Walt Disney World News

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Partners with Verizon Wireless
Early next year, guests at Walt Disney World and Disneyland who use Verizon Wireless will be able to access a variety of services through their mobile phones. Available services will include locating shows, restaurants, and characters; determining attraction wait times; playing mobile games; and receiving texts from characters. Some of the basic mobile services will be available to all guests, regardless of their wireless provider. Disney is assuring guests that this is going to be an informational tool, not a marketing tool.

Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade
This year's parade will be taped on November 29 and December 6 at the Magic Kingdom.  There is no word yet on who the special guests performing on-stage will be. The parade will air on Christmas Day on ABC.

Dates Announced for 2009 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
The 2009 festival will be held from March 18 – May 31, 2009.  The "Cinderellabration" theme will "Celebrate Floral Fun and 'Go Green'" and will feature a Pixie Hollow Playground in honor of the new Tinker Bell movie and meet 'n' greet area.

Archery Lessons Now Available at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Both novice and expert archers can receive a 90-minute lesson from an archery guide on select afternoons at Fort Wilderness.  The lesson costs $25/person and includes equipment.  To book your archery experience, call 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529).

Pirate and Princess Party to Return
Although Disney has not announced the dates, Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party is clearly returning in 2009, as participants in the Princess Half Marathon are being offered the opportunity to purchase tickets to a party after the March 8 half marathon. Unofficial dates are February 20 and 27; March 8, 12, 20, and 27; April 1 and 22; May 1, 8, 15, 20, 25, and 30; and June 3.

Amazing New 2009 Walt Disney World Discount
Between now and December 20, 2008, book 4 or more package nights for travel between January 4 and June 27, 2009, and get 3 package nights free.  Book your stay between January 4 and March 29, 2009, and you will also receive a $200 gift card.  For more information, visit http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/currentcode.shtml#GP.

Join Magically Speaking at MouseFest 2008
Join hundreds of Disney enthusiasts at MouseFest 2008! Magically Speaking is now a participating community in this annual event. Stop by our table at the Mega Meet on Saturday, December 13, or join us on the Wishes Premium Cruise on December 12. For more details, visit the official MouseFest site as well as the TheMouseForLess MouseFest page.

Walt Disney World Closures and Rehabs

Magic Kingdom

• Hall of Presidents is closed through July 1, 2009.
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin will be closed December 14 through 20.
• The Frontierland Fry Cart is closed for refurbishment through January 11, 2009. It will reopen with seating and an expanded menu.
• Splash Mountain will be closed January 4 through 17, 2009.
• Liberty Tree Tavern will discontinue its character dinner on January 5, 2009.
• Dream Along with Mickey will not be showing from January 6 through 20, 2009.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant will be closed for one day on January 7, 2009.
• Pecos Bill Cafe will be closed from January 11 through February 13, 2009.
• Mickey's PhilharMagic will be closed January 18 through February 6, 2009.

• There are no official closures at this time.

• Upon a Time, Mouse about Town, and Sunset Club Couture shops will be closed through November 22.
• "Fantasmic!" will no longer be shown daily, beginning January 4, 2009. January and February calendars have twice-weekly shows, and in March, shows are three times per week. There will be daily shows the weeks preceding and following Easter.
• American Idol is scheduled to open in January 2009.

• PetriFries is closed through November 21 and will reopen with a new menu under the name Trilobites.

• La Nouba will be dark on November 18.
• MarketPlace Stage in Downtown Disney is closed through November 30.
• Typhoon Lagoon is closed through March 21, 2009.
• The Portobello Yacht Club in Downtown Disney is undergoing a makeover, although the restaurant is open for business. Once all changes are completed in December, the restaurant name will change to "Portobello."
• Contemporary Resort's new quick service location, Contempo Café, is scheduled to open on January 21, 2009. Until Contempo Café opens, the Tempo Grab and Go quick service location will remain open.
• All-Star Music resort's Piano Pool will be closed November 10 through 20. Guests may use the Calypso feature pool or other All-Star pools.
• Old Key West's Village pool slide will be closed January 5 through January 23, 2009. The pool will remain open.
• Stormalong Bay at the Yacht & Beach Club will be closed in phases January 5 through April 15. The Flying Jib slide and pool will be closed January 5th through mid-February. Guests may use the quiet pools or the pool at the Boardwalk.
• The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Polynesian Resort will be closed January 13 through 19, 2009.
• The Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village construction is ongoing through April 30, 2009. The Sunset Savanna may not have animals between January and April 15, 2009.
• The Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort is scheduled to open June 1, 2009.
• Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort will begin accommodating guests on September 1, 2009.

Upcoming Events at Walt Disney World

• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: November 20, 21, 30; December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19.
• The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios: November 28 through January 4, 2009.
• Epcot Holidays Around the World, November 28 through December 30.
• MouseFest 2008, December 11 through 15.
• 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon and Goofy's Race-and-a-Half Challenge: January 8 through 11, 2009.
• Inaugural 2009 Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend March 6 through 8, 2009.
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 18 through May 31, 2009.