In This Edition:

Disney-MGM Studios: ESPN blows out 25 birthday candles with giant, sporting fan-fest

Disney Resorts: Newest perk debuts for resort guests

Magic Kingdom: E-Ride Nights offer Disney Resort guests more theme park fun
Across Disney World: July 4th celebrations; Disney tops in Zagat Survey; RVers name Disney World #1

Disney's Wide World of Sports: Tampa Bay Bucs "rush" to Complex for Training Camp

Downtown Disney: Olympic pin fever; Cirque du Soleil's photo artistry

Disney Golf: Golfers can hit the links for less

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ESPN Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Fan-Fest
At Disney-MGM Studios

BRISTOL, Conn. -- To celebrate ESPN's 25th anniversary, ESPN and Walt Disney World Resort will offer fans the opportunity to see and hear ESPN personalities and great athletes of the last 25 years at ESPN The Weekend, a two-day festival at Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 31-Aug. 1, 2004.

"ESPN and Disney will combine their collective resources to create a one-of-a-kind experience for sports fans and park guests," said George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports. "The Disney-MGM Studios provides a fantastic setting for a 25th anniversary celebration with fans."

ESPN The Weekend will include on-site ESPN telecasts including SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, College GameDay, ESPN Deportes and ESPNews; star motorcades and conversations with ESPN personalities and athletes; sports shows in the ESPN Theater featuring ESPN commentators and athletes; a visit from ESPN The Truck and the NBA's Rhythm 'n Rims Van; a special sports edition of the game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!"; an interactive sports area allowing guests to relive the past 25 years of sports; X Games activities; ESPN "Dream Job" auditions, a SportsCenter, a play-by-play "role play" area and exclusive sports highlights.

Guests may receive more information about the event at www.espntheweekend.com.

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Health Clubs Offered to Disney Resort Guests at No Additional Charge

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Joining an ever-growing list of advantages to staying at a Disney resort -- a list which includes early admission to Disney theme parks on certain days and use of the Disney transportation system -- guests staying at certain Walt Disney World Resort hotels now can use health club facilities at no additional charge during their resort stay.

Guests (ages 14 and older) staying at the following resorts can use the health club facilities in their resort at no additional charge (guests ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian or a parent):

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge -- Zahanati Fitness Center
Disney's BoardWalk -- Muscles & Bustles Health Club
Disney's Contemporary Resort -- Olympiad Fitness Center
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort -- LaVida Health Club
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa -- Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Health Club
Disney's Old Key West Resort -- R.E.S.T. Exercise Room
Disney's Polynesian Resort -- Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Health Club
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa -- Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Fitness Center
Wilderness Lodge and The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge -- Sturdy Branches Fitness Center
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club and Beach Club Villas Resort -- Ship Shape Health Club

Guests not registered to stay in a resort with a health club can still utilize these facilities for a fee.

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E-Ride Nights Give Resort Guests
More Magic Kingdom Fun This Summer

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- This summer, Disney resort guests are eligible to purchase tickets for an exclusive after-hours Magic Kingdom party featuring unlimited use of the park's most popular attractions.

Known as E-Ride Nights, the special benefit is available to a limited number of ticket holders on specified nights between May and August. During July, E-Ride Nights are July 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28 and 30.

How does it work? Immediately after regular Magic Kingdom operating hours, ticket holders for E-Ride Nights have an additional three hours to experience popular attractions scheduled to include "Mickey's PhilharMagic," Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and more.

In addition, Disney characters greet guests near Cinderella Castle, and a limited number of locations remain open for merchandise and food and beverages during each party.

Tickets are $12 plus tax for eligible guests ages 10 and up and $10 plus tax for eligible guests ages 3-9. For more information, guests may call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com.

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July 4th Plans Across Walt Disney World:
Fireworks, Music, Patriotic Parties

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Known worldwide for its spectacular fireworks shows -- including the newest pyrotechnic pageantry in Magic Kingdom, "Wishes" -- Walt Disney World Resort will paint the skies red, white and bibbity bobbity-blue on July 4 with star-spangled fireworks fun. Featured performances include (schedule subject to change):

Magic Kingdom: Independence Day fireworks will be launched over Cinderella Castle and from points throughout the theme park, providing guests the chance to be part of the celebration from many viewing locations. The July 4th fireworks are scheduled to take place at 9 p.m. followed by two presentations of the sparkling "SpectroMagic" parade -- at 10:30 p.m. and midnight.

Disney-MGM Studios: Disney-MGM Studios will celebrate the Fourth of July with a special nighttime fireworks show at 9 p.m. Exploding in a kaleidoscope of color over the 12-story Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat icon, the showbiz-inspired, pyrotechnic performance will feature a choreographed soundtrack that combines traditional tunes with pop tributes. Fireworks again take center stage at 10:30 p.m. when Mickey Mouse stars in "Fantasmic!" -- the theme park's popular 30-minute show that features lasers, lights, dancing fountains and dazzling special effects.

Epcot: The American Adventure pavilion in World Showcase serves as the centerpiece of the theme park's Independence Day events with the Voices of Liberty performing a cappella, patriotic music throughout the day. Disney characters will get into the red, white and blue spirit, and "Betsy Ross" will greet youngsters anxious to know about the origins of America's flag. When the sun goes down, the spirit will rise with a special July 4th tribute during "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" at 10 p.m.

Disney's Animal Kingdom: Vocals Incorporated, a sextet of singers, will honor America with a variety of standards and contemporary tunes. Performances will be in the theme park's Palm Courtyard from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island: Guests will "party patriotic" at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island July 2-4 with the Fourth of July Blast, featuring an island-wide street party, patriotic music by live bands and the Pleasure Island DJ, and a late-night fireworks show that can be viewed throughout the nighttime entertainment district.

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Disney Guests Invited to Tampa Bay Bucs NFL Training Camp

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers return to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for 2004 NFL Training Camp July 31-Aug. 19. Practices are open to the public at no charge.

The Buccaneers, who have trained at the 220-acre sports complex for the past two years, are the first NFL team to conduct a preseason training camp at Walt Disney World Resort.

Top returning stars include 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Derrick Brooks, cornerback Ronde Barber and wide receiver Keenan McCardell, while newcomers to watch include wide receiver Joey Galloway, quarterback Brian Griese and running back Charlie Garner.

Fans will have the opportunity to catch all the players in action when the team takes the practice fields for "two-a-day" workouts, tentatively scheduled for 8:35-10:45 a.m. and 2:45-4:45 p.m. (subject to change). For more information, call 407/939-GAME (939-4263) and visit disneyworldsports.com or buccaneers.com.

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Walt Disney World Salutes U.S. Olympians
With Commemorative Pin Events

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Pin trading is both an Olympic and Disney tradition, and with the 2004 Olympic Games right around the corner Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating with commemorative Olympic pins and an all-new, Olympic-themed pin event at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

A collection of pins and pin accessories featuring the world-famous Disney characters supporting the U.S. Olympic Team will be released during an eight-week celebration beginning July 3, 2004. Disney's Pin Traders at Downtown Disney Marketplace will be the central location for the Olympic-inspired pin excitement.

Current and former U.S. Olympians will be at Downtown Disney Marketplace to meet with guests, sign autographs and pose for pictures at Disney's Pin Traders. Athletes are scheduled to appear between 1-4 p.m. on the following dates:

Bob Beamon (July 3) -- Won the gold medal in the 1968 Olympic Games in the long jump competition. Beamon shattered the old mark by nearly two feet and subsequently held the world record for 23 years.

Sheila Taormina (July 10) -- Current member of the U.S. Olympic team competing in the Triathlon, Taormina won a gold medal in 1996 and recently won the 2004 International Triathlon Union World Championship in Portugal.

Dennis Mitchell (July 17) -- Won the gold medal in the 4x100m relay and a bronze in the 100m at the 1992 Olympic Games and took home a silver medal in the 4x100m in 1996.

Dot Richardson (July 31) -- Won a gold medal in 1996 as a member of the U.S. Softball Team. Richardson will be a television commentator during the 2004 Olympic Games.

For more information about the U.S. Olympic themed pin event or Disney pin trading in general, guests may visit www.officialdisneypintrading.com.

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Walt Disney World Resort
Sweeps Zagat U.S. Family Travel Guide Survey

NEW YORK -- All four Walt Disney World theme parks have been named Top 10 Family Attractions in Zagat Survey's first-ever U.S. Travel Guide.

Magic Kingdom took the top survey spot in the "Most Popular Attraction" category, followed by Epcot in the number two spot. Disney-MGM Studios was number six on the list and Disney's Animal Kingdom was number nine. Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., was named at number five, placing Disney U.S. theme parks in five of the top ten survey spots.

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort also was named "Top Theme Park" in the guide.

Zagat Survey is the world's leading provider of consumer survey-based leisure content. With more than 250,000 surveyors, Zagat Survey ratings and reviews cover restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment resources.

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Walt Disney World Honored as Top 'RV Friendly' Destination

VENTURA, Calif. -- Walt Disney World Resort was recently honored as the number one "RV Friendly" tourist attraction for 2004 in the Welcome Mat awards presented by The Good Sam Club. The club is the world's largest membership organization of RV owners.

Good Sam introduced the Welcome Mat Award three years ago to recognize businesses that offer top service to RV enthusiasts. Nearly one million members were eligible to vote for the winning businesses and the voting process for the 2004 awards took place over several months.

This is the third year Walt Disney World Resort has received the Welcome Mat Award.

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Cirque du Soleil Continues Fifth Anniversary Celebration

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- To celebrate five years of La Nouba at Walt Disney World Resort, Cirque du Soleil recently kicked off a six-month series of special events offering guests a glimpse backstage into the artistic talents of the Cirque du Soleil performers.

In July, a photo gallery inside the theater will showcase images from behind the curtain and captivating moments with Cirque du Soleil performers. Yuri Maiorov, better known as La Nouba's "flying man," joined with show musician Jean-Francios Bedard to create the photography display.

In the five years since its Walt Disney World debut in 1999, the critically acclaimed production of La Nouba has presented more than 2,500 performances, captivating more than 3.5 million guests.

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Big Summer Savings 'fore' Disney Golf Courses

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Disney Golf's Summer Price Slice is back with special-value greens fees on tee times after 10 a.m. daily through Sept. 30 on Disney's championship courses.

Golfers can test the premier Osprey Ridge course after 10 a.m. for $65 (compared to a normal seasonal greens fee of $119) or Eagle Pines for $50 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $109). Post-10 a.m. rounds on the Magnolia or Lake Buena Vista courses are $45 (compared to a normal seasonal fee of $99). Cart is included.

Disney's Summer Price Slice also gives golfers the opportunity to play afternoon rounds late into the day. Golfers can take on Osprey Ridge after 3 p.m. for $35 ($30 after 5 p.m.). Eagle Pines, Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista start at $30 after 3 p.m. ($25 after 5 p.m.).

For tee times, guests may call 407/WDW-GOLF. For information on the Walt Disney World golf courses, visit: disneyworldgolf.com