Don't forget that reservations open tomorrow for the special events at the 14th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Phone lines open at 7 a.m. at 407-WDW-FEST (407-939-3378). Programs include the newly themed Party for the Senses, Food & Wine Pairings, Wine Schools, Signature Dining, and more.
Price tags range from $35 per person for Mexican Tequila Tastings (guaranteeing that the tequila bar should be open in time for the Festival) to $375 per person for the top Party for the Senses ticket. For more details and a schedule of events, check out the Walt Disney World's Food & Wine Special Events page (link).
MouseAdventure's Summer Warm UpDid you have fun exploring Disney's Hollywood Studios? Are you ready for our second round of online quests? Download Quest #6, and see if you can "go the distance" with this math puzzle (link). Everything you need to solve this quest is available online. This week's Walt Disney World Resort Update is your Starting Line. The winding course will take you through portions of the Disney Sports Web site and loop back to MousePlanet's Walt Disney World guides before a thrilling sprint to the Finish Line. If you start limping along, a quick detour to the search engine of your choice may help you "calculate" a way back on course. The first person to post the correct answer to our MousePad discussion boards will win their very own copy of the MouseAdventure: Personal Edition packet, filled with quests from the Disneyland Resort (link). On your mark, get set, go!
The Innagural MouseAdventure event at Walt Disney World will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2009! The day will begin with a private breakfast at the Odyssey Center prior to park opening, followed by a six-hour fun-filled race around Epcot park for a fresh look at things in the park that you never noticed before! The first part of the game will be in the classic MouseAdventure format, sending you on quests throughout Future World. After completion of that portion, teams will engage in an Enchanted Race around World Showcase to the finish line! For more information or to register, go to the MouseAdventure page (link)! Don't forget to sign up for the MouseAdventure Newsletter to stay up on the latest MouseAdventure news (link). |
If you weren't able to get in on the first or second Disney World Moms panel, get ready for your next shot. The Disney Moms Panel will be accepting applications for new members in September. Judging by the "Disney Moms" moniker instead of "Disney World Moms" as in the past, it's a good bet that there will be Disneyland Moms included in this panel, as well.
Details will be posted next month, but in the past the application process had interested applicants go to an application Web site and answer a series of questions and three brief essays. The essays were about their family, why they are a great Walt Disney World vacation planner and their favorite Disney vacationing tip.
In each of the past two years, there has been one Dad on the panel with the Moms. it's a good bet for that to continue. We'll have more information on the panel as news is released.
In honor of its 25th anniversary, Cirque du Soleil is offering a special price to Florida residents on tickets to La Nouba (it's Cirque du Soleil's anniversary, not La Nouba). Between August 18 and October 3, Florida residents can bring a friend for $25 when they buy their own ticket at full price.
The Florida resident must buy a regular-price adult Category 2 ticket at $83 plus tax ($88.40) to get the discounted second ticket to the same performance. Proof of Florida residency must be provided. This offer is subject to availability and restrictions apply. Call 407-WDW-SEAT (407-939-7328) or go to the box office to take advantage of this offer.
…While Living with the Land will be closed for refurbishment through October 3, the Behind the Seeds Tour will not be impacted and will run normally.
…Brady MacDonald at the Los Angeles Times has a photo and some details about Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!, debuting at Walt Disney World on October 26 and running through January 3 (link). The Disney Auditions Web site describes the show as "a colorful, vibrant riverboat extravaganza featuring songs and music from the jazz-filled world of Walt Disney Pictures' newest animated release The Princess and the Frog." Auditions for Dr. Facilier, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveena begin this week (link).
…Guests visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park can now adopt sea turtle nests at the Out of the Wild shop.
…Guests who visit Epcot’s France Pavilion now through August 16 can receive a free sample of the new men’s fragrance by Givenchy.
…Last week, we told you about the "Beachcomber Shack" that you can rent for an extra $250 (including tax, it's $266.25) at Typhoon Lagoon. Blizzard Beach has its own version, called Polar Patios (photo). They also include a "premium" shaded area with comfortable seating for six people, all-day drink mugs, an ice chest stocked with bottled water, towels, a locker and an attendant to bring food and beverage orders. As with the Beachcomber Shacks, you can make your reservation by calling 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529). Same-day rentals can be made on-site, if available.
…You can enter to win a Night of Joy weekend package from Christian Music Magazine for the Christian Music event at Disney's Hollywood Studios in September (link).
…The Waldorf Astoria Orlando will open in October at the Bonnet Creek Resort between the Caribbean Beach Resort and I-4, on the property that is land-locked within Disney property, with access from Buena Vista Boulevard.
…The 2010 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge is 95 percent full (7,500 capacity). The Walt Disney World Marathon itself is now at 75 percent of capacity, the Family Fun Run 5K is at 88 percent and Mickey's Marathon Kids' Fest is at 52 percent. The Half Marathon is already sold out. Time is running out! Register now (link)!
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The pavement in Epcot was painted that specific pinkish color in order to make the grass look greener and pictures to look brighter.
From now until September 26, if you book a 3- to 14-night, non-discounted Magic Your Way package, you'll get Disney's dining plan for free.
The offer is good for stays on most nights September 27 – December 17, 2009, except November 25-28, the Wednesday through Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.. This time, the free dining comes with a twist: while the package stays the same if you book at a moderate, deluxe or villas resort, free dining packages at value resorts will be the quick service dining plan instead of the basic dining plan. You should be able to pay to upgrade your plan, but the "free" value of the deal at the values will be $29.99 per day for adults, $8.99 for children instead of $39.99 per day for adults, $10.99 for children. For a family of four with both children under age 10, that's a difference of $24 per day. For a family of four with both kids age 10 and up, it's a difference of $40 per day. Please be aware of that before you choose your resort!
To book these packages, go to the Walt Disney World Web site (link), call 407-939-7928 or contact one of MousePlanet's Preferred Disney Travel Providers, Small World Vacations (link) and MouseEarVacations.com (link). Just remember to book by September 26!
MousePlanet sponsor Gaylord Palms Resort has announced a new set of nights for a special promotional rate of $119 per night (Reserve now!). Why stay off property? Because you can get luxury accommodations for the price of a Disney moderate, just a mile from Disney property. Many other nights are available for $129 per night (see below). The following dates are now available at $119 per night:
There are 32 more nights that you can stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort for just $129 pr night! Combined, these rates are available for approximately 2 nights out of every 3 for the rest of the year! Check out the special MousePlanet reader discount rate (Reserve now!) today! The special $129 per night rates are available on the following nights:
Discounted ECV rentals for MousePlanet readers through Scooter Vacations
Scooter Vacations, MousePlanet's mobility scooter rental partner, is offering MousePlanet readers a 10 percent discount on their scooter rentals by using code MP10 when making your reservation for any of their five scooter models.
Passholder rates for August 9 – December 24, 2009 have been released. Rates are available for all dates except for November 25– 28, the Tuesday through Saturday of Thanksgiving week. Under this promotion, the starting rates at these resorts are:
The Disney Dining Plan may also be added to these discounted reservations. The number of rooms available is limited and minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday and Saturday arrivals. These rates may be available through your date of arrival. Reservations may be booked through the Passholder web site or by using codes EQA (8/9-10/3) or NBM (10/4-12/24) if booking via the Passholder phone line (407-939-7722) or through a travel agent. MousePlanet's preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link) and Small World Vacations (link).
Discount room-only rates are now available to the general public for dates from October 4 – December 24. These rates are blocked out from November 25– 28, the Tuesday through Saturday of Thankgiving week. Under this promotion, the starting rates are:
These rates must be booked by September 26. The number of rooms available is limited and minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday and Saturday arrivals. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World web site or by using code FSC if booking via the Walt Disney World Reservations phone line (407-939-6244) or through a travel agent. MousePlanet's preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link) and Small World Vacations (link).
The Disney Cruise Line has announced a special deal where any bookings through the Disney Cruise web site (link) will only require payment of half of the usual deposit, with the other half due with the rest of the final payment. The offer is only good on new bookings, and for category 4-12 cabins only. The offer is available to those booking online or through their travel agents (though the travel agent would have to book the cruise through disneycruise.com for the offer). Bookings are also eligible for the standard $25 onboard credit offer for all online bookings. The deal is available "for a limited time," but there's no word on when the limited time expires. MousePlanet's preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link).
(Send an email to Mark Goldhaber)
Mark (@MPMark) is a veteran of dozens of trips to Walt Disney World starting in 1972, with a few Disneyland trips thrown in for good measure. As a Disney stockholder and a Disney Vacation Club member, Mark is always in touch with what's going on with The Mouse. Mark serves as MousePlanet's Walt Disney World content coordinator. Mark is a senior information technology manager working for the State of New York. He lives in the suburbs outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son.
