Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for August 27 – September 3, 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

…And it looks even more magical | Muppet
Mobile Labs roll through Epcot | Canada pavilion to open
with updated film | Sheriff’s Office looks for more witnesses
to “line rage” incident | New Thomas
Kinkade painting to be unveiled | New Ink & Paint
cel to be released September 22 | Walt Disney World honored
for no-smoking decision | Disney Store runs its own “Million
Dreams” contest | Construction update |
Quick Takes …

…And it looks even more magical

The wand, crane and stars are all gone from Spaceship
Earth. The only remaining vestiges of the “adornment” are the metal supports
for the stars that once “graced” the Geosphere. Those will be removed from
inside the structure very quickly, and the “Bucky
ball” will once again stand clean and proud.

Muppet Mobile Labs roll through Epcot

The “Muppet Mobile Lab” that was tested at Disney’s
California Adventure early this
year went through some additional testing last week at Epcot.
The Animatronic marvel, perched Segway-like on two wheels (Disney Imagineers
purportedly consulted with Segway engineers), features Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
and his ill-fated assistant, Beaker, rolling around Future
World and interacting with guests. The operators/voices of the contraption
are unseen.

The Muppet Mobile Lab goes out for a test spin with Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and
Beaker rolling about Epcot’s Future World. Photo © Disney.

Again, this was a test and there’s no guarantee if or when they might appear
again. Still, it’s nice to know that Imagineering is playing around with cool
toys like these.

Canada pavilion to open with updated film

The Canada pavilion is expected to open
on Friday with a new film designed to disspell many myths about Canada and
to show a more modern look at Canada than the 25-year-old original. While
the original O Canada! showed beautiful
landscapes and and diverse cultures of Canada, it didn’t give a complete picture
of the country and its people.

Aiming to remedy that, the new 14-minute film features Canadian actor Martin
Short as a narrator taking guests on a tour of the country that not only features
stunning landscapes but also performqances by Cirque du Soleil (based in Montreal),
the Calgary Stampede and more. 2006 “Canadian Idol” winner Eva Avila sings
on the soundtrack. The new O Canada! contains 65 percent new footage.

Walt Disney Imagineering worked closely with the Canadian Tourism Commission
and Canada’s tourism leaders to provide content to update the film.

Sheriff’s Office looks for more witnesses to “line rage”
incident

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is looking for more witnesses to the “line
rage” incident that took place back on May 27. Victoria Walker is scheduled
to go on trial October 29 on charges of felony battery for allegedly attacking
Aimee Krause because, she claimed, Krause and her children had jumped in front
of her in line for the Mad Tea Party attraction.

While several witnesses were found in the days following the attack, the
Sheriff’s Office is looking for any additional witnesses that they can find
due to the increased media attention surrounding the case.

If you were at the attraction and witnessed the incident, please call 407-939-3200
and ask for Detective Kelly Boaz.

New Thomas Kinkade painting to be unveiled

For those Disney artwork collectors and Thomas Kinkade fans, registration
is now open for the Morning Star Breakfast at which Kinkade’s latest Disney
painting, A New Day at the Cinderella Castle,
will be unveiled. The event will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. on Saturday, October
20. For $150 per person, attendees will receive a “sumptuous breakfast at
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa,”
the unveiling of the A New Day at the Cinderella Castle painting, a
meet & greet with Thomas Kinkade and family, the opportunity to pre-purchase
the artwork (gicleé on canvas and/or paper) with a guarantee that all product
purchased by event guests will be hand signed by Thomas Kinkade, and a commemorative
event gift.

If you can’t make the breakfast, remaining inventory will be available later
that day, with an additional meet and greet scheduled from 11 a.m.–1
p.m. at the Main Street Exposition Hall
in Town Square at the Magic Kingdom. All
pieces purchased at the Exposition Hall on that day are also guaranteed to
be hand signed by Thomas Kinkade.

Both the gicleé on canvas and gicleé on paper will be available in standard
numbered and artist’s proof limited editions, and will be available both framed
and unframed, at prices ranging from $230 (gicleé on paper, 18″x24″, unframed)
to $2,410 (gicleé on canvas, 30″x40″, framed). Shipping is extra, at prices
ranging from $49.95 to $84.95.

To register for the event, or for more information, go to the Disney
Gallery web site.

New Ink & Paint cel to be released September 22

There will be a limited-edition cel signing event taking place at the Disney-MGM
Studios on September 22 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
as Gala Premiere, the latest addition to the Ink & Paint series,
debuts. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the cel’s artists, Costa
Alavezos, James Bonserio, Erin Magill, Theodora M. DeLaney, David Rippberger,
Lynn Rippberger, and Sharon K. Vincent. The cel will be available in five
configurations, from unframed ($125) to $290 (gold frame). Shipping cost will
be based on the dollar value of the order. An exclusively designed pin is
available with the first 1000 orders placed for a framed cel only. The cel
is limited to an edition size of 2,000.

For more information on the event, go to the Disney
Gallery web site.

Walt Disney World honored for no-smoking decision

Last Thursday, Walt Disney World Resort
was honored by the American Lung Association of Florida and Florida Surgeon
General Ana Viamonte Ros for its decision in May to make all of its 24,000
hotel rooms smoke free. The recognition was based on the decision’s effect
of reducing the exposure of employees and guests to the hazards of secondhand
smoke.

“As the largest single-site employer in Florida, this demonstrates how much
we are able to do when we put our minds and hearts into it,” said Erin Wallace,
senior vice president of operations, who accepted the award for Walt Disney
World Resorts. “We have the potential to make a powerful and focused impression
every year on millions of guests from around the world, and in particular,
children.”

Disney Store runs its own “Million Dreams” contest

The Disney Store (now owned by The Children’s Place under license from Disney)
is holding its own Year of a Million Dreams contest called the “Dream It.
Be It. Sweepstakes,” which runs through October 1. Five Grand Prizes of a
five-day, four-night trip for four to Walt Disney World will be awarded. The
prizes include round-trip air transportation, Disney’s Magical Express ground
transportation, a hotel room, and five-day Magic Your Way tickets with Park
Hopper options.

Five first prizes of a three-day, two-night trip for four to Disneyland include
air transportation, ground transportation, a hotel room and three-day Disneyland
Resort Park Hopper Tickets. Ten second prizes of four 5-day Walt Disney World
Magic Your Way passes with Park Hopper option will be awarded, as will ten
third prizes of four 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets. Fifty fourth
prizes of $100 Disney Enterprise Gift Cards will also be awarded.

Residents of the United States (excluding Alaska), the District of Columbia
and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of the legal age of majority at time
of entry may enter any time through October 1 by any of three methods. However,
only one entry per person and/or email address may be submitted throughout
the sweepstakes period. To enter in person, fill out the entry form available
on special displays at participating Disney Store locations, while supplies
last. The enter via mail, hand-print your name, complete home address (no
PO boxes), daytime phone and date of birth on an approximately 3″x5″ piece
of paper, place it into a hand-addressed, postmarked outer envelope and mail
to Dream It Be It Sweepstakes, PO Box 1205, Elmhurst, IL 60126. Or, if you
have an email address and are willing to register at Disney.com, you can just
enter online.

Construction Update

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

• A “Kim Possible World Showcase SFX Package”
  has been approved. No word yet on what this might entail.
• A marquee package for Siemens Spaceship Earth has been approved.
• Step lights will be repaired and rockwork and plaster will be patched
  at Epcot’s Canada pavilion.
• The “Film” parking lot at the Disney-MGM Studios will be reconditioned
  and restriped.
• The decking and substructure at the Swiss
  Family Robinson Treehouse at the Magic Kingdom will be replaced on third
  shift.
• The Plaza Ice Cream location at the Magic Kingdom will be receiving new
  signs.
• The railings, netting and guardrails at the Keel Boat Landing in the Magic
  Kingdom’s Liberty Square will be replaced.
• The path of travel around the Tree of Life
  exit area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will
  have accessibility modifications.
• The Polynesian Resort will see ten guest
  rooms modified for conversion to fully handicapped-accessible.
• The monorail platform at the Contemporary
  Resort will see a ceiling replacement.
• The Grand Floridian Resort‘s bus loop
  road will be widened.
• DJ lighting will be added to the BoardWalk
  Resort‘s Village Green.
• The concierge desk at Old Port Royale at the Caribbean
  Beach Resort will be relocated to the Straw Market area.
• The Disney’s Magical Express room at the Caribbean Beach Resort’s Customs
  House will be upgraded.
• The Boat Room at Boatwright’s Dining Hall at the Port
  Orleans Riverside will have new themed doors.
• Port Orleans Riverside Magnolia Bend gazebo will have its roof replaced.
• The walkways at the Pop Century Resort‘s
  check-in area will be modified, with new concrete retaining walls, sidewalk
  and landscaping.
• The shake roof of Fort Wilderness‘ Meadow
  Pavilion will be replaced.

Quick takes …

…MouseFest has arranged for a special discounted rate at the Walt Disney
World Swan and Dolphin
Resort for MouseFest! Stay near the heart of MouseFest action within walking
distance of Epcot(r), Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s BoardWalk entertainment
district, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf courses, and Saturday’s
MouseFest’s Mega Mouse Meet at the Walt Disney World Dolphin. To learn more
about this offer, visit the MouseFest.org
web site.

…Registration for Disney endurance races seems to be filling at a quicker
pace. The Tower
of Terror 13K is now at 75 percent capacity, while the Family Fun Run
5K during Marathon
Weekend is at 60 percent. The Tower of Terror 6.5K, the Walt Disney World
Marathon, Half Marathon and the Goofy Challenge are all sold out.

…We have received a report that the Big
River Grille and Brewing Works is open during its refurbishment, temporarily
using the Atlantic Dance Hall at the end of the BoardWalk.

…The Lake Buena Vista Golf course
will be closed through the end of September.

…Honey I Shrunk the Audience will
be closed from September 10–23 for a reported redesign of the queue area.

…As it nears the end of its renovation the Grosvenor Resort on Hotel
Plaza Boulevard will be getting a new name on Saturday: the Regal
Sun Resort.

…Editor’s note: next week’s Walt Disney World Park Update will be published
on Tuesday, September 4th due to the Labor Day holiday.

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. 28, 31 and Sept. 3. Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party.
• 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 Melissa. What was removed from Space Mountain after the advent
of the FastPass? Stay tuned to next week’s park update for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “What type of power source
(plug in, battery, etc) does the globe used in EPCOT’s Illuminations: Reflections
of Earth use?”, which was submitted by MousePlanet reader David Scherer, is:

It uses rechargable batteries that are at the base of the globe; there
is actually a pool backstage that they take the globe to after the park
closes in order to recharge it overnight, and then bring it onstage again
before the fireworks show the next evening.

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.
• 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.
• Honey I Shrunk the Audience – will
  be closed from September 10–23 for a reported redesign of the queue
  area.
• 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
  is operating out of the Atlantic Dance Hall during a 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

• Lake Buena Vista Golf Course –
  closed through the end of September.
• 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

• 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.

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.