Dateline Disney - December 2003

DECEMBER 2003

Disney's Pop Century Resort Opens 2,880 Value-Category Rooms

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Beginning Dec. 14, 2003, guests will be able to take a spin back in time at Disney's Pop Century Resort, the newest value hotel opening at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests of all ages will groove to pop culture from the past in this 2,880-room time capsule. And they'll do it at Disney's value-category rates.

With rooms starting at $77 a night (rates based on season), the hotel will bring the total number of Disney-owned-and-operated value-category rooms across the 47-square-mile Walt Disney World Resort to more than 8,500.

Larger-than-life icons of 20th century popular culture can be found all over the sprawling resort property -- four-story Rubik's Cubes and Duncan Yo-Yos, 65-foot-tall Brunswick bowling pins and a four-story Big Wheel, to name a few. Individual lodge buildings pay tribute to popular culture from each decade.

With the addition of Disney's Pop Century Resort, Walt Disney World Resort features nearly 25,000 Disney owned-and-operated guestrooms across the 47-square-mile Vacation Kingdom.

For more information or reservations, guests may call 407/W-DISNEY or go online at disneyworld.com.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Turns Magic Kingdom
Into a Winter Wonderland for 12 Nights of Holiday Fun

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It's the most wonderful time of the year as Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party for 12 nights of holiday fun in November and December.

In 2003, the festive event will take place on Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 19. Each date will include:

Two nightly performances of "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade"
The spectacular new "Wishes" fireworks show, the largest pyrotechnics display ever presented at Magic Kingdom
Exclusive holiday entertainment, including stage shows with Disney characters
Character greetings throughout the theme park, including Santa Goofy
"Snow" flurries on Main Street, U.S.A.
A souvenir photo and button at no additional charge
Delicious holiday treats
Unlimited use of popular Magic Kingdom attractions including "Mickey's PhilharMagic," an all-new 3-D "sym-funny" in Fantasyland starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other classic Disney characters
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight and requires separate park admission. Advance tickets are $35.95 plus tax for ages 10 and up, $25.95 plus tax for ages 3-9. Same-day tickets are $41.95 plus tax for ages 10 and up, $31.95 plus tax for ages 3-9. Children under 3 are admitted at no additional charge.

For more information, call 407/934-7639 or visit disneyworld.com.

Fun Facts: Christmas 'By the Numbers' at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The December holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort promises to be spectacular. Here's a sample of what guests will experience during the festivities:

140 tractor-trailer truckloads of decorations across Walt Disney World Resort
14.2 miles of garland strung throughout the Vacation Kingdom
1,600 holiday trees at the 30,500-acre resort
11 countries dressed for Holidays Around the World at Epcot World Showcase
50-piece orchestra with live mass choir in harmony for Disney's Candlelight Processional, a celebration of holiday music at Epcot
30,000 synchronized lights in a sparkling canopy over the bridge between Future World and World Showcase at Epcot
1 65-foot-tall centerpiece tree at Epcot decorated with: 120 colorful yuletide banners; 30 languages of holiday greetings printed on the banners; 1 48-inch-tall angel placed atop the 780-inch tree
100 percent chance of "Florida snow" flurries during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, taking place on select holiday nights at Magic Kingdom
365 days of the year that guests can shop for holiday merchandise at the Disney Christmas Shop in Downtown Disney Marketplace

Music, Verse, International Traditions Combine for Holidays at Epcot

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A massed choir and 50-piece orchestra set the stage for a tradition rich in pageantry -- the Candlelight Processional -- Nov. 28 to Dec. 30 at Epcot.

Celebrity narrators join with the musicians and singers to retell the Christmas story several times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.

Special guest narrators (subject to change) for 2003 include: Andy Garcia (Nov. 28-30), Ben Vereen (Dec. 1-3), Rita Moreno (Dec. 4-6), Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap (Dec. 7-9), David Ogden Stiers (Dec. 10-12), Steven Curtis Chapman (Dec. 13-15), Edward James Olmos (Dec. 16-18), Sandi Patty (Dec. 19-21), Robby Benson (Dec. 22-24), Gary Sinise (Dec. 25-30).

Guests can purchase a special package that includes dinner at an Epcot restaurant plus preferred seating for the Candlelight Processional. For more information about the dinner package, guests may contact 407/WDW-DINE.

The Holidays Around the World celebration at Epcot also includes a nightly tree lighting ceremony plus a luminous light bridge that hugs the pathway to World Showcase Plaza. Storytellers at several World Showcase pavilions reveal holiday traditions and legends from around the world. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah observances are also featured.

Celebrate the Shopping Season 'Downtown' ...
Downtown Disney, That Is

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Downtown Disney rings in the magical shopping season with more than 50 unique stores and merchandise locations across the shopping, dining and entertainment district. The holiday celebration -- Festival of the Seasons -- includes festive holiday décor, carolers, nightly tree lighting and photo opportunities with Santa.

Pop Warner Super Bowl and
National Cheer and Dance Championships, Dec. 6-13

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- There is nothing "peewee" about it. NFL stars Derrick Brooks, Priest Holmes and Ricky Williams all got their start in Pop Warner football . . . and hundreds of youngsters participating in 65 games during the 2003 Pop Warner Super Bowl at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex Dec. 7-13 aspire to follow in their footsteps.

Nearly 70 percent of all current players in the National Football League played on the Pop Warner gridiron as kids.

Football competition at this year's Super Bowl will be divided into five divisions, broken down by age and size -- Midget (ages 11-14), Junior Pee Wee (8-10), Pee Wee (9-11), Junior Midget (10-12) and Junior Bantam (12-14). Competition will include more than 60 teams from across the country, and even some international representatives.

The Pop Warner Super Bowl is in its seventh year at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and its ninth year at Walt Disney World Resort.

Tickets may be purchased at Disney's Wide World of Sports box office. Single-day general admission ticket prices are $10.50 for adults and $7.75 for children (ages 3-9). Two-day ticket prices are $16 for adults and $11 for children. Three-day ticket prices are $24 for adults and $16.50 for children. Four-day ticket prices are $32 for adults and $22 for children.

For more information, guests may check online at disneyworldsports.com.

The Home Depot College Football Awards Show
Broadcasts from Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- College football's best players will be contending for top honors Dec. 11 at The Home Depot College Football Awards. The awards show will be broadcast on ESPN for the 13th straight year from Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's BoardWalk.

The Davey O'Brien Award (top quarterback), Doak Walker Award (top running back), Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player) and Maxwell Award (best all-around player) are just a few of the prestigious trophies that will be presented during the show. For the eighth consecutive year, the Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award will be presented to the nation's most inspirational player who overcomes adversity through his actions on and off the playing field.

ESPN college football anchor Chris Fowler will emcee the awards show, along with analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso.

Guests Can Go Behind the 'Screams' of "The Haunted Mansion" Movie

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney Imagineering has joined with Walt Disney Pictures to present the newest behind-the-"screams" adventure at Disney-MGM Studios: "The Making of 'The Haunted Mansion' Movie."

Presented on Soundstage 4 at the Walt Disney World theme park, the multi-media experience features massive props from Walt Disney Pictures' "The Haunted Mansion" movie -- including the mansion's grand staircase set, pipe organ and ornate fireplace. Displays also feature costuming, photographs and diagrams from the film. In addition, the attraction showcases the film's eye-popping special effects with commentary by members of the production team and crew.

Walt Disney Imagineers worked directly with filmmakers to bring authenticity and detail to the attraction, as well as show guests a bit of the magic that went into helping "The Haunted Mansion" haunt the silver screen. The behind-the-scenes experience will be presented to Disney-MGM Studios guests through March of 2004.

Walt Disney World Guests Enjoy "InspEARations" Through April 2004

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- In honor of Mickey Mouse's 75th anniversary, dozens of his friends have paid tribute to one of the world's most recognizable characters in a once-in-a-lifetime tribute called "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations," an artistic showcase on display in the Magic Kingdom through April 2004.

Unveiled at the Walt Disney World theme park in grand fashion on Nov. 18, 2003 -- 75 years to the day Mickey made his debut in "Steamboat Willie" -- 75 statues of Mickey Mouse salute the remarkable career of the beloved Disney icon.

The "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations" program brings together Disney Legends, artists, actors, athletes and musicians who lent their creative inspiration to 75 uniquely designed statues of the famous mouse -- each standing six feet tall and weighing 700 pounds.

Statue artists include stars such as Andre Agassi, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ellen DeGeneres, Annette Funicello, James Gandolfini, Andy Garcia, Jennifer Garner, Tom Hanks, Janet Jackson, Sir Elton John, Michelle Kwan, Susan Lucci, Shaquille O'Neal and John Travolta.

All 75 statues will be on display around the Magic Kingdom entrance through April 2004. Afterward, they'll visit cities across the United States and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., in fall 2004. Sotheby's will auction every statue in 2005 with all proceeds benefiting charities chosen by each artist.

For more information about the "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations" program, visit disneyconsumerproducts.com.

California Grill, Narcoossee's Feature Disney Dining
To Ring In New Year

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Disney's California Grill, with a bird's-eye view of the spectacular Magic Kingdom fireworks, is offering a special New Year's Eve party with a menu that includes dozens of the restaurant's award-winning classics, from sushi to butter-poached lobster, oak-grilled beef tenderloin and pumpkin ravioli. California wines are paired with the creations, and there is an open bar. The party starts at 8 p.m. Cost is $395 per person, $250 ages 3 to 11 (with a special children's menu). At midnight, a breakfast buffet will be served. Seating is limited.

Along Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Narcoossee's also is offering New Year's Eve celebration, including a six-course meal. Cost is $104.10, $52.05 ages 3 to 11. Wine pairings are available. Seating is limited.

For reservations, guests may call 407/WDW-DINE.

Blondie, Sugar Hill Gang Headline Downtown Disney Pleasure Island New Year's Eve Celebration

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Downtown Disney Pleasure Island will be alive with a giant New Year's Eve street party counting down to 2004 with Blondie, Sugar Hill Gang and Jeff Kashiwa.

The 8 p.m.-2 a.m. event also will feature delectable desserts, salty snacks, a champagne toast and a spectacular midnight fireworks display plus eight nightclubs with a variety of themed entertainment.

Tickets are $79 plus tax and are available through disneyworld.com or by calling 407/W-DISNEY. Guests must be 21 or older.