Pleasure Island Presents Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll March 15-17

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — For everyone interested in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day “the Irish way,” the Irish owners of Raglan Road Irish Restaurant & Pub at Downtown Disney have lined up a non-stop program of Irish music, song and dance across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 16-18, to match anything found in their native Dublin, Ireland.

Here’s what’s in store:
·  ‘U2 Elevation,’ the world’s most popular U2 tribute band, will play a storming mix of the band’s songs on Friday and Saturday evening.
·  Tuskar Rock, Raglan Road’s imported house band (and a huge favorite among locals), will present their unique mix of traditional and contemporary Irish music — featuring ‘Lord of the Dance’ star dancer Danielle Fitzpatrick. The band will also launch their eagerly awaited CD recorded live at Raglan Road.
·  Myra Waters, another Irish champion dancer, leads her Celtic Pulse Dance Troupe — featuring the cream of Orlando’s Irish Dancers — in a blistering set of tap and step dance routines.
·  “The Raglan Rose” competition (open to all guests) will unearth Raglan Road’s Festival Queen — as voted by the guests! That’s all in addition to a heady mix of Celtic Cocktails, Stupid Irish Dance Competitions and Raglan’s Irish cuisine and Irish beers — all the ingredients needed to create one fine Irish hooley (party).

The fun begins March 16 at 5 p.m. and continues on March 17 and March 18 beginning at noon. On Saturday, March 17, there is a $10 cover charge until 3 p.m. and a $15 cover charge after 3 p.m. No advance reservations are being taken for Saturday. For more information, call 407-938-0300 or visit raglanroadirishpub.com.

St. Patrick’s Fun Also Planned for Pleasure Island
Meanwhile, Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll at 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. While Pleasure Island club admission is not required to enjoy the Sham Rock ‘n’ Roll street party, now is a good time to purchase a one-night Pleasure Island ticket. Florida residents who purchase a $21.95 multi-club ticket before March 31 and show proof of Florida residency can return as many times as they like at no additional charge through June 30, 2007.

Guests may call 407-939-7781 or visit the Pleasure Island ticket booths at Downtown Disney for details on ticket upgrades and age restrictions.

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Walt Disney World guests are propelled to speeds reaching 30 feet per second on Crush ‘n’ Gusher, a new water coaster thrill ride at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Three distinct water-coaster ride systems will send guests up and down twisting slopes and turns of chutes filled with gushing water. The attraction is themed to be the towering remains of a washed-out fruit exporting plant.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Summer splashes onto the scene at Walt Disney World Resort with a bang and a belly laugh — the new Monster’s, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club bringing down the house at Magic Kingdom while Donald Duck reprises a famous comedic movie role in the new “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros” at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Dream Squad will continue to patrol the parks on a mission to deliver hundreds of thousands of dreams and magical moments as part of “The Year of a Million Dreams,” a first-of-its-kind event celebrating Disney Dreams and the role that Disney cast members play as dream makers. Guests are treated to an unprecedented level of guest service as cast members are empowered to create tens of millions of personal interactions and special experiences that money can’t buy.
With new shows and attractions — plus a fancy flower festival, football and “The Force!” –summer 2007 guests at Walt Disney World Resort can expect even more vacation magic.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Dreamers are everywhere.
At least that’s what Disney’s Dream Squad cast members have discovered since the Oct. 1, 2006, launch of “The Year of a Million Dreams” at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.
Dreams have been awarded to theme park guests visiting from as far away as Clenrothes, Scotland, or as close as Mickey Mouse’s “backyards” of Central Florida and Southern California. Dreams are awarded every day at Disney Parks and Downtown Disney locations on each U.S. coast.
Presented in random, surprise fashion to guests visiting from around the world — from Wailuku, Hawaii, and Workington, England, to Brown Deer, Wis., and Gig Harbor, Wash. — Disney Dreams have come in all shapes and sizes so far, including Dream FASTPASS lanyards, admission to sold-out Disney Parks events, luxurious vacations aboard Disney Cruise Line and more.
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4th Annual Espn Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort March 2-4

ESPN The Weekend Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods — the fourth annual ESPN special event at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort — will give sports fans the opportunity to see many of their favorite athletes and ESPN personalities up-close and personal March 2-4.

More than 30 world-class athletes, representing MLB, NBA, NFL, the Olympics and the world of action sports are scheduled to appear, including Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers), and other Pro Bowl football players; basketball legends David Robinson and Sheryl Swoopes; pitchers Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros) and outfielder Magglio Ordonez (Detroit Tigers); Olympian Michelle Kwan (figure skating); and perennial X Games star Mike Metzger.
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Fans of all ages will see and hear more ESPN personalities, athletes and sports celebrities March 2-4, 2007 during the fourth annual “ESPN The Weekend, Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.” The event will be held at the Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. ESPN and Walt Disney World join to present the sport-themed festival. This is the fourth annual sports festival, which is included with regular theme park admission. More than 60 sports celebrities are expected to appear in fan-friendly events and shows.

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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!

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Guests to Epcot, the ever-changing theme park of discovery, can experience a Segway Human Transporter (HT) for themselves, firsthand, as part of two different programs.

“Around the World at Epcot” is a two-hour guided tour that allows guests to operate the two-wheeled, one-person transportation device throughout World Showcase before the area opens for other park guests. The cost is $80 per person. Tours are daily at 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.
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Tours Offered at Walt Disney World Resort
No photography is permitted in any backstage areas
Photo IDs are required at check-in for all tours
To book a tour, call 407/WDW-TOUR (407/939-8687) . . . for Custom Guided Tours, call 407/560-4033, Prices subject to change

Tour: Around the World at Epcot
Location: Epcot
When: daily
Duration: 2 hours
Ages: 16 & up
Cost : $85
Details: Guests “test drive” the Segway Human Transporter; weight maximum 250 lbs.; Epcot admission required (extra).

Tour: Backstage Magic
Location: MK, Epcot, Studios
When: M-F
Duration: 7 hours
Ages: 16 & up
Cost : $199
Details: Lunch included; no theme park admission required.

Tour: Backstage Safari
Location: Animal Kingdom
When: M, W, Th, F
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 16 & up
Cost : $65
Details: Tour backstage animal facilities such as the veterinary hospital and elephant barn; Disney’s Animal Kingdom admission required (extra).

Tour: Behind the Seeds
Location: Epcot/The Land
When: daily
Duration: 45 minutes
Ages: all ages
Cost : $14/ages 10 and over, $10/ages 3-9
Details: Epcot admission required (extra); get a closer look at the four greenhouses and the fish farm that are part of the Living with the Land attraction.

Tour: Disney’s Family Magic Tour
Location: Magic Kingdom
When: daily
Duration: 2½ hours
Ages: all ages
Cost : $27
Details: Magic Kingdom admission required (extra); this is a primer for first-time visitors with children, a skip (literally) through the magical lands.

Tour: DiveQuest
Location: Epcot/The Seas with Nemo & Friends
When: daily
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 10 & up (*)
Cost : $140
Details: (*) Open-water scuba certification required; ages 10-11 must be diving with an adult; waiver required for guests ages 10-17; bring swimsuit (locker room provided); diving gear provided; no theme park admission required.

Tour: Dolphins in Depth
Location: Epcot/The Seas with Nemo & Friends
When: M-F
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 13 & up (*)
Cost : $150
Details: (*) Minors must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18+; no theme park admission required; guests get up close & personal with the animals knee-deep in the water; swimsuit required; T-shirt, refreshments & photo included.

Tour: Epcot Seas Aqua Tour
Location: Epcot/The Seas with Nemo & Friends
When: daily
Duration: 2½ hours
Ages: 8 & up (*)
Cost : $100
Details: (*) Guests ages 8-11 must be accompanied by parent or guardian; scuba certificate not required; snorkel provided; includes refreshments, T-shirt, photo; no theme park admission required.

Tour: Gardens of the World
Location: Epcot
When: T, Th
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 16 & up
Cost : $59
Details: Epcot admission required (extra); explore the styles of landscaping represented in each pavilion at World Showcase.

Tour: Hidden Treasures of World Showcase
Location: Epcot
When: T, Th
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 16 & up
Cost : $59
Details: Epcot admission required (extra).

Tour: Keys to the Kingdom
Location: Magic Kingdom
When: daily
Duration: 4½ hours
Ages: 16 & up
Cost : $60
Details: Magic Kingdom admission required (extra); take a look at the history, heritage and philosophies behind the park; visits themed lands and backstage.

Tour: Mickey’s Magical Milestones Tour
Location: Magic Kingdom
When: M, W, F
Duration: 2 hours
Ages: 10 & up
Cost : $25
Details: Magic Kingdom admission required (extra); take a look at history and philosophies behind the park; visits themed lands and backstage; lunch included.

Tour: The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains
Location: Magic Kingdom
When: M, T, W, Th, Sat
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 10 & up
Cost : $40
Details: Magic Kingdom admission required (extra); no cameras; it’s an inside look at the Walt Disney World Railroad and an opportunity to learn about Walt Disney’s love of steam trains; see how the trains are prepared for their daily operation.

Tour: The Undiscovered Future World
Location: Epcot
When: M, W, F
Duration: 4 hours
Ages: 16 & up
Cost : $49
Details: Epcot admission required (extra); hear stories about Walt Disney’s ultimate dream; get rare glimpses at backstage areas.

Tour: Wild by Design
Location: Animal Kingdom
When: Th, F
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 14 & up
Cost : $58
Details: Disney’s Animal Kingdom admission required (extra); stories behind the making of the park - how art, architecture, artifacts and story-telling combine to transport guests to exotic lands; insight into the care of wild animals and their habitats.

Tour: Yuletide Fantasy
Location: throughout WDW
When: seasonal M-Sat
Duration: 3½ hours
Ages: 16 & up
Cost : $69
Details: No theme park admission required; visits resorts and theme parks to see how holiday traditions are woven into decorations that turn Walt Disney World Resort into a winter wonderland.

Tour: Custom Guided Tours
Location: custom itinerary
When: by arrangement
Duration: minimum 6 hours
Ages: all ages
Cost : $125 per hour (*)
Details: (*) Overnight guests at Walt Disney World Resort hotels are offered a $95 rate on most dates during the year; Disney Special Activities phone number is 407/560-4033.

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Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant – Downtown Disney - Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day March 17, 2007 at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort. Raglan Road features the very best of fresh, bistro-style Irish food, fine Irish beers and whiskies, and live musical entertainment, all in an authentic and lively atmosphere.

Restaurateurs Paul Nolan and John Cooke, both native Dubliners, brought their pub and restaurant concept to Downtown Disney - one of the themed entertainment districts at Walt Disney World. All of Raglan Road’s furniture and fixtures were imported to Florida from Ireland, including the antique Irish bars that date back more than 130 years. Also featured, entertainment by Irish musicians and Celtic dancers. Irish master chef Kevin Dundon, who has prepared meals for the President of Ireland, Queen Elizabeth and the rock band U2, is Raglan Road’s signature chef.

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