Update for August 20 – 26, 2013
Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions | Comments
News and Views
One dead in Disney Magical Express bus crash near Epcot | Free Dining bounceback offer at Walt Disney World | Port Orleans Resort introduces Rapid Fill system | Disney Cruise Line news roundup | Construction update | Quick takes | Crowd update
One dead in crash with Disney's Magical Express bus crash near Epcot
A Walt Disney World cast member was killed Friday afternoon when her car was struck by a Disney's Magical Express bus. The victim, Solange Blain (63), was stopped in the left lane of the westbound side of Epcot Center Drive when her vehicle was struck from behind by the bus. Uninjured in the crash was the bus driver, 33-year-old David Lee Morales. No charges have been filed.
Walt Disney World cast member Solange Blain was killed last Friday when her stalled vehicle was struck from behind by a Disney's Magical Express bus. Photo by Twitter user mom2tnj.
Two passengers in the bus were treated at nearby Celebration Hospital for minor injuries. A fellow passenger on the bus, who asked to be identified only by her Twitter name mom2tnj, described the two as a teenager who experienced whiplash, and a baby who was being treated as a precaution. mom2tnj said she and her family were heading to Walt Disney World for a three-day vacation when the accident happened, and that it took nearly three hours for the Reedy Creek Fire Department and Florida Hightway Patrol to release the scene and let she the rest of the 30 or so passengers board one of two Mears buses brought to the scene and continue to their destination.
In the hours after the crash, mom2tnj took to Twitter to ask Disney for help, saying “we r on the crashed bus, we really need to get off. My son is traumatized and I don't want him 2 keep looking @ the car!” She shared photos from the site with several media outlets, including MousePlanet, and complained, ” We've been left alone on this bus forever, no communication.”
Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the accident, looking to determine why Blain's vehicle was stopped in the road, as well as how fast the bus was travelling. Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes told the Orlando Sentinel that Montes did apply the brakes on the bus, but was unable to avoid the collision. “There's a crest in the road near where the accident happened, and it's possible that the bus driver may not have seen the car until the last moment.”
Florida Highway Patrol investigates a fatal accident between a passenger vehicle and a Disney's Magical Express bus. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Disney has confirmed that Blain was an employee at an unspecified Walt Disney World resort hotel, and issued this statement:
“We are saddened by the loss of a fellow Cast Member in Friday's tragic accident and offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. In addition, we are providing support to the passengers who were on the bus.”
Disney's Magical Express is operated by Mears Transportation Group, which issued its own statement:
“Earlier today a Disney Magical Express bus owned and operated by Mears Transportation Group was involved in an accident with another automobile near Epcot Center Drive and Overpass Road in Orlando just after 3:30 p.m. The Florida Highway Patrol is on the scene and handling the investigation. We have been informed by FHP that one individual in the automobile involved died as a result of the accident and two individuals on board the bus were transported to Celebration Hospital. The extent of their injuries are unknown. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the individual who tragically lost their life in this accident. We are cooperating fully with FHP.”
Free Dining bounceback offer at Walt Disney World
Facebook user Dis-Girl posted the following on our Facebook page:
Current WDW Free Dining BOUNCEBACK OFFER confirmed! If you are staying at a Walt Disney Resort between the dates of August 1 – November 15, 2013, you are eligible to book a Free Dining Bounceback promo vacation package for the dates of August 20 – September 29, 2014. A $200 minimum deposit will be required to book this bounceback promo and this is a great way to guarantee a free dining discount for next fall. The Free Dining Bounceback flyer can usually be found on the table in your resort room or in your welcome packet. If you do not see the flyer in your room, simply dial Ext. 8844 from your resort room phone and tell them you want book the Free Dining Bounceback promo for 2014.
We asked Mary Kraemer, vacation travel consultant with CruisingCo.com and MouseEarVacations, to check out the details for us. She contacted some of her clients who happened to be staying in WDW last week, and it turns out some of them didn't get the flyer in their rooms and didn't know about the promotion. One was able to rebook at a great savings, which is great news.
Mary said that if you want to have your travel agent handle the rebooking for you, all you need to do is contact your agent while you're still on property and they can make the new reservation for you so you don't have to give up vacation time on hold with Disney Travel. Mary also noted that, in a change from normal Disney policy, you only have 72 hours after making the reservation on your own to have it transferred to your travel agent. If you wait until you get home to do it, it will probably be too late. Disney usually allows you to transfer a reservation to your agent within 30 days of booking.
Port Orleans Resort introduces Rapid Full system
MousePlanet reader scoobydooby is currently on a Walt Disney World vacation, and shares details of the new Rapid Fill refillable mug program launching this week at the Port Orleans Resort.
The Rapid Fill dispensers were previously tested at the All-Star Sports and Music resorts, and the RFID system is already in use at the Disney water parks. In a nutshell, paper soft drink cups and refillable mugs contain RFID (radio frequency identification) chips, which are activated at the time of purchase.
Each time you place your cup or mug under a soft drink tab to fill it, a sensor in the machine first verifies that the cup is valid before dispensing any liquid. A screen on the machine tells you how many refils you have remaining. We've heard that the paper cups come with four valid fills within a two-hour window.
The new refillable mugs are priced based on the number of consecutive days you wish to use the mug:
- 1 day – $8.99
- 2 days – $11.99
- 3 days – $14.99
- Length of stay – $17.99
The length-of-stay option is capped at 14 consecutive days, but we've heard that restaurant leads can override this at the time of purchase if you can demonstrate that you have a hotel reservation lasting longer than two weeks.
Sharp-eyed MousePad moderator GusMan noticed that the sign says you can “enjoy refills…at any resort” once you've purchased the mug. Disney's current official policy restricts refill to just the resort where you're staying, though the discontinuation of the resort-specific mugs makes this more difficult to enforce than in the past. If this is truly a policy change, and guests can carry their mugs and refill them at any resort hotel, that might take a bit of the sting out of the new pricing.
Scoobydooby says one major pain with the new system is the enforced wait between filling and refilling a mug. The system has a five-minute delay between refills, likely to prevent someone from using one mug to refill other cups. On a hot Florida day, where it's not hard to down a 20-ounce drink in seconds, waiting five minutes for a refill is a hassle. Fortunately, cold water continues to be free and has no waiting period between refils. MousePlanet reader currence posted this reminder, “For all the people that down the first cup and then fill up again, please consider making the first cup plain water. It's so much better for you .”
Disney Cruise Line news roundup
There are a few interesting notes from the Disney Cruise Line:
- DCL bans smoking on stateroom verandahs on all cruises beginning November 15, 2013. The line already bans smoking inside the ship, and restricts where passengers can smoke on the open decks, but has allowed passengers to smoke on the balconies of their staterooms. This new policy limits smokers to specific places and times on the ship, and comes with a stiff $250 “stateroom recovery fee” for passengers caught smoking in their rooms or balconies.
- Platinum, Gold, and select Silver Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Members will receive a $100 onboard credit when they book a 4- or 5-night Disney Magic cruise departing from Miami November 1 through December 18, 2013 (but excluding November 24 and December 8, 2013). Contact Disney Cruise Line or your travel agent to take advantage of this offer.
- Spoonful.com is hosting a contest, and the winner will be among the first to sail on the Disney Magic on October 27 after the ship returns from dry dock and refurbishment. You can enter on the official contest page once per day through August 31, 2013.
- DCL has relaxed the dress code for the main dining room, and will now allow passengers to wear shorts to dinner. The change in dress code applies only to the three main dining rooms; the policy remains the same for Palo and Remy.
Construction update
Jeff Kober caught up on happenings around Walt Disney World this weekend.
The Transportation and Ticketing Center toll booth has a new paint job, and it appears a new booth for cast members is under construction. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
The new bus parking area at the Magic Kingdom had new asphalt and pavers. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A few months ago, a “Counting House” for Visa was established near the Haunted Mansion. The old one is closed, and a new “Counting House” has opened near the Liberty Belle station. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel is closed for a major refurbishment. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A “behind-the-wall” look of the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel shows that the entire flooring is being replaced. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Princess Fairy Tale Hall has a new “canopy” at its entrance. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
To add authenticity and theming, wooden beams are being placed underneath the mine train tracks. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A new arrivals building is under construction at the Villas of Disney's Grand Floridian. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
New MyMagic+ hosting stations vary from park to park. Here at Epcot, they seem more mobile and temporary. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This MyMagic+ kiosk at the tip board almost stands alone on its own with little explanation or context. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
The Fountain View has a new sign as part of the transformation from an ice cream stand to a Starbucks. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Registration now open for MouseAdventure World Explorers
Join us on November 16 and 17 for an exploration of Walt Disney World like no other. Our fifth Florida MouseAdventure event takes players all around Walt Disney World in a two-day challenge that is sure to make you see WDW in a whole new light.
Registration for our two-day MouseAdventure World Explorers event in Walt Disney World is now open online at MouseAdventure.com.
Pricing for this two-day event is $175 for a team of at least two players up to a maximum of four players. Registration does not include park admission (park hopper admission is required; water park admission is not).
The Coast to Coast Challenge
Every team that participated in the Spring 2013 MouseAdventure event in Disneyland and plays in MouseAdventure World Explorers V in Florida, will receive a special recognition of their dedication.
And, for the true competitors, there will be a special prize awarded to the team with the highest combined score for the Spring 2013 MouseAdventure Musical event at Disneyland and MouseAdventure World Explorers V in Florida. This prize will be awarded at the resort results meet in Florida.
To participate in this challenge, teams must have a score from the Spring 2013 MouseAdventure Musical event at Disneyland (Basic or Advanced division) and complete the Fall 2013 event in Walt Disney World. The majority of players from the team must participate in both events.
Quick takes…
…Downtown Disney floating restaurant Cap'n Jack's has closed as part of the Disney Springs construction. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the restaurant opened in 1975 as part of the original Disney Village development.
…A continuing reminder to those planning a stay at the All-Star Sports Resort in the coming months: The hotel's food court is now closed for refurbishment through mid-December. During this time, snacks and drinks will be available from a grab-and-go location in the former arcade, which was recently converted to this purpose. Hot food will be available from the All-Star Music Food Court, with Disney offering bus service between the resorts. Both the new food court and the restored arcade are expected to reopen in December.
…The Orlando Sentinel reports that 59-year-old Joseph Cionzynski of Pennsylvania was arrested on charges of video voyeurism after allegedly using his cell phone to take photos of an 8-year-old boy in a restroom at Animal Kingdom. Disney has issued a trespass warning against Cionzynski, banning him from Disney property.
Are we looking for you?Do you write or blog about Walt Disney World or Disney-related topics? Do you have a Disney-related YouTube channel or independent website? If so, we want to meet you. MousePlanet is looking for established writers to cover new areas of the Disney universe, including the international Parks and Resorts.If you are interested in learning how your blog or site can work with MousePlanet, or you have an idea for a great new column, please contact us—we'd love to hear from you! |
Crowd Forecast
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Advertisement Crowd information and forecasts are provided by TouringPlans.com, the website of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, to help you better plan your trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. TouringPlans.com gathers wait time data from a team of in-park researchers and users of their Lines mobile phone application, and then predicts crowd levels for the next 365 days. Using a scale from 1 to 10, TouringPlans.com has a 90 percent accuracy of predicting the crowds to within 1 point, helping visitors prepare for their trips so they can “Do more. Wait less.”
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Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Adrienne here.
Talk about these stories and more on our Walt Disney World discussion forum here.
Resort Events
2013
- Night of Joy – September 6–7
- Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – September 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 29; October 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1.
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – September 27 to November 11
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend – October 4–5
- EasyWDW.com reports that Disney Hollywood Studios will close at 6 p.m. on October 26 due to a private event for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Holiday Time at Walt Disney World – begins November 8
- Opening night for Osbourn Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – November 8
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22; and December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20.
- Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 8–9
- MouseAdventure World Explorers V – November 16–17. Keep an eye on our MouseAdventure Facebook page, and register for our MouseAdventure Newsletters for more details as they are announced.
- Candlelight Processional – November 29 through December 30. Dining packages go on sale July 9.
2014
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 9–12
- Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 21–23
runDisney events and capacity updates
2013
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Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend – October 4–5.
- October 5 (a.m.): Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run – 90%
- October 5 (a.m.): runDisney Kids' Races – 57%
- October 5 (p.m.): The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler – Sold out
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October 5 (p.m.) – 6 (a.m.): Disney Villains Hollywood Bash – 51%
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Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 8–9.
- November 8 (p.m.): Wine & Dine Pre-race Taste – 87%
- November 9 (a.m.): runDisney Kids' Races – 54%
- November 9 (a.m.): Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K – 87%
- November 9 (p.m.): Wine & Dine Half Marathon – Sold Out
- November 9 (p.m.): Finish Line Party – 54%
2014
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Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 9–12. Final cost increase August 14, 2013
- January 9: Family Fun Run 5K – Sold Out
- January 10: 10K – Sold Out
- January 11: Half Marathon – Sold Out
- January 12: Marathon – Sold Out
- January 11-12: Goofy Challenge (half and full) – 85%
- January 9–11: runDisney Kids' Races – 51%
- January 9–11: Pasta Party in the Park – 51%
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January 9–12: Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, half, and full) – Sold Out
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Disney's Princess Half-Marathon Weekend – February 21–23.
- February 21: Disney Royal Family 5k
- February 21–22: runDisney Kids' Races
- February 22: Enchanted 10k – Sold out
- February 23: Disney's Princess Half Marathon – Sold out
- February 22–23: Glass Slipper Challenge (Enchanted 10k and Disney's Princess Half Marathon) – Sold out
Do 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.
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Magic Kingdom
- Enchanted Tiki Room – closed July 31 through August 28 for refurbishment.
- Prince Charming Regal Carousel – closed August 1–21 for refurbishment.
- Liberty Belle – closed August 5–9 for refurbishment.
- Jungle Cruise – closed August 19 through September 30 for refurbishment.
- Cinderella's Royal Table – closed September 10–13 for refurbishment. [No longer showing on the official refurbishment list; check to confirm before your visit]
- Peter Pan – closed September 30 through November 13 for refurbishment.
- Walt Disney World Railroad – closed September 30 through November 20 for refurbishment.
- Princess Fairytale Hall – opens 2013.
Epcot
- Fountain View Ice Cream – closed through early September for conversion to Starbucks location.
- Spaceship Earth – closed August 18–24 for refurbishment.
- New rest room between America and Japan pavilions – scheduled to open Fall 2013.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Muppet*Vision 3D – closed August 6 through September 2 for refurbishment.
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground – closed September 3 through November 19 for refurbishment.
- Both parades (Disney Channel Rocks and Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade) have ended their run. No new parades have been announced.
Animal Kingdom
- No known refurbishments.
- Festival of the Lion King scheduled to move to a new theater—currently under construction—sometime in 2014. No dates have been announced.
Resorts
As reported in July, some refrigerators in non-Disney Vacation Club rooms at Walt Disney World are being replaced due to a product defect. All Walt Disney World Resort rooms with the exception of DVC Villas, the family suites at the Art of Animation and All-Star Movie resorts, and the cabins at Fort Wilderness are impacted. Disney says “the schedule for replacing the refrigerators at these Resorts is expected to last several months.”
In the interim, if you have a reservation at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel and need a refrigerator for medical reasons,we recommend contacting your resort directly to inquire about availability during your trip. The hotel should be able to arrange for one if your room does not yet have a new refrigerator, but supplies may be limited while they work to replace all of the malfunctioning units. Remember, Value resorts do not include in-room refrigerators.
- All-Star Movies – feature icons refurbishment through September 20.
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All-Star Music
- Feature icons refurbishment through September.
- Melody Hall guest check in parking renovation – June 13 through August 7
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All-Star Sports
- Feature icons refurbishment through September 20.
- Arcade closed for conversion into a temporary grab-and-go food location. Expected to reopen in December.
- Food court closed August 5 through mid-December for refurbishment. During this time, snacks and drinks will be available from a grab-and-go location in the former arcade. Hot food will be available from the All-Star Music Food Court, and Disney will offer bus service between the resorts.
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Contemporary Resort
- California Grill closed through late summer for refurbishment.
- Guest elevator renovations – through December 8
- Grand Floridian – convention center parking lot refurbishment August 5–7
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Polynesian
- Soft goods replacement in guest rooms through October 4
- Volcano pool closed September 9–20 for refurbishment.
- Pop Century – feature icons refurbishment through October 2
- Port Orleans French Quarter – lodge building window frame and shutter painting through August 20
- Port Orleans Riverside – bridge and bus stop vine removal and painting through August 30
- Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – grandstand pook closed August 25 through September 14
- Yacht and Beach Club – Beach Club Villas sidewalk will be repaired through August 6
- Wilderness Lodge – main building exterior repairs through August 5
Water Parks
- Typhoon Lagoon – closed October 27, 2013 through January 4, 2014 for refurbishment.
Elsewhere
- Disney Palm Golf Course – closed through mid-November for refurbishment.
- Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays. Will not be performed on the following 2013 dates: September 17–21 and November 5–6
Current Discounts & Promotions
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Discounts for everyone |
Free Dining in SeptemberFirst Disney announced a new Free Dining offer for U.K. residents, then an offer for Disney Visa cardholders visiting selected dates this September. Now the September Free Dining offer is available without using a Disney Visa card. Check in at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel from September 2 to 25 and stay three to 14 nights, and everyone in your party gets free dining. Stay at a:
There are some restrictions:
For full details, visit the Disney special offer site. PhotoPass+ pre-arrival discountDisney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney PhotoPass+ pre-arrival packages. For $149.95 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 more than 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 are charged to all orders. This special offer is only available from this link or by calling the Guest Support line at (407) 560-4300 before you arrive at Walt Disney World Resort. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund. The package might 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, and Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.
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Discounts for Annual Passholders |
Passholder room discounts June 4 through August 15A discount for annual passholders is available for most dates June 4 through August 15. Advance reservations required. 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, three-bedroom Grand Villas, and standard rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort are not included. Discounts vary by accommodation type and date, and availability varies by date. Moderate and Deluxe Resort suites may be available at a lower discount – check with your travel agent. Full details on the offer website. (AP login required) You can make your reservation through the Walt Disney World Passholder website or by calling (407) 939-7926 or your favorite travel agent. MousePlanet's preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).
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Discounts for Disney Visa cardholders |
20% off select guided toursDisney Visa cardholders receive 20% 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% off select restaurantsDisney Visa cardholders receive 10% 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.
10% off merchandiseDisney Visa cardholders receive 10% 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. Free 5×7 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 5 guests. The event is hosted daily from 1pm – 7pm inside Innoventions West at Epcot. You'll recieve one free 5 x 7 character photo per day.
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Discounts for Florida residents |
Florida resident hotel offersThe Waldorf Astoria Orlando has announced Florida resident rates valid through September 5. Residents receive 10 percent off of the best available rate, along with free transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort. Book using the Florida resident offer website. The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort has announced Florida resident rates valid through September 5. Residents receive 10 percent off of the best available rate, along with free transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort. Book using the Florida Resident offer website.
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Discounts for US Military |
2012-13 Military Salute offerFrom now through September 28, 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. These tickets expire after September 28. Blockout dates are March 24 through April 4 at all ticketed locations, and July 4 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 four-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. You may upgrade the tickets 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 through September 28. 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. 2013-14 Military Salute offerFrom August 12, 2013, through September 24, 2014, 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 $169 per ticket, plus tax (up from $156 last year), or with both the Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun and More options for $198 per ticket, plus tax (up from $184). No Base ticket is available with this offer. These tickets are valid September 29, 2013, through September 27, 2014. Blockout dates December 20–31, 2013 and April 13–20, 2014,at all ticketed locations; and July 4 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 four-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. You may upgrade the tickets 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 through September 27, 2014 with the exception of the following blockout periods:
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.
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Discounts for UK residents |
2014 Free Dining offer for UK residents2014 Free Dining offers for UK residents have been released. From the information posted on the Virgin Holidays website, it appears the 2014 program offers free Quick Service Dining Plan plan when booking at a Moderate resort, and free Dining Plan when booking at Deluxe resorts, Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. There are also offers for a free $200 Disney Gift Card and/or a 14-day ticket for the price of a 7-day ticket depending on travel dates. These particular offers are valid for UK residents only. |
