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

JANUARY 2005

In This Edition:

Theme Parks: New Disney's PhotoPass will put a smile on guests' faces.

Disney-MGM Studios: Disney's art of storytelling comes to life in refurbished Magic of Disney Animation; Park guests have a chance to go for the $1 million grand prize during January tapings.

Resorts: Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is among just 57 restaurants in North America to earn a Five Diamond distinction from AAA; Fodor's hails Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge as one of the world's top 20 hotels.

Downtown Disney: Sweet news for candy lovers ...

Disney's Wide World of Sports: 24,000 marathoners and half marathoners registered for Jan. 9 run through Disney theme parks.

Water Parks: Blizzard Beach reopens following seasonal refurbishment.

And more: Disney's Bank One Visa introduces Royal Treatment services.

Disney's PhotoPass Makes Viewing, Sharing and Ordering Photos From a Walt Disney World Vacation Easier Than Ever

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With more than six hundred million pictures taken at Walt Disney World Resort every year, it seems as though guests to the Vacation Kingdom enjoy capturing the memory of their vacations as much as they enjoy experiencing them.

Disney's PhotoPass, which debuted in all four Walt Disney World theme parks in December, presents guests with an alternative way to capture treasured moments.

Using professional digital SLR equipment, photographers take photos of guests throughout the theme parks. Instead of receiving a paper claim ticket, guests receive a Disney's PhotoPass that links all of their vacation photos together into one online account for easy online viewing and sharing. Guests can use one PhotoPass for their entire vacation or get a new PhotoPass each time they take a photo.

Guests will be able to view, share and order their photos online at DisneyPhotoPass.com . Although Disney's PhotoPass replaces the existing photo system at Walt Disney World Resort, guests will still be able to view and buy their vacation photos at Disney Photo Centers throughout property. There is no charge for obtaining a PhotoPass or viewing or sharing photos online. The cost of ordering prints from DisneyPhotoPass.com will be similar to the cost of buying the same photo at a Disney Photo Center.

"Fodor's Choice Hotels 2005" Honors Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Editors and writers voting in Fodor's Travel Publications "Fodor's Choice Hotels 2005" named Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge among the "Top 20 Hotels of the World." Honors went to hotels from Montreal to Maui and from Italy to Belize in the second year of the recognition program.

Picked from among thousands of selections, the 20 hotels were chosen as unique, unusual and not-to-be-missed experiences, said Fodor's Travel Publications publisher Tim Jarrell. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge won in "The Kids Will Love It, Too" category.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge features African art and artifacts, South African-inspired cuisine and guestroom views to savannahs teeming with exotic wildlife.

Victoria & Albert's Wins Two Awards

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been awarded a AAA Five Diamond rating for the fifth consecutive year and is among just 57 restaurants in North America earning AAA's highest distinction in 2005.

AAA's 65 full-time tourism editors evaluate more then 55,000 hotels and restaurants each year, and only 0.26 percent (barely more than one-quarter of 1 percent) earn five diamonds (85 lodgings earned the coveted honor this year along with the 57 restaurants).

Victoria & Albert's also was awarded four stars by the 2005 Mobil Travel Guide -- one of only two restaurants in Central Florida to earn the honor.

Mobil Travel Guide ratings are based on cumulative scores determined by service evaluations, unannounced inspections, published reviews and letters from Mobil Travel Guide users.

Disney-MGM Studios Guest Could Win $1 Million When Quiz Show Tapes Episodes

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The television quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," hosted by Meredith Vieira, will tape five weeks of episodes during January at Disney-MGM Studios.

The tapings will take place inside the "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" set on Jan. 12-16, with multiple episodes taped each day.

A limited number of audience tickets are available in advance and can be requested at millionairetv.com. A limited number of tickets will also be available the day of the tapings and will be distributed inside Disney-MGM Studios on a first-come, first-served basis, while seats last, on taping days.

A special, multi-day "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" travel package is also available at millionairetv.com.

On Jan. 15, Disney-MGM Studios guests will have a chance to "Walk-In and Win" the $1 million grand prize, with "Hot Seat" contestants coming directly from the studio audience. The studio audience will be determined by random drawing. Eligibility requirements and more details can be found at millionairetv.com.

The taped episodes will air nationwide in February, May and June. Viewers should check their local listings for more information.

Magic of Disney Animation Immerses Guests In Disney's Timeless Art of Bringing Stories to Life

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The newly refurbished Magic of Disney Animation attraction in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort showcases Disney's art of storytelling and bringing animated characters to life. Guests can see what goes into making an animated film and then can join in the fun and test their own animation skills.

The attraction showcases stories brought to life through animation -- from concept to completion. Interactive displays and instruction from trained Disney artists provide guests the chance to try their hand at animation and take home their self-drawn sketch of a famous Disney character.

The Magic of Disney Animation also features a themed meet-and-greet area where guests come face-to-face with the latest larger-than-life animated characters.

Currently, stars of the latest animated silver screen offering -- Disney presents a Pixar film THE INCREDIBLES -- make daily appearances. The trio of stars of the new hit film -- Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone -- show off their superhero muscle each day and say hello to guests of all ages inside the attraction.

Characters will appear inside on an ever-changing basis, with 'toon stars from the latest release featured for guest photos and autograph sessions.

Walt Disney World Resort Sweetens Goofy's Candy Company With Expanded Offerings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Downtown Disney will be sweeter than ever this spring with an expanded Goofy's Candy Company featuring an interactive show kitchen concocting scrumptious confections.

To make room for the tasty offering at Downtown Disney Marketplace, the Disney at Home location begins refurbishment in early January. The current Goofy's Candy Company location will continue to operate until approximately one week prior to the opening of the new location, then undergo refurbishment in preparation for another retail concept.

Walt Disney World Marathon Charts Magical Course Through Four Theme Parks Jan. 9

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A field of 24,000 is registered for the 12th annual Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon set for Jan. 9 over a course that includes portions of the four theme parks at the Central Florida destination resort. Both races begin at 6 a.m. outside the gates of Epcot.

The marathon and half marathon are part of an entire running weekend at Disney that also includes the popular FamilyFun Magazine 5K and Kids Races on Jan. 8, and the two-day Disney's Health and Fitness Expo presented by Tylenol 8 Hour on Jan. 7-8. The Expo will be held at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and will feature seminars on running, nutrition and overall health and fitness. The event will also showcase the latest running and fitness products. (Admission to the Expo is free on both days.)

Registration remains open for the 5K and kids races at disneyworldmarathon.com but registration is closed for the 2005 marathon and half marathon. Registration for the 2006 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (Jan. 6-8, 2006) begins Jan. 10, 2005, at www.disneyworldmarathon.com.

Special Walt Disney World Marathon packages are available for registered runners, family members and friends through Disney Sports Travel by calling 407/939-7810 or a travel agent. Guests may also contact Disney Sports Travel by e-mail at www.wdw.disney.sports.travel@disney.com.

Disney's Bank One Visa Royal Treatment Offers Princely Savings, Experiences

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- New Royal Treatment services from Disney's Bank One Visa Card provides cardmembers with special offers, exclusive packages and savings on services, meals, tours and merchandise at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Before even going to the Florida Vacation Kingdom, cardmembers can take the guesswork out of booking thanks to new Special Travel Planning Services. Cardmembers also enjoy private meet-and-greets with Disney characters, preferred areas for nightly fireworks viewing and preferred seating at shows.

Disney's Visa Cardmembers receive zero percent financing for six months on Walt Disney Travel Company vacation packages. Details are available at BankOne.com.

Blizzard Beach Welcomes Guests "Back to the Slopes" After Winter Refurbishment

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Disney's Blizzard Beach welcomes water lovers back to the slopes following a six-week seasonal refurbishment.

Blizzard Beach is a zany water adventure park with the atmosphere and excitement of a major ski resort in the midst of a tropical lagoon. The 66-acre park features water fun for the whole family with slides, raft rides and the ultimate 120-foot-high Summit Plummet -- the nation's tallest, fastest free-fall speed slide, visible from almost anywhere in the park.

The sandy beach below Mt. Gushmore offers a large heated wave pool, a lazy river, two snack bars, a polar pub lodge and a pre-teen and children's play area. Other facilities include: dressing/locker rooms, life jacket rentals, towel rentals, merchandise shop and picnic areas throughout the park. Operating hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit disneyworld.com or call 407/824-4321.