Nick@ VB+OKW
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- Aug 27, 2003
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This is for DVC members who didn't get this e-mail............
Inside Scoop
Good news from home
It's a full house! Disney's Vero Beach Resort is sold out. More than 5,000 Member families have a tradition of calling this tranquil locale their "home away from home," just two hours away from the magic of the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Now is a great time to take advantage of special savings for our new 50-year Membership at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. We've extended the current pricing for an additional month, through May 8, just for Members.
Read about current offers at the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort on our Member web site.
A magical makeover for dvcmember.com
In early May, we're debuting an all-new Member web site, featuring a fresh design, improved navigation, and exclusive content just for Members. The new dvcmember.com also incorporates enhanced site security to maintain exclusivity for Members and to protect current and future information that may be available.
For this reason, each individual Member on a contract will be issued a separate and unique personal Vacation Club ID and PIN. These numbers are required to register for access to the site when it launches.
At the end of April, each Member in your household will receive two separate notices containing these numbers via postal mail. Please notebe careful not to discard what appear to be duplicate mailings! While the mailings will look the same, each envelope contains important unique information required to log on to the new web site.
Homecoming royalty
Member Homecoming is just around the corner, and it's shaping up to be the most magical Member event ever. On May 25-27, get ready for the royal treatment as the Walt Disney World Resort rolls out the red carpet for you! You'll reign over exclusive after-hours Theme Park parties, and have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to join us for the Grand Opening of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
Visit the Member web site for more details. A limited number of event tickets are still available, and they're selling fast. While room availability at Disney Vacation Club Resorts is now extremely limited, you may opt to use resorts in The Disney Collection, or try a Disney Value Resort. Take a trip down memory lane with the biggest hits of 20th century pop culture at Disney's newest resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, or experience the larger-than-life icons of music, movies, and sports at Disney's All-Star Resorts.
Call Member Services at (800) 800-9800 now to purchase your Member Homecoming Ticket to Magic, while there's still time! Reservations will be accepted through April 21. To book your cash reservation to stay at a Disney Value Resort, please call (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639).
Developer News
The Art of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has drawn inspiration from many facets of its New York State namesakearchitecture, landscape design, and horse racing, of course. In that same tradition, the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort offers an intriguing selection of works relating to the rich artistic history of Saratoga Springs, New York, and its tagline of "Health, History, and Horses."
Your Saratoga Springs art appreciation tour begins as soon as you arrive. Commissioned from 1999 Kentucky Derby Official Artist Peter Williams, four large paintings will preside over the activity at the Front Desk. Entitled Before the Race, During the Race, The Winners Circle, and After the Race, these magnificent pieces (each measuring three feet by eleven feet) amply illustrate this New Zealand native's expertise in painting racecourses. Racegoers around the world may have seen Peter Williams creating his classic works of art; he's famous for his method of painting on site to accurately capture the vibrant spirit of the thoroughbred scene. His paintings can be found in the collections of Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Richmond, and the New York Racing Association.
The Artist's Palette, the neighborhood market and eatery at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, pays homage to Yaddo, the famed artist's retreat in Saratoga Springs, New York. Founded in 1900, Yaddo has inspired artists, writers, poets, and composers for over a century. To carry out the theme of The Artist's Palette (a converted artist's loft), Laura Fayer was commissioned to create nine canvases for the space.
An artist-in-residence at Yaddo in the spring of 2003, Laura feels that her time there inspired her work for The Artist's Palette: "Yaddo was a really wonderful place to work. I wanted to combine some of the meditative aspect of working at a place like that with the kind of joy that is associated with Disney."
With each of the finished canvases measuring six feet by eleven feet, Laura admits that the scale of the work was a little daunting at first. "These works are very large pieces. I usually work quite a bit smaller, so it was pretty interesting for me to have the challenge to think of my work on that scale."
Incorporating techniques of stenciling and stamping, Laura was inspired by images found in science and nature. "I looked at aerial view photographs of landscapes, namely farmland or weather patterns. I also looked at man-made patterns like road and runway markings; there is one piece that specifically alludes to a highway with the dashed lines that you would see on a road."
Some art at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a work-in-progress. Artist Gwen Reardon is currently sculpting a full-sized bronze horse and jockey to be placed in The Winners Circle; the piece is scheduled for installation near the porte cochere in 2005.
The daughter of a prominent horse trainer, Gwen distinguished herself as an accomplished equestrienne at an early age. Now, as a horse farm manager and a professional trainer herself, Gwen Reardon's astonishingly realistic sculptures capture the spirit and personality of each horse she portraysclearly the product of a lifetime of personal involvement. She often spends a year or more on each sculpture, constantly refining her work at every step in the process: "What I'm creating is something that will exist for a very long time. I want people to be pleased with my work."
There's even more artistry around the bend! In the upcoming summer issue of Vacation Magic, you'll meet Greg Montgomery. Greg's vividly colored posters are justly prized throughout the thoroughbred-racing world, and he's even completed some special work for Disney Vacation Club.
Around the Neighborhood
Basketful of Easter goodies
Each Disney Vacation Club Resort is hatching "eggstravagant" plans for your Easter visit. Inquire at check-in for the most up-to-date listing of all the seasonal activities offered at your resort. From classic Easter egg hunts to elegant dinners, you're sure to discover the perfect activity for your vacation basket!
Hot cross bunsat home
The custom of serving hot cross buns at Easter (especially on Good Friday) started in England at the beginning of the 1700s. These lightly spiced buns, filled with cranberries and golden raisins, are slashed on top in the outline of a cross; Stefan Riemer, Pastry Chef at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, has been serving them during the Easter season for several years. "Easter breads are fascinating," Stefan says. "There is no other holiday that offers such a unique diversity of breadand every country has its own version: Hot Cross Buns (England), Fladen (Germany), Paasbrod (Holland), Koolitch (Russia), Pan di Pasqua and Ciambellone (Italy), Babka (Poland), and Tsoureki (Greece)."
If you're in the neighborhood over the holiday, visit the Ale and Compass Lounge, Rip Tide Lounge, or the merchandise shops at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts to purchase Hot Cross Buns for $3.00 each. Stefan also shares his special recipe below, so you can make some at home:
1 cup warm milk
1 oz. yeast
½ tbs. salt
½ cup honey
1 lb. bread flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
1 oz. soft unsalted butter
4 egg yolks
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup golden raisins
Finely chopped peel
from two lemons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk; stir in the honey and salt
- Combine the flour with spices
- Mix into the yeast and milk mixture
- Add butter and egg yolks, mixing until incorporated
- Mix dough in mixer for 6-8 minutes; add additional bread flour if necessary
- Place the dough (covered) in a warm place
- Let dough rise until it has doubled
- Add cranberries, golden raisins, and lemon peel by hand
- Knead until the dough is smooth
- Let the dough rest for 10 minutes
- Let rise for 20 minutes
- Brush with egg wash (one egg mixed with a pinch of salt)
- Cut a cross on top of the bun with a sharp knife
- Bake at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes
Remember to let the dough rest; this is important for the gluten of the bread as well as for the flavor. After baking, prepare a sugar glaze with confectioner's sugar and lemon (just brush it on the buns). The buns taste best hotthat's why they call them Hot Cross Buns!
Slide construction at Disney's Old Key West Resort
Construction on the new themed pool slide for Disney's Old Key West Resort is currently estimated to begin in September, and not in the spring as previously announced. Work is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2004. During construction of the slide, the pool will have to be closed. However, our Members and Guests are welcome to enjoy the resort's three other pools. Look for more details later this summer in Member Clubhouse and on the Member web site.
Maintenance update: Disney's BoardWalk Resort
As we continue to ensure facilities are maintained to the highest standard, portions of Disney's BoardWalk Resort will be undergoing building maintenance and work will extend to limited areas of Disney's BoardWalk Villas. Segments of the resort's piping system will be updated through summer 2005. Work on the piping system will take place in the Guest room building corridors and surrounding areas daily between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. No work is scheduled inside Guest rooms. Please contact Member Services at (800) 800-9800 for more information.
All schedules, programs, and announcements are subject to change without notice.
Member Getaways
A great time for a quick getaway
Each month in Member Clubhouse, we feature Last-Minute Getaways, some of the most popular Interval International® exchange destinations with limited availability for the following month. Please note that holiday weeks are typically not available.
Currently there are accommodations available in May at some of the finest resorts in the Interval International network, including Eastern British Columbia; the Austrian Alps; Maine; New Hampshire; and Park City, Utah.
Remember that availability is extremely limited. Contact Member Services for additional information, and visit the World Passport Collection page at dvcmember.com for a complete list of all destinations available as part of our exchange program with Interval International.
Member Perks
Full speed ahead for great dining
Chart a memorable dining course for Cap'n Jack's Restaurant, anchored at Downtown Disney® Marketplace. While enjoying a spectacular view of Buena Vista Lagoon, feast on mouth-watering chef's specialties in this waterfront setting (10% off lunch, excluding alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuities).
Or set sail for Disney's Polynesian Resort and the delights of the exotic Kona Café, a lively family eatery serving up classic American cuisine with a distinctive Asian accent (10% off lunch and dinner, excluding alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuities).
For you landlubbers, follow Lady and the Tramp's lead and share a meatball or two at Tony's Town Square Restaurant, located in the Magic Kingdom® Park. Join in the fun at this Italian restaurant inspired by the classic Disney film (10% off lunch, excluding alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuities).
For Priority Seating, call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463). And for a list of eight additional new dining discounts, visit our Member web site.
Best seats in the garden
Enjoy a groovy bunch of hit tunes from the '60s and '70s at the Flower Power concert series, running from April 16 through June 6 at the American Gardens Theatre at Epcot® (part of the 11th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival). Present your blue Member Card, along with your Walt Disney World Resort keycard, at the American Gardens Theatre and receive preferred seating (first-come, first-served; seating cannot be reserved in advance for current day or future performances). Theme Park admission is required.
Starters...to your marks!
The 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend will be held January 7-9, 2005, and registration for the 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon and 2005 Walt Disney World Half Marathon is now open! There's room on this track for experienced athletes and weekend joggers alike. Members are eligible to receive a discount on registration. Visit disneysports.com for race information.
Take a tour of the Kingdom
Unlock a rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes peek at Mickey's home on the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Explore the fascinating history of the Magic Kingdom Park on this 4 1/2-hour walking tour; you'll even get the chance to venture down into the "Utilidor" that runs beneath the Theme Park! For reservations or more information, call (407) WDW-TOUR (939-8687) and identify yourself as a Disney Vacation Club Member to receive a 15% discount.
Pool hopping restrictions
Due to the high occupancy expected, Members may not pool hop from April 3-11, May 28-31, and June 28 - July 4. On other dates, if you're pool hopping at another resort, you may be asked to leave in order to accommodate registered Guests. Call ahead to the Front Desk of the destination resort to check pool availability, and visit dvcmember.com for updates.
Pool hopping is never allowed at Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts and Uzima Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Leisure pools at those resorts are also for the exclusive use of registered resort Guests. Exceptions to this policy will not be made.
For the most current list of Member Perks, visit dvcmember.com and read Perk Pages, included in your Disney Vacation Club Resort check-in folder.
Banking Reminder
Banking Vacation Points is something most Members wish to do from time to time. To make banking your Vacation Points easier, the following chart is provided here each month as a reminder. Please note that Member Services is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, so plan your transactions accordingly, or make your banking request to Member Services via email.
What in the World
Bloom with a view
Put a little 'spring' in your step at the 11th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, April 16 to June 6, 2004. Dazzle your eyes (and your nose) with the sights and scents of brilliantly colored flowers and fanciful topiaries. Stroll on over to the Ultimate Backyard Garden, where you can see what's sprouting up in the way of new ideas for outdoor living, or let your nose take over as you experience the pleasure of our intoxicating Perfume Garden. Give your green thumb a little workout with some help from top Disney horticulturists who work their magic on everything from topiaries to hanging baskets.
Pint-size gardeners will wander in 'a-maze-ment' through Disney's "DogGone" Maze, and delight in the daily Butterfly and Lady Bug Release. No need to remain earthbound, eitherkids can creepy-crawl up the Space Climber, a net structure made just for mite-size climbing.
And why not make Mother's Day a bed of roses for your guest of honor? Make your reservation for the delectable "Mother's Day Weekend" brunch on May 8 and 9. Space is limited. Call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) for Priority Seating.
May the Force be with you
No need to journey to a galaxy far, far, awayjust blast on over to Disney-MGM Studios Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, May 14 to June 13, 2004 for a month of Star Wars Weekends! Meet your favorite Star Wars heroes and villains face to face at daily star conversations, autograph sessions, and Hollywood-style motorcades. Enroll in the Jedi Training Academy, test your knowledge of Star Wars trivia, and book passage on Star Tours, the ultimate Star Wars thrill ride.
Star Tours ©Disney/Lucasfilm, Inc.
Cinco de Mayo, Pleasure Island-style
Come and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Downtown Disney® Pleasure Island on April 30, May 1, and May 5, 2004. Enjoy live music, piñatas, and other Mexican delights. The Cinco de Mayo celebration is included with regular Pleasure Island admission.
After 7:00 pm, you must be 18 or older to enter Pleasure Island, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. You must be 21 or older to enter Mannequins Dance Palace and BET SoundStage Club. You must provide a valid photo ID that includes one of the following: U.S. or foreign driver's license, original Passport, or U.S. Military ID.
First name in sandwiches
There's a brand new place to grab a sandwich at Downtown Disney Marketplace, but it has a very old history! Earl of Sandwich is a collaboration between Planet Hollywood® founder Robert Earl and a direct descendant of the fourth Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, credited with inventing the sandwich in 1762. 241 years later, John Montagu, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, is back in the family business!
The restaurant offers a mouthwatering menu of freshly prepared sandwiches, served on warm bread and garnished with original sauces and spreads. If you're on the run, you'll want to head to the Butler's Pantry side, stocked with "grab 'n' go" cold sandwiches, side orders, and desserts. You'll find the Earl of Sandwich holding court on the old Gourmet Pantry site, between Goofy's Candy Co. and Once Upon a Toy Store.
Round up your parade posse
Guests at the Magic Kingdom Park can corral an opportunity to view the new pre-parade show for Walt Disney Pictures' latest animated feature Home on the Range. You got an inside peek at this wild romp of a western in the current issue of Vacation Magic, and now two fantastic floats, accompanied by equestrians on horses and a 'range' of characters, bring the movie to life. Catch the show daily prior to the "Share a Dream Come True" Parade through April 16. And don't miss Home on the Range, now in theaters!
Operational updates
From time to time, attractions at Walt Disney World Theme Parks undergo refurbishment, temporary closure, or operate seasonally. While the current list of attraction updates appears below, be sure to visit the online calendar at disneyworld.com prior to your visit for the most recent listing of attraction closures (subject to change without notice):
Magic Kingdom® Park
The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter® is closed for the development of Stitch's Great Escape! set to open in fall 2004.
Snow White's Scary Adventures will not be operating April 19 - May 21.
Epcot
The Food Rocks! show in The Land pavilion is no longer in operation. The space will be used in the development of the new Soarin' attraction, expected to open in spring 2005.
The Wonders of Life pavilion is now open seasonally. Check the Times Guide during your visit for more information.
Disney-MGM Studios
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure will not be operating May 3 - June 30.
The Backlot Tour is now reopened.
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
The Dinosaur attraction will not be operating April 22 - June 4.
Downtown Disney West Side
Cirque du Soleil® show La Nouba - No performances May 2-5.
This month, Disney historian Jim Korkis files a lighthearted look at an otherwise taxing spring chore. Find out how the normally lackadaisical Donald Duck learned fiscal responsibility, courtesy of Uncle Sam!
Inside Scoop
Good news from home
It's a full house! Disney's Vero Beach Resort is sold out. More than 5,000 Member families have a tradition of calling this tranquil locale their "home away from home," just two hours away from the magic of the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Now is a great time to take advantage of special savings for our new 50-year Membership at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. We've extended the current pricing for an additional month, through May 8, just for Members.
Read about current offers at the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort on our Member web site.
A magical makeover for dvcmember.com
In early May, we're debuting an all-new Member web site, featuring a fresh design, improved navigation, and exclusive content just for Members. The new dvcmember.com also incorporates enhanced site security to maintain exclusivity for Members and to protect current and future information that may be available.
For this reason, each individual Member on a contract will be issued a separate and unique personal Vacation Club ID and PIN. These numbers are required to register for access to the site when it launches.
At the end of April, each Member in your household will receive two separate notices containing these numbers via postal mail. Please notebe careful not to discard what appear to be duplicate mailings! While the mailings will look the same, each envelope contains important unique information required to log on to the new web site.
Homecoming royalty
Member Homecoming is just around the corner, and it's shaping up to be the most magical Member event ever. On May 25-27, get ready for the royal treatment as the Walt Disney World Resort rolls out the red carpet for you! You'll reign over exclusive after-hours Theme Park parties, and have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to join us for the Grand Opening of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
Visit the Member web site for more details. A limited number of event tickets are still available, and they're selling fast. While room availability at Disney Vacation Club Resorts is now extremely limited, you may opt to use resorts in The Disney Collection, or try a Disney Value Resort. Take a trip down memory lane with the biggest hits of 20th century pop culture at Disney's newest resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, or experience the larger-than-life icons of music, movies, and sports at Disney's All-Star Resorts.
Call Member Services at (800) 800-9800 now to purchase your Member Homecoming Ticket to Magic, while there's still time! Reservations will be accepted through April 21. To book your cash reservation to stay at a Disney Value Resort, please call (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639).
Developer News
The Art of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has drawn inspiration from many facets of its New York State namesakearchitecture, landscape design, and horse racing, of course. In that same tradition, the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort offers an intriguing selection of works relating to the rich artistic history of Saratoga Springs, New York, and its tagline of "Health, History, and Horses."
Your Saratoga Springs art appreciation tour begins as soon as you arrive. Commissioned from 1999 Kentucky Derby Official Artist Peter Williams, four large paintings will preside over the activity at the Front Desk. Entitled Before the Race, During the Race, The Winners Circle, and After the Race, these magnificent pieces (each measuring three feet by eleven feet) amply illustrate this New Zealand native's expertise in painting racecourses. Racegoers around the world may have seen Peter Williams creating his classic works of art; he's famous for his method of painting on site to accurately capture the vibrant spirit of the thoroughbred scene. His paintings can be found in the collections of Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Richmond, and the New York Racing Association.
The Artist's Palette, the neighborhood market and eatery at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, pays homage to Yaddo, the famed artist's retreat in Saratoga Springs, New York. Founded in 1900, Yaddo has inspired artists, writers, poets, and composers for over a century. To carry out the theme of The Artist's Palette (a converted artist's loft), Laura Fayer was commissioned to create nine canvases for the space.
An artist-in-residence at Yaddo in the spring of 2003, Laura feels that her time there inspired her work for The Artist's Palette: "Yaddo was a really wonderful place to work. I wanted to combine some of the meditative aspect of working at a place like that with the kind of joy that is associated with Disney."
With each of the finished canvases measuring six feet by eleven feet, Laura admits that the scale of the work was a little daunting at first. "These works are very large pieces. I usually work quite a bit smaller, so it was pretty interesting for me to have the challenge to think of my work on that scale."
Incorporating techniques of stenciling and stamping, Laura was inspired by images found in science and nature. "I looked at aerial view photographs of landscapes, namely farmland or weather patterns. I also looked at man-made patterns like road and runway markings; there is one piece that specifically alludes to a highway with the dashed lines that you would see on a road."
Some art at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a work-in-progress. Artist Gwen Reardon is currently sculpting a full-sized bronze horse and jockey to be placed in The Winners Circle; the piece is scheduled for installation near the porte cochere in 2005.
The daughter of a prominent horse trainer, Gwen distinguished herself as an accomplished equestrienne at an early age. Now, as a horse farm manager and a professional trainer herself, Gwen Reardon's astonishingly realistic sculptures capture the spirit and personality of each horse she portraysclearly the product of a lifetime of personal involvement. She often spends a year or more on each sculpture, constantly refining her work at every step in the process: "What I'm creating is something that will exist for a very long time. I want people to be pleased with my work."
There's even more artistry around the bend! In the upcoming summer issue of Vacation Magic, you'll meet Greg Montgomery. Greg's vividly colored posters are justly prized throughout the thoroughbred-racing world, and he's even completed some special work for Disney Vacation Club.
Around the Neighborhood
Basketful of Easter goodies
Each Disney Vacation Club Resort is hatching "eggstravagant" plans for your Easter visit. Inquire at check-in for the most up-to-date listing of all the seasonal activities offered at your resort. From classic Easter egg hunts to elegant dinners, you're sure to discover the perfect activity for your vacation basket!
Hot cross bunsat home
The custom of serving hot cross buns at Easter (especially on Good Friday) started in England at the beginning of the 1700s. These lightly spiced buns, filled with cranberries and golden raisins, are slashed on top in the outline of a cross; Stefan Riemer, Pastry Chef at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, has been serving them during the Easter season for several years. "Easter breads are fascinating," Stefan says. "There is no other holiday that offers such a unique diversity of breadand every country has its own version: Hot Cross Buns (England), Fladen (Germany), Paasbrod (Holland), Koolitch (Russia), Pan di Pasqua and Ciambellone (Italy), Babka (Poland), and Tsoureki (Greece)."
If you're in the neighborhood over the holiday, visit the Ale and Compass Lounge, Rip Tide Lounge, or the merchandise shops at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts to purchase Hot Cross Buns for $3.00 each. Stefan also shares his special recipe below, so you can make some at home:
1 cup warm milk
1 oz. yeast
½ tbs. salt
½ cup honey
1 lb. bread flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
1 oz. soft unsalted butter
4 egg yolks
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup golden raisins
Finely chopped peel
from two lemons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk; stir in the honey and salt
- Combine the flour with spices
- Mix into the yeast and milk mixture
- Add butter and egg yolks, mixing until incorporated
- Mix dough in mixer for 6-8 minutes; add additional bread flour if necessary
- Place the dough (covered) in a warm place
- Let dough rise until it has doubled
- Add cranberries, golden raisins, and lemon peel by hand
- Knead until the dough is smooth
- Let the dough rest for 10 minutes
- Let rise for 20 minutes
- Brush with egg wash (one egg mixed with a pinch of salt)
- Cut a cross on top of the bun with a sharp knife
- Bake at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes
Remember to let the dough rest; this is important for the gluten of the bread as well as for the flavor. After baking, prepare a sugar glaze with confectioner's sugar and lemon (just brush it on the buns). The buns taste best hotthat's why they call them Hot Cross Buns!
Slide construction at Disney's Old Key West Resort
Construction on the new themed pool slide for Disney's Old Key West Resort is currently estimated to begin in September, and not in the spring as previously announced. Work is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2004. During construction of the slide, the pool will have to be closed. However, our Members and Guests are welcome to enjoy the resort's three other pools. Look for more details later this summer in Member Clubhouse and on the Member web site.
Maintenance update: Disney's BoardWalk Resort
As we continue to ensure facilities are maintained to the highest standard, portions of Disney's BoardWalk Resort will be undergoing building maintenance and work will extend to limited areas of Disney's BoardWalk Villas. Segments of the resort's piping system will be updated through summer 2005. Work on the piping system will take place in the Guest room building corridors and surrounding areas daily between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. No work is scheduled inside Guest rooms. Please contact Member Services at (800) 800-9800 for more information.
All schedules, programs, and announcements are subject to change without notice.
Member Getaways
A great time for a quick getaway
Each month in Member Clubhouse, we feature Last-Minute Getaways, some of the most popular Interval International® exchange destinations with limited availability for the following month. Please note that holiday weeks are typically not available.
Currently there are accommodations available in May at some of the finest resorts in the Interval International network, including Eastern British Columbia; the Austrian Alps; Maine; New Hampshire; and Park City, Utah.
Remember that availability is extremely limited. Contact Member Services for additional information, and visit the World Passport Collection page at dvcmember.com for a complete list of all destinations available as part of our exchange program with Interval International.
Member Perks
Full speed ahead for great dining
Chart a memorable dining course for Cap'n Jack's Restaurant, anchored at Downtown Disney® Marketplace. While enjoying a spectacular view of Buena Vista Lagoon, feast on mouth-watering chef's specialties in this waterfront setting (10% off lunch, excluding alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuities).
Or set sail for Disney's Polynesian Resort and the delights of the exotic Kona Café, a lively family eatery serving up classic American cuisine with a distinctive Asian accent (10% off lunch and dinner, excluding alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuities).
For you landlubbers, follow Lady and the Tramp's lead and share a meatball or two at Tony's Town Square Restaurant, located in the Magic Kingdom® Park. Join in the fun at this Italian restaurant inspired by the classic Disney film (10% off lunch, excluding alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuities).
For Priority Seating, call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463). And for a list of eight additional new dining discounts, visit our Member web site.
Best seats in the garden
Enjoy a groovy bunch of hit tunes from the '60s and '70s at the Flower Power concert series, running from April 16 through June 6 at the American Gardens Theatre at Epcot® (part of the 11th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival). Present your blue Member Card, along with your Walt Disney World Resort keycard, at the American Gardens Theatre and receive preferred seating (first-come, first-served; seating cannot be reserved in advance for current day or future performances). Theme Park admission is required.
Starters...to your marks!
The 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend will be held January 7-9, 2005, and registration for the 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon and 2005 Walt Disney World Half Marathon is now open! There's room on this track for experienced athletes and weekend joggers alike. Members are eligible to receive a discount on registration. Visit disneysports.com for race information.
Take a tour of the Kingdom
Unlock a rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes peek at Mickey's home on the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Explore the fascinating history of the Magic Kingdom Park on this 4 1/2-hour walking tour; you'll even get the chance to venture down into the "Utilidor" that runs beneath the Theme Park! For reservations or more information, call (407) WDW-TOUR (939-8687) and identify yourself as a Disney Vacation Club Member to receive a 15% discount.
Pool hopping restrictions
Due to the high occupancy expected, Members may not pool hop from April 3-11, May 28-31, and June 28 - July 4. On other dates, if you're pool hopping at another resort, you may be asked to leave in order to accommodate registered Guests. Call ahead to the Front Desk of the destination resort to check pool availability, and visit dvcmember.com for updates.
Pool hopping is never allowed at Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts and Uzima Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Leisure pools at those resorts are also for the exclusive use of registered resort Guests. Exceptions to this policy will not be made.
For the most current list of Member Perks, visit dvcmember.com and read Perk Pages, included in your Disney Vacation Club Resort check-in folder.
Banking Reminder
Banking Vacation Points is something most Members wish to do from time to time. To make banking your Vacation Points easier, the following chart is provided here each month as a reminder. Please note that Member Services is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, so plan your transactions accordingly, or make your banking request to Member Services via email.
What in the World
Bloom with a view
Put a little 'spring' in your step at the 11th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, April 16 to June 6, 2004. Dazzle your eyes (and your nose) with the sights and scents of brilliantly colored flowers and fanciful topiaries. Stroll on over to the Ultimate Backyard Garden, where you can see what's sprouting up in the way of new ideas for outdoor living, or let your nose take over as you experience the pleasure of our intoxicating Perfume Garden. Give your green thumb a little workout with some help from top Disney horticulturists who work their magic on everything from topiaries to hanging baskets.
Pint-size gardeners will wander in 'a-maze-ment' through Disney's "DogGone" Maze, and delight in the daily Butterfly and Lady Bug Release. No need to remain earthbound, eitherkids can creepy-crawl up the Space Climber, a net structure made just for mite-size climbing.
And why not make Mother's Day a bed of roses for your guest of honor? Make your reservation for the delectable "Mother's Day Weekend" brunch on May 8 and 9. Space is limited. Call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) for Priority Seating.
May the Force be with you
No need to journey to a galaxy far, far, awayjust blast on over to Disney-MGM Studios Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, May 14 to June 13, 2004 for a month of Star Wars Weekends! Meet your favorite Star Wars heroes and villains face to face at daily star conversations, autograph sessions, and Hollywood-style motorcades. Enroll in the Jedi Training Academy, test your knowledge of Star Wars trivia, and book passage on Star Tours, the ultimate Star Wars thrill ride.
Star Tours ©Disney/Lucasfilm, Inc.
Cinco de Mayo, Pleasure Island-style
Come and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Downtown Disney® Pleasure Island on April 30, May 1, and May 5, 2004. Enjoy live music, piñatas, and other Mexican delights. The Cinco de Mayo celebration is included with regular Pleasure Island admission.
After 7:00 pm, you must be 18 or older to enter Pleasure Island, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. You must be 21 or older to enter Mannequins Dance Palace and BET SoundStage Club. You must provide a valid photo ID that includes one of the following: U.S. or foreign driver's license, original Passport, or U.S. Military ID.
First name in sandwiches
There's a brand new place to grab a sandwich at Downtown Disney Marketplace, but it has a very old history! Earl of Sandwich is a collaboration between Planet Hollywood® founder Robert Earl and a direct descendant of the fourth Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, credited with inventing the sandwich in 1762. 241 years later, John Montagu, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, is back in the family business!
The restaurant offers a mouthwatering menu of freshly prepared sandwiches, served on warm bread and garnished with original sauces and spreads. If you're on the run, you'll want to head to the Butler's Pantry side, stocked with "grab 'n' go" cold sandwiches, side orders, and desserts. You'll find the Earl of Sandwich holding court on the old Gourmet Pantry site, between Goofy's Candy Co. and Once Upon a Toy Store.
Round up your parade posse
Guests at the Magic Kingdom Park can corral an opportunity to view the new pre-parade show for Walt Disney Pictures' latest animated feature Home on the Range. You got an inside peek at this wild romp of a western in the current issue of Vacation Magic, and now two fantastic floats, accompanied by equestrians on horses and a 'range' of characters, bring the movie to life. Catch the show daily prior to the "Share a Dream Come True" Parade through April 16. And don't miss Home on the Range, now in theaters!
Operational updates
From time to time, attractions at Walt Disney World Theme Parks undergo refurbishment, temporary closure, or operate seasonally. While the current list of attraction updates appears below, be sure to visit the online calendar at disneyworld.com prior to your visit for the most recent listing of attraction closures (subject to change without notice):
Magic Kingdom® Park
The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter® is closed for the development of Stitch's Great Escape! set to open in fall 2004.
Snow White's Scary Adventures will not be operating April 19 - May 21.
Epcot
The Food Rocks! show in The Land pavilion is no longer in operation. The space will be used in the development of the new Soarin' attraction, expected to open in spring 2005.
The Wonders of Life pavilion is now open seasonally. Check the Times Guide during your visit for more information.
Disney-MGM Studios
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure will not be operating May 3 - June 30.
The Backlot Tour is now reopened.
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
The Dinosaur attraction will not be operating April 22 - June 4.
Downtown Disney West Side
Cirque du Soleil® show La Nouba - No performances May 2-5.
This month, Disney historian Jim Korkis files a lighthearted look at an otherwise taxing spring chore. Find out how the normally lackadaisical Donald Duck learned fiscal responsibility, courtesy of Uncle Sam!
