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News and Views

Former WDW skipper deported as mass murderer

Former Walt Disney World watercraft host Jean-Claude Duperval was arrested
last Thursday for departation to Haiti, where he is wanted for mass murder.
Duperval was the assistant commander-in-chief of the Haitian army from
the time that the military coup d’etat overthrew President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide in 1991 until Aristide was returned to power by a military intervention
force led by the United States in 1994. He arrived in the U.S. in 1995
and asked for political asylum.

Duperval worked as a watercraft host at Walt Disney World from 1997
through 2002, where he was known to be a good employee. He lost his job
the same day that Disney learned that he was an international fugitive,
on April 12, 2002. Since then, he has been protesting his deportation.
On January 7 he lost his final appeal, and he was arrested last Wednesday
and held in the Orange County Jail. He will now return to Haiti to face
charges that include killing political prisoners, not arresting the head
of the Tonton Macoutes death squad, and turning away a U.S. warship on
a mission to return the democratically-elected government to power in
1993.

“Fishbowl” drained

With the layoffs of the 260 animators employed at Walt Disney Feature
Animation Florida, the “fishbowl” on the Animation Tour at the
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park will now apparently remain empty. Guests
are walking by the glass walls, looking at empty desks where animators
used to draw Disney animated features. No word yet on whether the windows
will be covered up, or if they will come up with Audio-Animatronic animators
to perform for guests.

The animation “fishbowl” is empty, leaving Animation Tour guests
to see a vacant workplace. MousePlanet photo by Brian Bennett.

Oh. Say, can you see?

A guest attending the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)
conference at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort experienced an unprepared
or non-observant cast member last week. The obviously-blind guest was
checking in, and while the resort host was checking him in he made sure
to point out his parking pass included in his materials. The host then
continued by taking out a printed map and pointing out the location of
the blind guest’s room.

Under normal circumstances, this might be understandable due to lack
of preparedness and training in dealing with the visually-impaired. However,
with the resort hosting a conference dedicated to assistive technology
for visually and physically challenged people, the resort’s managers trained
their staff in methods of guiding guests with these challenges. Yet apparently
there were still gaps. Braille menus were available at Pepper Market,
but not Maya Grill. Brailled signage was consistent at the elevators and
at room numbers on the walls, but not on the directional signs. Perhaps
the ATIA did not provide enough information for the resort to properly
plan, but you’d think that this was the first time that Disney had to
deal with blind guests.

Shop first, enjoy later

With the closure of Mickey’s Star Traders to better configure it to receive
the guests exiting from the under-construction Stitch Escape attraction,
all of that merchandise had to go somewhere. It did. Welcome to Tomorrowland’s
newest merchandise location: the queue for the Timekeeper attraction.
Yes, since the queue area is extremely underutilized due to the small
crowds for the attraction, Walt Disney World management has decided that
it would make a great place for a merchandise location. If you want to
enjoy the Timekeeper attraction, you first have to wade your way through
the merchandise including non-Disney T-shirts emblazoned with the word
“Hottie.” We can only hope that this shop will close down when
Mickey’s Star Traders reopens at Easter time.

In the meantime, the former ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter exits
are being reconfigured, and depending on which chamber you enter in Stitch
Escape, you will exit into a different shop. Chamber B will continue to
exit into Merchant of Venus, while Chamber A is being reconfigured to
exit into Mickey’s Star Traders instead of back by the entrance to Tomorrowland.

Come back later

It appears that more attractions and merchandise locations are joining
Adventureland in opening after the rest of the Magic Kingdom. We’ve received
word that the Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear Jamboree now open
at 10am. In addition, Frontier Mercantile/Frontier Trading Post will open
at 11am and close at 7pm, and Big Al’s will open at 10am.

In addition, the Haunted Mansion Merchandise Cart was closed and removed
for refurbishment at the end of business on Tuesday, January 6. The refurbishment
should be done by March 6.

Construction proceeds apace at the addition to the village of Anandapur
in preparation for becoming part of the queue for Expedition: Everest.
MousePlanet photo by Stephanie Wien.

Universal joins SeaWorld in price increases – Disney holds off
(so far)

On Jan. 9, Universal Orlando joined SeaWorld in raising single-day ticket
prices by $2, to $53.95 for adults and $44.95 for children, plus tax.
That leaves Walt Disney World as the only one of Orlando’s three major
resorts to leave prices unchanged this year. Last year, however, Disney
waited until June to impose its own $2 price hike. We can probably expect
the same time frame this year.

Toad car sells on eBay for $5,500

An original ride vehicle from the Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride attraction at
Walt Disney World sold for $5,500 on eBay last Thursday afternoon. As
Disney continues to sell the pieces of its history to the highest bidder,
the lucky winner will get to take the red car “nowhere in particular.”

Construction crews water down concrete to help it cure near the base of
Mount Everest. The new bridge from Asia to Dinoland near Tarzan Rocks
appears to be complete on the right. MousePlanet photo by Stephanie Wien.

Ears to the ground

…Rumors are starting to emerge that the Backlot Tour at the
Disney-MGM Studios may not return from its scheduled rehab on April
1, or indeed, at all. With the demolition of Residential Street, it has
been suggested that there just isn’t enough left on the tour (aside from
Catastrophe Canyon) to continue running it. If we get any hard information
on this, we’ll pass it along.

…It appears that the rehab work on the Port Orleans Resort –
French Quarter is almost done, which would mean that the resort’s
rehab will move around to the Magnolia Bend portion of Port Orleans –
Riverside in the near future.

…The Chicago facade on the new Big City Street area appears
to be complete.

…Despite the AAA Five Diamond award won again this year by Victoria
& Alberts, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has lost a star and
has been dropped from four to three stars in the Mobil Travel Guide this
year.

…It appears to be confirmed by multiple sources that, despite our
optimism last week, Haunted Mansion Holiday will have to wait until 2005
to appear at the Magic Kingdom, partly delayed by the diversion of funds
to the special-effects for he new Stitch Escape attraction.

…A new concession stand themed as a radio station truck was built
in the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster plaza area.

This Mickey statue (“Love All” by Andre Agassi) doesn’t have
to worry about falling monorail parts, since he’s not at Disneyland. MousePlanet
photo by Stephanie Wien.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

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


• The Liberty Square Riverboat will be closed for refurbishment
  from January 17 – February 8.


• The Astro Orbiter will be closed for refurbishment from January
  26 – March 1.
• The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter has closed for good.
  It is now undergoing a major rehab and will reopen in fall 2004 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.
• Mickey’s Star Traders will be closed for refurbishment through
  early April as part of the Stitch rehab.


• 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. The Hall of Presidents and Country Bear Jamboree
  will also open at 10 a.m.

Epcot

• 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 for
  Phase II of the Nemo rehab.


• 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.
• The Wonders of Life pavilion went to seasonal operation on
  January 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.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Fantasmic! will be closing from January 26-30 for a regular
  maintenance rehab.
• The Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage show at the Theater
  of the Stars will be closed for refurbishment February 2 – 6, 2004.
• The Backlot Tour will be closed through April 1 to allow construction
  vehicles free access to the stunt show construction site.
• Sets from the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie are now open in
  the old Backstage Pass soundstage and will be open through March
  2004.
• 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 for this year.

Animal Kingdom

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


• TriceraTop Spin will be closed for refurbishment from February
  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 January 18 – May 2, 2004.


• 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 2004.


• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (a Disney Vacation
  Club resort) has an announced grand opening date of May 27, 2004. Reservations
  are now available.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment through February
  28.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba will be closed on January
  25-26.


• 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.

January 2004

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


• National Dance Team Championship (link)
  January 31 – February 1.

February 2004

• This is Love merchandise event (link).
  February 4.


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


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


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

March 2004

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


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

April 2004

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


• Grad Nights. April 23, 24, 30, and May 1.

May 2004

• 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 2004

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

September 2004

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

October 2004

• 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 2004

• 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 2004

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

January 2005

• Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo (link).
  January 7 & 8.
• FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link).
  January 8.
• Disney Marathon (link)
  and Half-Marathon (link).
  January 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 February 12 through
April 17, 2004. 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 January 4 through June 4, 2004, 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 January 1 to February
11, 2004. 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 2004.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through March 2004.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)