Walt Disney World News

Disney Opening New Meet and Greet with Tinkerbell and Friends
Disney's most famous fairy and four of her best friends will be in a meet-and-greet experience in Mickey's Toontown Fair at Magic Kingdom starting October 24. To meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, guests enter a magical forest called "Pixie Hollow," a special place deep in the heart of Never Land. Tinker Bell is joined inside Pixie Hollow by four fairy friends: Fawn, an animal fairy; Iridessa, a light fairy; Rosetta, a garden fairy; and Silvermist, a water fairy.

Disney Prepares for Last Super Soap Weekend
Disney's 15th Super Soap weekend, to be held in November, comes with a soap opera twist: The extremely popular special event weekend will not be back in 2009. ABC has decided that next year instead of hosting a weekend at one location the daytime stars will go on a nationwide tour. Rilous Carter, Disney World's vice president for Disney's Hollywood Studios, is promising that this year's event will be a fitting finale, but no details have been given yet. Is there a chance that it might return in 2010 if the tour doesn't succeed? Stay tuned.

What Will You Celebrate? Coming to a City Near You
Disney Parks brings the "What Will You Celebrate?" message in a magical and interactive way to 30 cities this fall and winter. Colorful vehicles – a party on wheels – roll out the fun from town squares to Times Square, featuring thousands of free Mickey Mouse balloons, a chance to win a "celebration vacation" to a Disney park, and the opportunity to register for a special birthday celebration surprise. Disney characters and ambassadors also go on-air with fun celebration moments. For a list of dates and cities visit http://www.disneyparkscelebrations.com.

Magical Fireworks Voyage experience
Beginning March 1, 2009, the Magical Fireworks Voyage experience will be available to all guests, not only Grand Gathering guests, regardless of the size of their party. Booking details to come soon!

Special Pricing on Richard Petty Driving Experience
Through October 31, you can ride in or drive a real stock car at the Walt Disney World Speedway at a reduced price. Richard Petty Driving Experience offers the following programs (prices include tax):

• The Ride-Along Program: $116.09
• The Rookie Experience (8 laps): $424.94
• The King Experience (18 laps): $850.94
• The Experience of a Lifetime (30 laps): $1330.19

Nine Dragons Reopens
Nine Dragons in Epcot's China Pavilion has reopened ahead of schedule. The eatery began serving again on September 24, well ahead of the anticipated November debut.

Expedition Everest Challenge a Success
Georgia resident Thomas Kish took home the honors as the winner of the inaugural Expedition Everest Challenge on September 27. The 3,000+ runners began with a 5K run through the theme park, then transitioned to an obstacle course, and finished with a scavenger hunt that required a "passport," creating the ultimate test of physical stamina as well as intellectual endurance. At the finish, each competitor received a commemorative medal shaped like a compass and enjoyed an exclusive post-race party along with family and friends that featured a deejay and provided the opportunity to enjoy the following attractions: Expedition Everest, DinoLand, and Kali River Rapids.

Disney Announces Final Candlelight Processional Schedule
Disney has released what is intended to be the final set schedule for Candlelight Processional narrators (is anything ever final?). Shows are at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.

Scheduled Celebrity Narrators include:
John O'Hurley — Nov. 28 - 30
Neil Patrick Harris — Dec. 1 - 3
Brian Stokes Mitchell — Dec. 4 - 6
Virginia Madsen — Dec. 7 - 9
Marlee Matlin — Dec. 10 - 12
Monique Coleman — Dec. 13 - 15
Chita Rivera — Dec. 16 - 18
Abigail Breslin — Dec. 19 - 21
Steven Curtis Chapman — Dec. 22 - 24
Edward James Olmos — Dec. 25 - 27
Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance — Dec. 28 - 30

Walt Disney World Closures and Rehabs

Magic Kingdom

• Country Bear Jamboree is closed through October 31.
• Hall of Presidents will be closed from November 1 through July 1, 2009.
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin will be closed December 14-20, 2008.
• Splash Mountain will be closed January 4 - 17, 2009.
• Liberty Tree Tavern will discontinue its character dinner on January 5, 2009.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant will be closed January 7, 2009.
• Mickey's PhilharMagic will be closed January 18 through February 6, 2009.

• The Garden Grill Restaurant in the Land Pavilion will discontinue its lunch service starting October 6. Dinner will still be served.

• Golden Age Souvenirs will be closed October 6 through November 13, 2008.
• American Idol is scheduled to open in January 2009.
• Upon a Time, Mouse about Town, and Sunset Club Couture shops will be closed through November 22.
• "Fantasmic!" switches to Monday and Thursday shows only beginning January 4, 2009.

• Primeval Whirl is closed through November 15.

• Blizzard Beach is closed through October 25.
• Typhoon Lagoon will be closed October 26 through March 21, 2009.
• Typhoon Lagoon Surfing School classes and private surfing events will not be available until sometime in 2009 while maintenance is performed on the wave mechanisms. The wave pool will continue to operate for guests.
• La Nouba will be dark on November 18.
• MarketPlace Stage in Downtown Disney is closed through November 30.
• The Portobello Yacht Club in Downtown Disney closed for a makeover through October 12. It will be redesigned as an Italian trattoria, and the menu will be changed to reflect the cuisine of the Italian cities of Milan, Tuscany, and Rome. Once all changes are completed sometime in December, the restaurant name will change to just "Portobello."
• All-Star Music Resort's Piano Pool will be closed November 10 through 20. Guests may use the Calypso feature pool or other All-Star pools.
• Old Key West's Village pool slide will be closed January 5 through January 23, 2009. The pool will remain open.
• Stormalong Bay at the Yacht & Beach Club will be closed in phases starting January 5th until April 15. The Flying Jib slide and pool will be closed January 5th through mid-February. Guests may use the quiet pools or the pool at the Boardwalk.
  
• The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Polynesian Resort will be closed January 13-19, 2009.
• The Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village construction is ongoing through May 1, 2009. The Sunset Savanna may not have animals between January and April 15, 2009.

Upcoming Events at Walt Disney World

• T-Rex restaurant is scheduled to open in Downtown Disney on October 14.
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: October 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31.
• Haunted Pirate Cruise at the Polynesian Resort: October 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31.
  
• 13th Annual Food and Wine Festival at Epcot through November 9.
• High School Musical 3 will open on October 24 at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• Race for the Taste 10K, October 12.
• The Tower of Terror 13K Race at Disney's Hollywood Studios on October 25 at 10:00 p.m.
• 33rd Annual Festival of the Masters, November 7-9, at Downtown Disney. For more information visit Disneyworld.com/artfestival.
• 13th Annual ABC Super Soap Weekend, November 15-16 at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: November 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 21, 30; December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19.
• The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios: November 28 through January 4, 2009.
• Epcot Holidays Around the World, November 28 through December 30, 2008
• 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon and Goofy's Race-and-a-Half Challenge: January 8 through 11, 2009.
• Inaugural 2009 Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend March 6 through 8, 2009.
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 18 through May 31, 2009.