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Disney Planner January - April 2005

*****

Thousands of Walt Disney World Guests Planning to Hit the Ground Running in 2005

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Thousands of Walt Disney World guests will "hit the ground running" in 2005 as the world's most magical marathon highlights a schedule of long-running events marking the early months of a year when new attractions and shows also will bow at all four Walt Disney World theme parks as part of a worldwide Disney theme park celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in Southern California.

"The Happiest Celebration on Earth" pays tribute to Walt Disney's dream of Disneyland, the original park that introduced an entirely new genre of family entertainment that now spans the globe and continues to offer the most visited attractions in the world, drawing 100 million visitors on three continents every year -- and still growing.

But before "The Happiest Celebration on Earth" kicks off in May, here's what's in store:

Running encouraged in theme parks during Disney Marathon/Half Marathon

The prohibition on running in the four Walt Disney World theme parks is lifted for a very special group of athletes on Jan. 9 when a one-of-a-kind marathon charts a course through Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot. More than 20,000 participants are expected for the 12th annual Walt Disney World Marathon and concurrent Walt Disney World Half Marathon.

The two races are the climax of a whole weekend of fitness fun that also features Disney's Health & Fitness Expo in The Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on Jan. 7-8 and the Family Fun Run 5K and Kids' Races on Jan. 8.

At 6 a.m. on Jan. 9, Mickey Mouse presides at the start of Disney Marathon and Disney Half Marathon as athletes begin to make their way through the Disney theme parks and resort. Qualifying finishers receive special medals -- Mickey Mouse-shaped gold medals for the full marathon and Donald Duck gold for the half marathon.

New for 2005: Active, reserve, or retired members of the military are invited to participate in the Walt Disney World Marathon as part of a military division. Qualified members can participate in one of the following categories: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy.

The first all-American championship finish in the 11-year history of the Walt Disney World Marathon put Floridians Matthew Dobson of Jay and Kim Donaldson of St. Petersburg into the winner's circle in January 2004. Dobson also became the first U.S.-born overall winner of the event.

The 'Boys of Summer' hone their game at Cracker Jack Stadium

While the white spheres of February and March are formed from fallen snow in many places, at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex the white balls are stitched together and hurled at the command, "Play ball!" when the National League powerhouse Atlanta Braves return for spring training at Cracker Jack Stadium.

The Braves, one of baseball's most dominating teams for more than a decade, will open drills in mid-February. Their Grapefruit League games -- typically including a home schedule of 16 dates -- are played throughout March.

Cracker Jack Stadium, the Braves' home venue at the 220-acre Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, offers the amenities of modern-day major league ballparks with the feel of yesterday. Its unique "Florida Picturesque" architecture features towering archways, green tile roofing, designer tile flooring, classic lighting, and 80 percent of its 9,500 seats between first and third base in an intimate, double-deck layout. There are also grass-covered embankments in left field for fans who want to spread a blanket and enjoy baseball like a "day in the park."

For more information and tickets: 407/939-GAME (4263) or online at disneyworldsports.com.

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates 12 Years of Fantastic Flowers

Walt Disney World guests can welcome spring with a concentrated dose of beauty as Epcot celebrates the 2005 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, April 15-June 5.

Guests can make a long list of things to see and do including admiring the topiary scenes scattered throughout the park, learning how to grow a tiny bonsai tree, stopping to smell the flowers along the Rose Walk where more 40 varieties bloom, setting free butterflies and ladybugs at the daily bug releases, taking the kids to Disney's DogGone Maze where they can see their favorite animated canines in topiary, and watching artists paint the gardens during Art in the Garden Weekend, one of seven themed weekends geared towards special themes for everyone in the family.

Flower Power concerts return to America Gardens Theatre in the park's World Showcase with nightly musical entertainment from the 1960s and '70s. Throughout the park, guests can attend gardening seminars and demonstrations, plus periodic presentations by Great American Gardeners.

Epcot guests can make plans for visits to the 12th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival by calling 407/W-DISNEY. The festival is included in regular Epcot admission.

Disney Parks Worldwide Celebrate as Disneyland Hits Milestone 50th Anniversary

Beginning May 5, 2005, and extending for 18 months through 2006, the "Happiest Celebration on Earth" will take place in all of the Disney theme parks around the world, with the premiere of exciting new shows and attractions at Disneyland Resort in California; Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan; and Disneyland Resort Paris in France and the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner noted that Disneyland has grown into a cultural phenomenon. "The dawn of the theme park industry rose from one man's dream as he walked Anaheim orange groves more than 50 years ago, and today, the sun never sets on Disney's global theme park landscape," Eisner said. "Our 'Happiest Celebration on Earth' is another example of our continued commitment to creating innovative entertainment experiences for the entire family, while saluting the nearly two billion guests who have made Disneyland a national treasure and make Disney the undisputed leader in family vacation destinations worldwide."

"Since Disneyland opened its gates nearly 50 years ago, Walt Disney's flagship park has been praised the world over for serving as the foundation for the modern theme park industry, and, moreover, for creating a unique place where the entire family can have fun and enjoy wholesome, quality entertainment together," said Walt Disney Parks & Resorts President Jay Rasulo. "Disney parks are at the heart of a timeless tradition for millions of families that pass down their experiences from generation to generation. In honor of the park that started it all, every Disney resort will join in creating more great memories for our guests with this unprecedented global celebration, which promises to be the biggest event in Disney theme park history."

At Disneyland, the global celebration becomes a unique chance for the generations of guests who have been touched by the magic of Disneyland to return to where the magic began and relive their fondest memories of park visits past and create new memories with family and friends.

Walt Disney World Resort pays tribute to 50 years of Disneyland and Disney theme park magic around the world with its most over-the-top event ever. Each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks will feature an incredible attraction or show imported from Disney's parks around the globe -- plus a unique new attraction created just for the Florida resort.

Guests at Magic Kingdom will see a favorite princess begin her "happily-ever-after" life during the magnificent, musical coronation of "Cinderellabration," direct from Tokyo.
At Epcot, guests will take flight over the Golden State with the opening of "Soarin'," based on the hit Anaheim attraction.
The secrets behind Hollywood's most astounding stunts will be revealed in the high-octane "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" at Disney-MGM Studios, direct from Paris.
At Disney's Animal Kingdom -- from out of the secret labs of Walt Disney Imagineering -- will come Lucky the dinosaur, the first-ever free-roaming Audio-Animatronics figure. Later in the celebration year, Expedition EVEREST will take guests to thrilling new heights in a runaway mountain train.