Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for August 20 – 26, 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

Passholder, Florida resident discounts announced through
end of the year | Magic Your Way package discounts also
available through end of the year | Passholders get to
first shot at the Mansion | Disney Vacation Club resorts
get new name for general public | New
Disney stamps dedicated at Epcot | Disney Conservation
Fund gives away $1.5 million | Crime Watch | Construction
update | Quick Takes …

Passholder, Florida resident discounts announced through
end of the year

Disney has released discounted room rates for passholders and Florida residents
for the end of September through md-December. Discounts are available for
select resorts for most nights from September 30 through December 23. (The
nights of November 21-24 and November 30-December 7 are excluded at non-DVC
resorts, most likely due to Thanksgiving weekend and the Pop Warner Super
Bowl invasion, while only the Thanksgiving dates are blocked at the DVC resorts.)
There are two effective rate periods for this discount, with September 30-October
3, November 25-29, and December 8-19 carrying passholder rates of $59 per
night in value resorts and $164 per night in a DVC studio. The remaining dates
in the promotion period (except for the nights of November 21-24, which have
no discounts due to Thanksgiving weekend) have nightly passholder rates starting
at $79 for values and $194 for DVC studios. Florida resident rates are $5
higher than passholder rates.

Minimum stay requirements apply for Friday and Saturday arrivals. All rates
can be booked up until the date of arrival. Passholders and Florida residents
can book via your respective Web sites, by calling your travel agent (Small
World Vacations is MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel provider) or
by calling 407-560-7277 for passholders or 407-560-7722 for Florida residents.

An interesting twist on this deal is that, for certain check-in dates, you
can get a Disney Dining Card with $20-$100 per room with your minimum 2-night
reservation. This perk is available for stays with check-in dates between
October 21-November 3, November 11-17 and December 9-15. The card can be used
toward food & beverage only, and not toward merchandise.

Rooms available at these rates are very limited, and they’re going quickly!

Magic Your Way package discounts also available through
end of the year

Discounted Magic Your Way packages have been released for most nights from
September 30 through December 23. (Check-in dates of November 20-23 and November
29-December 7 are excluded, most likely due to Thanksgiving weekend and the
Pop Warner Super Bowl invasion.) Packages can be booked as straight Magic
Your Way packages or as Magic Your Way Plus Dining.

Availability is extremely limited, and you must book these packages by September
26.

Passholders get to first shot at the Mansion

When the Haunted Mansion reopens next month, Passholders will have a special
opportunity to see the attraction with shorter lines. From park opening until
noon on September 14, 15 and 16, Passholders will have exclusive access to
the attraction. Day guests will be able to enter the queue starting at noon
on each of those days. A valid pass and photo ID must be presented for the
exclusive access.

Disney Vacation Club resorts get new name for general
public

Apparently, Disney is running into some difficulty with renting out available
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) inventory to the general public. Vacationers apparently
don’t realize that the DVC resorts will often have rooms available for rental
by non-DVC members. (While most resorts are sold out, some rooms at each are
kept back in Disney inventory for various purposes, and many nights go unused
by member due to variations in demand throughout the year.)

To help alleviate that confusion and make it easier for people to feel comfortable
asking for the accommodations, Disney will now refer to the resorts as “Disney
Deluxe Villa Resorts” when not dealing with DVC members. It’s hoped that this
will lower the vacancy rates for these resorts on nights when members are
not using their points to stay there.

New Disney stamps dedicated at Epcot

Last Thursday, the U.S. Postal Service dedicated the latest set of Art of
Disney stamps at Epcot’s America Gardens Theater. This year’s series, entitled
“The Art of Disney: Magic”, was unveiled by Sorcerer Mickey Mouse and Peter
Pan during a ceremony presided over by Linda Kingsley, senior vice president
of the U.S. Postal Service, and Erin Wallace, senior vice president of operations
for Walt Disney World.

Sorcerer Mickey Mouse and Peter Pan present the new Art of Disney: Magic stamps
as Walt Disney World senior vice president of operations Erin Wallace and
U.S. Postal Service senior vice president Linda Kingsley look on. Photo by
Gene Duncan, © Disney.

The pane of four stamps features Dumbo and Timothy Mouse, Peter Pan and Tinker
Bell, Mickey Mouse as “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and Aladdin and Genie.

Disney Conservation Fund gives away $1.5 million

The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund handed out over $1.5 million in its
latest around of awards, bringing to over $11 million the amount given out
since the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This round of funding will go
to 97 programs in 41 countries, selected from more than 260 applications received
this year.

Recipients this year include: ARCAS, which will purchase 4,000 acres of land
in Guatemala as a wildlife reserve and buffer zone; Mote Marine Laboratory,
which will stydy the hazard posed to bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay by
discarded fhising gear; and Save the Elephants, which will conduct a study
in Keny a to see whether bees can e used as an effective elephant deterrent
for crops and trees.

“In addition to our company?s contributions, many guests who visit Walt Disney
World Resort and Disney Cruise Line share their personal commitment to conservation
by making a donation to the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund,” said Jerry
Montgomery, senior vice president of Conservation & Environmental Sustainability
for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. “Disney guests who are inspired by the fund
are able to participate knowing that 100 percent of their donation goes toward
conservation.”

Crime Watch

WFTV
is reporting that a 22-year-old woman who worked a several restaurants
near Walt Disney World was arrested on suspicion of stealing customers’ credit
card numbers and using them to purchase items over the Internet. If you’ve
been in the area recently and dined off of Disney property, you may want to
check our credit card statements closely, especially for theme park tickets.

Meanwhile, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, three employees
of Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company were heading for the cast member parking
lot at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, carrying two money bags from the day’s receipts
when an unknown man in his 20s came from behind, grabbed the money bags and
ran off. He got into a waiting minivan and drove off.

Construction Update

This week’s listing of interesting items from paperwork filed with Orange
County last week:

• A permit has been filed for Great Movie Ride Modifications – Facility
  Package. Perhaps some of the second MGM deal, for the use of the characters
  and scenes in the Great Movie Ride, has expired too, and changes are underway.
  Of course, it could also be just minor changes that guests won’t see. We’ll
  just have to wait to find out.
• Permits have been installed for the installation of lighting for the Osborne
  Family Spectacle of Lights at the (current) Disney-MGM Studios. Expect to
  see construction crews starting to do the base work to get the mounting
  structures and electrical work under way.
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be getting new operator consoles installed
  at the load and unload locations.
• The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater/ABC Commissary buiding will have its roof replaced.
• The Lighting & Grip building at the Studios is being converted to become
  a parade vehicle storage and battery charging facility.
• The Ticketing and Transportation Center (TTC) monorail platform will have
  its canopy roof repaired. It will also be seeing the replacement of overhead
  directional signage.
• The Village Fry Shop east show building at the Magic Kingdom is being
  modified to fit new kitchen equipment.
• New kitchen equipment is being installed in the Toontown prep kitchen.
• The “boxed” oak trees surrounding Spaceship Earth will be replaced with
  palm trees.
• The Fountain View Bakery canopy structure at Epcot will be removed, neon
  lighting and all.
• A new handrail will be installed in the stand-by pre-merge queue at Soarin’.
  Surveillance cameras will also be installed in the queue area.
• A new air circulation system will be installed at The Land.
• 13 clear polycarbonate barriers will be installed around World Showcase
  Lagoon for the Illuminations launch tubes.
• Pool water heaters will be replaced at Port Orleans French Quarter’s Doubloon
  Lagoon feature and kiddie pools.
• Caribbean Beach Resort’s Customs House will have its roof extended to
  provide for covered exterior seating area in the guest waiting area.
• Guest Restroom grab bars will be modified in nine guest restrooms at the
  Coronado Springs Resort.
• The Coronado Springs Resort will also have a new package pick up area
  added at Panchitos.
• The decking will be removed and replaced on the dock at the Polynesian
  Resort.

Quick takes …

…Registration for Disney endurance races seems to be filling at a quicker
pace. The Tower of Terror 13K is now at 70 percent capacity, while the Walt
Disney World Marathon is at 95 percent and the Family Fun Run 5K is at 60
percent. The Tower of Terror 6.5K, the Half Marathon and the Goofy Challenge
have all been sold out for some time. Meanwhile, it appears that the Inline
Marathon has disappeared from the event schedule. No word on why yet.

…While making a resort reservation last week, one MousePlanet reader
was told by a cast member that Disney Quest would be closing at the end of
the year. It’s unknown whether that is official information or based on an
Internet rumor.

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

• Aug. 21, 24, 28, 31 and Sept. 3. Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party.
• Aug. 24. Mickey’s Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort.
• Aug. 31 ? Sept. 3. Tom Joyner Family Reunion.
• Sept. 7?8. Night of Joy.
• Sept. 7?9. Disney’s Pin Celebration.
• Sept. 9. Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K.
• Sept. 23. Walt Disney World Triathlon.
• Sep. 14, 21, 28, 30, Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26,
  28, 30, 31, Nov. 2. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
• Sep.28 ?Nov. 11. 12th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
  [View our special Park Guide page.]
• Aug. 31-Sept. 3 and Nov. 19-25, 2007; and Dec. 16, 2007-Jan. 2, 2008.
  DVC members may not pool-hop on these dates.

Walt Disney World trivia question of the week

This week’s question: This week’s question was submitted by MousePlanet
reader David Scherer. What type of power source (plug in, battery, etc)
does the globe used in EPCOT’s Illuminations: Reflections of Earth use? Stay
tuned to next week’s park update for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “What is the only attraction
at Walt Disney World that can be found in all Disney Magic Kingdom-style theme
parks throughout the world (except Hong Kong Disneyland, so far), but all
of these are located in a different “land” in each park?”, which was submitted
by MousePlanet reader Mike Ricciardi, is:

The Haunted Mansion. It’s located in New Orleans Square at Disneyland,
Liberty Square at Walt Disney World, Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland and
Frontierland at Disneyland Paris.

Do you have a trivia question that you’d like to share? If we choose to use
your question, we’ll give you credit in the Update. Email us here.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Haunted Mansion – closed for refurbishment
  through September 12.
• The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm
  – closed for refurbishment August 20–24.
• Donald’s Boat – closed for refurbishment
  September 4–18.
• Astro Orbiter – closed for refurbishment
  September 9–22.
• Liberty Square River Boat – closed
  for refurbishment September 17-20.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad –
  closed for refurbishment October 1-24.

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth – closed for refurbishment
  July 9 – November 13. Removal of the wand is expected to be completed
  by late September.
• Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki – closed
  for refurbishment through October 31. It will reopen on November 1 with
  a new name: Teppan Edo.
• Tempura Kiku and Matsunoma
  Lounge – are being reconfigured into a new dining experience to
  be called Tokyo Dining,
  to open fall 2007.
• L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante
  – will close on August 31 and reopen under new management on September
  1 under the name “Tutto Italia.” Tutto Italia will close in the
  spring of 2008, will be completely remodeled, and reopen in fall 2008 under
  yet another new name.
• O Canada – closed for refurbishment
  August 6–31.
• The American Adventure Pavilion –
  the American Heritage Gallery is closed through September 26 for installation
  of a new exhibit.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has again closed, perhaps forever
  and perhaps just until next Thanksgiving weekend. It appears that The
  Making of Me is being dismantled to clear the central area for use as
  part of events for the 2007 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
• Nine Dragons – closes in early
  2008 for renovations that include the creation of an exhibition kitchen.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – closed
  for refurbishment September 4 – October 4.
• Mickey Avenue – closed through
  at least next spring for installation of the Toy Story Mania attraction
  and related theming.

Animal Kingdom

• Yak & Yeti Restaurant – the new combined full-service and quick-service
  restaurant opens November 2007.
• Tusker House – closed August 20
  – November 17 for conversion to a buffet restaurant with a character
  breakfast.
• Restaurantosaurus – Donald’s Breakfastosaurus
  will end November 5. The McDonald’s-based restaurant will remain open for
  lunch and dinner.

Resorts

• All-Star Sports Resort – All buildings
  will be renovated between June 2007 and February 2008. The Surfboard Bay
  pool will be closed August 27 – October 4 for refurbishment. Guests
  can use the Grand Slam pool at All-Star Sports or the feature pools at the
  other All-Star resorts.
• Animal Kingdom Lodge – Much of
  the resort’s main buiding (Jambo House) is closed through the beginning
  of October during conversion of rooms for the Animal Kingdom Villas DVC
  resort. Construction of the Kidani Village annex building for the villas
  is expected to take until spring 2009.
• Boardwalk Resort
  – Big River Grille and Brewing Works
  will be closed for refurbishment August 18 – September 1.
• Caribbean Beach Resort – The feature
  pool will be closed for renovation January – June, 2008. Exact dates
  have yet to be announced.
• Fort Wilderness Resort – Hoop-Dee-Doo
  Musical Revue will not be performed on Tuesday or Wednesday between
  September 4 and October 24.
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa –
  Building 6 (Concierge) will be closed in September for a full refurbishment.
  1900 Park Fare restaurant is closed for refurbishment through October 1.
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa –
  All buildings are now complete and open.
• T-Rex Cafe – reportedly opens in Downtown
  Disney in early 2008.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – closed for annual refurbishment January 6
  – late winter.
• Typhoon Lagoon – closed for annual refurbishment October 28
  – January 5

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays –
  Saturdays. No performances September 23–October 1, November 25–27.
• Official All-Star Cafe at Disney’s
  Wide World of Sports Complex – closes on September 23, and is expected
  to reopen on November 20 as a quick-service eatery.

Park Events

August 2007

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp (link).
  July 27 – Aug 16. The Bucs return to Disney for another year’s training
  camp.
• Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party (link).
  Aug. 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31 and Sept. 3. A rerun of this past winter’s
  new hard-ticketed event celebrates the pirates and princesses in all of
  us.
• Mickey’s Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort (link).
  Aug. 24. The popular 3-hour event returns to Fantasia Ballroom G.
• Tom Joyner Family Reunion (link).
  Aug. 31 ? Sept. 3. The radio host’s annual gathering returns for another
  year.

September 2007

• Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party (link).
  Aug. 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31 and Sept. 3. A rerun of this past winter’s
  new hard-ticketed event celebrates the pirates and princesses in all of
  us.
• Tom Joyner Family Reunion (link).
  Aug. 31 ? Sept. 3. The radio host’s annual gathering returns for another
  year.
• Mickey’s Pin Trading Night at Yacht & Beach Club Resort (link).
  Sep. 6. A special 2-hour edition of the event helps to kick off Disney’s
  Pin Celebration.
• Night of Joy (link).
  Sept. 7?8. Disney’s annual Christian music festival.
• Disney’s Pin Celebration (link).
  Sept. 7?9. This year, the event’s theme is “Where Dreams HapPin”. Registration
  opens May 9.
• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K (link).
  Sept. 9. The annual fund-raising event to fight breast cancer will be run
  at Disney’s Wide World of Sports this year.
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (link).
  Sep. 14, 21, 28, 30, Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28,
  30, 31, Nov. 2. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly
  be wearing theirs.
• Walt Disney World Triathlon (link).
  Sept. 23. Athletes compete in a 1.5K swim, a 58K bike ride, and a 10K run.
  Registration opens soon (link).
• Mickey’s Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort (link).
  Sep. 28. The popular 3-hour event returns to Fantasia Ballroom G.
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link).
  Sep.28 ?Nov. 11. The 12th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the
  Eat to the Beat concert series.

October 2007

• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (link).
  Sep. 14, 21, 28, 30, Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28,
  30, 31, Nov. 2. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly
  be wearing theirs.
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link).
  Sep.28 ?Nov. 11. The 12th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the
  Eat to the Beat concert series.
• 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).
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K and 6.5K (link).
  Oct. 27. Disney’s first night-time endurance event is Halloween-themed,
  and concludes witha big after-party. Registration is now open (link).

November 2007

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link).
  Sep.28 ?Nov. 11. The 12th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the
  Eat to the Beat concert series.
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (link).
  Sep. 14, 21, 28, 30, Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28,
  30, 31, Nov. 2. Get your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly
  be wearing theirs.
• Disney Golf Classic (link).
  Nov. 1–4. Joe Durant returns to defend his 2006 title.
• Festival of the Masters (link).
  Nov. 9–11. Disney’s annual arts festival at Downtown Disney’s West
  Side.
• ABC Super Soap Weekend (link).
  Nov. 10?11. Your favorite ABC soap opera stars converge on the Disney-MGM
  Studios.
• Pirates of Castaway Cay pin cruise (link).
  Nov. 11-15. Pirates, pins and a Disney cruise, all rolled into one.
• Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (link).
  Nov. 12 ? Jan. 6, 2008. Jennings Osborne’s amazing display returns to the
  Studios.
• Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade (link).Nov.
  12 ? Jan. 6, 2008.The Animal Kingdom Parade trades its Jammin’ for Jingle
  in this holiday makeover.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (link).
  Nov. 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18,
  20, 21. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What’s not to like?
• 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.
• Holidays Around the World (link).
  Nov. 23 ? Dec. 30. Epcot’s World Showcase gets storytellers, special entertainment
  and crafts for kids, the Lights of Winter and a spectacular Christmas tree.
• Festival of the Seasons (link).
  Dates TBA. Downtown Disney gets a holiday makeover.

December 2007

• Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (link).
  Nov. 12 ? Jan. 6, 2008. Jennings Osborne’s amazing display returns to the
  Studios.
• Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade (link).Nov.
  12 ? Jan. 6, 2008.The Animal Kingdom Parade trades its Jammin’ for Jingle
  in this holiday makeover.
• Holidays Around the World (link).
  Nov. 23 ? Dec. 30. Epcot’s World Showcase gets storytellers, special entertainment
  and crafts for kids, the Lights of Winter and a spectacular Christmas tree.
• Festival of the Seasons (link).
  Dates TBA. Downtown Disney gets a holiday makeover.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (link).
  Nov. 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18,
  20, 21. Snow on Main Street, free hot cocoa and cookies. What’s not to like?
• Pop Warner Super Bowl (link).
  Dec. 2?8. Football players and cheerleaders invade the resort for the pigskin
  championships.
• MouseFest 2007 (link).
  Dec. 2?10. The annual gathering of the Disney Internet community takes place
  at sea from Dec. 2?6 and on land from Dec. 6?10.
• Pleasure Island New Year’s Eve (link).
  Dec. 31. Pleasure Island celebrates the actual New Year.
• New Year’s Eve at Cirque du Soleil. Dec. 31. Cirque puts on special
  New Year’s performances.
• Atlantic Dance Hall New Year’s Eve (link).
  Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year at the BoardWalk’s own dance club.

January 2008

• Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (link).
  Nov. 12 ? Jan. 6, 2008. Jennings Osborne’s amazing display returns to the
  Studios.
• Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade (link).Nov.
  12 ? Jan. 6, 2008.The Animal Kingdom Parade trades its Jammin’ for Jingle
  in this holiday makeover.
• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon (link). Jan. 12. Registration is now open (link).
• Walt Disney World Marathon (link). Jan. 13. Registration is now open (link).
  [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]

June 2008

• Gay Days 2008 (link1
  | link 2).
  June 6 – 9. The 18th annual gathering of the GLBT community at Walt Disney
  World.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Hotel Royal Plaza offers discounts to MousePlanet readers

MousePlanet sponsor Hotel Royal Plaza, in the Downtown Disney resort area,
has enhanced its deal for MousePlanet readers. From now through the end of
the year, anyone booking
their stay through the MousePlanet Web site has been able to receive discounted
rates up to 20 percent off on all room types. Now, for a limited time, you
can get even more! The discounted rates now include free breakfast for two
in the Giraffe Café!. Plus children 10 and under always eat breakfast for
free! (Two children 10 and under eat free from the kids menu when accompanied
by an adult dining from the regular menu.)

The completely-remodeled 394-room resort is located on Hotel Plaza Boulevard,
just a few minutes’ walk from Downtown Disney. Bus service to all Walt Disney
World theme parks is included with your stay. Their Giraffe Café restaurant,
Giraffe Tavern sports bar, Marketessen deli-style café and Sips Pool Bar are
ready to serve you.

We’d like to invite you to try
their hospitality!

August/September passholder, Florida resident discounts announced

Disney has released discounted room rates for passholders and Florida residents
for August and September. Discounts are available for select Disney Vacation
Club and deluxe resorts for most nights from August 5 to September 29, and
at moderate and value resorts for most nights August 5–9, August 12–29
and September 2–29.

For passholders and Florida residents, the DVC rates start at $164 per night
plus tax in a studio at the Old Key West
or Saratoga Springs Resorts. Prices go up
from there depending on the resort and accommodations.

In addition to those two DVC resorts, discounts are also available at all
deluxe resorts, with passholder rates $5 per night less than Florida resident
rates. Some sample rates are garden view rooms at the Polynesian
($249 passholder/$254 resident), Contemporary
($225/$230) and Grand Floridian ($295/$300).

Rates at the moderates start at $94 per night for passholders and $99 per
night for Florida residents. Value resorts start at $64 for both passholders
and Florida residents.

Minimum stay requirements apply for Friday and Saturday arrivals. All rates
can be booked up until the date of arrival. Passholders and Florida residents
can book via your respective Web sites, by calling your travel agent (Small
World Vacations is MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel provider) or
by calling 407-560-7277 for passholders or 407-560-7722 for Florida residents.

Discount codes are FDR (passholder) and FDT (Florida residents).

Disney’s Price Slice golf rates are back

Disney’s popular summer golf discount program, Disney’s Price Slice, will
return from May 14 through September 27. During that time, a round of golf
at any of the Walt Disney World courses
will be less expensive after 10 a.m. daily, due to the heat of the summer
season. The Magnolia, Palm, Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge courses will carry
a fee of $55, while the Lake Buena Vista course will cost $45. Rates include
the use of an electric cart, and are $34-$44 cheaper than regular rates.

The rates include the use of an electric cart and are discounted from the
before-10 a.m. prices of $99 for resort guests/$109 for day visitors (Magnolia
and Osprey Ridge), $89 for resort guests/$99 for day visitors (Palm and Eagle
Pines) and $79 for resort guests/$89 for day visitors (Lake Buena Vista).
To reserve a tee time, call 407-WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653) or go to the Disney
Golf Web site (link).
Note that the site’s front page still appears to have difficulty with browsers
other than Internet Explorer. Once you get past the front page, you should
be all right.

For ticket prices, park hours, and entertainment schedules, please go here.

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