Epcot

• The Seas with Nemo and Friends – is now in soft-open status. It is possible that it may close at any time up until its official grand opening, but things are reportedly running smoothly and the attraction should remain open.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – will amazingly return and be open from November 26 through December 31..
• El Rio del Tiempo – closes for refurbishment January 15 – May 25, 2007.
• Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki – closes for refurbishment January 15 – May 25, 2007.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – closes for refurbishment January 7 – February 10, 2007.
• Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour – closes for refurbishment November 11–13.

Animal Kingdom

• Finding Nemo – The Musical – is in soft-open status in the Theater in the Wild, and will be added to the park’s Times Guide on November 19.

Resorts

• All-Star Movies Resort – the Fantasia pool is closed for an extensive rehab through February 18. 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 had been expected to be completed by October 13, but that date has not been met. 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.
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Building 6 (Concierge) closes in September, 2007 for a full 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 later this year. Tahiti is currently being worked on, and is expected to return to service in the next week or so. 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.
• Port Orleans Riverside – Work has been completed at the Oak Manor building in the Magnolia Bend section as the rolling refurbishment proceeds around the bend
• 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.
• Wilderness Lodge – We’ve been told that the work at the Wilderness Lodge is complete and the scaffolding has come down.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – closed for annual refurbishment October 29, and will reopen on January 7, 2007.
• Typhoon Lagoon – closes 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.

Park Events

November 2006

• Hollywood Holly-Day Parade. Nov. 13 – Jan. 1, 2007. The Disney-MGM Studios parade gets a holiday makeover.
• Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. Nov. 13 – Jan. 6, 2007. The Animal Kingdom parade trades its Jammin’ for Jingle in this holiday makeover (link).
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Nov. 13 – Jan. 7, 2007. Jennings Osborne’s amazing display returns to the Studios (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).
• 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).

December 2006

• 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).
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade. Dec. 23 – Dec. 31, plus nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The annual classic returns to the Magic Kingdom.
• 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 full (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 Kidney Foundation 5K for Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness. March 3. Another race for a great cause (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 5 – 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).

September 2007

• Walt Disney World Triathlon (link). Sept. 23. Athletes compete in a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride, and a 10K run. Registration opens soon (link).

Current Discounts & Promotions

Magic Your Way package discounts through March 8, FL resident and AP room rates through February 14

Disney has announced discounts on Magic Your Way packages for January through early March and room-only discounts for Annual Passholders and Florida Residents for January through mid-February.

The Magic Your Way deals include free Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options added to your tickets and are valid from January 1 through March 8, with possible blackout dates for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday weekend. You must book this rate by December 16. No other discounts apply. To book the package, call Disney directly or your travel agent (Small World Vacations is MousePlanet’s preferred travel agency) and request booking code ZCK (standard Magic Your Way package) or ZCL (Magic Your Way Plus Dining).

Room-only discounts are available for Annual Passholders and Florida residents from January 1 through February 14. Discounts are $23 off per night at Value resorts, $46 per night at Moderate resorts and $80 per night at Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts. These rates can be booked up to the night of arrival, depending on availability. Discounts are priced off of rack rate. To book the rates, call Disney directly or your travel agent (Small World Vacations is MousePlanet’s preferred travel agency) and request booking code FCC (Passholders) or BRL (Florida residents).

Thanks to MousePlanet sponsors Small World Vacations and MouseSavers for this information.

Passholder, Florida resident room rates 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.

New discount deal announced for Canadian visitors

Walt Disney World has announced a new discounted offer for residents of Canada. The deal, available most nights from January 1–11 and January 15 – February 14, offers free Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options with purchase of a package. Prices start at US$377 per adult, double occupancy, at Disney value resorts. No other discounts apply. Use booking code ZCV for this offer. Reservations prior to November 2 require a Canadian address, which seems to point to this offer being expanded to U.S. visitors after that date. Packages must be booked by December 16.

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, 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 May 2007.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through May 2007.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for November 2006

Movies begin at 7:40 and (on Friday and Saturday only) 9:40. Movies are preceded by a campfire at 6:30 and a singalong at 7:00. The November movie schedule was not yet available at press time..

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)

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