Walt Disney World Resort Update

Update for August 23 – 29, 2010

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Coming Soon | Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Discounts/Promotions

News and Views

Free dining, room discounts and gift cards, oh my! | Passholder discounts announced | Night of Joy acts, showtimes released | D23 hosts Star Tours Final Flight event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Tickets now on sale for D23’s Expo 2011 | Franck’s Bridal Salon gets a makeover; Open House this Saturday | More details emerge on new Mexico pavilion eateries | Construction update | Quick takes

Free dining, room discounts and gift cards, oh my!

As I wrote on my blog last Monday:

Walt Disney World today announced a trifecta of new discounts, some of which run through the end of September 2011.

Free dining

Free dining is back, with the same split-level implementation as has been the case recently. Those staying at value resorts will get the Quick Service Dining Plan for free, while those in moderate, deluxe and deluxe villa accommodations will get the standard Disney Dining Plan for free.

Free dining is available on select dates from this October through next September:

• 2010
  • October 1–7
  • October 22–28
  • November 12–18
  • November 27 to December 2
  • December 10–21
• 2011
  • January 1–5
  • January 9–13
  • January 21 to February 3
  • February 11–17
  • February 25 to March 3
  • May 27 to June 2
  • August 19 to September 29

You must book free dining by December 20. You can make your reservations online or by calling Walt Disney World at 407-939-7926 or your travel agent and using booking code NL7.

Room-only discounts

Room-only reservation discounts are available for selected nights from October through mid-February. Guests receive discounts of 25 percent at value resorts, 30 percent at moderates, 25-40 percent at deluxes (varies by resort) and 40 percent at deluxe villa resorts. Discounts are available:

• October 3 to November 23
• November 27 to December 25
• January 1 to February 16

You must book room-only discounts by November 21. You can make your reservations online or by calling Walt Disney World at 407-939-7796 or your travel agent and using booking code AK9.

Free Disney Gift Cards

If you book room-and-ticket package and would prefer a Disney Gift Card to free dining or a room discount, you can get a $500 gift card for stays of 5 or more nights at deluxe or deluxe villa resorts, $300 for moderate resorts or $200 for value resorts on a non-discounted Magic Your Way room and ticket package. This offer is valid for the same dates as the room-only discounts:

• October 3 to November 23
• November 27 to December 25
• January 1 to February 16

You must book room-only discounts by November 21. You can make your reservations online or by calling Walt Disney World at 407-939-7926 or your travel agent and using booking code ZH9.

[Update: Since the blog post, MousePlanet reader Steve has notified us that he was unable to use code AK9 for dates after December 31, 2010, and that he needed to use code MM2 for reservations starting on or after January 1, 2011.]

Passholder discounts announced

Passholders can save 30 to 42 percent off their room rates for stays at Walt Disney World from October through the end of the year. Rates vary depending on your dates of travel and the resort category at which you are staying.

For any stay from October 3 through December 25 (except for the Thanksgiving weekend of November 24–26), you get some great discounts:

• Value resorts plus Animal Kingdom Lodge – 30 percent off
• Moderate resorts, including Fort Wilderness Cabins, plus Grand Floridian Resort – 35 percent off
• Remaining Deluxe Resorts – 42 percent off
• Deluxe Villa Resorts – 42 percent off.

You can book the deal from now through your day of arrival, though the rooms may go fast. The number of rooms available at these rates is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World Passholder web site (link) or by using code XO7 if booking via the special reservations phone line for this offer (407-939-7420) or through a travel agent. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).

Some new images from the Disney Dream cruise ship have been released. Construction of the Buena Vista Theatre is progressing quickly, and the 399-seat theater is just about ready for seats to be installed. Photo © Disney.

A rendering of the finished theater shows the venue as it will appear while showing first-run movies, including digital 3-D films. Photo © Disney.

Night of Joy acts, showtimes released

The lineup for the 28th annual Night of Joy has been released. The two-night event is celebrating its return to the Magic Kingdom after two years at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on September 10 and 11. Here is the list of acts with show times and locations (subject to change, as always):

Friday, September 10

• 7:30 p.m. – Group 1 Crew, Galaxy Stage
• 7:45 p.m. – David Crowder*Band, Castle Forecourt
• 8:15 p.m. – Sidewalk Prophets, Rockettower Plaza Stage
• 9:00 p.m. – Group 1 Crew, Galaxy Stage
• 9:45 p.m. – Tenth Avenue North, Rockettower Plaza Stage
• 9:45 p.m. – Casting Crowns, Castle Forecourt
• 10:45 p.m. – BarlowGirl, Galaxy Stage
• 11:30 p.m. – Thousand Foot Crutch, Rockettower Plaza Stage
• 11:45 p.m. – Chris Tomlin, Castle Forecourt
• 12:15 a.m. – BarlowGirl, Galaxy Stage

Saturday, September 12

• 7:30 p.m. – Smokie Norful, Galaxy Stage
• 7:45 p.m. – Family Force 5, Castle Forecourt
• 8:20 p.m. – Britt Nicole, Rockettower Plaza Stage
• 9:00 p.m. – Smokie Norful, Galaxy Stage
• 9:45 p.m. – Day of Fire, Rockettower Plaza Stage
• 9:45 p.m. – Third Day, Castle Forecourt
• 10:30 p.m. – Lecrae, Galaxy Stage
• 11:20 p.m. – Day of Fire, Rockettower Plaza Stage
• 11:45 p.m. – mercyme, Castle Forecourt
• 12:00 a.m. – Red, Galaxy Stage

Tickets are on sale now for $49.95 (one night) and $89.95 (two nights) at 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) or at the Night of Joy Web site (link). One-night tickets will cost $57.95 on event nights, if available. Group packages for two nights of the event, plus admission to either DisneyQuest or a water park for $84.95 per person are available by calling 877-NITE-JOY (877-648-3569) or at the Night of Joy Web site.

A new air-conditioned gangway connects to the Disney Cruise Line ships from the port terminal. Photo by Robert Ashburn.

The new gangway provides climate-controlled access to the ship. Photo by Robert Ashburn.

D23 hosts Star Tours Final Flight event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Now that the “Last Tour to Endor” crew has cleared out with the Star Wars Celebration V crowds, D23 has announced a Star Tours Final Flight event to take place on the evening of Tuesday, September 7, which is the last day of operation before Star Tours closes for renovations.

Event check-in begins at the main entrance at 8:30 p.m. on September 7 after the park closes at 7:00 that day. Guests will get a commemorative boarding pass and be escorted directly into Star Tours. After the ride, guests will be escorted back out of the park. After the event, the next public rides will take place in May, 2011 with Star Tours: The Adventures Continue!

Walt Disney World buses will not be operating by the end of the event, so either bring your own transportation or be prepared to walk to the Boardwalk to hop a bus to a transfer point to get to your resort.

While the event will be free, there will be a $5 ticket processing fee. Only D23 members can sign up, and can request a ticket for themselves and one guest. D23 membership numbers will be required at reservation time, and membership cards and photo IDs will be required at check-in.

Tickets become available for the event this Thursday, August 26, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. There will only be 225 tickets made available for the event, so be ready to reserve your ticket! The link for ticket sales will become available on the D23 Web site (link).

Tickets now on sale for D23’s Expo 2011

Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix reported in this week’s Disneyland Resort Update (link).

The 2011 D23 Expo is scheduled for August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center, and Disney opened ticket sales last Thursday morning, exactly one year before the convention starts. Package and price details were announced Wednesday morning, leaving some fans asking why the club couldn’t have given more than 24 hours notice before expecting fans to purchase some of the pricier options.

Prospective attendees can purchase one-day general admission tickets that range from $30 to $47 for adults, or three-day passes for $85 to $136. Disney is offering the deepest discounts to D23 members, and people who purchase their tickets before December 31, 2010. The full schedule of ticket and package options is available on the D23 Web site (link). Disney has announced very few details of the 2011 event, saying, “We’re still hard at work finalizing plans for the D23 Expo 2011,” so members who purchase tickets a full year in advance are doing so without really having any idea of what the second-ever Expo will really offer.

For those who wanted even more from their Expo experience, Disney offered two high-ticket packages:

• A “Sorcerer Package” at $1,000 per person limited to 50 people – including reserved seating to all presentations and panels, access to a lounge staffed by a concierge, private tours of some exhibits, “special shopping opportunities,” limited edition merchandise, and an appointment with a massage therapist
• A “Premiere Package” a $500 per person limited to 250 people – offering a pared-down set of benefits.

All 50 Sorcerer Packages sold out despite the high prices, short notice, and what was (from accounts posted on the D23 Facebook page, a serious but all-too-common) problem with the online event registration system when tickets went on sale Thursday morning, but the Premiere package was still available as of this past weekend (a full list of the benefits for each package is available on our MousePad discussion boards).

By setting aside as many as 300 elite-package seats for the arena presentations before the general admission crowd has had a chance at tickets, some are complaining that Disney will likely prompt conventioneers to get in line even earlier to secure seats for popular panels. Readers who have attended the San Diego Comic-Con International convention and similar events say that premium packages are the norm, and that waiting in line is just part of the fun.

Franck’s Bridal Salon gets a makeover; Open House this Saturday

Thinking about getting married at Walt Disney World? Planning just became a bit easier and more comforting. Franck’s Bridal Studio has gotten a makeover, with two new planning rooms, newly designed furnishings, additional computers and televisions and new online tools for those planning weddings from afar.

The studio is holding an open house this coming Saturday to check out all of the new enhancements. Stop by Franck’s between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday to chat with wedding experts, take photos at Picture Point, and view samples of everything from cakes to place settings and decor. Parking is free at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion.

The recently redesigned Franck’s Bridal Studio is a one-stop shop for couples featuring virtual and real samples of wedding invitations, linens, cakes, floral and more. Photo © Disney.

Franck’s (link) is named after Martin Short’s wedding planner character in Disney’s remake of Father of the Bride, and is a re-creation of the character’s studio. The Victorian summerhouse adjacent to the Fairytale Wedding Pavilion features French provincial furniture and antique gilded portraits.

Franck’s features two new planning rooms and additional high-tech tools for planning a Disney Fairytale Wedding. Photo © Disney.

The online part of the makeover includes a new Facebook application (link) that actually allows guests to accept RSVPs and purchase room nights, among other new features.

More details emerge on new Mexico pavilion eateries

In an interview with the Disney Parks Blog (link), Richard Debler announced some more information on La Hacienda de San Angel at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion. Debler is president of San Angel Inn LLC, which also runs the San Angel Inn Restaurante and a Cava del Tequila inside the main Mexico pavilion building. The major expansion of the Cantina de San Angel is scheduled to soft-open in mid-September, and is taking reservations for seatings starting October 15.

The restaurant will seat 250 indoors for table service at dinner. During lunch, in addition to the 150 outdoor seats on the terrace, an additional 100-150 seats inside the air-conditioned dining room will be available. La Hacienda will feature a number of appetizer items, as well as skillet entrees, while the Cantina will focus on tacos. In both cases, the menu will skew more toward authentic Mexican rather than Tex-Mex. Both wil feature new lines of margaritas, and La Hacienda will showcase tequila flights, similar to that at La Cava.

Both locations will participate in the Disney Dining Plan, with meals running 1 credit, except for larger entrees intended for two guests to share, which will require 2 dining credits.

Construction update

Here is the listing of interesting items from paperwork filed with Orange County in the last week:

• Monorail work tractor platform – construct work platform.
• Magic Kingdom Space Mountain – electrical work.
• Magic Kingdom The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – graphics work.
• Epcot Spaceship Earth – electrical work.
• Epcot Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros – steel work.
• Epcot Wonders of Life pavilion – roof waterproofing.
• Epcot International Gateway turnstiles and security canopy – minor metal repair.
• Epcot International Gateway boat dock and ticket booths – repairs.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sorcerer Hat Plaza meet & greet locations – icon planter.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sorcerer Hat Plaza meet & greet locations – film strip planter.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ziwani Traders – metal roof coating.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Flame Tree BBQ – roof coating.
• ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex The Milk House – electrical work.
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Building 9 (Big Pine Key) – electrical mock up.
• Bay Lake Tower – bathroom modifications.
• Coronado Springs Resort – elevator cab refresh in Casitas 3, 4, 5, Rancheros 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, Cabanas 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B.
• Port Orleans French Quarter – domestic hot water plumbing work.
• Caribbean Beach Resort – refurbish pool rules and spa rules signs at all pools.
• All Star Resorts – refurbish pool rules and spa rules signs.

Quick takes …

…Applications for the 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel will be open from September 13-17. If you’re interested in applying, good luck! Let us know how you do!

…The Disney Cruise Line is holding a sweepstakes on Facebook. Winners will receive a free 7-night cruise with their choice of itinerary: Mexican Riviera, Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean. You can enter through September 30 (link).

…Chef Mickey’s will be offering a Character Lunch from 12:30-2:30 p.m. during the free dining period.

…Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba is looking to boost attendance with some choice discounts. Florida residents, Annual Passholders and members of Cirque du Soleil’s “Cirque Club” can get up to six Category 2 seats per transaction at $50 per ticket, subject to availability, for performances through October 23. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and can be purchased up to 30 days prior to the show date. For tickets, call 407-WDW-SEAT (407-939-7328) (passholders should call 407-939-7604), go to the Cirque du Soleil website (link) or visit the box office at the plaza level of the theater.

…This year’s New Year’s Eve performances of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba will feature a limited edition commemorative La Nouba trading pin, only the second official trading pin unique to Cirque du Soleil. Pricing for New Year’s Eve tickets range in price from $67 to $133 plus tax for adults and $54 to $109 plus tax for children ages 3-9. For tickets, call 407-WDW-SEAT (407-939-7328), go to the Cirque du Soleil website (link) or visit the box office at the plaza level of the theater.

…Harrison “Buzz” Price, who determined the optimal locations for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, passed away Sunday, August 15, at the age of 89. Price, who worked for the Stanford Research Institute at the time, recommended Anaheim to Walt Disney as the best location for Disneyland despite it being far from the population centers at the time. Working for his own company, Economics Research Associates, he later recommended Orlando as the prime spot for Walt Disney World, despite the same issues. Price eventually conducted 150 studies for Disney, including site analysis for Tokyo Disneyland, as well as 3,000 projects for other clients. Price was named a Disney Legend (link) in 2003. He was also awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), and inducted into the Hall of Fame for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Price published his memoirs and best practices in “Walt’s Revolution – By the Numbers,” (link) in 2003.

…A Disney bus was hit by a car near Disney’s Hollywood Studios last Friday afternoon. The bus, carrying 26 passengers, was hit by a PT Cruiser near the entrance to the park. The Floridan Highway Patrol stated that the Disney bus driver was not at fault, and that there were no injuries in the accident. Some reports on Twitter stated that the car “T-boned” the bus, striking it in the middle of its side.

…Piggybacking on the 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this year, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is presenting its first annual “Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin” on October 8 and 9. The event will feature a choice of six beverage seminars from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and a culinary festival with live music and tastings from the resort’s restaurants and lounges from 5:30-9:30 p.m. each evening. Samplings will differ from night to night. The resort is offering special one- and two-night packages (starting at $169 per night) that include seminars and tastings for two, while advance purchase event-only tickets are available for $50. Food and wine samplings can also be purchased a la carte on the day of the event. Tasting stations will be located along the causeway between the Swan and Dolphin hotels. For more information and to make reservations or buy tickets, visit the event website (link) or call 800-227-1500. For the hotel package, refer to rate code “FWCLAS.”

…The Best Friends Pet Resort opens September 1 at Walt Disney World, across from the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. The 27,000-square-foot facility can handle not only cats and dogs, but hamsters, guinea pigs, birds and even pot-bellied pigs. The location is available to park and resort guests, but also to off-site guests, and provides both overnight and day care for pets. It’s build to accommodate 270 dogs, 30 cats, and a small number of other pets. When it opens, it will replace the five existing pet care centers at the four theme parks and Fort Wilderness Resort. For reservations or more information, visit the Pet Resort’s website (link). You can also book reservations by calling 877-4-WDW-PETS (877-493-9738).

…The Disney Cruise Line’s terminal at Port Canaveral is continuing its makeover, as Re Freshes Cafe closed yesterday to clear the way for the future Concierge Guest check-in area.

…The Disney STEP Classic will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios September 3-5. This year, instead of taking over the stage of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, performances will instead take placed in the air-conditioned comfort of the Premiere Theatre on the Streets of America Backlot. Produced in cooperation with the National Step Show Alliance (NSSA), the event was created in 2008. This year features two new twists; first, compulsory moves will be a part of the competition for the first time, and second, the winning teams will be showcased during pre-game festivities for the Disney-sponsored MEAC/SWAC Challenge college football game at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, with the winning team also recognized during the half-time show. The 6th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge this year features the Delaware State Hornets and the Southern University Jaguars.

…Walt Disney World has now taken in 32 sea turtles impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, endangered Green Turtles, and Kemp’s Ridley Turtles, one of the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world. All have completed initial veterinary exams and are responding well to treatment. Disney animal care experts are trying to increase the turtles’ body weight and strength to allow them to swim in the open ocean when they are released back into the wild. In addition to working with the turtles, the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund has donated $100,000 to various groups in support of environmental and animal rescue efforts.

…Fodor’s Travel has announced its 2010 Choice Gold Awards, and resorts at Walt Disney World’s top and bottom ends are among the honorees. The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa was among the 10 resorts honored as the Best Destinations Wedding Hotel, while the All-Star Movies, Music and Sports Resorts were among the honorees in the Best Hotels for Kids and Families in the United States category. For a list of the 10 winners in each of the 10 categories, visit the Fodor Web site (link).

…Walt Disney World has once again been recognized by the Good Sam Club as the most “RV-friendly” Tourist Attraction/Amusement Park/Museum. Walt Disney World is a perennial winner of the Welcome Mat Award since it was introduced in 2002 by the world’s largest membership organization of recreational vehicle (RV) owners. The Welcome Mat Awards recognize businesses that offer top service to RV enthusiasts.

…Disney’s handheld assistive device for guests with disabilities was recently presented with the New Product Award by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the engineering profession and society.

…Walt Disney World cast members have donated more than 2 million school supplies this year through the resorts annual back-to-school supply drive. Last week, hundreds of Disney VoluntEARS sorted the school supplies and distributed them to local students and teachers through the A Gift For Teaching and S.T.A.R.S. (Supplies To Assist ouR Student) organizations. The supplies include boxes of crayons, rulers, folders, packs of notebook paper, and backpacks. The supplies went to students in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, and—for the first time—Lake and Polk counties.

…To recognize the 251,000 hours spent by Walt Disney World VoluntEARS in 2009, the Walt Disney Company is donating a total of $627,050 to their favorite charities and causes. More than 800 VoluntEARS are being honored with EARS to You grants of up to $1,000 to the non-profit organization of their choice. The funds will go to approximately 250 local groups.

…The 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon is 65 percent full, the Half Marathon is 77 percent full, the Goofy Race-and-a-Half Challenge is 70 percent full, and the Disney Family Fun Run 5K is 50 percent full. If you’re interested in participating in these races, now’s the time to sign up! You can register at the official Walt Disney World Marathon Web site (link).

…The Inaugural Disney Wine & Half Marathon and the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Relay have both reached capacity. The Kids Races are 80 percent full and the Mickey’s Halloween Family Fun Run 5K is 70 percent full. Both adult events will take place at the Walt Disney World Resort on October 2 at 10:00 p.m. on a brand new marathon course. For more information or to register, go the ESPN Wide World of Sports Web site (link).

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Don’t keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Mark here.

Talk about these stories and more on our Walt Disney World discussion forum here.

Coming up

• August 27-29: Disney’s Pin Celebration: Trade City, U.S.A. (link).
• September 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, and 30, October 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, and 31, and November 1. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (link).
• September 5: Trek Women’s Triathlon (link).
• September 10-11: Night of Joy (link).
• October 1-2: Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon (link).
• October 1 to November 14: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
• October 9. MouseAdventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (link).
• November 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30, December 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 19. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (link).
• November 11-14: Children’s Miracle Network Classic (link).
• November 12-14: Festival of the Masters (link).
• November 25-28: Old Spice Classic (link).
• December 4-11: Pop Warner Football Championships (link).
• January 6-9, 2011: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (link).
• February 25-27, 2011: Disney’s Princess Half Marathon

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Ariel’s Grotto – closed permanently to make way for the Fantasyland Forest makeover.
• Pooh’s Playful Spot – closed permanently to make way for the Fantasyland Forest makeover.
• Scuttle’s Landing – closed permanently to make way for the Fantasyland Forest makeover.
• it’s a small world – closed for refurbishment August1 to October 22.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed for refurbishment August 16–25.
• The Mad Tea Party – closed for refurbishment September 26 to November 10.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – closed for refurbishment October 25 to November 14.
• Storytime with Belle – last performance on September 12. Will be replaced with a new “play and greet” with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled starting October 15.

Epcot

• Cantina de San Angel – closed for major renovation, tentatively set to re-open September 24 as two restaurants, both the returning Cantina de San Angel and the new Hacienda de San Angel. Taqueria Del Lago remains open.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Star Tours – closed for refurbishment September 8, 2010 through May 16, 2011.
• Toy Story Mania – closed for refurbishment August 16–28.
• One Man’s Dream – closed for refurbishment August 16 through November 2.
• “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!” – final performance October 2; “Disney Channel Rocks!” begins performances October 22.

Animal Kingdom

• Flame Tree Barbeque – closed through September 19.

Resorts

• Saratoga Springs Resort – Paddock quiet pool closed for conversion to new feature pool opening in 2011.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – closed October 31, 2010 through January 8, 2011 for refurbishment.
• Blizzard Beach – closed January 9, 2011 through March 19, 2011 for refurbishment.

Elsewhere

• Lake Buena Vista Golf Course – closed through August 22.
• Osprey Ridge Golf Course – closed through August 29.
• Oak Trail Golf Course – closed August 30 through September 3.
• Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.
• McDonald’s at Downtown Disney – closed permanently; the location is being converted to Pollo Campero, opening this fall.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Room-only discount rates available for Passholders and the general public through October 2

Everyone can save 15 to 30 percent off your room rates for stays from August 15 through October 2. Rates vary depending on your dates of travel and the resort category at which you are staying.

For any stay from August 15 through October 2, you get some great discounts:

• Value resorts: 30 percent off
• Moderate resorts: 30 percent off
• Deluxe Resorts: 40 percent off
• Deluxe Villa Resorts: 40 percent off.

The deal can be booked from now through the day of your arrival. The number of rooms available at these rates is limited. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World web site (link) or by using code ID6 if booking via the Walt Disney World Reservations phone line (407-939-7515) or through a travel agent. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).

If you’re a Annual Passholder, you can get even deeper discounts. Passholders can save 35 to 42 percent off their room rates for stays at Walt Disney World this fall. Rates vary depending on your dates of travel and the resort category at which you are staying.

For any stay from August 15 through October 2, you get some great discounts:

• Value resorts: 35 percent off
• Moderate resorts: 35 percent off
• Deluxe Resorts: 42 percent off
• Deluxe Villa Resorts: 42 percent off.

The deal can be booked from now through your day of arrival. The number of rooms available at these rates is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World Passholder web site (link) or by using code SIA if booking via the special reservations phone line for this offer (407-939-7617) or through a travel agent. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).

Don’t keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Mark here.