Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Celebrities help with grand openings

Walt Disney World was the center of media attention last week as the
Walt Disney Company rolled out the red carpet for the world press. On
Wednesday night, Julie Andrews opened Mickey’s PhilharMagic in the Magic
Kingdom. The next day, astronauts Wally Schirra, Jim Lovell, Buzz Aldrin,
Bruce McCandless, Mae Jameson and Guion Bluford, Jr. helped Disney CEO
Michael Eisner, and Hewlett-Packard Chairman Carly Fiorina open the Mission:
Space attraction in Epcot to much hoopla. Stay tuned as we present a big
recap of all of the openings and announcements from last week’s press
event.

Magical Gathering planning tools available this week

In its continued quest to bring new visitors to its resorts, Disney is
tapping a new segment: Large groups of friends, and families organizing
reunions. Disney’s new Magical Gatherings promotion is kicking off with
a new Web site to provide you with tools for planning your Magical Gathering
or Grand Gathering (eight or more people). You can now go to the promotion’s
site (link)
to order a video or DVD, CD, and booklet package to help you plan your
vacation offline. Beginning this Wednesday, you can use an online planning
tool to:

• Establish a group to plan your Magical Gathering, then create and
  send electronic invitations to family and friends
• Participate in group chats to discuss vacation plans
• Compile your own and group “favorites” of Walt Disney World
  attractions
• Produce custom polls and cast votes on “must-see” activities
  for the group’s itinerary
• Browse other Walt Disney World Web pages and share them with group
  members
• Build a complete vacation itinerary
• Embellish messages to group members with animation of Tinker Bell
  as she winks, pouts, or pixie-dusts the screen

Grand Gatherings will have the ability to reserve special experiences,
including “Magical Fireworks Voyage,” “Safari Celebration
Dinner,” “International Storybook Dinner,” and “Good
Morning Gatherings.” More services are also available, including
meals, tours, photographic services, florist services, two-way radios,
and special merchandise. Services are available to parties traveling after
November 16.

High speed online @ WDW

Walt Disney World is finally beginning to roll out high-speed Internet
access at its deluxe, home-away-from-home, and other convention resorts.
The service costs $9.95 for 24 consecutive hours, and is charged to the
room account. You must supply your own computer and Ethernet cable. The
rollout has already started, with the Coronado Springs Resort going online
on October 1—presumably for the larger number of conventions. The
Yacht & Beach Club Resorts will follow on November 4, with the Contemporary
and Grand Floridian resorts coming online on December 2. The Boardwalk
Inn and Villas will get hooked up just before New Year’s, and the Villas
at the Wilderness Lodge will come online at the end of February. The Old
Key West Resort will be wired at the beginning of April, and the Saratoga
Springs Resort will be Internet-ready when it opens next spring.

Wireless Internet also now available

Guests with wireless connection-enabled laptops or PDAs will be able
to get Internet access from from the common areas of some of the same
resorts that are coming online with Ethernet connections. The cost is
$4.99 for the first 60 minutes or $9.95 for 24 consecutive hours. Billing
will be via a secure credit card transaction using the on-screen Internet
connection. Wireless cards will be available for purchase in each resort’s
business center. Wireless access (provided by Smart City) is available
at the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Coronado
Springs resorts. Access will be available in the main lobbies, convention
center hallways, and main pools at those resorts.

Halloween Hayrides at Fort Wilderness

Guests can enjoy hearing “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” during
hayrides at the Fort Wilderness Resort on October 17, 18, 45, 25, 29,
30, and 31, and November 1. The 20-minute rides will run from dusk until
10:00 p.m. Tickets must be bought on the day of the ride, and are on a
first-come, first-served basis. Wagons hold up to 30 guests, and will
be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fort Wilderness Kennel, and
from 3 p.m. until they are sold out at the location across from Pioneer
Hall where the ride will load. There will be approximately 10 to 12 hayrides
per night. Tickets are $10 (ages 10 and up) and $8 (ages 3-9). Children
under 3 are free.

If you have a large group that can fully load a wagon, you can reserve
group tickets in advance by calling (407) 824-2734. You must pick up and
pay for group tickets before 3 p.m. or they will be resold.

Ears to the ground

…During testing last week, the Wishes fireworks firing spot atop
Peter Pan’s Flight caused a small fire on the roof. It was put out quickly,
and there was no internal damage.

…There is now a photo background for Brother Bear in the Animation
Courtyard at the Disney-MGM Studios.

…Mission: Space Race Online is now up. Go to the Mission: Space web
site for more info on how to play.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment
  through Saturday, November 22.


• The Swiss Family Treehouse is closed for refurbishment through
  Friday, October 24.


• Mickey’s PhilharMagic is now officially open.


• Wishes: a Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, the new fireworks
  show for the Magic Kingdom, has now replaced the venerable Fantasy
  in the Sky show.


• The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closed for good on October
  12. It is now undergoing a major rehab and will reopen in mid- to late-2004
  as Stitch Escape!


• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is open from park open to
  park close for the duration of the Stitch Escape! construction.


• Timekeeper is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the duration
  of the Stitch Escape! construction.


• Adventureland now opens at 10 a.m. on non-peak days.

Epcot

• The Eiffel Tower structure at the France pavilion is due to
  return from rehab in December.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Magic of Disney Animation is closed for refurbishment through
  November 23.


• Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios has been closed
  and is undergoing demolition to prepare the site for a new “E-ticket
  stunt-show attraction” believed to be an American version of the
  popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from the Walt Disney
  Studios at Disneyland Paris.


• Due to the loss of Residential Street, the Osborne Family Spectacle
  of Lights will not be presented this holiday season. It is expected
  to return in some form for 2004.


• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is receiving a lot of rehab
  work through November, reportedly on the ride control system and cable
  replacements. The Tower is closed through this coming Saturday, and
  opens again on Sunday running one side only through Monday, November
  17. Capacity will be decreased during the rehab, but should be offset
  by smaller off-season crowds smaller crowds.


• Sets from the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie are now
  open in the old Backstage Pass soundstage.

Animal Kingdom

• No known closures at this time.

Resorts

• Boardwalk Resort – The Keister Coaster slide is closed
  through October 29 for refurbishment. During this time, the 190,000-gallon
  Luna Park pool will remain open, and Boardwalk Resort guests can use
  the Stormalong Bay pool complex at the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
  (ID may be required).


• Pop Century Resort – This resort officially opens on December
  14.


• Port Orleans Resort – A two-year extensive rehab of this
  resort’s rooms is ongoing. For Phase I, French Quarter closed May 4,
  2003. Phase II will involve Riverside going down in sections. We have
  not yet heard a date for completion of Phase I.


• Polynesian Resort – This resort is seeing the longhouses
  refurbished one by one. Each longhouse under rehab is walled off and
  isolated during its rehab. There are only a couple of longhouses remaining.
  Hawaii is currently in rehab thru October 17, 2003. Concierge has been
  moved to Tahiti during this period. Tonga is scheduled for rehab through
  December 20. Niue is the only other longhouse currently scheduled to
  undergo rehab, and is tentatively scheduled for January 18 to May 2,
  2004. Rarotonga has not received a rehab yet, but is not on the current
  schedule.


• Shades of Green – Major construction and rehab is ongoing
  at this Morale, Welfare and Recreation-run resort for the members of
  the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Defense. It is currently
  expected to reopen in March 2004.


• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (a Disney Vacation
  Club resort) has a tentative grand opening date of May 1, 2004.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach undergoes refurbishment from October 26 through
  December 13.


• Typhoon Lagoon undergoes refurbishment beginning on December
  14.

Elsewhere

• The All-Star Cafe at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex
  is now closed Mondays through Wednesdays. It is open Thursdays through
  Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Park Events

October

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


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


• The Funai Classic at Walt Disney World Resort will feature
  many of the world’s top golfers, including Ernie Els, Retief Goosen,
  Jim Furyk, Scott Hoch, Lee Janzen, European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard
  Langer, PGA champion Shaun Micheel, 2003 Hall of Fame inductee Nick
  Price and Scott Verplank. Tiger Woods is also expected, though he has
  not formally committed yet. The tournament will take place on the Magnolia
  and Palm courses. October 23 to 26.


• 999 Happy Haunts Ball at the Magic Kingdom. October 27,
  28, and 29.

November

• Festival of the Masters – 150 artists and their creations on
  display at Downtown Disney’s West Side. November 7 to 9.


• ABC Super Soap Weekend at the Disney-MGM Studios. November
  8 and 9.


• Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. November
  16-20.


• Festival of the Seasons at Epcot featuring lighting displays,
  fun window displays, and more. November 28 to December 24.


• Holidays Around the World at Epcot lets you celebrate holidays
  in the style of the World Showcase countries. November 28 to December
  30.


• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom –
  Order by phone at (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639). November 30, December
  2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 19.

December

• Doll & Teddy Bear Weekend. December 7.


• Disney’s Pop Century Resort opens December 14.

January 2004

• Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo (link).
  January 9 & 10.


• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link)
  January 10.


• Disney Marathon and Half-Marathon January 11.


• Annual Passholders’ Cruise (4 nights) on Disney Magic.
  January 25.

April 2004

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

May 2004

• Walt Disney World Inline Marathon (link).
  May 2.

Current Discounts & Promotions

New Disney Visa Dream Maker Package – Kids Stay Free!

That there is a new Disney’s Visa “Kids Stay and Play Free”
Package, available most nights January 4 through June 12, 2004, where
when you buy a full-price Walt Disney World Dream Maker Package with your
Disney?s Visa card, for each adult on the package, one child (3-9) gets
a free Ultimate Park Hopper pass for the length of stay. 4-night
minimum. Plus you receive $100 in Disney Dollars per package at
check-in! Go to Disney’s Kids Free Web page (link)
for more information, or call your travel agent and book using package
code ZXFA. You must book your package by January 2.

Great rates at the Swan and Dolphin

Are you planning a trip this fall? Check out this offer from the Swan
and Dolphin:

• WDW Annual Passholders can book rooms as low as $139 per night, plus
  tax and resort fee, through the end of 2003, including a free
  upgrade! Rates include a free upgrade, and are subject to availability.
  

Get more details and the discount codes at MouseSavers.com.

Military Salute hotel and cruise discounts available

Active U.S. Military personnel or spouses are also eligible for a 40%
savings per night (based on the non-discounted price of the same room)
at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and special rates on Disney
Cruise Line sailings. This offer is available most nights through December
19 at Walt Disney World, and for most sailings through December 18 on
the Disney Cruise Line. Hotel rooms and staterooms are limited at this
special rate.

For more information, call (407) 939-7424 for Walt Disney World, and
(800) 951-2659 for the Disney Cruise Line. You must be 18 or older to
call these numbers.

Free 5-day Park Hopper for Active Military

Disney is offering a special for active duty military—a free five-day
park hopper ticket, as well as discounted companion tickets. Offer valid
through December 19 and includes all active military personnel, including
Coast Guard, as well as activated National Guard and Reservists. See their
official Web site (link)
for more information.

Annual Passholder and Florida resident rates available

WDW Annual Passholder and Florida resident rates are available at select
Walt Disney World resorts for check-ins now through November 24, and November
28 through December 26. Discounts range from approximately 30 to 45 percent
off regular rack rates.

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.

Annual Passholders

Receive 10 percent 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 Mondays through Fridays. Call 407-WDW-DINE
(407-939-3463) for locations and reservations.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule