Dateline Disney - July 2003

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- What would summer at Walt Disney World Resort be without Fourth of July fireworks? There will be a special patriotic fervor in the air as skies above the Vacation Kingdom fill with spectacular pyrotechnics again this year.

Among scheduled activities:

At Magic Kingdom on July 4, guests will be treated to a special edition of "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks featuring patriotic music and pyro ringing the park. Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m.

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island takes a flag-waving theme July 3, 4 and 5 with patriotic decorations all about, All-American theme bands on West End Stage and in The Jazz Company, the tossing of patriotic-themed beads, and walk-around stilt-walkers decked out in red, white and blue. A special midnight fireworks salute follows the national anthem. Guests who want to let their spirit show can purchase special glow necklaces and patriotically designed face paintings. Fireworks fun and the special music are included in regular Pleasure Island admission of $19.95 plus tax.

On with the "glow" at Disney-MGM Studios. Necks will crane skyward as a fireworks spectacular fills the skies above the showbiz-themed park on July 4. Showtime is 9 p.m.

At Epcot, July 4 enhancements to the popular "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" show will burst skyward above World Showcase Lagoon, bringing down the curtain on a daylong patriotic celebration that includes special shows and meet-and-greets with Disney characters in colonial costumes.

For more information, guests may call 407/WDW-MAGIC (939-6244).

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World Music Concert Series Echoes International in Epcot

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The curtain is up on the first Epcot World Music Concert Series, a high-energy series representing a wide variety of international styles that blend diverse cultures through the fusion of music. And July's lineup will feature entertainment from as near as Canada and as far away as Africa and Australia.

Upcoming acts scheduled at America Gardens Theatre:

Richard Wood, July 1-13. Canadian Wood is a fiddling virtuoso and stunning showman who takes folkloric music like the Celtic jig and turns it modern.
Brother, July 15-27. This Australian rock band folds electrifying guitar techniques and riffs into astounding sounds sure to captivate World Showcase audiences.
Baka Beyond, July 29-Aug. 10. Known as the original African Celtic crossover band, the group includes musicians from six countries in the Celtic fringes of Europe and the West Coast of Africa who blend beautiful harmonies and melodic rhythms.
Show times for the Epcot World Music Concert Series are daily at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m., except Mondays when local acts perform.

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Disney Cruise Line Wins Top Cruise Award From AAA Travel

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. -- AAA Travel recently named Disney Cruise Line its "2002 Preferred Cruise Partner of the Year."

The annual program relies on quarterly surveys of AAA's 78 clubs and recognizes the cruise line that scores highest in overall satisfaction as its preferred cruise provider. Criteria used to evaluate cruise lines include service, product and marketing.

AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 78 clubs with 1,100 offices providing more than 46 million members in the United States and Canada with travel, financial, insurance and auto-related services.

Offering three-, four- and seven-night cruise vacations in addition to land and sea packages, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder were designed to appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of the family. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, guests can contact a travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500.

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New Wireless Headsets Speak Guests' Languages at
Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- To keep up with the demand and expectations of international guests, Walt Disney World Resort will introduce new lightweight language translation headsets beginning July 14. The headsets incorporate wireless technology that provides synchronized narration in five languages -- French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish -- for popular theme park attractions.

Currently, more than one dozen attractions at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios support the translation units, with future expansion to include Disney's Animal Kingdom and more than 30 attractions property-wide by fall 2003.

Translation units are available at Guest Relations locations in each park at no charge but do require a refundable deposit. The service allows guests with limited English fluency to enjoy Disney attractions that feature a strong storytelling element.

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Super Bowl Champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for 2003 NFL Training Camp

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will return to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex July 19-Aug. 15 for their 2003 NFL training camp after winning Super Bowl XXXVII in January.

The Buccaneers, who trained at Disney's 200-acre international sports complex for the first time in 2002, were the first NFL team to conduct training camp at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The Buccaneers will begin their 2003 training camp on Saturday, July 19, and the team workouts will be free and open to the public.

Fans will have the opportunity to see head coach Jon Gruden and Bucs star players including Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Keyshawn Johnson and Brad Johnson when the team takes the field at Disney for "two-a-day" practices, which are tentatively scheduled for 8:35-10:45 a.m. and 2:45-4:45 p.m. (subject to change).

Tampa Bay will open its preseason game schedule on Saturday, Aug. 2, in the American Bowl in Tokyo, Japan, against the New York Jets. (Note: The Bucs will be away from the Disney sports complex during the trip to Japan, from July 29-Aug. 3.)

The Bucs are expected to conclude training camp at Disney on Friday, Aug. 15.

For more information, fans may call 407/939-GAME (939-4263). Fans may also visit disneyworldsports.com or www.buccaneers.com.

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