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Around the World

New, Random Ride Sequences Turn Up the Thrills
For Guests on Tower of Terror

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Five simple words, one chilling thought: The tower is in control.

While “sequels” sometimes don’t measure up to their originals, the new version of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ at Disney-MGM Studios multiplies the thrills inside the 13-story haunted hotel with technology that actually places the attraction in control of each ride experience.

New random ride and drop sequences make the attraction faster and add more drops than ever before. In addition, visual, audio and olfactory special effects have been added, making Tower of Terror one of the most advanced multi-sensory attractions anywhere in the world. Ghostly apparitions, rocketing new ascents, more “air time,” and cannon blasts of chilling air are just a few of the new surprises in store for brave Walt Disney World guests.

The new ride sequences officially debut Dec. 31, 2002, to ring in the new year with screams and shrieks echoing from the ride’s cavernous elevator shafts.

All of the new ride sequences are unique and random, so not even the droll hotel “bellhops” (costumed Disney-MGM Studios cast members who operate the attraction) will know which sequence guests are queued to ride. It’s the first Disney attraction in the world to offer random experiences and the first where the attraction actually determines the ride sequence.

The ride’s fright-filled ascent begins when visitors board a decrepit hotel freight elevator that passes through mysterious hotel passageways where ghostly images of lost guests seem to appear and disappear at will. As the journey progresses, the elevator-cage hurtles through the “Fifth Dimension” in a pitch-black shaft.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror features Disney’s FASTPASS, an innovative system -- offered at no charge -- designed to reduce waiting times at popular attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

For more information, call 407/824-4321 or visit www.disneyworld.com.

*****

New Food Fun: Dinner with Cinderella

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Cinderella and her storybook friends join in the dinnertime fun at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa beginning Jan. 5, 2003.

Cinderella and her friends will appear nightly at the resort’s 1900 Park Fare restaurant, which serves a dinner buffet from 5 to 9 p.m. in a festive dining room featuring a turn-of-the-century organ, Big Bertha, which occasionally pipes up with Disney tunes. Cinderella and her friends are replacing Pooh and friends at the dinner. For arrangements, call 407/WDW-DINE.

*****

New Shops at Downtown Disney Marketplace
Feature Unique Scrapbook Supplies and Bath Products

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World guests seeking to pamper themselves or preserve cherished memories have new destinations to explore in Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World Resort:

Disney's Wonderful World of Memories offers a new collection of Walt Disney World-branded scrapbook supplies, including albums, pre-packaged kits, adhesive tape pens, glue sticks, scissors, and a wide assortment of colorful Disney stickers. Also available are Disney books, stationery, pens and postcards, plus several stations where guests can create scrapbook pages and postcards. Now open, Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories is located next to Art of Disney and replaces the 2R’s Reading and Riting shop.

Basin, scheduled to open in mid-January, will feature natural bath and skin care products in a beautifully rustic setting across from World of Disney. The shop’s interior will evoke the feel of a 19th century market where guests can browse among pine bins and metal tubs filled with fragrant soaps and lotions or watch soap cut by the pound from all-natural blocks. Basin replaces the Generation BeneFITS shop.

*****

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Adds Family Dining Option

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A three-month refurbishment is complete at Old Port Royale, the dining and shopping area at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and the 2,112-room resort has reopened.

A new table-service restaurant, Shutters at Old Port Royale, features American cuisine inspired by the flavors of the Caribbean -- such as Island wings, smoked prime rib, pan-seared red snapper, oven-roasted jerk chicken -- plus a full bar with tropical specialties. Décor reflects the colors of the Caribbean and the ambience is comfortable and cozy.

The overall renovation includes a display kitchen, enhancements to the food court and other guest amenities.

*****

Disney Cruise Line

“Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!”
Offers Disney Cruise Line Vacation as New Grand Prize

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Guests at Disney MGM-Studios who visit “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It” can now play to win a Disney Cruise Line vacation for four, the new prize for million-point winners.

The winner and three guests will be flown from a U.S. gateway airport nearest their home to the Orlando area and embark on a three-night cruise to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay.

*****

Disney Cruise Line Hosts Third Annual
Ebert & Roeper ‘Film Festival At Sea’

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper of the popular syndicated television show “Ebert & Roeper” will host the third annual Film Festival At Sea aboard the Disney Wonder Feb. 20-23, 2003.

The special film festival package includes a sail-away cocktail reception with Ebert, Roeper and fellow film buffs, a sneak peek at four of the popular critics’ favorite films from the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, open discussion with Ebert and Roeper following each screening and a book signing during the cruise. This is in addition to the magical entertainment, age-specific programming and unique dining experiences featured aboard every three-night Disney cruise to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay.

Guests attending the film festival can combine the fun and excitement of Walt Disney World Resort with their three-night voyage to the Bahamas by booking a land and sea vacation. Seven-night land and sea packages coinciding with the film festival begin Feb. 16, with a four-night stay at Walt Disney World Resort followed by the three-night cruise.

Film festival packages can be purchased by adding $175 to the cruise fare of each participating guest age 13 and over. Cruise-only rates are also available for guests not wishing to participate in the film festival. All rates are per person based on adult double occupancy. Government taxes and fees are included.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit www.disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500.

Sports

‘Perfect 10s’ Lead Record Field of Runners
Into 10th Annual Disney Marathon

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- They’ve been here before, these 149 special participants among a record field of 22,000 who’ll go to the starting line of the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon on Jan. 12. In fact, these 149 people from 24 states have been here annually since 1994, making the 10th annual Disney their own “Perfect 10 Club” -- their 10th jaunt through the four Walt Disney World theme parks as part of the world’s most magical 26.2 miles.

The “Perfect 10 Club” comprises 115 men and 34 women ranging in age from 31 to 74. Ninety-two are Floridians -- from 19 different counties.

Among them: a Delray Beach runner who has done pretty much everything but win the Disney, with five top-five finishes in nine years. He’s Paul Marmaro, whose best finish was a second place in 1997 and whose best time was a 2:24:48 in the inaugural Disney.

The Disney marathon and half marathon have become such popular events that registration reached limits (16,000 for the marathon and 6,000 for the half) by mid-July -- earliest cutoff ever. The runs, which begin before daybreak on Sunday morning, are part of a weekend of running and fitness activities that also includes an expo, health-and-fitness seminars, and the FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run 5K. Registration remains open for the 5K, to be run at Epcot on Jan. 11. Information is available at www.disneysports.com. The expo and seminars are Jan. 10-11 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

*****

Atlanta Braves Spring Training Tickets On Sale Jan. 4

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Atlanta Braves fans will get a taste of spring training when single-game tickets go on sale for the first time at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on Jan. 4. Fans have the opportunity to purchase single-game tickets for the Braves’ sixth spring training season at Walt Disney World Resort.

The National League East champion Braves arrive at Disney in mid-February and will play a 16-game home schedule in March 2003 at the newly renamed Cracker Jack Stadium against other top Major League Baseball opponents, including the New York Yankees (March 14), New York Mets (March 1 and 22) and St. Louis Cardinals (March 16 and 17).

For the first time, fans may also purchase mini-packs featuring spring training tickets to three games at Disney, including the Yankees game. Information on mini-packs is available at 407/939-GAME (4263).

Special Walt Disney World Spring Training packages, which include accommodations, theme park tickets and game tickets, are also available by calling 407/939-7810.