Walt Disney World Park Update

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

News and Views

Meeting Nemo – Beginning Friday, May 30, the Magic Kingdom
Park hosts two enhancements to promote Disney and Pixar’s newest movie,
Finding Nemo:

• A “Meet and Greet” at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC)
  – Guests can meet Nemo and some “Seaweed Friends” at Westgate near
  the Ferryboat landing. Sets will be for 4 hours in the morning between
  8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.


• A “Pre-Parade” float will travel the parade route before the 3:00
  p.m. Share a Dream Come True Parade. Nemo and his “Seaweed Friends”
  will be stationed after the Grand Marshal unit before the parade.

African elephant successfully delivers calf at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
– Amid great anticipation, the Animal Care team at the Walt Disney
World Resort welcomed the first African elephant calf to be born at Disney’s
Animal Kingdom on Thursday, May 22 at 10:05 p.m.

The first-time mother was in labor on and off for four hours before giving
birth to the 296-pound calf, which was conceived through artificial insemination
on August 25, 2001. This is the fourth surviving African elephant calf
in North America to have resulted from an artificial-insemination procedure.

Both the calf and the mother are doing fine so far according to veterinarians
and elephant managers, who are cautiously optimistic about the calf’s
likelihood for survival. Guest will eventually be able to monitor the
calf’s progress on camera monitors at Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s
Animal Kingdom.

Kissimmee: Operation Vagrant
– Kissimmee police has raised the ire of residents and visitors alike
with “Operation Vagrant,” its new campaign in which undercover
officers dress like the homeless — complete with fake teeth, tattered
clothes and shopping carts — and radio ahead to other officers who
hand tickets to speeders and lawbreakers. Not wanting to deceive motorists,
these cops even carried signs warning drivers that a sheriff’s traffic
sting was going on. Next time you see a bum on International Drive, keep
your quarters in your pocket; you might need it to pay for your speeding
ticket.

Better than your uncle’s vacation slides – The Travel Channel
is showing its series on theme parks this week:

• Thursday, May29: Theme Park Road Trip, part 1 at 7:00 p.m.


• Thursday, June 5: Theme Park Road Trip, part 2, at 7:00 p.m.

Consumer Reports releases amusement park ratings –
No surprise for Walt Disney World fans, the June 2003 issue of Consumer
Reports magazine ranked Epcot as the park with the highest overall
customer satisfaction rating (based on a survey of 2500 people for factors
such as value, rides, shows, staff, souvenirs and crowds). The other WDW
parks are close behind, with Disney Studios and Magic Kingdom ranking
second and third respectively. Disney’s Animal Kingdom ranked seventh,
but still managed to pull ahead of both Disneyland. While the information
presented in the article may not be new for MousePlanet readers, the comparison
against other major U.S. parks is worth purchasing the issue.

Revenge of the Vivendi – Financially stressed Vivendi recently
announced “Revenge of the Mummy,” a new ride-through attraction
being developed for both of its Florida and Hollywood Universal Studios
parks. Even though Vivendi has already announced its desire to sell off
its parks, it hopes the $80 million price tag will keep the parks competitive
with Disney parks, which are busy constructing their own ambitious attractions,
including Mission: Space in Epcot, and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at
Disney’s California Adventure.

The artist conception, of the Revenge of the Mummy attraction at the Universal
Studios parks on both U.S. coasts, evokes the sense of mystery and unknown
thrills. This ambitious attraction is expected to finish in Spring 2004.
PRNewsfoto.

“This really is the latest evolution for the entire ride industry,” said
Scott Trowbridge, vice president of design and creative development for
Universal Parks & Resorts. “The ‘Revenge Of The Mummy’ ride is the next
threshold attraction in our industry — there is no other ride like
it anywhere.”

Billed as “psychological thrill ride,” the attraction will hurtle passengers
through Egyptian sets, chambers, passageways and tombs in vehicles that
will move both backward and forward. During the ride, which will last
about five minutes, they’ll pass through a “ceiling of flame” hovering
inches overhead and encounter a skeleton warrior that will leap onto their
vehicles.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

The Theater in Epcot’s China Pavilion, which was closed for refurbishment
March 26 to May 22, has opened with a new movie about China. The gallery,
merchandise shop and restaurants continue to operate.

Fantasmic – The steamboat is back in show at Fantasmic!
in Disney Studios park.

Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studio closed for refurbishment
on February 24. The ride was originally scheduled to return on April 13,
then the closure was extended to June 29. It has apparently been pushed
forward again, to reopen on June 7 or June 9.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh will be closed for refurbishment
April 25, 2003 – June 27, 2003. Pooh’s Thotful Shop will be open during
this refurbishment.

The Theater in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion will be closed June 9-June 13.

Park Events

Upcoming events

April 25 through June 8 – 10th Epcot International Flower
& Garden Festival. Also see the May
19 Park Update: WDW column for details.

May 16 – June 15 – Star Wars Weekends. Also see the May
19 Park Update: WDW column for details.

June 3 through June 9 – Gay Days 2003. This unofficial event is
not sponsored by Disney. Event information can be obtained from the event sponsor.

June 14, 2003 – Mickey’s Toon Town of Pins at the Magic Kingdom.

September 5-6, 2003 – Night of Joy. An evening of Contemporary Christian Music at Magic Kingdom. $35.95 for one night (all ages) or $57.95 for both nights. Buy tickets online or call (407) W-Disney.

September 19-21, 2003 – Disney’s Pin Celebration at Epcot.

October 3, 5, 10, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 30 and 31 – Mickey’s Not So
Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom.

October 18-November 16, 2003 – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Included with park admission, sample wine and food from 25 countries.

November 16-20, 2003 – Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney
Wonder.

November 30, December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 19 – Mickey’s
Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. Order by phone at
(407) W-DISNEY.

Current Discounts & Promotions

The
Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor hotel, is offering
great rates to MousePlanet readers through December, 2003. Sample
rates for selected dates and rooms are listed below. To take advantage
of these special rates, make your reservations using the link found on
this
page.

MouseSavers.com
reports some great rates for travel to Walt Disney World:

• New Fairytale Vacation Packages can mean savings of 40% or
  more when you visit Walt Disney World. Read all about this amazing new
  offer at MouseSavers.com.


• Florida
  residents can stay on property for as little as $59 at the All
  Stars, $74 at moderate resorts, and $124 at Wilderness Lodge and Animal
  Kingdom Lodge. These rates are valid for arrivals between April 27 and
  July 3, 2003.


• Disney’s Visa card holders can purchase specially priced Dream
  Maker packages for check-ins most nights from May 26 to August 3. You
  do not need to use your Disney Visa to book Disney
  Visa Summer packages, but you must provide your account number
  to qualify.


• Florida residents can buy a “Play 4 Days” Pass for
  just $116 per person. The park hopper pass is good for any four days
  between April 1 through September 30, 2003. (July 4 is the only day
  excluded)


• Cruise Deals – MouseSavers has a list of Disney Cruise
  Line Magical
  Rates, available for departures through January 2004, and early-booking
  discounts for Fall 2003 itineraries.

If you are itching to break in your new Disney Visa card, you can receive
a $50 onboard credit when you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation and
pay with your Disney Visa. The offer is good for sailings through the
end of this year. When you charge your cruise to your Disney Visa, you
pay no interest for six months.

Annual Passholders can receive 10% off the price of their lunch meal
at selected Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants, and the discount
is good for up to three guests. The offer is valid Monday through Friday.
Call 407-WDW-DINE for locations and reservations.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule