Walt Disney World Resort Update

Update for September 10 – 16, 2012

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News and Views

More Fastpass Plus testing coming up this month | Segway suit perhaps settled for good? | Calling all with a spirit of adventure! MouseAdventure: World Explorers comes to Magic Kingdom! | Marathon sold out, other races close behind | Transportation changes on the way | Construction update | Quick takes | Crowd Update

More Fastpass Plus testing coming up this month

Walt Disney World will be conducting another test of its Fastpass Plus system later this month. The method used for this test is similar to the one used for the previous Fastpass Plus test back in May. Guests get to choose the proverbial “two from Column A and two from Column B,” which includes not only attractions but entertainment options such as reserved seating in front of Cinderella Castle for Wishes viewing.

Virtual Fastpasses are stored on the guest's Key To The World (KTTW) card, linking it to the guest's resort room. For guests with Annual Passes, this obviously does not affect their ability to get standard Fastpasses in addition to the new virtual Fastpasses. It is uncertain whether those with Magic Your Way passes loaded on their KTTW cards would also be able to get “out of band” Fastpasses.

While the expectation has been that guests would be able to participate in the Fastpass Plus program using smartphones and other devices via the new Wi-Fi at the Magic Kingdom, it appears that the only role for smartphones at this time will be to allow guests to view or change their selected attractions and return times.

We hope to have more information about this test in the near future. MousePad member REYNOLDSLUX was invited to participate in the test during their upcoming visit.  If you've been selected to participate in this program, let us know!

Segway suit perhaps settled for good?

A ruling by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a class action settlement that allows Walt Disney World to continue to ban self-balancing Segway electric vehicles. While Disney allows its own Segways to be used in the parks, guests have been refused the ability to use their own devices.

The lawsuit was originally filed in November 2007, dismissed in February 2008, resurrected and then settled in December 2008, with Disney winning the ability to continue to prohibit the use of Segways by guests other than those on Disney-guided tours, while it completes development of its own planned Electric Stand-up Vehicle (ESV). In return, the plaintiffs would receive a cash settlement from Disney and the ability to utilize the new ESVs at no cost once they were developed. An additional proviso was that Disney would be provided a nationwide waiver of declaratory or injunctive claims related to Disney's policy.

The ESVs would be based upon the existing Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECV), or scooters, currently in use at the parks. The ESV would have a standing backrest instead of a seat, and a longer steering column, which would allow the guest to stand while driving. Due to the drive mechanism, however, the guest would be limited to the current speed of ECVs rather than than 12.5 mph maximum speed of Segways.

In June 2009, the case was appealed on the basis that the policy was too restrictive. In February 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) passed revised regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) aimed specifically at the use of Segways in theme parks. Despite that, the U.S. District Court approved a final settlement in April 2011 upholding the original agreement.

In July 2012, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Disneyland was applying too austere an interpretation of the ADA in banning Segways, and that they needed to apply criteria included in the revised 2011 ADA guidelines from the U.S. DOJ.

The new ruling from the 11th Circuit notes that the court considered the ruling in the 9th Circuit and determined that—because the original District Court ruling in the case being considered addressed the new criteria—the 9th Circuit ruling was factually and procedurally different. The court also summarily rejected the objectors' arguments regarding the nationwide waiver of claims included in the settlement agreement. This means that Disney should be able to use this ruling to stop the California suit due to the nationwide waiver of declaratory or injunctive claims.

For more information on the background of these cases, see the linked stories above, or view the rulings by the 11th Circuit and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeals.

There is no word at this time when the ESVs will be available for rental at the parks of the Walt Disney World Resort, or whether the appellants will appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

Calling all with a spirit of adventure! MouseAdventure: World Explorers comes to Magic Kingdom!

Registration is now open for MouseAdventure: World Explorers IV. The fourth annual running of the scavenger hunt/puzzle quest/race through Walt Disney World's parks takes place on Saturday, November 3 at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (the game has been going on at the parks of the Disneyland Resort for more than 11 years now). Do you think that you know the Magic Kingdom? We bet you don't know it as well as you think you do! Test your wits against those of our puzzle masters. Registration will close on Friday, October 19th at 11:00 p.m. (EDT), or when the event sells out. For more information, check out the MouseAdventure information page.

Marathon sold out, other races close behind

Registration for the marquee races of the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend scheduled for January 10 to 13 is coming to a close. The marathon, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, officially sold out last Wednesday, with a record field of over 25,000 runners. The sellout also set a record for the fastest sellout at less than five months after registration opened. The half marathon was 98 percent sold out, with the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge at 97 percent. At the recent registration rate, those races could sell out at any time.

The 20th annual marathon features a new course, new on-course entertainment, a special commemorative medal, a post-race party at Downtown Disney, and other special features.

If you were hoping to sign up for the marathon and got closed out, there may still be openings available through Team in Training and the Runner's World Challenge, as well as other charitable groups.

Transportation changes on the way

In an interview with Attractions Magazine, Walt Disney World Vice President for Transportation Samuel Lau revealed plans for the future of transportation at the resort.

The resort recently added 28 new buses to its fleet, bringing the total number to 319. After recent testing with a 60-foot articulated bus, there are also plans to purchase a few more of the longer buses to increase capacity. Of course, the larger buses require more space to pull up. A third bus loop will be added at the Magic Kingdom, which will probably take about a year to build.

In addition, more cameras will be added to the buses to supplement the existing camera facing the driver's compartment and front door. The new cameras will capture images outside the bus, allowing Disney to see what happens if a bus gets into an accident or if there's some other incident. The settlement last week of the lawsuit related to the death of a boy who rode his bicycle off of a sidewalk and into the side of a bus points up the possible use of information from these cameras.

Monorails will see a major change, as Disney is working on a new computer-controlled monorail system that will monitor and drive trains in real time, adjusting speeds, keeping safe distance, and enhance efficiency when transferring trains from one beam to another. Monorail drivers will continue to be on the trains, but would be responsible for enabling movement and making spiels to guests. They would no longer actively drive the trains. Despite this, guests would still not be allowed in the cockpit. The automated system would allow the central computer to handle trains to provide gaps during beam transfers that would not cause a complete stoppage of all trains on the beam.

Road work is also underway to increase capacity and improve traffic flow. A new lane has been added to Buena Vista Drive, along with a turn late onto Victory Way to allow traffic to flow more freely to the new Disney's Art of Animation Resort. The left turn lane from Osceola Parkway onto Sherberth Road near Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is being extended, and a new turn lane was extended at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom's bus loops.

For more details on the changes, check out the original story.

Construction update

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

• Magic Kingdom Guest Relations – construction.
• Magic Kingdom Space Mountain – construction.
• Magic Kingdom “it's a small world” – construction.
• Magic Kingdom Liberty Tree Tavern – electrical modifications.
• Magic Kingdom Plaza Restaurant – electrical modifications.
• Magic Kingdom Tony's Town Square Restaurant – electrical modifications.
• Epcot – front of park meet & greet.
• Epcot Seas pavilion marquee rockwork – miscellaneous repair rockwork & structural steel.
• Epcot Seas pavilion – fire sprinkler repairs.
• Epcot Land pavilion – fire sprinkler repairs.
• Epcot Land pavilion – electrical.
• Epcot American Adventure pavilion roofs & facades – general construction.
• Epcot Food & Wine Festival – Hops & Barley directional sign.
• Epcot Food & Wine Festival – planter graphics.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios Star Tours – construction.
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama – fire sprinkler repairs.
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa main building – fire sprinkler repairs.
• Disney's Polynesian Resort plumbing work area – electrical.
• Disney's Boardwalk Resort Atlantic Dance – mechanical.
• Disney's Old Key West Resort – tower graphics.

Quick takes …

…The final set of buildings at Disney's Art of Animation Resort, themed to The Little Mermaid, are scheduled to open one week from today. The 864 standard rooms will welcome their first guests on September 15. The rooms join the 1,120 family suites in the wings themed to Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Lion King. In addition to the rooms, the area also includes the Flippin' Fins pool, joining the Big Blue and Cozy Cone pools (someone was having fun with alliteration). Rates at the new Mermaid rooms start at $94 per night.

…A new mobile site has debuted for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. If the site does not recognize your browser as a mobile device, you are redirected to the event's standard site. The first party takes place tomorrow night, September 11.

…The first refreshment selections at Gaston's Tavern have been announced. The quick-service restaurant in New Fantasyland will feature warm cinnamon rolls as its signature sweet throughout the day. A signature beverage will be “imported” from Disney California Adventure, as well. Red's Apple Freeze, served at the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land, will be served at Gaston's under the name LeFou's Brew. The popular beverage is a no-sugar-added frozen apple juice, with toasted marshmallow flavoring, topped with passion fruit-mango foam. It will be available in standard cups as well as souvenir steins and goblets.

…As work on New Fantasyland continues, the construction walls are on the move. Guests going from the central plaza behind the castle at Prince Charming's Regal Carrousel to the Storybook Circus area will now walk through the new main gateway, behind the new castle wall to the East, and emerge at the far side near The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh. The castle wall itself remains inside its own construction wall.

…Those arriving late to Fantasmic will no longer have to stand to see the show. Disney is installing new bench seating 1,000 in the current standing-room viewing area. There is currently no projected date for completion of this work.

…Celebrate the Magic will debut as the new projection show on Cinderella Castle some time in November.

…Disney has created a new landing page for New Fantasyland. The page includes an interactive map and the ability to sign up for update emails.

…Disney Cruise Line officially announced the changes to its Galveston itineraries that we first reported three weeks ago. Details are now on the Disney Cruise Line website. Prospective guests can also call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).

…Applications for the Walt Disney World College Program are now being accepted.

…Registration for the January 10–13, 2013, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is open. Registration for Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge is 97 percent full, the full marathon is sold out, the half marathon is 98 percent full, and the Disney Family Fun Run 5K is 60 percent full.

…Registration for the February 22–24, 2013, fifth annual Princess Half Marathon Weekend is open.

…Registration for the featured race of the September 28–29 Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend is full. The related runDisney Kids' Races are now 79 percent full and the Disney Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run is now 85 percent full, and the Disney Villains Hollywood Bash after-party is 84 percent full.

…Registration for the featured race of the November 9–10 Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is full. There are still some opportunities available to run the race via charity groups and travel operators. Look for details at the event website. The related Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K is 58 percent full, runDisney Kids Races are 57 percent full, and the Wine & Dine Finish Line Party is 50 percent sold out.

…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 MouseAdventure bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, go to the MousePlanet main page and enter your email address in the top right box labeled “Join the MousePlanet Newsletter.” Click Join, then fill out the fields in the registration page, including your first and last name. The Newsletter is free, but you must complete this registration to receive it, even if you may have signed up for one with us in the past.

Crowd update

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Coming up

• September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30, October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, November 2. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
• September 15: The Little Mermaid wing of Disney's Art of Animation Resort opens.
• September 28–29: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend.
• September 28–November 12: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
• October 2-3: D23 Sip & Scream.
• Fall (exact date to be determined): Splitsville opens.
• November 3: MouseAdventure World Explorers IV.
• November 8–11: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic.
• November 9–10: Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.
• November 9–11: Festival of the Masters.
• November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, and 30, December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 21. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
• November 9–January 6, 2013: Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.
• November 16–December 27: Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney.
• November 19: Little Mermaid– and Beauty and the Beast-themed sections of New Fantasyland open for previews at Magic Kingdom.
• November 22, 23, 25: Old Spice Classic.
• November 23–December 30: Holidays Around the World.
• December 1–8: Pop Warner Super Bowl.
• December 6: Little Mermaid– and Beauty and the Beast-themed sections of New Fantasyland officially open at Magic Kingdom.
• December 13: Disney Vacation Club Condominium Association annual meeting.
• January 10–13, 2013: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.
• February 22–24, 2013: Disney's Princess Half Marathon.
• March 6–May 19, 2013: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
• May 4, 2013: Expedition Everest Challenge.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Snow White's Scary Adventures – closed permanently for conversion to Princess Fairytale Hall.
• Crane at Cinderella Castle for installation of Dreamlights – September 16 through October 1.
• Country Bear Jamboree – closed for refurbishment through October 16.
• Pirates of the Caribbean – closed for refurbishment October 9.
• Be Our Guest Restaurant – soft-opens November 19, official opening December 6.
• Maurice's Cottage – now in cast member friends & family previews, soft-opens November 19, official opening December 6.
• Gaston's Tavern – soft-opens November 19, official opening December 6.
• Bonjour Village Gifts – soft-opens November 19, official opening December 6.
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid – soft-opens November 19, official opening December 6.
• Ariel's Grotto – soft-opens November 19, official opening December 6.
• Princess Fairytale Hall – opens 2013.
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – opens 2014.

Epcot

• Test Track – closed through November 30 for “reimagining.”
• Bistro de Paris – closed through December 1 for refurbishment.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – closed for refurbishment September 10-14.
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – closed for refurbishment November 8-16.
• American Film Institute Showcase – closed for refurbishment November 8-16.
• Studio Backlot Tour – closed for refurbishment November 8-16.

Animal Kingdom

• The Boneyard – closed for refurbishment September 18-19.

Resorts

• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Grand Floridian Spa closed through mid-2013 for refurbishment.
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Sandy Cove shop closed through December.
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Courtyard Pool closed through November for addition of zero-entry area.
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Gasparilla Grill & Games closed through December.
• Disney's Contemporary Resort – California Grill closed January 6, 2013, through late summer 2013 for refurbishment.
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort Yachtsman Steakhouse – closed for refurbishment through September 15.
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort – rooftop HVAC hot water piping replaced January 9 to September 28.
• Disney's Pop Century Resort – repairs of concrete deck at Hippy Dippy Pool through September 28. The pool remains open during the work, but some small sections of the pool deck are closed periodically throughout this period.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – closed October 28 through January 5, 2013 for annual refurbishment.
• Blizzard Beach – January 6, 2013 through March 16, 2013 closed for annual refurbishment.

Elsewhere

• Oak Trail Golf Course – closed through September 28 for refurbishment.
• Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays. For 2012, the show will not be performed:
  • September 18 to 22
  • November 27

Current Discounts & Promotions

Room-only discounts through end of year

A room-only discount is available for most dates September 30 through December 22. Anyone can book this discount through September 29. As with all discounts, rooms available at these rates is limited, and minimum length-of-stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. No group rates or other discounts apply. Campsites, 3-bedroom Grand Villas, and standard rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort are not included. Discounts range from 15-30 percent and availability varies by date.

You can make your reservation through the Walt Disney World website or by calling (407) 939-1315 or your favorite travel agent and mentioning discount code W9G. MousePlanet's preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).

Passholder room discounts through end of year

A Passholder discount is available for most dates September 30 through December 24. Passholders can book this discount through the day of arrival if rooms are still available. As with all discounts, rooms available at these rates is limited, and minimum length-of-stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. No group rates or other discounts apply. Campsites, 3-bedroom Grand Villas, and standard rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort are not included. Discounts range from 20-35 percent and availability varies by date.

You can make your reservation through the Walt Disney World Passholder website or by calling (407) 939-7859 or your favorite travel agent and mentioning discount code Q5M. MousePlanet's preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).

Free dining offers released for late September through mid-December

Walt Disney World has announced a free dining offer for Disney Visa card members and the general public. The offer is valid for stays most nights September 30 through October 4, October 19 through November 1, November 9–15, November 23–29, and December 10–20, 2012. As with the most recent offers, guests staying at Value resorts receive a free Quick Service Dining Plan, while guests staying in Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa accommodations receive the standard Disney Dining Plan. Guests can upgrade their dining plan for the usual difference in price between each dining plan.

The offer is only available for packages including room, tickets, and dining, and all members of the party much purchase the same package and tickets. Minimum length of stay is three nights with two-day base tickets; maximum stay on the package is 14 days. Some blackout dates apply.

Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, and the Little Mermaid standard view rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort are not included in this offer, and you must book by September 29 to get this offer.

Remember: If you're planning to play MouseAdventure: World Explorers IV on November 3, you can get free dining as long as you arrive by the preceding Thursday, November 1.

You can make your reservations through the Walt Disney World website or by calling (407) 939-7631 or your favorite travel agent and mentioning discount code F8Z (Disney Visa) or X9N (general availability) for Value resorts or D85 (Disney Visa) or I87 (general availability) for Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa Resorts.

MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).

Special Summer PhotoPass+ deal

Disney's PhotoPass service has announced a new summer discount on Disney PhotoPass+ pre-arrival packages. For $169.95 plus tax, Walt Disney World guests receive a voucher to exchange for a PhotoPass+ card upon arrival at the resort, a Photo Gallery CD with over 400 stock photos ($39.95 value), a unique code to create and order a photo CD upon return from their trip ($169.95 value), print packages at select dining locations ($29.95 value each), and digital photos from select attractions ($14.95 value each). Applicable taxes will be charged to all orders.

This special offer is only available from this link or by calling the Guest Support line at 407-560-4300, and only prior to arrival at Walt Disney World Resort. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund.

The package may take as long as 14 days to arrive, and you must bring your voucher from the package to redeem it, so make sure that you order far enough in advance to allow your materials to arrive.

Attractions currently participating in the program are Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur. Current participating restaurants are 1900 Park Fare, 'Ohana, Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Chef Mickey's Cinderella's Royal Table, Tusker House Restaurant, Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

Passholder room discounts for August and September

A Passholder discount is available for most dates August 17 through September 29. Passholders can book this discount through the day of arrival if rooms are still available. As with all discounts, rooms available at these rates is limited, and minimum length-of-stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. No group rates or other discounts apply. Suites, 3-bedroom Grand Villas, and Disney's Art of Animation Resort are not included. Discounts range from 25-35 percent and availability varies by date.

You can make your reservation through the Walt Disney World Passholder website or by calling (407) 939-7635 or your favorite travel agent and mentioning discount code W9G. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).

2012 Military ticket offer

From now through September 28, 2012, active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with either the Park Hopper or Water Parks Fun and More option for $138 per ticket, plus tax, or with both the Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun and More options for $165 per ticket, plus tax. No Base ticket is available with this offer.

The tickets expire and may not be used after September 30, 2012. July 4, 2012 is a blockout date.

Eligible service members include active or retired members of the U.S. military including the U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reservists. Disney Military Promotional Tickets can be purchased at Shades of Green or at a participating military base (MWR/ITT) office. There is no tax charged for these tickets but they must be activated at a theme park ticket window. Tickets may also be purchased at Walt Disney World Park Ticket Offices and Guest Relations Offices where tax will be charged. No more than twelve Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased, activated and/or used by any Eligible Service Member or spouse during the life of this promotion, and no Eligible Service Member or spouse may purchase, activate and/or use more than six Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets during any single week of the promotion. One of the Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets purchased on each occasion must be for use by the Eligible Service Member or spouse. This offer is for active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard. Valid military identification is required. The tickets are non-transferable and may not be resold.

The tickets may be upgraded to Seasonal Passes or Florida Resident Weekday Select Passes (for Florida Residents), or Annual Passes, Premium Annual Passes, or Disney Premier Pass with credit toward the upgrade based on the actual price paid. The no-expiration option and other upgrades, such as additional days, are not available.

For complete information regarding Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets, military personnel may call 407-939-7830, visit the Walt Disney World website, or participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

2013 Military Salute offers

From now through September 28, 2013, active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with either the Park Hopper or Water Parks Fun and More option for $156 per ticket, plus tax (up from $138 last year), or with both the Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun and More options for $184 per ticket, plus tax (up from $165). No Base ticket is available with this offer.

The tickets expire and may not be used before October 1, 2012, or after September 28, 2013. Blockout dates are December 24-31, 2012 and March 24 through April 4, 2013 at all ticketed locations, and July 4, 2013 at Magic Kingdom park only.

Eligible service members include active or retired members of the U.S. military including the U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reservists. Disney Military Promotional Tickets can be purchased at Shades of Green or at a participating military base (MWR/ITT) office. There is no tax charged for these tickets but they must be activated at a theme park ticket window. Tickets may also be purchased at Walt Disney World Park Ticket Offices and Guest Relations Offices where tax will be charged. Tickets may be purchased by active and retired military personnel for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. One of the Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets purchased on each occasion must be for use by the Eligible Service Member or spouse. This offer is for active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard. Valid military identification is required. The tickets are non-transferable and may not be resold.

The tickets may be upgraded to Seasonal Passes or Florida Resident Weekday Select Passes (for Florida Residents), or Annual Passes, Premium Annual Passes, or Disney Premier Pass with credit toward the upgrade based on the actual price paid. The no-expiration option and other upgrades, such as additional days, are not available.

In addition, specially priced rooms are available to active and retired U.S. military personnel at select Walt Disney World resorts for stays most nights from October 1, 2012 through September 28, 2013, except for November 24, 2012, December 23-31, 2012, and March 25 through April 4, 2013.

For complete information regarding Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets and discounted resort rates, military personnel may call (407) 939-7830, visit the Walt Disney World website, or participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

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