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Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 14–20, 2017
Writer's note: This was a huge week for Walt Disney World announcements: big, exciting ones like the long-delayed debut of Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom (February 17) with "surprise," unpublicized pre-debut showings (starting with a so-called "soft opening" that began on February 10); the upcoming debut of a brand new fireworks show at Magic Kingdom named Happily Ever After on May 12, replacing the long-running Wishes, which will end May 11; the official opening of Pandora – The World of AVATAR (May 27); and the announcement that Star Wars Land is on track to debut in 2019 at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida (and Disneyland in California).
Speaking of Disney's Hollywood Studios, a nine minute preview of the upcoming live action version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast began playing at One Man's Dream's Walt Disney Theater with some newly added props and costumes to view outside the theater while awaiting the preview. The first ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts heads into its final weekend (February 17-20) with preparations for the 2017 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival well underway for its debut just over a week later (March 1). And, oh yeah, on Sunday this past weekend, Disney Parks "quietly" raised some admission prices for all of its theme parks in the U.S.A., changed some ticket options (including some price decreases), and increased the cost of Preferred Parking at the parks. So, get comfortable, we have a lot to cover, plus One Passholder's Tip and lots of photos too.
Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | RunDisney Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions
News and Views
Disney Parks Changes Some Park Ticket Prices and Options | Rivers of Light Officially Debuts at Disney's Animal Kingdom on February 17 | Magic Kingdom Launches New Fireworks Show on May 12 | Disney's Quarterly Earnings Call Reveals an Opening Date for Pandora – The World of AVATAR and an Opening Year for Star Wars Land | Epcot International Festivals March On | Nine Minute Previews of Disney's Upcoming Live Action Beauty & The Beast Now Playing | Views around the World | One Passholder's Tip | This and That | Crowd Forecast
Disney Parks Changes Some Park Ticket Prices and Options
Since the changes to park tickets and related options affects (eventually) every visitor to Walt Disney World, we start this week's Update with the "quiet" news of the changes that went into effect on Sunday. If you follow MousePlanet on Facebook and Twitter, MousePlanet's Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix gave you the little heads-up Disney provided as we headed into the weekend. She has done the exhaustive job of updating the complex chart of Walt Disney World ticket options in MousePlanet's Walt Disney World Park Guide. Rather than go through all of the different ticketing options here in the Update, we will just cover a few of the Walt Disney World ticket change highlights. (She also provided a complete breakdown of Disneyland's changes in yesterday's Disneyland Resort Update.)
Walt Disney World Resorts' Park Tickets now not only must be completely used within 14 days of first use, that first day of use must be on or before December 31, 2018. In other words, you can no longer buy a ticket in 2017, and wait years or more before using it for admission. However, the purchase price of an unused, expired ticket can be applied towards the purchase of a new ticket at the then-current park ticket price. Unused, expired tickets cannot be returned.
Two tickets actually went down every so-slightly in price: the two- and three-day, one-park tickets. A few prices, including general parking ($20/car), and a one-day visit to Magic Kingdom during the Peak Season ($124 plus tax), did not change at all.
Again, please review MousePlanet's Walt Disney World Park Guide to see how the ticket options that relate to your plans have changed.
Rivers of Light Officially Debuts at Disney's Animal Kingdom on February 17
This past Thursday, Disney Parks Blog finally announced the long-delayed official debut of Disney's Animal Kingdom's newest nighttime experience, Rivers of Light, will take place on February 17. We plan to bring you live coverage (should technology cooperate) some time before its scheduled 7:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time start, so plan to keep an eye on our Facebook page and Twitter feeds for details. Shortly following that announcement, dinner packages including reserved seats for the show became available at Tiffins signature restaurant and at Tusker House. Be sure to check MyDisneyExperience.com or the My Disney Experience App for dining packages and Fastpass+ reservations.
On Friday morning we learned that public preview performances (often referred to as a "soft opening") were set to begin that night and that Fastpass+ reservations were available. We can already provide you with an advanced look at the likely near-final version of the show and provide you with some initial impressions. Remember, of course, entertainment is subject to change (including its schedule), and even more so with a show before its official debut.
The new 5,000 seat amphitheater along the Discovery River, which served as last summer's temporary home of The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic (when Rivers of Light proved unready for its debut), was designed specifically for this show. Walt Disney Imagineering describes the theater as forming two "villages" on the two separate embankments: "The Serka Zong Marketplace and the Discovery River shoreline." Because the amphitheater was custom-built for Rivers of Light and not The Jungle Book show, it is very likely that every seat is a good seat for this show. Certainly the seat I chose without any advanced knowledge of what to expect seemed to have an outstanding view of the entire performance.
The show itself combines music, live performers, floating set pieces, water fountains, lasers, light and fire effects, mist screens, and more in "a celebration of animals and nature." The show takes place on the "stage" of the Discovery River, and begins with a pre-show where some of the floats move into place while animal sounds and projections surround the theater. The show is intended to convey "the uplifting spirit of an ancient and timeless lantern ceremony—filled with symbolism, storytelling, and plenty of heart."
The show's story telling is left mostly to the imaginations of the viewers without a significant amount of narration. The most impressive floats are the "ancient lantern festival" floats that represent "four Animal Spirit Guides—an elephant, owl, tiger, and turtle." The largest of the lantern floats are 15-feet-tall and 30-feet-long, but are designed to look as if they were created centuries ago. LED technology is used to illuminate the animals from within, changing colors and movement as the show progresses.
The Elephant Animal Spirit Guide lantern float includes a calf. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The lotus floats open to reveal fountains during the show. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A larger central lotus float also includes fountains. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Rivers of Light is not a "nighttime spectacular" in the sense of a fireworks-type show that ends with a bang. Even the exit music is the more subtle atmospheric-type music that plays around Disney's Animal Kingdom. Having said that, I found the show to be visually stunning and the technology very impressive despite the numerous reports of glitches during cast previews and earlier rehearsals. Like much of the beauty of Disney's Animal Kingdom, the best parts of this show are subtly impressive rather than overwhelmingly so. I enjoyed it quite a bit and look forward to seeing its official debut later this week. I think it fits the overall theme of Disney's Animal Kingdom quite well.
Rivers of Light runs for fifteen minutes, not including its pre- or post-show projections or floats. As of this Update, it is scheduled on only select nights and, on those nights, only once per night. Except for Dining Packages (and souvenirs), admission is included with your park ticket.
Magic Kingdom Launches New Fireworks Show on May 12
It has been nearly fourteen years since Magic Kingdom introduced a new nightly fireworks show. Now that show, Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, will launch its final fireworks on May 11, 2017. Its replacement, Happily Ever After, debuts on May 12, and will make extensive use of the same sort of state-of-the-art projection mapping technology used in the Once Upon A Time Cinderella Castle projection shows (which are also scheduled to continue).
Happily Ever After, a new nighttime spectacular. will debut at Magic Kingdom on May 12. Video ©Disney.
The show will feature a new original score and, according to Disney Parks Blog, "more Disney characters than ever before...including moments from Moana, Brave, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, The Princess & The Frog, Aladdin, and many others." The dessert and fireworks viewing party at Tomorrowland Terrace will continue to be offered when the new show makes its debut.
While Wishes replaced the then 32-year old Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show in 2003, even the Fantasy in the Sky show never completely disappeared from Magic Kingdom. Several versions of it have continued to be presented over the years, for example, as recently as the lead-up to the countdown to the New Year on December 30 and 31, 2016. So far, we have not seen any announcements regarding changes to the Happy HalloWishes or Holiday Wishes shows.
Disney's Quarterly Earnings Call Reveals an Opening Date for Pandora–The World of AVATAR and an Opening Year for Star Wars Land
Pandora
Just hours after our Update was published last week, Disney CEO Bob Iger used the Walt Disney Company's First Quarter 2017 earnings call to announce that Pandora – The World of Avatar officially will open on May 27 at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Pandora replaces the original Camp Minnie-Mickey area of the park that closed back in January 2014. We have regularly shared photos of the publicly-viewable areas of construction in our weekly Updates, and unless there are some unannounced previews (a "soft opening"), we may not see too many new views before then.
Pandora is based on the fictitious world created in the 2009 movie Avatar by filmmakers James Cameron and Jon Landau. (Several sequel movies are expected starting in late 2018.) Together with Disney Imagineering under the lead of Joe Rohde, the new land aims for the most comprehensive Disney "placemaking" experience we have ever seen. So far, both at the presentation about the new land at the 2016 D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures event as well as at the newly launched web portal: VisitPandora.com, the creators describe the land as though it is an entirely real place, including its physics and biology. As I wrote back in November:
AVATAR creators James Cameron and Jon Landau (as Alpha Centauri Expeditions Founder Marshall Lamm) and Imagineer Joe Rohde discussed the future land at Disney's Animal Kingdom of Pandora – The World of AVATAR as though Pandora is a real place, the movie of several years ago was a documentary (and that the bad people portrayed in the movie are all gone), and that Disney's Animal Kingdom provides a "gateway" to visiting this far-off planet. The message that they sought to convey seemed to be that this new land will represent the foremost in "placemaking," where even the physics and biology of the land make sense in terms of the story being told.
They used numerous real and created scientific terms to explain the various effects guests will experience in the land, such as floating mountains and bioluminescent plants that create a "dreamlike" environment. My scientific education (and science fiction acumen) is not deep enough to attempt to spell most of the terms they used in their description; hopefully when the land opens next summer, we will all be able to understand the story on the same level its creators intend.
As we have already seen, Pandora features "floating" mountains, and we expect an abundance of "bioluminescent plants." The native people of Pandora, the Na'vi, will welcome guests on two excursions (rides): the family friendly Na'vi River Journey through a bioluminescent rainforest and encounter with a Na'vi Shaman, and the reportedly E-Ticket Avatar Flight of Passage to explore Pandora atop a banshee. Guests will also be able to dine at Satu'li Canteen, grab a drink at Pongu Pongu, or shop for Na'vi cultural items, toys, science kits, and more at Windtraders.
Star Wars (themed) Land(s)
Bob Iger used the same Quarterly Earnings Call to announce that the Star Wars lands under construction within Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and within Disneyland in California will be ready to open in 2019. The lands are billed as "the largest-ever, single-themed land expansions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts," so, presumably, even bigger than the soon-to-open Pandora. So far, here in Florida, our main view of the construction project has been the demolition of Streets of America; Lights, Motors, Action!; and Catastrophe Canyon, as well as construction cranes. We will keep you posted on this project in the coming years.
Epcot International Festivals March On
With the lengthening of Epcot's decades-old Festivals (Food & Wine in the Fall and Flower & Garden in the Spring); the increasing December presence of the Holidays Around the World (and its new food kiosks); and this year's creation of the all new Epcot International Festival of the Arts, except for the busy summer months, it is now very rare that Epcot is not celebrating a festival. Nevertheless, such will be the case for a very brief time starting next Tuesday, February 21, and continuing through February 28, as the park winds up the apparently very successful Festival of the Arts and begins its next Flower & Garden Festival. Even as the Festival of the Arts entered its penultimate weekend last Friday and continues to its finality, the park's transformation for Flower & Garden Festival is already in full swing. I took the opportunity this week to revisit some of the artists I visited on the Festival's opening weekend.
The final Disney on Broadway Concerts featuring Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (both of whom performed long runs in Disney's "The Lion King") are scheduled February 17-20 at America Gardens Theatre. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney's Tables in Wonderland is hosting a preview buffet lunch inspired by this year's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, and includes items from this year's "outdoor kitchens," along with featured wine and beer pairings. The lunch will be held at World ShowPlace Pavilion, this Sunday, February 19, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The price is $145 per person, with registration on a first-come, first served basis on the Tables In Wonderland website.
Even if you are unable to attend the Tables in Wonderland preview buffet, you can get a look at some of the food coming to this year's 90-day festival on the Disney Parks Blog.
Last week there was a lawn here in Future World West. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Nine Minute Previews of Disney's Upcoming Live Action Beauty & The Beast Now Playing
On February 10, the Walt Disney Theater inside One Man's Dream at Disney's Hollywood Studios began showing nine-minute previews of Disney's new live action version of Beauty and the Beast, which opens in U.S. Theaters on March 17. The area immediately outside the theater now includes a dress and props from the making of the movie, along with additional new pieces from Star Wars and Pixar films, The Lion King on Broadway, and The Descendants TV series.
Disney-Pixar maquettes are now on display at One Man's Dream. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Views Around the World
Even with all the news and photos we shared so far, there are more things to see around Walt Disney World, including more Rivers of Light merchandise at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Epcot
Magic Kingdom & Vicinity
Enjoy a ride aboard the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover from Space Mountain back to Rocket Tower Plaza. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Starlight Cafe menu is now available in all open bays inside. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Starlight Cafe's restrooms closed for refurbishment. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The ever-popular turkey leg cart in Frontierland was closed this weekend. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Resorts
Minor refurbishment is underway along Disney's BoardWalk. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
One Passholder's Tip
As I introduced a few weeks ago, this section of the Update provides our MousePlanet readers with the benefit of my years of experience as a longtime Walt Disney World Four Parks Annual Passholder, and lots of personal trial and errors, one (hopefully weekly) tip at a time. No product endorsements are intended in this week's Tip, though an Amazon Affiliate link is included to a category search should you wish to benefit MousePlanet at no extra cost to you.
One Passholder's Tip: Week 4
Get a belt and/or clip-mountable bottle holder!
Not long after I moved to Central Florida, I noticed that many front-line Walt Disney World Cast Members wore bottle holders on their belts or clipped on to their uniforms—especially (but not limited to) the folks in the parking lots, the PhotoPass photographers, custodial workers, and outdoor ride operators. It occurred to me that this is a fantastic way to keep a beverage handy, while also keeping hands free—for taking photos, holding on to rides, food and beverages, and so forth. The added benefit of neoprene is that it insulates a cold beverage against rapid warming in the heat of a Central Florida day (of course, your mileage will vary and folks debate which model is best).
I have seen much written about buying a reusable water bottle to use in the Parks. There is much debate about them and your ability to keep them clean and safe. The upside of the sleeve-approach is that not only can it hold nearly any 16.9 oz bottle (some will hold up to the 24 oz size) that you bring with you into the park (after it's been examined at security's bag-check), it can hold that next bottle you buy in the park too. You can begin your search for one at MousePlanet's Water Bottle Sleeve Amazon Affiliate Link
Don't keep it to yourself!
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This and That
…La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil announced a new limited-time Florida Resident Family Pack offer. Now through April 29, groups of three or more can experience the Disney Springs show for as low as $32.25 per ticket for Category 3 seating, a more than 50 percent savings off the standard ticket price. Discounted Family Pack tickets are also available for Category 1, Category 2, and Front and Center. Florida residents can book by calling (407) 939-7328 or visiting the La Nouba box office located on the West Side of Disney Springs. Proof of Florida residency is required. Tickets and seating are subject to availability. Offer is not valid for previously purchased tickets, gift certificates or combined with any other discounts.
…Delicious Disney: A Chef Series presents its next culinary event on February 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Markham's at Golden Oak, hosted by Disney's Animal Kingdom's Culinary Director Robert Adams and his Team. The theme of this event is a "Journey around the World of Flavors" presented with "unique and inspired culinary creations coupled with deliciously creative wine pairings." The price is $249/person (including tax and gratuity, plus an exclusive gift for Tables in Wonderland Members; discounts do not apply). Reservations may be booked by calling (407) 939-5773 daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
…In addition to Annual Passholders and Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests, everyone can now purchase the solid-color MagicBand 2 in the current eight solid colors—pink, blue, red, green, orange, gray, yellow, and purple—wherever MagicBands are sold throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Since the MagicBand 2 has the removable center icon (where the guts of the technology reside), as announced last Fall, MagicKeepers accessories are now available to give you more wearable options: the center icon can now be inserted into a silver carabiner or into a Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse lanyard clip to wear around your neck. Conveniently, each MagicKeeper includes a handy mini-screwdriver that helps you change out the icon. More details are on Disney Parks Blog.
…Seemingly as soon as I mentioned in the last Update that Disney Parks Blog announced that Disney Vacation Club members that have affiliated their My Disney Experience account with their membership will see their Magic Bands now trigger a new purple-to-green color sequence at TouchPoints at the parks, water parks, DisneyQuest and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, my MagicBand stopped triggering the new color sequence this week. Cast members at the TouchPoints reported seeing the color display for some guests.
…At the competing resort a little bit north of Walt Disney World Resort on I-4, Universal Orlando Resort now offers free self-parking after 6 p.m. for all guests (no longer only Florida residents). Additional (unspecified) restrictions may apply and, not surprisingly, the offer is not valid during Halloween Horror Nights.
…MousePlanet's own Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix was quoted in in article in Orlando Sentinel about the new personal shopping option at Disney Springs.
…Finally, your Weekly Update Writer, yours truly, was quoted on a premium episode of The Garry Meier Show Podcast last Thursday by Radio Hall of Fame inductee Garry Meier about the Disney Springs show drones and their potential future uses and relating to Lady Gaga's use of them in the Super Bowl Halftime show. Monday, Wednesday and Friday episodes of his show are free; Tuesday and Thursday are by paid subscription and, indeed, I am a paying subscriber!
…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).
2017 Resort events
- Star Wars Experiences – Opened December 1, 2015
- Epcot International Festival of the Arts – January 13 through February 20, 2017
- Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom – March 2 & 9 (9 p.m.-12 a.m./midnight); February 2, 9 & 16 (8-11 p.m.).
- 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
- 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
Note: Not all attraction closures have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, visit DisneyWorld.com or use the MyDisneyExperience App on your iOS or Android device.
Magic Kingdom
2017
- 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 – closed January 17, 2017 to add an audio-animatronic figure of the 45th president of the United States. Expected to reopen July, 2017.
The Hall of Presidents is closed until this summer. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
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 (or, based on the sign, perhaps longer).
Kali River Rapids is closed for winter refurbishment. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Typhoon Lagoon
- Closed December 24 – March 11, 2017 for seasonal refurbishment.
Disney Springs
- Fulton's Crab House – closed for refurbishment. Scheduled to reopen as Paddlefish on Saturday, February 4, 2017.
- Disney Quest – scheduled to close July 3, 2017 to make way for The NBA Experience.
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 Disney Vacation Club's Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge which is scheduled to open in 2017 (though not yet fully registered or available for sale).
- Disney's BoardWalk Villas – Luna Park Pool and slide closed until March 3; based on the signs, guests may be shuttled to Disney's Yacht & Beach Club's pools.
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 |
Walt Disney World released several new discount offers for the start of 2017, and Small World Vacations shared the details with us. All of these packages can also be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today. 25% off room offer Save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for stays most nights from February 20 through June 10, 2017. Book your stay by March 30, 2017.
Get a free day added to your ticket when you upgrade to a Magic Your Way package with a minimum 4-day ticket. Book Through: Travel Dates: Terms and Conditions:
Offer Restrictions
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 |
Spring into 2017 room offer Passholders can book rooms at the Disney's All-Star Sports Resort starting at $70 per night under this offer. The discount is valid most Sunday through Thursday nights, January 16 through February 15, 2017. Additional resorts and dates are available for stays through April 8. 2017, with rates from $103 at the All-Star Resorts to $293 per night at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Booking Window – Must book by April 7, 2017
Visit the Annual Passholder website for details, or call 407-939-7676 to book by phone. Kick Off Your Spring room offer Passholders can book rooms at the Disney's All-Star Sports Resort starting at $86 per night under this offer. The discount is valid most Sunday through Thursday nights, April 23 through May 25, 2017. Additional resorts and dates are available for stays April 9 through April 22 and May 26 through June 10, 2017, with rates from $101 at the All-Star Resorts to $292 per night at Disney's BoardWalk Inn Booking Window – Must book by June 9, 2017
Visit the Annual Passholder website for details, or call 407-939-7676 to book by phone. 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 Credit Card Holders |
20 percent off Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks Disney Visa cardholders receive 20 percent off their entire purchase at Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks throughout Walt Disney World, including Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's, and online at Joffreys.com with code: VISABEANS 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. Cardholders also receive 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at the following Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant merchandise locations including Basin®, Basin White®, Chapel Hats, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, kidsHeritage and Marrakesh Emporium Arts & Crafts. 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
10% off select recreation experiences Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of the recreation experiences listed below:
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 |
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. 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 |
MousePlanet reader Ben from the U.K. wrote to tell us about his recent booking of a 2017 Disney World holiday using a current promotion for U.K. residents. Ben reports:
If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
Comments
Another great update! Rivers of Light looks really good, I can't wait to check that out.
With the new Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, etc. elements on display near the One Man's Dream theater, did that displace some/all of the miniature models of WD parks from other parts of the world (though I admit it's possibly my memory is a bit fuzzy, I thought those were right near the theater waiting area)?
I always thought those miniature models of other parks made up a nice display. Sad to see them go, though I guess the rumored inevitable demise of OMD is probably still on the horizon, I'll have to just enjoy what's left of it until that day comes.