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Mickey Monitor – February 2004

Flower & Garden Festival springs to life

April 16 - June 6, 2004

Oh, how we've "grown." This year, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival has blossomed into a 52-day event, making it our longest floral festival ever! So bring the whole family and tiptoe through the tulips (not literally) and through over 30 million other booms and see for yourself.

Along with the traditional favorites. we've planted new magic a well. Like brand-new topiaries designed to celebrate the magic that happens when people gather together -- Magical Gatherings. You'll see topiary Mickey and the gang enjoying their very own gathering, and look for topiary Tink to be spreading a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of happy thoughts.

As for those "traditional favorites," there are eight special themed weekends, which include: Opening Weekend, Art in the Garden, Mother's Day Weekend and the I Dig Bugs Weekend. And, as always there will be plenty of fun for the kids. Like Disney's DogGone Maze: a maze full of Disney dogs in topiary form, as well as Ladybug and Butterfly Releases.

Last, but not least; special deals just for Passholders. You will have the opportunity to purchase four Flower & Garden Passholder-exclusive pins! Each will be limited to a quantity of 3.000 and priced at $10.50 (plus tax) apiece. Go to The Land at Epcot to get your pins on the following dates: April 17 and May 1, 15 and 20. One pin will be releases on each of these days and are limited to two per Passholder, per day. You can also enjoy the Festival poster for 50% of the regular price! So plant the dates on your calendar. You won't want to miss it.

Click here for more information and details.

VIP Seating to a HIP Concert!

When you think about the "Flower & Garden Festival," think 'flower power." As in the nightly Flower Power Concert Series. You could find yourself grooving to '60s and '70s music from artists* like Davy Jones, Arlo Gutherie and The Lovin' Spoonful. Better yet, as a Passholder you could find yourself grooving from the vantage point of some VIP seating! All you have to do is stop by Guest Relations on the day of the show you want to see, flash your Pass, sign up and rock on.

Entertainment subject to change without notice.

Visit INTERCOT's Events page for the concert line-up.

Online tools put the pixie dust in planning a Magical Gathering Vacation -

The next time you want to put your Passes through the their paces and host a Disney happening, be sure to check out our new Online Planner.

With this powerful downloadable tool, you'll be able to connect with all the people in your gathering securely and privately online. That way everyone can communicate, build consensus, and plan vacation itineraries -- all with a dash of pixie dust provided by Tinker Bell herself.

Here are just a few of the fun and useful things you can do:

Send a Magical E-mail: Use it to invite friends and family to participate. Tinker Bell delivers your message to one person or everyone on your list.

Cast Your Vote: Create an instant poll to help decide dates, Resort preferences and more.

Select Group Favorites: Save your favorite shows and attractions, then upload them to the Groups page where friends and family can check off what interests them.

Browse and Chat: Surf the magic of the Walt Disney World website while you chat with other members of your gathering.

Create an Itinerary: The calendar displays the date your trip starts and the dates of all the itinerary items you've selected.

Download the Online Planner and put it to work for you.

Save on some fun in the sun t Disney's Vero Beach Resort

While the rest of the country is thawing out from the winter, you could be soaking up the sun at Disney's Vero Beach Resort at a great Passholder rate! It's the only vacation that combines the fun of Florida's Atlantic Coast with legendary Disney experiences and hospitality. Not to mention an average April/May air temperature of about 74°.

These special Passholder rates are for studio accommodations and start at just $139* per room, per night (most nights 4/18 - 6/2/04). But hurry. The number of rooms available at this rate is limited, and they'll go fast! Call (407) 560-PASS (7277) by April 30, 2004 to book. And don't forget to ask for package code VER. Can't wait to see you there!

TIPS:

The Resort holds a special Mother's Day Brunch on May 9.

Tis the season for the Vero Beach Dodgers! The team's home base, Dodgertown, is right nearby.

Golf is in full swing at area public golf courses. (Ask at the Resort for courses that they have special rates with!)

*Taxes not included. Other room types may be available at varying rates. Length-of-stay requirements may apply. No group rates or other discounts apply. No group rates or other discounts apply. Valid for up to four Guests in the same room. Valid Passholder I.D. required at check-in. All prices and other terms subject to change without notice.

The Magic of Disney Animation now puts you in the artist's seat

Have you ever dreamed of being a Disney artist, making your favorite characters come to life on paper, just like an animator? You may have your chance at The Magic of Disney Animation, which has been "re-imagines" to give Disney-MGM Studios Guests a more 'hands-on" experience.

"We brought the whole attraction up-to-date, combining what we'd learned from our Parks around the world," said Walt Disney Imagineering Show Producer Theron Skees.

Of course, before you start your character drawing, you'll need a quick refresher course in animation techniques -- and who better to present it than a lovable animated star?

"In the first segment, Drawn Into Animation, Mulan's dragon friend Mushu discovers to his surprise that he's an animated character!" Theron explains. "He takes us through the whole process. The show is really funny, and it's already a popular part of our animation attractions in France and California."

Then, grab a pencil and have a seat behind your animation desk at the Animation Academy, where an on-site Disney artist guiles everyone, regardless of age or skill, through character drawing.

You'll be able to keep your drawing, too. If you'd like, a selection of mounting materials will be available to preserve and protect your artwork.

After all, once you're a famous artist, it may be a valued collectible!

Baby elephant takes Disney's Animal Kingdom Park by "storm"

What's cute, grey, and give a stork a hernia?

Tufani. The new baby elephant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. This 296-pound bundle of joy is just the fourth surviving African elephant in North America to have resulted from artificial insemination.

"We've been working closely with Tufani behind the scenes to ensure that he bonded with his mother as well as other female members of the herd," says John Lehnhardt, Animal Operations Director at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. "Now, almost all of the female elephants seem to be protective and nurturing toward him. We're thrilled that they accepted him so quickly."

For the last several months, Tufani has been making his first foray onto the newly baby-proofed African savannah at Kilimanjaro Safaris. Both he and his mother, Moyo, are doing well.

Incidentally, Tufani's name literally means "storm." Very appropriate, considering he was born on a stormy night.

Would you like to take a closer look at this precious pachyderm? You can generally catch a look at Kilimanjaro Safaris. (He'll be the real little one.) It's also fun to get a look at his behind-the-scenes home as part of Backstage Safari, a three-hour thrilling exploration of the wild workings of this incredible Theme Park.

And here's some more happy news. To encourage the pitter-patter of your feet on the tour, we're offering an extra special 30% Passholder discount now through May 1, 2004. Call (407) WDW-TOUR (939-8687) for more information.

Suite deal!

Catch the Atlanta Braves from an exclusive Passholder perch.

You and your fellow Passholders enjoying America's favorite pastime from the comforts of an exclusive suite. Could it get any better? Well, yes. Read on.

When? Sunday, March 21 at 1:05 p.m. Gates open at 11:05 a.m.

Where? Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex!

What? The Atlanta Braves take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a Spring Training game.

What else? Not only will you get admission to the game, you'll also get a game program and an all-you-can-eat buffet from noon to 1:30 p.m. The buffet includes burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, pasta salad, cookies, Cracker Jack® popcorn, iced tea and lemonade. There's also a cash bar.

How much? Just $54 (plus tax) for Guests age 10 and up, and $42 (plus tax) for Guests ages 3-9.

Sign me up! To reserve your tickets, just call (407) 938-3844. But do it soon, we've sold out in the past!

Valid Passholder I.D. required. Tickets are limited, and game date, time and opponent are subject to change without notice.

"Where Magic Lives" Passholder Pin #1

This new Magic Kingdom Park-themed pin features Tinker Bell and is available for purchase beginning February 15, 2004 for $10.50 (plus tax). Only 7,500 are being issued, and there is a limit of two per Passholder per day.

This Passholder-exclusive pin will be on sale at one location in each of our four Disney Theme Parks: Town Square Exhibition Hall in the Magic Kingdom Park, Island Mercantile in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, The Sorcerer's Hat in Disney-MGM Studios and Pin Central in Epcot.

Valid Passholder I.D. required at time of purchase.

Stars create the gifts for Mickey's 75th salute

He was the first animated actor to win an Academy Award. He's headlined in Hollywood and on the New York stage, hobnobbed with royalty, hosted hit TV shows and is one of the most recognized figures in the world. So what do you give the Mouse that has everything?

How about 75 6-foot, 700-pound Mickey statues, inspired by a glittering gathering of famous friends? It's called Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspirEARations, and you can see every one of these marvelous Mickey statues for a limited time right outside the Magic Kingdom entrance.

Sir Elton John names his statue "Music Royalty," saluting our hero's tuneful accomplishments. Other designers depicted common interests with Mickey -- like John Travolta whose "Jet Setter" reflects their shared fondness for flight.

Other "Mickeyangelos" who inspired Mickey statues include movie stars like Ton Hanks and Ben Affleck; sports greats including Shaquille O'Neal and Andre Agassi; and best of all, beloved Disney legends like Annette Funicello and Fess Parker. Even entire cities have created magical Mickeys!

In late April, the statues will be separated into smaller groups for an 18-month, 12-city tour sponsored by Coca-Cola®. After their journey, they'll be auctioned off to benefit charities selected by their artists.

It's just like Mickey to transform these magnificent tributes for his 75h salute into gifts for helping others!

Ain't it "Grand" to be a Passholder!?

Typically, our Grand Gatherings Experiences can only be enjoyed by a group of 8 or more Guests staying at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel. But we never treat our Passholders typically! So through April 30, 2004, without having to stay in a Disney Resort (though they are quite lovely), you get the chance to purchase one or more of our unique Grand Gathering Experiences* just for being the Passholder you are! And for bringing at least 7 of your closest friends along.

Pick among the following four exciting options:

International Dinner and IlluniNations Dessert Reception:
It's an Epcot indulgence. Enjoy food, fun and flair from around the world. Then dive into a dessert buffet with VIP viewing of IlluniNations: Reflection of Earth. Theme Park admission is required.
$59.99 for adults and juniors
$19.99 for children (ages 3-9)

Safari Celebration Dinner:
Enjoy a spectacular VIP safari across the rolling African savannah at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Then dine at the Tusker House Restaurant with a side of live entertainment, characters and wild times for all. Theme Park admission is required.
$59.99 for adults
$19.99 for children (ages 3-9)

Good Morning Gathering:
Begin your day with a Magic Kingdom morning. Classic Disney Characters will join you for breakfast at Tony's Town Square Restaurant, and your group will even get some one-on-one time with the big cheese himself -- Mickey Mouse! Theme Park admission is required.
$24.99 for adults and juniors
$11.99 for children (ages 3-9)

Magical Fireworks Voyage
Cast off on a moonlit voyage around the Seven Seas Lagoon outside the Magic Kingdom Park. You'll have the perfect spot to view the Electrical Water Pageant and the new Wishes™ nighttime spectacular! And top it off with a special meet and greet with Peter Pan. Available on a seasonal basis.
$29.99 for adults and juniors
$14.99 for children (ages 3-9)

Call (407) 939-7813 for dates and to book your experience today. Hurry! Space is limited.

*All prices include tax and gratuity. Each Grand Gatherings Experience must be attended by at least 8 Guests ages 3 and over. At least one Guest must present a valid Passholder I.D. for admission.

You may book your experience 90 days out. Payment in full is required 45 days out. Notification of cancellation must be received at least 7 days prior to arrival of each experience to receive a refund of your payment. Please remember that Theme Park admission is required for all Grand Gatherings Experiences, except for the Magical Fireworks Voyage. Multiple Grand Gatherings may participate in the same Grand Gatherings Experience. Grand Gathering Experiences are subject to change. Reservations are not transferable.

Passholder Perks are online:

Don't forget that as a Florida Resident Passholder, you can always go online to access a world of information about your Pass ... and have access to the latest Walt Disney World information as well! And if you have, by chance, forgotten what some of that information is, here's a little refresher course.

Access your Pass entitlements and benefits

Learn about special offers

Purchase a new Pass

View Park hours and show times

Link to special events on disneyworld.com

Learn what's happening week-to-week at Walt Disney World Resort

Help a friend of family member plan a trip or Magical Gathering™ vacation

It's right at your fingertips! We hope you've enjoyed your friendly reminder to log on from time to time and see what's going on(line).

PS. If you haven't logged on before, you'll need to have your Pass with your Passholder I.D. number handy so you can get started.

Perks in your 2004 pass sleeve

Get the most out of being a Walt Disney World Passholder by taking advantage of these exciting offers:

New perk is music to your ears

This rocks! Now you can enjoy a 10% discount off of your total Virgin Megastore purchases -- music, movies, books and more! But only at the Downtown Disney West Side location. And only when you present your valid Pass.

This offer may not be combined with any other coupon, discount or promotional offer. Excludes personal audio, DVD players, interactive software and accessories, game hardware, Gift Cards, Virgin Mobile Top-Up Cards. Valid for Passholder only.

Leave your legacy and then some
If you've not yet had your image etched into Epcot® history, it's the perfect time to fo so! Because now when you buy one Leave a Legacy Tile, you'll get another one free. So technically, you can leave two legacies! Just show your valid Pass to receive this offer. An remember, there is a limit of one such offer per Passholder.

Benefits may only be used by a Passholder with a valid Pass unless noted otherwise, and cannot be combines with any other coupon or discount. Benefits exclude tax and gratuity where applicable and are subject to change without notice.

Earn big rewards with Disney's Visa Card

Only with Disney's Visa® Card can you earn Disney Dream Reward Dollars on all of your card purchases.* Sign up for the card and we'll even give you 25 additional Disney Dream Reward Dollars after credit approval and your first card purchase!

These reward dollars can be redeemed for most Disney merchandise, Theme Park tickets (including Annual Pass renewals), hotel stays, food and more. And not just at the Walt Disney World Resort. You can also redeem them at the Disneyland® Resort, aboard Disney Cruise Line ships, in Disney Stores, on disneystore.com and in the Disney Catalog. Whew!

And, yes, you guessed it. There's more. Card members also get a number of special bonus offers. Like earning double, triple or more Disney Dream Reward Dollars on selected Disney purchases, AND getting deals on vacation packages and merchandise when you use the card. You can even use your reward dollars in combination with other money-saving offers without having to worry about block-out dates.

There are so many reasons to become a Disney's Visa® Card member, we don't even have to tell you that you'll get competitive introductory APR for 6 months on card purchases and balance transfers. Or that there's no annual fee. Oops. Too late.

To apply for your card, call 1-800-561-3926. Be sure to reference key code 6QJ601.

Available to U.S. residents only, 18 and older, and subject to credit approval.

*Disney Dream Reward Dollars are subject to the terms and conditions of the Disney Reward Dollars Program.

25 additional Disney Dream Reward Dollars after your first purchase with your card. this is a one-time offer for new card members who have applied for the Disney's Visa® card and are approved for the card. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks after your first purchase, balance transfer, convenience check or cash advance for your Disney Dream Reward Dollars to post to your account.

Stitch is on the loose!

Disney Imagineers report that the unpredictable Stitch has broken loose and could pop up anywhere.

Stitch's Great Escape! is scheduled to open later this year, if Stitch will cooperate! Keep your eyes peeled for more about this zany alien and his new attraction in future issues.

New attractions all revved up and flying soon

It won't be long before two exciting new attractions will come roaring up the road and soaring down from the sky.

An action-packed auto stunt spectacular, inspired by one of the hottest Disneyland Resort Paris attractions, will zoom into the Disney-MGM Studios next year. Called "the king of stunt shows," it was coordinated by veteran James Bond movie stunt master Remy Julienne.

This explosive new show is so huge, a gigantic stage and arena are being created so all the specially designed cars, motorcycles and jet-skis can screech, jump and flip through astounding feats of driving skills.

Look! Up in the sky! It's Soarin' Over California coming to Epcot! and as any Disney's California Adventure visitor will tell you, it's already one of the all-time great Disney attractions.

This exhilarating experience makes you feel like a bird, gliding effortlessly over the mountains, countryside, and shoreline of the Golden State. Billowy winds and fresh scents of pine trees and orange blossoms heighten the joyous sensation of free flight.

As you fly 40 feet up into the curved screen of a cavernous projection dome, you'll experience breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Redwood Forests, Napa Valley, Yosemite National Park and other unforgettable landscapes. You'll even meet a familiar flying friend!

Both new attractions will arrive in 2005. Look for more details in upcoming Mickey Monitor issues.

Upstate New York inspires new upscale Resort

A magnificent new Disney Vacation Club Resort will soon take its place among the great themed Disney Resorts you know and love.

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, which will eventually be the largest of our Home Away Home Resorts, will open in May. This enchanting vacation spot boasts breathtaking architecture and landscaping, modeled after upstate New York's grand country resorts of the late 1800s.

Throughout the property, original artwork by Saratoga artists depicts the Resort's health, history and horses theming.

At the centerpiece of this grand lakeside community is the breathtaking High Rock Spring, which winds its way through giant rocks and boulders to the clear waters of the pool below. Inside the pool, a water slide weaves its way through the rocks, while a nearby kids interactive play area and two whirlpool spas blend in with the lush landscaping.

And then there's the world-class spa, which features a health club and a full range of pure indulgences reminiscent of the healing spas of Saratoga Springs, New York.

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa holds many delightful little secrets, so be among the first to experience all of them for yourself in this quiet paradise.

It's all just across the water from the Downtown Disney area. You can make a reservation by calling (407) 560-PASS (7277).

Key Dates!

March 3 - April 1, 2004
Atlanta Braves Spring Training has sprung
Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex becomes the home of the Braves for Spring Training once again. Come watch 'em take on big league rivals like the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Tickets are now on sale. Call Ticketmaster® at 1 -407-839-3900 or visit ticketmaster.com to get yours! Team schedules subject to change.

March 21, 2004
Catch the Braves from a Passholder suite
When the Atlanta Braves take on the St. Louis Cardinals in Spring Training, you could be there watching from the comfort of an exclusive Passholder suite. To reserve your tickets, just call (407) 938-3844 today! See story above.

April 16 - June 6, 2004
The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival blooms
This year, the fun has "grown" to span 2 days ... the longest ever! And it comes complete with whimsical new topiaries, exciting special weekends, the Flower Power Concert Series and more. Speaking of the Concert Series -- as Passholders, you can get VIP seating simply by flashing your Pass at Guest Relations on the day of the show you want to see!

Select Weekends in May & June 2004

"The FORCE" is at Star Wars Weekends
Head to the Disney-MGM Studios to see some of your favorite heroes and villains from the entire Star Wars™ saga, including some of your favorites from Episode II. It's a wannabe Jedi's dream come true.

May 2004
Grand opening of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Our newest Home Away From Home Resort features villa-style accommodations fashioned after the grand Saratoga Springs, NY hotels of the late 1800s. It also features a High Rock Spring pool with cascading waterfalls and a slide.

Passholders go quackers over Mickey's PhilharMagic

You could almost feel the theater rocking with laughter at the Mickey's PhilharMagic Passholder preview. Or maybe that was just Donald Duck getting his 3-D feathers ruffled!

"It's like a big 3-D symphony, and Donald ties it all together," Sterling Powell of Orlando told us. "You get a taste of all the great Disney musical movies."

The Powells were among the Annual Passholders to enjoy Mickey's PhilharMagic before its official premiere. Boasting the world's largest 3-D projection and outrageous in-theater effects, the new attraction surrounds you in classic Disney moments.

"I loved it when the apple pie comes out at you and the brooms from Fantasia were cleaning up," said rose Powell. "I got pretty wet!"

Naturally, all the Passholders we met were fans of the original films, so they were delighted to immerse themselves into the Disney scenes they knew so well.

"There were way more 3-D effects in this show than in anything I've seen," Kacey Battertom of Tampa told us. "When you're underwater with Ariel, you really feel immersed in her cave. It was amazing!"

Her husband, Kenneth, liked "flying" with Aladdin best. "I was finally able to actually look down on the Agrabah castle from the sky. That was one thing I'd always wanted to see that wasn't in the original movie."

The Battertons enjoyed the reaction of the kids a much as the show itself. "When each character came on the screen, the little girl next to us was just squealing with delight," said Kenneth. "Every time we heard her, my wife and I looked at each other and smiled."