Walt Disney World Park Update

Perhaps the most visible change has been the demolition of the Sorcerer Mickey wand that once loomed over Spaceship Earth. The wand (and the attached “Epcot” letters), which had irritated Disney purists for years, was dismantled in time for the park’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Of course, Epcot’s 25th birthday was a story in itself, as Disney’s original plans for a non-event were upstaged by the fan community’s activism. The “Celebration 25” event gained such traction that Disney decided to set up its own celebration, which included the Celebration 25 group. That group’s organizers are now in the process of setting up a 10th anniversary event for Disney’s Animal Kingdom on April 22.

A topic that generated a flood of e-mail for this column and our MouseStation podcast was the banning of smoking in all Walt Disney World resort hotel rooms and balconies. The small number of smoking-optional rooms were converted over and guests are now charged a cleaning fee if they are found to have been smoking in the room or on the balcony. Smoking areas are now available outdoors at each resort. While smokers were extremely vocal about the change, it was greeted with much adulation by non-smokers, especially those who suffer from allergies and asthma.

In addition to the end of smoking, resorts continued their campaign for Green Lodging certification, as many more resorts were certified this year.

Of course, resorts weren’t the only locations to get makeovers. The Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, O Canada and El Rio del Tiempo all closed for makeovers or replacements this year and—as of the soft-opening of Spaceship Earth in December—have all reopened with major changes. El Rio del Tiempo emerged with a new name—Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. The others at least got to keep their names. Canada’s film includes a new storyline and about 65 percent new footage. Gran Fiesta Tour includes much of the same decor, but with the insertion everywhere of the Three Caballeros characters. The Haunted Mansion got a major new room—the “Escher Staircase”—as well as the floating crystal ball and murderous bride from California, and all of the effects were spruced up. Spaceship Earth has had a major facelift, with new narration and a new descent sequence. Some of the Spaceship Earth upgrades have gotten rave reviews, while others have gotten major complaints. We’ll have to see what the final version looks like when the attraction officially reopens in February.

But dining at the resort has had some major changes as well. The table-service restaurants at the Japan pavilion—Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki, Tempura Kiku and Matsunoma Lounge—were made over into Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining. Alfredo’s was evicted by Disney, and replaced by Tutto Italia. The Yak & Yeti opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Tusker House converted from counter service to buffet dining. T-Rex Cafe broke ground at Downtown Disney and is expected to open late this year. Nine Dragons is also slated for a makeover this year, continuing the changes.

Disney’s party offerings underwent some changes in 2007, as well. Fairy Tale Weddings were expanded to include same-sex couples, thrilling some and enraging others. Meanwhile, the recognition of the Hispanic market continued, with the addition of quinceañera celebrations to the portfolio.

The outside world continued to intrude into Downtown Disney, with many visitors ejected during a crackdown earlier this year. Two visitors claimed to have been abducted from the parking lot, only to later recant their story under increased scrutiny.

The Disney Cruise Line finally ordered two more ships, as the conditions had apparently finally improved to the point where it made financial sense. The ships are slated for completion in 2011 and 2012. Meanwhile, the Disney Magic went abroad and sailed the Mediterranean for the first time. Next year, it will head for the West Coast, though it will stay put in the Florida/Caribbean area for 2009.

The Disney Vacation Club also made huge news, starting construction on the Animal Kingdom Villas, announcing new resorts at the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland and at Ko Olina in Hawaii. It also made “un-news” as it began construction on a new resort on the site of the former North Garden Wing at the Contemporary Resort. (It’s “un-news” because they have yet to announce that it will be a Disney Vacation Club resort, despite the name on architectural plans and construction permits for the site.)

Much talk was also generated by a new Fastpass patent received by Disney that would allow them to create tiers of service based on the resort at which the guest was staying at, and would allow guests to make Fastpass reservations before even heading to the parks. None of that has been implemented yet, but the possibility both frightens and thrills Disney fans.

Disney announced two new developments, one featuring a Four Seasons hotel and one that may eventually resemble the area from Downtown Disney to the Crossroads Shopping Center. It’s still in the early stages, but following this story should be interesting as it progresses.

Quick takes …

…As of yesterday afternoon, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade does not appear on the events schedule for Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the month of February, according to the Walt Disney World Web site, but we’re assuming that it’s a technical error and we’re listing it at 4 p.m. every day on our Theme Park Entertainment Schedule for the month.

…Walt Disney World’s Food Safety & Health Director, Frank Yiannas, has been named the new chairman of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), where he will guide the organization’s efforts to heighten awareness of food allergy and its consequences, to educate people about the condition, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by it. Yiannas, also the immediate past President of the International Association for Food Protection, has been on FAAN’s board of directors since 2005. He also received the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in food safety by the National Restaurant Association.

…Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex became a hub of football activity this week, with the University of Florida Gators conducting their practices for the Capital One Bowl at the complex and the inaugural Under Armour High School All-America Game slated for this Saturday.

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

• Now through Jan. 6, 2008 – Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.
• Now through Jan. 6, 2008 – Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.
• Jan. 12 – Walt Disney World Half-Marathon.
• Jan. 13 – Walt Disney World Marathon. [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.]
• Jan. 18-20 – College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship.
• Jan. 21, 26, 29, Feb. 2, 5, 9, 14, 22, 26, March 1, 6, 11, 14 – Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party.
• Jan. 25 – Mickey’s Pin Trading Night at Contemporary Resort.

Walt Disney World trivia question of the week

We’ve got no new question this week. The trivia question of the week should return next week.

The answer to last week’s question: “In 1988, magician Doug Henning was a consultant for the creation of which Walt Disney World ‘attraction’?”, is:

The Adventurers’ Club at Pleasure Island.

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

• Splash Mountain – closed for refurbishment January 4–February 15.
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures – closed for refurbishment January 28–February 15.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed for refurbishment February 24–March 1.

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth – closed for refurbishment July 9 – February 18. Currently in soft opening status; may close at any time for any (or no) reason.
• American Adventure – closed for refurbishment, including replacement of the stage curtain and related tapestry and hardware, January 7 – February 3.
• Tutto Italia Ristorante – is now open, but will close in the spring of 2008 to be completely remodeled, and will reopen in fall 2008 under yet another new name.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has again closed as such, perhaps forever.
• Nine Dragons – closes April 30 – November 30 for renovations that include the creation of an exhibition kitchen.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! – closed for refurbishment, including the replacement of the primary characters in the show, January 3–27.
• Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – closed for refurbishment and likely conversion to a Prince Caspian theme, January 2 – May 23.
• Mickey Avenue – closed through at least next spring for installation of the Toy Story Mania attraction and related theming.

Animal Kingdom

No known current refurbishments.

Resorts

• All-Star Sports Resort – All buildings will be renovated between June 2007 and February 2008.
• Animal Kingdom Lodge – Construction of the Kidani Village annex building for the Disney Vacation Club’s Animal Kingdom Villas is expected to take until spring 2009. Jambo House construction is expected to be complete by January 29, 2008.
• Caribbean Beach Resort – 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.
• T-Rex Cafe – reportedly opens in Downtown Disney in late 2008.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – closed for annual refurbishment October 28 – January 5.
• Blizzard Beach – closed for annual refurbishment January 6 – March 8.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays. Will hold special performances on New Year’s Eve.

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!

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.

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

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.