News Bites

[Earthbound]

Tom Sawyer Island will be closed July 25 - September 25, 2004.

Disney-MGM Studios' Fourth of July Celebration will include a special fireworks show that features a choreographed soundtrack combining patriotic melodies and some American pop tributes.

The Magic Kingdom will be hosting E-Ride Nights every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from Monday, May 31, through Friday, August 13, 2004.

Pleasure Island News: Pleasure Island will operate as an ungated area now until August 14, 2004. Visitors will be able to enter and shop around Pleasure Island without purchasing admission. Entry to any of the nightclubs, however, will still require an admission ticket, which can be purchased at the clubs' entrances. Admission will still grant entry to all Pleasure Island clubs. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a person 21 or older who has an acceptable form of identification to enter the clubs; additional age restrictions may apply. Individuals with tickets that include Pleasure Island admission can use their tickets at the entrance of any nightclub.

The Jazz Club on Pleasure Island will open late as follows due to private events:

Tuesday, May 25 -- 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 30 -- 8:30 p.m.

As of June 1, Walt Disney World resort guests (age 14 and older) staying at the following resorts can use the associated fitness centers at no additional charge for the duration of their stay:

Animal Kingdom Lodge - Zahanati Fitness Center
BoardWalk - Muscles & Bustles Health Club
Coronado Springs - La Vida Fitness Center
Contemporary - Olympiad Fitness Center
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa - Disney's Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club
Old Key West - R.E.S.T. Exercise Room
Polynesian - Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club
Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa - Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Fitness Center
Wilderness Lodge and The Villas at Wilderness Lodge - Sturdy Branches Health Club
Yacht & Beach Club Resorts and Beach Club Villas - Ship Shape Health Club

A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under 17.

In addition, Disney Vacation Club members will be allowed to use the fitness center at any Disney Vacation Club resort, as long as they are staying at a Walt Disney World resort. A $12 fee will apply only if the DVC member visits a non-Disney Vacation Club resort's fitness center (e.g., Contemporary or Coronado Springs) and is not staying at that resort.

Guests of resorts not listed above, or those who wish to use another resort's fitness center, may do so for $12 per day, based on availability. The purchase of a spa treatment includes use of the adjacent fitness center for the day of treatment.

[Carolyn]

Hi Chris
What is Tom Sawyers Island?

Cheers

Caz:D

[Anne]

Originally posted by Carolyn
Hi Chris
What is Tom Sawyers Island?

Cheers

Caz:D

It's a Island in MK.

[Carolyn]

Hi Anne

Thanks - I will look it up. Cant remember it from last time!

Caz

[Anne]

Here's some more from the Dibb park pages

Tom Sawyer Island
Take a raft ride across the Rivers of America to explore the hills, caves, Fort Sam Clemens and dirt trails. Walt Disney himself designed this area. Also visit Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn for snacks and ice cream sundaes. There are shops as well selling Native American and Mexican handicrafts

[Carolyn]

Hi Anne
Just looked it up - Reason I missed it last time coz it wasnt there then :blush: !!


Thanks !!

Caz

[Earthbound]

Sorry Caz = just noticed your question & I would hate not to leave a reply...anyway:

Spread fore more than six miles, Tom Sawyer Island is actually comprised of two islands which are connected by a swing bridge. The area is a natural playground and a great place for children, who will no doubt enjoy the dark caves, mystery mines, bridges, rocks, shrubs, hills, and more.

Visitors to Tom Sawyer Island arrive and depart via a river raft. Most of the attractions are on the main island, where the rafts dock. Highlights here include the mystery cave, a dark and somewhat spooky labyrinth, Injun Joe’s cave, an old fashioned mill, a rustic playground and more.

On the other island is good-ole Fort Sam Clemens, a fortress where youngsters can fire air guns (with sound) at passengers riding the Liberty Square Riverboat. Throughout both islands there are plenty of place to relax in the shade. But adults should not be reluctant to explore this attraction. If rest one must, Aunt Polly’s Landing serves one heck of a lemonade.