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News and Views

Hurricane Charley: A report from the storm

MousePlanet reader Christopher Wing sent along some photos of the aftermath
of Hurricane Charley, which are shown throughout the Update. The following
is Chris’ first-hand experience with the storm.

I was on vacation at Walt Disney World from August 7 to 14, but had
to stay an extra three days because of the hurricane; it was the earliest
the airline could reschedule me. Port Orleans Riverside was very nice
about letting me keep my same room at the same Annual Passholder discount
rate for the extra days. I had friends visiting WDW at the same time
(staying at another resort), but for the most part I was travelling
alone.

A shattered tree lies on the ground at Port Orleans Riverside after the
storm hit on the morning of August 14. Photo by Christopher Wing.

The day of the storm, the parks all closed at 1 p.m. When I got back
to Port Orleans Riverside, the food court was completely mobbed. People
were grabbing all the food they could carry. I went to Boatwright’s
instead and put my name on the waiting list (all reservations were cancelled,
and it was walk-up only). They said the earliest I could be seated was
4:45. I arrived back at about 4:50, but my table had already been given
away.

Speed limit signs are bent from the force of the winds near the entrance
to the Magic Kingdom. Photo by Christopher Wing.

They gave me a pager and told me to wait, which I did for about two
hours, then the crowds started thinning, and eventually when I was the
last person left there, they said, “Why are you waiting here? We
stopped serving an hour ago.” I was alone on this trip, so nobody told
me anything until it was too late.

Apparently the storm was upgraded to a Category 4 by this point, and
everybody had to go back to their room. The food court was still mobbed,
and by now, totally gutted of food. The pizza counter folks were shouting
over the crowd that they had no more pizza left. I saw people carrying
stacks of 8 large pizzas back to their room. On the way back to my room,
one of these people jokingly offered to sell me a slice for $5. Even
the vending machines were totally sold out.

Cast iron lightposts snapped off at the base lay beside the walkway between
the Boardwalk and Disney MGM Studios. Photo by Christopher Wing.

I think Port Orleans was particularly severely hit by the food shortage
because the entire Fort Wilderness campground was evacuated to Port
Orleans Riverside for the duration of the storm. The parking lot was
literally flooded with RVs. This put an incredible stress on the facilities
at Port Orleans Riverside. I had friends staying at Coronado Springs,
and they said that Pepper Market stayed open, and there was some sort
of dinner service arranged in the convention center area for the resort
guests. No such luck at Port Orleans Riverside. I went to bed without
lunch or dinner.

Half of the letters from the marquee at JellyRolls were blown away. Photo
by Christopher Wing.

Back in the room, there was nothing to do but watch TV. All the local
stations were covering the storm, of course, and the Disney stations
were all showing movies in continuous loops: Finding Nemo, Monsters,
Inc., A Bug’s Life and Brother Bear. It was funny
to note that they just popped in the DVD somewhere and pressed play,
because when the movies were finished, the DVD menu would come up, and
you could see someone going through to select “play” again.

Every few hours, the message light would blink on the phone, indicating
another status update from the front desk, telling us to stay indoors
until we got the all-clear. Despite the 100+ mph winds, the building
hardly shook at all. The worst part was the noise, which sounded like
a freight train howling past.

A shop near the International Gateway’s awning is removed after being
damaged by the storm. A little bit remained. Photo by Christopher Wing.

In the morning, messages told us to stay in a little while longer (presumably
so Disney could clear away some of the debris that was blocking roads).
The food court was again mobbed at breakfast. Instead, I went to the
Magic Kingdom. Tony’s Town square was not serving breakfast, they said,
but they made an 11:30 priority seating for me at the Liberty Tree Tavern.

Service was slow because all their computers were down. My server was
very apologetic for the delays, but I told him there was no need to
be. It was 27 hours since my last meal, so an extra few minutes weren’t
going to matter much. Fastpass was down at all the rides as well, so
their computer problem seemed pretty widespread.

Echo Lake at the MGM Studios is filled with stripped palm fronds and bark
blown off of trees by Hurricane Charley. Photo by Christopher Wing.

The remaining three days were alternating rainy and sunny, like the
weather before the storm. On the news, they kept saying that the airport
was NOT a storm shelter, and I thought this was kind of odd. But then
when I got there, (see photos) I saw what they meant. The place looked
much worse than WDW. I had to walk through a puddle to get to the door
of the jetway.

A tree blocking the pathway from Alligator Bayou to the South Bus Depot
was cut with chainsaws to allow guests to pass. Removal of the remainder
was a lower priority. Photo by Christopher Wing.

Thanks for sharing your story and photos, Chris!

Hurricane Charley: Walt Disney World reacts and responds

Last Monday, Al Weiss announced assistance for Central Florida families
and cast members in the wake of Hurricane Charley, saying, “Our Disney
family always steps up in times of crisis to assist those in need. We
are joining with other caring corporate citizens to provide much-needed
help and compassion in the community and within our own company.”

The Downtown Disney AMC Theatres sign has been stripped of its shell.
Photo by Christopher Wing.

DisneyHand, the outreach arm of the Walt Disney Company, announced a
contribution totaling $100,000 to the American Red Cross and the Heart
of Florida United Way. At the same time, Walt Disney World will conduct
a food drive with employees to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank, while
at the same time providing work crews to assist with the recovery effort.

An uprooted tree lies near the entrance to the resort. Photo by Christopher
Wing.

To assist cast members, the resort is providing an array of programs,
offering up to $5,000 for cast members who sustained catastrophic damage
to their home or severe personal injury, up to $1,000 to assist needy
cast members with recovery from the storm through a fund with an initial
donation of $50,000 by the resort (additional funds may be contributed
by cast members worldwide), complimentary rooms at resort hotels for cast
members who have experienced catastrophic hardships or have unique medical
needs, a 50 percent discount on resort hotel rooms for cast members who
can’t stay at their home due to a loss of electricity or other reasons
and increased childcare capacity for school-age children at on-property
childcare locations.

Orlando International Airport’s gate 5 is flooded and taped off. Photo
by Christopher Wing.

Hurricane Charley: The company thanks the cast

In the wake of the response of the Walt Disney World cast members to
the strike and aftermath of Hurricane Charley, messages were sent to the
cast by company CEO Michael Eisner and Walt Disney World Executive Vice
President for Operations Lee Cockerell.

Fallen ceiling tiles were turned into soggy mush by water near Orlando
International Airport’s gate 22. Photo by Christopher Wing.

Eisner’s message attempted to reassure the cast members (and employees,
though what the difference might be is unclear) that the company appreciated
their work and that it will provide financial support to those in need.

Cockerell’s note took more of a cheerleading tone, praising cast members
for sacrificing and pulling together to continue to bring the magic to
reseort guests despite the hard circumstances.

Orlando International Airport’s gate 22 is flooded, with debris on the
floor. Photo by Christopher Wing.

Hurricane Charley: Charley deals Cypress Gardens a setback

Following the $2- to $4-million damage caused by Hurricane Charley, Cypress
Gardens owner Kent Buescher said that the park will not open in October,
as previously scheduled. Many plants and trees were destroyed and several
buildings were damaged, including the ice palace theater. There is no
new estimated opening time yet. The storm will live on, though, as Buescher
said that it’s likely that one of the four new roller coasters will be
named “Hurricane Charley.”

Hurricane Charley: After surviving Charley, next up is mosquitos

One portion of the aftermath of Hurricane Charley is not related to destruction
of property, but rather standing water. Mosquitos breed very successfully
in standing water. Some areas, already wet from last spring’s rainstorms,
received six to eight inches of rain. As the mosquito eggs hatch this
week, the new young mosquitos will be looking for food, which in this
case is blood.

With the eggs already beginning to hatch, emergency measures are being
taken. Orange County is spraying and distribution of mosquito repellant
to those who ask for it, in priority order. The county will have 100,000
cases of mosquito repellant with the active ingredient deet. If you plan
to bring your own repellant, please make certain that it includes between
25-30 percent deet.

Court approves listing of train measure pricetag for ballot

Florida’s high-speed rail project was dealt another setback last week
when the Florida Supreme Court approved ballot language for the proposed
constitutional amendment repealing the previous amendment that forced
the state to go forward with the bullet train project. The approved version
of the language notes that the state could save an estimated $20-25 billion
over 30 years. When the original amendment was approved four years ago,
no cost estimate was included. The amendment will be on the ballot this
election day.

Pleasure Island update

We’ve now been able to confirm that the Pleasure Island price-reduction
test we reported on last week will run through December 30. During this
test period, not only will Pleasure Island one-night tickets be reduced
to $16.95 plus tax, but current Pleasure Island Annual Passholders will
be able to get an additional three months added to their Annual Pass by
visiting a Pleasure Island ticket booth. Guests purchasing a Pleasure
Island Annual Pass during this test also will get a Pleasure Island 15-Month
Multi-Club Pass.

Those who read the schedules at the bottom of the Update are probably
familiar with the schedule of nightly bands at the West End Stage and
three or four nights of music at the Rock and Roll Beach Club. Thanks
to the new open access to Pleasure Island’s walkways for all guests, it
appears that this configuration is coming to an end. As of the beginning
of September, Disney is cutting off entertainment at the West End Stage
and running nightly acts at the Rock and Roll Beach Club. This appears
to be intended to make Pleasure Island more of a “walk through but
don’t hang out unless you’re in the store. There’s no word yet on whether
this means that the nightly New Year’s Eve celebration will be ending
due to this.

Sea Raycer/Water Mouse policy clarification

We reported back in April that the requirements for renting recreational
boats had changed. Apparently, the changes are only for the new Sea Raycer
boats, due to the increased performance level of the boats. The locations
that continue to use the Water Mouse boats (Downtown Disney, Disney’s
Old Key West, Disney’s Caribbean Beach, Disney’s Port Orleans, Disney’s
Yacht and Beach Club and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resorts) will continue
to apply the old policy, which permits guests at least 12 years old and
5 feet tall to operate independently as long as the parent/legal guardian
signs for the child.

New AP rates expected imminently

Annual Passholder room discounts and fall Dream Maker packages are expected
to be released at any point, though they were not available as of press
time. Expect them to be available any day, covering August 29 through
December.

Ears to the ground

…We’re sorry to have scared those of you who read the Refurbishments
and Closures section last week. Disney had listed Liberty Square as being
closed from September 9 to 18 and we had resported it as such. They have
now clarified that it is the Liberty Square Riverboat that will
be down, and the correct dates are now September 5 to 18.

…The mermaid atop the fountain from Splash located near the Backlot
Tour at the Disney-MGM studios was broken off by Hurricane Charley, though
there are reports that the fountain has already been repaired.

Have any interesting news or rumors? Let
us know.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• “it’s a small world” – closed through March
  18, 2005 for rehab (info).
• 20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon – walled off to “clear
  the land as well as add landscape for future use” through November
  19, with the walls tentatively coming down on November 11.
• The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter – closed for good
  to be replaced with new Stitch’s Great Escape, scheduled to open
  October 1.
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – expected to remain
  open for the duration of the Stitch’s Great Escape construction, then
  will go down for major rehab.
• Timekeeper – seasonal – finished summer run on August
  14.
• Adventureland – opens with the rest of the park daily
  with the exception of the Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted
  Tiki Room – Under New Management, which open at 10 a.m.
• The Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear Jamboree
  – open at 10 a.m. every day.
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – remains open during its rehab.
  Work on the grandstand and other support areas runs through mid-August,
  track work through late September.
• Fantasyland Skyway building area – under rehab through
  September 30. The waterfall, bridge and pond to be replaced with a meet-and-greet
  for Snow White and a new stroller parking area for “it’s a small
  world.”
• Tom Sawyer Island – closed through September 25; Rivers of
  America unaffected.
• Jungle Cruise – closed through September 5.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – will not be operating September
  5 – 18.
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin – closed September 13 –
  October 15.
• Ariel’s Grotto – closed September 13 – November
  11 for theme-matching with the 20,000 Leagues Lagoon reclamation.
• The Hub area in front of the castle – undergoes more refurbishing
  in January 2005.
• Astro Orbiter – closed January 2 – February 16,
  2005.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant – closed January 10 –
  February 12, 2005.
• The Electrical Water Pageant on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake
  – will not be running through the end of the month. Damage to one
  of the floats from Hurricane Charley is still being repaired.

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 – returned from
  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’. Expected to resume upon completion of the
  construction.
• The Land pavilion – expected closure January – March
  2005 for completion of the Soarin’ attraction.
• 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 now open when the pavilion is open.
  The pavilion did not open this summer, which does not bode well for
  the future. However, it is expected to be open next January – March
  during the closure of The Land pavilion.

Disney-MGM Studios

• Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios – closed
  and demolished and construction 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.
• The Magic of Disney Animation – closes for rehab September
  13-24.
• New York Street – undergoing construction to change some
  facades to represent Chicago and San Francisco. Previously believed
  to be renamed Big City Street, the newly confirmed name of the area
  is the Streets of America Backlot. The target completion date:
  October 2.
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – returns this
  year on the Streets of America backlot, November 24 – January 2.

Animal Kingdom

• Pocahontas and her Forest Friends – closes September 7-11.
• Festival of the Lion King – closes September 16-18.
• The Boneyard – closes for rehab September 20 – October
  14.

Resorts

• Port Orleans Resort – Ongoing two-year extensive rehab
  of its rooms. Phase I’s 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 are resuming. Scheduled: Rapa
  Nui January 3 – April 1, 2005, Tahiti April 24 – August 17,
  2005. Tokelau, not yet refurbished, is not yet scheduled.
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort – The main pool closes September
  7 through mid-December to construct a new themed water slide.
• Disney’s BoardWalk Resort – portions of the resort will
  see work on the piping system take place in corridors outside guest
  rooms daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through summer 2005. No work is
  scheduled inside guest rooms.
• 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

• Blizzard Beach – closes for its annual rehab on October
  24..

Elsewhere

• Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through
  Saturdays, but closes 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. Open Thursday–Sunday, from
  11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Park Events

September 2004

• Tom Joyner Family Reunion Weekend (link).
  September 2–5.
• Disney’s Soccer Showcase Qualifier (link).
  September 4-6.
• 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 & 30, December 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, &
  17.
• Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney (link).
  November 26 – December 24.
• Holidays Around the World (link).
  November 26 – December 30.

December 2004

• Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships
  (link).
  December 5 – 11.
• Disney’s Soccer Showcase (link).
  December 27-January 2, 2005.
• 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 – April TBA.

April 2005

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (link).
  April 15 – June 5.

May 2005

• Star Wars Weekends (link).
  Weekends in May – June TBA.

June 2005

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

Current Discounts & Promotions

Last week to reserve room discounts through September

Discounts are available on rooms at Walt Disney World for stays from
August 29 through September 29. Reservations must be made by August 28.
Additional discounts were also announced for Annual Passholders, Florida
residents, and Canadian residents. See the Walt Disney World web site
(link)
or MouseSavers (link)
for more information.

Play 4 Days is back

The Florida Resident Play 4 Days Ticket allows Florida residents four
days of play in Disney’s four theme parks between July 30 and Nov. 21,
2004 for $119 per person ($126.74 including tax). Park-hopping is permitted
on the days used. The ticket is available at Disney theme parks, Florida
Disney Stores, and other locations such as Florida AAA offices. Proof
of Florida residency is required.

Last week to reserve September Dream Maker package discount

A new specially-priced Dream Maker package is available for most nights
from August 29 – September 29. The discount is on the room portion of
the package only. Reservations must be made by August 28. See the Walt
Disney World web site (link)
or MouseSavers (link)
for more information.

Last week to reserve special Night of Joy package available

A new Night of Joy Travel Package is available starting at $149 per
person, per night based on double adult occupancy at Disney Resort. The
Night of Joy Travel Package features: three-night accommodations at a
Disney Value Resort; one Ultimate Park Hopper Ticket good for all Walt
Disney World theme parks and more from check-in day through check-out
day; and one three-day Night of Joy Ticket for Disney’s 22nd annual Christian
music celebration in Magic Kingdom. The package also includes an Official
Walt Disney World Travel Company luggage tag (one per person), two souvenir
Disney trading pins and two lanyards (per room) plus a Choice Feature
such as miniature golf, a Leave a Legacy tile at Epcot or savings on a
dining experience at Planet Hollywood at Downtown Disney West Side. Reservations
must be made by August 28.

Rate reductions at Radisson Resort Parkway

Radission Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has reduced their rates
even more. Rates have been dropped effective immediately to September
levels. Book now through the end of September for ratest starting at $75.95.
In addition to these reduced rates, guests can receive a complimentary
upgrade to deluxe pool view accommodations for the remainder of 2004 simply
by typing in the code of ãUPGRä in the promotional field of the reservation.

Click here
for more information, or here
to make reservations now.

2005 rates will be available shortly.

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 – July 5 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.

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 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 October 2004.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through October 2004.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)