January 2001 Dateline Disney

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Reservations are now being accepted for Disney’s Pop Century Resort, scheduled to open in two phases beginning in December 2001. The resort showcases 20th century pop culture with larger-than-life icons representing toys, fads, dance crazes and catch phrases. Giant bowling pins, Rubik’s Cubes, cellular phones and Big Wheels will tower above guests at the individually themed lodge buildings.

When completed in 2003, Disney’s Pop Century Resort will add 5,760 guest rooms to the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Room rates for 2001 start at $77 a night during value season.

Guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or a travel agent to make a reservation.

Victoria & Albert’s Wins Coveted 2001
AAA Five-Diamond Award

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has received the AAA Five-Diamond Award, the only restaurant in Central Florida to earn the prestigious accolade.

Chef Scott Hunnel customizes his seven-course meals daily at the elegant, 65-seat Victoria & Albert’s. The restaurant’s intimate dining room and award-winning wine list make it one of the top dining destinations at Walt Disney World Resort.

Victoria & Albert’s is one of only 108 lodgings and restaurants earning Five-Diamond recognition from AAA for 2001. Of more than 41,000 establishments to be listed in the 2001 AAA TourBook guides, less than one-half of 1 percent will receive the Five-Diamond Award.

AROUND THE WORLD

Running Permitted in Theme Parks Jan. 6-7:
It’s Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Some 18,000 runners will “tour” the Vacation Kingdom Jan. 7 in the eighth annual Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon. With 13,000 registered for the 26.2-mile marathon and 5,000 for the 13.1-mile half marathon, the field is the largest ever for an event featuring a jaunt through all four Walt Disney World theme parks, resort areas and Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex.

The Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon is a weekend of running fun, with a two-day Health and Fitness Expo at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Jan. 5-6 and the FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run 5K race at Epcot on Jan. 6.

The marathon and half marathon have both reached registration capacity. Runners interested in the FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run 5K can still register online at runningnetwork.com or disneyworldsports.com.

Surf’s Up at Typhoon Lagoon this Winter

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Though the temperature is dropping up North, the surf’s up at Walt Disney World Resort as Typhoon Lagoon reopens from seasonal refurbishment just in time for the New Year.

Guests can splash or relax on 56 acres of fun-in-the-sun for the entire family.

Typhoon Lagoon features:

362,000-gallon salt-water Shark Reef, where guests can snorkel amidst colorful fish, live sharks and coral.
2.25-million-gallon wave pool where guests can “hang 10” on four-foot waves.
three white-water rides, three speed slides and a “lazy river.”
a relaxed tropical beach where sunbathers can bask in the Florida sunshine.

Typhoon Lagoon is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 1-31. Single-day tickets are $27.95 plus tax for adults and $22.50 plus tax for children.

For additional information on Typhoon Lagoon and other Walt Disney World water parks, guests can call 407/WDW-PLAY.

Grand Adventures Await Kids at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Kids can search for buried treasure or share a cup of tea with Alice and her Wonderland friends through “Disney’s Grand Adventures for Kids,” a program for young guests to enjoy at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The program offers activities for a variety of ages. Hours, prices and reservation availability vary from program to program, but all activities promise to take kids on an adventure into their imaginations. Here are some of the adventures offered:

Grand Adventures in Cooking, where kids create a tasty treat from a story.
Pirate Cruise, where young “pirates” follow clues on their search for buried treasure.
Wonderland Tea Party, where kids attend a tea party with Wonderland characters.

For information, guests can contact 407/WDW-PLAY.

SPORTS

Sports Enthusiasts Ring in the New Year with Events at Disney’s Wide World of Sports

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- For sports fans whose “goal” is to “kick off” 2001 with a “grand slam,” Disney’s Wide World of Sports offers activities to help dedicated fans keep their New Year’s “resolution.”

Atlanta Braves Spring Training FanFest returns to Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex Jan. 6 for its fourth season. Fans have the chance to meet top Braves players who will be hitting the diamond this spring during a 15-game home schedule. Special Walt Disney World Spring Training packages are available.
Third Annual Tyco All-Star Gridiron Classic includes four days of college football workouts at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex, Jan. 8-11, in preparation for the post-season all-star game Jan. 13 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
NHL BREAKOUT® The Championships, the world’s largest off-ice outdoor hockey tournament, brings top National Hockey League legends -- and the Stanley Cup -- to Downtown Disney Jan. 12-14 in an effort to benefit local and national cancer-related charities across the United States.

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