Dateline Disney

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

APRIL 2005

In This Edition:

Epcot: Flower and Garden Festival returns for seven-week run; butterflies, blooms and classic music featured in 12th annual festival.

Disney-MGM Studios: TV's popular Power Rangers begin making daily appearances in parade.

Magic Kingdom: Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny celebrate Easter at theme park.

Downtown Disney: LEGO Imagination Center reopens with more hands-on fun.

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Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Bursts with Blooms
April 15-June 5

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- As Walt Disney World Resort prepares to unfurl its biggest spectacle yet with the "Happiest Celebration on Earth," Epcot will honor the property-wide celebration during the seven-week Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

From April 15-June 5, Epcot will bloom with bouquets of custom displays themed to the "Happiest Celebration on Earth," Disney's global jubilee celebrating 50 years of magic at Disney parks and resorts.

The 12th annual Epcot festival will showcase themed topiary displays from the park entrance to World Showcase Lagoon, including the signature Spaceship Earth garden, which will feature the Fab Five -- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck. Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden and Farmer Mickey's Maze are new in Future World.

Meanwhile, Flower Power concerts return to America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase, striking a lively, nostalgic chord daily at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. They are included with regular Epcot admission. Here's the lineup (subject to change without notice):

April 15-18 -- Davy Jones
April 19-21 -- Gary U.S. Bonds
April 22-25 -- Paul Revere & The Raiders
April 26-28 -- The Buckinghams
April 29-May 1 -- The Grass Roots starring Rob Grill
May 2-5 -- The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
May 6-8 -- Gregg Rolie Band
May 9-11 -- The Lovin' Spoonful
May 12-14 -- The Nelsons
May 15-17 -- Gary Puckett
May 18-20 -- Orleans
May 21-23 -- Rare Earth
May 24-26 -- B.J. Thomas
May 27-29 -- Eric Burdon and The Animals
May 30-June 1 -- Felix Cavaliere's Rascals
June 2-5 -- Arlo Guthrie

Guests will again discover the hub of program activity at the Festival Center, located inside Innoventions West behind Fountain View Café. Guest speakers and demonstrations will be scheduled daily. Festival merchandise, program guides and information also will be available in this one-stop welcome shop.

Other festival highlights include:

A WaterFULL World Garden focusing on the importance of water conservation and wetlands restoration via a meandering water display lush with native Florida plants.

Dozens of fragrant rose varieties developed through the centuries in a display that touches on the history of roses.

A "see and sniff" Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion highlighting flowers in several perfumes.

The Ultimate Backyard Garden display, presented by The Home Depot, exploring the trend of gardeners enjoying their home gardens as a retreat or entertainment venue.

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is included in regular Epcot admission. Guest information is available at disneyworld.com. Or call 407/824-4321.

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Power Rangers Storm Into Disney-MGM Studios

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The newest members of the star family at Disney-MGM Studios have stormed into the theme park in a big way, as five generations of television's Power Rangers have joined the daily "Disney Stars and Motor Cars" parade.

The popular stars from ABC Kids' Saturday morning, ABC Family's JETIX morning and ToonDisney's JETIX evening lineups, the Power Rangers patrol Hollywood Blvd. in a customized classic car -- a sleek, black roadster with lightning bolts streaming from the hood and a giant fan arching over the trunk.

Five generations of Power Rangers, consisting of Time Force, Ninja Storm, Wild Force, Dino Thunder and Space Patrol Delta Power Rangers, are featured with the parade's futuristic float.

The JETIX lineup of action-adventure programming is seen seven days a week on the ABC Family and ToonDisney networks.

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Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny Hop Into Magic Kingdom

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny will join the familiar gang of Disney characters March 20-April 2 in Magic Kingdom to celebrate Easter with park guests. They will join guests for meet-and-greet sessions in Town Square and also make appearances along Main Street, U.S.A. in the Trolley Show.

On Easter Sunday, March 27, the popular pair will also serve as Grand Marshals for the daily Magic Kingdom parade.

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LEGO Imagination Center Re-Opens at Downtown Disney
With New Hands-On Fun

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The LEGO Imagination Center retail store at Downtown Disney Marketplace has been redesigned both inside and out. The store reopened in mid-March.

Outside, a 12-foot T-Rex model occasionally lets out a ferocious roar while a larger-than-life robot chatters electronically. Even Brickley, the famous LEGO sea serpent that stands in the lake, has gotten a makeover.

More surprises outside the store include a family and their dogs taking a walk. LEGO bricks have created the life-size pooches, including a spotted Dalmatian, a lovable Bulldog and a regal German Shepherd.

Inside, there's the world's largest LEGO Pick-A-Brick wall. Imaginative LEGO scenes come to life with the push of a button, and kids can enjoy hands-on activities like mural construction and "beat-the-clock" building contests.

The LEGO Imagination Center originally opened at Walt Disney World Resort in 1997.