Dateline Disney - February 2004

FEBRUARY 2004

Disney Delivers Romantic Reasons for Valentine's Day Visits

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It's a love fest for Valentines Day 2004. At Walt Disney World Resort -- home to Cinderella and Prince Charming, Beauty and the Beast and, of course, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse -- the love bug is sure to bite all couples who want to make their own fairy tale dream come true.

With Donald and Daisy, Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel and Prince Eric and other famous Disney couples setting the romance stage, lovebirds are sure to feel their hearts beating a little faster and their pulse pounding because "love is in the air." Here are just a few reasons why industry experts call Walt Disney World Resort one of the nation's top romantic destinations:

Disney Dining Cooks Up Romance -- Make your reservations now to attend a special Valentine's dinner Feb. 14 at the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney-MGM Studios. Open to only 100 guests, the evening starts with a reception featuring grilled naan with smoked salmon, winter melon shots finished with champagne and charred tuna rare. Chef Tim Oakley and his culinary cast of chefs have crafted a romantic third course meal and wine pairings of oysters with a Beaujolais poached egg, duck confit, roasted filet mignon with Maine lobster tart, foie gras and braised pears. Pastry chef Isaac Tamada has designed a signature Valentine's Day dessert: Pele's decadent flourless chocolate torte. For reservations, call 407/WDW-DINE (939-3463).

Guests get cozy at a table for two at Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, one of the most romantic dinner spots located in Walt Disney World Resort. Victoria & Albert's, recipient of the prestigious AAA Five-Diamond Award for the fourth year in a row, combines Royal Doulton china, Sambonet silver, personalized menus and soft harp music as maids and butlers -- all named Victoria or Albert -- provide superb service in the intimate setting. The evening ends with a vibrant finishing touch: a long-stemmed red rose for the ladies. For reservations, call 407/WDW-DINE (939-3463).

Togethering at the Spa -- Imagine sharing a luxurious spa treatment with that someone special. The Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club, in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, features a "Couples Room" where guests can enjoy specialized spa treatments -- including facials, massages and hydro-therapy -- with the one they love. For information, call 407/824-2332.

Don't Rock the Boat -- The Grand Floridian's Grand 1 -- an elegant 44-foot yacht -- gives couples, or parties up to 12, a stunning view of the new "Wishes" fireworks cascading above Magic Kingdom on select evenings as the craft cruises along Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Canoodle under the glow of Cinderella Castle all while partaking in the private butler service and gourmet meals catered just to your taste buds. Romantic evening cruises include a captain and private deck hand. For reservations, call 407/824-2439.

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Downtown Disney Pleasure Island Makes Merriment
During Mardi Gras

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Downtown Disney Pleasure Island becomes a New Orleans-style street party during the annual Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 20, 21 and 24. Costumed stilt walkers, jugglers and magicians entertain guests in the streets while, in true Mardi Gras style, beads and other trinkets are tossed to partygoers at locations throughout Pleasure Island.

Crawdaddio and Funky Blues Messiah will keep the party going with live musical performances at West End Stage and The Jazz Company. The Mardi Gras celebration is included with regular Pleasure Island admission of $19.95 plus tax per person.

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February Marks Start of Atlanta Braves Spring Training
At Disney's Wide World of Sports

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The National League East Division champion Atlanta Braves, the winningest team in the major leagues over the past 13 years, return in 2004 for their seventh full season of spring training at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The month of February is the perfect opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with their favorite Braves stars. Pitchers and catchers begin workouts on Feb. 20, and the full squad hits the field on Feb. 25. Fans can seek out autographs and photos while taking in a Braves practice session.

The Braves slate of 16 home games at Disney's Wide World of Sports begins on March 3 with an exhibition game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Their first major league spring training game will take place on March 4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Information on spring training season and group tickets and mini-packs is available by calling 407/939-GAME (4263). The mini-pack was featured for the first time during the 2003 Braves Spring Training season. The offer was so popular that mini-packs have returned with even more options in 2004.

The three types of mini-pack ticket plans now on sale include: the five-game mini-pack, the first half three-game mini-pack, and the second half three-game mini-pack. The mini-pack options are as follows:

2004 Atlanta Braves Spring Training Mini-Pack Plans:

Plan: 5-Game Mini Pack - Price: $87.50
Games:

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, March 7
New York Yankees (SS), March 13
Montreal Expos, March 17
St. Louis Cardinals, March 21
New York Mets, March 27

Plan: First Half 3-Game Mini-Pack - Price: $52.50
Games:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays, March 7
Philadelphia Phillies, March 10
New York Yankees (SS), March 13

Plan: Second Half 3-Game Mini-Pack - Price: $52.50
Games:
Cincinnati Reds (SS), March 20
Detroit Tigers, March 25
New York Mets, March 27
SS -- Split Squad

Fans may also purchase Atlanta Braves Spring Training travel packages by calling 407/939-7712. The packages start at $143 per person (based on double occupancy) and include a Braves game ticket and two nights accommodations at a Disney Value Resort, including the new Disney's Pop Century Resort, conveniently located near Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

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Hidden Mickey Found in Epcot Restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Culinarians at Epcot are revealing a Mickey image that hides among the plants guests see during the Living with the Land boat excursion at The Land pavilion, presented by Nestlé USA.

With the slice of a cucumber, the image is unveiled -- and placed atop salads in The Garden Grill Restaurant at The Land. The outline shape of the cucumber slices is in the familiar Mickey Mouse form -- the oval face with ears above.

It's all the result of some fairly garden magic. A form is placed around developing cucumbers, and as the fruits grow, their shape is dictated by the interior of the form -- which is the shape of the outline of Mickey Mouse's head.

The Mickey cucumber salad is now on the menu at The Garden Grill Restaurant and represents one example of how Epcot restaurants use 20,000 pounds of vegetables and fruits produced annually in the growing areas of The Land.

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Disney's Spring Training Begins Feb. 14 for High School,
College Sports Teams

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Hundreds of high school and college softball, lacrosse and track and field teams from across the country will make Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex their training camp headquarters beginning Feb. 14. Disney's spring training schedule consists of more than 20 week-long sessions through April 23. Teams will train and compete while finding free time to visit the four Walt Disney World theme parks during their stay.

Here's a rundown of February amateur sports activity at the complex:

Date - Event
Feb. 6-7 - Girls-N-Sports
Feb. 7-8 - Varsity/UCA National H.S. Cheerleading Championship
Feb. 13-15 - Disney's President's Day Fastpitch Open
Feb. 13-16 - AAU President's Holiday Soccer Challenge
Feb. 14-16 - President's Day Volleyfest
Feb. 14-20 - Disney's Track & Field Spring Training -- Week 1
Feb. 20-22 - Twirl Mania
Feb. 21-27 - Disney Lacrosse Spring Training -- Week 1
Feb. 21-27 - Disney's Softball Spring Training -- Week 1
Feb. 21-27 - Disney's Track & Field Spring Training -- Week 2
Feb. 26-29 - AAU Spring Field Hockey Classic
Feb. 28-March 5 - Disney's Lacrosse Spring Training -- Week 2
Feb. 28-March 5 - Disney's Softball Spring Training -- Week 2
Feb. 28-March 5 - Disney's Track & Field Spring Training -- Week 3

General admission to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is $10.50 -- ages 10-up / $7.75 -- ages 3-9.

For more information on events at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, visit us on the World Wide Web at disneyworldsports.com.

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Major Magazines Honor Walt Disney World Resorts

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Resort continues to provide signature vacations for millions of guests as evidenced in the latest reader polls from top consumer travel magazines.

Disney strikes Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List in the "World's Best Places to Stay" list. In its January 2003 issue, CNT readers give Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa a nod as one of Florida's top hotels and resorts. The Grand has made the list annually since the poll's inception in 1994. More than 32,000 subscribers voted in the Readers' Choice Poll which also gave kudos to Disney Cruise Line on its list, noting the cruiseline produces a top-notch product suitable for "everyone from children to honeymooning couples."

Travel + Leisure readers selected 500 of the world's top hotels for its "World's Best Awards" posted in the January 2004 edition. This year, the readers honored not one, but six Disney resort properties: Disney's Boardwalk Inn, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Yacht Club Resort and Disney's Vero Beach Resort.

The world-famous Disney resorts are a hit with readers of Travel + Leisure Family magazine, too. In its Winter 2003/2004 edition, nine Disney resorts placed in the top 20 in a Readers' Poll of the best Continental U.S. and Canada resorts. Disney's Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort placed second in the poll. Other Walt Disney World properties recognized are Disney's Polynesian Resort (5th), Disney's Yacht Club Resort (7th), Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (10th), Disney's Boardwalk Inn & Villas (11th), Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (15th) and Disney's Beach Club Resort (17th). Disney's Vero Beach (Fla.) Resort -- a property of Disney Vacation Club -- placed sixth and Disney's Grand Californian Resort in Anaheim, Calif., finished 13th with Travel + Leisure Family readers. Top vote-getter was the Palmetto Dunes Resort in Hilton Head, S.C.

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Disneyworld.com Gets Make-Over for Online Guests

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Explore Walt Disney World Resort on your computer like never before. Disneyworld.com, the innovative and user-friendly vacation planning Web site, has been redesigned to offer an enhanced experience.

New features include a dynamic, interactive map and virtual tours of resorts to assist guests in finding the accommodations best fitted for their visit. Also, guests can receive recommendations for the exact vacation experience they most desire, and they can compare vacation packages, resorts and tickets to find the best value for their vacation plans. Then with a click of some buttons they can purchase their dream Walt Disney World Resort vacation online.

The site also lets guests download an online collaborative tool to help plan their group's perfect Magical Gatherings vacation, and save and access all their planning tools, offers, and reservations in one convenient "My Vacation" area. All personal information -- including passwords, user IDs, saved favorites, and reservation confirmation numbers -- from the previous site version is still valid on the new site. The magical experience is now just fingertips away.

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Girls-N-Sports, Feb. 6-7

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- From Daisies to Seniors, Girl Scouts from all over the country join hands with AAU to create a day of celebration for girls and sports. This annual event allows Girl Scouts USA members to receive instruction in a variety of skilled sports, including: tennis, track & field, soccer, softball, basketball and field hockey, along with participation in other fun activities throughout the day.

The event takes place at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and is open to registered Girl Scouts only. Registration deadline is Jan. 15.

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Disney's Spring Training Begins Feb. 14

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Hundreds of high school and college softball, lacrosse and track & field teams from across the country will make Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex their training camp headquarters beginning Feb. 14. Disney's spring training schedule consists of more than 20 week-long sessions through April 23. Teams will train and compete, while finding free time to visit the four Walt Disney World theme parks during their stay.