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News and Views

Goofy sues Disney Cruise Line

WFTV.com is reporting that Goofy is suing Disney. (link)
At least, a man who assisted in the portrayal of Goofy (preserve the Magic)
on the Disney Magic is. Eric Ford is complaining that the combination
of poor visibility inside his costume, lack of marks on stage and an
error by a stagehand combined to cause him to be in the wrong location
at the end of a performance, and the curtain literally came down on him—it
hit him on the head. (Theatrical curtains can be extremely heavy, and frequently
have large metal pipes in them to keep them even and cause them to lower quickly.) He’s asking for $300,000.

Dobson wins WDW Marathon

Congratulations to Matthew Dobson, who won yesterday’s Walt Disney World Marathon in a time of 2:27:58.
The winner in the women’s division was Kim Donaldson, in 2:59:13. Winners in the Walt Disney World Half-Marathon
were Clinton Verran (men, 1:05:42) and Kim Pawelek (women, 1:18:12).

MousePlanet’s Lani Teshima and Alex Stroup were among the finishers of the Half-Marathon—congratulations!

Reminder: Registration for the 2005 Walt
Disney World Marathon and Half-Marathon opens today. Hurry up and get your entry in! The Half-Marathon sold
out in a record six days for 2004.

Buena Vista Drive to be extended to meet new highway west of Walt Disney
World

The Reedy Creek Improvement District has just awarded a contract for
construction of 2.5 miles of a four-lane roadway, four bridges and ten
ponds to a California-based company. The roadway will connect West Buena
Vista Drive with the soon-to-be-built State Route 429 (Western Beltway)
to the west of Walt Disney World. One pair of bridges will carry the road
across Reedy Creek, and the other pair will take the road over a canal
at the west end of the project. The project is expected to begin this
month and end early next year.

Cypress Gardens aims to reopen by Memorial Day

Kent Buescher, the Georgia man who bought Cypress Gardens, hopes to have
the park back open by Memorial Day. While the famous water ski show and
Southern Belles would likely remain as attractions, Buescher is also looking
at adding five or six roller coasters and a water park as part of Phase
I, which could take 12 to 18 months to complete.

Mickey-shaped cucumbers?

Using the same technology that helped the Japanese create square watermelons
in the 1980s (growing forms placed over young plants), Disney horticulturists
at the hydroponic gardens at Epcot’s Land pavilion have created Mickey
Mouse-shaped cucumbers. Served at the Garden Grill Restaurant at the pavilion,
the cucumbers are meeting with guest approval. Each cucumber grows in
about seven to ten days, and two to three cucumbers are produced by the
gardens each day. What’s next, Donald-shaped rutabagas? Goofy-shaped squash?

Mickey Mouse and Goofy led a salute to NASA last Friday in front of the
Mission: Space attraction, as thousands of theme park guests and employees
signed a giant, congratulatory postcard to NASA. The card congratulates
NASA on the successful landing of the Mars Rover “Spirit.” Here, Epcot
guest Jenna Caceci, 9, of New Milford, Conn., prepares to add her signature
to the card. (Photo: Gene Duncan/Disney)

Disney salutes Mars Rover mission with giant postcard

To celebrate the success of the Mars rover Spirit and the astonishing
photos that it has already sent back home to Earth, Disney has seized
on a way to tie it to its own Mars-themed attraction. In front of Epcot’s
Mission: Space pavilion on Friday, Disney cast members, Epcot guests and
Mickey Mouse and Goofy signed a giant postcard on Friday outside the attraction,
which was to be mailed to NASA to congratulate them on their accomplishment.

Another group plans gay-themed weekend at WDW

Father’s Day weekend will mark the Family Pride Weekend at Walt Disney
World. (link)
The event is being organized by the Family Pride Coalition, an advocacy
group for LGBT parents and their families. Included are a family dance,
a kids’ night out, family brunches and the coalition’s 25th anniversary
gala dinner.

Ears to the ground

…The single-rider line experiment at Splash Mountain has been discontinued,
and will not return in that form. Apparently, guests don’t enjoy being
stuck in a seat with a stranger on a wet ride.

…During the holidays, Walt Disney World experienced its “Best Day
Ever” and “Best Week Ever” and Epcot reached an all-time daily attendance
record on New Year’s Eve (rumored to be 79,229 guests).

…The extension to the village of Anandapur at the base of Expedition:
Everest appears to be proceeding well.

…The Courtyard by Marriott on Hotel Plaza Boulevard has apparently
changed hands, and is now a Holiday Inn.

…The first phase of the addition of Finding Nemo characters is up
and running inside and outside the Living Seas building, with a
meet-and-greet area outside the pavilion and a “Nemo and Friends”
section on the first floor as you enter the Seabase Alpha portion of the
attraction. Phase II is expected to begin later this spring.

…it’s a small world is rumored to be closing for a rehab
in the April time frame. The 12-18 month rehab would include repainting
and repairing the sets, upgrading the lighting and sound systems, asbestos
removal, doll repair and, perhaps, roof repair and facade work.

…The rumor that Haunted Mansion Holiday will be coming to
the Magic Kingdom sounds more plausible, but it is still not confirmed.

…Walt Disney World is cutting over from walkie-talkies and radios
to Nextel cell phones. Cell towers are being installed around the properties
to extend the infrastructure for the system. No word on whether or not
Nextel is being forced to sponsor an attraction as part of the deal.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter has closed for good.
  It is now undergoing a major rehab and will reopen this fall as Stitch’s
  Great Escape!


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


• Timekeeper opens from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for the duration of the
  Stitch’s Great Escape! construction.


• Country Bear Jamboree will be closed from Jan. 12-16
  to return to its usual program from the Christmas show.


• The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade will be closed for refurbishment
  Jan. 21 and 22.


• The Liberty Square Riverboat will be closed for refurbishment
  from Jan. 17 – Feb. 8.


• The Astro Orbiter will be closed for refurbishment from Jan.
  26 – March 1.


• Mickey’s Star Traders will be closed for refurbishment through early April.


• Adventureland now opens at 10 a.m. on non-peak days, but opens
  with the rest of the park (except for Jungle Cruise) on Sundays, Thursdays
  and Saturdays.

Epcot

• The Wonders of Life pavilion went to seasonal operation on
  Jan. 5. The Pure and Simple eatery and the Well and Goods
  Limited shop will remain closed, while the Body Wars, Cranium
  Command, and The Making of Me attractions will now be open
  on a seasonal basis. No word yet on the Frontiers in Medicine,
  Sensory Funhouse, Goofy about Health, and Sports Fitness
  Areas.


• It is expected that the Universe of Energy will close for a
  short rehab in March to remove the ExxonMobil signage after their pavilion
  sponsorship ends.


• It appears that the Living Seas pavilion will closing for a
  rehab in the April time frame. Rumors are strong that Audio-Animatronic
  characters from Finding Nemo will be added to the pavilion.


• Food Rocks has closed permanently to make way for the entrance
  to the new Soarin’ Over California attraction.


• The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses at The
  Land has been discontinued during reconstruction of the Food Rocks area
  into the queue for Soarin’. The tours are expected to resume upon completion
  of the construction.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Fantasmic! will be closing from Jan. 26-30 for a regular
  maintenance rehab.
• The Backlot Tour will be closed through April 1 to allow construction
  vehicles free access to the stunt show construction site.
• The Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage show at the Theater
  of the Stars will be closed for refurbishment Feb. 2 – 6.
• Sets from the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie are now open in
  the old Backstage Pass soundstage and will be open through March.
• Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios has been closed
  and demolished and construction has begun to turn the site into an American
  version of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from
  the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris.
• New York Street is undergoing a great deal of construction
  to change some facades to represent Chicago, San Francisco and Washington,
  D.C. We do not yet have a target completion date for the newly-titled
  Big City Street yet.
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is reported to be returning
  on New York Street/Big City Street this year.

Animal Kingdom

• Kali River Rapids be closed for refurbishment from Jan.
  20 – 30.


• TriceraTop Spin will be closed for refurbishment from Feb.
  9 – March 16.

Resorts

• Pop Century Resort – Has officially opened.


• 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 nearing completion of the refurbishment
  of longhouses. Each longhouse under rehab is walled off and isolated
  during its rehab. Niue and Rarotonga are the last remaining longhouses
  currently scheduled to undergo rehab, and are tentatively scheduled
  for Jan. 18 – May 2.


• Shades of Green – Major construction and rehab is ongoing at
  this MWR-run resort for the military. It is currently expected to reopen
  in March.


• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (a Disney Vacation
  Club resort) has an announced grand opening date of May 27. Reservations
  are now available.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment through Feb.
  28.

Elsewhere

• The All Star Cafe at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex
  is now closed Monday-Wednesday. It is open Thursday-Sunday, from 11:30
  a.m.-9 p.m.

Park Events

Ongoing

• Celebrate Mickey… 75 InspEARations showcases 75 very special
  interestingly decorated Mickey statues to celebrate Mickey’s 75th birthday
  throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. now through April 2004.

Jan.

• National College Cheerleading and Dance Team Championship (link)
  Jan. 16-18.


• Annual Passholders’ Cruise (4 nights) on Disney Wonder.
  Jan. 25.


• National Dance Team Championship (link)
  Jan. 31 – Feb. 1.

Feb.

• This is Love merchandise event (2605).
  Feb. 4.


• National High School Cheerleading Championship (link)
  Feb. 7 & 8.


• Atlanta Braves training camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports
  complex (link)
  Feb. 15 – April 2.


• TwirlMania – The Twirler’s Championships (link).
  Feb. 20-23.

March

• National Cheerleading and Dance Championship (link)
  March 13 & 14.


• Lights! Camera! Pins! pin trading event (link).
  March 27.

April

• Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (link).
  April 16 – June 6.

May

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


• Florida Half Ironman Triathlon (link).
  May 23.


• Disney Vacation Club Member Homecoming event/Saratoga Springs opening.
  May 25-27.


• Star Wars Weekends (link).
  Weekends in May and June TBA.

June

• Gay Days (link).
  June 3–6. *
• Family Pride Coalition Weekend (link).
  June 17-20. *

September

• Nights of Joy (link).
  September 10 & 11.

October

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (link).
  October 1 – November 14.


• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (link).
  Dates in October TBA.


• Disney’s 10K Classic (link).
  October 10.


• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World (link).
  October 21-24.

November

• Super Soap Weekend (link).
  Dates in early November TBA.
• Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney (link).
  November 12 – 14.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (link).
  Dates in November and December TBA.
• Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney (link).
  November 26 – December 24.
• Holidays Around the World (link).
  November 26 – December 30.

December

• New Year’s Eve celebrations at Pleasure Island (link)
  and Atlantic Dance (link).
  December 31.

Jan. 2005

• Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo (link).
  Jan. 7 & 8.
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link).
  Jan. 8.
• Disney Marathon (link)
  and Half-Marathon (link).
  Jan. 9.

* Not official WDW events

Current Discounts & Promotions

More discount codes announced

Walt Disney World has announced new discount codes for Annual Passholders,
Florida residents, and the general public for check-ins Feb. 12 through
April 17. General public rates start at $79 per night, while AP
and Florida rates start at $74 per night. Visit disneyworld.com
or MouseSavers
for more details.

Florida resident Play Four Days pass returns

Disney’s Play 4 Days pass for Florida residents is again on sale. The
special pass is essentially a four-day park hopper pass for Florida residents
that is available for $109 plus tax. The pass is good for theme park visits
from Jan. 4 through June 4, with blockout dates April 3-15 for
the peak Easter week season. Passes are available at Walt Disney World
theme parks, Florida Disney Stores, AAA offices. The cost of a Play 4
Days pass may be applied to a Florida resident Annual or Seasonal pass.
For more information, guests can either visit disneyworld.com/play4days
or call 407-WDW-4DAYS.

Deep discount codes announced

Walt Disney World has announced new discount codes for Annual Passholders,
Florida residents, and the general public for check-ins Jan. 1 to Feb.
11. General public rates start at $55 per night, while AP and Florida
rates start at $49 per night. These rates are also available with DreamMaker
packages. Visit disneyworld.com
or MouseSavers
for more details.

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% 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

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through March.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through March.