Disney Season - Fall 2007: It’s a Party Spirit at Walt Disney World Resort LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- As summer temperatures cool, the party spirit heats up at Walt Disney World Resort with an array of autumn activities, events and adventures all across the 40-square-mile Florida Vacation Kingdom.
Among the highlights are fan-fests for lovers of art, contemporary Christian music, gourmet cuisine and daytime drama, a PGA TOUR event, a new magical-makeover salon, not-so-frightful Halloween nights, concerts just for youngsters and a host of holiday happenings.
And it's all taking place during "The Year of a Million Dreams," a first-of-its-kind event celebrating Disney dreams of guests and the role that Disney cast members play as dream makers.
Here's what's in store in late 2007 across Walt Disney World Resort:
Playhouse Disney in Concert: A playful musical extravaganza with headliner The Doodlebops will have tykes laughing, dancing and singing during the return of Playhouse Disney in Concert performances Aug. 30-Oct. 28 at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park.
The lively weekend concerts are taking place as part of
Little Ones Travel Time, a specially created travel season featuring resort hotel packages, targeted online planning tools, Little Ones Magic Hours in Fantasyland, new guidemaps, and services devoted to families traveling with toddlers or preschoolers.
In addition to
The Doodlebops, kids can bop to the catchy tunes of Disney Channel favorites including
Imagination Movers, Johnny and the Sprites and Dan Zanes and Friends. Scheduled acts include:
Imagination Movers (Aug. 30-Sept. 2) The Doodlebops (Sept. 6-9) Playhouse Disney Live on Tour (Sept. 13-16) Imagination Movers (Sept. 20-23) Choo-Choo Soul (Sept. 27-30) Choo-Choo Soul (Oct. 4-7) Ralph's World (Oct. 11-14) Johnny and the Sprites (Oct. 18-21) Dan Zanes and Friends (Oct. 25-28) Shows will be presented at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. at Coaster Courtyard Concert Stage near Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror. For more information on Little Ones Travel Time, guests may visit disneyworld.com/PreK. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night of Joy 2007: Celebrating its milestone 25th year, Disney's contemporary Christian music event will feature Third Day, Chris Tomlin and David Crowder*Band on the marquee of a nine-act lineup of Christian music artists Sept. 7 followed by newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman and Salvador spearheading a nine-act lineup Sept. 8 at the Magic Kingdom theme park.
The talent bill, a combination of celebrated Christian music veterans and heralded newcomers, will showcase: Friday, Sept. 7:
Third Day, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Jaci Velasquez, Brian Littrell, BarlowGirl, Leeland, Jessie Daniels and Sanctus Real Saturday, Sept. 8:
newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman, Salvador, Smokie Norful, Kutless, Red, Mary Mary, Flyleaf and Mark Schultz
The Saturday entertainment lineup also will include a "Best of Show" winner from the Gospel Music Association's 33rd annual Music in the Rockies event.
Night of Joy, which requires a special ticket, begins at 7:30 p.m. (after regular theme park closing) and continues to 12:30 a.m.
Advance tickets ($41.95 plus tax for one night, $71.95 plus tax for both nights) are available by calling 407/W-DISNEY or by visiting disneyworld.com/nightofjoy online. Tickets purchased on the date of the event will be $46.95 plus tax, if available
(Note: Night of Joy is frequently sold out in advance). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Spreads Pixie Dust to Magic Kingdom: A second Walt Disney World location of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Disney's magical makeover salon for young princesses and cool dudes, opens in September in Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom theme park. For guests outside the park, the first salon is located at Downtown Disney Marketplace, inside the World of Disney Princess Room.
Princesses can choose from three makeover packages -- the Coach makeover (hairstyle and shimmering makeup), the Crown makeover (hairstyle, nails and shimmering makeup) and the Castle makeover (hairstyle, nails, shimmering makeup, an imaging package and princess costume complete with crown, wand and shoes).
Within each makeover package, young princesses can choose from three different hairstyles -- the Disney Diva, the Pop Princess or the Fairytale Princess.
The Magic Kingdom salon will be open every day from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Children must be three years or older and theme park admission is required.
Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling 407/WDW-STYLE (407/939-7895) up to 180 days in advance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: On select nights between Sept. 14 and Nov. 2, the Magic Kingdom theme park will be full of treats -- no tricks! -- during the popular Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Scheduled dates for the special-ticket event are:
Sept. 14, 21, 28, 30; Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31; and Nov. 2.
Guests are invited to dress in costumes (Disney characters are decked out in their Halloween attire as well) and trick-or-treat through the park, after-dark (the party begins at 7 p.m. -- after park closing -- and ends at the wonderfully witching hour of midnight).
The family-friendly fun includes the "Boo-to-You" Halloween parade and the bewitching "Happy HalloWishes" fireworks spectacular. The most popular Magic Kingdom attractions are operating, too.
Tickets are $45.95 plus tax (ages 10-up) and $39.95 plus tax (ages 3-9), with advance-purchase savings available for 12 select evenings.
For additional ticket information, guests can visit disneyworld.com/halloween online or call 407/W-DISNEY. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival:
A showcase of paintings inspired by food and wine sets the scene for sipping and sampling at the 12th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 28-Nov. 11.
More than 25 international marketplaces serve tapas-sized portions of regional specialties ($1.50-$4.50) with wine and beer pairings, daily seminars offer complimentary tastes of wine, beer and food from around the world, and nightly Eat to the Beat! concerts performed at America Gardens Theatre offer a lineup of classic rock, oldies, jazz and funk hit-makers. To pop the cork on each week, a special-ticket Party for the Senses grand tasting features entertainment by Cirque du Soleil on Saturday evenings.
Other festival highlights include:
An opening-weekend during which Mireille Guiliano, author of bestsellers
French Women Don't Get Fat:
The Secret of Eating for Pleasure and French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes and Pleasure, will sign books and participate in special culinary programs.
International exhibits on the promenade featuring authentic cuisine, entertainment and traditional crafts.
Music, dance, acrobatics and "improv" acts at Epcot pavilions.
A series of special culinary programs -- dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools -- featuring renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers.
Guest chefs throughout the festival making all types of appearances -- at both free and ticketed events. Appearances include any combination of specialty dining, Party for the Senses, free seminars, free book signings, etc.
Among chefs slated to appear:
Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Jeff Henderson, Roy Yamaguchi, Todd English, Gerry Garvin, Keegan Gerhard, Colette Peters, Warren Brown, Robert Irvine and Suvir Saran. The Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Sparkling Wine Bar and festival keepsakes including commemorative posters and the official festival cookbook.
Most activities are included with admission. Activities that require reservations and separate admission include Party for the Senses, Food and Wine Pairings at Epcot restaurants, Exquisite Evenings at Epcot dinners, Epcot Wine Schools, Regional Feasts and other specialty events. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (407/939-3378) to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details are available at: disneyworld.com/foodandwine. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PGA TOUR Event -- Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart: The PGA TOUR will stop at Walt Disney World Resort this fall -- as it has annually since 1971 when Jack Nicklaus won the first "
Disney Classic." But following a milestone multi-year agreement, the event has a new name: Children's Miracle Network Classic. The agreement, which runs through 2012, marks the first time the Children's Miracle Network name has been prominently associated with a professional sports event.
In recognition of the 20 years of Children's Miracle Network support from Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, the full name of the 2007 tournament will be the Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart. Part of the PGA TOUR's Fall Series, it is scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 4 as the final official-money event of the year. It will be held on the Magnolia and Palm courses, with GOLF CHANNEL televising all four rounds. Defending champion is Florida native Joe Durant.
A money-saving weekly badge which provides admission to the general grounds during all four tournament days and during practice rounds costs $50. A single-day ticket for a tournament round costs $30, while a single-day ticket on practice days costs $10. All tickets can be purchased online at childrensmiraclenetworkclassic.com. Guests can call the Children's Miracle Network Classic Hotline at 407/824-2250 for more information. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Dining Options at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Beginning in November, guests who travel to the land of Asia in Disney's Animal Kingdom will get a real taste of that exotic part of the world with the opening of
Yak & Yeti Restaurant. Inspired by the western Himalayan foothills in India and Nepal, this Asian-fusion establishment will offer table-service dining and a full-service bar, as well as quick-service food and beer-garden options, plus retail offerings from Pan-Asia ranging from silk purses, incense and saris to fine teapots. It will seat 250 inside for table-service dining and 350 in a quick-service courtyard.
Elsewhere at Disney's Animal Kingdom,
Tusker House Restaurant in the Africa section of the park reopens in November, converted to a buffet restaurant that includes a character breakfast, Donald's Safari Breakfast. Hours are 8-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. until the park closes. The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating.
At the same time, Restaurantosaurus in the DinoLand U.S.A. section will alter its operation, opening daily at 10:30 a.m. (Donald's Breakfastosaurus at Restaurantosaurus closes Nov. 5) and offering quick-service until park close. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Festival of the Masters: More than 200 award-winning national and local fine artists will showcase their diverse creations at Downtown Disney West Side Nov. 9-11 during the 32nd annual Festival of the Masters.
This art festival for all ages includes live music and entertainment, chalk art sidewalk displays at Downtown Disney Marketplace and a children's activity area where budding young artists can create their own masterpieces.
Event hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day of the festival. Admission and parking are complimentary. For more information about Festival of the Masters, guests may contact 407/824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com/artfestival. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABC Super Soap Weekend: The largest annual soap opera fan event held anywhere in the world, ABC Super Soap Weekend, returns to the Disney-MGM Studios theme park Nov. 10-11.
More than 30 stars from the ABC Daytime dramas
"All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital" step off the television screens and into the theme park in meet-and-greet autograph and photo sessions, celebrity motorcades, star conversations, interactive games and special Street Jam concert performances.
Celebrity-worn costumes, props and exclusive event merchandise also are available at the event's Soap Central merchandise gallery. Admission to the event is included in regular admission to Disney-MGM Studios. Event details are available at: disneyworld.com/supersoap. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Holiday Fun, Disney-Style!: The holidays sparkle all across Walt Disney World Resort, with a sleigh-full of seasonal celebrations to put everyone in the yuletide spirit. Here's a sampling of the fun in store ...
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: On 19 select evenings -- the most ever! -- in November and December, guests can experience the enchantment of "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" and the excitement of a holiday-themed fireworks spectacular inside the Magic Kingdom theme park.
Dates for 2007 are: Nov. 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30; Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21.
The jingle-jolly event also features live entertainment, character greetings, cookies and cocoa, and even "snow" on Main Street, U.S.A. Plus, the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions are open to party guests. Admission to this event requires a separate ticket.
(Tip: Guests are advised to purchase tickets in advance, as many nights are expected to sell out.) Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights: As "snow" falls overhead, the Streets of America backlot cityscape at Disney-MGM Studios comes alive Nov. 12-Jan. 6, 2008, with millions of sparkling -- and dancing -- holiday lights during the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Snowflakes glisten, carousels twirl, toy soldiers march and Santa and his reindeer take flight in animated displays. The synchronized music and light show is presented in collaboration with famed Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne, who developed the dazzling display for his daughter more than a decade ago at his Little Rock, Ark., home. The spectacle is included with Disney-MGM Studios admission.
Holidays Around the World/Candlelight Processional: An Epcot tradition continues with holiday customs from around the globe, international storytellers, a nightly tree-lighting ceremony featuring Disney characters and a stunning display of snow-white and colored lights. From Nov. 23-Dec. 30, Candlelight Processional -- a longtime and beloved Disney tradition -- will feature celebrity guest narrators accompanied by a mass choir and 50-piece orchestra for a retelling of the Christmas story. Shows are at 5, 6:45 and 8 p.m. (Tip: Candlelight Processional is a popular show, so guests are advised to arrive early.) All of the Epcot holiday fun is included with regular theme park admission.
thanks to wdwnews.com
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