Michael Phelps
(pictured in the video on the right - click the play button to start and
hear more)
waves to fans Friday, August 29, 2008, at the Magic Kingdom during a
"Homecoming Parade" in his honor. The record-setting swimmer received a
hero's welcome, with thousands of flag-waving park guests joining in to
celebrate his accomplishments in the Beijing Games.
The
Walt Disney World resort has announced internally that it will be
discontinuing the current wristband policy for evening Extra Magic Hours
effective September 7, 2008. In lieu of showing wristbands at each operating
attraction, eligible resort Guests will now be required to show their Key to
the World Card or eligible Resort ID/Key. This procedure was previously
tested for several days in February 2008 at the Magic Kingdom park.
The local Florida
newspapers are reporting
a large-scale
renovation is ahead for Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. The campground
upgrade will feature new "extra-extra-large" recreational vehicle pads,
Segway scooter tours, a mini-water park, a dog park and an improved
electric-cart rental operation, the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday.
Linda
Profaizer, president and chief executive officer of the National Association
of RV Parks & Campgrounds, praised Disney's efforts to upgrade Fort
Wilderness, saying her recent visits had told her it was time for some
updating.
Epcot guests
will be treated to a new interactive attraction inspired by Disney Channel’s
animated series, Kim Possible. Using the latest technology, "Disney’s Kim
Possible World Showcase Adventure" invites guests of all ages to become
secret agents, teaming up with members of Team Possible to save the world
from various comical villains and their mad inventions. Guests can play the
adventure in seven of the World Showcase pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China,
Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom. Each pavilion features a unique
mission including distinctive visual events and a different super villain
from the series. The experience is slated to premiere in late 2008.
Calendar Released for February 2009
The
Walt Disney
World Resort has released it's
Extra Magic Hours, Operating and Event schedules for February 2009. For
guests visiting during this time, you will want to visit the
Park Hours and
Events pages to aid in planning your trip. Remember, all times and
schedules are subject to change, so check back often.
August 20, 2008
Tropical Storm Fay Updates
The
Walt Disney World Resort safely withstood the wind and rain associated with
Tropical Storm Fay and has returned to normal operations in all areas. The
Disney Cruise Line continues to monitor the storm very closely. Tropical
Storm Fay has stalled along the eastern coast of Florida near Port
Canaveral, and its path is uncertain at this point. For this reason, Port
Canaveral has been closed by the Port Authority and the August 21, 2008
sailing of the Disney Wonder will set sail on its 3-night itinerary from
Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The
13th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will begin taking
reservation bookings at 7 a.m. EST Monday, August 25, for the 2008 ticketed
events. Events can be booked by calling (407) WDW-DINE. During the
six-week-long festival September 29 through November 9, Future World and
World Showcase will overflow with food, wine and beer experiences. Park
admission is required unless otherwise noted.
Walt Disney World
officials are monitoring the approach of Tropical Storm Fay. At this time
all parks and attractions are expected to be open, at least during the
morning hours. As a convenience to guests all four parks will open at 8:00
a.m. on Tuesday, August 19. Disney Quest will open at 9:00, and AMC theaters
will open at 10:00. As the storm center arrives in Central Florida during
the afternoon hours, the impact of winds and rain on the parks will be
continuously evaluated. It may be necessary to close some parks or
attractions at that time.
Disney
has released discount rates on Magic Your Way packages for guests
vacationing at Walt Disney World September 28 – November 25, November 29 –
December 3 and December 13-23, 2008. Ask for code DGL for the Basic Magic Your Way
package, code QXD for Magic Your Way Plus Dining or code UVL for the Deluxe
Dining package. For
details on these and other special rates call INTERCOT's Official Travel
Agency, Magical Journeys at 1-570-785-3283, or visit their
website and fill out a quote form.
Tyrannosaurus Rex Goes to Disney World
A two-story tall
dinosaur arrived on a flatbed truck at Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney
district this week. The dinosaur will be featured inside a new restaurant,
currently under construction, called "T-Rex: a Prehistoric Family
Adventure." Developed by Schussler Creative, Inc. and operated by Landry's
Restaurants, the 600-seat restaurant will feature dinosaurs, waterfalls,
bubbling geysers and a fossil dig site. "T-Rex" will open mid October 2008.
August
13, 2008
Annual Passholder Discounts Announced Disney
has
released room-only discounts, at select resorts, for Annual Passholders
vacationing between September 28 - December 23, 2008. Discounts for value
season include select Value Resorts for $54+, Moderate Resorts from $99+ and
Deluxe Resorts from $+184 per night. The rates increase on the weekend. Ask
for code PWE. The number of rooms offered at these rates is limited. For
details contact INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency, Magical Journeys at
1-570-785-3283, or visit their
web site and fill out a quote form.
Food & Wine Kiosk Line-Up Announced
The
Walt Disney World Resort has released the line-up of food and beverage
kiosks that will be offered during the 2008 Epcot International Food & Wine
Festival. Fitting with the "Great Food Cities" theme, most of this year's
kiosks are named after specific cities rather than whole countries/states.
In addition to the line-up, tentative partial offerings have been announced
for each location. The annual event kicks off on September 26 and runs
through November 9, 2008.
Walt Disney World Ticket Price Increase!
Disney
ticket prices for its parks in Orlando have increased
effective
August 3, 2008.
A basic one-day, one-park ticket will cost $75 plus tax, up from $71. Pass
prices for Florida residents and Annual Passholders have gone up as well.
The new ticket and admission prices can be found
here.
Disney
has released the details and prices for the 2009 Vacation Packages. For
more information and to book your vacation for 2009, contact INTERCOT's
Official Travel Agency, Magical Journeys at 1-570-785-3283, or visit their
web site and fill out a quote form.