April 2000 WDW Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the April 6, 2000, Issue #24 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

Spring has arrived and on April 28th, the 7th Annual Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Opens! "Guests can attend a variety of presentations and workshops hosted by a line-up of nationally known garden experts, learn from the Disney gardening team as the horticulturists share tips and demonstrate new backyard planting ideas, and enjoy the Flower Power concert series featuring top music of the '60s and '70s. For more concert series information, be sure to check out the Events Calendar on WDWIG at http://allears.net/pl/events.htm

Early closing on April 7th — Due to a special event at Epcot on April 8th, the following areas will be closing at 7pm on the 7th of April: The entire Land Pavilion, Imagination! (However, Honey I Shrunk the Audience will continue operating until 8pm with access through Rose Walk); amd the Living Seas (Coral Reef Restaurant will remain open).

What are those tents in the Epcot Parking lot?? It is the 2000 FIRST National Championships ForInspiration & Recognition of Science and Technology April 6-8, 2000. More than 11,000 high school students and professional engineers from around the country will be at Epcot from April 6-8 for the FIRST Robotics Competition National Championships.

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Reservations for Walt Disney World. s newest and most unique resort — Disney. s Animal Kingdom Lodge — are now being accepted!! The Lodge is scheduled to open on April 16, 2001! For pricing and details on the Animal Kingdom Lodge, visit the FAQ on WDWIG.

Wilderness Lodge Villas — opening January 1, 2001! You can also now book rooms at the new Wilderness Lodge Villas! Rooms available include a Studio, One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom villa.

Animal Kingdom Earth Days Celebration – From April 1st until Earth Day, April 22nd, Animal Kingdom will celebrate Earth Days! Through an innovative use of the guidemap, guests not only will have information about all the events, but will use special spaces to collect stickers from the four Kids Explorers Club locations. Conservation Station is the headquarters for the events. Check your Animal Kingdom Guide Map for details.

Special Beauty and the Beast Disney Institute Event! – TUESDAY, April 11th, 8:00 PM An Informal Evening With Disney's Beauty and the Beast National Tour Cast Disney Institute is proud to present an informal evening with members of the cast of the touring company of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Based on the beloved animated film, the showtells the story of a beast and the headstrong girl who teaches him about real love.

Join Susan Owen (Belle), Grant Norman (Beast), Chris Hoch (Gaston), Janet MacEwen (Mrs. Potts), Ron Wisniski (Lumiere) and Susie Gritzmakerm (Dance Captain) for an evening of song and conversation as they offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the show and life on the road. ADMISSION: is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors open one-half hour before show time. Reserved, priority seating to performances and films are offered to Disney Institute Resort guests and guest dining at Seasons Dining Room the day of the performance.

Some Disneyland News for Collectors — The much awaited news for the Pirates Of The Caribbean event at Disneyland has finally been released. It will take place on Saturday, May 20th from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 pm. at Disneyland. Here isa list of what's in store: Beverage Reception, Panel Discussion, Special Pirates ride, Limited-Edition Commemorative Gift, First Opportunity To Purchase Pirates Of The Caribbean Merchandise, Silent Auction for One-Of-A-Kind Pieces.

Tickets for the event are$85 each, $65 for Premium Annual Passholders. Tickets go on sale on April 10th. The Panel Discussion will include Alice Davis Former Costume Designer and wife of the late Marc Davis), X Atencio (Disney Legend, Former Walt Disney Imagineer & Songwriter), Sam McKim (Disney Legend & Former Disney Artist), Harriet Burns (former Walt Disney Imagineer), Kim Irvine-Alison (Walt Disney Imagineer, Art Director at Disneyland Design Studio) and Bob Baranick (former Walt Disney Imagineer, Art Director at Disneyland Design Studio).

Two New Interactive Attractions will open at Disney Quest in Downtown Disney — details in a future issue.

WDWIG Weekly updates will resume April 7th!

SPECIAL NOTE: AOL Users — Come Join Deb at the AOL Travel Amphitheater Sunday, April 9th – 9pm ET for a Disney Chat.

I'll end this with the latest rumor I've heard: The Mickey hand/wand/2000 combo at Spaceship Earth will not be coming down on Jan 1, 2001 as originally planned. It will now stay up until further notice. The "2000" numbers will come down and the name "Epcot" will go up.

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Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.