Dateline Disney

Walt Disney World's Media Office publishes a bimonthly Press Release called Dateline Disney,
which highlights WDW activities for that particular month.

July/August 2009

In This Edition:

Across Walt Disney World Resort: Fourth of July fireworks & fun; Disney Parks holiday TV special nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award
Epcot: Sounds Like Summer concert series features tribute bands performing legendary music
Magic Kingdom: Pirates League sets sail for adventure; Fireworks Dessert Party offered for first time
Disney's Hollywood Studios: Groups of 10 or more can make a weekend of Night of Joy with value-packed ticket
Downtown Disney: Princess Diana exhibit bows in early July; Guests can join in a new fun-filled street party
Disney Cruise Line: Disney Channel stars hit the high seas

Fourth of July Fun Salutes America in a Star-Spangled Celebration

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Guests celebrating the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort will have a choice of fireworks shows as Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios present special pyrotechnics and Epcot adds a patriotic "tag" to its famous "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" spectacular. Here's what's in store:

Magic Kingdom – "Celebrate America Fireworks" will fill the sky at 9 p.m. July 4 (guests who'd like to begin the celebratory weekend a day early can enjoy the special fireworks on July 3 at 9 p.m.). After the fireworks, guests can enjoy a performance of Disney's "SpectroMagic" parade of lights, music and magic at 10:30 p.m. on July 3-4. Park hours are 9 a.m.-11 p.m. July 3-4.

Disney's Hollywood Studios – Special fireworks will be presented at 10 p.m. on July 4, providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement "Fantasmic!" (which will be at 9 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.). Park hours July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Epcot – "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth," which features dazzling special effects, colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks, and fiery torches all choreographed to a musical score, becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale. The performance begins at 10 p.m. Park hours July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Additional Walt Disney World guest information is available online at www.disneyworld.com.

Sounds Like Summer Musical Revival Continues at Epcot

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Musical tributes to legendary pop and rock acts continue in July and early August at Epcot as the Sounds Like Summer concert series brings popular tribute bands to the America Gardens Theatre stage. Acts celebrating the music of Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, the Supremes, U2 and Tom Petty will be featured in July-August.

Concerts, which are included in regular Epcot admission, are nightly at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. (except July 4, when show times will be 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.).

Here is the lineup (subject to change):
June 29-July 8 – Slippery When Wet – A Tribute to Bon Jovi
July 9-17 – 52nd Street – A Tribute to Billy Joel
July 18-26 – The Sounds of the Supremes – A Tribute to the Supremes
July 27-Aug. 2 – 2U – A Tribute to U2
Aug. 3-9 – Petty Theft – A Tribute to Tom Petty.

For more information, guests may visit Disneyworld.com or call 407/824-4321.

The Pirates League Sets Sail in Magic Kingdom

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Calling all scoundrels, rogues and ne'er-do-wells – Captain Jack and the crew of the Black Pearl want YOU. Starting June 29, the Pearl drops anchor in Adventureland for The Pirates League, recruiting and training park guests ages 3 and up in the scurrilous ways of buccaneers.

Each guest checking in at the plunder-filled recruitment office gets an official pirate name. Next step is the Muster Station where – after applications of beards and eye patches, scarves and scars, earrings and gold teeth – recruits leave their old identities behind. Past a hidden portal and into the treasure cache, new shipmates speak the pirate oath and have their official "pirate portrait" taken before being turned loose on an unsuspecting Adventureland (and no doubt feeling right at home at the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction).

Boys, girls and grownups ready for the pirate life can start the process by calling 407/WDW-CREW. Packages start at $49.95 plus tax.

Fireworks Dessert Party Offered for First Time in Magic Kingdom

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Magical finishes to evenings in Magic Kingdom can be sweeter than ever this summer, thanks to a limited-time Fireworks Dessert Party being offered June 23-Aug. 28, 2009.

The dessert party begins an hour before fireworks show time with a self-service buffet featuring a wide variety of sweets and beverages. Then, when "Wishes" (or an alternate, special-occasion fireworks show) begins to fill the sky, partygoers have an exclusive area to view the pyrotechnics.

The party and viewing are nightly (weather permitting) at Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. Cost is $17.99 (age 10-up) and $9.99 (ages 3-9). Valid Magic Kingdom admission is required. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended (407/WDW-DINE).

Exhibit of Princess Diana Artifacts Coming to Downtown Disney

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The People's Princess Charitable Foundation, Inc. (PPCF) is bringing "DIANA–The People's Princess" – a major exhibit of royal artifacts – to Walt Disney World Resort for a limited time beginning in early July 2009. The experience, which will run through Nov. 30, 2009, showcases the life and story of Princess Diana, one of the most iconic and inspirational figures in recent history, including a sampling of the royal dresses Diana chose to auction for charity and hundreds of authentic artifacts relating to her life.

The exhibit will be held in a 17,500-square-foot setting at Downtown Disney West Side adjacent to DisneyQuest. Tickets may be purchased at the exhibit – $14.50 (ages 10 and above), $5 (ages 3-9). Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.

Disney Channel Stars Hit the High Seas Aboard Disney Wonder

CELEBRATION, Fla. – In a Disney exclusive, selected Disney Channel stars will set sail in July and early August, joining thousands of Disney Cruise Line guests aboard the Disney Wonder for eight special sailings during the first-ever "Disney Channel Summer at Sea" presented by Kodak.

Popular stars from Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana," "Sonny With A Chance," "Wizards of Waverly Place," "The Suite Life on Deck," "JONAS," "Camp Rock," "High School Musical" and "Hatching Pete" will sail with guests on three- and four-night Bahamian cruises taking place July 9 through Aug. 2. Aboard these specially themed sailings, Disney Channel stars will help pump up the volume during onboard deck parties and will join guests for Q & A and autograph sessions along with preview screenings of Disney Channel programming.

The onboard fun culminates with a "Party with the Stars" event, an evening during which guests are invited to join the stars for a special musical performance by a Disney recording artist. Radio Disney's Ernie D will broadcast live from two of the cruises.

For each cruise during "Disney Channel Summer at Sea," guests set sail with selected Disney Channel stars. A comprehensive list of stars participating is available at ww.disneycruise.com/summeratsea. Among those scheduled (subject to change) are:

July 9 Corbin Bleu ("High School Musical") and Tiffany Thornton ("Sonny With A Chance")
July 12 Corbin Bleu ("High School Musical") and Tiffany Thornton ("Sonny With A Chance")
July 16 Jason Earles ("Hannah Montana") and Oleysa Rulin ("High School Musical")
July 19 Musical act Mitchel Musso and Jason Earles ("Hannah Montana")
July 23 Chelsea Staub ("JONAS") and Jason Dolley ("Hatching Pete")
July 26 Chelsea Staub ("JONAS") and Jason Dolley ("Hatching Pete")
July 30 Debby Ryan ("The Suite Life on Deck") and musical act KSM
Aug. 2 Alyson Stoner and Meaghan Martin ("Camp Rock")

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit www.disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com.

New Party Hits the Streets of Downtown Disney Pleasure Island

LAKE BUENA VISTA. Fla. – A new high-energy street party, Celebrate Tonight!, invites guests to join in the fun and mark their own cherished milestone during a year of celebrating at Walt Disney World Resort.

DJs spin the latest and greatest party hits and host the interactive street party complete with stilt walkers and a party crew for group dances and sing-alongs to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings – or anything special guests want to celebrate.

The party rocks from 5-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays in the West End Plaza of Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney.

Groups Can Turn Disney's Night of Joy into Weekend of Theme Park Fun For Less Than $100 Per Person

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Groups of 10 or more Christian music-lovers who want to fill a weekend with uplifting music and Disney theme park fun can take advantage of the most value-packed Night of Joy group offer ever: Admission to both Night of Joy 2009 contemporary Christian music events (Sept. 11 and Sept. 12) plus two one-day one-park admissions to Walt Disney World theme parks during Night of Joy weekend (Sept. 11-13) – all for less than $100 plus tax per person.

Multi-platinum Christian rock band P.O.D. will make its 2009 concert debut following a lengthy world tour as part of a musically diverse 19-act Night of Joy lineup at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. The full lineup:

Sept. 11: P.O.D., newsboys, Kutless, Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE, Leeland, Francesca Battistelli and Superchick – plus Josh Wilson, Above the Golden State and Abandon.

Sept. 12: Skillet, MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Flyleaf, Family Force 5, Grits, Mandisa and Revive – plus Josh Wilson, Above the Golden State and Abandon.

With the special two-nights/two-days ticket exclusively for groups of 10 or more, guests can enjoy the musical talent both nights (7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.) plus popular Disney's Hollywood Studios attractions. The following mornings, they can "hit" a Disney park – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom or Disney's Hollywood Studios – for a fun-packed day during regular park hours.

Booked on/before Aug. 12, the ticket costs just $89.95 plus tax per person (beginning Aug. 13, it costs $99.95 plus tax per person) and is available exclusively for groups of 10 or more.

Night of Joy tickets for individual guests also are available. One-night tickets purchased in advance (up to the day prior to the event) are $49.95 plus tax (tickets on event day, if available, are $54.95). Two-night tickets (providing admission to Night of Joy on both Sept. 11 and 12) are $84.95 plus tax.

More details are available at www.nightofjoy.com. Individual tickets may be purchased online or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (407/934-7639). Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets online or by calling 877/NITE-JOY (877/648-3569).

Disney Parks Holiday TV Special Nominated for Daytime Emmy

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade," the holiday television special presented by Disney Parks and aired on ABC-TV on Dec. 25, 2008, has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Special Class Special."

The special, hosted by Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, featured seasonal songs and appearances from artists including Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, 2008 "American Idol" David Cook, David Archuleta, The Imagination Movers, Sarah Brightman and Jose Feliciano.

The Daytime Emmy Awards are presented annually by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.