www.disneyorlando.co.uk

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Site Update and News! Disneyorlando.co.uk has had a few changes over the last few weeks. We have made navigation of the site easier and more clear, our new discussion boards have finally been launched and we have made various updates including a complete Busch Gardens section.

Soon we will be launching a competition to win a "Passporter" Guide Book. Stay tuned for more information in the next few weeks.

Some more great news - we have been nominated for a prestigous travel website award. The awards are run by Future Publishing (publishers of the UK's leading internet magazines). If you feel the site desrves a vote please go to the link and vote for us under "Disney Holiday Planning". Vote Now!

One of the most spectacular Star Wars fan events in the galaxy returns to MGM-Studios this May. For four consecutive weekends beginning May 4 the Disney-MGM Studios joins forces with Lucasfilm Ltd. to present the second annual Star Wars Weekends, a celebration that transports guests of all ages to another galaxy.

Inspired by the four Star Wars films -- Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and the most recent box-office smash, Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace -- Star Wars Weekends bring guests face-to-face with their favourite characters, from the cuddly Ewoks to the evil Darth Maul.

With the popular Star Tours attraction, Hollywood-style motorcades and star conversations, a high-energy Cantina Street Party and celebrity autograph sessions, the theme park is transformed into a Force-filled fan-fest each weekend.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT:
Star Gazing -- Star Wars celebrities are scheduled to appear throughout Star Wars Weekends, in handprint ceremonies, motorcades, conversations with fans and autograph sessions. Celebrity appearances will include actors and other notable individuals involved in the Star Wars film saga.

Wookiees, Jawas and Ewoks -- One of the largest gatherings anywhere of characters from the Star Wars films -- from Queen Amidala and Darth Vader to Chewbacca and Greedo -- will roam the Disney-MGM Studios greeting guests, signing autographs and posing for photographs.

High-Energy Thrill Ride -- Guests can take flight to the Moon of Endor in Star Tours, an action-packed flight simulator ride that salutes the Star Wars series. Synchronising a stunning film with the virtually limitless gyrations of the simulator, the attraction takes guests on a hair-raising, light-speed trip aboard a careering space ship.

Galactic Games -- Star Wars trivia contests and games will be held to test fans’ knowledge of "the Force," and a special Video Starcade will feature the best in Star Wars-inspired electronic games.

Behind the Force -- Fans can go behind-the-scenes in the making of the four Star Wars movies -- and get a special sneak-peek at the next film in the series.

Party Under the Stars -- As the sun gives way to the stars each evening, the excitement rises with a Cantina Street Party featuring high-energy music, interactive games and characters from the film joining in the fun.

Obi-Wanna-Be -- Throughout the day, several lucky guests will be chosen to take part in "Jedi Training Camp," giving young hopefuls the chance to learn Jedi moves with a lightsaber, then test their skills against Darth Vader himself.

A Galaxy of Collectibles -- Star Wars merchandise -- from event-exclusive trading pins, action figures and commemorative lithographs to costumes, masks and other limited-edition items -- will be available in Tatooine Traders. With a look inspired by scenes in The Phantom Menace, the retail location is adjacent to the Ewok Village set at the Star Tours attraction. Star Wars Weekends launch into orbit May 4 and are held four consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) through May 27. Activities are included with regular Disney-MGM Studios admission.

At River Country there will be no All-American Water Party this year, although Goofy may be found at the water park occasionally. River Country is curtailing its hours this year, as well.

Cut Backs at Animal Kingdom The entire land of Asia, Wildlife Express railway, Rafiki's Planet Watch, and the Boneyard located in DinoLand U.S.A will all open at 9am - (one hour after the advertised park opening time) - to be confirmed.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Disney-MGM Studios is asking its visitors: Who wants to be a millionaire? Well, maybe not a millionaire. How about the owner of a baseball cap with the game show's logo? The Disney theme park has just opened an interactive version of the hit TV show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire". Each seat in the studio has its own key pad from which the audience can answer questions. A computer works out which audience member answers the question the quickest and that person gets to go to the "hot seat," where the host poses another set of questions. An audience member with the quickest response can replace a person in the "hot seat" who misses an answer. The questions -- which get progressively more difficult like the TV show -- cover a wide variety of topics and include lots of Disney-themed material. Instead of calling a friend or celebrity "lifeline" to get advice on a question, like contestants do on the show, participants at the attraction can call a randomly chosen person in the theme park. Phones are set up in two locations in the park and Disney workers will stop guests to ask them if they want to participate. "It's a little tough to find five of your closest friends when you're a tourist at a theme park," West said. "Lifeline is going to be a stranger." The live show will run continuously throughout the day in a 600-seat studio located in Soundstages 2 and 3 at the Disney-MGM Studios. Unlike the show, there's no chance for winning big bucks here. The prizes are "Millionaire" baseball caps, CD-ROMs, pins and leather jackets. A person who reaches 1 million points wins a trip to New York to watch a taping of the TV show. The Millionaire attraction is the 20th Disney resort attraction to use FASTPASS; a computerised system developed to free guests from standing in lengthy lines.
(22/04/01)

Epcot 8th Annual Flower and Garden Festival Details (WDW) Walt Disney World's 8th Annual Flower and Garden Festival will be held at Epcot April 20 - June 3. Here is some information for you: The festival features wildly exotic flower displays gracing Epcot from the newly decorated gardens at Spaceship Earth to each country around the World Showcase Lagoon. Plus you can walk among 100 Disney character topiaries. And you'll be able to tap the expertise of top horticulturists who will share gardening tips, demonstrate new backyard planting ideas and showcase more than 30 million blooms from some 1,200 species from around the world. In addition to the beautiful flowers located throughout Epcot, there are also concerts, demonstrations, exhibits, a marketplace, tours, a special brunch and more.

Special 2001
Flower and Garden Festival Events Earth Day Weekend Dates: April 20 - April 22
Green Thumb Weekend Dates: April 27 - April 29
Art in the Garden Dates: May 4 - May 5
Mother's Day Dates: May 11 - May 13
Plants for Health Dates: May 18 - May 20
I Dig Bugs Dates: May 25 - May 27

Concert Schedule The Turtles (April 20-22) Mitch Ryder (April 23-24) The Nelsons (April 25-26) Marshall Tucker Band (May 11-13) Badfinger (May 14-15) Starship (May 21-24)
(22/04/01)

Wet'nWild "The Storm" Hits Wet 'n Wild - Orlando ORLANDO, FL - The Storm , Wet 'n Wild's all-new swirling body coaster, whirls its way into the water park for 2001. Riders plunge into the ultimate Storm experience atop a forty-foot high tower that hovers over International Drive in the heart of Orlando. Exploding with excitement and pulse-pounding speed, The Storm features two giant open-air bowls so that guests can watch and cheer on the riders. A 1400-gallon per minute blast of water washes thrill-seekers down a towering chute and sends them swirling in circles around the bowl at rapid speeds. After spinning in multiple rotations, riders drop to a splash landing in the pool below. State-of-the-art audio and visual effects including thunder, lightning, high winds, and mist intensify this exhilarating water adventure. "The Storm has been designed to be a unique and dramatic attraction," said Michael Black, vice-president and general manager of Wet 'n Wild. "The creative concept is to make the guests feel as if they are actually experiencing the raw power of a storm. The attraction has numerous storm sound tracks that are randomly selected each time the rider enters the bowl. This creates a new experience each time the guest rides." Wet 'n Wild continues to lead the water park industry with innovative attractions and quality service. The Storm is an extension of Wet 'n Wild's multi-million dollar enhancement which includes a new color scheme, awnings, umbrellas, and graphics. In addition, the Surf Lagoon Wave Pool, a central attraction of the water park, has been upgraded with a more powerful wave machine which can produce stronger, higher waves. A waterfall which splashes off the back wall of the wave pool and out onto the guests has also been added. The Storm will be an excellent addition to the already established collection of world-class rides, slides, chutes, and flumes located within the Wet 'n Wild attraction. Wet 'n Wild has the best variety of multi-passenger rides of any water park in the Orlando area and the water park industry's first interactive experience - The Hydra Fighter. Wet 'n wild also features an unrivaled Children's Playground with miniature versions of the park's most popular rides. Open year-round with heated pools in the cooler months, Wet 'n Wild is located on International Drive, one block east of I-4 at the 30A exit. For additional information, please call 407-351-1800 or 1-800-992-WILD.(15/4/01)

Universal Orlando is launching a new three-tiered ride-reservation system designed to ease the long lines that are a consistent complaint of visitors. Universal Express offers three levels of service catering to on-site hotel guests, multiday-pass holders and people who buy only a single-day admission. It is an evolution of Disney's popular FastPass system, in which customers are allowed to make one reservation at a time on many of the more-popular rides. A second reservation can be made after the first expires or after two hours. Universal Express will officially open March 1, though customers are using it now. "It is in operation, but we're still getting some of the details worked out," said Fred Lounsberry, Universal's executive vice president of sales and marketing. Similar to FastPass, the Universal system allows customers to make reservations on most rides and attractions at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. A few of the lower-volume rides, including Pteranodon Flyers at Islands of Adventure, are not included. Reservations, which are designed to cut waiting times to 15 minutes or less, are made at some 20 kiosks spread out between the two parks. After presenting their tickets, customers are given a pair of reservation options and then a paper ticket that confirms their selection. Universal Express will absorb or replace the current programs that cater to Universal hotel guests and multiday-ticket holders. Under the new system, the best benefits will still belong to guests staying at Portofino Bay Hotel or Hard Rock Hotel. Those patrons will be placed near or at the front of lines simply by showing their room keys. A second level of service is for patrons who buy multiday tickets to the parks. Those people will be able to make three reservations at a time. More reservations can be made after the first three have been used or have expired. The current system only allows those customers front-of-line access during the first two hours each day. Finally, customers who buy single-day tickets can make one reservation at a time, with more reservations possible after the first is used, the time expires or two hours have passed. Another difference between Universal Express and FastPass is that patrons will be given two options, or windows of time, in which their reservation will be logged. (23/2/01)