Walt Disney World Park Update

The Haunted Mansion again looms forebodingly over Liberty Square, free of
the scaffolding it sported during refurbishment. Photo by Jeff Kober.

Haunted Mansion reopens

The Haunted Mansion emerged from its lengthy
refurbishment last Thursday. MousePlanet’s Jeff Kober reports that the upgrade
was well worth the wait:

The changes to the mansion are wonderful. The ghosts are more colorful,
as they are now in very soft pastels and greens as to add a touch of color
and not make them look so washed out. The stairs scene is very cool and fairly
involved. The attic is so very improved, as is the stretch room. All worthwhile
changes.

The newly expanded canopy over the Haunted Mansion’s queue keeps guests cool
while waiting to enter. Photo by Jeff Kober.

Marathon add-on packages available

Runners’ Retreat and Grandstand Fans packages for the Walt
Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon are now on sale.

A limited number of Grandstand Fan Packages are available for $25 per day
at (link),
while the Runners’ Retreat Packages, also limited, are available for $50 per
day (link).

The Grandstand Fan package includes reserved grandstand bleacher seating
at the finish line, boxed breakfasts, hot and cold beverage service throughout
the race and noisemakers for cheering on friends and family. The Grandstand
Fan seating area opens at 6:00 a.m. on both Half Marathon Saturday and Marathon
Sunday, and will close once the races are completed.

Participants an pick up their Grandstand Fan Package wristbands at the Health
& Fitness Expo in the Packet Pickup area. The wristband is required for entry
into the Grandstand Fan seating area. Kids 5 and under do not need a wristband
to be admitted to the Fan seating area, but they won’t get breakfast, either.
The Grandstand Fan Package is non-refundable.

Free, unreserved bleacher seating will be available near the finish line
on a first-come basis.

The Runners’ Retreat package provides exclusive pre- and post-race access
to the Runners’ Retreat, which includes a heated or cooled tent, pre-race
hot and cold beverages with fruit and bagels, post-race beverages and snacks,
carpeted area for stretching, exclusive baggage check, on-site restroom facilities
and special character greetings. Ten minute post-race massages will also be
available for $10.00. The Retreat will be open on Half Marathon Saturday from
3:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and on Marathon Sunday from 3:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

While the Runners’ Retreat will be located in the Family Reunion Area, only
runners who have purchased the package will have access. Spectators, family,
and friends will not be allowed into the Retreat.

Work on the Yak & Yeti Restaurant continues as workers race to meet the
November 14 target date. Photo by Steven Kropf.

The Yak & Yeti will be quite an extensive building when it is complete.
Photo by Steven Kropf.

New Rawlings store opens at Marketplace

Rawlings opened a new one-of-a-kind location inside the Team Mickey Athletic
Club store at the Downtown Disney Marketplace
last Monday. The location allows fans to have their names, signatures, or
even amateur team logos laser-engraved or embroidered on the item of their
choice while they watch.

This is the first time that Rawlings has had this extensive a product line
available for customizing, and the first time that has been open 365 days
a year. The product line includes bats, balls, gloves and helmets.

Mickey Avenue is walled off as work continues in preparation for next summer’s
opening of Toy Story Mania. Photo by Steven Kropf.

While the walkways have been ripped up, the facade of the soundstage buildings
are still largely intact for now. Photo by Steven Kropf.

The construction zone stretches all the way across the street. Photo by Steven
Kropf.

Another cast member arrested on sex charges

Brian Fries, a 27-year-old Walt Disney World cast member, was arrested on
Thursday night after attempting to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old
girl for oral sex. Instead, the “girl” that he chatted with on the Internet
was an undercover police officer, and Fries was arrested on charges of soliciting
a minor using the Internet when he arrived at the parking lot for the apartment
complex that he expected to meet the girl.

Fries was released on bond from the Orange County Jail on Friday. He and
his family left without comment. However, when he was arrested, Orlando television
station WKMG was there. On the station’s video, Fries is seen saying, “I just
want to apologize to my parents, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Mom and Dad. You raised
me better than this. I’m sorry” (link).

Fries has apparently worked in various capacities since 1996, including bartender,
merchandise worker, character greeter and Jungle
Cruise skipper.

Meanwhile, Tony Guerra, a 21-year-old food-service worker at the Disney-MGM
Studios was denied the request to move to his father’s home in Wisconsin
while awaiting trial. Instead of going home and wearing an ankle monitor,
U.S. Magistrate David Baker ordered that Guerra remain in jail. Guerra had
been arrested for soliciting “hard core videos involving babies” on the Internet.

Both men are on unpaid leave from Disney pending the outcome of their respective
cases.

The new Jedi stage looks like it’s going to be quite large. Photo by Steven
Kropf.

Correction: Space Shuttle Astronauts honored last Monday

It seems that we jumped the gun last
week, when we said that the astronauts of the Space Shuttle Endeavour
were honored at Walt Disney World on September 6. We apparently misread the
information from our source. The event actually took place last Monday, September
10.

The crew of NASA space shuttle mission STS-118 walks down Main Street, U.S.A.,
greeting guests along the way. Pictured, (L-R): mission specialist Alvin Drew;
teacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan, a mission specialist aboard the flight;
mission specialist Dave Williams, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut; commander
Scott Kelly; pilot Charles Hobaugh; mission specialist Tracy Caldwell; and
mission specialist Ralph Mastracchio. Photo by Gene Duncan, © Disney.

The crew of STS-118 appeared at Mission: Space
to reveal a new plaque featuring a quote from teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan:
“Reach for your dreams… the sky is no limit.” After participating in
a special education session with local schoolchildren and answering questions
from Epcot guests, the astronauts walked down Main
Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom ahead
of the afternoon parade as honorary grand marshals.

We regret the error in the dates in last week’s article.

Construction Update

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

• Removal and replacement of double doors at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon
  in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland.
• Installation of new crossing arms at the parade bypass railroad crossing
  in Adventureland.
• Installation of a new public address system at Big
  Thunder Mountain Railroad.
• The cast member parking lot at the Magic Kingdom will be expanded and
  the Property Control location will be configured.
• The Soarin’ restrooms will be receiving
  new flooring.
• Installation of a new monorail beam and hoist system at the projection
  booths for Soarin’.
• Installation of a new kitchen equipment at Les
  Chefs de France.
• Replacement of the background music speakers in the Tower
  of Terror queue.
• Installation of a new air compressor at the Tower of Terror.
• Installation of a new neon sign at the restrooms inside the Hollywood
  Hills Amphitheater at the Disney-MGM Studios.
• The storage facility being created for the new Block Party Bash floats
  coming to the Disney-MGM Studios will have its lights and door increased
  to a minimum height of 25 feet.
• Refurbishment of the Disney Vacation Club location at Discovery
  Island in Disney’s Animal Kingdom,
  with the concrete being removed and a new slab being installed. Four new
  fans will keep the cast members cool, and the sign and podium will be relocated.
• Installation of new monitors at Mannequins at Downtown Disney Pleasure
  Island.
• Some reconfiguration at the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney Marketplace.
• Installation of fiber optic cable will be run to Gang Plank Falls, Ketchakiddie
  Creek and Crush ‘N’ Gusher at Typhoon
  Lagoon for Wi-Fi access points.
• Renovation of Chips & Slices at the Lake
  Buena Vista Golf Course will be renovated into a working distribution
  prep kitchen to be used by the golf cart vendors.
• Building of a new roof over the valet desk at the Wilderness
  Lodge.
• Refurbishment of the exterior facades at the Boardwalk
  Inn will be refurbished.
• Creation of a new six-foot wall opening for the Disney’s Magical Express
  location at the Pop Century Resort.
• Installation of new lighting at the landscape shed area for the Old
  Key West Resort.

The back end of Epcot’s Italy pavilion has been walled off during the changeover
from Alfredo’s to Tutto Italia. The new restaurant is expected to reopen today;
check with the Walt Disney World Dining Line to be sure. Photo by Sharon Moore.

Quick takes …

…It looks like after 25 years, next year’s Night of Joy event will be
moving out of the Magic Kingdom for the first time. The 2008 Night of Joy
event will be held at the (soon-to-be) Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September
5 and 6. Concert venues will include the Lights,
Motors, Action! stunt show theater, the Sorcerer’s Hat stage and the soon-to-be-rebuilt
Backlot Theater. (Now we know what is going to happen after they demolish
the existing theater.) Already signed for the event are MercyMe, tobyMac,
Chris Tomlin, and Rush of Fools.

…We now have more accurate dates for the refurbishment of the feature
pool at the Caribbean Beach Resort. The
pool will be closed from January 7 through mid-September next year. Temporary
“child-sized” slides will be added to the quiet pools in the Jamaica and Barbados
Villages while the main pool is closed. Thanks to reader Zan Hecht for the
information.

…The Tower of Terror 13K has now closed registration.

Vertical construction continues on the new Disney Vacation Club resort being
built next to the Contemporary Resort. Photo by Jeff Kober.

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

• Sept. 23. Walt Disney World Triathlon.
• Sep. 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. Mickey’s Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort.
• Sep.28-Nov. 11. 12th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
  [View our special Park Guide page.]
• Oct. 7. Race for the Taste 10K.
• Oct. 27. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K and 6.5K.
• 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: How many triangles make up the surface of Spaceship
Earth, and what are they made of? Stay tuned to next week’s park update
for the answer.

The answer to last week’s question: “In honor of the Haunted
Mansion returning from refurbishment this week, who is honored on the only
tombstone outside the Haunted Mansion that features movement?”, is:

Leota Toombs Thomas, who provided the face (but not the voice) for Madame
Leota, whose head is seen in a crystal ball in the seance room, and the
face and voice of Little Leota, who reminds you to “hurry back” at the end
of the attraction.

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. E-mail us here.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Donald’s Boat – closed for refurbishment
  September 4–18.
• Astro Orbiter – closed for refurbishment
  September 9–22.
• Pooh’s Playful Spot – closed for Refurbishment September 16–20.
• Liberty Square River Boat – closed
  for refurbishment September 17–20.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad –
  closed for refurbishment October 1–24.
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin – closed
  for refurbishment December 2–8.

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, reopening 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
  – closed on August 31 and is expected to open under new management
  on September 17 under the name “Tutto Italia.” Tutto Italia closes
  in Spring 2008 for a complete remodel, reopening in fall 2008 under yet
  another new name.
• Illuminations: Reflections of Earch
  – the globe used in the show is rumored to be removed from the show
  from September 5–23 for major upgrades; it will be replaced by additional
  pyrotechnics.
• Honey I Shrunk the Audience – 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
  the Festival Center for the 2007 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
• Nine Dragons – closes January 6
  – July 31, 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 14, 2007.
• Tusker House – closed August 20
  – November 17 for conversion to a buffet restaurant with a character
  breakfast.
• Restaurantosaurus – Donald’s Breakfastosaurus
  ends November 5. The McDonald’s-based restaurant remains open for lunch
  and dinner.

Resorts

• All-Star Sports Resort – All buildings
  undergo renovation between June 2007 and February 2008. The Surfboard Bay
  pool 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.
• Caribbean Beach Resort – The feature
  pool closed for renovation January 7–mid-September, 2008. Temporary
  “child-sized” slides will be added to the quiet pools in the Jamaica and
  Barbados Villages while the main pool is closed.
• 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) 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
  – March 8.
• 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

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 closed.

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).
  Nov. 12 – Jan. 6, 2008. 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).
  Nov. 12 – Jan. 6, 2008. 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?
• Filming for the Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade.
  Dec. 1, 2. The parade is run slowly, one float at a time, so that they can
  film each float for broadcast “live” on Christmas Day.
• Pop Warner Super Bowl (link).
  Dec. 2–8. Football players and cheerleaders invade the resort for the pigskin
  championships.
• MouseFest 2007 (unofficial event) (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.
• Festival of the Seasons (link).
  Nov. 12 – Jan. 6, 2008. Downtown Disney gets a holiday makeover.
• Walt Disney World Half-Marathon (link). Jan. 12. Registration is closed.
• Walt Disney World Marathon (link). Jan. 13. Registration is closed. [Read our WDW
  Marathon Guide.]

February 2008

• ESPN – The Weekend (link).
  Feb. 29 – March 2. Synergy strikes again as Disney’s flagship cable network
  returns to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

March 2008

• ESPN – The Weekend (link).
  Feb. 29 – March 2. Synergy strikes again as Disney’s flagship cable network
  returns to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link).
  March 19 – June 1. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays,
  gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th
  annual event.

April 2008

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link).
  March 19 – June 1. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays,
  gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th
  annual event.
• Disney Grad Nite (link).
  Apr. 18, 19, 25, 26. Graduating high school seniors have a huge party in
  the Magic Kingdom.

May 2008

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link).
  March 19 – June 1. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays,
  gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th
  annual event.

June 2008

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link).
  March 19 – June 1. Epcot comes alive with topiaries, other floral displays,
  gardening demonstrations and the ?Flower Power? concert series at the 14th
  annual event.
• Gay Days 2008 (unofficial event) (link1
  | link 2).
  June 6–9. The 18th annual gathering of the GLBT community at Walt Disney
  World.

September 2007

• Night of Joy (link).
  Sept. 5–6. Disney’s annual Christian music festival moves to Disney’s Hollywood
  Studios for its 26th year.
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Dates Sept.–Oct. TBA. Get
  your costumes ready. The Disney characters will certainly be wearing theirs.
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Dates Sept.–Nov. TBA.
  The 13th annual celebration of things gustatory, plus the Eat to the Beat
  concert series.

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 Cafe!. 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 Cafe restaurant,
Giraffe Tavern sports bar, Marketessen deli-style cafe 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).

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.

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.

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