Disney Press Release

[Funkyzeit mit Bruno]

Walt Disney World Unwraps Summer of Fun, Reveals Plans for Biggest Celebration Yet
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- From Tokyo and Paris, from
California and Hong Kong, Walt Disney World Resort is importing a collection
of incredible new attractions and shows to commemorate 50 years of Disney
theme parks.
As Disneyland prepares to mark its 50th anniversary, Walt Disney World
officials today announced plans to join in "The Happiest Celebration on Earth"
beginning next May and they showcased events and new features in store for the
current summer season in the Florida Vacation Kingdom.
During "The Happiest Celebration on Earth," which begins May 5, 2005, each
of the four Walt Disney World theme parks will feature a blockbuster
attraction imported from around the globe -- plus a unique new attraction will
be created just for the Florida resort.
"Disney parks are an international phenomenon -- the most popular in the
world," said Walt Disney World President Al Weiss. "During this golden
anniversary celebration, we're giving Walt Disney World guests a chance to
sample Disney magic from three continents and creating new reasons to visit
each of our Florida parks."
* At Magic Kingdom, guests will see "Cinderellabration," an enchanting
musical spectacular direct from Tokyo Disneyland Park. Performed on the
castle stage, the show will continue the "happily-ever-after" story of
Cinderella with elaborate costumes and a host of favorite characters that
bring to life the coronation of this favorite Disney princess.
* At Epcot, Disney's California Adventure will provide a tribute to the
West Coast heritage of Disney theme parks. "Soarin'" -- one of the most
popular attractions at one of the newest Disney parks -- will send Epcot
guests on a thrilling hang-gliding journey over the Golden State. The
"flight" ends, appropriately enough, with an aerial view of Disneyland itself.
Also at Epcot, guests will get a sneak peek at the beginning of the next
50 years of Disney theme parks at Hong Kong Disneyland Preview Center. An
enormous and intricate scale model and never-before-seen renderings will
showcase the park, scheduled to open December 2005.
* At Disney-MGM Studios, the "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show"
from Walt Disney Studios Paris will feature the bombastic best of the movie
industry's stunt masters. Fast-paced and high-energy, the stunt show will
send cars, motorcycles and jet skis careening across the studios backlot,
giving the audience of 5,000 seated in a custom-built grandstand a behind-the-
scenes look at movie mayhem.
* At Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney Imagineering will introduce
Lucky the dinosaur, the first-ever free-roaming Audio-Animatronics creation.
After successful play-testing at Disney's California Adventure, Lucky will
walk the streets of DinoLand U.S.A., greeting guests and even signing
autographs. The startlingly lifelike creature -- which can laugh, sneeze,
bray and even get the hiccups -- was named one of the year's top inventions by
Time magazine and represents the next step forward in Audio-Animatronics
technology.
* Later in the celebration year, Walt Disney World Resort will present a
new adventure of its own with the opening of the enormous Expedition EVEREST
thrill ride in the Asia area of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The legend of the
yeti comes to life in a dramatic high-speed train adventure that combines
coaster-style thrills with the excitement of a close encounter with the
abominable snowman.

The celebration will cap an incredible array of blockbuster attractions
and shows that have been added to Walt Disney World Resort over the past two
years: "Soarin'"; "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show"; Expedition
EVEREST; Stitch's Great Escape!; "Wishes" fireworks spectacular; "Mickey's
PhilharMagic" and Mission: SPACE.

Other features in store right now:
* A record seven-week run of the Epcot International Flower & Garden
Festival will continue to treat guests to a fragrant array of some 30 million
blooms through June 6. New highlights for 2004 include: a Magical Gathering
topiary garden featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald
Duck; a WaterFULL World Garden demonstrating water conservation and wetlands
restoration; and an Outdoor Living display exploring the trend of home gardens
as entertainment and retreat havens.
* Opening in time for summertime guests is Disney's Saratoga Springs
Resort & Spa, the seventh property to join the collection of Disney vacation
ownership resorts. Located just across the lake from Downtown Disney, the
resort recaptures the heyday of upstate New York country retreats of the late
1800s. The neighborhood of 12 residential-style buildings will comprise 552
units upon completion in early 2005, making it the largest Disney Vacation
Club resort to date.
* The power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine once again for
Star Wars Weekends, scheduled for five consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday
and Sunday) in May and June at Disney-MGM Studios. Each weekend through June
13, fans are able to "star gaze" as Star Wars celebrities take part in meet-
and-greet sessions, star conversations and Hollywood-style motorcades.
* Art lovers will have a new reason to visit Epcot beginning in August
when American Heritage Gallery opens in the American Adventure pavilion with
an inaugural exhibition exploring the connection between historical African
art objects and their influence on contemporary African-American artists.
"Echoes of Africa" will feature important pieces from the Walt Disney-Tishman
African Art Collection, considered to be one of the most significant and
respected private collections of African art. During the three-year run of
the exhibit, 15 to 20 pieces from the collection will be on display at any one
time, side by side with the works of approximately one dozen contemporary
artists.
* A Florida resident offer for travel July 5-Aug. 28 features accommodates
at Value Resorts (like Disney's newest resort, Pop Century) at $69 per night
(a savings of $30); Moderate Resorts at $84 (savings of $60); Disney's Animal
Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Wilderness Lodge at $114 (a savings of $85). The
booking period is now through Aug. 28. To qualify, proof of Florida residency
required. Details are at disneyworld.com or 407/W-DISNEY.
* Play 4 Days, Disney's wildly popular special ticket offer for Florida
Residents, continues through June 4, offering four days of park-hopping for
$109 per person, plus tax. Compared to buying four one-day one-park tickets
at the gate for $54.75 each, the savings for a Play 4 Days passholder works
out to a hefty $110. Details at disneyworld.com/play4days or 407/WDW-4DAYS.


http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-05-2004/0002167969&EDATE=

 

[Micca]

I think I'll hit each park during this time...in my dreams

 

[kkmauch]

For even more information on all this, and to see pictures, I would suggest hitting up allearsnet.com to read Deb's ccount of the press event.

 

[Serenity]

Thanks for this post. I read about Lucky on another post and really did not understand what it was till I read this. I can't wait to see him and GET HIS AUTOGRAPH! WOW!! How do they do that?