Conference koolit::disney

    In mid August, while my family and I were at Disneyworld we were told
    that Tomorrowland is closing down on January 2 1991.  Everything will
    be torn down except for space mountain which is being rebuilt and will
    be reopened in July of 1991.  Anyone else hear about this?
    

    
    	RE. - . 1
    
    		Your information is right, just the dates are incorrect.
    Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World's Tomorrowlands are supposed to
    recieve makeovers sometime during the '90s. However -- according to my
    sources in Imagineering -- even the design work for the new
    Tomorrowland won't be completed 'til this January. Actual construction
    -- particularly in Florida -- may be years off.
    		According to the most recent construction schedule, rehab
    work on Disneyland's Tomorrowland should begin early next fall. Because 
    it's supposed to be done in a piece-meal fashion, with one section being
    rehabbed at a time, it's gonna take over 3 years to completely overhaul
    Anaheim's Tomorrowland. So, the tenative openning date for the new
    Tomorrowland is January 1995, just in time for Disneyland's 40th
    anniversary celebration.
    		The opening date on WDW's new Tomorrowland .. Well, that's
    a slightly different story. You see, as a rule, the Disney Company doesn't
    like to have two areas of the park torn up and closed down at the same
    time. So it's unlikely that any work will be done on the new Tomorrowland
    'til construction of WDW's Splash Mountain is completed sometime next year.
    Then Disney will want to have the Magic Kingdom operating at full capacity
    capacity throughout most of the following year ( To handle the huge crowds
    that will undoubtedly come to Orlando to check out this new attraction )
    		So, following that scenario, it's unlikely that you'll see
    any work being done on WDW's Tomorrowland's 'til sometime after September
    1992. Then, following the same, slow one-attraction-at-a-time work schedule
    as Disneyland, this means that WDW's Tomorrowland probably won't be
    open for business 'til January 1996 -- just in time for WDW's 25th
    anniversary celebration. ( Funny how these things work out, ain't it ? )
    		 ... Okay, now that I've answered your questions, I have a
    a couple of questions of my own I need answers to. Hopefully, folks
    who've been down to folks who've been down Walt Disney World in the
    past few weeks can tell me :
    
    	-- Has construction officially gotten underway of WDW's version of
    Splash Mountain yet ? If so, have they shut down the Magic Kingdom's 
    railroad yet ? And have they relocated on Frontierland train station
    yet ?
    	-- Rumor has it that construction on the " Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
    Adventure Zone " was completed right on schedule last month. If so, then
    that means this Disney - MGM Studio Theme Park attraction should be 
    openning soon. Has any one heard anything about an official opening
    date yet ? Or has anyone been lucky enough to get in early and take a
    look at the attraction, during one of Disney's infamous " soft
    openings " ?  Anybody got any details ?
    	-- Finally, can anyone tell me if tickets have gone on sale yet for
    " Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party " ? I hope to be down in Orlando
    the first week of December and I'd dearly love to attend this party,
    but I haven't been able to get any definitive info about tickets yet.
    
    	I'd appreciate any and all info you folks could heave my way.
    
    				Thanks again,
    
    			           	Robespierre
                  
    	-- 
    

    My mom is going to WDW in Feb 92 for a week.  I would appreciate any
    info you folks have on closings, so I can help her plan her trip.
    
    thanks, in advance.
    
    Elaine
    

    Also,
    
    Be specific when asking about the closings. That is, make sure you
    specify the exact dates she'll be down there and ask for the closings
    for EACH park as the parks may not all have the same operating hours.
    
    Mike

    I don't think she's staying on-site.  Can I still call CRO and just ask
    questions, or is that another number.
    
    (I know, get Birnbaum...)
    
    Elaine

    Just got off the phone with the CRO. Closed during Christmas week:
    
          Explorer Canoes in the Magic Kingdom
    
          Electronic Forum in EPCOT
    
          Shark Reef in Typhoon Lagoon (should it be warm enough to go
                   swimming. Today Orlando was in the 60's. BRRRRR!!!)
    
    Typhoon Lagoon itself closes January 2. 
    
    Linda_who_has_2_days_11_hours_until_the_plane_leaves!!!

    Latest from The World...
    
           Typhoon Lagoon opens February 15th
    
           Discovery Island will be closed on February 24th
    
           Peter Pan's Flight is closed until April
    
    As far as I know all else is running.
    
    Mike

    I am going down next week, has anyone been recently that could provide
    me with what is closed now?
    
    Thank you.

    As of Saturday there were no attractions scheduled for downtime over
    the next month or so.
    
    These castmembers are well-trained. When I asked about Splash Mountain
    the response was that "Splash Mountain is scheduled to open in the
    Fall."
    
    Mike

    We'll be heading South for a week plus a day of DISNEY enjoyment
    NOV.6th-14th; anyone know of any scheduled maintaince at that time?
    
    I have recently discovered this file, so trying to peruse thru much
    information!!!  We'll be staying at Port Orleans.
    
    Thanks for any info.
    
    Mike C.

    Heading for WDW the week of 2/22. Any news on what's closed at that
    time?
    
    Ad<Thanks>vance.
    
    -- Bill

    Going down to WDW from 2/20 - 2/27, I called last night to see
    what attractions are closed. Major bummer: Big Thunder Mountain
    Railroad is closed until sometime in March (have to go next door
    and get my thrills on the wet side).
    
    Typhoon Lagoon is closed right now but will re-open on 2/13.
    
    All other parks/attractions are business as usual.
    
    -- Bill

    Looks like the Disneyland Matterhorn is down for an overhaul.  I did
    not think to check on when it will re-open, but the proverbial "10 foot
    wooden wall" is around it now, with sections of track/rail removed.


    FWIW,
    David.

    Well Folks....
    
    I'm really bumming right now.  I just called Victoria and Albert's to
    make a reservation for September 18,,,the last night of my honeymoon.
    They told me they are closing September 13, and will be closed until
    October 16, for renovations.  We arrive on September 13, the first
    day they are closed.  Sniff sniff... 
    
    I was really really looking forward to one all out classy dining
    experience on our Admiral Plan.  I guess I'll ring the Empress Room and
    try there instead.
    
    
    Kristen

    Here's some downtime info for Disneyland as reported on the
    rec.arts.disney newsgroup...
    
    People Mover -- 9/7 to 9/24
    Matterhorn   -- 9/7 to 10/29
    Columbia     -- 9/7 to 10/15
    
    FANTASMIC!   -- 9/7 to 11/20 (!!)
    
    Apparently, the reason FANTASMIC! is going down is to add/redo seating
    on the shores of the Rivers of America.
    
    - Skip

    what will be closed week of 16-22 ? can you verify that
    Tomorrowland is closed ??

    I just called about our reservation for next Saturday and asked about
    closed attractions.
    
              Magic Journeys
              Mall at Tomorrowland
              Mike Fink River Boats
              Davy Crocket Canoes
              Liberty Tree Tavern
              Space Bar in Tomorrowland
              Backstage Magic in Epcot
              Energy Exchange
              Kitchen Kabaret
              a couple other things in Epcot that I didn't catch
    
    Linda

    This is from Skip Williams:
    
    Magic Kingdom
       Magic Journeys (The Lion King Adventures)....reopens in July
       Mission to Mars (Alien Encounter)............reopens in Feb. '95
       Explorer Canoes & Keelboats..................closed
       WEDway (Tomorrowland Transit Authority)......reopens in June
       StarJets (Astro Orbiter).....................reopens in June
       Circle-Vision 360 (Metropolis Theater).......reopens in Feb. '95
       Space Bar....................................reopens in June
    
    Epcot '94
       Kitchen Kabaret Revue (Food Rocks)...........reopens 3/26
       FutureCom....................................permanently closed
       Computer Central.............................permanently closed
       Energy Exchange..............................permanently closed
                      
    Also, Innoventions is coming online in July to replace the Communicore
    stuff.
    
    A new WDW commercial will soon hit the networks. This commercial will
    hype Innoventions in EPCOT '94 and the Tower of Terror as well as      
    Sunset Boulevard for MGM.
    
    Mike

    WEDway is closed???  Why am I going, then!!!
    
    While the kids do Space Mountain, this was to be my choice attraction. 
    Oh well, guess I'll have to find something else!
    
    
    -sandy
    

    re -.1
    
    Sandy,
    
    	While the kids are on Space Mountain, you can hop on Dreamflight -
    due to it's location relative to the rest of the part and the closed
    off section of Tomorrowland, it's kind of tucked away - it was still a
    walk-on, even during the busiest parts of the day.  Of course, I'd
    still recommend riding SM with the kids instead, though :-)
    
    					- Jim

    Glad to hear there's someone else out there who experiences Space
    Mountain by catching a glimpse from the People Mover...
    
    Based on the ribbing I've endured from my stronger-stomached husband
    and our travelling companions, I thought I was the *only* one who
    followed the I-Said-No policy at SM!
    
    :)	Joanne

    Well, actually I did it once to take my 6 year old, but swore I would
    never do it again!  Stick to your guns!  I HATED it - and I do love
    roller coasters and corkscrew rides.  I didn't like being in the dark
    and not knowing which way to position myself so I could ride into the
    curves!  Maybe with enough experience, I would know when to lean, NOT!
    
    -sandy
    

    
    DL needs more rides like Space Mountain, which is wimpy compared to 
    Magic Mountain stuff. Love those final 6 seconds, don't know where 
    one is headed.
    
    Dave
    

    At TMK dissappointed that Magic Journeys and Jungle Cruise were closed.
    Also, closed were:
        Mike Fink Keel Boats
        Canoes
        River Boat in Liberty Square
    Signs did not say when they would be re-opening.
    
    Didn't even go into Tomorrowland -- but could see that those sky
    rockets (can't remember what they're called) were open.  Lots
    of construction going on.
    
    Julie
                                      

    Next week TMK will close at 7 P.M. not 8 P.M.
    
    Also, The Beauty and The Beast Stage Show will shut down on May 21st
    and reopen on Sunset Blvd. in June (Week of June 11?) at the new
    theater. This may mean that SB will be open to the public in June.
    
    Mike

    The latest from Orlando:
    
    Mission of Mars:     To open as Alien Encounter in February '95
    WedWay People Mover: To open as TomorrowLand Transit Authority June '94
    Magic Journeys:      To open as The Lion King Adventure July 8, 1994
    CircleVision:        To open as Metropolis Theater February '95
    B&TB Stage Show:     To open at the new TOTS on SB Sunday, June 12, 1994

    Just hung up the phone with WDW information as to what is closed 
    while we wil be there from 11/12 to 11/19:
    
            Spaceship Earth
            Magic I Theatre
            Superstar TV
            20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
            Mission to Mars
            Circlevision
            Country Bear Jamboree (closed from 11/15 to 11/18 to change to 
                    winter holiday show)
    
    I also asked about rumors that Alien Encounter might open early, and
    she said they showed it still on schedule for early 1995. Of course, 
    they were still saying similar things the day Splash Mountain opened 
    early. 
    
    
    
    With fingers crossed.....
    
    Linda

    
    What is the WDW information pnone # ?
    
    
    
    
    John
    

    
    
    
    General WDW Information (407)824-4321

	Just returned from 2 weeks in Orlando....

	At EPCOT both Spaceship Earth and the Honey, I shrunk
the audience movie are now OPEN!
	Spaceship Earth has some new stuff, the new movie
is a MUST SEE!!

Mac

Trip report to follow (sometime....)

    
    Did i read in this note that the Jungle cruise has been closed until
    next year....?  I shall be visiting Disney for three weeks over
    Christmas ( 17 December until 7th January ) What rides can i expect to
    be closed over this time....
    
    Andy..B

    Andy,
    
    I know that the TL stores in TMK are selling merchandise for "Alien
    Encounter" which means that they are about to open that attraction.
    
    I received E-Mail from a cast member yesterday saying that they are
    "very close" to opening that attraction.
    
    The report a few months back that said 20K was closing was WRONG.
    Either that or someone changed their mind.
    
    The new Snow White Adventure should be open by now.
    
    I'm not sure about the Jungle Cruise being closed before XMAS. 
    
    The only other attraction that may be iffy is Horizons in EPCOT.
    
    I don't recall offhand the tel # to call for info but if you call 
    (407) 824-4321 you'll get the info you need.
    
    Mike

    20,000 Leagues was closed Thanksgiving forever.
    Also closed were; Merchant's of Venus (a store) in Tomorrowland, Snow
    White's Adventure, and Mike Fink Keel Boat's and Canoes.
    
    Jungle cruise was open.
    
    Alien Encounters wasn't even doing soft openeings/tests.
    
    Bruce Bogardus

    the latest Disney mag I got this week said that it is NOT true that
    20K is closed forever, it is just a 'misunderstanding'.  they are 
    revamping it.  ?perhaps they got too many protests?
    ed
    

    
    I just called WDW information, and was told that Space Mountain is closed,
    and will be re-opening on Jan. 22. 
    

    
    I didn't ride space mountain the first two weeks of my holiday but
    planned to do it last week when i visited. But as you say i got there
    to find it closed, Also 2000 leagues was closed all over Christmas..
    
    Andy..B

    
    Just got back, Space Mountain looks like it will be closed for a while,
    also Alien Encounters, and 20,000 Leagues. 
    
    
    John
    
    

    Space Mountain looks like it will be closed for a while - how long
    is awhile?  I'm going in April so hope it will be running by then.
    
    Julie
    

Officially,

Alien Encounter closed until further notice
Space Mountain  sched to reopen 1/29/95
20,000 Leagues closed until further notice
Hall of Presidents sched to reopen 1/21/95


Horizons is closed until another sponsor is signed, then who knows what
will happen.

Bill A.

    Space Mountain opening has been postpone to 2/3/95.
    
    Dave

    Just back:
    
    Space Mountain was open.
    20K, Alien Encounter, Horizons, Closed
    
    Rob
    

    when will 20,000 Leagues be open?
    
    Were going to FL. on April 8 and my 7 year old sun is fascinated
    submarines...I told him this winter about the ride, oh well.
    
    Does anyone know the exact date of Blizzard Beach, I've heasrd April.
    
    Jim

    > when will 20,000 Leagues be open?

	I asked a cast member at the CRO when I called to confirm our trip
	(4/2-4/9/95) and she said that 20K would be closed during our trip.

	I asked about Blizzard Beach.  The tentative date is 4/1 but she
	could make no guarantees.  They are pushing real hard to be ready
	for the Easter weeks (4/9-4/23).

    what number do you call for this?
    
    

 
Last Sunday was the last day of operation for several storefronts on WDW's
Main Street. Closed forever are: the Penny Arcade, the House of Magic, and
the Main Street Bookstore/Card Shop. The space will be combined and used for
a new sports-themed merchandise outlet, called "Casey's."
    
Ironically, WDW officals denied that the closure was occuring right up
until the end.
    
    Mike

What a sad, sad day.  Main Street was well ... Main Street!.  I didn't mind so
much when the big corner store went in because it maintained the animated
windows, but is Main Street without the Magic shop. Ah Well what's a little more
commercialization between friends.

Aha,

now we know why the arcade has been built next to space mountain.  I
wonder if it's open now...


Bill A.

    Bill,
    
    The Tomorrowland Light and Power arcade, next to Space Mountain, is 
    supposed to have opened this week. This arcade has the latest in arcade
    games and also inclused a Super Daytona U.S.A. 8-car race simulator.
    
    I wonder if it's like that (ugh) Virtua Racing setup that's in 
    Innoventions.
    
    Methinks this arcade was built to replace the Main Street U.S.A. Arcade
    and to draw more people into TomorrowLand. This should be a real good
    Summer for TL.
    
    Look for more things to happen...I'm sure all WDW enhancements and
    construction will be stepped up even more starting this Summer as
    they want as much stuff ready for next year's Olympic crowds as
    possible.
    
    Mike

    My wife will be mmad as we are heading their tomorrow....one of the
    first things she told the kids was there was a store in WDW named after
    her.....
    
    
    Penny
    
    
    Jim

    As of week of Apr 23 Still closed are:
    	20K league under sea
    	Alien Encounter (slated to open late spring)
    	Horizons

Travel Agents using the SABRE reservation system have access to
a tremendous amount of Disney information.  If you are booking
your vacation package, ask for an inquiry on closings and park 
hours.

For example, this is what we got on an inquiry last week (most of 
the typos and date inconsistencies are reproduced as seen):

MAINTENANCE

AREAS TEMPORARILY CLOSED

* MAGIC KINGDOM *
THE REFRESHMENT CORNER/MAIN STREET U.S.A. 24APR-21JUN
EXTRATERRORESTRIAL ALIEN ENCOUNTER - CLOSED TFN
DAVY CROCKETT CANOES - CLOSED TFN
MIKE FINK KEELBOATS - CLOSED TFN
20 000 LEAGUES - CLOSE TFN
COLUMBIA HOUSE - CLOSE TFN
PENNY ARCADE - REOPEN LATE JUNE
MAIN STREET BOOKSTORE - REOPEN LATE JUNE
THE HOUSE OF MAGIC - REOPEN LATE JUNE
ADVENTURELAND VERANDA - CLOSE TFN

* EPCOT 95 *
HORIZIONS - CLOSED TFN
WORLD OF MOTION - REHAB JUNE 1995 - SOMETIME IN 1997

* DISCOVERY ISLAND * - 13FEB95 - 10MAR95

* RESORTS *
POLYNESIAN RESORT - PAPEETE BAY VERANDAH
    REOPENS APRIL 10 AS OHANA

POLYNESIAN RESORT - SOUTH SEAS BUFFET
    SCHEDULED TO CLOSE MARCH 17

CONTEMPORARY RESORT - TOP OF THE WORLD COMPLEX
    REOPENS MID-MAY 1995 AS CALIFORNIA GRILL

CONTEMPORARY TENNIS COURTS - REHAB 22JAN95 - 25MAY95

CONTEMPORARY RESORT - MAIN POOL ENHANCEMENTS INCLUDING
ADDITION OF SPA AND WATER FEATURE *WATER TOYS* AND
MAJOR LANDSCAPE ADDITIONS.  THIS PHASE INCLUDES THE
ENTIRE AREA SOUTH OF THE TOWER BUILDING EXIT TO THE
MARINA WALKWAY. - REHAB MARCH 1 - JULY 15 1995 TENTATIVE

CONTEMPORARY RESORT - MICKEY MOUSE PHOTO LOCATION
LANDSCAPING MAZE FEAETURE - HERB GARDEN.  THIS PHASE WILL
MARINA WALKWAY NORTH TO THE SHUFFLE BOARD COURTS NEXT TO
THE NORTH WING BUILDING.
REHAB JUNE 1 1995 - SEPTEMBER 30 1995 TENTATIVE

CONTEMPORARY REOSRT - MARINE INCLUDING THE BOAT RENTAL AREA
AND TEH LOWER DECK ALL THE WAY TO TEH NORTH WING.
REHAB MARCH 15 1995 - JUNE 1995 TENTATIVE

CONTEMPORARY RESORT - SOUTH CABANAS AND COVERED WALKWAY
REHAB AUGUST 1 1995 - NOVEMBER 30 1995 TENTATIVE

CONTEMPORARY RESORT - NORTH CABANAS AND COVERED WALKWAY
REHAB NOVEMBER 1 1995 - JANUARY 31 1995 TENTATIVE

*TENTATIVE* MEANS DATE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BUT PROJECT IS
FUNDED AND IN PROGRESS.

      The Magic Kingdom
    
      Closed until further notice - Davy Crockett's Explorer Caanoes
                                    Mike Fink's Keel Boats
                                    20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
                                    Adventureland Veranda
    
      Closed Monday through Friday- Columbia Harbor House
    
    
      EPCOT
    
      Closed Until Further Notice - Horizons
    
      
      MGM
    
      All attractions are open!

    Typhoon Lagoon will be closed from 11/5/95 - 12/30/95
    
    River County will be closed 9/3/95 - 11/4/95

    
    called about what's closed in January since I'm planning again.  8^}
    
    
    MK - closed indefinitely - Walt Disney Story, 20,00 Leauges, Mike Fink
    	 Keelboats, Explorer Canoes
    
    EPCOT:
    	Universe Of Energy    Jan 8, 1996  -  June 6, 1996
    	World Of Motion	      Jan 8, 1996  -   May ?? 1997
    
    	The person on the phone mentioned there was a note that Horizons 
    	would be 'operational' during the World of Motion closure.
    
    
    MGM - nothing closed
                                                     

    
    That part of Future World would be dead if both Horizons and World of
    Motion were closed at the same time. As far as I know Horizons is
    spnsorless and that pavillion may become the "Black Box Pavillion" that
    has been mentioned from time to time. 
    
    I thought that I had read whereby if WDW officials did not secure
    sponsorship by a certain deadline that contingency plans of some sort
    would be exercised so as to insure that building not be closed during
    the 25th Anniversary.
    
    Mike

    I heard last night that Horizons opens on January 8th and World of
    Motion closes that same day.
    
    Mike

Good news for me, bad news for my wife.  World of Motion is her favorite,
Horizons is mine.  We will likely be there in February for her company
award trip...

Bill A.

               ****  Reprinted without permission ****
By Leslie Doolittle, The Orlando Sentinel, Fla.

Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News

Feb. 22--Big news for giant-squid fans. Walt Disney World plans to have
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea back in action this summer.

As you might recall, the Disney inhouse publications announced 20K (as
Disnoids affectionately call it) would be taking its final voyage on Labor
Day 1994. But after ride fans gathered for ceremonial farewells, and the ride
was shut down, Disney officials insisted there had been a big
misunderstanding and the ride was only being closed for maintenance.

In the 18 months since then, there has been considerable speculation
about plans for the ride, ranging from converting it to a walk-through to
adding a simulator experience to transforming it into a Little Mermaid
attraction.

But Disney World's captain, Al Weiss, says when the ride comes back up,
it will still have the 20K theme and existing ride system.

"We're still trying to finalize plans," said Weiss. "But we will go
through and do a rehab -- and add a few surprises."

    does anyone have an updated DL closure list?  We will be there in May
    and wondered what was closed.
    
    Thanks in advance,
    
    Kathi
    
    

    Space Mountain (Orlando) will undergo a rehab from Sunday April 6,
    through Friday May 26. The attraction will be open for guests
    during this time, except for April 28-30, when it will be closed
    all day. While most of the rehab will be accomplished after
    park hours, it will be neccessary to close the attraction early
    (8:30pm) on the following dates: April 6, 9, 13, 20, 23, 27, May
    4, 11, 14, 18-22.