Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Disney increases backstage
security with bomb barriers

Walt Disney World has installed hydraulically
powered steel barricades to block the service entrances of its four theme parks.
The barriers, similar to those protecting government facilities, are apparently
designed to stop a 20,000-pound truck traveling 70 mph.

As with the after-hours
testing of metal detectors at park entrances and the 2.5-year-old policy of bag
checks, Disney states that the new installation is part of an overall security
plan, and is not in response to any particular threat. Construction on the $30,000
barricades began several months ago, and they just went into operation recently.
The service entrances have security screenings for a number of years, and the
barriers are just an enhancement of that process.

The barricade, designed
by Delta Scientific Corp., is one of the most secure barriers available (link),
and is the same model shipped to Iraq for installation at the new U.S. Embassy
there.

Tainted Mexican candy sold at Epcot pavilion

Mexican candy
containing chili powder sold at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion may contain low levels
of lead. The FDA has not recalled any of the candy because levels do not exceed
FDA standards, but it may be a good idea to avoid consuming the treats.

The
candies include Vero Mango and Melon con Chile lollipops; Pico, Limon 7 and Lucas
Limon powdered candy; Pulpitas, Lucas Pelucas and Pelon Pelo Rico tamarind candy;
and Rollito de Coco, a cigar-shaped coconut candy.

Chili peppers grown
in lead-tainted soil are sometimes not properly cleaned, leaving the soil to contaminate
the chili powder.

Construction continues on the new Soarin’ attraction. Photo by MousePlanet reader
George L.

World of Disney not just for resorts anymore

The Disney
Store located at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City has closed and will re-open
in October with a new look, new product offerings, and a new name — World of
Disney. Like its counterparts at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida
and at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, the World of Disney will
be operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts merchandise team. The new World
of Disney on Fifth Avenue will offer Disney entertainment experiences throughout
the day, and will include Disney characters. It will also feature one-of-a-kind
merchandise offerings including New York City-specific fashions.

By gutting
one of the flagship stores of the Disney Store chain, it appears that Disney has
written the enterprise off, and the end is near for the chain.

Free Pal
Mickey rental for Cast Members through May 29

In honor of the toy’s first
anniversary (or perhaps to boost sales as the novelty wears off), Cast Members
or their spouses or domestic partners with valid Main Gate or Silver Passes visiting
any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks through May 29 may rent one Pal
Mickey for the day, free of charge. This offer is limited to one Pal Mickey per
Cast Member (or eligible spouse or domestic partner) per day.

To utilize
this offer, Cast Members must present a valid Walt Disney World ID, or Main Gate
or Silver Pass. Cast Members or their spouses or domestic partners also will be
asked to provide a signature, the Cast Member’s department, location, contact
number and leader’s name. Toys must be returned to the original pick up location,
on the same day, prior to the park’s closing time.

Pal Mickey will be available
for pick-up between 9 a.m. and noon each day at the following theme park locations,
while supplies last:

• Magic Kingdom Park: Main Street Cinema Merchandise
  shop
• Epcot: Gateway Gifts Merchandise shop
• Disney-MGM Studios:
  Darkroom Merchandise shop
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Outpost Merchandise
  shop

A good look at the Soarin’ construction work area. Photo by MousePlanet reader
George L.

ESPN – The Weekend

To celebrate ESPN’s 25th anniversary,
ESPN and Walt Disney World Resort are kicking off yet another synergistic event,
meshing two of the Walt Disney Company’s most popular assets at Disney-MGM Studios
on July 31 and Aug. 1.

“ESPN The Weekend” will include on-site ESPN telecasts
including SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, College GameDay and ESPNEWS; star motorcades
and conversations with network personalities and athletes; sports shows in the
ESPN Theater featuring ESPN commentators and athletes; a visit from ESPN The Truck;
a special sports edition of the game show attraction “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play
It!”; an interactive sports area allowing guests to relive the past 25 years of
sports; X Games activities; a SportsCenter and play-by- play “role play” area;
and an exclusive video of blunders and thrills. The event will be “capped
off” with a final tribute to the past 25 years orchestrated to a fireworks
show exploding over the park’s Sorcerer’s Hat icon.

ESPN will present at
least two live telecasts a day (spaced through morning, afternoon and evening)
from a set in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney-MGM Studios.

The weekend
celebration will include sports-themed decor throughout Disney MGM-Studios, including:

• A large banner at the main entrance
• Photo locations with life size
  cutouts of great teams, players and moments
• Video screens in selected
  areas that televise the action from the Sorcerer’s Hat set or playback great moments
  in sports
• ABC Commissary video monitors will play ESPN
• Designated
  areas with billboards that recount great sports moments and statistics.

The train set in World Showcase now features a county fair. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Epcot
opens sixth art gallery

Art lovers will have a new reason to visit Epcot
beginning in August when the Walt Disney World theme park opens its sixth gallery,
American Heritage Gallery, with an inaugural exhibition exploring the connection
between historical African art objects and their influence and significance as
interpreted by contemporary African-American artists. The new gallery will be
located in the American Adventure pavilion in World Showcase.

“Echoes of
Africa” will feature important pieces from the Walt Disney-Tishman African Art
Collection, considered to be one of the most significant and respected collections
of African art in private hands. The collection was amassed over twenty years
and spans the entire region of Africa, focusing primarily on Western Africa. During
the three-year run of the exhibit, 15 to 20 pieces from the Walt Disney-Tishman
African Art Collection will be on display at any one time, side by side with the
works of approximately one dozen contemporary artists.

The Disney-Tishman
African Art Collection has played a vital role in the world’s understanding of
African culture. The study of the objects contributed to some anthropological
breakthroughs. Had this collection not been preserved and studied, experts say,
some of our understanding of African culture would have been lost to history.

The collection was originally assembled by Paul and Ruth Tishman. The Walt Disney
Company acquired the collection from the Tishmans in 1984. The collection has
been included in world-class exhibitions since it was acquired by the Walt Disney
Company. Objects from the collection are currently on exhibition at numerous museums
around the world, including the Louvre, Smithsonian, Monastery of Our Lady of
Prado (Valladolid, Spain) and the Museum for African Art, New York.

Renowned
author and educator Dr. Lizzetta LeFalle-Collins will serve as guest curator for
the exhibit. Dr. LeFalle-Collins is a noted scholar of African-American art and
has curated exhibitions for the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco,
the American Federation of the Arts in New York, the California African-American
Museum in Los Angeles, and the 22nd International Bienal Exhibition in Sao Paulo,
Brazil.

As the sixth World Showcase gallery, the American Heritage Gallery
joins galleries in the Mexico, Norway, China, Japan and Morocco pavilions. Entry
to all of the galleries is included with Epcot admission.

The Jammitors perform a special, longer routine during the Flower and Garden Festival.
The longer routine means fewer shows per day to keep the work time the same. Photo
by Mark Goldhaber.

Great Stitch details escape

Some details are
starting to emerge about the new Stitch’s Great Escape attraction.

• One
  of Imagineering’s most complex and realistic animatronics ever produced, the Stitch
  animatronic will be 39″ tall with 350 individual components and 40 separate functions.
• 
  Other characters from the movie appearing in the attraction will included Galactic
  Federation’s Grand Councilwoman, Captain Gantu and Agent Pleakley, all voiced
  by the original movie actors.
• Odor effects will be added to the theater.
• 
  The attraction will debut with Fastpass.

Saratoga Springs Resort
now open

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa opens its doors to guests
today. The official grand opening Founders Day celebration will take place on
May 27. The resort will open with just one guest building and 46 units, though
three more buildings will open by year’s end for a total of 184 units. The neighborhood
of 12 residential-style buildings will be comprised of 552 units upon completion
in early 2005, making it the largest Disney Vacation Club resort to date. All
units will have either a water, garden or golf course view.

The Saratoga Springs Resort welcomes its first guests today. Photo by Brian Bennett.

E-Ride
Nights are back

E-Ride Nights return to the Magic Kingdom Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday nights from May 31 through July 30. The attractions that will be open
are: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s
Space Ranger Spin, The Haunted Mansion, Astro Orbiter, Tomorrowland Transit Authority,
and The Country Bear Jamboree. Apparently, rather than substituting another attraction
for the formerly-included ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, they’ve just reduced
the number of open attractions from nine to eight.

Pleasure Island streets
open to all for 12 week trial period

Attempting to compete with Universal
City Walk, Pleasure Island will temporarily operate as an un-gated area from May
23 through Aug. 14, allowing guests to wander through Pleasure Island during evening
operations without admission. This will allow them to enjoy Pleasure Island shops,
restaurants, Westend Stage entertainment and the nightly midnight “New Year’s
Eve” fireworks display.

Admission will still be required for entry into
any of the eight Pleasure Island nightclubs and is included with an Ultimate Park
Hopper Ticket, Park Hopper Plus Ticket or purchased for $20.50 (before tax) per
adult.

It does not appear that children will be restricted, so that leaves
one to wonder what will happen with the drink sales in the middle of the street,
since guests will no longer be wearing wrist bands indicating their eligibility
to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Disney will reevaluate the policy at the
conclusion of the trial period.

The quadrangle courtyard at the new Saratoga Springs Resort. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Jojo’s
Circus at the Studios

JoJo and Goliath — the two lead characters from
the Disney Channel stop-motion animation series “JoJo’s Circus” — now appear
daily in the “Disney’s Stars and Motor Cars” parade as part of the Playhouse Disney
float. In addition, the six-year-old clown girl and her pet lion will begin making
meet-and-greet appearances in the theme park this summer.

Correction

Last
week, we reported that Pop Century Resort guests were unable to view videos that
they had shot that day on their televisions because the television menu screen
does not offer an auxiliary video option. MousePlanet reader Brian Skinner
reports that during his March stay at the resort, he was indeed able to view his
video on the TV. If you experience difficulty getting it to work, “plug in
your device to the front A/V jacks and either using the remote go to channel “001”
or go to channel 2 and clicking backwards.” Thanks, Brian!

Construction is ongoing on the next buildings at the Saratoga Springs Resort.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

NBC Universal merger complete – what’s next for
the theme parks?

The purchase/merger of Universal Studios and it’s theme
parks by NBC from Vivendi Universal closed on Wednesday, and already theme park
pundits are wondering how long it will be before the theme parks unit is spun
off. It seems that the profit margin and timetable for the theme parks is not
in line with what NBC Universal’s corporate parent, General Electric, generally
expects from a subsidiary.

While NBC Universal claims no sale is in the
immediate future, speculation is already naming front-runners for a purchase.
Right now, half of Universal Orlando is owned by the New York-based private equity
firm Blackstone Group, which purchased its stake for $275 million in 2000. Blackstone
was in negotiations with Universal for the purchase of its remaining worldwide
theme park assets last year when it was announced that the entire Universal Studios
operation would be sold/merged with NBC.

NBC Universal is now a joint venture,
with 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

Busch Gardens
plans new themed roller coaster, restaurant

Reponding to the siphoning
of visitors by Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Busch Gardens in Tampa is planning a new
themed roller coaster and 400-seat restaurant, both to open in 2005.

The
African-themed coaster will race through an old stone tower and make a steep drop,
with a pool of water at the end. Rumors state that it will be the first “diving”
coaster in the United States, with a final straight downhill drop from a significant
height. There are only two other diving coasters in the world at this time, in
England and Taiwan.

The new restaurant will replace the 250-seat Stanleyville
Smokehouse, and will feature primarily indoor seating. There is no word on the
menu yet.

There is still no work going on to dismantle the Global Neighborhood display at
Spaceship Earth in Epcot, let alone any new construction. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Cypress
Gardens opening delayed

After originally pointing toward a Memorial Day
opening, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will not debut until at least October
1 due to construction and permit problems.

Construction workers have come
upon wires and other underground fixtures that are not on any existing plans.
All buildings are showing some signs of termite infestation, and nineteen of those
buildings are being demolished.

Navigating the bureaucratic maze to obtain
all necessary permits is also slowing things down. The parking lot can not be
built until a water drainage permit is issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management
District.

The 120-acre park is being designed by Hugh Darley, a former Walt
Disney Imagineer. Darley is trying to build on the park’s heritage from its ’50s
and ’60s heyday while simultaneously streamlining basic operations and adding
new thrills.

Ears to the Ground

…Special events this week will
close Epcot pavilions early. The Universe of Energy will close at 4:45 tomorrow,
and Imagination and The Land will close at 5:30 on Wednesday.

…Adventureland
once again permanently (for now) opens again with the rest of the park daily,
with the exception of the Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under
New Management, which still open at 10 a.m.

…All operations of the
Disney Vacation Club sales center at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort have transitioned
to the new facility at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, leaving the space
that it previously occupied at the BoardWalk available to be converted into additional
DVC accommodations.

…The Hyacinth Hippo/Ben Ali Gator and Bacchus floats are
scheduled to return to the SpectroMagic parade tomorrow night after two weeks
of rehab.

…There will be a mini-press event for the Stitch’s Great
Escape attraction on June 26. It is unknown at this time whether it will be a
preview showing of the attraction or if something else will be going on.

Have any interesting news or rumors? Let
us know.

Refurbishments and Attraction
Closures

The “its a small world” attraction will be closed until next spring
for a major rehab. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Magic Kingdom

• “it’s
  a small world” – closed on May 2 for rehab through Spring 2005.
  Originally scheduled for Jun 7 through March 18, the rehab was moved up approximately
  5 weeks to ensure that the ride will be ready for next spring break season. The
  work is expected to be 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.
• 20,000
  League Under the Sea lagoon – has been walled off to “clear the
  land as well as add landscape for future use.” The work is expected to run
  through November.
• 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 again with the rest of the park daily with the exception of the Jungle
  Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management, which
  still open at 10 a.m.
• The Hall of Presidents and the Country
  Bear Jamboree also open at 10 a.m. every day.
• El Pirata y el Perico
  ? rehab for addition of another food service line has been extended through May
  28.
• Sunshine Tree Terrace – remains open during its rehab, which
  expected to last until May 28.
• Merchant of Venus and Auntie
  Gravity’s Galactic Goodies are closed through May 30 for installation of a
  new floor and addition of another food ordering podium at Auntie Gravity’s.
• Tom
  Sawyer Island – closed for rehab May 24 through June 7
• The Enchanted
  Grove – rehab for replacement of the floor and serving windows extended
  to last through June 11.
• Mickey’s Toontown Fair train station –
  will be torn down and rebuilt between May 10 and June 18. The only stops made
  by the Walt Disney World Railroad during that time will be Main Street, USA and
  Frontierland, though the train will stop to take on water in Toontown once every
  three trips around the park. Guests will not be allowed to board or exit the train
  during that time.
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin – down for rehab Sept.
  13 – Oct. 15 (projected).
• Ariel’s Grotto – down for rehab Sept.
  22 – Nov. 19 (projected) for theme-matching with the 20,000 Leagues Lagoon reclamation.
• 
  Astro Orbiter – down for rehab Jan. 2 – Feb. 16, 2005 (projected).
• 
  Dumbo the Flying Elephant – down for rehab Jan. 10 – Feb. 12, 2005 (projected).

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.
• Rose
  & Crown Pub & Dining Room – the pub portion will be closed until
  just before July 4. The rehab is rumored to include a complete rebuild on the
  pub portion and the building of a divider between the pub and the restaurant.
• 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.

The new bathrooms in the motor stunt show area are quite expansive. Photo by Brian
Bennett.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Residential Street at the
  Disney-MGM Studios – closed and demolished and construction is well underway
  to turn the site into the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, an
  American version of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from the
  Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris.
• Star Tours will be closed
  for rehab from July 16 – August 1.
• The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
  Movie Set Adventure – closed for rehab through 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 – is now confirmed to be returning this year
  on Big City Street, from November 24 through January 2.

Animal Kingdom

• Dinosaur – is closed for refurbishment through June 4. Rumor has
  it that the problematic Fastpass merge point will receive some attention to improve
  crowd flow.

Yeti tracks on the construction wall hint at what’s coming at Expedition: Everest.
Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

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 is underway,
  and involves 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. Rarotonga is
  the last remaining longhouses currently scheduled to undergo rehab, and was tentatively
  scheduled through May 2. However, it appears that the rehab on that longhouse
  has not been completed yet. There is currently no completion date available. Tokelau,
  Tahiti, and Rapa Nui have not yet been refurbished, but they have not yet been
  scheduled, either.
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort – The main
  pool closes from September through the end of the year for construction of a new
  water slide.
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (a new Disney
  Vacation Club resort) – holds its grand opening ceremony on May 27; however
  guests may stay at the Resort beginning today.

Water Parks

• No current water park rehabs underway.

Elsewhere

• World
  Drive – is undergoing a repaving project through the end of May. Watch
  for delays and lane closures along this main route into the resort.
• Cirque
  du Soleil – La Nouba – performs 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.

Park Events

Ongoing

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

May 2004

• 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.
• E-Ride Nights
  at the Magic Kingdom. May 31.

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.]
• E-Ride Nights at the Magic
  Kingdom. June 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30.

July
2004

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at Disney’s Wide World
  of Sports complex (link).
  Dates in July and August TBA.
• E-Ride Nights at the Magic Kingdom.
  July 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30.
• “ESPN The Weekend.”
  July 31 and Aug. 1.

September 2004

• Tom
  Joyner Family Reunion Weekend (link).
  September 2–5.
• 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

• Mousefest
  Internet community gathering (link).
  December 5–13. [Not official WDW events.]
• 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.

February 2005

• Atlanta Braves Training
  Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex (link).
  Dates in February through April TBA.

Current Discounts & Promotions

7-for-5 package
now available

While not as deep a discount as last year’s 7-for-4 package,
this year’s buy-five-get-two-free package is still a good deal. The package—officially
called “Disney’s Five Plus Two Dream Maker Package”—is available
for stays from July 5 through November 18, but must be booked by June 28. A Disney
Visa version of the package that also includes 25 Disney Dollars is available.
Visit MouseSavers
for more details.

Discounts for hotel-only and Dream Maker packages now
available

Discount rates for stays from July 5 through August 28 are now
available. Packages must be booked by June 15. 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 3-15 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).

Gaylord Palms to pay for gas

Guests
of the Gaylord Palms Resort will receive a $75 credit to cover the higher cost
of gasoline for stays of at least three nights from June 15 through Sept. 6. The
Orlando-area resort will provide the room credit to guests who make a reservation
using the promotion code FREEGAS. It is not a requirement that guests drive to
the resort in order to get the discount.

Disney’s Summer Price Slice returns

Summer
Price Slice is back with special-value greens fees on tee times after 10 a.m.
daily from May 17 through September 30 on Disney’s five championship courses.

Golfers can test the premier Osprey Ridge course after 10 a.m. for $65 (compared
to a normal seasonal greens fee of $119) or Eagle Pines for $50 (compared to a
normal seasonal fee of $109). Post-10 a.m. rounds on the Magnolia, Palm or Lake
Buena Vista courses are $45 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $99). Cart is
included.

Disney’s Summer Price Slice also gives golfers the opportunity
to play afternoon rounds late into the day. Golfers can take on Osprey Ridge after
3 p.m. for $35 ($30 after 5 p.m.). Eagle Pines, Magnolia, Palm and Lake Buena
Vista start at $30 after 3 p.m. ($25 after 5 p.m.).

For tee times, guests
may call 407-WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653). For information on the Walt Disney World
golf courses, visit their Web site (link).

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 July 2004.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and
entertainment schedules are currently
available through July 2004.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission
required)