News & Rumors 8/25/08 - 8/31/08

News and Rumors are gathered from various different websites. One particular website is not favored over another. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken with a grain of salt.

News

• When you go to Extra Magic Hours starting in September, you won't need to get a wristband anymore. You will however, need to show your "Key To The World" card at every single attraction line you get into.
• The Halloween decorations are starting to go up at the Magic Kingdom in preparation for the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which will be held this Friday, Sept. 5. New this year are busts of Pluto, Goofy, Minnie, and Donald dressed in Halloween outfits. These are located in the Hub.
• It's official. Disney has sold 298 acres of land to the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The plans call for 445 rooms, a championship golf course and time shares to be built on the property.
• The pool at Caribbean Beach is almost ready. Only a tiny bit more work needs to be done on the bathroom roof.
• There will now be a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on October 4. The one that was originally scheduled for October 3 was cancelled recently. (Rumors were floating around that Miley Cyrus' 16 birthday was thought to be held on that date.) Now the Magic Kingdom will be open from 9am-9pm on the 3rd.
• The Liberty Square bridge has now reopened for general traffic.
• The castle turrets are now being decorated with lights.
• As was reported recently, Disney is currently working on it's reservations system. There is now an update about it's status. Starting August 30, all guests will be able to book ADRs for dining dates up to February 22, 2009. Bookings are expected to return to normal on November 21 and the 180 day window will once again continue.
• Michael Phelps visited Disney World on Friday for his homecoming from Beijing and got a parade in his honor.
• The Pleasure Island bus stop is closed for what appears to be a major refurbishment. Passengers can get off at both the Marketplace and Westside stops.

Rumors

• The single rider line is not being used anymore at Toy Story Midway Mania.
• The new Food and Beverage testing station at Epcot that was reported recently is being rumored to be ready soon.
• It's rumored that the lights on Cinderella Castle this year are going to be bigger and better than ever...extending out into the hub a bit.