Walt Disney World Park Update

Go directly to: News & Views
| Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park
Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours | Events/Entertainment
Schedule

News and Views

Shades delayed? Some visitors with reservations at Disney’s Shades
of Green Resort have received letters informing them that the grand reopening
of the hotel, scheduled for December 2003, has been delayed until March
2004. The hotel is an Armed Forces Recreation Center, and is open to Armed
Forces members and their families. The current expansion project, started
in March 2002, will adds 290 guest rooms, 10 suites, two restaurants,
banquet facilities, and a parking structure to the resort.

Volunteers needed for the WDW Marathon – Let’s say your significant
other has decided to run the WDW Marathon, and you want to be supportive,
but there is no way you’re lacing on a pair of running shoes. Consider
joining the hundreds of “Sports Enthusiasts” (volunteers) who
help to make the event a sucess.

Walt Disney World is currently accepting applications for those who wish
to volunteer to help with the full and half-marathons, scheduled for Sunday,
January 11, 2004. Some of the most popular postitions are already full
but many other great opportunities are still available, including:

• Baggage – Responsible for checking in and out runners’
  personal belongings before they start and as they finish the race.


• Chip Removal – Responsible for removing the timing chip
  from runners’ shoelaces as they cross the Finish Line. The timing chip
  tracks the runner’s race time.


• Course Monitor – These volunteers help reinforce existing
  cones and signage to keep runners “on course” in particularly
  complex areas.


• Family Reunion – Take messages for runners and family
  members by way of alphabetized tents. Host runners and family members
  as they wait to be reunited. Finish Line Crowd Control: Keep spectators
  in their assigned section and away from the busy activity of the finish
  line.


• Finish Line Escorts – Escort runners as they complete
  the race. Direct runners from chip removal to mylar, medals, and medical.


• Finish Line Food and Water – These volunteers distribute
  oranges, bananas, energy bars, and water to runners after they have
  crossed the finish line.


• Finish Line Set-Up – Set up chip removal, medal, and mylar
  areas prior to runners crossing the finish line.


• Food Stop – Four food stops are located along the course.
  These volunteers set up the stop, and then prepare to distribute food
  to runners as they pass. Bananas, oranges, and energy bars are available
  along the course.


• Information Tent – Disseminate information to runners
  and spectators. Answer questions, give directions, and assist with resolving
  challenges that may arise.

Participating volunteers will receive a jacket, food and beverage, and
a WDW one-day, one-park ticket upon the completion of their shift. For
more information, check out the Sports Enthusiasts Web page at the Disney
World of Sports Web site (link).

Disney Cruise Line Offers Guests Fireworks at Sea on Select Cruises
– For a limited time only, the Disney Wonder features a “Wish
Upon A Star” fireworks display on select sailings. During Disney’s
popular Nassau deck party, a pyrotechnics show will light up the sky on
all four-night sailings now through Sunday, August 24.

Not to be confused with pyrotechnics used in stage shows, this aerial
display launches full-sized fireworks shells hundreds of feet into the
sky, resulting in giant bursts of brilliant color. It is believed to be
the only fireworks show of this scale in the cruise industry. While this
display can be seen for miles, only Disney Cruise Line guests experience
a multi-sensory experience, complete with accompanying music choreographed
to an “Under the Sea” medley inspired by Disney’s Little
Mermaid film.

WDW water parks refurbishment schedules for 2003 – Blizzard
Beach will undergo refurbishment beginning Saturday, November 1, with
Typhoon Lagoon to follow beginning in late December. As in the past, there
will be at least one water park open during refurbishment periods.

Spa at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa closed for construction –
To accommodate continuing construction of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
and Spa, operations at the spa will be temporarily suspended beginning
July 25. Formerly the Spa at the Disney Institute, spa services will reopen
when the new resort opens in Spring 2004.

Spa services are still available at the Grand Floridian Spa and Health
Club. You can make reservations by calling 407-824-2332.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Blizzard Beach will undergo refurbishment beginning November 1, 2003.

Typhoon Lagoon will undergo refurbishment beginning in late December
2003.

Park Events

Upcoming 2003 events

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 (934-7639).

September 6, 2003 – National
Kidney Foundation of Florida 5K Fun Run/Walk Race.

September 19 – 21, 2003 – Disney’s Pin Celebration at
Epcot.

September 24 – 27, 2003 – 22nd Annual World
Airline Road Races

September 27 – 28, 2003 – Tri-America
Triathlon Series Finale.

October 3, 5, 10, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 30 and 31 – Mickey’s Not
So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom.

October 12, 2003 – Disney’s
10K Classic

October 18 – November 16, 2003 – Epcot International Food
& Wine Festival. Included with park admission, sample wine and
food from 25 countries.

October 27, 28, and 29 – Magic Kingdom’s “999 Happy Haunts
Ball.”

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 (934-7639).

December 7, 2003 – Doll & Teddy Bear Weekend.

Upcoming 2004 events

January 9 – 10, 2004 – Disney’s
Health and Fitness Expo.

January 10, 2004 – FamilyFun Magazine Family
Fun Run.

January 11, 2004 – Disney Marathon and Half-Marathon.

April 16 – May 30, 2004 – 2004 Epcot International Flower
and Garden Festival.

May 2, 2004 – Walt
Disney World Inline Marathon.

Current Discounts & Promotions

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

Play 4 Days pass – Florida residents can purchase a new four-day
ticket for just $109, plus tax. (That’s almost 1/2 the price of a regular
four-day park-hopper ticket) The ticket is valid for four admissions from
now until September 30, 2003. These tickets are park-hoppers.

Residents can purchase just one ticket per person, per day, so your out-of-town
relatives must buy their own, regular-priced admission. Tickets are non-transferable,
and you must show a valid ID each time. These tickets can be applied towards
the cost of any Annual Passport, as long as you upgrade by October 31,
2003. (Your annual pass expires one year from the date you first used
your Play 4 Days Pass).

The Play 4 Days pass can be purchased at any WDW park ticket window,
local AAA offices, Florida Disney Stores, by phone at (407) 939-4329 or
on the WDW Web site (link).

Plan ahead and save a few bucks – The Walt Disney World Resort
is encouraging visitors to buy their theme park tickets before they even
leave home, by offering a slight discount on advance purchases. You can
save as much as $22 per adult, per ticket with the ‘Advance Purchase Savings’
program.

You can also receive these Advance Purchase Savings with packages purchased
through AAA.

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:

• 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 $109 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