define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true); February 2007 » Disney World Today
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Walt Disney World Guests Losing Wait, Having More Fun By Using Disney’s FASTPASS System

February 21, 2007
Filed In Vacation Planning

Offered at no additional charge to all Walt Disney World theme park guests

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Talk about losing “wait “and having more fun: Disney’s FASTPASS is a computerized system that gives guests an alternative to standard “lines” at many popular attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

Since the debut of Disney’s FASTPASS in summer 1999, the system has expanded to include 26 attractions — at least five in each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. Magic Kingdom features a whopping nine FASTPASS attractions. At FASTPASS attractions, guests can choose the regular wait line or put any valid theme park ticket into a special machine and receive a FASTPASS ticket denoting a one-hour window of time when they can return and enter the attraction with little or no wait.

Currently, Disney’s FASTPASS is offered on the following Walt Disney World attractions:

  • Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Peter Pan’s Flight, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, “Mickey’s PhilharMagic;” Stitch’s Great Escape!
  • Epcot: Test Track, “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience,” Living With The Land, Maelstrom, Mission: SPACE, Soarin’
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror, Star Tours, “Voyage of the Little Mermaid,” “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!”
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris, “It’s Tough to be a Bug,” Primeval Whirl, Expedition Everest

FASTPASS, Step-By-Step

Disney’s FASTPASS is a guest enhancement at Walt Disney World Resort enabling guests to have an alternative to waiting in lines for many of the most-popular attractions. There is no additional charge to use the FASTPASS service. Here’s how it works:

  • Ticketed guest or annual passholder enters the park main entrance gate.
  • Guest visits any attraction offering the FASTPASS service. Here, guest has the option of waiting in the regular standby line or choosing FASTPASS.
  • If the FASTPASS option is chosen, a guest inserts his or her theme park ticket into the FASTPASS machine. Out comes the FASTPASS denoting when to return to the attraction. Holders of FASTPASS are given a one-hour window for their return — for example, 10:05-11:05 a.m. That means the guest cannot enter the attraction using FASTPASS before 10:05 but is free to return at any time during the designated one-hour window.
  • Upon returning at the designated time, the guest heads straight for the FASTPASS entrance and proceeds directly to the attraction pre-show or boarding area with little or no wait.
  • Guests are able to get several FASTPASS tickets during a day in the Disney theme parks. However, they cannot immediately obtain multiple FASTPASS tickets. How often can they get one? While the answer varies, it is printed on the guest’s current FASTPASS ticket.

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“Finding Nemo-The Musical” Fact Sheet

February 14, 2007
Filed In Animal Kingdom

Description: A stage musical based on the Disney•Pixar Academy Award-winning animated film "Finding Nemo" that takes guests into the magical ocean world with larger-than-life puppets, plus a cast of 18 musical theater actors and dancers.

Venue: 1,500-seat Theater in the Wild in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Theater has been completely enclosed, and production and technical facilities have been enhanced to accommodate first-class theatrical productions.

Story: Guests thrill to the first Disney•Pixar film adapted into a Broadway-caliber musical. "Finding Nemo-The Musical" tells the story of the overly cautious father clownfish, Marlin, along with his absent-minded friend Dory, as they swim with the sharks, take on the jellyfish and ride the current with Crush the turtle, all in a heroic effort to rescue everyone’s favorite clownfish, Nemo.

Book, Music and Lyrics: Original songs by Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" co-composer-creator Robert Lopez and a cappella musical "Along the Way" co-creator Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Songs included in the production are: 1. In The Big Blue World, 2. The Drop Off, 3. Dory’s Ditty, 4. Fish Are Friends Not Food, 5. Where’s My Dad?, 6. We Swim Together, 7. Just Keep Swimming, 8. Not My Dad (Reprise, Song 5), 9. Go With The Flow, 10. That’s My Dad (Reprise, Song 5), 11. We Swim Together (Reprise), 12. Finale – The Big Blue World (Reprise).

Key Creative Team: Show Director Peter Brosius is artistic director of The Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis. Choreography is by two-time Tony nominee John Carrafa. This production is the first major musical produced for Walt Disney World Resort by Disney Creative Entertainment. Creative director is Michael Jung.

Design Elements: Michael Curry is the leading puppet and production designer who co-designed the imaginative puppets seen in the Broadway version of Disney’s "The Lion King."

Show Length: 30 minutes, several times daily.

Details: "Finding Nemo-The Musical" is included with regular Disney’s Animal Kingdom park admission. Guest information is available by calling 407/824-4321 or by visiting disneyworld.com.

 

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‘Finding Nemo-The Musical’ Makes Splash In Live Stage Spectacular at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

February 14, 2007
Filed In Animal Kingdom

 

Mesmerizing Puppetry Takes the Stage in Disney Production

 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The undersea world that charmed audiences around the world in the Disney-Pixar smash-hit film "Finding Nemo" comes to life in a musical stage show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 

Featuring original songs by Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" co-composer-creator Robert Lopez and a cappella musical "Along the Way" co-creator Kristen Anderson-Lopez, "Finding Nemo-The Musical" immerses Walt Disney World guests in the story of Marlin and Nemo — an overprotective clownfish father and his curious son — through a dazzling production that combines puppets, dancers, aerialists and animated backdrops.

The visually inventive show represents the first time Disney has taken a non-musical animated feature, as well as the first Pixar film, and transformed it into an original musical production. It is presented in the enclosed 1,500-seat Theater in the Wild, completely redone to accommodate first-class theatrical productions.

"In ‘Finding Nemo,’ directors Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich and the talented team at Pixar created a film filled with unforgettable characters and a story rich with honest emotions that resonated with audiences everywhere," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "The movie was a worldwide box-office success and an Academy Award winner.

"We are truly excited to bring this beloved story to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in this live musical spectacular."

During "Finding Nemo-The Musical," Theater in the Wild becomes a colorful, "coralful" undersea world through innovative lighting, sound, special effects, animated projections, and the theatrical puppetry of Michael Curry, who co-designed the richly detailed character puppets seen in the Broadway version of Disney’s "The Lion King."

Principal characters such as Marlin, Nemo and Dory are represented by live performers operating animated puppets. Some puppets are larger-than-life — such as Crush, the cool sea turtle, who is nearly the size of a Volkswagen, and Nigel the pelican, who stands 22 feet tall.

Other characters are portrayed by a diverse array of puppetry styles, including rod, Bunraku and shadow. Tap dancing sharks, puppets riding bicycles, and a punk rock routine by Bruce the shark create theatrical magic and fun throughout the big blue world.

"It is our goal to bring the undersea ‘Nemo’ characters to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in a live setting in a way that captures what is truly special about the film," Rasulo continued. "This production meets that challenge in a dynamic and wholly original way to bring us into the fantastic ocean world."

The director for the show, Peter Brosius, is artistic director of The Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, winner of the 2003 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The Broadway show "A Year with Frog and Toad," nominated for the Best Musical Tony Award, originated at The Children’s Theatre Company.

"Finding Nemo-The Musical" is the first major musical produced for Walt Disney World Resort by Disney Creative Entertainment, which has received acclaim for its productions around the world, including "Disney’s Aladdin" (at Disneyland Resort in California), "Festival of the Lion King" (at Hong Kong Disneyland), "Twice Charmed" (on the Disney Cruise Line) and "The Golden Mickeys" (at Hong Kong Disneyland and on the Disney Cruise Line).

"Finding Nemo-The Musical" tells the story of a father clownfish, Marlin, and his son, Nemo, each on a separate journey that ultimately teaches them how to love and understand each other. The two have been separated — and Marlin will stop at nothing to get his son back, facing undersea challenges with his new friend Dory, who swim with the sharks, take on the jellyfish, and ride the current with Crush the turtle. Meanwhile, Nemo, relocated to a fish tank in Sydney, makes new friends who teach him that he’s stronger than he thinks. When news of his father’s heroic journey reaches the tank, Nemo is inspired to do whatever is necessary to escape the tank and see his father again.

"Finding Nemo-The Musical" is a 30-minute show, performed several times daily. Admission to Theater in the Wild is included with regular Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park admission. Guest information is available by calling 407/824-4321 or by visiting disneyworld.com.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park celebrates one amazing adventure after another with wild animals, exciting attractions, lavish stage shows and lovable characters. Highlights include a runaway train adventure, an authentic African safari and a thrilling race back in time to prehistoric worlds.

 

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Walt Disney World Recreation Facts on Prices (Revised: October 2008. Rates subject to change.)

February 12, 2007
Filed In Water Parks & Recreation


ACTIVITIES

Bass fishing excursion

  • 2-hour (up to 5 guests) — *$230-$260
  • 4-hour (up to 5 guests) — *$445
  • Additional hour — *$110

Horseback riding — *$42 (min. age 9 yrs)

Carriage rides — *$35 per 1/2 hour

Wagon rides — $8 age 10+; $5 age 3-9

Parasailing

  • Single — $95

     
  • Tandem — $170

Scuba diving (DiveQuest) — $150 for 3 hours

Dolphins in Depth — $150 for 3 hours

Epcot Seas Aqua Tour — $115 for 2 1/2 hours

Tennis

  • court time (Grand Floridian) — *$10.65 per hour
  • court time (other resorts) — first come basis
  • private lesson — $80 per hour
  • play the professional — $80 per hour
  • group clinic — $15/person

Archery — $25 for 1 1/2 hours

Wakeboarding — $155 per hour

Water skiing — $170 per hour

EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Bicycles — *$8 per hour; $22 per day
Canoes/Kayaks — *$6.93 per 1/2 hour
Sea Raycer by Sea Ray — *$34.08 per 1/2 hour
Pedal boat — *$6.93 per 1/2 hour
12′ Sailboat — *$20 per hour
SunTracker pontoon — *$47.93 per 1/2 hour
Surrey bikes — *$20.24-$22.37 per 1/2 hour

WATER PARKS

Blizzard Beach — $40

  • child (ages 3-9) — $34

Typhoon Lagoon — $40

  • child (ages 3-9) –$34

DISNEYQUEST

  • General (ages 10-up) — $40
  • Child (ages 3-9) — $34

RICHARD PETTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE

  • Riding Experience — *$116.09
  • Rookie Experience — *$424.94-$478.19
  • King’s Experience — *$850.94-$904.19
  • Experience of a Lifetime — *$1,330.19-$1,383.44
MINIATURE GOLF

Fantasia Gardens — *$12.52

  • Child (ages 3-9) — *$10.39

Winter Summerland — *$12.52

  • Child (ages 3-9) — *$10.39

*Tax included

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Walt Disney World Recreation Facts on Prices (Revised: October 2008. Rates subject to change.)

February 12, 2007
Filed In Vacation Planning


ACTIVITIES

Bass fishing excursion

  • 2-hour (up to 5 guests) — *$230-$260
  • 4-hour (up to 5 guests) — *$445
  • Additional hour — *$110

Horseback riding — *$42 (min. age 9 yrs)

Carriage rides — *$35 per 1/2 hour

Wagon rides — $8 age 10+; $5 age 3-9

Parasailing

  • Single — $95

     
  • Tandem — $170

Scuba diving (DiveQuest) — $150 for 3 hours

Dolphins in Depth — $150 for 3 hours

Epcot Seas Aqua Tour — $115 for 2 1/2 hours

Tennis

  • court time (Grand Floridian) — *$10.65 per hour
  • court time (other resorts) — first come basis
  • private lesson — $80 per hour
  • play the professional — $80 per hour
  • group clinic — $15/person

Archery — $25 for 1 1/2 hours

Wakeboarding — $155 per hour

Water skiing — $170 per hour

EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Bicycles — *$8 per hour; $22 per day
Canoes/Kayaks — *$6.93 per 1/2 hour
Sea Raycer by Sea Ray — *$34.08 per 1/2 hour
Pedal boat — *$6.93 per 1/2 hour
12′ Sailboat — *$20 per hour
SunTracker pontoon — *$47.93 per 1/2 hour
Surrey bikes — *$20.24-$22.37 per 1/2 hour

WATER PARKS

Blizzard Beach — $40

  • child (ages 3-9) — $34

Typhoon Lagoon — $40

  • child (ages 3-9) –$34

DISNEYQUEST

  • General (ages 10-up) — $40
  • Child (ages 3-9) — $34

RICHARD PETTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE

  • Riding Experience — *$116.09
  • Rookie Experience — *$424.94-$478.19
  • King’s Experience — *$850.94-$904.19
  • Experience of a Lifetime — *$1,330.19-$1,383.44
MINIATURE GOLF

Fantasia Gardens — *$12.52

  • Child (ages 3-9) — *$10.39

Winter Summerland — *$12.52

  • Child (ages 3-9) — *$10.39

*Tax included

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Disney Honeymoons Are a Fairy Tale Come True

February 9, 2007
Filed In Vacation Planning


For Those Who Say ‘I Do,’ Disney Can Offer the World

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Who hasn’t dreamed of seeing the world on their honeymoon? Having a quiet dinner at a Parisian bistro, a moonlit walk on a secluded white sand beach or sightseeing at an enchanted castle? Only Walt Disney World Resort can offer this, and more, on the same trip.
 
Disney’s Fairy Tale Honeymoons let couples choose the getaway of their dreams. Newlyweds can explore all four theme parks, sail away on board Disney Cruise Lineor relax in an oceanfront room at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.

The adventure begins prior to arrival. Any special arrangement, from a fun excursion to dinner reservations, can be made in advance.

During the honeymoon itself, guests will receive a number of romantic amenities to make their honeymoon a memorable one. Happy couples can customize their Magic Your Way vacation package to fit their specific honeymoon needs. Packages can include accommodations, theme park tickets, dining or additional recreational activities.
 
The door to true romantic opportunity is found in the 40-square-mile entertainment kingdom that is Walt Disney World Resort. Some of the most enjoyable activities for guests include:
  • A magical walk through the park – Whether it’s walking through the past along Main Street, U.S.A. or watching as the sun fades over Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom endures as a delightfully romantic experience. Not to be outdone, Epcot allows visitors to see the world in the exploration of 11 nations in World Showcase. Guests can take in the glamour of show business at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or take a plunge down The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. For adventurers, Disney’s Animal Kingdom boasts Expedition Everest, a high-speed train ride to Mount Everest where the legend of the yeti comes to life.
  • Being a good sport –Want to play the same course as Tiger Woods? Disney offers five golf courses. Spa treatments, horseback riding, tennis or a day at one of Disney’s two water parks are just what the doctor ordered for an active, yet relaxing, honeymoon.

     
  • The night comes alive – At Downtown Disney, interactive DisneyQuest presents high-tech adventure, and the Cirque du Soleil production, La Nouba, is a wonder of theatrics, acrobatics, live music and breathtaking stunts.
  •  Delicious relaxation –No evening would be complete without a stellar meal. California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a majestic view overlooking Magic Kingdom, as well as the scrumptious cuisine and a list of award-winning California wines. Perhaps a fresh catch at Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk? The sheer variety and diversity of the Walt Disney World restaurants allow for many memorable meals.
  • Launching a marriage –By taking a cruise with Disney Cruise Line, guests can choose between a 3- or 4-night trip to Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, or take a 7-night Caribbean cruise through the islands of St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. John and Castaway Cay. Aboard the ship, guests enjoy many activities. From dinner at Animator’s Palate, where the restaurant transforms from black and white to full color during your meal, to three Broadway-style stage shows, the Disney magic truly expands to the sea. 
  •  Finishing touch – Just a short two-hour drive from Walt Disney WorldResort is Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Guests can search for seashells or toast their new marriage on the balcony of the oceanfront lounge.

With a Disney’s Fairy Tale Honeymoon, Disney specialists take care of everything so lovebirds can focus on each other. There are offerings in a variety of price ranges.

With Disney’s Honeymoon Registry, couples also may complete a gift registry for elements to comprise an all-inclusive honeymoon to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club. The customized registry is divided into specific categories such as “adventure,” “exotic,” “relaxing,” “luxury” and “distinctly Disney” to compliment couples’ personal interests. Couples can even personalize their online registry page.

For more information or to book a Disney Honeymoon, call 321/939-4623 or visit the Web site at disneyhoneymoons.com.
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La Nouba HIGHLIGHTS

February 9, 2007
Filed In Downtown Disney

On December 23rd, 1998, Cirque du Soleil premiered an
all-new production, La Nouba, in a brand new theater,
custom-designed and built for Cirque du Soleil. This
state-of-the-art theater is located in the heart of Downtown Disney
West Side in the Walt Disney World Resort.

In January 2007, 12 artists of La Nouba performed a fast track routine in the Super Bowl pre-game show.

A few facts about the show…

  • La Nouba comes from the French phrase “faire la nouba”,
    which means to party, to live it up. La Nouba transforms the
    ordinary into the extraordinary, engaging the imagination from
    beginning to end with opulent sets, brilliant choreography,
    theatrical lighting and provocative live music.
  • La Nouba enjoyed its 4000th performance on June 12, 2007. The 6:00 p.m. show.
  • The 90-minute performance (no intermission) plays at 6:00 p.m.
    & 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The show is dark on
    Sunday and on Monday.
  • Tickets are $65, $81, $99 and $114 for adults (plus tax) and $52, $65, $79 and $91 for children ages
    3 to 9 (plus tax). Tickets can be purchased at the box office, at
    the plaza level of the theater, by calling (407) 939-7600 or on cirquedusoleil.com or disneyworld.com.
  • Gift certificates can be purchased at the theater’s box office
    or by calling (407) 934-7639.

    • About the theater…

  • The 1,671-seat theater is the first freestanding permanent
    structure ever built for Cirque du Soleil. Set Designer
    Michel Crête of Cirque du Soleil, Michel Aubé of
    Scéno Plus, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the architects of
    the Rockwellgroup of New York collaborated on the overall design of
    the building.
  • Visitors are invited to shop at the Cirque du Soleil Store
    located at the plaza level of the building and at the sales
    counters located in the theater lobby.

    • About the cast…

  • 14 countries are represented in the 67-artist cast of La Nouba: 18 are from Russia, 14 from Canada, 10 from the USA, 5 from China, 4 from Ukraine, 5 from Brazil, 3 from Poland, 2 from France, 2 from Peru, and 1 each from Australia, Great Britain, Mexico and Spain.
  • The average age of the La Nouba cast is 31 1/2.
  • The cast is made up of funambulists, dancers, tumblers, trapeze
    performers, equilibrists, clowns, actors, acro-gymnasts, cyclists,
    musicians, vocalists, and circus artists.

    • ##

    La Nouba Credits

    Writer & Director: Franco Dragone

    Director of Creation: Gilles Ste-Croix

    Costume Designer: Dominique Lemieux

    Set Designer: Michel Crête

    Lighting Designer: Luc Lafortune

    Composer and Musical Director: Benoit Jutras

    Choreographer: Debra Brown

    Sound Co-Designers: Jonathan Deans, François Bergeron

    The mission of Cirque du Soleil

    Invoke the Imagination

    Provoke the Senses

    Evoke the Emotions

    For more information about Cirque du Soleil, please visit our Web site at cirquedusoleil.com

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    DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park Offers Families One-of-A-Kind World of Virtual Fun

    February 9, 2007
    Filed In Downtown Disney

    LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Fantasy adventures featuring cutting-edge virtual reality technology and classic Disney worlds await guests of all ages when they step inside DisneyQuest, a five-story, indoor interactive theme park that combines Disney’s magic with state-of-the-art immersive technologies at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s R&D and theme park design group, has created an entertaining mix of adventures to be enjoyed by the entire family at DisneyQuest.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold takes a crew of four into a 3-D world overflowing with swashbuckling action in a race for the gold.
  • Virtual Jungle Cruise allows guests to climb aboard a real river raft, grab a paddle and shoot the rapids down a prehistoric river.
  • Cyber Space Mountain is a design-it-yourself virtual roller coaster that can be as tame or as wild as your imagination, with loops, turns and dips delivered by a high-tech motion simulator.
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Astroblasters is an action-packed game where guests pilot a futuristic bumper car and shoot cannonballs at attackers.
  • Animation Academy introduces aspiring artists to the world of Disney animation by revealing the techniques of drawing favorite Disney characters.

    • The thrills and adventures of DisneyQuest are delivered in an awe-inspiring 100,000-square-foot purple and aquamarine building, a standout structure within the exciting Downtown Disney West Side dining and entertainment district.

    FoodQuest is a quick-service restaurant serving salads, pastas, wraps, burgers and desserts.  An on-site retail shop offers a wide variety of DisneyQuest merchandise.

    DisneyQuest is open daily from 11:30 a.m. until midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Admission is $40 plus tax and $34 plus tax for guests ages 3-9. All guests age 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. DisneyQuest is an ideal venue for group events as well. For more information regarding DisneyQuest or group rates, call 407/828-4600, or visit www.disneyquest.com.

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