Walt Disney World Resort Update for December 27, 2016 - January 2, 2017
by Alan S. Dalinka, staff writer
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Writer's Note: It's Alan S. Dalinka back with you for another week. I am looking forward to 2017 and another Disney Parks hat! On with the Update....
News and Views
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? | Epcot International Festival of the Arts Broadway Stars Announced | Disney Legend Charlie Ridgway Passed Away | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Historically, this is the busiest time of the year at the Walt Disney World Resort. The Crowd Forecast from TouringPlans, like last week, is again for the largest crowds (10 out of 10).
Based on our observations around the Resort over the last week, though, the tiered ticket pricing changes Disney implemented over the past year, plus the currently strong U.S. Dollar creating currency exchange rate disadvantages for visitors from South America, United Kingdom and Europe, may actually have put a damper on the peak season's crowd levels. That is, after all, what Disney claimed was being sought when it announced the tiers. Now, to be sure, Magic Kingdom was still very busy on Christmas Day, with backups reported on World Drive from the Toll Plaza to beyond the ramps to Epcot in the morning. But, while the local TV stations were flying their helicopters over the parks and reporting on crowds at what they call the "attractions," there were no social media reports of park gate closings around the Resort.
I visited a very pleasant Epcot on Christmas Day afternoon and evening. When I arrived at just after 4 p.m., the parking lot was set up with barricades to provide overflow parking on the grassy areas, but the regular parking lot was less than two-thirds full and the overflow areas were empty. Inside the park, except for the 180 minute standby line I saw at Norway's "Frozen Ever After" at around 7:30 p.m., the crowd levels were more akin to the quiet days just after Thanksgiving than a holiday period. The World Showcase promenade was not particularly crowded, some of the Holiday Food Marketplaces had minimal or no lines, and my friends and I were able to walk up to Spice Road Table at Morocco and get a table with no wait (though most other table service restaurants were turning away guests without reservations). As I drove to Epcot, I took a look at World Drive at the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza, and the newest reaches of its main parking lot (in some of the footprint of the former Walt Disney World Speedway) were not being utilized.
Whether crowd levels this week, and especially New Year's Eve, will reach their historic peaks, we do not know. For Annual Passholders, only Platinum and Platinum Plus Passholders can visit the parks this week (as well as the "Epcot After Four" Floridian Passholders); Gold, Silver, and Weekday Select Passholders remain blocked out until next Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Whether or not the parks are packed, our best advice at this time of year is still to remain patient, especially with other guests, and, most of all, with the Cast Members who are working while you are celebrating a holiday.
As we highlight the New Year's festivities scheduled for each of the parks below, I will provide a few of the strategies I have developed and employed when visiting Walt Disney World all but one December 30-31 since 2002 (of course, your mileage may vary).
Magic Kingdom – December 30 & 31
Magic Kingdom celebrates the New Year both on December 30 and 31, complete with a "countdown" for those with early bedtimes, and presentation of the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks and a countdown to midnight. Keep in mind that since both Holiday Wishes and the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks show include perimeter fireworks, some of the roads around the Magic Kingdom will be closed. In addition, "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks include a launch site in the Seven Seas Lagoon that mirrors the one behind the park, so some transportation in and around the Seven Seas Lagoon may be suspended for a time.
Much of the entertainment offered during this year's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is offered both nights as well. In past years, DJs entertain on the Castle Stage and Tomorrowland Stage in between other scheduled entertainment, and that is likely (but not confirmed) again this year.
In case you missed it, I provided Live coverage of Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade on Friday on our Facebook page. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
Holidays finale of Friendship Faire show at Magic Kingdom from @AlanDalinka @WDWToday https://t.co/jPO8M6n0B2
— MousePlanet (@MousePlanet) December 23, 2016
I also provided Live coverage of the "holidays" finale of the Mickey's Friendship Faire show on Twitter. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
Magic Kingdom is scheduled to remain open until 1 a.m. on both nights. Extra Magic Hours on the night of December 30 (early morning of December 31), keep the park going for Resort guests until 3 a.m., and then reopening for Resort guests at 7 a.m. (8 a.m. for everyone else) on December 31. Highlights both days and nights include:
- Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire (with Holiday Ending) – five showings
- A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas! – six showings
- Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade at Noon and 3:30 p.m.
- A Frozen Holiday Wish at 6:15 p.m.
- Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration at 6:50 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m.
- Holiday Wishes New Year's Celebration at 7:30 p.m. (includes a New Year's Eve "countdown")
- Once Upon a Time (Castle projection show) at 8:15 p.m. and 12:45 a.m.
- New Year’s Eve eve presentation of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m.
I have visited Magic Kingdom on December 30 nearly every year since 2002 to enjoy the slightly smaller crowds and to view the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks with the midnight countdown. As a Resort guest, I have enjoyed the extra-late (super-early) Extra Magic Hours (which in some years stretched all the way to 4 a.m.) on many December 31 mornings, riding the "Mountains" (except Splash because December nights can be "Florida cold" and, sometimes, actually cold), and the other classics and E-Tickets with increasingly minimal waits as park closing approached.
To date, I have avoided Magic Kingdom during New Year's Eve itself. Aside from the in-park crowds, my main concern has been just how long it could take Disney Transport (also known as the "bus") to get me back to my resort when everyone departs the park (tens of thousands) at the same time. Perhaps, if I were to stay at Bay Lake Tower or the Contemporary and I could walk back to the resort, I would reconsider Magic Kingdom on New Year's Eve. In addition to whatever FastPass+ reservations I would make (as long in advance as permitted), attractions that may help fill the day without long queues given their high capacity and turnover include:
- Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Hall of Presidents
- Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Mickey's PhilharMagic
Epcot – December 31
New Year's Eve entertainment is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Like all of the other "Holidays Around the World" entertainment around Epcot, Candlelight Processional at the America Gardens Theatre has its final performances on December 30. On December 31, a Latin band takes over that stage.
Epcot's New Year's Eve celebration also includes a DJ at the Future World Fountain Stage; dancing to a DJ under flame effects and a smoke-billowing dragon at the China pavilion; the British Invasion on the stage at the United Kingdom pavilion; a Euro-pop DJ and lasers at the Italy pavilion; and a “Silent Groove” party at the Japan pavilion.
The "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" fireworks show is performed twice on New Year's Eve, each show with a different ending. The 6:00 p.m. show includes the final showing of the holiday finale ("Let There Be Peace on Earth") for the season. The 11:40 p.m. performance does not include the holiday finale, but instead is immediately followed by fireworks launched from behind the pavilions of World Showcase saluting New Years already celebrated around the world and then a countdown to the New Year (in past years begun with "...and now it's our turn!")
My park of choice to ring in the New Year has most often been Epcot. Epcot's pathways are nearly all broad (with the most notable exception, the choke-point in front of the Mexico pavilion). There are numerous places to breathe in Future World and along much of the World Showcase Promenade. You can even be fairly isolated from the hubbub of the New Year's Eve crowd for a few moments if you are looking for that sort of thing. The less-visited nooks and crannies of the park tend to remain quiet: try the museums at Morocco, Japan and China; the Stave Church at Norway; and more.
On New Year's Eve, backstage paths are often opened to help with crowd flow from the World Showcase toward the main exit—in the past, they have gone from the gate between China and Norway to Test Track on the East, and from World Showplace to Imagination on the West. If you have never been backstage, it can be an interesting, un-themed look at Epcot (though, scrubbed and spruced up even more than you see on a backstage tour, sort of like folks do when having company visit their homes at this time of year).
In any event, in addition to whatever FastPass+ reservations you may make (usually, pretty far in advance), you do not have to spend New Year's Eve waiting in lines and, generally, can still get a full day's entertainment at Epcot. Although it is theoretically possible for the park to reach the point where its gates will close, its capacity is so large that I have never been unable to park hop over to Epcot (after first visiting another park) or even to re-enter the park after visiting Disney's BoardWalk (or my room) for dinner on New Year's Eve. Some of the high-capacity options are:
- Future World
- Universe of Energy - Ellen's Energy Adventure
- Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable - the movie at Land Pavilion
- Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival at Imagination Pavilion
- World Showcase
- Circlevision 360º films at Canada and China
- Multi-screen film at France
- The American Adventure*
It is even possible to select a good New Year's Eve fireworks viewing location an hour or even less before midnight, especially for a usually solo visitor like me. Pro tip: when the torches around the World Showcase Lagoon are lit (which, on most nights, is a half hour before Illuminations), see which way their flames are pointing and select a location along the shore away from where they point. The regular Illuminations fireworks can generate a lot of smoke: it will obstruct some of your view; the holiday finale generates even more. The final display as the New Year begins brings to mind the scene with Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche in the climactic eruption scene in the 1997 movie Volcano. If the smoke is not blowing toward the southern shore of World Showcase Lagoon, you can pick a spot that also has a view of Magic Kingdom's fireworks off in the distance to the north; on the other side of the Lagoon, there are many spots where you can also see fireworks over Disney's Hollywood Studios.
For me, and lots of other folks, another prime appeal of spending New Year's Eve at Epcot is the easy ability to walk back to one of the Epcot Resorts through the International Gateway ("Epcot's Backdoor"); Disney's BoardWalk Resort, Disney's Yacht & Beach Clubs, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are all within a reasonable walk. As a DVC Member, I have spent many New Years at Disney's Beach Club Villas (which is the closest resort to Epcot) and at Disney's BoardWalk Villas (which is only a slightly longer walk). Disney's Friendship boats also operate between the International Gateway and those resorts, even after the fireworks, but boat capacity is rather limited.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – December 31
Because of the ongoing construction of Star Wars and Toy Story Lands, Disney's smallest Florida theme park's public areas and operating attractions are more limited than they have been in years, possibly going all the way back to the park's earliest days. Nevertheless, it may still be possible to ring in the New Year there.
Beginning at 7 p.m., there will be "a high energy DJ dance party" at the Center Stage (in front of the Chinese Theater), leading up to a countdown to midnight and fireworks celebration. The DJ dance party will pause for the final scheduled showing of the “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” nighttime spectacular at 9 p.m. The “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” will be shown just after midnight. There are also two scheduled showings of Fantasmic!, at 8 and 9:30 p.m.
Before the closing of Streets of America, I visited the Studios on New Year's Eve quite a few times. There were many high-capacity places to spend the day. In recent years, I was a very regular attendee at showings of The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special. Unfortunately, the park could not (or chose not to) find a venue in which to mount the show this year. The huge stadium for Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show was also demolished this year to make way for construction of new lands. In addition, after its twenty year run, the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights was retired very early this year.
There are still a number of places around the park to find entertainment without waiting in lines all day:
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- Star Wars: Path of the Jedi (movie)
- Star Wars Launch Bay (movie and props display)
- Disney Junior - Live on Stage! (if you are willing to sit on the floor)
And, certainly, do not forget to check out some of the many performances of the Citizens of Hollywood on Sunset or Hollywood Boulevards. These talented actors and improvisers help give the park some much needed character, especially now as it undergoes its years-long transformation into its next form.
Also, on the up-side of a New Year's Eve visit to this park, it is possible to walk to the Epcot Resorts after the park closes—you could even walk all the way to Epcot's back door before closing if you want. The path that runs along the waterway is marked and lit. Disney's BoardWalk Villas are the closest to the park, followed by the Swan and Dolphin. The same Friendship boats that serve Epcot and its resorts also make their way to this park.
Disney's Animal Kingdom – No New Year's Celebrations Scheduled
Although Disney's Animal Kingdom was open until 11 p.m. every night this past summer, with the continued delay of the premier of the nighttime Rivers of Light show and the opening of Pandora – The World of AVATAR still at least another half a year away, the park has gone back to closing earlier, often earlier than all of the other parks. On New Year's Eve, that is again the case: the park will close at 8:30 p.m. It should still be possible to take after dark safaris and view Tree of Life "awakenings," but if you decide to visit the park on New Year's Eve, be sure to get a times guide and park map to confirm what hours attractions you want to visit are operating.
With no resorts directly connected to the park by walkways—not even the namesake Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge—remember that transportation will be required to park hop. When ready to depart, this may be a good day to try Disney's new Express in-park-to-in-park transportation (for an extra fee) that debuted and we reported on earlier this month.
With its earlier closing time, this park also is probably the best option for families that do not plan to ring in the New Year in a park at all. On Christmas Eve, for example, there was no line for the nighttime safari during its final hour of operation and, generally, the park's pathways were fairly uncongested.
In case you missed it, I provided a few peaceful Live moments at the base of the Tree of Life on Christmas Eve on our Facebook page and on Twitter. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
In any event, there are a number of high capacity attractions that often do not require a FastPass+ reservation to experience:
- Festival of the Lion King
- Flights of Wonder
- Finding Nemo: The Musical
- It's Tough to Be A Bug
Also, in addition to animal enclosures scattered throughout the park, there are two places that are often overlooked and rarely crowded where you can also view animals: Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia is home to tigers, lion-tailed macaques, and more; Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail (formerly known as Pangani Forest Exploration Trail) in Africa is home to gorillas, zebras, meerkats, and more.
Several lion-tailed macaques can be seen on the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney's BoardWalk Resort - Atlantic Dance Hall
Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's BoardWalk Resort is hosting an adults only (21 years-and-over) New Year’s Eve party. The party costs $42.60/person (tax included, but not gratuity) and includes treats, music, party hats and horns, a unique (but distant) view of Epcot's fireworks, and a champagne toast at midnight. Other adult beverages will be available at a cash bar. Doors open at 9:00 p.m. Guests must be 21 years or older with valid ID to enter. For reservations, call (407) WDW-DINE.
Epcot International Festival of the Arts Broadway Stars Announced
Disney released a few additional details about the new Epcot International Festival of the Arts that begins January 13, 2017, and continues for six weekends through February 20. This week's announcement provides details about performing artists "celebrating all styles and genres of music – with the Disney twist – all around Epcot." Specifically, in collaboration with Disney Theatrical Productions, music and Broadway talent scheduled on the America Gardens Theatre stage includes:
- January 13-16 and 20-23: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland performing songs from: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, and The Little Mermaid
- January 27-30 and February 3-6: Kerry Butler and Kevin Massey performing songs from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Newsies, and Aladdin
- February 10-13 and 17-20: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White performing songs from Disney’s The Lion King, Aida, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid
Performances will be 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. Friday through Monday of each festival weekend.
Additional visual and live performances are scheduled in Future World Plaza including Epcot Living Statues and performances by Central Florida high schools, university and college talent appearing through a partnership with Disney Performing Arts. Epcot’s American Music Machine will also perform on the Future World Fountain Stage.
Disney Legend Charlie Ridgway Passed Away
The Orlando Sentinel reported on the Christmas Eve passing of Disney Legend Charlie Ridgway who, during his long career at Disney, helped coordinate media coverage of the opening of all four Disney Parks at Walt Disney World. He was 93, and MousePlanet extends its condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues.
Views Around the World
This week, given that the crowds were not as massive as feared, I visited all Four Parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs too with a brief stop over at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. The parks photos are largely sprinkled through this week's Update by their subject matter, but there is still more to see.
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
For those who wanted to vicariously visit Epcot for a few moments, I provided a Live look at Spaceship Earth on our Facebook page and on twitter. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
Animal Kingdom
Disney Springs
Resorts
Don't keep it to yourself!
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This and That
…Last week's rumor is this week's reality (part 1). All Four Parks now have designated Annual Passholder park entry lanes. Presumably, those with Annual Passes are more familiar with the TouchPoint/Finger-readers and move through more quickly. Reports suggest that the the lanes will remain in place until at least sometime in January 2017, but no word on whether they will remain beyond that.
…Last week's rumor is this week's reality (part 2). Four more Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants began serving select alcoholic beverages last week. Joining the Be Our Guest Restaurant which began serving wines back in 2012 with its dinner service, are Tony's Town Square Restaurant, Liberty Tree Tavern, Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, and Cinderella's Royal Table. Each location offers a selection of beverages which compliment their food offerings. For example, Skipper Canteen has a "global" beverage menu, with drinks such as a riesling to pair with Trader Sam's head-on shrimp. Alcoholic beverages are not available to-go; Magic Kingdom still has no stand-alone bars and alcoholic beverages are not available at kiosks or any quick service/counter locations in the park.
…Updating last week's news...while Stitch's Great Escape in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom is open for the season, its hours are limited. The future of the attraction is unknown beyond the end of 2016.
Though open for the holiday season, Stitch's operating hours are limited. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
…On Disney Parks' Christmas Day ABC-TV broadcast, Disney showed off more upcoming news about Pandora – The World of AVATAR at Disney's Animal Kingdom, including some of the footage previously shown but not released at last month's Destination D event at Walt Disney World. WFTV, the ABC affiliate in Central Florida included that Pandora news on its broadcasts on its website.
…And finally, beyond Walt Disney World Resort, Wet 'n Wild which opened in 1977, closes its doors forever this Saturday, December 31, 2016.
…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.
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Crowd Forecast
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Resort Events
Check here to see if a park event might fall during your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).
2016 Resort events
- Star Wars Experiences – Opened December 1, 2015
- Holidays at Walt Disney World – November 7 through December 31, 2016
- Holidays Around the World at Epcot – November 25 through December 30, 2016
- Candlelight Processional at Epcot – November 25 through December 30, 2016
2017 Resort events
- Epcot International Festival of the Arts – January 13 through February 20, 2017
- Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – March 1 - May 29, 2017.
- MouseAdventure – Saturday, March 4, 2017
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – August 31 through November 13, 2017.
- Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – Dates TBD
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party –Dates TBD
- Holidays at Walt Disney World –Dates TBD
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party–Dates TBD
- Holidays Around the World at Epcot –Dates TBD
- Candlelight Processional at Epcot –Dates TBD
runDisney events
If you participate in (or are considering signing up for) runDisney events, visit our Team MousePlanet forum on the MousePad discussion board, where you can join our community of health-minded readers and staff.
2017
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time deadline has passed.
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time deadline has passed.
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 20–23, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by January 17, 2017.
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 2–5, 2017. Registration opens January 17, 2017. Proof of time must be submitted by August 1, 2017.
2018
- 25th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 3–7, 2018. Registration opens February 14, 2017. Proof of time deadline TBD.
- 10th Anniversary Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 22–25, 2017. Registration opens May 2, 2017. Proof of time deadline TBD.
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 18–22, 2017. Registration opens May 23, 2017. Proof of time deadline TBD.
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – TBD
For current information on registration dates and capacity, see Lorree Tachell's runDisney Race Capacity Updates in the Team MousePlanet forum on our MousePad discussion board.
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Magic Kingdom
2017
- Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 3 – 12, 2017 for refurbishment.
- Walt Disney World Railroad – closed January 9 – March 2, 2017 for refurbishment.
- The Magic Behind our Steam Trains guided tour – closed January 9 – March 2, 2017 during the Walt Disney World Railroad refurbishment.
- The Hall of Presidents – closes January 17, 2017 to add an audio-animatronic figure of the 45th president of the United States. Expected to reopen July, 2017.
Epcot
Permanently closed:
- Sum of All Thrills – closed permanently on September 14.
- Storm Struck – closed permanently on September 14.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Permanently closed:
- Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
- Studio Catering Co.
- Meet & Greet: Mike and Sulley at Streets of America
- Magic of Disney Animation
- The Writer's Stop
- Academy of Television Sciences Hall of Fame
Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Kali River Rapids – closed January 3 – February 13, 2017 for refurbishment.
Blizzard Beach
- Closed October 23 – December 24 for seasonal refurbishment.
Typhoon Lagoon
- Closed December 24 – March 11, 2017 for seasonal refurbishment.
Disney Springs
- Fulton's Crab House – closed for refurbishment. Scheduled to reopen in Early 2017 as Paddlefish
- Planet Hollywood – closed for refurbishment and transformation into Planet Hollywood Observatory to reopen soon.
- Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2017.
Resorts
- Wilderness Lodge and Villas – Hidden Springs pool, resort beach, playground, and Recreation fire pit closed. No opening date provided, but the pool is expected to be closed through 2017. Expect construction-related closures and noise due to construction of the as-yet-unannounced Disney Vacation Club cabins.
- Disney's All-Star Sports – the Grand Slam Pool closed October 10 for refurbishment, and is expected to reopen by December 2. The Surfboard Bay Pool will remain open.
- Disney's Pop Century Resort – the Computer Pool closed October 31 for refurbishment, and is expected to reopen by December 23. The Hippy Dippy Pool will remain open.
Elsewhere
- Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed.
Current Discounts & Promotions
Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the intended audience. Check out the category that best matches you, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers.
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Travel Discounts for Everyone |
All of these packages can also be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today. Early Spring room-only offer
Early Spring Kid-sized Vacation offer
Early Spring Family Magic offer
Magical Vacation Package offer
Memory Maker pre-arrival discount Disney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney Memory Maker pre-arrival packages. For $169 plus tax, Walt Disney World guests can digitally download any photos associated with their Memory Maker account, including photos taken on attractions. The advanced purchase price is $149, a $20 savings. Applicable taxes are charged to all orders. Purchase must be made more than three days prior to arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund. |
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Travel Discounts for Annual Passholders |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA & Debit Card Holders |
15 percent off select guided tours Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of selected guided tours for up to 10 people. The cardholder must participate in the tour, and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card. Tours included:
10 percent off select restaurants Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off the check when you pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Discount excludes alcohol. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas:
Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas:
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:
Disney's Contemporary Resort:
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground:
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:
Disney's Old Key West Resort:
Disney's Port Orleans Resort:
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa:
Disney's Wilderness Lodge:
Disney's Yacht Club Resort:
Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Epcot:
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex:
10 percent off merchandise Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off at participating Disney-owned retail location when you spend a minimum of $50 and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Read all of the restrictions on the Disney Visa website. 15 percent off all Disney spa and salon services Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of any salon treatment valued at $45 or greater or any 50-minute or longer spa service most days at the spas and salons at Walt Disney World Resort listed below: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Free character photo at a private meet and greet location at Epcot Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a private character meet and greet at Epcot for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot (enter near the jumping fountains near the exit to the Magic Eye Theater). You'll receive one free character photo download per day. Star Wars meet and greet at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Star Wars Launch Bay Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a character meet and greet at Star Wars Launch Bay for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. inside Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios. You'll receive one free character photo download per day. |
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Travel Discounts for Military Personnel |
2016 Military Salute – 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket discount Through December 16, 2016, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase:
Walt Disney World Resort tickets may be used January 3 through December 19, 2016, except that the tickets may not be used March 20 – 2016 April 1, 2016. Active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. No more than six Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any eligible member of the U.S. military (or spouse) pursuant to this offer. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by December 19, 2016. 2016 Military Salute – Hotel discount Disney does not publish the actual discounted rates offered to service members under this program, and instead asks eligible U.S. military personnel to call 407-939-7830 to check pricing, availability and to make reservations. The website Military Disney Tips.com says the offer is 30-40 percent, based on room category. 2017 Military Salute – 4-Day or 5-Day Military Promotional Ticket discount Through December 19, 2017, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase:
Walt Disney World Resort tickets may be used January 1 through December 19, 2017, except that the tickets may not be used April 9–23, 2017. Active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. No more than six Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any eligible member of the U.S. military (or spouse) pursuant to this offer. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by December 19, 2017. 2016 Military Salute – Hotel discount Disney does not publish the actual discounted rates offered to service members under this program, and instead asks eligible U.S. military personnel to call 407-939-7830 to check pricing, availability and to make reservations. The website Military Disney Tips.com says the offer is 30-40 percent, based on room category. |
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Travel Discounts for Florida Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Travel Discounts for Canada Residents |
MousePlanet reader Scott S. alerted us to a new offer for Canadian residents. Canadian residents receive a 25% discount on 4-day or longer tickets purchased by February 28, 2017. The discounted rate for a 4-Day adult base ticket is $244.00 USD, compared to $325.00 USD when purchased at the gate. A 10-day adult base ticket is $300 USD, a savings of $100 from the main gate price. This offer is only good for Canadian citizens with valid passport, or residents of Canada with valid proof of Canadian residency. The tickets are sold as an exchange certificate, and must be exchanged for park ticket upon arrival. There is no expiration date on the unused tickets, but once activated the tickets must be used within 14 days of first entry. You can see the full details on the Walt Disney World website. Thanks Scott for the heads up! If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Travel Discounts for U.K. Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
Comments
We will be at WDW next week (we fly in the 1st and will be at Disney Springs) and we are playing through the 6th. Any sense on crowds? We have all of our FP+ for the attractions we really want. So bummed we won't be there for the Broadway Stars, but glad we can enjoy holidays at Disney Springs.
The week after New Year's used to reliably be a quiet time around the Resort -- relatively speaking, of course. DVC Members pay the most points per night the last two weeks of the year, and the least points per night in January, so that increasingly skews that. Add in Marathon weekend, the first year of tiered AP blackouts that end before you arrive, various school holiday breaks because New Year's Day is on the weekend, a decline in South American, UK and European tourists... and it's really hard to say what January 2017 will look like crowd-wise. Indeed, I think we'll see Disney's sense of it when we see how early it rolls out (and how steeply it discounts) Florida resident ticket offers and just when it raises general ticket and AP prices again--2016 was the first time I paid the same price as the year before to renew my AP; I'm guessing that after Pandora opens at AK, my next renewal price will be higher, with even bigger increases ahead as Toy Story and Star Wars Lands approach opening in 20??.
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Thank you -- we are staying off property (but right across the street from Disney Springs) -- and plan to take advantage of the "after 4 shuttle" to DS.
I'll keep you posted next week!
While the tiered ticket prices and weak currencies outside the U.S. probably had something to do with lower crowds this Christmas, I'd imagine the new annual pass options with dates blocked out for more categories had a significant impact this year, too. We opted for the Platinum Pass in 2016, but we realized we really didn't need it, as we never go during any of the most crowded times of the year, so we'll be getting one of the passes available to DVC members in 2017.
I agree. By tiered ticket price, I intended to include the tiered APs in that thought.