Dateline Disney

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

AUGUST -- In This Edition:

At Epcot: It's time to make arrangements for special events at Food and Wine Festival.

At Magic Kingdom: Night of Joy artists will debut music from 'Chronicles of Narnia' CD; Advance-purchase savings on tickets for Mickey's Halloween and Christmas parties.

At Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex: Bucs' preseason workouts heat up.

At Disney-MGM Studios: 'Birdbrains' a big hit with guests; Have a taste of the Mediterranean at new fast casual food and beverage location.

Magical Gatherings: Vacation packages available to see Scream Tour IV Festival cast, Ashanti, Shirley Caesar perform during Tom Joyner Family Reunion; Holy cow! Chicago Cubs fan event is selling fast.

Merchandise Idea: Shopping and dining gift card available for the first time.

Walt Disney World Resorts: Guests can play on a sandcastle that won't wash away.

Reservations for Popular Ticketed Events on Sale Now

10th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Unveils Lineup of Lunches, Tastings, Dinners, Schools

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Designed for guests who want to uncork the secrets of fine wines, a lineup of special mealtimes, tastings, schools and parties has been planned in conjunction with the 10th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival this Sept. 30 through Nov. 13.

Reservations for the special events, which have limited availability and popular appeal, are now available at prices ranging from $35 to $185 per person.

The schedule includes a new cooking school and a third wine school, focusing on Spain. Some of the returning events include vertical tastings, two dinner series, Lunch and Learn, and Party for the Senses -- a well-named Saturday evening experience that combines an array of special food, wine, music and entertainment, including a sampling of Cirque du Soleil.

Reservations and additional information are available by calling 407/WDW-FEST(407/939-3378).

The special events are in addition to all of the festival fun included with regular Epcot admission -- wine and beer seminars and cooking demonstrations plus the Eat to the Beat concert series featuring an eclectic musical lineup of classic rock, oldies, jazz and funk.

Vacation Packages Available Now For Weekend of Fun

Ashanti, Shirley Caesar, Scream Tour IV Festival Cast Headline Entertainment at The Tom Joyner Family Reunion Sept. 1-4

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Attention all hip-hop, R&B and gospel fans: The Tom Joyner Family Reunion at Walt Disney World Resort is back -- with world-renowned entertainment --Sept. 1-4, 2005. Grammy-award winning songstress Ashanti, the musical cast of Scream Tour IV Festival and the legendary Shirley Caesar will headline the family-friendly event at Disney's Central Florida vacation kingdom during Labor Day weekend.

Tom Joyner, host of the nation's No. 1 syndicated morning radio show, invites families from across the country to join him and his radio "family" for an unforgettable weekend filled with Disney theme park magic, exclusive live concerts, comedy shows, seminars, the Family Reunion Health Fair, the Southwest Airlines Sky Show and more.

Ashanti and Shirley Caesar share the marquee with chart-topping hip-hop phenom Omarion and five more Scream Tour heartthrobs -- Marques Houston, Bow Wow, Pretty Ricky, Bobby Valentino and B5. But there's more: The weekend's entertainment lineup also features Hammer, Morris Day and The Time, Dr. Bobby Jones, Smokie Norful, Lil iRocc and C.O.C.O. Brown. Performances are scheduled throughout the weekend, including the "Kodak Presents the Tom Joyner Family Reunion at Disney-MGM Studios Party."

In addition to being entertained exclusively by these musical artists and comedians (and more to come), guests to The Tom Joyner Family Reunion also take part in lively seminars and family-friendly workshops with Tom and the Crew.

For more information about the events and to book packages, log onto www.blackamericaweb.com or call 1-888/TJ-FAMILY (888/853-2645) 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. ET Monday-Friday, and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. A family of four can purchase a package including hotel stay, theme park tickets, admission to exclusive parties and other special events, plus entrance to all of the seminars and workshops, for as little as $160 per person, per day. (This offer is based on a package for four people with a 4-day, 3-night stay at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.)

1- and 2-Night Tickets for Special Magic Kingdom Event Available

23rd Night of Joy to Debut Music From 'Chronicles of Narnia' Soundtrack When Steven Curtis Chapman, TobyMac, Kutless Take Disney Stage

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Some of the top Christian Music artists performing at the 23rd annual Night of Joy at Walt Disney World Resort Sept. 9-10 will debut live performances of music inspired by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media's upcoming release, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe."

EMI Music's Nashville-based EMI CMG will release two "inspired by" soundtracks and has announced an all-star lineup for the first release, an inspirational soundtrack CD, Music Inspired By: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, featuring recordings from artists who combined have sold in excess of 23 million albums.

Five-time Grammy Award Winner Steven Curtis Chapman leads the pack with the project's debut single and video, "Remembering You." He is joined at Night of Joy by two of the other artists featured on the album, TobyMac and Kutless. They're among the 21 acts performing at this year's Night of Joy at Walt Disney World Resort.

Night of Joy is a special event held in Magic Kingdom after regular theme park hours Sept. 9-10. A total of 21 acts will present concerts at stages throughout the park:

Sept. 9 features: Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Audio Adrenaline, Mark Schultz, Nicole C. Mullen, Big Daddy Weave, Matthew West, Vicky Beeching and a contest winner from the Gospel Music Association's Music in the Rockies event.

Sept. 10 features: newsboys, tobyMac, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Kutless, Tree63, Superchic[k], Further Seems Forever, stellar kart, Kierra "KiKi" Sheard and a contest winner from the Kellogg's Gospel Sing Off 2005.

Night of Joy begins at 7:30 p.m. (after regular park hours) and continues until 12:30 a.m. Single-night tickets are $42.95 plus tax. Two-night tickets are $61.95 plus tax. (Guests can save $5 on single-night tickets by purchasing them in advance at Family Christian Stores and other select Christian bookstores in Florida or by calling 407/W-DISNEY.)

Additional information is available by calling 407/W-DISNEY or by going online to disneyworld.com/nightofjoy.

Vacation Packages Still Available
Chicago Cubs, Fans Returning to Walt Disney World Resort For Second Magical Gathering in December

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Vacation packages are selling briskly for the second annual Chicago Cubs Magical Gathering for fans at the Walt Disney World Resort Dec. 1-5.

For five days, attendees will get to meet some of the Chicago Cubs baseball players from past and present, as well as experience receptions and holiday offerings throughout the resort.

Players will be on hand for a Breakfast Welcome Reception and question-and-answer and autograph session. Cubs scheduled to attend include current player Michael Barrett and former greats Jody Davis, Gary "Sarge" Matthews, Lee Smith and Billy Williams. More players will be announced.

Also, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex will host an exclusive baseball experience where fans will have the opportunity to bat, catch, and run the bases with several players.

Special packages, which include accommodations at Disney's All-Star Resort, start at $949. Packages that include stays at other Disney resorts are available at varying prices. For more information regarding itinerary and package pricing, call AAA Travel at 1-866/422-2282.

Sessions Are Open to Fans Free of Charge

Tampa Bay Bucs Training at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex Heats Up with
'Two-a-Days' Beginning July 29

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Bucs stop here in their quest to regain the magic that made them the NFC's only Super Bowl champion of the last five seasons. The Bucs, who defeated Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003, will make preparations for the 2005 season at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex through Aug. 17.

The tentative schedule includes 17 practice dates at the complex -- including 15 two-a-days. The sessions are open to fans at no charge. Here's the schedule:

July 29-Aug. 5 -- practices begin at 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Aug. 6 -- practice begins at 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 7-10 -- practices begin at 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Aug. 11 -- brief walk-through begins at 9:30 a.m. prior to departure to Nashville for pre-season game with Tennessee Titans.

Aug. 14-16 -- practices begin at 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Aug. 17 -- final practice begins at 8:30 a.m. before training camp breaks.
Practice sessions generally last approximately two hours, although afternoon practices involving special teams on Aug. 1, Aug. 4 and Aug. 8 last only about an hour. The schedule of practices is subject to change, so fans should call 407/939-GAME (4263) or visit www.buccaneers.com for the latest information.

Advance Purchase Can Save Money for Most Dates
Tickets Available for Popular Parties with Mickey Mouse Celebrating Halloween and Christmas in Magic Kingdom

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Mickey Mouse and his Disney character friends will be hosting 29 special-entertainment parties celebrating the fun of Halloween and the gaiety of Christmas in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort between Sept. 30 and Dec. 20. Tickets are now on sale for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (on Sept. 30, Oct. 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 16, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31) and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (on Nov. 27 and 29, Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20).

Two reasons to make arrangements ahead: (1) availability of the date you want, and (2) $5 savings for advance purchase of tickets for most dates.

Guests are invited to dress in costumes for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and trick-or-treat through the park from 7 p.m. to midnight each evening (after regular park closing). The party includes a parade and a bewitching fireworks spectacular. Tickets are $39.95 plus tax for ages 10 and above, $32.95 plus tax for ages 3-9. (Guests can save $5 for all dates except Oct. 31 by purchasing in advance at 407/W-DISNEY or disneyworld.com.)

Holiday merriment fills Magic Kingdom during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. There are special holiday shows, including a brand-new holiday fireworks spectacular and two presentations of the famous Walt Disney World Christmas Parade, and treats. Tickets are $43.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $34.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9. (Guests can save $5 for all dates except Dec. 2, 9 and 16 by purchasing in advance at 407/W-DISNEY or disneyworld.com.)

Walt Disney World Resort Offering Shopping & Dining Gift Card

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Resort is introducing a Shopping & Dining Gift Card that allows guests to conveniently treat gift-recipients to Disney dining and shopping experiences.

The cards can be purchased with $5 to $1,500 of value -- for use at select Walt Disney World merchandise and food and beverage locations. The cards are available at select merchandise and food and beverage locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort beginning Aug 1.

Mediterranean-Inspired Menu Featured At Disney-MGM Studios Fast Casual Dining Location

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Studios Catering Co. Flatbread Grill has opened at Disney-MGM Studios with a Mediterranean-inspired menu served up in "fast casual" style -- the convenience of quick service combined with high-quality food and more healthful choices.

Featured are assorted fresh grilled wraps, Greek salad, chicken stew and bakery-fresh desserts.

Wraps offered include ground lamb kabob with eggplant spread and chili sauce, marinated chicken with yogurt, cucumber and tomato, and gyro-style steak with hummus and tomato relish. For children 9 and under, there's a chicken wrap with cream cheese spread, and a chilled smoked ham wrap.

Adult menu items cost $5.99-$6.99. Children's items are served with a seasonal side item and a drink for $3.99.

The Studios Catering Co. Flatbread Grill is located between Backlot Tour and "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Movie Set Adventure. The location opens at 11 a.m. daily. There is outdoor seating.

Disney-MGM Studios Guests Falling in Love with 'Birdbrained' duo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- They're a couple of "birdbrains," but Disney-MGM Studios guests are hugging and loving them anyway.

They are Chicken Little and Abby Mallard (aka the Ugly Duckling), who have reversed the usual order of star notoriety. That is, they have become a hit as theme park characters before becoming stars of the silver screen.

While the animated duo won't make their theatrical debut in the Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film "Chicken Little" in theaters nationwide until Nov. 4, 2005, they are already meeting guests and posing for photographs inside the Disney-MGM Studios theme park's Magic of Disney Animation attraction at Walt Disney World Resort.

Old Key West Resort Builds Sandcastle That Won't Wash Away

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A giant sandcastle now towers over the main pool at Disney's Old Key West Resort. However, unlike most sandcastles, this one won't wash away with the tide. The sandcastle is a water slide and is the latest enhancement -- introduced this summer -- to the Disney Vacation Club property. Jets of water shoot down the fun slide into the refreshing pool below...perfect for hot summer days.

Disney's Old Key West Resort has the feel of its namesake chain of islands in south Florida, featuring Caribbean and Victorian influences in its design. The resort has a quaint waterfront boardwalk and village of colorful, clapboard-sided, tin-roofed residence buildings. Resort amenities include a themed restaurant, four on-site pools, a well-stocked general store, two children's play areas, tennis and volleyball courts, a lighthouse sauna, four outdoor spas, outdoor barbeque grills, an exercise facility and marina.