Update for November 5 – 11, 2013
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News and Views
New Club Cool flavors debut | Frozen greetings | New early 2014 vacation package | Festival of the Masters | Art auction for a cause | Construction Update |Quick takes | Crowd update
New flavors come to Club Cool
Coca-Cola has changed up the free flavors on tap at Club Cool in Epcot. China's Smart Watermelon and Germany's Mezzo-Mix are out. The new flavor lineup includes two from South America, and two from Africa. Inka Kola hails from Peru, while Guarana Kuat, made from the guarana fruit, comes from Brazil. Sparberry, a raspberry-flavored cream soda from Zimbabawe, shares a space next to Bibo from South Africa. Although some flavors have been lost, it appears Beverly is here to stay.
The current Club Cool flavor lineup. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Elsa and Anna from Frozen now appearing in Norway
The two sisters from the upcoming film Frozen have begun greeting guests in an area of the Puffins' Roost store in Epcot's Norway. Anna and Elsa appear daily on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then at 4:50 p.m., 5:50 p.m,. and 6:50 p.m. Not yet open is an exhibit that highlights Norwegian culture and the natural beauty that provided inspiration for the film. You can now, however, view a display of the animation art from the film in the Art of Animation building at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Anna and Elsa greet guests daily in Epcot. Photo by Jeff Kober.
New discount for families with children
A new discount offer for families with young children has just been released for stays from January 5 through February 12, 2014. The advertised rate for the package is $999 for a family of three staying on a 3-night, 2-day Magic Your Way Room and Ticket Package with Quick Service Dining at select Disney Value Resorts. The base rate applies to a standard room, excluding Disney's Art of Animation Resort, with an occupancy of two adults and one child (ages 3 to 9). To book this package, contact a travel agent, such as our sponsors Small World Vacations or Mouse Ear Vacations.
Festival of the Masters coming to Downtown Disney
The annual Festival of the Masters pageant is coming to Downtown Disney this weekend, from Friday, November 8 through Sunday November 10. The show features over 130 artists; some displaying their work for sale, while others crafting elaborate chalk drawings on the sidewalks. For more information on participating artists, visit the official website.
More art for a cause
A charity art auction benefitting Walt Disney Imagineering Design Consultant Dan Colonna is happening this coming Saturday, November 9 in Winter Garden, Florida. Dan is battling glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer), and all the proceeds from the auction go toward funding his medical treatment.
A large group of central Florida artists, including Walt Disney Imagineers, have donated art for this auction. For more details, check out the event listing on Facebook. One example of an art piece that will be auctioned off is shown in this twitter post from Jason Grandt (@43SquareMiles on Twitter):
This Saturday night… Figment and where you can find him… https://t.co/WYEGQulE8I pic.twitter.com/be0F83Z0ey
— Jason Grandt (@43SquareMiles) November 5, 2013
Construction Update
Take a quick trip with us around the resort to check on construction progress:
“it's a small world” video screens are ready for the new Disney Story Maker experience. Photo by Jeff Kober.
The kiosk adjacent to the Little Mermaid area of New Fantasyland will be a Disney Vacation Club location rather than a retail shop. The squid weather vane recalls the the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction that previously occupied the space. Photo by Jeff Kober.
The brown steel frame outlines the shape of the Seven Dwarfs' house. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Some of the construction walls around Morocco's new Spice Road Table restaurant are down, revealing its exterior detail. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Boardwalks to the new over-water bungalows are under construction at the Polynesian Resort. Photo by Jeff Kober.
A new bridge will improve access to Downtown Disney for Saratoga Springs guests. Photo by Jeff Kober.
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa have opened, with decor that reflects the typical Disney attention to detail.
The new Grand Floridian Villas feature many nods to Mary Poppins, including this penguin fountain. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Artwork on walls resembles the chalk drawings from the film's Jolly Holiday sequence. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Carousel horses flank the lobby seating area. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Mary Poppins' umbrella indicates what floor the elevator is on. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Quick takes…
…A new outdoor lounge seating area has opened at The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Drinks and small bites are on the menu, and the area is for drop-ins only. Tables in Wonderland discounts are accepted, but the lounge does not participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
…Fantasyland cast members are sporting new costumes.
The women's and men's version of the costume is very similar. Photo by Jeff Kober.
…Chase cardholders may gain access to the American Adventure lounge, upstairs in the attraction, in addition to the Chase lounge located at the Food & Wine Festival Center.
The American Adventure lounge offers comfortable seating, as well as coffee and soft drinks. Photo by Jeff Kober.
…The LEGO store in Downtown Disney is hosting a Master Builder event this weekend, November 8–10, as part of the 38th annual Festival of the Masters event taking place in Downtown Disney. This year's Master Builder sculpture is a Star Wars TIE Fighter. All participants in this free event receive a certificate, and have the opportunity to receive a free Republic Frigate LEGO with a LEGO Star Wars purchase of $50 or more.
…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, just enter your e-mail in the box below.
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Crowd Forecast
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Resort Events
2013
- Festival of the Masters – November 8-10 at Downtown Disney
- Holiday Time at Walt Disney World – begins November 8
- Opening night for Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – November 8
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22; December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20.
- Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 8–9
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – through November 11
- 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 on sale now.
- Pop Warner Football – December 6–14. Participants are staying at Disney's All-Star Resorts, Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, and Pop Century Resort.
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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Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 8–9.
- November 8 (p.m.): Wine & Dine Pre-race Taste – Sold Out
- November 9 (a.m.): runDisney Kids' Races – Sold Out
- November 9 (a.m.): Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K – Sold Out
- November 9 (p.m.): Wine & Dine Half Marathon – Sold Out
- November 9 (p.m.): Finish Line Party – Sold Out
2014
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Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 9–12.
- 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) – Sold Out
- January 9–11: runDisney Kids' Races – 55%
- January 9–11: Pasta Party in the Park – 51%
- 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 – 52%
- February 21–22: runDisney Kids' Races – 54%
- 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
- Peter Pan – closed through November 13 for refurbishment.
- “it's a small world” – closed December 1–12 for refurbishment.
- Splash Mountain – closed January 6, 2014 through March 22, 2014 for refurbishment.
Epcot
- No known refurbishments.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground – closed through November 19 for refurbishment.
- Lights, Motors, Action stunt show – closed November 18–22 for refurbishment.
- Studio Backlot Tour – closed January 5 through March 1, 2014 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.
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All-Star Sports
- Arcade closed for conversion into a temporary grab-and-go food location. Expected to reopen in December.
- Food court closed 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.
- Polynesian – Access to the east portion of the Polynesian Beach (closest to the Transportation and Ticket Center), as well as Sunset Point will be unavailable due to a scheduled refurbishment. Some rooms in certain room categories in impacted buildings have been taken off the market during the renovation period. No completion date given at this time.
- Wilderness Lodge Villas – Hidden Springs Pool closed until November 15 for installation of gates and fence.
Water Parks
- Typhoon Lagoon – closed through December 21, 2013 for refurbishment.
- Blizzard Beach – closed December 23, 2013 through March 15, 2014 for refurbishment.
Elsewhere
- Disney Palm Golf Course – closed through mid-November for refurbishment.
- Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed to play.
- Downtown Disney Lots H, I, J, and K (in Westside area) closed until further notice for Disney Springs construction.
- Downtown Disney Wetzels Pretzels – closed for refurbishment.
- Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays. Will not be performed on the following 2013 dates: November 5–6
Current Discounts & Promotions
Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the intended audience. Check out the category that best matches you, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!
Discounts for Everyone |
Room Discounts Through December 23 A discount of up to 30 percent off regular room rates is available at select resorts for most nights from November 10 through November 22 and November 30 through December 23. Advance reservations required. As with all discounts, rooms available at these rates are 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. Book by November 3 for reservations from November 10 through November 22 and November 30 through December 23. 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).
Save up to 35% on Walt Disney World resort rooms January 5, 2014 through April 12, 2014 Special rates for resort hotels (excluding Art of Animation Little Mermaid rooms, Fort Wilderness campsites, the Villas at Grand Floridian, and 3-bedroom villas). Book through December 31. Advanced booking required. Use booking code JHO. Discounts include:
Additional details are available on our MousePad forum. PhotoPass+ pre-arrival discount Disney'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 |
Save up to 35% on Walt Disney World resort rooms through November 22 and November 30 to December 24 Florida resident rates for resort hotels (excluding Art of Animation Little Mermaid rooms, Fort Wilderness campsites, the Villas at Grand Floridian, and 3-bedroom villas). Book through December 14. Discounts include:
Read full details here (passholder login required). Up to 35% off Tickets to Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba Passholders can purchase $69 (plus tax) Category 2 tickets or $79 (plus tax) Category 1 tickets for Tuesday to Saturday performances on the following dates:
Passholders may purchase tickets for themselves and up to 3 guests. Advanced purchase required. A current, valid annual pass must be presented at the box office to receive the discount when picking up tickets. To purchase tickets, call (407) 939-7328. |
Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA & Debit Card Holders |
20% off select guided tours Disney 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 restaurants Disney 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 merchandise Disney 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. |
Discounts for Florida Residents |
Save up to 35% on Walt Disney World resort rooms through November 22 and November 30 to December 24 Florida resident rates for resort hotels (excluding Art of Animation Little Mermaid rooms, Fort Wilderness campsites, the Villas at Grand Floridian, and 3-bedroom villas). Book through December 14. Discounts include:
Read full details here. |
Discounts for U.K. Residents |
2014 Free Dining offer for U.K. residents 2014 Free Dining offers for U.K. 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 U.K. residents only. |
