Dateline Disney - March 2007

• Disney-MGM Studios:ESPN The Weekend returns, welcoming sports celebrities to Walt Disney World Resort; ‘High School Musical’ moves to Disney-MGM Studios.
• Magic Kingdom: Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party wraps up the loot with final event days in March.
• Downtown Disney: Pleasure Island goes green for St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
• Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex: 10th year anniversary festivities commence; Atlanta Braves Spring Training continues.
• Disney Cruise Line: Disney Magic announces 2008 California cruises.
• Plus, Pin Trading Nights continue in March!

4th Annual ESPN The Weekend Offers Sports Fans Fun for All Ages
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – ESPN and Walt Disney World Resort will offer sports fans of all ages the opportunity to see and hear ESPN personalities and world-famous athletes March 2-4 during the fourth annual ESPN The Weekend, a festival-style event at Disney-MGM Studios.
The three-day sports fan-fest, hosted this year by former NBA All-Star David Robinson and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, will be highlighted by Hollywood-style motorcades, star conversations with sports celebrities, behind-the-scenes looks at ESPN shows, and an interactive sports area.
Also featured: on-site telecasts and remote broadcasts of popular ESPN shows including “SportsCenter,” “ESPN Deportes,” “Cold Pizza,” “Baseball Tonight” and “BassCenter.”
Among the 60 celebrities scheduled to appear are Michelle Kwan, Jerry Rice, Hines Ward, Linda Cohn, Donnie Edwards, Adam Vinatieri and Skip Bayless.
ESPN The Weekend is included with regular admission to Disney-MGM Studios.

Final Three Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party Nights in March
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Dreams of becoming a swashbuckling pirate or pretty princess can be realized during Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party — but time’s running out. The special “after-hours” Magic Kingdom fun concludes in March with three party nights at Walt Disney World Resort.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (following the close of regular Magic Kingdom operating hours) and continuing until 12:30 a.m. March 2, 5, and 8, families can grab an adventure map and treasure bag and embark on a quest for colorful beads, chocolate doubloons and fun throughout the theme park. Adventurers can explore the park on a quest for pirate coves and princess courts brimming with specially themed entertainment, participate in character meet-and-greets and experience some of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions open throughout the evening. Guests are invited to dress up as a wily pirate or favorite Disney princess.
Adding to the magic of the event are two new nighttime entertainment spectaculars: “Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade” and “Magic, Music and Mayhem,” a fireworks display orchestrated to an original musical score.
Day-of tickets are priced at $42.95 plus tax (ages 10 and over), $35.95 plus tax (ages 3-9). Advance tickets are $36.95 plus tax (ages 10 and over) and $29.95 plus tax (ages 3-9).

‘High School Musical’ Pep Rally on the Move at Disney-MGM Studios
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The hottest dance moves and the biggest hit songs from today’s most popular entertainment phenomenon come to life in “High School Musical” Pep Rally, a new immersive show for the whole family now at Disney-MGM Studios as part of “The Year of a Million Dreams.”
Throughout the park, a multi-talented team of entertainers re-creates the world of East High — basketball court and all — a place where your best friends break into elaborate musical numbers like magic. Theme park guests may even find themselves shooting hoops or joining in as the whole street turns into a rockin’ party while great songs fill the air, from “Breaking Free” and “Getcha Head in the Game” to “We’re All in This Together.”
It’s a joyous showcase of sing-along fun that invites all ages to be part of a new kind of live excitement inspired by the hugely popular Disney Channel and smash-hit pop album.

Pin Trading Nights Continue in March at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Mickey’s Pin Trading Nights are back and better than ever in 2007! Guests can trade Disney pins with other guests from around the world in a specially designed trading room. This month’s event will take place March 16 from 5-8 p.m. at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center. The activity is free for Disney Pin Traders of all ages. For more information on Disney Pin Trading, visit disneypins.com.

Atlanta Braves Spring Training Continues at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex through March
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Through the month of March, the Atlanta Braves are at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for their 10th Major League Baseball (MLB) Spring Training session, including a 15-game home schedule against 10 major league opponents.
The Braves, the winningest team in the major leagues over the past 15 years, kick off their home schedule March 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Other highlights: the National League East Division champion New York Mets travel to Disney on March 22, while the American League East champion New York Yankees play the Braves on March 8 in one of the most highly anticipated spring games. The World Champion St. Louis Cardinals play at Disney on consecutive days (March 16-17), marking the fifth straight year the Braves and Cardinals have played a back-to-back two-game series at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
Individual-game tickets can be purchased at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports box office or through Ticketmaster at 407/839-3900. Prices range from $14 (general admission lawn seats) to $22.50 (lower reserved). Information about group tickets and mini-packs is available by calling 407/939-GAME (4263). Mini-packs include three- and five-game options. The Atlanta Braves’ 2007 Spring Training schedule is available online at disneyworldsports.com and atlantabraves.com.

Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex Celebrates 10 Years
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex is celebrating its 10th anniversary in March 2007.
Opened on March 28, 1997, the 220-acre complex hosts more than 180 sports events each year, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp, the NBA Pre-Draft Camp, AAU National Championships and the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Many of the biggest stars in sports have competed or trained at the complex, such as PGA Tour golfer Tiger Woods, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Olympic soccer star Mia Hamm.
More than 30 sports are played at the complex, from football, baseball and basketball to paintball, martial arts and wheelchair rugby. The complex includes weight training equipment and facilities, locker rooms, athletic training facilities, classrooms, office space and media facilities, as well as serving as the headquarters for most sporting events at Walt Disney World Resort.

Pleasure Island Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with ‘Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll’
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll as Downtown Disney Pleasure Island celebrates St. Patrick’s Day March 15-17 from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. The island will “turn green” with live music, videos by Irish artists, leprechauns, stilt walkers and more.
Meanwhile, guests can hold on to a little of their own “green” — there will be no admission charge to enjoy the activities taking place in the common areas of Pleasure Island.

Disney Cruise Line Returns to West Coast in 2008
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Disney Cruise Line will reposition the Disney Magic cruise ship to the West Coast for the summer of 2008, offering seven-night cruise vacations to the Mexican Riviera. This marks the second time the 2,700-passenger ship has sailed from the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, giving guests another chance to sail the popular itinerary and providing West Coast residents with an opportunity to experience a Disney Cruise Line vacation.
Beginning May 25, 2008, the Disney Magic is scheduled to sail 12 consecutive seven-night cruise vacations from the Port of Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
The itinerary encores off the extremely popular one that Disney Cruise Line offered in 2005, but it’s a significantly different Disney Magic cruise ship. The Disney Magic has since received major enhancements including a 24-by-14-foot jumbo LED screen for poolside movies, an expanded spa and fitness center and a new youth activities space.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500.

Italian Gelato at Disney’s Beach Club Marketplace
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — There’s just one Walt Disney World eatery where guests can get a scoop of housemade gelato, Italy’s version of ice cream. At Disney’s Beach Club Marketplace at Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club resorts, pastry chef Stefan Riemer creates fresh batches in exquisite flavors. There always are a half-dozen on display, from lemon and mango to raspberry, caramel and chocolate. Other days you might find passion fruit, apricot, green apple or cappuccino. Served in traditional cups with small paddles, a generous serving of this dense, flavorful treat costs $2.69. And this authentic gelato has less fat than ice cream and no trans fats, according to Riemer.

Chefs on the Move at Walt Disney World Restaurants
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Chef Jens Dahlmann is the new chef at California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. He makes the move from Flying Fish Cafe at Disney’s BoardWalk. Classically trained in European kitchens, Dahlmann joined Disney in 2004 from Café L’ Europe in Palm Beach, Fla.
Flying Fish Cafe welcomes Chef Tim Keating, most recently executive chef at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Fla. During his culinary career, he’s been nominated “Best Chef Southwest” for the renowned James Beard Awards four times (2001-2004) and has been featured on the PBS television show “At the Chef’s Table,” which chronicles the process of creating a gourmet meal from farmers’ market to table.

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