Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Cinderella Castle painting details emerge

We’ve got some more details on the painting of the lower half of Cinderella Castle. As we reported last week (link), the castle is getting a gilding treatment similar to Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in celebration of the original park’s upcoming 50th anniversary.

The painting project began on June 13 with draining of the castle moat 12 to 18 inches in order to install scaffolding. The scaffolding installation took place at night from June 14 to 20 while the Park was closed. Scaffolding was installed with a regular scrim during the installation phase, but a castle block-printed scrim will replace it for the duration of the project. The moat was refilled on Friday. All block work on the lower half of Cinderella Castle is being painted, from the lower turrets down to water line, from June 21 to August 22. Most of the work will be done while the park is closed, with minimal work during park operating hours (behind the scrim). The scaffolding will be removed during the week of August 22, and the castle should look radiant when it’s completely exposed again on Sunday, August 29.

Disney, labor still negotiating contract

Negotiations have been slow between Walt Disney World and the Service Trades Council (an umbrella organization handling coordinated bargaining for six unions representing about 20,000 Disney Cast Members) to replace an old contract that expired May 1. Things are expected to ratchet up a notch in July, when wages and benefits will be on the table. The sides are approaching agreement on less contentious issues such as work rules and schedules. The Cast Members are currently working under an extension of the prior contract.

More Soarin’ and Land pavilion rumors

There are a few rumor starting to emerge regarding the opening of Soarin’ in The Land pavilion next year. We hear that the entire Land pavilion closes in January to finish the connections to the new attraction while reworking the lower level of the pavilion. The pavilion reopens with updated decor, along with the new attraction, in March of 2005. While the Sunshine Season Food Fair food court is said to be remaining, the seating area is expected to be condensed to allow for crowds at the attraction’s entrance and exit, as well as the Fastpass distribution area, which will supposedly eliminate the far right portion of the food window area.

The attraction entrance will be via a long corridor, with an entrance where the old Green Thumb Emporium stood, and the exit will be through a large post-show/gift shop where the Food Rocks theater used to be.

Stitch attraction news, decor appearing

More tidbits about the new Stitch’s Great Escape attraction are leaking out, and Stitch-related decor is popping up in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom.

The first preshow (the former “lobby”) room has been painted a lilac blue color. The second preshow (the former “demonstration”) room still features S.I.R., but he is now renamed “Sarge” and has put on a bit of weight. Skippy is still there, toward the right rear of the area. This room is also a shade of blue. Laser cannons are being installed in the main attraction.

Spoiler Alert – Highlight the text in this box to find out about the attraction.

Stitch will, of course, escape during the show and wreak havoc around the theater. However, he will also escape from the building, and will continue to cause problems around Tomorrowland, which you will follow on the screens in the theater. (Stitch will apparently be computer-generated, and matted into filmed footage.) He will apparently harass a family on the Astro Orbitor, among other things. And — get this — there will be two versions of the “escape” film. If you experience the attraction during the day, the film will show the Tomorrowland exteriors during the day, while evening guests will see Tomorrowland at night.

Meanwhile, a statue of Pleakley, from Lilo and Stitch, now stands next to the Disney Vacation Club kiosk for guest photos. The alien is dressed like a tourist, complete with a suitcase covered with Disney Vacation Club resort stickers. A Stitch topiary now appears in a planter next to Mickey’s Star Traders at the 2004 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

Expressway Authority approves $1.4 billion in road construction

On Friday, the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority approved a $1.4 billion roadway construction package, including work on five existing highways and construction of an additional highway, with all work planned within the next five years. The plan includes:

Western Expressway (Beltway), SR429: Southern extension past Walt Disney World, west of the Animal Kingdom Lodge at the east end of Buena Vista Drive.
Florida’s Turnpike: Widening, SR50 to SR 528 (Beeline)
East-West Expressway, SR408: Widening entire length, interchange improvements at I-4
BeeLine Expressway, SR528: Interchange improvements at Narcoossee Road
Central Florida GreeneWay, SR417: New interchanges with Moss Park Road and Florida’s Turnpike
New Maitland Boulevard Extension: Preliminary route begins at current end of Maitland Boulevard at Orange Blossom Trail, extending west across the Western Beltway, then northwest to link back with Orange Blossom Trail near Plymouth-Sorrento Road

The new Maitland Boulevard Extension would eventually connect the Western Beltway and the Wekiva Parkway, another planned new expressway that would eventually connect to Interstate 4, which would create an expressway loop circling Orlando.

SeaWorld Orlando plans to Mistify guests

In early July, SeaWorld Orlando officially debuts Mistify, its nighttime fireworks/water/movie/music extravaganza, which is intended to keep visitors at the park later, and perhaps draw some of the crowd away from Disney’s trio of evening spectaculars (Wishes, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and Fantasmic!). The 12-minute show (the same length as Wishes), which had its soft opening last Friday, tells the story of a little boy who dreams of swimming with Shamu the killer whale and other denizens of SeaWorld after returning home from a visit to the park.

The show is planned to run through Labor Day, and is planned to reappear next summer and during holiday periods. A decision will be made at a later date regarding the permanent future of the show.

Bonnet Creek Resort on the market again

Bonnet Creek Resort, the large parcel of land bordered by I-4, Buena Vista Drive, the Caribbean Beach Resort, and the Osceola Parkway, is back on the market.

The 482-acre property will be sold off by the current joint venture ownership of locally based Brooksville Development Corp. and the estate of the late Taiwanese investor Ling Kai Kung in a silent mailed bid. It is expected that the tract will go for at least $1 million per acre.

The parcel was granted the right to build as many as 2,800 hotel rooms, a 250,000 sq. ft. conference center, retail space and an 18-hole golf course.

So far, the 46-acre Fairfield Resorts timeshare property consisting of 700 units (with another 350 units planned on an adjoining 12-acre site) and rough work on the Rees Jones-designed golf course, are the only current development underway.

Cirque price increase

Prices have increased at Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba. New adult ticket prices are $85, $73, and $59 for Category 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Prices for children 3-9 years old are now $59, $49, and $39 for the same categories. Prices do not include tax.

ASIMO to visit Epcot in July

ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, will be demonstrated at Epcot in the World ShowPlace Pavilion between Canada and the United Kingdom. ASIMO appears daily (except Fridays) July 1 to 11. Show times are 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (except for July 4, which hasshows at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.).

The 25-minute live demonstration of ASIMO includes walking forward and backward, turning smoothly, balancing on one leg, dancing and even climbing stairs. The show also explores how ASIMO was developed, explain the challenges of creating humanoid robots and investigate potential future applications for robotic technologies.

ASIMO is currently visiting select cities across North America in order to introduce the public to ASIMO and to encourage students to study robotics and science.

New Innoventions display opens soon

A “Fantastic Plastics Works” exhibit is slated to open in the next month or so at Innoventions at Epcot, sponsored by The Society of the Plastics Industry. The exhibit, which takes up approximately 5,000 square feet, is intended to showcase the full scope of the plastics industry, from imagination and design to manufacturing and products. The exhibit seeks to improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of the plastics industry and also encourage youngsters to consider careers in it.

Ears to the ground

…The rebuilt train station at Mickey’s Toontown Fair is approaching completion. The design and color scheme appear identical to the old station, with the exception that the new station was built as a permanent installation, as opposed to the former temporary station.

…Tomorrowland Stage demolition is complete. Concrete has been poured to cover almost the entire area with the exception of a small section, which was left for an as-yet-unknown purpose.

…Space Mountain is slated for the installation of air gates in the load area.

…There is a rumor that Timekeeper may be closing for good sometime before Astro Orbiter goes down for rehab.

…The water garden installed near Mission: Space for the Flower & Garden Festival is now being removed. There is currently a construction wall around it.

…We’ve heard that the Yankee Trader in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom was to go back to carrying housewares as of last Thursday.

…Apparently, one of the stores in Downtown Disney (we were told either a portion of Pooh Corner or a portion of the Disney At Home store) is going to be converted to a Disney Pet store. Yep, an entire half of a store devoted to that pet collection.

…Rock work has begun in the area of the large drop on the front of Expedition: Everest.

…Reservations for special events at the 2004 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will be available beginning Tuesday, July 20, at 7 a.m. Make your reservations by calling 407-WDW-FEST (407-737-3378).

…Room refurbishments at the Polynesian Resort are resuming, with Rapa Nui scheduled for January 3 to April 1, 2005, and Tahiti from April 24 to August 17, 2005.

Have any interesting news or rumors? Let us know.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

“it’s a small world” – closed for rehab through March 18, 2005. 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 and more stroller parking. The audio upgrade will include a return to a cleaned-up copy of the stereo soundtrack heard at the 1964 World’s Fair, which has been very well received since it returned to Disneyland a couple of years ago.
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 21.
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 October 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. The attraction will be open for the summer season from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through August 14.
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. There is a rumor that the Jungle Cruise will open with the rest of the park for the summer, from mid-June through mid-August.
The Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear Jamboree also open at 10 a.m. every day.
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – remains open during its rehab, which will continue through August 8.
Tom Sawyer Island – closed July 25 – September 25.
The Enchanted Grove – has returned from rehab.
Mickey’s Toontown Fair train station – to 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 September 13 – October 15.
Ariel’s Grotto – down for rehab Sept. 22 – Nov. 19 for theme-matching with the 20,000 Leagues Lagoon reclamation.
Astro Orbiter – down for rehab January 2 – February 16, 2005.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant – down for rehab January 10 – February 10, 2005.

Epcot

The Universe of Energy – may close for a short rehab at any time to remove the ExxonMobil signage now that its pavilion sponsorship has ended.
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room – the pub portion is closed until late July. 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 have been removed, while the Body Wars, Cranium Command, and The Making of Me attractions will now be open when the pavilion is open.

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 – rehab has been extended through July 12.
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. Previously believed to be renamed Big City Street, the newly-confirmed name of the area will be the Streets of America Backlot. The target completion date is October 2.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – will return this year on the Streets of America backlot, from November 24 through January 2.

Animal Kingdom

No currently reported rehabs.

Resorts

Port Orleans Resort – A two-year extensive rehab of this resort’s rooms is ongoing. For Phase I, French Quarter has reopened. 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. Room refurbishments at the Polynesian Resort are resuming. Rapa Nui is scheduled for January 3 through April 1, 2005, and Tahiti will get its makeover from April 24 through August 17, 2005. Tokelau has not yet been refurbished, but has not yet been scheduled, either.
The Never Land Club at Disney’s Polynesian Resort – to be refurbished through June 30, 2004. Operations have been moved to the Tangaroa Terrace during this time.
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) – now open. Construction continues on the rest of the resort; the other three buildings of Phase I are due by the end of the year, the eight units of Phase II are due in 2005, and the six units of the newly-announced Phase III are due in 2007. Phase III will involve the razing of the old Fairway Villas.

Water Parks

No current water park rehabs underway.

Elsewhere

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. to 9 p.m.

Park Events

June 2004

E-Ride Nights at the Magic Kingdom. June 28, 30.

July 2004

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

August 2004

E-Ride Nights at the Magic Kingdom. August 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13.

September 2004

Tom Joyner Family Reunion Weekend (link). September 2–5.
Nights of Joy (link). September 9 – 11.
A Family Pin Gathering – Disney’s Pin Celebration 2004 (link). September 10 – 12.
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 (link). October 25-27.

November 2004

Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney (link). November 12–14.
Super Soap Weekend (link). November 13-14.
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.

February 2005

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

April 2005

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link). Dates in February through April TBA.

June 2005

Gay and Lesbian Day at Walt Disney World (link). June 2-5.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Florida Resident Cirque du Soleil La Nouba special

Florida residents can receive 20 percent off Category Two tickets at Cirque du Soleil in Downtown Disney’s West Side from June 1 – September 30, 2004. Blackout dates are June 20 – July5 and August 22–25. Proof of residency and advance purchase are required. The discount is not available at the ticket window, and there is a limit of four tickets per transaction. To order call 407-939-1282.

Last day to reserve a 7-for-5 package

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 today. A Disney Visa version of the package that also includes 25 Disney Dollars is available. Visit MouseSavers for more details.

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 through Sept. 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 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.

Multi-Day Tickets	Gate Prices	Advance Purchase Price	Savings
Multi-Day Tickets	Gate Prices	Advance Purchase Price	Savings
4-Day Park Hopper: Adults	$219	$202	$17
Children ages 3 – 9	$176	$162	$14
5-Day Park Hopper: Adults	$249	$230	$19
Children ages 3 – 9	$200	$184	$16
5-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults	$282	$259	$23
Children ages 3 – 9	$226	$208	$18
6-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults	$312	$288	$24
Children ages 3 – 9	$250	$231	$21
7-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults	$342	$316	$26
Children ages 3 – 9	$274	$253	$21

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 August 2004.

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
	6/28	6/29	6/30	7/1	7/2	7/3
	MK 9a-11p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-9p AK 9a-7p BB 9a-7:30p TL 9a-7:30p	MK 9a-10p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-10p AK 9a-6p BB 9a-7:30p TL 9a-7:30p	MK 9a-10p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-9p AK 9a-6p BB 9a-7:30p TL 9a-7:30p	MK 9a-11p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-9p AK 9a-6p BB 9a-7:30p TL 9a-7:30p	MK 9a-10p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-9p AK 9a-6p BB 9a-7:30p TL 9a-7:30p	MK 9a-11p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-10p AK 9a-6p BB 9a-7:30p TL 9a-7:30p
7/4	7/5	MK = Magic Kingdom EF = Epcot, Future World EW = Epcot, World Showcase MGM = Disney-MGM Studios AK = Animal Kingdom BB = Blizzard Beach Water Park TL = Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
MK 8a-12:30a EF 9a-10p EW 11a-10p MGM 9a-10p AK 9a-6p BB 9a-7:30p TL 9a-7:30p	MK 9a-11p EF 9a-7p EW 11a-9p MGM 9a-10p AK 9a-7p BB 9a-7:30p TL 9a-7:30p

Entertainment Schedule