Dateline Disney May 2007

In This Edition:

Epcot: The Three Caballeros reunite after 63 years for 'Gran Fiesta Tour' at Mexico pavilion; Themed weekends bursting with fun during Flower & Garden Festival; Flower Power concert series revisits 'British Invasion'; Spaceship Earth presented by Siemens being 're-imagined.'

Disney's Magical Express: Innovative program welcomes aboard AirTran Airways.

Pin Trading: Pirates of the Caribbean take over May 25 event.

Disney Cruise Line: Popular stage show has new dazzle plus Timon and Pumbaa.

Sports: The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex to host American League series between Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Texas Rangers.

Food & Beverage: This trendy tea party isn't for teetotalers.

Disney Dollars: Buc Bucks are here.

The Three Caballeros Reunite for 'Gran Fiesta Tour' at Epcot

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World guests are being treated to a new view of Mexico courtesy of Donald Duck and two of his longtime amigos.

"Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros" debuts at Epcot's Mexico pavilion (replacing "El Rio Del Tiempo") with a storyline and film featuring Donald Duck, José Carioca (the parrot), and Panchito (the Mexican charro rooster) from the 1944 Disney film "The Three Caballeros."

It's an excursion by tour boat through vibrant, eye-filling sights accompanied by lively music. The people, culture, history and arts of Mexico are showcased, and guests catch a glimpse of some of Mexico's most famous cities, resorts and beaches, including locations such as Mexico City, Chichen Itza and Acapulco.

The "Gran Fiesta Tour" combines new live-action film shot on location in Mexico with an overlay of hand-drawn animation of the Three Caballeros. The custom animation is inspired by the original 1944 classic film and uses the same color palettes, stylistic design and graphic elements.

As the story goes, the caballeros have reunited for a grand performance in Mexico City. But along the way, Donald Duck disappears to take in the sights of the country, leaving José and Panchito to search for their missing friend. Their journey is a festive and colorful celebration of the beauty and culture of Mexico that is fun for guests of all ages.

Reuniting with their wandering amigo, the friends end their adventure with a grand fiesta celebration at sunset in Mexico City. Guests arrive at the new concert bandstand in Mexico City just in time to see -- and hear -- the much-anticipated Three Caballeros reunion concert.

To add to the fiesta experience, the Three Caballeros finale song has been re-scored and re-recorded. Throughout the attraction, props, set facades, lighting and the sound system also have been refurbished and enhanced.

AirTran Airways Becomes Participating Airline for Magical Express

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- AirTran Airways becomes an official participating airline for Disney's Magical Express Resort Airline Check-In Service on May 5.

With Disney's Magical Express, guests of Disney hotels check their bags at their hometown airport, bypass baggage claim at Orlando International Airport (OIA) and board state-of-the-art motor coaches to Walt Disney World Resort -- while their bags are delivered directly to their resort room -- after check-in. The complimentary round-trip service between Orlando International Airport and Disney hotels is designed to give Disney hotel guests the stress-free vacation they want.

AirTran is among a growing list of airlines that add another magical dimension to the service by enabling passengers leaving Orlando on domestic flights to check their luggage and receive a boarding pass before departing their Disney hotel, thus avoiding airport check-in lines. Participating airlines in addition to AirTran currently offering this additional service are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines/Ted.

May Weekends Are Sprouting With Themed Fun During Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The 14th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is in full bloom in May with themed weekends featuring gardening experts, seminars and workshops enhancing the festival's bouquet of flora and topiaries. This year's pirate and princess-themed festival celebrates moms, kids, classic Disney characters, gardening gurus and more during May weekends:

* Cinco de Mayo Weekend (May 4-6) -- Fun-filled activities at the Mexico pavilion uncover the history behind the Cinco de Mayo holiday celebrating the legendary Battle of Puebla. Plus, Central Florida gardening aficionado and author Tom MacCubbin piques interest with workshops on how to create edible landscapes, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. in the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.

* Mother's Day Weekend (May 11-13) -- Members of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs showcase brilliant floral arrangements at the Festival Center. On Mother's Day, May 13, moms are treated to a complimentary flower. Families can treat mom to brunch during Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 13, at World ShowPlace. Times are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can make reservations at 407/WDW-DINE (939-3463). Plus, Guerlain perfume specialist Raymond Western reveals the intimate relationship between perfumes and plants (such as those displayed at the France pavilion's Fragrance Garden) at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. in the Garden Odyssey Festival Center. Children can also honor mom with a homemade Mother's Day card.

* Characters in Bloom Weekend (May 18-20) -- Dozens of Disney characters make appearances throughout the park for a character extravaganza. Gardening guru and director of the colorful Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando will share tips on growing an interesting garden using plants with unusual texture, color and habits, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. in the Garden Odyssey Festival Center. For kids, Tinker Bell's Fairy Garden showcases a glittering Tinker Bell topiary and the new Pluto's Play Zone offers creative climbing fun. Artisans showcase handcrafted dolls and teddy bears at World ShowPlace on May 19 from 1-5 p.m. and on May 20 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

* Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-28) -- Children can take part in an old-fashioned Field Day with activities in Future World East including beanbag tosses, relay races and other outdoor fun. Gary Alan, landscape designer and TV and radio personality, talks about ideas and methods to create your own magical landscape at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., May 25-27, in the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.

The seminars, workshops and children's fun are included with Epcot admission. Can't make it to the festival? The renowned horticulture team that brings life to the festival will host a weekly video Web cast on Travelocity.com at travelocity.com/gnome. Garden specialists show viewers how to use Disney methodology to bring magic to their gardens at home. New episodes will become available each Friday of the festival.

Flower Power Revisits 'British Invasion' in May With Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, Petula Clark, Peter & Gordon

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. --The British are coming! And when they do, it will be sweet music to the ears of 1960s music fans attending Flower Power concerts in May at Epcot.

Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, Petula Clark, and Peter & Gordon -- all part of music's fabled "British Invasion" of the mid-60s -- will take the America Gardens Theatre stage during May as part of the popular concert series presented during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. And to top off the British influence on the month, Manchester, England, native Davy Jones of The Monkees fame also will be featured.

Petula Clark, who makes her Flower Power debut May 4-5, was both a darling of the British Invasion and an artist who transcended generations, scoring mega-smash hits both with teens and adult contemporary audiences. Her chart debut, "Downtown," became one of her two chart-topping hits (the other was "My Love") between 1965 and 1968, when she had 15 recordings in the top 40 -- six of which climbed into the top 10.

Herman's Hermits, which closes out the Flower Power concert series May 31-June 3, hit the top 40 with 18 recordings, 11 of which soared into the top 10 -- including chart-toppers "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am." Peter & Gordon was the first "British Invasion act" not called The Beatles to top the pop chart when "A World Without Love" hit No. 1 on June 27, 1964. Walt Disney World guests can relive their musical memories April 29-May 1.

Flower Power performances, which are included with Epcot admission, are at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. at America Gardens Theatre. Here's the complete lineup for May:

April 29-May 1 -- Peter & Gordon
May 2-3 -- Jose Feliciano
May 4-5 -- Petula Clark
May 6-10 -- Nelson featuring the songs of Ricky Nelson
May 11-15 -- Davy Jones
May 16-19 -- B.J. Thomas
May 20-22 -- Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill
May 23-25 -- The Guess Who
May 26 -- The S.O.S Band
May 27-30 -- Gary Puckett
May 31-June 3 -- Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone

Re-Imagined Time-Travel Adventure, New Finale Transform Spaceship Earth Presented by Siemens at Epcot

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Inside the Epcot icon, remarkable changes will be taking place over the next several months. A re-imagined Spaceship Earth presented by Siemens will combine the magic of the iconic attraction's time-travel adventure into the past with a new finale which provides guests the opportunity to imagine their futures.

On a trip through time inside the Spaceship Earth attraction, guests discover how each generation of mankind has invented the future for the next generation, and how the spirit of innovation has moved people from the caves to the cosmos.

Enhancements to the time-travel attraction will encompass changes to each of the ride scenes. New show scenes will be added to the attraction's story along with new lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, narration and musical score.

As guests disembark the time-travel experience, they are invited to visit "Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow," where interactive exhibits bring to life the ideas and technologies Siemens is developing to help make the world a better place for the future.

The space is filled with fun, interactive games and displays that showcase innovative technologies. Here guests step into the world of tomorrow and glimpse the future of medicine, transportation and responsible energy management across the globe.

Now open to Epcot guests, the first completed phases of Project Tomorrow include:

-- An illuminated globe measuring 20 feet in diameter that offers an ever-changing collage of inspirational images that invite guests to imagine the wonders of tomorrow.

-- Body Builder, a 3-D game that enables users to assemble a digital human body, simulating the Siemens technology developed to perform remote surgeries.

-- Super Driver, a driving simulation video game that showcases motor vehicle accident-avoidance systems developed by Siemens.

With phased renovations occurring through the year, the Spaceship Earth makeover is scheduled to be fully completed in early 2008.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Play Ball at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will host the Texas Rangers for three regular-season American League games at The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex May 15-17, marking the first-ever regular season MLB games in the Orlando area. Game time for all three games is 7:10 p.m.

Tickets are currently on sale through Ticketmaster outlets and via the Devil Rays official Web site at devilrays.com. All fans attending the games in Orlando will receive a voucher for a ticket to one of the remaining weekend games at Tropicana Field -- the normal home of the Devil Rays -- during the 2007-08 season.

The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex has played host to several high-profile Major League Baseball events in recent years. In addition to serving as the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves for the past decade, The Ballpark at Disney hosted six World Baseball Classic games during spring 2006.

New Kind of Tea Party at Walt Disney World Restaurants, Lounges

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Restaurants and lounges all across Walt Disney World Resort have a new way to enjoy tea: in trendy cocktails. The tea-infused cocktails were created by Disney's beverage team and are offered in most lounges and table-service restaurants.

Exotic combinations include the Zen-tini with Skyy citrus vodka and green tea liqueur; the Lemon Verbena Martini with Ketel One Citroen and lemon verbena tea; and the Iced Chai Tea Latte with Malibu coconut rum, chai tea and half & half. After-dinner tea drinks are served hot, like the Cassis Infusion with cassis tea and Chambord, or the Vanilla Rooibos Soother with Navan vanilla cognac and vanilla rooibos tea.

"Tea is associated with powerful antioxidants, increased metabolism and lower cholesterol, so guests are intrigued by the idea of adding tea to cocktails," said Stuart McGuire, Disney's spirits, beer and non-alcoholic drink expert.

Here's one to try at home:

Zen-Tini

Ice
1 ounce Skyy Citrus Vodka
1 ounce Zen Green Tea Liqueur
1/2 ounce Monin Green Tea

Add all ingredients into the shaker; shake and strain into a well-chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh lemon slice.

Mickey's Pin Trading Night on May 25 Themed to Pirates of the Caribbean

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Fans of Disney pin trading who are also fans of Pirates of the Caribbean are in for a treat May 25 at Mickey's Pin Trading Night. The monthly session at Disney's Contemporary Resort will be the final activity for the Pirates of the Caribbean: Adventures on the Seven Seas Lagoon merchandise event taking place that week. The free fun begins at 6 p.m. (a new starting time) and continues until 9 p.m.

More information about Disney pin trading is available at disneypins.com.

Pirate-Themed Disney Dollars Arrive at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Three new Disney Dollars themed to Pirates of the Caribbean are arriving at Walt Disney World Resort this spring to celebrate the third chapter in the "Pirates" film series. Each bill, available in $1 denominations, features a stylized skull and cross bones on the front. Distinguishing the three bills is each film's flagship vessel (The Black Pearl, The Flying Dutchman and a new ship that will be unveiled in the third film) on the back.

The first two bills (themed to "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest") are currently available for purchase and use at merchandise locations on Disney property. The third bill will be released May 15, 2007, just prior to the nationwide release of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

Late Summer Walt Disney World Vacation Package Includes Free Dining

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Guests planning a late summer Walt Disney World vacation can take advantage of a specially discounted package that includes the Disney Dining Plan for free. The savings are being offered for guests arriving most nights Aug. 26 through Sept. 22, 2007, and who purchase the special package no later than June 24, 2007.

For a limited time only, guests can purchase this 5-night, 6-day "Magic Your Way" Package including hotel and theme park tickets and get a free Disney Dining Plan included for $455 per adult and $184 per child (based on adult double occupancy at a Disney Value Resort in a standard room). That works out to a savings of more than $194 per adult.

This offer includes select Disney Value Resort accommodations, a "Magic Your Way" Base ticket and the Disney Dining Plan. With Disney's Dining Plan, guests can choose from more than 100 participating restaurants. For each night of their package, guests will enjoy: One (1) table-service meal including appetizer, entrée, dessert (except at breakfast), non-alcoholic beverage and gratuity/service charge; One (1) quick-service meal including entrée and non-alcoholic beverage; and One (1) snack such as frozen ice-cream novelty, box of popcorn, piece of whole fruit or a medium soft drink.

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings are based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Child rate applies only when occupying room with an adult. Tickets are for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. This offer excludes alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must choose from a children's menu when available. The offer must be booked no later than June 24, 2007.

To book this offer or find out about other offers to Walt Disney World Resort, guests can contact their local travel agent or visit disneyworld.com for more information.

Disney Offering the Kind of Slice Golfers Will Like -- a Price Slice

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Seldom does "slice" mean something positive in golf. Usually, it means a player wishes he could have his swing back -- to stroke the ball again ... straighter this time. But this summer, Walt Disney World Resort is offering a slice every golfer will like -- a price slice to play the award-winning Disney courses.

Beginning May 14 and continuing through Sept. 27, Disney's Price Slice means big savings on greens fees after 10 a.m. daily. Here's what is offered:
-- Magnolia course, which has tested some of the world's top golfers annually since 1971 in a PGA TOUR event, for $55;
-- Eagle Pines course, a challenging Pete Dye layout, for $55;
-- Palm course, which will join the Magnolia in hosting the annual PGA TOUR Classic in November, for $55;
-- Osprey Ridge course, which recently underwent a course improvement program, for $55;
-- Lake Buena Vista course, which has hosted both LPGA and PGA TOUR events, for $45.

The rates include use of an electric cart and reflect savings of $34-$44 compared to regular rates in effect for May-September.

Walt Disney World Resort is a Golf Magazine Gold Medal Resort -- among 25 facilities in the continental U.S. and Hawaii distinguished with the honor. Guests can call 407/WDW-GOLF or visit disneygolf.com for tee times. "Magic Your Way" vacation packages including accommodations, theme park tickets, dining and recreation -- including golf and golf instruction -- are available by calling 407/W-DISNEY, through a local travel agent, or at disneyworld.com.

'Disney Dreams . . . An Enchanted Classic' Wows Cruise Line Guests

CELEBRATION, Fla. -- "Disney Dreams," one of the most popular shows on both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, displays new dazzle with the debut of "Disney Dreams . . . An Enchanted Classic" featuring elaborately enhanced special effects, animation and new scenic elements. As a bonus, two beloved character cast members -- Timon and Pumbaa of Disney's classic film "The Lion King" -- make their first-ever appearance on a Disney Cruise Line ship as part of the show.

At the opulent Walt Disney Theatre, the enhanced "Disney Dreams . . . An Enchanted Classic" tells the story of a young girl who learns about the power of dreams. New laser effects allow Tinker Bell to "sprinkle" the theater with sparkling pixie-dust trails, and fresh animated video footage brings the show to life like never before. During a scene from the classic film "Beauty and the Beast," "snow" falls upon the audience. And when Cinderella takes the stage, special pyrotechnic effects add glitter to her sartorial transformation from rags to ball gown.

The revitalized show recently debuted on the Disney Wonder and will be unveiled on the Disney Magic just in time for the ship's inaugural season in the Mediterranean this May.

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

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