NEWS

Dateline
Disney

Current  Dateline Disney

2009
January/February
March/April
May/June
July/August
September/October

DisneyPlanner:
January - April
Summer
Summer - Updated
Fall
Holiday Season

2008
January/February
March/April
May/June
July/August

Disney Planner
   September-December
Disney Planner
   May-August
Disney Planner
  January-April

2007
Disney Planner
   September-
    December
Disney Planner
   May-August
Disney Season -
   Spring
Spring

January
February
March
April
May
June
September/October

2006
Disney Season -
    Fall
August - December
May - August
January -April
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

2005
January - April
September-December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

2004
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

2003
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

2002
January
February
March
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

2001
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

2000
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

1999
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

1998
January
February
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

1997
March
April
June
July
September
October
November
December

1996
September
October
December

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

FEBRUARY 2006

In This Edition:

Romantic Disney: Love is in the air -- romantic reasons for a Valentine's visit to Disney.
Disney's Animal Kingdom: Female African elephant calf is born.
Downtown Disney: Two annual events make February festive at Pleasure Island.
Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex: Atlanta Braves spring training begins.

Love is in the Air at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- This Valentine's Day, couples who've been bitten by the love bug don't need a fairy godmother to find romance at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Vacation Kingdom is, after all, home to some of the world's most famous romances: Cinderella and Prince Charming, Lady and the Tramp, Beauty and the Beast -- and, of course, America's sweethearts, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

As for the allure for lovebirds from near and far, here are a few reasons why industry experts depict Walt Disney World Resort as one of the nation's top romantic destinations:

# Disney Dining Serves Romance
-- Couples find Disney dining infused with romance in settings ranging from the subdued to the spectacular.

One of the most romantic dinner spots at Walt Disney World Resort is a table for two at Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Combining Royal Doulton china, Cristofle silver and personalized menus, Victoria & Albert's is the "crown jewel" of the Grand Floridian's dining destinations.

With fair-weather clouds painted on the ceiling, soft lighting and a celestial harpist, Victoria & Albert's serene dining room embodies a spirit of luxury and romance. Soft harp music fills the air as "maids" and "butlers" provide impeccable service to each of the 18 tables in the intimate dining room. Ladies also receive a long-stemmed red rose. The elegant restaurant has been honored with the Five-Diamond Award from AAA.

California Grill atop Disney's Contemporary Resort offers a panoramic view overlooking the Magic Kingdom theme park. Here, stellar cuisine and the restaurant's award-winning selection of California wines set the stage. The restaurant lights are dimmed for performances of the Magic Kingdom fireworks show, with the show's accompanying music piped in to provide diners an unforgettable view -- from Tinker Bell's flight to the last burst of color. Lovebirds enjoying an earlier dinner can catch a different spectacle in the sky -- a Florida sunset over Magic Kingdom.

For all Walt Disney World dining information, call 407/WDW-DINE (939-3463).

# The Couple that 'Spas' Together, Stays Together -- Imagine sharing a luxurious spa treatment with that special someone. The Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club, in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, features a "Couples Room" where guests can enjoy specialized spa treatments -- such as massages and facials -- with the one they love. For information about spa treatments at Disney's Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club, call 407/824-2332.

# Love Boats -- Grand 1, an elegant 45-foot yacht at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, can give couples (or parties of up to six couples), a stunning view of "Wishes" fireworks showering above Magic Kingdom during select evening cruises on Seven Seas Lagoon. Passengers can canoodle under the glow of Cinderella Castle while partaking in private butler service and gourmet meals catered especially to their tastes. Romantic evening cruises begin at $375.58/hour including captain and private deck hand. Reservations can be made by calling 407/824-2682.

Breathless, a handsome reproduction of a 1930 mahogany runabout at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort Marina, is available for private rental. Afternoon 10-minute excursions are $23.58, and half-hour cruises are $80.18 for up to seven people. For $179.24, up to seven guests can take a Fireworks Cruise (45-50 minutes) for an exhilarating, one-of-a-kind view of Epcot's "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth." The craft travels across Crescent Lake to Epcot for the nightly fireworks, sound and laser show. Reservations can be made by calling 407/WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

And the name of the boat is perfect for couples in love.

# Nature Lovers -- Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground offers guests private carriage rides amidst the natural charm and backwoods beauty of Walt Disney World Resort. Thirty-minute, horse-drawn rides are offered nightly in antique carriages able to accommodate up to four adults. Originating from Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, the horse-drawn carriages quietly glide along lake-lined paths under Spanish moss and tall trees throughout the 700-acre, rustic-themed resort. Carriages are available from 6-9:30 p.m. daily, departing from Pioneer Hall at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Cost is $35. Reservations can be made by calling 407/WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

A horseback ride through one of the backwoods trails at Walt Disney World Resort is just the thing for couples who share a love of nature. Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground offers wrangler-led tours (45 minutes) through the deep, pine-scented woods that make up part of the Vacation Kingdom's 30,500 acres. Cost is $42. Tours leave several times daily from Trail Blaze Corral, and may be reserved by calling 407/WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

# Renewing Vows -- Many couples are coming to Walt Disney World Resort, often with their families, to renew their vows five, 10, 25 and 50 years later. A Disney vacation provides the perfect backdrop to celebrate this major family milestone. Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding experts can tailor the ceremony and celebration to suit each couple -- from an intimate ceremony just for two to a gala celebration reuniting extended family and friends. For more information on Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, call 321/939-4623.

It's a Girl!
Disney's Animal Kingdom Welcomes Its Newest Addition

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The animal care team at Walt Disney World Resort has welcomed a 233-pound bundle of joy to Disney's Animal Kingdom. The female African elephant calf joins her mother, Donna, 21, after 21 months gestation in the womb. The calf's name is Nadirah which is an African word for precious and rare.

Both the calf and her mother are doing well following the Christmastime birth, according to veterinarians and elephant managers, who are cautiously optimistic about the calf's long-term survival.

The first-time mother experienced a very short labor, lasting approximately 16 minutes. With assistance from the animal care team, the newborn became comfortable using her "newly discovered" legs and began nursing soon after her birth. She is already feisty and very active.

"African elephants are endangered and difficult to breed, and having a successful birth is a significant event, both for the species and for our talented and experienced team of elephant experts who have been working on this breeding program for more than five years," said Dr. Beth Stevens, vice president of Disney's Animal Kingdom, and president, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

Donna, who is on permanent loan from the Albuquerque Zoo, became pregnant through natural breeding on March 17, 2004, when she mated with Jackson, a bull on breeding loan from the Pittsburgh Zoo. This arrangement is part of the AZA Elephant Species Survival Plan, a consortium of zoos and wildlife parks working cooperatively to conserve elephants.

The calf and her mother can now be seen with other elephants on the savannah at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Beads and Hearts Are In the Air
At Downtown Disney Pleasure Island

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Downtown Disney Pleasure Island is buzzing in February with everyone from live bands to comedic love prophets as the nighttime destination presents two annual events:

# Pleasure Island becomes Sweetheart Island, celebrating the romance of Valentine's Day, Feb. 10, 11 and 14. Red and silver reign supreme on these special evenings, setting the stage for love prophets who humorously predict guests' romantic futures, a Matchmaker Matchbreaker character who pushes her way into everyone's business, a Lovelorn Loser trying desperately to land the love of his life and other surprise performers.

# Parti Gras puts a Pleasure Island spin on the famous Mardi Gras tradition Feb. 24, 25 and 28. On these nights, feathered banners, fabric swags, purple and green garland, Mardi Gras masks and more are the backdrop for a party that includes a wide range of special entertainment, featuring Mardi Gras stilt walkers, jugglers, a unicycle artist, a bead dancer, a yo-yo professional, a beaded person (a person literally covered with beads), live bands and more.

Guests may experience the outdoor elements of these celebrations free of charge. Admission to the Pleasure Island nightclubs requires a separate ticket. Guests may visit the Pleasure Island ticket booths for details on ticket pricing and age restrictions.

Atlanta Braves Spring Training Begins
At Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Atlanta Braves, champions of the National League East for 14 straight years, will battle several key rivals during the 2006 Major League Baseball Spring Training season at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. After two weeks of February workouts, the Braves will play a 17-game home schedule that includes marquee clashes with the Mets, Astros, Cardinals and Yankees, making this one of the club's fiercest spring training schedules ever at The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

Braves pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 16, with their first workout set for Feb. 17, marking the beginning of the ninth year the perennial champions have come to Walt Disney World Resort for spring training. Position players arrive Feb. 21, with the first full-squad workouts on Feb. 22.

Individual game tickets for the Braves home spring training games are currently on sale through Ticketmaster (407/839-3900 and www.ticketmaster.com) and at the Disney's Wide World of Sports box office. Prices range from $13.50 (general admission lawn seats) to $22 (lower reserved).

The popular mini-packs will include both three-game and five-game options in 2006 and are currently on sale, giving fans their first opportunity to purchase tickets to specific games on the Braves 2006 spring training schedule. Fans may also purchase Atlanta Braves Spring Training travel packages through Sports Marketing USA. Travel packages include Braves game tickets, accommodations at Walt Disney World Resort and other benefits. Information is available online at springtrainingtours.com/Braves/braves.html.

Information on the Braves spring training season, group tickets and mini-packs is available by calling 407/939-GAME (4263) and online at disneyworldsports.com.