Walt Disney World Park Update

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News and Views

Three is not a magic number

For the first time in 118 years, four hurricanes have hit the same state.
Florida is now cleaning up from Hurricane Jeanne, the third major (Category
3 or higher) hurricane this year. Three of these hurricanes have hit the
Walt Disney World area. While Disney’s property has survived mostly intact,
the surrounding area becomes more and more devastated with each storm.
Power outages, gas shortages, flooding, trees uprooted and damaged and
destroyed homes abound. Words just can’t do justice to the devastation
visited upon Florida, and Central Florida in particular.

Jeanne hit the area as a Category 2 storm, and the weather station at
the top of the Swan/Dolphin complex measure a top wind speed of 83 mph.

Closing down

All Disney parks and recreation areas were closed by 7 p.m. on Saturday.
All evening shows scheduled for after 7:00, including Cirque du Soleil,
the second and third performances of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue, and the last
performance of the Spirit of Aloha Luau, were all cancelled. All park
hours for Sunday were cancelled, as was the International Distance Triathlon
scheduled to be run around the property that day. All guests at the Fort
Wilderness Resort & Campground, as well as those at Disney’s DVC resort
in Vero Beach, were moved to other Walt Disney World hotels.

Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando also closed their parks at 7 p.m.
on Saturday and kept them closed on Sunday.

Opening back up

It is expected that most, if not all, parks will be open today, but that
is subject to change depending on the damage assessment in the morning
and the ability of Cast Members to make it to the park. Typhoon Lagoon
will be closed. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will not open until Saturday.

Due to the impact of Hurricane Jeanne, the Coral Reef restaurant will
not be operating until Sunday, October 3. The Living Seas pavilion and
all dive programs (including Dolphins in Depth, Aquatour, and Dive Quest)
will be operating as normal beginning on Monday.

Now experienced with dealing with guests experiencing hurricane-fueled
cabin fever, Disney filled three channels with a continuous loop of movies,
including Armaggedon, The Count of Monte Cristo, Dead Poets Society, Pearl
Harbor, The Sixth Sense, Pirates of the Caribbean, Remember the Titans,
Shanghai Noon, Holes, The Parent Trap, The Little Mermaid, The Many Adventures
of Winnie the Pooh, Finding Nemo, Tarzan, Toy Story. Movies were segregated
by channel based on target audience, which was probably helpful to parents.

Airport closure

The Orlando International Airport closed at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and is
expected to open today at noon. There is some water in the main terminal
and airsides that is being assessed by airport staff. Travelers are being
asked to check with their airlines for the status of their flights.

Cruise Line changes

The Disney Cruise Line has modified the itineraries of the Disney
Wonder and Disney Magic because of the storm. The Wonder‘s
three night cruise to the Bahamas that left on September 23 was modified
to a four-night cruise to Cozumel, returning today to Port Everglades
in Fort Lauderdale. It will leave on a three-night cruise to the Bahamas,
pending port conditions, later today. The Magic‘s seven-night cruise
scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on Saturday, will instead be a
five-night cruise to Cozumel and Costa Maya leaving from Port Everglades
today. Disney is arranging transportation to get people to and from Port
Everglades, and is offering special incentives for people to choose to
cruise.

Much of the state of Florida has sustained significant damage. Six million
people across the state are without power. A great deal of flooding is
expected this week, as the runoff from the storm starts making its way
into lakes, rivers, and other waterways.

Help those in need

If you wish to offer assistance in any form, we suggest that you contact
the American Red Cross (link).

Disney’s fund for cast members who lost their homes or suffered other
losses, is accepting donations from other cast members and the general
public. You can contribute by calling the Vista Federal Credit Union at
800-83-VISTA (800-838-4782) or by mail to:

Vista Federal Credit Union

Attn: Cast Member Hurricane Relief Fund

13705 International Drive

South Orlando, FL 32821

Our thoughts and prayers here at MousePlanet are with those who have
been affected by all of this year’s hurricanes.

Time running out on Wonders of Life?

If you enjoy the Wonders of Life and you’d like one last chance to see
it, you may want to make reservations for the Thanksgiving or Christmas
holiday time. We are hearing that the pavilion may open for those peak
seasons to meet its quota to qualify for seasonal status, then close for
good after the beginning of the year (after Disney gets its $3-6 million
tax writeoff for running the attraction seasonally this year).

Apparently, Disney closed the pavilion in May during the test of evening
Extra Magic Hours. It had been planned to be open from 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
and had tremendous attendance at 9:00 (the fourth highest pavilion attendance-wise
that evening). About an hour and a half to two hours later, attraction
leads got a call from an executive saying “Close the pavliion, attendance
is bad,” so they had to close up an hour early. The pavilion hasn’t reopened
since. There is a rumor that Disney wanted to close either Spaceship Earth
or Wonders of Life that evening, and a higher-up was protective over Spaceship
Earth and decided on Wonders of Life. It’s starting to look like (as Mr.
Potato Head says in Toy Story) “Humpty Dumpty was pushed.”

Man dies after fall while getting on Universal Studios’ Mummy
ride

39-year-old Jose Valadez died last Wednesday following a fall onto the
track in front of the roller coaster cars in the boarding area of the
Revenge of the Mummy attraction at Universal Studios Florida on
Tuesday. Valadez, who was waiting for a liver transplant after being diagnosed
with hepatitis C, was taking a day off from filling out paperwork and
seeing doctors to visit the park with his wife. When they reached the
Mummy ride, she stayed outside with his wheelchair while he went into
the queue, mistakenly believing that the attraction was not wheelchair-accessible.

Valadez got to the boarding area, and when the air gates opened to load
the cars, somehow fell in front of the car. The air gates at the attraction
are mostly metal, though there is about a foot of flexible plastic at
the edge closest to the car. It is uncertain how he fell. When he fell,
he hit his head on the tracks. He then complained of stomach pains and
an inability to feel his leg.

Doctors at Orlando Regional Medical Center reportedly had to remove his
spleen. His liver condition complicated the procedure, and he died at
11 a.m. on Wednesday. His death was ruled accidental following an autopsy
on Thursday.

Universal reportedly closed off the front row of the coaster during its
investigation, and stationed extra employees at each loading station to
stand between riders and the track. This is the second fatal accident
at Universal in a year. A woman died after passing out on the Incredible
Hulk roller coaster at the Islands of Adventure park last September. A
camera at the ride may have captured Valadez’ fall, but Universal is not
releasing the videotape to the media. The medical examiner’s office has
seen the tape.

Valadez’ wife has said that she does not plan to sue Universal.

Radisson Resort Parkway announces rates through 2005

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates
through the end of 2005, and has reduced their rates for much of the rest
of this year. Guests can receive a complimentary upgrade to deluxe pool
view accommodations for the remainder of 2004 simply by typing in the
code of “UPGR” in the promotional field of the reservation.

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

Ears to the ground

…Apparently, the reason that the planned reopening of the sea cabs
at Epcot’s The Living Seas pavilion never happened is because there is
a small leak in the tank in the area of the ride. The substantial cost
involved in fixing this has delayed the return of the sea cabs indefinitely.

…Despite rumors to the contrary, Imagineering is still looking at
a possible renovation/refurbishment/rehabilitation of Spaceship Earth.

…Tom McAlpin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the
Disney Cruise Line, has been promoted to President of the operation following
the departure of former president Karl Holz to become president and chief
operating officer of Euro Disney SAS.

…Cypress Gardens has set November 18 as its opening day. We’re not
sure whether or not there’s any symbolism to the opening on Mickey Mouse’s

birthday.

…Payment in full is now required at reservation time for the Hoop-Dee-Doo
Revue, Spirit of Aloha Luau Dinner Show, and Mickey’s Backyard Barbeque.
Full refunds will be given for cancellations at least 48 hours in advance.
If the show is part of resort package, guests must provide a credit card
to guarantee their reservation, and it will be charged if the guest is
a no-show or if the reservation is cancelled less than 48 hours in advance.

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. Latest word is
  AP/DVC previews November 5-7, official grand opening press event November
  16, soft openings TBA.


• 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 – opens seasonally.


• 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.


• 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.”


• 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.


• Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade ? will not be operating September
  18 – October 9.


• 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
  – was reportedly back in operation on August 23 following faster-than-expected
  repairs to one of the floats damaged by Hurricane Charley.

Epcot

• The Universe of Energy – may close for a short rehab at
  any time to remove the ExxonMobil signage that has remained for an inexplicably
  long time since its pavilion sponsorship ended.


• Food Rocks – closed permanently to make way for the entrance
  to the new Soarin’ 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.


• 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

• 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 is closed
  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 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

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

• Twirl Mania – The Twirler’s Championships (link).
  February 18 – 21.


• 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.


• Walt Disney World® Inline Marathon (link).
  April 30 – May 1.

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

Room and Dream Maker discounts through December

Room discount codes for Annual Passholders, Florida residents, and regular
guests were announced last Wednesday by Walt Disney World, as were codes
for Dream Maker packages. The available rooms were snapped up at a record
pace, and some days are already sold out of rooms available at the discount.
The codes are good through Christmas Day. (Though if you check in before
that date and leave later, you may be able to apply the code to your whole
stay.) Reservations must be made by October 10. Dream Maker rates start
from $326 per adult, $233 per junior (ages 10-17) and $188 per child for
3 nights at a Disney World Value Resort. 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.

Radisson Resort Parkway announces rates through 2005

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates
through the end of 2005, and has reduced their rates for much of the rest
of this year. Guests can receive a complimentary upgrade to deluxe pool
view accommodations for the remainder of 2004 simply by typing in the
code of “UPGR” in the promotional field of the reservation.

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

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.

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 November 2004.

Entertainment Schedule

Hours and entertainment schedules are currently
available through November 2004.

Theme Park Events

Downtown Disney Entertainment

(Separate admission required)