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News and Views

John Hench dies

John
Hench, one of Disney’s foremost experts in the art of visual storytelling, passed
away early Thursday morning after a brief illness. Hench, Disney’s pre-eminent
color expert, had a hand in the design of all 10 of Disney’s theme parks, and
was also involved with Hong Kong Disneyland. From the concept design of Space
Mountain to the color selection for all of the Disney theme park castles, Hench’s
nearly 65 years with the company were influential in all that the company did,
and earned him Disney Legend status in 1990. At Walt Disney World, Hench came
up with idea of having canals follow natural contours of land instead of digging
in a grid, contributing a great deal to the natural beauty of the Resort. Honored
as “Dean of Design” on the Main Street window for the “Walter E.
Disney Graduate School of Design & Master Planning” (“We Specialize
in Imagineering”), Hench was 95 years old. To find out more about John Hench
and his incredible contributions to the Walt Disney Company, read tomorrow’s article
in our Foundations of Magic column.

Do as we say, not as we do

Walt
Disney World guests with disabilities who use electric Segway human transporters,
rather than wheelchairs or electronic convenience vehicles (“scooters”),
are in for a rude shock. While Segways are also on display at Innoventions and
Disney employees use Segways to zip around Epcot, Segway-riding guests are not
allowed to bring their devices into the parks with them. A number of the approximately
6,000 Segway units sold to date are being used by people with disabilities instead
of other mobility aids. People suffering from Parkinson’s disease and Multiple
Sclerosis use it, as well as some quadriplegics who can function as paraplegics
with the device. However, since the Segway is not approved by the FDA as a medical
device, the manufacturer cannot market it specifically for that purpose. Officially,
Disney won’t allow the Segway in the parks for the same reason, stating that it’s
hard to accommodate two-wheeled vehicles.

Walt Disney World is not the only
place to ban Segways. They are also prohibited at the two Disneyland Resort parks
in California and at SeaWorld Orlando. The City of San Francisco has also banned
the vehicles for safety reasons. However, Universal Orlando apparently does allow
the Segways.

So if you’re a Segway rider and you’re planning to visit Walt
Disney World, plan on renting a wheelchair or ECV, because you cannot bring your
usual ride into the parks.

Grosvenor Resort declares bankruptcy, seeks
to restructure debt

The Grosvenor Resort at Walt Disney World filed for
bankruptcy last week. The 626-room, 19-story hotel filed under Chapter 11 of the
U.S. Bankruptcy Code, so it can continue operations protected from creditors while
coming up with a plan to reorganize its debts. The hotel, located in the Downtown
Disney area, has enough cash on hand to operate, but was unable to restructure
its debt to its primary creditor, Orix Credit Alliance. Orix filed for foreclosure
last June. The Grosvenor plans to pay off all debts in full over “a couple
of years.” The Grosvenor originally opened in 1972 as the Americana Dutch
Resort, and was bought by the current owners and converted to the Grosvenor in
1986.

Bonnet Creek Resort progresses

The 482-acre Bonnet Creek Resort
is nearing completion of its infrastructure, including roads, sewer and water.
However, it still does not have a hotel tenant. There is enough room for four
hotels with almost 3,000 rooms on the site between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
and Epcot Boulevard, but so far the only construction is the 700-unit timeshare
facility being built by Fairfield Resorts, scheduled to open later this year.
Fairfield also has an option on another parcel that could hold another 350 timeshare
units. Brooksville Development Corp., the Resort’s master developer, is hoping
to attract upscale hotels for the remaining parcels. There will also be an 18-hole
golf course on the site.

Mickey-head cucumber redux

As we reported
in the January 12 Update (link),
horticulturists at Epcot’s The Land pavilion are cultivating Mickey-head shaped
cucumbers for use at the Garden Grille restaurant. Reader Erik Sojka has contributed
a photo showing just how these cucumbers are formed. You can see below how the
cucumbers are grown inside Mickey-head shaped molds to create the shape.

A Disney horticulturist tends to cucumbers in Mickey-shaped molds. Photo by Erik
Sojka.

Kodak adds new technology for purchased character photos

When
guests have their photos taken by Disney photographers with their favorite characters
at the Judge’s Tent in Mickey’s Toontown Fair, they will be able to immediately
purchase it either at the exit of the Hall of Fame or at the Town Square Exposition
Hall. The photos will be transmitted from the camera directly to the photo locations
using wireless technology, eliminating the need to physically transport the camera
memory cards back and forth.

The new technology is currently in a testing
phase. The test began on January 25 and is scheduled to conclude on March 7.

More
reduced hours on Magic Kingdom’s west side

The Magic Kingdom’s west side,
already running attractions and merchandise locations on shorter hours in Adventureland,
Frontierland, and Liberty Square, is getting hit again with hour reductions. From
now through Monday, March 1, Liberty Square’s merchandise locations are open from
11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Frontierland locations are reduced, with Big Al’s opening
at 10 a.m., and the Trading Post, Prairie Outpost & Supply, and Briar Patch
opening at 11 a.m. The Trading Post and Briar Patch are closing at 6:30, Prairie
Outpost & Supply are closing at 7:30, and Big Al’s are closing at park close.

Over
in Adventureland, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and
the Swiss Family Treehouse open at 9 a.m. on Feb. 12 through 24, 26, and 28, with
the rest of the land opening at 10 a.m. On all other days, the entire land opens
at 10 a.m. El Pirata Y el Perico Restaurante opens on Feb. 12 through 16, and
Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Let’s go cruising

Staff Writer Shoshana
Lewin recently returned from a seven-night cruise on the Disney Magic cruise
ship, where rumors and gossip of a possible West Coast move were swimming. At
several crew Q-&-A sessions, staff members said they were looking at new itineraries,
and were vague about European and Alaskan voyages. But when it came to California,
the phrase of choice was “no comment” and an occasional smile.

Shoshana
then asked a future cruise consultant, if there were going to be cruises
on the West Coast in 2005 (to coincide with Disneyland’s 50th) how early would
bookings start, and she was told there would be more information in two to three
months. It is uncertain if this would be a new ship or if one of Disney’s two
ships, the Magic and Wonder, would reposition, since both ships
have the ability to pass through the Panama Canal.

Brady answers the “What’s
Next?” question again

In the 34th installment of the “What’s
Next?” series of commercials, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
said, “I’m going back to Disney World!”

Last Monday, Brady
made good on his promise. The Super Bowl MVP rode down Main Street U.S.A. in an
“antique” vehicle with his mother and Mickey Mouse, followed by Minnie
Mouse and the rest of his family and friends in the Main Street fire truck. Behind
the fire truck, cheerleaders with red, white and blue balloons accompanied a lively
marching band. At one point, Brady moved among the crowd signing autographs. When
the procession reached Main Street, U.S.A., colorful Patriot red and blue streamers
showered down upon the group.

For broadcast on the West Coast, an “I’m
going back to Disneyland!” version was also shot. We have no word
on whether he’s going to keep that promise, too.

Ears to the ground

…For
those who want to buy smaller bottles of water, Walt Disney World outdoor vending
(ODV) is currently testing 12-ounce Dasani water bottles at the Magic Kingdom
and Animal Kingdom theme parks at their vending cart locations. This test began
on January 7, and is planned to run until Sunday, March 28.

…There
is a rumor going around that the upcoming Living Seas rehab will include an interactive
“Talk to Crush” feature similar to the “Talk to Stitch” feature
currently at Disneyland’s Innoventions. The rehab may also possibly include the
long-hoped-for return of the sea cabs, depending on the increase of traffic in
the pavilion.

…There is another rumor that Toontown Fair
Train Station will receive a complete rebuild in the near future.

…Apparently,
when Timekeeper went to seasonal operations, the miniature version of Mickey’s
Star Traders in the queue area closed, as well.

…Brian Bennett reports
that the Rose & Crown at Epcot’s U.K. pavilion has removed the prime rib from
the menu and replaced it with a grilled ribeye steak very heavily laced with garlic.
They have kept the Yorkshire pudding, though he wonders why, since they don’t
serve any au jus any longer.

Refurbishments
and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• The Astro
  Orbiter is closed for refurbishment through March 1.
• The ExtraTERRORestrial
  Alien Encounter has closed for good. It is now undergoing a major rehab and
  reopens in fall 2004 as Stitch’s Great Escape.
• Walt Disney’s
  Carousel of Progress is expected to remain open for the duration of the Stitch’s
  Great Escape construction.
• Timekeeper has returned to seasonal
  operation.
• Mickey’s Star Traders is 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 the
  Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management) on Sundays,
  Thursdays and Saturdays. The following schedule has been announced for February.
  The early-opening portion of Adventureland opens at 9 a.m. on February 12 through
  24, 26, and 28, and the rest of the land opens at 10 a.m. All other days, the
  entire land opens at 10 a.m. El Pirata Y el Perico Restaurante opens February
  12 through 16 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Hall of Presidents
  and the Country Bear Jamboree also opens at 10 a.m. every day except as
  noted below.
• Splash Mountain open at noon on weekday mornings from
  Jan. 25 through Feb. 12 for exterior painting. On those mornings, Country Bear
  Jamboree returns to 9 a.m. openings.

Epcot

• It is
  expected that the Universe of Energy will close for a short rehab in March
  to remove the ExxonMobil signage after its 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

• The Backlot Tour is closed through April 1 to allow
  construction vehicles free access to the stunt show construction site.
• Sets
  from the Haunted Mansion movie are now open in the old Backstage Pass
  soundstage and is open through April 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. The Chicago facades appear
  to be complete, but we do not yet have a target completion date for the rest of
  the newly-titled Big City Street.
• The Osborne Family Spectacle
  of Lights is reported to be returning on New York Street/Big City Street
  for this year.

Animal Kingdom

• TriceraTop Spin
  is closed for refurbishment from February 9 to March 16.
• Dinosaur
  is rumored to be scheduled for a three-month rehab from April through June.

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 and reopens on May 21. Phase II will involve Riverside
  going through a phased rehab. The Magnolia Bend mansions will go down one by one,
  followed by Alligator Bayou closing in sections.
• Polynesian Resort
  is 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 through 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 2004.
• 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 February 28.

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba will be closed February 15-16, March
  14-17, June 20-July 5, August 22-25, October 17-20, and December 5-13.
• 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
  (link)
  showcases 75 very special interestingly decorated Mickey statues to celebrate
  Mickey’s 75th birthday throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Now through
  April 2004.

February 2004

• 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.
• Mardi Gras at Downtown Disney Pleasure
  Island. February 20, 21 & 24.

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 (link).
  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.[Not official WDW events.]
• Family Pride Coalition Weekend
  (link).
  June 17-20.[Not official WDW events.]

July 2004

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports
  complex (link).
  Dates in July and August TBA.

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.

Current Discounts
& Promotions

Discount codes for February–April

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.
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, 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, either visit the Play 4 Days Web page (link)
or call 407-WDW-4DAYS (407-939-4329).

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

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through April 2004.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and
entertainment schedules are currently
available through April 2004.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)