Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for January 22 – 28, 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

Animal Kingdom Villas details emerge

Plans filed with a water management permit application give an indication as to the building layout for the new Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, the new Disney Vacation Club resort being built at the Animal Kingdom Lodge location. In addition to the conversion of 134 rooms on the existing Lodge’s fifth and sixth floors, it looks like the originally announced total of 324 vacation homes on adjacent land may have been increased, unless the definition of “accommodations” differs between the number of rental units and what is considered an “accommodation” for legal purposes, as the environmental resource permit describes the project as “a 472-unit commercial development including roadway, utilities and storm water management system west of the existing Animal Kingdom Lodge.”

A distinctively themed lobby, pictured in this artist rendering, and a new village of Vacation Homes will be part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, a new Disney Vacation Club Resort located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at the Walt Disney World Resort. Image © Disney.

It appears that the resort will be designed as a group of multi-unit buildings under one long roof, arranged in serpentine fashion, basically amounting to a double horseshoe. For a good look at the proposed site plan, check out this document and go to page 15. For all documents related to the project, go to the South Florida Water Management District’s permit search page and enter application # 061214-5.

Some excerpts from the permit’s Executive Summary (with technical water routing information and references to cast-only structures removed) give an idea of what’s to come at the resort:

“The proposed Resort site is broken down into the following areas:”

“Resort Building – There are 18 5-story beads and a check-in building that are all connected in the form of a chain.…”

“Savannah – The main attraction for the guests at the resort is the view of the free roaming animals in the Savannah. A majority of this area will be left in its natural state.…”

“Pool Amenity Area – This 1.5-acre area consists of two buildings, swimming pools and lounging areas.…”

“Tennis Court and BBQ Area”

Cast Parking and Osceola Parkway Re-alignment – Osceola Parkway is being shifted to accommodate extra parking spaces that the new resort is eliminating from the Cast parking Lot.…”

“Guest Parking – There are 472 proposed parking spaces. The first floor of each of the guest buildings will be reserved for parking…”

One interesting point is the mention of parking on the first floor of the guest buildings. The first-floor parking is not visible in concept art released by Disney, so either it was added since the drawings were made, it has been dropped from the project, or the parking will actually be underground. We’ll have to wait and see. The new building is scheduled to open in 2009.

Disney Company Annual Report hints at possibilities

It looks like the annual report to shareholders of the Walt Disney Company (available online here) is leaking some of the information that may be officially announced at this week’s press event.

The attraction being built in the former location of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It! attraction at the Disney-MGM Studios (and on Paradise Pier at Disney’s California Adventure) will be called Toy Story Mania, rather than Midway Mania as rumored, according to artwork in the report. The image shows four-person ride vehicles, seating two pairs of riders back-to-back. The riders are all wearing dark (presumably polarized for 3-D effects) glasses and firing guns that are mounted on the vehicle (as with WDW’s version of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, not the removable guns from Disneyland’s version). The glasses appear to confirm the Buzz Lightyear-meets-Spiderman rumors that the 3-D technology similar to that used in Islands of Adventures’ Amazing Adventures of Spiderman attraction would be merged with the Buzz Lightyear shoot-em-up attraction to create a next-generation interactive ride. The attraction will reportedly debut in summer 2008.

Other images include attractions and parks rumored for Disneyland Resort in California and other Disney resorts overseas.

Work continues on the Yak and Yeti Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Asia. The restaurant will likely be officially discussed at this week’s press event. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Cruise Line heads west again in 2008

After MousePlanet reported the story in last week’s Disneyland Park Update, it was announced on Thursday that the Disney Cruise Line will return to the West Coast in 2008. The Disney Magic will leave Port Canaveral on May 10 on a repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal, arriving at the Port of Los Angeles on Sunday, May 25. It will leave later that day on the first of 12 seven-night cruises along the Mexican Riviera. Two-night stays before or after the cruise at a Disneyland Resort hotel will be available as a package add-on for these cruises.

The Magic will depart Los Angeles on August 17 on another 15-night repositioning cruise, docking at Port Canaveral on Monday, September 1. The ship is then expected to sail on either a 5-night or 12-night cruise to get back on its usual Saturday-Saturday East Coast schedule.

The 7-night West Coast cruise’s itinerary:

• Sunday – Port of Los Angeles
• Monday – At Sea
• Tuesday – Cabo San Lucas
• Wednesday – Mazatlan
• Thursday – Puerto Vallarta
• Friday – At Sea
• Saturday – At Sea
• Sunday – Port of Los Angeles

The Disney Magic leaves on its maiden voyage to the Mexican Riviera in 2005. File photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The westbound repositioning cruise’s itinerary:

• Saturday, May 10 – Port Canaveral
• Sunday, May 11 – Castaway Cay
• Monday, May 12 – At Sea
• Tuesday, May 13 – At Sea
• Wednesday, May 14 – Aruba
• Thursday, May 15 – At Sea
• Friday, May 16 – Panama Canal
• Saturday, May 17 – At Sea
• Sunday, May 18 – At Sea
• Monday, May 19 – Acapulco
• Tuesday, May 20 – At Sea
• Wednesday, May 21 – Puerto Vallarta
• Thursday, May 22 – Cabo San Lucas
• Friday, May 23 – At Sea
• Saturday, May 24 – At Sea
• Sunday, May 25 – Port of Los Angeles

The eastbound repositioning cruise’s itinerary:

• Saturday, May 10 – Port of Los Angeles
• Sunday, May 11 – At Sea
• Monday, May 12 – Cabo San Lucas
• Tuesday, May 13 – Puerto Vallarta
• Wednesday, May 14 – At Sea
• Thursday, May 15 – Acapulco
• Friday, May 16 – At Sea
• Saturday, May 17 – At Sea
• Sunday, May 18 – Panama Canal
• Monday, May 19 – Cartagena
• Tuesday, May 20 – At Sea
• Wednesday, May 21 – Aruba
• Thursday, May 22 – At Se
• Friday, May 23 – At Sea
• Saturday, May 24 – Castaway Cay
• Sunday, May 25 – Port Canaveral

Mexican Riviera cruises start at $1,599 per person, and the Panama Canal repositioning cruises start at $1,699 per person. You can book any of those cruises starting January 31, 2007. You may want to talk to your Disney specialist travel agent to get on their list of cruises to book when the phone lines open. (Small World Vacations is MousePlanet’s preferred travel provider.)

These new itineraries for the Magic come on the heels of a 2005 stay on the West Coast and an upcoming Mediterranean itinerary this summer. It seems a good likelihood that the Magic will be going on different itineraries each summer until the long-rumored third Disney cruise ship is built. Further announcements may be forthcoming at this week’s press events on both coasts.

2008 Goofy Challenge selling out fast

Staff writer Lani Teshima reports:

As predicted, registration for next year’s 2008 WDW marathon seems to be up from past years (due in some part to it being the event’s 15th anniversary). But the really critical part here is that registration for the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge is now at 50% capacity. This is stunning! Capacity is restricted to a very small 3,000 entrants, but it’s been less than two weeks since they opened registration.

At this pace, they will be filled for the Goofy next month.

Get more information at the 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon site.

The waterwheel at the Swiss Family Treehouse is out of service due to the broken cable. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Problems at Marathon VIP lounge?

It seems that there may have been major issues with the “VIP lounge” set up for the Marathon Weekend. Guests paid $50 per person for special amenities before and after the race. MousePlanet reader “Nanaguide” writes:

I ran the Disney Half-marathon last weekend. I was really pleased with the staggered starts (6a.m.,6:10,and 6:30). You could actually start running when you hit the pad.It was a big improvement from last year. On the other hand I was really disappointed in their new $50 VIP lounge – what a waste of money. There were 3 toilets—the line was so long before the race that one of VIP helpers told us to go use the regular restrooms. After the race there were supposed to be free massages. I signed up and waited for over an hour and finally left without a massage. There were supposed to be special characters—no characters, nice treats—nothing different than what all contestants got. I should have saved my $50—Disney really screwed up on this new add-on. I’ve heard other horror tales about the race but since they are only rumors I won’t mention them.

If anyone else experienced similar issues with the VIP lounge or other accommodations related to the marathon, please let us know.

The digital wait time clock for the Country Bear Jamboree has been replaced by something more in keeping with the period. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Pin Trading Nights return and information about fall pin event

Those who missed Mickey’s Pin Trading Night, rejoice! The free event has returned, on a monthly basis. The first event will be this Friday, January 26, from 5-8 p.m. in the Nutcracker 3 room of the Contemporary Resort’s Convention Center. The event will also feature a sneak preview of upcoming pins for Walt Disney World, the Disney Cruise Line and the World of Disney store in New York.

Other nights on the calendar so far are all on Fridays, and all at the “specially designed trading room with plenty of lighting” at the convention center. Dates are February 16, March 16 and April 27.

The logo for this year’s pin event features Mickey and Figment. Image © Disney.

Early information is out on Disney’s Pin Celebration 2007, subtitled “Where dreams hapPin.” The event will be held September 7-9, 2007, and will once again return to the World ShowPlace. To monitor what’s going on with the event for yourself, watch the event’s Web site.

Quick takes …

…The top-level Ye Swabs packages (at $2,350 per person) has sold out for the Pirates of the Caribbean: Adventures of Seven Seas Lagoon event, and the waiting list is full. Registration is still open for both A Pirates Life for Me and X Marks the Fun at the event’s Web site.

…Former Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Dick Nunis has stepped down as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Florida to return to the corporate world, though he will remain a member of the board. Nunis runs a consulting company called New Business Solutions, Inc. No word on what projects he might be taking on, but based on his tenure at Disney, whatever it is, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

…The next two events to be held by the World Chapter (Orlando Area) of the NFFC are scheduled for February 10 (with guest speaker Disney Legend Charlie Ridgeway) and March 16-17 (Disneyana “Garage Sale”), both to be held at the Quality Inn and Suites 15 miles west of Walt Disney World on Route 192. See the full announcement on our MousePad discussion forums or visit the World Chapter Web site.

…The Transportation Security Administration has approved the first usage of shoe scanner machines at the CLEAR registered traveler entrances to the security checkpoints at Orlando International Airport (OIA). The shoe scanners will enable CLEAR members (who have paid an annual fee and put their biometric information on file in order to have quicker passage through the security checkpoint) to leave their shoes on while going through security. OIA is the original test site and is the only operational location for the private sector registered traveler program.

Work on the facade of the Peter Pan queue area has been completed. Photo by Brian Warneke.

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. 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: What famed location are the rock formations of Big Thunder Mountain inspired by? Stay tuned to next week’s park update for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “Where at Walt Disney World can you find a wooden leg named “Smith”?” is:

On the Lost and Found shelf at the Frontierland train station.

A wooden leg named “Smith” sits among other unclaimed items at the Frontierland Train Station. File photo by Brian Bennett.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club – is 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 – is closed for refurbishment through January 27.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – closes for refurbishment, including the installation of paddle fans in the queue area, January 28 – February 11.
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – closes for refurbishment January 31 – February 15.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closes due to refurbishment February 27 – March 1.

Epcot

• The Seas with Nemo and Friends – is now open, and will have its official grand opening during a press event January 24–26.
• Coral Reef Restaurant – is not serving dinner on January 24 due to a special party for the press event.
• Turtle Talk with Crush – closes January 29 – Febuary 16.
• El Rio del Tiempo – closes for refurbishment through April 1.
• Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki – closes for refurbishment from March 11 through July 14.
• Rose & Crown Dining Room – closes for refurbishment from February 21 through March 14.
• Le Cellier Restaurant – closes for refurbishment May 14–18.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has again closed, perhaps forever and perhaps just until next Thanksgiving weekend.

Disney-MGM Studios

• No currently known refurbishments.

Animal Kingdom

• Finding Nemo – The Musical – is now open, and has 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.
• All-Star Sports Resort – All buildings will be renovated between June and November.
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Building 6 (Concierge) closes in September for a full refurbishment.
• Polynesian Resort – The Nanea Volcano pool closes for the installation of safety equipment from January 13 – February 28.
• Port Orleans Riverside Resort – The Riverside Mill food court closes for refurbishment 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 , and reopens on March 18.

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

• 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.
• Walt Disney World 70.3 Ironman Triathlon (link). May 20. Athletes compete in a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. Registration opens soon (link).
• 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.

Florida resident and AP room rates through March 30

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 30. 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).

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.

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.