Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for January 8 – 14, 2007

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

Troubles with Tiggers – again

For the second time in three years, Tigger is in trouble with the law. Jerry Monaco, Sr., of Greenville, New Hampshire, was videotaping members of his family posing with Tigger at the Disney-MGM Studios just around 12:30 p.m. on Friday when he caught the incident on tape. From the tightly edited segment that appeared on the WKMG-TV Web site, it is hard to tell whether Jerry Monaco, Jr., 14, did anything to provoke the character into apparently slapping him in the face.

In the video, the character is seen using his right arm to lock Monaco’s left arm into place behind his back, then reaching around with his left hand and hitting Monaco in the face. As the video ends, it appears that the character is making sure that the boy is all right, but it is hard to tell. It is also hard to tell what Monaco might have been doing to cause the character to lock his arm. Former character portrayers have noted that locking arms is a tactic commonly used when the guest is doing something behind the character’s back that they should not be doing.

The cast member in question, Michael J. Fedelem, 31, of Kissimmee, has been temporarily suspended while Disney investigates the incident. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, as well. Both have already interviewed Fedelem.

In February 2004, Michael Chartrand was arrested for allegedly touching the breast of a 13-year-old girl while dressed as Tigger. He was eventually acquitted by a jury.

MousePlanet podcast to debut on Thursday

That’s right, our long-awaited podcast is now scheduled for a January 11 debut. We’ll have news and information, a tip of the week, a magical moment, and we’ll even introduce our first contest. We’ll link the show from the front page, so keep your eyes open.

Florida resident and AP room rates through March 31

Disney has announced room-only discounts for Annual Passholders and Florida Residents for mid-February through the end of March.

Room-only discounts are available for Annual Passholders and Florida residents

for most night from February 15 through March 31. Discounts are up to $40

off per night at Value resorts, $61 off per night at Moderate resorts and

$131 off 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 FCR (Passholders) or FCT (Florida residents). [Ed

note: The effective dates were listed incorrectly at publication time, and

were corrected that evening.]

Passholders and Florida Residents get six months’ admission to Pleasure Island for the cost of one night

From January 1 through March 31 of this year, Annual Passholders and Florida residents can purchase a multi-club Pleasure Island ticket for the regular price of $21.95 (plus tax) and get unlimited visits through June 30. Guests must be over 21 years of age to purchase the tickets, and proof of age, proof of an annual pass or Florida residency, and a valid photo ID are required at the Pleasure Island box office when purchasing a ticket or redeeming a certificate from an online purchase.

The offer cannot be combined with other discounts or offers, and is not valid for single-club tickets. Guests must be 21 years of age to enter any of the dance clubs (basically anything other than the Adventurer’s Club and the Comedy Warehouse), and must show proof of age at the time of entry.

Walt Disney World Marathon gets its first four-time winner as Bastos wins third in a row

Yesterday, Adriano Bastos of Sao Paulo, Brazil, became the first four-time winner of the Walt Disney World Marathon, and the first to win three races in a row. Bastos won in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 24 seconds, nearly 13 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, Matthew Dobson of Pensacola, Florida.

The winner of the women’s race was Gabriela Trana of Costa Rice, running in her first marathon ever. Her time of 2:57:03 was just 22 seconds ahead of Christa Benton of St. Petersburg, Florida, and 35 seconds ahead of Elizabete Cruz of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Renzo Martinez of Boca Raton, Florida, won his third consecutive race in the wheelchair division in 2:24:34, over half an hour ahead of Rick Thigpen of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Race officials honored Mary Peters, of St. Augustine, Florida at the finish line as the 100,000th finisher in the event’s history. Peters was given a special commemorative medal and mouse ears, plus a complete 2008 Disney Marathon vacation package.

In the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, held on Saturday, the men’s division was won by Jarrod Shoemaker of Sudbury, Massachusetts in 1:10:28, while Melissa White of Rochester, Michigan, won the women’s division for the second year in a row, in 1:15:41.

Congratulations to the MousePlanet staffers who ran this weekend. MousePlanet Mailbag editor Stephanie Wien finished the marathon in 6:04:46, raising $3,802 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the same time. Columnist Mike Scopa finished the half marathon in 2:58:37.

New Year’s Day assault aboard Disney Wonder

A New York man is in jail in the Bahamas for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl aboard the Disney Wonder on New Year’s Day while the ship was in international waters. As Nassau was the next stop on land, the man was arrested there.

Lucas George Wicker, 21, allegedly told the girl that he wanted to show her “something” on a lower deck. When she refused to accompany him, he threatened to throw her overboard, according to investigators’ reports.

The Disney Cruise Line is cooperating with authorities in the investigation. No further information is currently available on this story.

Family Digest to hold “Gospel Idol” competition at Walt Disney World

The Family Digest TV show will hold their Gospel Idol competition on May 27 at Walt Disney World. The competition will be broadcast internationally on The Family Digest TV Show. The competition, similar to another well-know TV show, will focus on “talent and soul,” according to Susan Benjamin, executive producer of the show.

Judging will be through a combination of expert judges and audience voting. A limited number of entries are open to all. For more information, go to the show’s Web site and click on the “Gospel Idol” banner.

Quick takes …

…Disney is revealing a new Web site today. It’s unknown as to whether

it will affect your ability to make online reservations. If you experience

problems, please give them a chance to fix it, then try again later. It is

hoped that any and all bugs will be repaired quickly. [Ed note: We have been

advised that, while the site was introduced by Disney CEO Bob Iger at the

Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 8, it will not actually

go live for a few weeks. In addition, we have been assured that the redesign

will not impact the Parks & Resorts sites, aside from some minor graphical

updates to match the overall scheme of the new site.]

…A warning for those with mobility issues who plan to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Table in late April: The elevator that takes guests to the restaurant is closed for refurbishment and repair from April 15-28. Guests must climb 40 steps in the circular staircase to access the restaurant.

…The 1900 Park Fare restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort (which does not serve lunch) will close for refurbishment from July 9 through October 1. While the restaurant is closed, the Grand Floridian Cafe will offer a pre-plated character breakfast and dinner, to be called the “Supercalifragilistic Breakfast” and “Cinderella’s Gala Feast.” Citricos will also be open for breakfast and lunch with a similar menu. Citricos will also return to serving dinner seven nights as week, back from it’s current Wednesday through Sunday schedule.

…There will be no performances of Cirque du Soleil La Nouba January 14-22.

…The Swan and Dolphin Resort has a new general manager. Peter Kacheris, who has recently held managerial positions at the Marriott Orlando World Center and JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, was named to the position at the hotel. The resorts, with 2,265 rooms between them, have recently completed a 60 million dollar redesign project.

…It may seem a silly milestone, but the one-millionth post was made to our MousePad discussion boards this week. MousePad member “Mermaid” had the distinction of making the milestone post, and has been suitably honored with a Lifetime Premier Subscription to MousePad, and her choice of item from our CafePress store.

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

• Jan. 12-14. College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship.
• Jan. 22, 26, 29, Feb. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 23, 26, Mar. 2, 5, 8. Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party.
• Feb. 2-4. National Dance Team Championship.
• Feb. 9-11. National High School Cheerleading Championship.
• Feb. 16-19. Twirlmania.
• Feb. 15-Mar. 29. Atlanta Braves Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
• Feb. 24-25. Cheer & Dance National Championships.

Trivia question of the week

This week’s question: Which was the first attraction to open in EPCOT Center’s Future World after the October 1, 1982? Stay tuned to next week’s park update for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “What are the names of the three surviving elephant calfs born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?” is:

The thre calfs that survived are Tufani (born May 22, 2003), Kianga (July 6, 2004), Nadirah (December 20, 2005). Another calf died during the birth process on April 24, 2005. Ibala, the calf’s mother, died three weeks later, on May 14.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club – is currently holding occasional test shows and will have its official grand opening this spring. There will be sneak previews during a press event January 24–26.
• Splash Mountain – closes for refurbishment January 2–27.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – closes for refurbishment January 28 – February 11.
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – closes for refurbishment January 31 – February 15.

Epcot

• The Seas with Nemo and Friends – is now open, and will have its official grand opening during a press event January 24–26.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has again closed, perhaps forever and perhaps just until next Thanksgiving weekend.
• El Rio del Tiempo – closes for refurbishment January 2 – April 1, 2007.
• Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki – closes for refurbishment January 15 – May 25, 2007.
• Rose & Crown Dining Room – closes for refurbishment from February 21 through March 14.
• Le Cellier Restaurant – closes for refurbishment May 14–18.
• Coral Reef Restaurant – will not serve dinner on January 24.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – closes for refurbishment January 2–21, 2007.

Animal Kingdom

• Finding Nemo – The Musical – is now open, and will have its official grand opening during a press event January 24–26.
• Kali River Rapids – closes for refurbishment February 5–9.

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.
• Port Orleans Riverside Resort-The Riverside Mill food court closes for refurbishment from January 2 through mid-April.
• 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 all 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. The two buildings in The Carousel have been completed, and the four in The Grandstand are well underway.
• Wilderness Lodge – The Silver Springs feature pool and hot tub closes from January 29 through March 2. The children’s pool will close on February 12 and also reopen on March 2.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – Closed for annual refurbishment on January 7, 2007, and will reopen on March 18, 2007.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays. No performances January 14–22, March 18–20, May 20-June 4, July 29–31, September 23–October 1, November 25–27.

Park Events

January 2007

• 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. February 15-March 29 (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).
• Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (link). May 15-17. Regular-season Major League Baseball comes to The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports for the first time.
• Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend (link). May 18-20. The annual event features over 30 artists displaying their wares.
• Pirates of the Caribbean Adventures on the Seven Seas Lagoon (link). May 21-24. Disneyland may get the movie premiere, but Walt Disney World gets a three-day, multi-tiered event on open water. Details to be announced on December 20.

July 2007

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp (link). Late July – Mid-August. The Bucs return to Disney for another year’s training camp.

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).

October 2007

• Race for the Taste 10K (link). Oct. 7. The annual October classic steers runners through the Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot. Registration is now open (link).

November 2007

• Disney Golf Classic (link). Nov. 1–4. Joe Durant returns to defend his 2006 title (link).
• Old Spice Classic (link). Nov. 22, 23, 25. ESPN Regional presents the second annual 8-team, 12-game tournament, featuring George Mason, Kansas State, North Carolina State, Penn State, Rider, South Carolina and Villanova.

January 2008

• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon (link). Jan. 12. Registration opens January 8, 2007.
• Walt Disney World Marathon (link). Jan. 13. Registration opens January 8, 2007. [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]

Current Discounts & Promotions

FL resident and AP room rates through February 14

Disney has announced room-only discounts for Annual Passholders and Florida Residents for January through mid-February.

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.

Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration rates through the end of 2007

The Radisson Resort Parkway is now the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration! The resort, a MousePlanet sponsor, has released their standard rates through the end of 2007. There are also special rates in effect most nights through February 14, with nightly rates up to $28 off of the rates listed below. Note that the nightly rates do not include a $8.85 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 July 2007.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently available through July 2007.

Theme Park Events

Fort Wilderness movie schedule for January 2007

Movies begin at 7:40 and (on Friday and Saturday only) 9:15. Movies are preceded by a campfire at 6:30 and a singalong at 7:00.

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)

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