Disney Parks Rewarding Volunteers Beginning January 1 Disney hopes to inspire 1 million people to volunteer in 2010. The new "Give a Day, Get a Day" program will reward volunteers with a day of free admission. Guests will have to register online and participate in a number of volunteer activities. There will be options available for guests who are on a package and have multi-day tickets, similar to 2009's birthday program. The most notable exception to this is that a gift card will no longer be an option. It has been replaced with the option of donating your ticket to a select charity. To learn more about the program visit www.DisneyParks.com.
Text Messaging Comes to Disney World Disney Parks Mobile website has announced a new way to find out wait times, meet-and-greet locations, and more. You must register before you travel at www.disneyparksmobile.com. This service is available to wireless customers with any cellular service. When you're at the parks, you can text WAIT and the name of an attraction to 37275 to receive wait times, MEET and a character name will get you meet-and-greet information, etc. If you have multiple trips planned through the year, you can use the service for up to twelve days per year.
February 2010
Splash Mountain will be closed from January 3 - February 27, 2010.
The Crystal Palace Restaurant in Magic Kingdom will be closed for rehab January 3 - February 13, 2010. Beginning January 3, 2010, Liberty Tree Tavern will host character dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with all meals served in an all-you-care-to-enjoy, family-style setting. On February 15, 2010, Liberty Tree Tavern will resume its normal operation of serving lunch and dinner as a non-character location. Reservations for Liberty Tree Tavern character meals are available now.
Blizzard Beach Closed for Annual Refurbishment - January 10 - March 20
Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot, has closed for a significant refurbishment and expansion until fall 2010 (reopening is tentatively set for late September, but could change). The company that operates the restaurants in the Mexico pavilion, San Angel Inn, LLC, plans to open on the site a new 400-seat waterside restaurant and quick service food location "specializing in the freshly baked culinary flavors of Mexico." During the refurbishment, the San Angel Inn Restaurante and La Cava de Tequila, located inside the Mexico pavilion, and the Taqueria Del Lago, located alongside the promenade, will still be open for Mexican dining.
"Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Movie Set Adventure will be closed February 15 through March 27.
Studio Backlot Tour will be closed February 15 through March 27.
The Studio Catering Co. will be closed February 15 through March 27.
"Sounds Dangerous" is currently operating on a seasonal schedule.
Sometime in 2010, Mickey's ToonTown Fair will close to make way for the Fantasyland Expansion!
Old Key West's main pool will be closed February 1 though 28. Guests may continue to enjoy leisure pools throughout the resort, and shuttle transportation to the feature pool at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be available.
Walt Disney World has "re-imagined" Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex with the ESPN brand and is expected to hold a grand reopening on February 25, 2010, renaming the facility ESPN Wide World of Sports. Seveal ESPN elements will be added throughout the 220-acre facility, providing new entertainment and immersive experiences for guests and athletes, including: 20 video screens, including two JumboTrons that will include customized videos, highlight reels featuring the daily competitions and interviews involving ESPN sports personalities; a new 2,500 square foot state-of-the-art broadcast center with eight edit bays and a direct uplink to ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut; a new ESPN Innovation Lab facility; a redesigned and renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, a sports-themed eatery with high-definition TV screens and live radio remote capabilities; complex-wide audio system
ESPN the weekend - the annual event that brings legendary athletes from every sports discipline as well as ESPN television personalities to Disney's Hollywood Studios has been set for February 26-28, 2010.
The Champion 5K at ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick's Sporting Goods will be run on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 7 a.m. at Disney's Hollywood Studios as part of ESPN The Weekend. The race benefits The V Foundation for Cancer Research. For more information, visit: www.espntheweekend.com
Four Major League Soccer clubs, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC, will compete in the inaugural Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic February 25 and 27, 2010. The Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic kicks off the re-launch of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and is part of the 2010 ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick's Sporting Goods. On February 25 the Houston Dynamo face the New York Red Bulls at 6 p.m. followed by FC Dallas versus Toronto FC at 8:30 p.m. On February 27, the two losing teams will kick off at 6 p.m. with the two winners playing in the championship game at 8:30 p.m.
Atlanta Braves Spring Training - February 1 - March 31 Major League Baseball returns when the Atlanta Braves (February 1 - March 31) suit up for their 14th exhibition season at Walt Disney World Resort in March 2010. The Braves have enjoyed nine division titles while training at Disney's 220-acre sports campus, and now feature one of the most promising young teams in baseball. Champion Stadium at the newly rebranded ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex , where the Atlanta Braves will take the field to prepare for the upcoming season, features more than 9,500 seats, four luxury skyboxes, and multiple open-air suites and patios. Stadium seats, bleachers and a grassy knoll all provide fans with an intimate sports experience like no other. For more information on Braves spring training season, group tickets and mini-packs, visit disneysports.com.
A number of national cheer and dance teamswill be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and elsewhere around Walt Disney World in the coming weeks. As a result, a section of Disney's Hollywood Studios' Television parking lot will be blocked off beginning January 28 to make room for the competition tent. Some of the upcoming events include: February 5 - 7, Varsity National Dance Team Championships; February 12 - 14, National High School Cheerleading Championship; February 19 - 22, Twirl Mania 2010; February 27 - 28 and March 5 - 7, 2010 Contest of Champions Nationals; March 12 - 14, National All Star Cheerleading Championship
PARADES AND FIREWORKS
MAGIC KINGDOM
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade February 1-28 -- 3:00 p.m.
SpectroMagic February 1, 4, 8, 10, 22, , 25, 27 -- 7:00 p.m. February 6-7, 11, 18-19 -- 9:00 p.m. February 12-17, 20 -- 9:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.
Wishes February 1-28 -- 8:00 p.m.
EPCOT
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth February 1-28 -- 9:00 p.m. .
DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Block Party Bash February 1-28 -- 3:00 p.m.
Fantasmic! February 4, 7, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25, 28 -- 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 pm
DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade February 1-28 -- 3:45 p.m.
March 2010
Blizzard Beach Closed for Annual Refurbishment - January 10 - March 20
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Downtown Disney Marketplace will be closed January 18 until March 5, 2010, while the World of Disney undergoes enhancements to its air conditioning system.
"Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Movie Set Adventure will be closed February 15 through March 27.
Studio Backlot Tour will be closed February 15 through March 27.
The Studio Catering Co. will be closed February 15 through March 27.
"Sounds Dangerous" is currently operating on a seasonal schedule.
Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot, has closed for a significant refurbishment and expansion until fall 2010 (reopening is tentatively set for late September, but could change). The company that operates the restaurants in the Mexico pavilion, San Angel Inn, LLC, plans to open on the site a new 400-seat waterside restaurant and quick service food location "specializing in the freshly baked culinary flavors of Mexico." During the refurbishment, the San Angel Inn Restaurante and La Cava de Tequila, located inside the Mexico pavilion, and the Taqueria Del Lago, located alongside the promenade, will still be open for Mexican dining.
Sometime in 2010, Mickey's ToonTown Fair will close to make way for the Fantasyland Expansion!
Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival-- March 3 - May 16, 2010. The festival will showcase a number of new features this year, including an expanded and relocated, futuristic-themed Bambi's Butterfly House in Future World West, a new Victory Garden, an expanded Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, and a Pirates Adventure Zone next to the Germany pavilion.
Some performers for the 2010 Flower Power Concerts, to be held during Epcotcot's annual Flower and Garden Festival, have been tentatively announced:
-- March 5-7 - Jose Feliciano -- March 12-14 - Paul Revere and the Raiders -- March 19-21 - David Cassidy -- March 26-28 - Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
March 5-7, 2010 -- 2010 Disney's Princess Half Marathon
A number of national cheer and dance teamswill be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and elsewhere around Walt Disney World in the coming weeks. As a result, a section of Disney's Hollywood Studios' Television parking lot will be blocked off beginning January 28 to make room for the competition tent. Some of the upcoming events include: February 5 - 7, Varsity National Dance Team Championships; February 12 - 14, National High School Cheerleading Championship; February 19 - 22, Twirl Mania 2010; February 27 - 28 and March 5 - 7, 2010 Contest of Champions Nationals; March 12 - 14, National All Star Cheerleading Championship
Major League Baseball returns when the Atlanta Braves suit up for their 14th exhibition season at Walt Disney World Resort in March 2010. The Braves have enjoyed nine division titles while training at Disney's 220-acre sports campus, and now feature one of the most promising young teams in baseball. Champion Stadium at the newly rebranded ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex , where the Atlanta Braves will take the field to prepare for the upcoming season, features more than 9,500 seats, four luxury skyboxes, and multiple open-air suites and patios. Stadium seats, bleachers and a grassy knoll all provide fans with an intimate sports experience like no other. For more information on Braves spring training season, group tickets and mini-packs, visit disneysports.com .
2010 SPRING TRAINING HOME SCHEDULE
March 3 -- New York Mets 1:05 PM March 4 -- Pittsburgh Pirates 1:05 PM March 5 -- Washington Nationals 1:05 PM March 7 -- Houston Astros 1:05 PM March 9 -- Philadelphia Phillies 7:05 PM March 10 -- New York Mets 1:05 PM March 12 -- Pittsburgh Pirates 1:05 PM March 13 -- Toronto Blue Jays 1:05 PM March 16 -- Florida Marlins 1:05 PM March 19 -- Detroit Tigers 6:05 PM March 21 -- St Louis Cardinals 1:05 PM March 24 -- Philadelphia Phillies 1:05 PM March 26 -- Detroit Tigers 1:05 PM March 27 -- Washington Nationals 1:05 PM March 30 -- New York Yankees 1:05 PM March 31 -- Houston Astros 1:05 PM
PARADES AND FIREWORKS
MAGIC KINGDOM
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade March 1-31 -- 3:00 p.m.
SpectroMagic March 1, 3, 6-8, 10 -- 7:00 p.m. March 12-13 -- 8:00 p.m. March 14-22, 25-31 -- 9:00 p.m.
Wishes March 1-11 -- 8:00 p.m. March 12-13, 23-24 -- 9:00 p.m. March 14-22, 25-31 -- 10:00 p.m.
EPCOT
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth March 1-31 -- 9:00 p.m.
DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Block Party Bash March 1-31 -- 3:00 p.m.
Fantasmic! March 4 -- 7:00 p.m. March 7, 11 -- 7:30 p.m. March 14 -- 8:00 p.m. March 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28-31 -- 8:30 p.m.
DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade March 1-31 -- 3:45 p.m.
April 2010
Sometime in 2010, Mickey's ToonTown Fair will close to make way for the Fantasyland Expansion!
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Downtown Disney Marketplace will be closed January 18 until March 5, 2010, while the World of Disney undergoes enhancements to its air conditioning system.
Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot, has closed for a significant refurbishment and expansion until fall 2010 (reopening is tentatively set for late September, but could change). The company that operates the restaurants in the Mexico pavilion, San Angel Inn, LLC, plans to open on the site a new 400-seat waterside restaurant and quick service food location "specializing in the freshly baked culinary flavors of Mexico." During the refurbishment, the San Angel Inn Restaurante and La Cava de Tequila, located inside the Mexico pavilion, and the Taqueria Del Lago, located alongside the promenade, will still be open for Mexican dining.
Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival-- March 3 - May 16, 2010. The festival will showcase a number of new features this year, including an expanded and relocated, futuristic-themed Bambi's Butterfly House in Future World West, a new Victory Garden, an expanded Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, and a Pirates Adventure Zone next to the Germany pavilion.
Some performers for the 2010 Flower Power Concerts, to be held during Epcotcot's annual Flower and Garden Festival, have been tentatively announced:
-- April 2-4 - Tony Orlando -- April 9-11 - Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone -- April 16-18 - The Nelsons -- April 23-25 - Atlanta Rhythm Section -- April 30-May 2 - Fran Cosmo (former lead singer of Boston)
After spending last year in Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Grad Nites move back to the Magic Kingdom in 2010. The dates for the event are April 23-24, and April 30-May 1. Live performances tentatively scheduled include: April 23-24: Paramore, Keri Hilson, All Time Low, and Quest Crew (from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew); April 30 and May 1: Boys Like Girls, Mario, Hey Monday, and Beat Freaks (from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew).
PARADES AND FIREWORKS
MAGIC KINGDOM
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade April 1-30 -- 3:00 p.m.
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade April 1-30 -- 3:45 p.m.
May 2010
Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot, has closed for a significant refurbishment and expansion until fall 2010 (reopening is tentatively set for late September, but could change). The company that operates the restaurants in the Mexico pavilion, San Angel Inn, LLC, plans to open on the site a new 400-seat waterside restaurant and quick service food location "specializing in the freshly baked culinary flavors of Mexico." During the refurbishment, the San Angel Inn Restaurante and La Cava de Tequila, located inside the Mexico pavilion, and the Taqueria Del Lago, located alongside the promenade, will still be open for Mexican dining.
Star Wars Weekends - According to the Disney Parks News Blog, guests can expect a lot of surprises this year, celebrating the Star Wars movie series and the animated TV series The Clone Wars with special shows, presentations and memorabilia. May 21 - 23 May 28 - 30 June 4 - 6 June 11 -13
Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival-- March 3 - May 16, 2010. The festival will showcase a number of new features this year, including an expanded and relocated, futuristic-themed Bambi's Butterfly House in Future World West, a new Victory Garden, an expanded Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, and a Pirates Adventure Zone next to the Germany pavilion.
Some performers for the 2010 Flower Power Concerts, to be held during Epcotcot's annual Flower and Garden Festival, have been tentatively announced:
-- April 30-May 2 - Fran Cosmo (former lead singer of Boston) -- May 7-9 - Davy Jones -- May 14-16 - Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
After spending last year in Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Grad Nites move back to the Magic Kingdom in 2010. The dates for the event are April 23-24, and April 30-May 1. Live performances tentatively scheduled include: April 23-24: Paramore, Keri Hilson, All Time Low, and Quest Crew (from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew); April 30 and May 1: Boys Like Girls, Mario, Hey Monday, and Beat Freaks (from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew).
PARADES AND FIREWORKS
MAGIC KINGDOM
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade May 1-31 -- 3:00 p.m.
