2006 April

Effective May 1st, 2006, the “Preferred” room category at both Disney’s Pop Century Resort and All Star Movies Resort will be expanded to include more rooms.

At Disney’s Pop Century Resort, preferred rooms will now included all rooms in the 60’s buildings, and select rooms in the 50’s buildings and 70’s buildings.

At Disney’s All Star Movies Resort, preferred rooms will now included all rooms in the Fantasia, Toy Story, and 101 Dalmatians buildings.

Preferred Rooms at Disney Value Resorts typically are closest to the front desk, food court, gift shop, arcade, transportation, and playground.

On Monday May 1st 2006, the quick service restaurant formerly known as Lumiere’s will reopen as the “Village Fry Shoppe.” The new location will serve McDonalds’ french fries and hot dogs.

The location had been closed for several years, and is a typical quick service counter setup with several windows. It is located next to Mrs. Pott’s Cupboard which serves ice cream and the Seven Dwarves’ Mine gift shop. The adjacent seating area flanks Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Pooh’s Playful Spot.

A new character breakfast and lunch, featuring Playhouse Disney pals, is now booking for dates starting June 25, 2006, and beyond. The meal will take place for breakfast and lunch only at the Hollywood and Vine restaurant; Dinner will remain as before (without characters).

For bookings and information, call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Updated: 4/25/06 – 16:30 – Lunch also offered.

Walt Disney World is targeting families with toddlers and preschool children to fill up hotels in August and September, when folks with older kids head home to start getting ready for school.

The new “Magical Beginnings” program, from Aug. 13 through Sept. 30, will have hotel and meal packages, along with more entertainment and activities, for families with small children, Disney said Tuesday.

Much of Magical Beginnings will be exclusively for visitors who book Disney World hotels. For example, such families will be able to get into the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland an hour earlier than the park’s usual opening time on a few select days. And they’ll have more exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with costumed characters.

The Liberty Inn Restaurant (counter service) in Epcot’s American Adventure will be closed for refurbishment May 1-21, 2006.

The location offers basic American cuisine, such as burgers and hot dogs, so the nearest alternative is Germany’s small counter service location. For a larger selection, visit the Electric Umbrella in Future World for near identical offerings.

To attract families with young children during the August/September period of 2006, Disney is introducing “Magical Beginnings.” Part of the marketing campaign will be Playhouse Disney characters performing at Disney-MGM Studios.

For the event, a show called “Playhouse Disney in Concert” will occur in Disney-MGM Studios. Whether it will occur in the
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage venue, replacing normal showings or elsewhere in the park is currently unknown.

Currently scheduled to appear as part of the concert series:

Doodlebops 8/20-8/23, 2006
Mickey Mouse Magic Show 8/16-19 and 8/24-8/27, 2006
Wiggles 8/29-9/1, 2006

Information from Disney about Magical Beginnings can be found at www.disneymagicalbeginnings.com

All Epcot touring plans have been updated to reflect the permanent closing of Wonders of Life, and the popularity of Soarin’. Significant changes have been made to the Two-Day Early Riser plans, which should almost eliminate backtracking entirely. Important changes made to other plans, especially those that involve the headliner attractions. Drop us a line if we’ve missed anything in these updates, please.

The 13th Annual Epcot International Flower Flower and Garden Festival begins Friday April 21, 2006.

There will be an event kick-off ceremony in Innoventions Plaza near the Fountain of Nations at 9:30am on April 26.

Expect slightly elevated guest levels in Epcot (particularly the weekends) as well as many flowers in bloom.

The event runs April 21 to June 11, 2006.

Official details from Disney can be found at the
Official Event Website

Click here for photos and video from opening day

The Universe of Energy: Ellen’s Energy Adventure will be closed for rehab May 1-14, 2006.

Read more on the Universe of Energy: Ellen’s Energy Adventure

As expected, Pirates of the Caribbean has opened for the Easter/Passover holidays. It should close again at the end of April to complete its rehab. Should be open again in very late June or early July.