NOTE: Events may be canceled or rescheduled for various reasons. While I endeavor to present timely, accurate information, you may confirm any special events, rehabs, etc. at 1-407-W DISNEY
Magic Kingdom
REHABS/CLOSED
Explorer Canoes(until further notice)
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (until further notice)
Adventureland Veranda (until further notice)
Liberty Square Riverboat(Jan 2 through early October)
Big Thunder Mountain- (Jan 7 through Feb 16)
Crystal Palace(reopens mid-March)
Disney Break '96 Feb 11-April 16. Spring Breakers can spend a day in one of the WDW theme parks for only $26, then end the night at Pleasure Island for free! Students presenting a valid college ID can also enjoy a second night at Pleasure Island for only $10.95. If that isn't enough, the Ultimate Spring Break ticket will allow students to spend the entire day at a Disney water park for only $10 (must be purchased within seven days of use of the Disney Break '96 (theme park) ticket.) More info by calling (407) 824-4321.
Crystal Palace changes: Currently closed for rehab, the Crystal Palace restaurant will be reopening in mid-March.. but not as the buffeteria we've known for the last 24 years. It's new incarnation will feature all-you-can-eat buffets with visits from Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served daily.
12th Annual Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade- April 7. Hosted by Regis Philbin and Joan Lunden. Special airs at noon on ABC Television Network
EPCOT:
REHABS/CLOSED
Universe of Energy (January 22 - June 6)
World of Motion- (reopens May 1997 with a new theme)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Mickey Finn Show -Comedy and music concert performed Sunday through Thursday at
America Gardens Stage. Showtimes are 2:40pm, 4pm, 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8pm.
Chinese New Year- Just when you thought it was time to put away the fireworks.
Come join the celebration at World Showcase's China pavilion January 26-February 25 and celebrate the Year of the Mouse!
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival April 19-June 2. 30 million blossoms, special topiary displays, demonstrations, guest speakers, guided tours and "how-to" sessions.
U.S. Dept of Energy National Science Bowl 1996- May 3-6. Dozens of teams from throughout the nation will compete in the finals of this contest highlighting the importance of math and science.
1996 Discover Awards- June 1st. Inventors from around the world will be in attendance at EPCOT for the "Academy Awards of Science", presented by Discover magazine for technological novation.
Space Week- July 14-20. Space related activities celebrating man's first landing on the moon. Displays and exhibits will be available throughout Future World, and will include hands-on activities sponsored by NASA.
DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS THEME PARK
REHABS/CLOSED-None!
Production Information-
Soundstage 1: Production underway for Tarzan: The Epic Adventures
Soundstage 2: No production currently scheduled
Soundstage 3: Preparations in progress for a new live, syndicated one-hour news show, Later Today, premiering Spring 1996
Broadcast Information-Sundays- Radio Aahs (national kid's radio)
Monday through Saturday- The Don McDonald Show (syndicated)
Saturday- FRN; Mike Harvey's SuperGold (national)
SPECIAL EVENTS-
The Toy Story Parade is now performed daily. Times are available above.
Hunchback of Notre Dame Mid-June. Set in the catacombs of 15th century France, lively gypsies retell the sorrowful love story of the bellringer Quasimodo and the beautiful Esmeralda in this live-action theatrical rendition of Disney's newest animated feature.
RESORTS-
REHABS/CLOSED
Blizzard Beach- January 1- February 16,
'Ol Man Island pool area- The Dixie Landings Resort's main pool area, including the kiddie pool and the spa, is undergoing a rehab through March 5. During this time, a special Express boat launch will transport Guests to the Port Orleans pool area. Since the Muddy Rivers pool bar will also be affected, the Cotton Co-op lounge will open daily at 11am to accomodate Guests. Also, a "mobile bartender" will make the rounds of the Dixie Landings "quiet pools" offering a selection of snacks and beverages from 11am until dusk.
Wilderness Lodge- Due to some refurbishment underway in that part of the building, the Cub's Den will be unavailable through mid-February. Also, the Wilderness Lodge pool area will be rehabbed from January 27 through
February 22.
Discovery Island- Annual rehab from February 26 through March 8.
SPECIAL EVENTS/NEWS
Surprise Mornings- WDW Resort Guests get a head start!
Polynesian Luau- Due to the low number of Guest bookings, the Polynesian Luau's 9:30pm show will not be available through Feb 9.
Reebok College Football Recruiting Banquet '96 Contemporary Resort, February 10. Reebok's 1996 All-American College Team /EM>, consisting of the nation's top-24 high school seniors, will be honored with a special banquet. The ceremonies will be part of a one-hour national "Signing Day" special airing on the Prime cable network
February 17. Tickets for the event cost $55 per person and may be purchased in advance by calling (904) 894-1079. Proceeds
to benefit the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando.
Camping Rally at Fort Wilderness- May 16-19. Escape to the wilderness at a special Camping Rally to be held at Fort Wilderness. The rally includes three nights of camping, a welcome cookout, barbeque dinner and two breakfasts at Fort Wilderness and two days admission per Guest to the theme parks. Package prices are $379 per RV, based on double occupancy. For more information, contact (407) W-DISNEY or your local travel agent.
Sunshine Getaway: A new vacation package will be offered from
January 1st through February 13th. The package includes resort accomodations, character breakfasts, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and a coupon book with savings on restaurants, merchandise and recreation. Theme park tickets are also available as add-ons to the package. For more information, call 1-407-WDISNEY or your local travel agent.
Disney Institute Grand Opening- February 9, 1996. Select your own customized vacation by calling 1-800-4-WONDER.
Bryant Gumbel/Walt Disney World Celebrity-Am Golf Tournament /STRONG>- March 1-3. Benefit golf tournament for the United Negro College Fund.
66th Annual AAU Sullivan Award Banquet- Yacht & Beach Club Resort, March 4. America's most outstanding amatuer athletes will be honored at this special awards banquet. The 1995 award will be presented by Speed
Skater Dan Jansen to one of ten finalists selected by a nationwide panel of judges. The banquet program also includes a cocktail reception and parade of athletes. For tickets and reservations call (407) 363-3700.
Disney's Boardwalk Resort Grand Opening- July 1, 1996
The 1996 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Golf Classic will take place October 17-20.
DISNEY VILLAGE MARKETPLACE
Empress Lilly Riverboat- Closed, reopening as Fulton's Crab House this
Spring
Corel World Design Showcase- Feb 16-18. The first-ever graphic design art show at WDW! See awe-inspiring graphic artwork, and even try it out yourself using the latest in graphic design software programs. Noon-10pm daily
Kid's Night Out- All Summer! Featuring festivities for children of all ages, this special program begins each evening at 5pm. Themes will vary week-to-week with animated films shown nightly at the Dock Stage.
World of Disney- Under construction, opening Fall 1996. This multi-level store will be the largest character shop at Walt Disney World.
PLEASURE ISLAND
6th Annual Mardi Gras Celebration- Feb 17-20. The biggest, best and most authentic celebration outside of New Orleans! Featuring the Krewe of Caesar, Zydeco bands including Bill Allred and his Dixieland Jazz band, stiltwalkers, face painters, strolling musicians and Cajun and Creole food specialties. Events included with regular Pleasure
Island admission
St. Patrick's Day - Celebrate St. Patrick's Day Pleasure Island style on March 17. Enjoy festive food, specialty drinks authentic Irish music, great prize giveaways and an invasion of Leprechauns
Guests who purchase admission to the AMC Pleasure Island 10 Theater may also purchase admission to Pleasure Island for $9.54 (inc tax) on the same night. In addition, Guests presenting a receipt from a full-service restaurant at a WDW resort hotel, Disney Village Marketplace or Pleasure Island receive a 20% discount on admission that same evening.
Pleasure Island Annual Passholders may bring in one guest FREE (must be 18 or older) every Friday night before 9pm. Passholders also receive a $2 discount on AMC Theater admission and rides on the Orbitron, as well as a 10% discount on their entire bill at Portobello Yacht Club and The Fireworks Factory
AMC Pleasure Island 10 Theater
Admission for all seats before 4pm is $4.50 for adults and students, and $3.75 for children (13 and younger) and seniors (55 and older). All seats for shows beginning between 4:30pm and 6pm are $3.75. Evening admission (after 6pm) is $6.50 for adults, $3.50 for children and seniors and $4.50 for WDW Resort Guests, WDW Annual Passholders, WDW Hotel Plaza Guests, Pleasure Island Passholders, students under 25, and military personnel. Appropriate ID is required for the discounts. Seats for all 10am shows on Saturdays are $3.75 (on a space-availablility basis).
The theater accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Credit card reservations may be made up to 3 days in advance by calling 827-1311 after 1pm. For features and showtimes, call 827-1300 through 827-1307 (8 lines available).
