January & February 2008 Special Events,
Activities and Alerts

CROWD RELATED WARNINGS:

January 1 - 6: The parks will still be at peak levels with families and visitors on Christmas Break. You definitely need a good touring plan to minimize your time spent in lines. See our Full Service Custom Touring Plans Page.

Friday, January 11th: The Disney's Family Fun Run 5K will occur at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, beginning at 7:00 AM. This park might be a bit busier than usual with families who decide to stay in this park after the Run. Consider visiting another park today.

February 1st - 3rd: Disney historically sees a bit of a boost in crowds during Mardi Gras. A good touring plan will help manage that but contact us for hotel & dining reservations right away.

February 15 - 18: Presidents Day Weekend. The parks always see a spike in attendance over a 3-Day weekend. Some guests will add an extra day or two surrounding this weekend to enjoy more days in the park and to take advantage of lower airfares. You will definitely benefit from a good touring plan to minimize your time spent in lines. Again, contact us right away for dining & hotel reservations. See our Custom Itineraries Page

Extra Crowds during Nights with SpectroMagic at Magic Kingdom: The Magic Kingdom closes early on nights with Pirate & Princess Parties (see note below) limiting the nights that the SpectroMagic parade is offered. Nights with the SpectroMagic parade will be busier as the afternoon progresses because guests with park-hopper tickets will make their way over to the Magic Kingdom for this popular parade.

EVENTS:

January 21, 26, & 29 / February 2, 5, 9, 14, 22, & 26 / March 1, 6, 11, 14: Pirate & Princess Parties at the Magic Kingdom ~ 7:00 PM to Midnight. This event requires a special ticket - your Magic Your Way ticket won't get you in. Tickets are $45.95 + tax for adults and $39.95 + tax for children. It is a fun event but it costs a chunk of change so use your own judgment as to whether this is a "must do" event for your trip. Just call (877-815-6515) and we'll be happy to answer your questions or to book those tickets for you. TIP: If you are not doing this event, you will want to be aware that the Magic Kingdom closes early - at 7PM - on the nights of the Pirate & Princess Party and they generally won't have the SpectroMagic Parade those nights. For more information, see our Pirate & Princess Party Page.

RIDE & ATTRACTION CLOSURES:

Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly called Disney-MGM Studios) Theme Park:
* Journey into Narnia will be closed from January 2 - May 23, 2008
* Fantasmic will be closed from January 28 - February 1, 2008.
* 50's Prime Time Cafe will be closed for refurbishment from January 20 - February 2, 2008.

Epcot Theme Park:
* The American Adventure will be closed from January 7 - February 3, 2008. The American Heritage Gallery, shops and food and beverage areas will remain open.
* The reopening of Spaceship Earth has been changed to February 18. This ride may be open unofficially at times - this is called a "soft opening" and allows Disney to get guest feedback.
* Nine Dragons Restaurant in the China Pavilion will be closed from January 6th - November 30th, 2008 for major renovations.
* International Dinner & IllumiNations Dessert Reception offered as part of the Grand Gathering Experience will not bre offered from January 28th - February 10th.

Magic Kingdom Theme Park :
* Minnie's Country House will be closed for refurbishment from January 1 - February 1, 2008.
* Snow White's Scary Adventures will be closed for refurbishment January 28 - February 15, 2008.
* Splash Mountain will be closed for refurbishment from January 1 to February 15, 2008.
* Tinker Bell's Treasures will be closed for refurbishment from January 6 - March 16, 2008.

Blizzard Beach Water Park will be closed for annual refurbishment from January 6 - March 8, 2008
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is scheduled to reopen on January 6, 2008.

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground - There will be no 9:30pm show of the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue on January 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30.

RESORT REFURBISHMENTS & CLOSURES:

Boardwalk Resort - Luna Park Feature Pool will undergo refurbishment from January 7th - February 16th. Guests may use the Storm-along Bay pool at the nearby Yacht & Beach Club resorts. The Boardwalk's two smaller pool will remain open during the refurbishment.

Caribbean Beach Resort - Old Port Royale Feature Pool will undergo refurbishment from January 7th - Mid-September. The resort's two smaller pool will remain open during the refurbishment.

Grand Floridian Resort - The Courtyard Pool will undergo refurbishment from January 14th - March 15th, 2008. The leisure pool will remain open during the refurbishment. Polynesian Resort guests may also use the pools at the Grand Floridian resort at during the refurbishment.

Polynesian Resort - The Nanea Volcano Pool will undergo refurbishment from February 11th - Mid-February. The Beach Pool will remain open during the refurbishment. Guests may also use the Pool at the Grand Floridian resort at during the refurbishment.

Port Orleans French Quarter Resort - The Doubloon Lagoon Pool will undergo refurbishment from January 28th - Mid-March. Guests may use the pools at the nearby Port Orleans Riverside resort resort at during the refurbishment.

Disney tries to schedule pool refurbishment during the cooler months to minimize the impact to guests. Please contact us if these pool closures will be a disappointment during your trip -we will try to have your reservation switched to another resort (subject to availability).

Remember that we may still be able to provide free custom touring plans for you, even if your reservations have already been booked. It may be possible to have our name added as the travel agents of record on your reservation. Your rate and reservation remains the same and we accept the Disney commission as payment in full for custom touring plans. Please contact us for details.

It is our joy and privilege to make your family vacation better. Please contact us with your questions - we're here to help.