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

Cast members preview Mission: Space – Late last week, Imagineers
were able to preview Mission: Space, while regular cast member previews
begin this week. One attendee of the Imagineering preview posted a description
of the ride vehicle at another Web site. Once you get into your capsule,
over-the-shoulder harnesses are pulled down to your waist. Then the control
panel in front of you (with joystick and buttons), moves towards you until
it is in place. Then, finally, the capsule door closes, the ride tilts
backwards, and things really start going.

Some of the facts that cast members are memorizing for guests and tours:

• 25 NASA and Jet Propulsion Laboratory experts, including five astronauts,
  were called on in the design of the ride.
• The sites of all 29 manned and unmanned missions to the moon by the
  United States and Russia are labelled on the Moon in the Planetary Plaza.
• Almost 100 shades of red were tested to select the color of the red
  planet at the attraction’s entrance.
• One ride capsule has more computing power than an actual space shuttle.

The final cast costumes for Mission: Space are beginning to make appearances.
We’ll provide more details (and hopefully a picture) when we can track
them down.

To Infinity and Beyond! – As of June 1, the prices of tickets
purchased at park gates will increase in price significantly. The prices
of annual passes and tickets purchased in advance will remain at the same
prices, putting quite a price on spontaneity.

A four-day park-hopper bought at a gate will cost $208, an increase of
$16. A five-day will go to $239 (plus $22). The five-, six-, and seven-day
park hopper plus passes will all be $22 more than their advance purchase
prices.

Single park passes can only be bought at the gates, and their prices
remain unchanged.

Better late than never – This offer was announced on Monday
May 12, but slipped through the cracks here at MousePlanet. But it is
good through December 19, so it is doubtful that too much time has been
lost.

Graphic ©Disney

Through Friday December 19, all active members of the United States military
(including Coast Guard and activated National Guard and Reservists) qualify
for Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and can claim one free 5-day park-hopper
tickets. Since the tickets expire on December 19, you must claim them
by December 15 to use all five day’s worth. The passes can only be claimed
at a park gate ticket booth. To claim the passes, valid military ID must
be shown; activated National Guard and Reservists must also show their
active duty orders.

In addition to the one free pass, each qualifying person can also purchase
up to five 5-day companian passes for $99 each. If the qualifying person
cannot visit a park to purchase these companion tickets, a spouse may
do so instead.

Additionally, such qualifying military personnel are also eligible for
discounted room rates (up to 40% at selected hotels) as well as discounts
on most sailing of the Disney Cruise Line through December 18.

For full details, go to the Disney
Armed Forces Salute page, or call 407-939-7424.

Philharmagic schedule firming up – We’re hearing the following
tenative schedule for the opening of Mickey’s Philharmagic Orchestra in
the Magic Kingdom:

• Gift shop opens first (of course): mid-June
• Cast previews: September
• Soft opening: end of September
• Official Grand Opening: October 8, 2003

The marquee, Fastpass area, and Standby display are all completed.

Start saving your pennies – Walt Disney World has just announced
the dates for Magic Kingdom’s “999 Happy Haunts Ball.” This
three-day series of events, scheduled for October 27, 28, and 29, is rumored
to include an extravagant dining experience similar to those held at Disneyland
— with a $2,000 price tag.

Outsource it all! – The Gourmet Pantry, one of the last Disney
Marketplace stores at Downtown Disney actually operated by Disney will
close and be replaced by something called “Earl of Sandwich.”

Don’t play ball – The Orlando Rays, a minor-league affiliate of
the Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball team, will be moving to Montgomery,
Alabama after this season. This will create a vacancy at Disney World’s
Wide World of Sports complex where they played their home games for the
last three years.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom film shoot from June 2 through 6 will cause some
disruption on June 3 and 4. All Main Street Trolley trips will be canceled.
On each day, the first three Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration at Castle
Forecourt Stage (9:45, 10:45, 11:45) will be canceled as well.

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

Free
5-day Park Hopper for Active Military, as well as discounted companian
tickets. Offer valid through December 19, 2003 and includes all active
military personnel, including Coast Guard, as well as activated National
Guard and Reservists.

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