Walt Disney World Park Update

Update for June 16 – June 22, 2008

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News and Views

Tempest over a turban | Last week for free dining | Have a bowl | Construction update | Quick Takes …

Class action civil rights suit filed over “The Disney Look”

Most Disney fans can tell you about “The Disney Look,” the list of strict grooming standards that must be adhered to by all cast members who work “on-stage” or in view of park guests. Disney is now facing a civil rights class-action lawsuit over those standards.

Sukhbir Singh Channa, a practicing Sikh, wears a turban and has a beard and long hair in keeping with his religious beliefs. According to the suit, while a student at the University of South Florida, he was hired by Walt Disney World as a seasonal college musician in October 2005, which involves parade and atmospheric performances. While performing onstage in parades, he was in a toy soldier costume, with the soldier hat covering his turban and the soldier head hiding his beard. At first, he was allowed to wear a red turban instead of the standard red beret in atmospheric performances, but he was removed from the atmospheric position due to not complying with “The Disney Look.”

Channa was terminated in early 2006 on the grounds of violating the grooming standards, and when he applied for reinstatement as a seasonal musician in October 2006, he was denied on the same basis. The lawsuit, filed by Miami attorney Matt Sarelson in Hillsborough County circuit court on behalf of Channa and the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF), alleges that Disney is violating the Florida Civil Rights Act. The suit seeks damages of at least $1 million and asks that the court prevent Disney from discriminating against Sikh employees and prospective employees.

This is an interesting case, because Disney portrays the positions as “roles in a show,” with “on-stage” and “backstage” positions in the performance that is the theme parks and resorts. In an actual theatrical performance, each role has a specified appearance that is required by the writer, director or producer. However, will the courts find that Disney’s grooming standards for on-stage cast members comprise a reasonable appearance requirement for a performance role or will they determine that it’s a discriminatory guideline for everyday employee positions. There’s no doubt that Disney does portray their cast members as all complying with “The Disney Look,” but is that enough of a justification for the courts? If they find in favor of Channa, does that mean that Disney can’t hold the rest of their cast members to the same standard?

Walt Disney World spokewoman Jacquee Polak told MousePlanet that Disney is still reviewing the situation, and will provide a statement some time today. When we receive the statement, I will post it to my blog with a link from MousePlanet’s front page and we will report it both on Thursday’s MousePlanetWatch Disney News episode of the MouseStation Podcast and in next Monday’s Park Update.

Last week to book free dining

Just a quick reminder that this is the last week to book the free dining package for August 24 through September 20. The deal gives you the Disney Dining Plan for free or a discount on the Deluxe Dining and Wine & Dine packages. See below for more details.

Big bowling alley coming to Wide World of Sports

As we first reported on last Thursday’s MousePlanetWatch Disney News episode of the MouseStation Podcast, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex (or whatever it’ll be renamed to once it gets the ESPN branding) will be the home of a 100-lane bowling facility, scheduled to open in 2010. Starting in 2011, the facility will host 13 events under the auspices of the United States Bowling Congress by 2029.

A four-way deal, involving Disney, the USBC, Osceola County and the Central Florida Sports Commission, made the deal to build the bowling center as host for the tourneys, each of which is expected to run for approximately 20 weeks and draw tens of thouseands of bowlers and spectators. The seven USBC Open Championships are projected to generate 59,000 room nights each, and the six Women’s Championship tournaments are expected to add 40,000 room nights apiece, all in Osceola County. Osceola County beat out Wichita, Kansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Reno, Nevada.

Disney is making land available at the sports complex and will lease it to a third party, who will build and operate the new bowling center, according to Walt Disney World spokeswoman Andrea Finger. Disney is still working on many of the details and is currently in the process of selecting a third party to build and operate the facility. The operator will be made public once details are finalized.

Osceola County is chipping in $1 million to help bring the deal to fruition, though in exchange they are expecting nearly $750 million in economic impact over the next 20 years.

USBC Vice President of Tournaments and Events Jack Mordini, calling the the deal “one of the greatest announcements in the bowling industry since the invention of the automatic pinsetter,” trumpeted the fact that the partnership “will bring hundreds of thousands of participants and visitors to Central Florida who will enjoy the many amenities and attractions the area has to offer.”

“We are excited to play a role in making this dream come true,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises. “This project is a reminder of just how much we can accomplish for our community when the public and private sectors work together.”

Construction update

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

• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort – Renovation of 374 guest rooms. Scope includes: General demolition, finish carpentry, sealants & caulking, painting, plumbing, reupholstery of select existing upholstered furniture, installation of new window treatments, refinishing of select existing items, assembly and installation of new Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment, installation of carpet and base, installation of new crown molding in guest room.
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – Renovation of 1728 guest rooms (entire resort except Trinidad South). Scope includes: General demolition, finish carpentry, sealants & caulking, painting, plumbing, reupholstery of select existing upholstered furniture, installation of new window treatments, refinishing of select existing items, assembly and installation of new Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment, installation of carpet and base.
• Yacht & Beach Club Resort Exterior Doors & Windows – Replace four sets of double doors and repair 29 windows at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
• Contemporary Resort roof rehab 14th floor – Install new antennas, jumpers and T-1 conduit at telecommunications site
• Magic Kingdom Main Street Casey’s Corner – Repair existing facade
• Magic Kingdom Big Thunder Mountain Camera Installation – Installation of camera in Big Thunder Mountain
• Magic Kingdom Hall of Presidents Camera Installation – Installation of camera(s) in the Hall of Presidents bell tower
• Magic Kingdom Emporium – Provide power, data and phone services to new cash wrap counter. Remove utilities from existing counter
• Epcot Living Seas Aquatic Quarantine Structures – Renovation of Quonset Huts #2 & #3 behind Living Seas Attraction
• Epcot Soarin’ drinking fountain – Demo wall. Build new metal stud wall. Includes electrical and plumbing.
• Epcot China pavilion Nine Dragons Restaurant – Replace two chilled water air conditioning units in the second floor mechanical room
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – Install slab expansion, cabinet, replace antennas and install new lines at telecommunications site.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Oasis Ozone – Install new ozone water trestment equipment
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Install new ozone water treatment equipment
• Downtown Disney Disney Quest – Gas boiler installation for Food Quest
• Walt Disney World Florist – Install dishwasher and exhaust hood

Quick takes …

…The Disney Magic paid a record fee for a ship to pass through the Panama Canal last month, following a change in the canal’s fee structure. Fees on cruise ships are now based on number of beds instead of cargo capacity. The $283,400 topped the previous cruise ship record set by two Norwegian Cruise Line ships. The amount was still below the record price for a cargo ship.

…Last Tuesday, some attractions were closed due to lightning strikes and a tornado warning in the vicinity of the Walt Disney World Resort, but there were no reported tornadoes on the property and the attractions were reopened after the lightning subsided.

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

• July 25 – Aug 13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Pirates of the Caribbean – closed for refurbishment June 5–18.

Epcot

• Illuminations – the LED globe is scheduled to be removed from the show for a major refurbishment, possibly in early summer. The length of the refurbishment is not known. The show was tested without the globe on February 27.
• Tutto Italia Ristorante – is now open, but will close in the spring to be completely remodeled, and will reopen in the fall under yet another new name.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion – has again closed as such, and most likely will only be used as a Festival Center until a new sponsor is found.
• Nine Dragons – closed May 29 – November 30 for renovations that include the creation of an exhibition kitchen.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian – opens mid-June, official opening in June 27.
• Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey – closed for refurbishment July 7 – August 5.
• “American Idol” – under construction in the soundstage that formerly hosted Superstar Television and Doug Live!. Scheduled to open January 2009.

Animal Kingdom

• No known current refurbishments.

Resorts

• 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 now complete.
• Caribbean Beach Resort – Feature pool closed for renovation January 7–mid-September. Temporary “child-sized” slides will be added to the quiet pools in the Jamaica and Barbados Villages while the main pool is closed.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – closes for annual refurbishment November 1 through at least the end of the year.
• Blizzard Beach – closes for annual refurbishment once Typhoon Lagoon reopens, likely through mid-March.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays – Saturdays.
• T-Rex Cafe – reportedly opens in Downtown Disney in late 2008.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Orlando Fun Tickets offering 5 days for the price of 3

For a limited time, MousePlanet discount ticket partner Orlando Fun Tickets is currently offering a free upgrade to a 5-day Park Hopper pass when you purchase a 3-day Park Hopper. Check out the special offer or any of the other great prices on tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com!

Free dining for late summer

Free dining plans are available for Disney Visa cardholders and the general public. The plans are the same; the only difference was the start date for booking the package. The packages are good for most nights August 24 through September 20, and must be booked by June 22. Packages may be booked for a minimum of three nights and a maximum of 14 nights. Availability is limited and certain restrictions apply.

Existing reservations may be modified to include the free dining package if available. The deal is not only for a free standard dining plan, though. You can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan and/or the Wine & Dine option and get a credit equal to the cost of the standard dining plan ($37.99 for ages 10 and up, $9.99 for ages 3-9) off of the enhanced plan.

For the Disney Visa package (reservation deposit must be made with a Disney Visa card), use the following codes:

• CMK – Magic Your Way Package plus Dining
• CMM – Magic Your Way Package plus Wine & Dine
• CMP – Magic Your Way Package plus Deluxe Dining
• CMS – Magic Your Way Package plus Deluxe Dining with Wine & Dine

Booking codes for the general public are:

• AYG – Magic Your Way Package plus Dining
• AYH – Magic Your Way Package plus Wine & Dine
• AYI – Magic Your Way Package plus Deluxe Dining
• AYJ – Magic Your Way Package plus Deluxe Dining with Wine & Dine

Passholder rates for summer

Passholder rates are available for the summer. You can book both room-only and Disney Dining Plan packages. Rates are valid for stays with a check-in date between May 26 and August 2, and can be booked from now through the date of arrival.

The booking codes for phone reservations are:

• Room-only reservations – FJY
• Reservations with the Disney Dining Plan – ADS

Note that Small World agents have run into difficulty with the ADS code for phone reservations with dining, but have found an alternate code to use. If the code doesn’t work for you, try code CSS.

The booking codes for online reservations are:

• Room-only reservations – FJU
• Reservations with the Disney Dining Plan – ADF

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.