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Walt Disney World Resort Update

December 23, 2014 by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Update for December 23 – 29, 2014

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions

News and Views

Apple Pay and Google Wallet payments begin this week | Holiday views around the World | This and That | Crowd update
[Marie Rossiter has the holiday week off to spend with her family. She returns next week to catch up on all the news from Florida, including the debut of the controversial new lobby at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.]

Apple Pay and Google Wallet payments begin this week

Beginning tomorrow (Christmas Eve), select Walt Disney World locations begin accepting payments via Apple Pay and Google Wallet smartphone technology. Customers wearing Disney MagicBands will also be able to make payments at many of these locations, using the device's tapping method. Those using their smartphones need nly hold their supported device near the payment terminal to initiate payment.

For now, Apple Pay and similar systems will be accepted at ticket booths, and at most Disney-owned stores, bars, and quick service restaurants. Table service restaurants, and shops, and eateries owned by Disney's operating participants may yet not be set up to handle wireless payments. Look for the Universal Wireless Payment symbol (below) to identify locations that accept Apple Pay.

Holiday views around the World

This week, please provide a warm MousePlanet welcome to new our new photo contributor Alan Dalinka. Alan shares a few images from Disney's Holiday Studios in his photographic debut.

Classic holiday decorations accent the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan Dalinka.

The dancing Minnie ornaments, a popular holiday display at Disney's Hollywood Studios, are back for 2014. Photo by Alan Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios welcomes back Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special as part of its special entertainment offerings for the holidays, and has added the show to the Fastpass+ offerings. Photo by Alan Dalinka.

The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special is presented at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Superstar Television Theater (the former home of the American Idol Experience) from December 20, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Photo by Alan Dalinka.

The part-holiday show, part-improvisational comedy experience offers a family-friendly and humorous spin on the holiday season, including on-the-spot Christmas carols, improvised retellings of classic holiday stories, and more. Photo by Alan Dalinka.

Many longtime former Pleasure Island performers and musicians perform the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan Dalinka.

Construction walls were recently removed to reveal the new “Trolley Cafe” on the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This former store location is expected to be the new home of Starbucks in the park.

The bottom portion of the Trolley Car Cafe sign, likely the Starbucks logo, is still covered. Photo by Alan Dalinka.

MousePlanet contributing photographer Jeff Kober visited the Polynesian Village Resort right before the construction walls came down, and shares these photos:

A new title has been given to the former Neverland Club, as it now has become Lilo's Playhouse. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Work is proceeding on the pool area of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

A preview of the new lobby at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, including the new water feature some have dubbed the “pile o' rocks.” Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

New decorations can be found in the New Fantasyland, such as here at Maurice's cottage. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Huge trees and shrubs were completely removed along the walkway leading up to Cinderella Castle. In its place are much more low lying vegetation. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

More details of the hub renovation are revealed as work continues. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

A new attraction poster for “Wishes, presented by Pandora” is displayed at the entrance to Magic Kingdom. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

This and That

…2015 is the final year runDisney is holding the Expedition Everest Challenge, and runners eager to add that medal to their collection helped the event sell out in under three hours. Non-runners can still register for the post-event party at Animal Kingdom.

…The One Group announced last week that a new location of its STK chain of high-end steakhouses will open at Disney Springs in 2015. STK's other locations include tony spots like New York, Beverly Hills, London, and Las Vegas. STK Orlando will occupy a 14,000 square-foot, 2-story building in The Landing.

…Tusker House at Disney's Animal Kingdom park is expanding character dining into dinner, starting March 8. Until now, character dining was an option only at breakfast or lunch. The base price for the new character dinner offering is $41.99 for adults ($19.99 for children ages 3-9), though prices will likely be higher during peak season.

…Walt Disney World has posted a casting call for “male and female a cappella vocalists of all ethnicities for a new entertainment offering.” Auditions are scheduled for Atlanta (Georgia), Orlando, and New York City in January.

…The Disney Cruise Line has posted a casting call for male dancers and tumblers for the new Tangled show, expected to debut on the Disney Magic cruise ship next year.

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Seeking Shutterbugs

Are you a frequent visitor to the WDW theme parks? Do you love taking and sharing photos of the lastest happenings around the World?

Would you like to be paid for your work?

MousePlanet is seeking Orlando-based photographers to share their theme park observations and photos with our readers. If you're an excellent photographer with strong communication skills, please contact us—we'd love to hear from you!

Crowd Forecast

Advertisement

“Do more. Wait less.”

December's crowds are divided into two categories – “busy” most of the month and “crazy” when the month ends. The period between December 27th and January 2nd is the single busiest time of the year, by far. Some wait times will reach astronomical levels. Visit in early or mid-December however, and you will enjoy one of our favorite times of the year.

TouringPlans.com can help you avoid falling into the typical tourist pitfalls with our per-park Crowd Calendar, Lines – Mobile Wait Times App that gives access to current and estimated wait times for attractions, and Touring Plans detailing the best plan of attack for hitting the attractions. Now more than ever, it's a good time to subscribe to TouringPlans.com to plan your strategy to avoid the crowds!

Below are the predicted resort-wide crowd numbers for select days generated by the TouringPlans professional statisticians as measured for the upcoming week. For the access to the full year and per-park crowd level predictions, visit our Crowd Calendar.

Date Overall
Tuesday, December 23, 2014 8 / 10
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 10 / 10
Thursday, December 25, 2014 10 / 10
Friday, December 26, 2014 10 / 10

Check out the Disney World Park Crowd Levels page on TouringPlans.com for park-specific predictions and recommendations on which days to visit and avoid particular parks!

  • Tuesday is the best day to visit the Magic Kingdom.
  • The resort crowd level on Saturday 10 out of 10.
  • Following a Touring Plan is important when crowd levels spike at the park you're visiting!

See Disney World crowds for the next 365 days.
Get Disney World wait times on your iPhone, Android or smartphone.
Do more. Wait less.

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Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Stephanie here.
Talk about these stories and more on our Walt Disney World discussion forum here.

Resort Events

2014

  • Richard Petty's Junior Ride-Along Experience – at the Richard Petty's Driving Experience

2015

  • Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 7–11, 2015.
  • Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 19–22, 2015.

runDisney events

If you participate in (or are considering signing up for) runDisney events, visit our Team MousePlanet forum on the MousePad discussion board, where you can join our community of health-minded readers and staff.

2015

  • Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 7–11, 2015. Most events sold out.
  • Disney Castaway Cay Challenge – January 12, 2015 – sailing on the Disney Dream cruise ship.
  • Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 19–22, 2015. All races are sold out, but some associated events are still available.
  • Expedition Everest Challenge – May 1–2, 2015. The event is sold out.
  • Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 6–7. Registration opens March 17, 2015.

2016

  • Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 6–10, 2016. Registration opens April 28, 2015.
  • Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 18–21, 2016. Registration opens July 14, 2015.

For current information on registration dates and capacity, see Lorree Tachell's runDisney Race Capacity Updates in the Team MousePlanet forum on our MousePad discussion board.


Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

  • Wishes Nighttime Spectacular – replaced December 20–31 by Holiday Wishes.
  • Splash Mountain – closed January 4–30, 2015.
  • Cinderella's Royal Table – closed January 5 through March 6, 2015 for refurbishment.
  • Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 23–27, 2015 for refurbishment.
  • Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid – closed February 2 through March 6, 2015 for refurbishment.
  • Harmony Barber Shop – closed February 2 through March 30, 2015 (dates subject to change).
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed March 4– 7, 2015 for refurbishment
  • “it's a small world” – closed March 10–15, 2015 for refurbishment

Disney's Animal Kingdom

  • Flame Tree Barbecue – January 5 through March 31, 2015
  • Kali River Rapids – closed January 20 through February 4, 2105; March 10–13, 2015.

Resorts

  • Polynesian – Never Land Club Children's Activity Center closed for refurbishment through January 1, 2015.
  • Polynesian – refurbishment of the lobby ongoing.

Water Parks

  • Blizzard Beach – the the entire park closed January 4, 2015 through March 3, 2015.

Elsewhere

  • Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed.
  • Downtown Disney Lots H, I, J, and K (in Westside area) closed until further notice for Disney Springs construction.
  • Downtown Disney Bridge 4 and restrooms on Pleasure Island are temporarily closed for ongoing construction work.
  • Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.

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

2014 Free Dining offer for general public

Sue from Small World Vacations reports the general public can book Stay/Play/Dine Discounts through December 29, 2014. Offer details:

Stay / Play / Dine Discounted Magic Your Way Packages

  • Stay, Play and Dine Discount Requires a 3-night stay with at least 2 days of tickets.
  • Booking Dates: Now through December 29, 2014
  • Travel Dates: Now through December 20, 2014; January 5 through March 7, 2015.
  • Not all dates and resorts available. Subject to availability
  • Disney Value Resorts: Magic Your Way with Quick Service Dining Package Required
  • Disney Moderate, Deluxes and Deluxe Vacation Villa Resorts: Magic Your Way Plus Dine Package Required
  • Excludes: Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney's Art of Animation, Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian, Disney's Bay Lake Tower, Disney's Fort Wilderness Campsites, Disney's Polynesian Villas, 3-bedroom Villas at Disney's Deluxe Vacation Villa Resorts

Room Only Discount – Tickets and Dining Can be Added

  • Booking Dates: Now through December 29, 2014
  • Travel January 5 through March 28, 2015
  • Excludes Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney's Art of Animation, Disney's Grand Floridian Villas, Disney's Bay Lake Tower, Disney's Fort Wilderness Campsites, Disney's Polynesian Villas, all 3-bedroom villas at Disney's Deluxe Villa Resorts
  • All Discounts are not guaranteed and are subject to limited availability.

Specific discounts:

  • Disney Value Resorts (except Disney's All Star Movies) – 15% weekends; 20% weekdays

    • Disney's All Star Movies – 10% weekends; 15% weekdays
  • Disney's Moderate Resorts (except as listed below) – 25% weekdays; 20% weekends

    • Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter – 10% weekend; 15% weekday
    • Disney's Coronado Springs Suites – 10% weekday and weekend
  • Disney Deluxe Resorts (unless listed below) – 30% weekday and weekend

    • Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah View and Club Level – 20% weekday and weekend
    • Disney Deluxe Resort Suites – 10% weekday and weekend
    • Disney Deluxe Vacation Villas – 30% weekday and weekend: Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Beach Club Villas and BoardWalk Villas 
    • Villas at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – 20% weekday and weekend 

Call your travel agent, contact Small World Vacations, or call Walt Disney Travel at (407) 939-7741 to book these offers.


Memory Maker pre-arrival discount

Disney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney Memory Maker pre-arrival packages. For $199 plus tax, Walt Disney World guests can digitally download any photos associated with their Memory Maker account, including photos taken on attractions. The advanced purchase price is $169, a $30 savings. Applicable taxes are charged to all orders.

Purchase must be made more than three days prior to arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund.


Discounts for Annual Passholders

 None at this time.

Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA & Debit Card Holders

Room and ticket discount for travel dates from February 24 through June 15

No discounts available March 6–14 and April 13–19. Buy a minimum four day ticket and get a day free.

Room discounts include:

  • 5 percent off All Star Movies, Port Orleans French Quarter, Bay Lake Tower, suites at Coronado Springs
  • 15 percent off Art of Animation family suites
  • 20 percent off select rooms at Wilderness Lodge & Villas, Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas, Beach Club Villas
  • 25 percent off Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, Cabins at Ft Wilderness
  • 30 percent off Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Boardwalk Villas, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Polynesian Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge

20 percent off select guided tours

Disney Visa cardholders receive 20 percent off the non-discounted price of selected guided tours for up to 10 people. The cardholder must participate in the tour, and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card. Tours included:

  • Magic Kingdom Park

    • Disney's Family Magic Tour
    • Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour
    • Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour
    • Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour
  • Epcot

    • Gardens of the World (offered seasonally)
    • The UnDISCOVERed Future World
    • Disney's Dolphins in Depth
    • Epcot DiveQuest
    • Epcot Seas Aqua Tours
    • Epcot Behind the Seeds (15 percent discount)
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

    • Wild by Design
    • Backstage Safari
  • Multiple Theme Parks and Backstage Areas

    • Backstage Magic
    • Disney's Holiday D-Lights (offered seasonally)
    • Disney's Yuletide Fantasy (offered seasonally)

10 percent off select restaurants

Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off the check when you pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Discount excludes alcohol.

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Sanaa (Lunch)
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort – The Wave (Breakfast and Lunch)
  • Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground – Trail's End Restaurant (Breakfast and Lunch)
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort – Olivia's Café (Breakfast and Lunch)
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Turf Club (Lunch)
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge – Whispering Canyon Café (Lunch)
  • Disney's Yacht Club Resort – Captain's Grill (Breakfast and Lunch)

10 percent off merchandise

Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off at participating Disney-owned retail location when you spend a minimum of $50 and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Read all of the restrictions on the Disney Visa website.


Free 5″ x 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 five guests. The event is hosted daily from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. inside Innoventions West at Epcot. You'll receive one free 5″ x 7″ character photo per day.


Discounts for Florida Residents

 None at this time.

Discounts for U.K. Residents

 None at this time.


Discounts for Canada Residents

 None at this time.


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

 

 

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  • Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
    Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

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Filed Under: Walt Disney World Resort Update

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