Walt Disney World Park Update

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| Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park
Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park
Hours | Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

Extra Confusion Hour – A MousePad member reported
that the schedule for Extra Magic Hours, a benefit which allows Disney
resort hotel guests enter a selected theme park an hour early each morning,
had been changed during their visit from the published schedule. This
had other readers worried that their carefully-planned vacations would
have to be reworked on short notice. Fortunately, this appears to have
been a one-week test, and the schedule has returned to normal.

Another day, another Disney Store – Disney’s EarPort has opened
at Orlando International Airport. The 4,000-square foot shop sells Walt
Disney World souvenirs and theme park tickets. Flights Fantastic in Delta’s
Airside
terminal will close later this spring.

The Crystal Palace has reopened – with a new chef, a new on-stage
kitchen, and a new character parade. Tony’s Town Square Restaurant returns
to their daily lunch and dinner schedule, without appearances from Disney
characters.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Construction proceeds on the Saratoga
Springs Resort.
Photo by Alex Stroup

The Polynesian Luau Show at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
is closed for refurbishment. A new show is scheduled to premiere on March
4, 2003.

“Ol’ Man Island Pool” at Port Orleans is
closed for refurbishment until Feb 7.

Construction continues around Epcot’s
Italy Pavilion.
Photo by Alex Stroup

Blizzard Beach is currently closed for refurbishment
through March 2, 2003.

The Shipwreck Slide located at Stormalong Bay at
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort will be closed for refurbishment
January 3 through April 4, 2003. The pool areas at Stormalong Bay will
remain open while the pool slide undergoes enhancement.

The Italy pavilion gets a facelift.

Photo by Alex Stroup

Voyage of the Little Mermaid is closed for refurbishment
January 6 – March 1.

Park Events

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Mickey’s Parti Gras Pin Event
– Saturday, February 1, 2003. $115 per person. Register
online at the Disney Event Services Web site. Annual Passholders
qualify for a 10% discount on the event package when they register by
January 8. If you have already registered, you can still receive the discount
by faxing a copy of your pass to Disney Event Services.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Mickey’s Parti Gras Pin Event Public
Day – Sunday, February 2, 2003. Disney has just announced a public
day to be held after the Parti Gras Pin Event. The public day will be
held at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, at the Island Mercantile. Event
guests will be able to purchase any remaining event merchandise from 9:00
a.m. to 10:00 a.m. After 10:00 a.m., any remaining non-exclusive merchandise
will made available to all park guests.

Upcoming events

Feb. 20 through 23 – Third annual Film Festival at Sea aboard
the Disney Wonder

Feb 27 through March 28 – Atlanta Braves Spring Training
exhibition games at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. Tickets go
on sale January 4. Buy tickets in person at the Disney Wide World of Sports
box office, or call Ticketmaster at 407-839-3900.

March 30 – First-ever Walt Disney World Inline Marathon. Get
more information at the Disney Wide World of Sports Web
site.

April 25 through June 8 – 10th Epcot International Flower & Garden
Festival.

June 3 through June 9 – Gay Days 2003. This unofficial event is
not sponsored by Disney. Event information can be obtained from the event
sponsor.

June 14, 2003 – “Mickey’s Toon Town of Pins”
at the Magic Kingdom

September 19-21, 2003 – “Disney’s Pin Celebration”
at Epcot

November 16-20, 2003 – Pin Trading Cruise aboard the Disney
Wonder

Current Discounts & Promotions

Last Day to save – MouseSavers.com
is reporting 25
– 40% hotel discounts for Florida residents and the general public.
The discounts are valid for stays beginning February 17 through April
9, but must be booked by January 27, 2003.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule