There have been a few threads recently with rumors about the future of The Land pavilion, CoP, etc. I thought it might be useful to gather some of the current rumors into a single post.
CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS (MK)
According to Jim Hill Media, CoP appears to be safe for about 18 months. The powers that be apparently view CoP as a nice WDW tie-in to the Disneyland celebration next year. CoP will likely remain open until early 2006, at which time its future becomes much less certain.
TIMEKEEPEER (MK)
The same report from JHM is not so optimistic about The Timekeeper. Reports are that it will close semi-permanently as soon as 'Stitch' opens in another month or two, and may only reopen if WDW sees "record breaking" crowds during the upcoming holiday season or Spring Break '05.
This location may finally see work on a new ride beginning sometime in '05
STITCH'S GREAT ESCAPE (MK)
As has been widely reported, AP holder previews are scheduled for the first week of November. Barring any unforseen technical issues, one can expect the attraction to begin normal operations following the preview dates.
No word yet on soft openings. Also no word on height requirements for the attraction. Given that 'Stitch' maintains the same shoulder restraint system used for Alien Encounter, it seems likely that something at or close to the 44" height requirement will remain in place.
ASTRO ORBITER (MK)
MousePlanet.com is reporting that AO will be closed 1/2/05 to 2/16/05 for rehab. I don't believe this rehab has made it to the official schedule as yet.
DUMBO (MK)
MousePlanet.com is also reporting Dumbo closed from 1/10/05 to 2/12/05 for rehab.
THE LAND PAVILION (Epcot)
MousePlanet.com is reporting that the entire 'Land' pavilion (including Living With The Land, dining, etc.) will close from January 2, 2005 through mid-March to complete work on the integration of 'Soarin'.
The work at The Land may expand to a full refurb / retheme of the pavilion.
SOARIN' OVER CALIFORNIA (Epcot)
All signs point to 'Soarin' being open for the start of the world-wide Disneyland Celebration next May. If The Land re-opens by mid-March, Soarin' should be in good shape for an April / May opening.
WONDERS OF LIFE (Epcot)
WoL has been listed as "seasonal" for most of the year, but has not seen the light of day since May. Initial reports indicated that WoL might re-open during the rehab of The Land noted above. Now that plan appears to be in jeopardy.
According to MousePlanet.com, WoL may open for a few days around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then close permanently after the first of the year.
Hope this helps with some planning.
Sources:
<a href=http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/wdw/wdw040920.htm>MousePlanet Report #1</a>
<a href=http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/wdw/wdw040927.htm>MousePlanet Report #2</a>
<a href=http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/showarticle.php?ID=1105>Jim Hill Media Source</a>
CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS (MK)
According to Jim Hill Media, CoP appears to be safe for about 18 months. The powers that be apparently view CoP as a nice WDW tie-in to the Disneyland celebration next year. CoP will likely remain open until early 2006, at which time its future becomes much less certain.
TIMEKEEPEER (MK)
The same report from JHM is not so optimistic about The Timekeeper. Reports are that it will close semi-permanently as soon as 'Stitch' opens in another month or two, and may only reopen if WDW sees "record breaking" crowds during the upcoming holiday season or Spring Break '05.
This location may finally see work on a new ride beginning sometime in '05
STITCH'S GREAT ESCAPE (MK)
As has been widely reported, AP holder previews are scheduled for the first week of November. Barring any unforseen technical issues, one can expect the attraction to begin normal operations following the preview dates.
No word yet on soft openings. Also no word on height requirements for the attraction. Given that 'Stitch' maintains the same shoulder restraint system used for Alien Encounter, it seems likely that something at or close to the 44" height requirement will remain in place.
ASTRO ORBITER (MK)
MousePlanet.com is reporting that AO will be closed 1/2/05 to 2/16/05 for rehab. I don't believe this rehab has made it to the official schedule as yet.
DUMBO (MK)
MousePlanet.com is also reporting Dumbo closed from 1/10/05 to 2/12/05 for rehab.
THE LAND PAVILION (Epcot)
MousePlanet.com is reporting that the entire 'Land' pavilion (including Living With The Land, dining, etc.) will close from January 2, 2005 through mid-March to complete work on the integration of 'Soarin'.
The work at The Land may expand to a full refurb / retheme of the pavilion.
SOARIN' OVER CALIFORNIA (Epcot)
All signs point to 'Soarin' being open for the start of the world-wide Disneyland Celebration next May. If The Land re-opens by mid-March, Soarin' should be in good shape for an April / May opening.
WONDERS OF LIFE (Epcot)
WoL has been listed as "seasonal" for most of the year, but has not seen the light of day since May. Initial reports indicated that WoL might re-open during the rehab of The Land noted above. Now that plan appears to be in jeopardy.
According to MousePlanet.com, WoL may open for a few days around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then close permanently after the first of the year.
Hope this helps with some planning.
Sources:
<a href=http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/wdw/wdw040920.htm>MousePlanet Report #1</a>
<a href=http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/wdw/wdw040927.htm>MousePlanet Report #2</a>
<a href=http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/showarticle.php?ID=1105>Jim Hill Media Source</a>
