Walt Disney World Park Update

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| Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park
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News and Views

Orange County Sheriff receives
more groping complaints

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has received
two dozen complaints regarding inappropriate touching by the Tigger character
at Walt Disney World in the wake of the arrest of Michael Chartrand for allegedly
fondling a woman and her daughter during a photo session. More than half of those
are under active investigation, the others have not yet been deemed credible enough
to pursue. Some of these complaints involve incidents that took place before Chartrand’s
hiring last August. Sheriff’s Office investigators are trying to ensure that complainants
are not merely trying to file a false claim to gain out-of-court settlements with
Disney. The company is cooperating fully in the investigation and referring guests
with complaints to the Sheriff’s Office.

Many of the new complainants claim
to have photographic or video evidence of the incidents. Based on incident reports
released by the Sheriff’s Office, most appear to involve the touching of the complainants’
breasts or buttocks. Disney is staying quiet on the matter while the investigation
is underway. Chartrand is also not commenting.

Reports indicate that Disney
has increased the number of escorts accompanying the characters, perhaps to alleviate
any “bad touch” problems from either the characters or the guests.

With its sponsorship expired, ExxonMobil’s logo is not expected on the Universe
of Energy much longer. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Star Wars Weekend celebrities
announced

Celebrity guests for the Star Wars Weekends have been announced.
Here is the currently schedule. Remember, though, that schedules are subject to
change.

• May 14, 15 & 16 – Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) and Jake
  Lloyd (young Anakin Skywalker)
• May 21, 22 & 23 – Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
  and TBA
• May 28, 29 & 30 – Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) & Andy Secombe
  (voice of Watto)
• June 4, 5 & 6 – Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok)
  and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)
• June 11, 12 & 13 – Daniel
  Logan (young Boba Fett) and TBA

In addition to Star Wars costumed
characters, activities, and the Star Tours theme park ride, celebrity guests will
attend meet-and-greet sessions, star conversations, and a classic Hollywood-style
motorcade.

Character bowling balls are available for purchase at the Pop Century Resort.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

Kiddie Concierge at Magic Kingdom

The Magic
Kingdom is offering a Kiddie Concierge lounge for guests with children age 5 and
under from April 6 to 17 from noon until 5 p.m., located next to the Space Mountain
entrance in Tomorrowland at the former FedEx Lounge.

At the Kiddie Concierge
Lounge, guests can relax and take a quick break with their preschoolers to enjoy:

• A place out of the heat
• Child-friendly furniture and toys
• 
  Zephyrhills water from a cooler
• A microwave to heat food or bottles
• 
  Restrooms
• Changing tables
• A quiet room for nursing
• 
  Guest Relations cast to assist with priority seating, Guide Maps, Guest Assistance
  cards, and more.

The Kiddie Concierge is not offering anything for
purchase, and guests must remain with their children at all times. Information
about this lounge will be distributed on a flyer, similar to a Times Guide, via:

• April 6 – 10: Distributed by Guest Relations cast as guests rent strollers
  at the Park entrance.
• April 11 – 17: Distributed by Resort cast
  cembers at the bus stops.

The current display in the Mexican Folk Art gallery at Epcot is called Animales
Fantasticos. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Downtown Disney construction update

ICON
(a new high-end sunglasses shop) has now opened, replacing Celebrity Eyeworks
Co.

Arribas Brothers Eurospain shop has completed its facade work.

The merchandise at Art of Disney has been reorganized, and a customized artwork
system has been installed.

Ears to the Ground

…The parks have
been packed in the last week, with all parks seeing phased closings begin on various
days. It is rumored that some attendance records have been broken.

…Night
of Joy tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 21.

…The latest rumor
that I’ve heard regarding the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lagoon is that it will
be filled in to become a new Meet-and-Greet area as an extension of Toon Town,
of all things. No word on whether it will be a new entryway to the land. An alternate
rumor indicates a Hundred-Acre Wood Meet-and-Greet. It may undergo a further rehab
to house a new E-ticket ride within a few years. Bear in mind that this is only
at rumor stage now, and may have no basis in fact.

…There are now reports
that cars are starting to arrive for the Lights! Motors! Action! stunt
show at the Disney-MGM Studios. There are several Opel Corsas so far, along with
one Disney movie star. Yep, it looks like ol’ Number 53 will be in the lineup.
No confirmation on this one yet.

…Work is now progressing on a San
Francisco backdrop on Big City Street at the Studios, near the former Hunchback
theater.

…The Fountainview Cafe has reportedly added a sandwich meal
deal to its beverage and bakery menu.

…A new, nicely landscaped fountain
has been installed near the walkway between Mission: Space and Test Track in Epcot.

This sign shows that the Animales Fantasticos exhibit features woodcarvings of
spirits. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Have any
interesting news or rumors? Let
us know.

Refurbishments and Attraction
Closures

Magic Kingdom

• “it’s a small world”
  – rumored to be going down for rehab from June 7 of this year through March
  18, 2005 for upgrades to the lighting, audio, and electrical systems, rehabs to
  sets and Audio-Animatronic figures, asbestos abatement, roof repair, regular water
  maintenance (draining and refilling), replacement of boats, and the rumored swapping
  of the entry and exit queues for better traffic flow.
• The ExtraTERRORestrial
  Alien Encounter – closed for good. It is now undergoing a major rehab
  and reopens in fall 2004 as Stitch’s Great Escape. The official opening
  of the new attraction now appears targeted to September 1.
• Walt Disney’s
  Carousel of Progress – expected to remain open for the duration of the
  Stitch’s Great Escape construction.
• Timekeeper – returned
  to seasonal operation.
• 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 upcoming schedule of peak days shows that
  the land will open at 9 a.m. every day from now through May 1. In addition, the
  Jungle Cruise and the Tiki Room will open at 9 a.m. from April 4 through April
  17.
• El Pirata y el Perico – will be open from 11 a.m. to 4
  p.m. It will then close from April 25 through May 14 for a rehab.
• Splash
  Mountain – open at noon from May 10-14 for final work related to the
  rehab that caused late openings earlier this year.
• The Hall of Presidents
  and the Country Bear Jamboree also open at 10 a.m. every day.
• Snow
  White’s Scary Adventures – closed for refurbishment from April 19 through
  May 21.
• The Enchanted Grove – closed for rehab from April
  18 through May 23.
• The Sword In the Stone show – no performances
  through the spring break season, and will begin its return on April 25.

The Amigos (“friends” in Spanish) carvings capture the human moments
of community in Oaxaca, Mexico for the Animales Fantasticos exhibit. Photo by
Brian Bennett.

Epcot

• The Universe of Energy –
  expected to close for a short rehab shortly to remove the ExxonMobil signage now
  that its pavilion sponsorship has ended.
• The Living Seas pavilion
  – appears to be 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 – 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 – 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 – open seasonally.
  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 when the pavilion is open. Note:
  New information indicates that Pure and Simple will be open with the pavilion
  during the Spring Break 2004 season.
• Restaurant Akershus –
  open for the Princess Character Breakfast only from April 18 through May 10, but
  not open for lunch and dinner during that time.

This carousel was commissioned specifically for the Animales Fantasticos exhibit.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

Disney-MGM Studios

• The Backlot
  Tour – reopened to guests, with new restroom facilities available as
  well.
• Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios – closed
  and demolished and construction is well underway to turn the site into Lights,
  Motors, Action!, an American version of the popular Moteurs… Action!
  stunt show from the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris.
• Sets from
  the Haunted Mansion movie – now open in the old Backstage Pass
  soundstage and is open through April 2004.
• The Honey, I Shrunk
  the Kids Movie Set Adventure – closed for rehab May 3 to June 30.
• New
  York Street – undergoing a great deal of construction to change some
  facades to represent Chicago and San Francisco. The Chicago facades appear to
  be complete, while San Francisco is underway. The target completion date for the
  rest of the newly-titled Big City Street is October 2.
• The Osborne
  Family Spectacle of Lights – reported to be returning on New York
  Street/Big City Street for this year, though some doubt has been cast on that,
  saying that it might not be until next year after the Lights, Motors, Action!
  stunt show opens.

The Animales Fantasticos exhibit features a live craftsman creating woodcarvings
for purchase. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Animal Kingdom

• Dinosaur
  – planned refurbishment has been pushed back a few days, and will now run
  from April 24 through June 4. Rumor has it that the problematic Fastpass merge
  point will receive some attention to improve crowd flow.

Resorts

• 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 reopened
  March 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 – 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. Tokelau, Tahiti,
  and Rapa Nui have not yet been refurbished, but they have not yet been scheduled,
  either.
• Shades of Green – officially reopened.
• Disney’s
  Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (a Disney Vacation Club resort) – has
  an announced grand opening ceremony date of May 27, however guests may stay at
  the resort beginning May 17. Reservations are now available.

These woodcarvings at the Animales Fantasticos exhibit celebrate Oaxacan festivals.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

Water Parks

• No current water park
  rehabs underway.

Elsewhere

• World Drive –
  to undergoing a repaving project from late April through the end of May. Watch
  for delays and lane closures along this main route into the resort.
• Cirque
  du Soleil – La Nouba – to performing Tuesdays through Saturdays,
  but will be closed 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 – now closed
  Monday-Wednesday. It is open Thursday-Sunday, from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

The Animales Fantasticos exhibit features sea creatures carved by the landlocked
Oaxacan artists. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Park
Events

April 2004

• Epcot International Flower and Garden
  Festival (link).
  April 16 – June 6.
• Grad Nights (link).
  April 23, 24, 30, May 1.

May 2004

• Walt Disney World
  Inline Marathon (link).
  May 2.
• Danskin Women’s Triathlon (link).
  May 16.
• Florida Half Ironman Triathlon (link).
  May 23.
• Disney Vacation Club Member Homecoming event/Saratoga Springs
  opening. May 25 – 27.
• Star Wars Weekends (link).
  Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, May 14 – June 13.

June 2004

• Gay Days (link).
  June 3 – 6.[Not official WDW events.]
• National Kidney Foundation
  5K for Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness (link)
  . June 12.
• 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 9 – 11.
• Disney’s International Distance Triathlon
  (link).
  September 26.

October 2004

• Epcot International Food
  & Wine Festival (link).
  October 1 – November 14.
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
  (link).
  October 1, 3, 8, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29 and 31.
• 2004 Komen
  Central Florida Race For The Cure 5K (link).
  October 9.
• Disney’s 10K Classic (link).
  October 10.
• Funai Classic at Walt Disney World (link).
  October 21 – 24.
• 999 Happy Haunts event. Dinner: October 25.
  Gathering: October 27.

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).
  November 28 and 30, December 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 17.
• 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

Students get “Spring Price Break” at Pleasure
Island

College or university students 18 years of age or older with a valid
student ID can take advantage of a 25 percent discount on admission tickets to
Pleasure Island. Students must ask for the special discount at the Downtown Disney
Pleasure Island box office. The offer is valid until April 16, 2004.

All-guests
discounts for hotel-only and Dream Maker packages now available

Discount
rates for Annual Passholders, Florida Residents, and general guests for stay from
April 18 through July 4 are now available. Visit MouseSavers
for more details.

Disney Visa hotel-only and Summer Dream Maker discounts
announced

MouseSavers has posted prices and rate codes for hotel-only reservations
and Dream Maker packages. The rates are now available for booking. Vacations must
be taken between April 18 and July 4. Reservations must be made by April 17. Visit
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 to 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 $26 per adult, per ticket with the “Advance Purchase
Savings” program. These prices are before the 6.5 percent Orange County sales
tax.

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 June 2004.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and
entertainment schedules are currently
available through June 2004.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate
admission required)