Walt Disney World Resort Update for August 9-15, 2016

Walt Disney World Resort Update for August 9–15, 2016

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News and Views

Holiday Season discounts released for November and December travel | Memory Maker adds princess perk | Miss Fortune Falls coming to Typhoon Lagoon in 2017 | Wishes Gone Mad fireworks party | Tables in Wonderland news | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Holiday Season discounts released for November and December travel

If you're planning a visit to Walt Disney World this holiday season, take a look at these three new travel offers for stays most nights from November 6-10, November 13-22 and November 26 through December 21, 2016. All of these packages can be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today.

Holiday Season Savings room-only offer

Save 15–20% off the published rate for stays most nights from November 6-10, November 13-22 and November 26 through December 21, 2016.

• Save up to 20% off Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
• Save up to 15% off Disney Moderate Resorts
• Save up to 10% off Disney Value Resorts

The offer excludes the following hotels and room types:

Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.

You must book by October 8, 2016.

Holiday Season Kid-sized Vacation offer

This package is a variation of the holiday offer, but includes park tickets. The sample offer advertises a 2-day/3-night stay in a standard room at a select Disney's All-Star Resort, with one park per day Magic Your Way base tickets for $1,055 for a family of 3.

Valid for arrivals most nights from November 6-10, November 13-22 and November 26 through December 21, 2016. As with the Holiday Season Savings offer, you must book by October 8, 2016 and the following room types are excluded:

Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.

Holiday Season Family Magic offer

Another variant of the Holiday Season offer, this package is targeted towards families with older children. The sample package is based on two adults, a teen and a 'tween, and includes a 4-day/4-night stay in a standard room at a select Disney's All-Star Resort with one park per day Magic Your Way base tickets for $1,980.

Valid for arrivals most nights November 6-10, November 13-22 and November 26 through December 21, 2016. As with the other two offers, you must book by October 8, 2016 and the following room types are excluded:

Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.

Memory Maker adds princess perk

Disney is currently testing an incentive to encourage visitors to purchase the Memory Maker photography product this month. Customers who purchase Memory Maker now through August 31 also receive access to an exclusive Princess meet-and-greet at the Magic Kingdom. The benefit is also available to Walt Disney World annual passholders who have PhotoPass downloads as part of their passholder benefits.

This offering just opened over the weekend at the Heritage House in Liberty Square, and we haven't had a chance to check it out in person. It sounds similar to the exclusive Disney Visa meet-and-greet opportunities, in which there is no advance registration, reservation or Fastpass available or required. Visitors simply show up at the meet-and-greet location, present their qualifying material (in this case, a Magic Band with the Memory Maker entitlement linked, or qualifying annual passport), and wait in line.

Disney hasn't said which princess(es) will be at the meet-and-greet, but Belle was pictured in the promotional photo. The meet-and-greet is open from 11 a.m. – 5:40 p.m., August 7 to 31. Only one person from each party needs to have purchased the Memory Maker product, or have a qualifying annual pass, for the entire group to be granted entry.

Memory Maker is $169 when purchased for immediate use, or $149 if purchased at least three days before you plan to first use it. Memory Maker includes all PhotoPass photos taken during a 30-day window. PhotoPass photos and videos must be downloaded within 45 days of capture, after which they expire and can no longer be accessed. For more details or to purchase Memory Maker, visit the Walt Disney World website.

Miss Fortune Falls coming to Typhoon Lagoon in 2017

We shared in June a report from the Orlando Business Journal that Disney had filed plans to build a new “family raft ride” at Typhoon Lagoon. The Orlando Sentinel now reports that the new ride will be called Miss Fortune Falls, and will open in Spring, 2017.

According to the Sentinel article, the two-minute ride takes visitors through the collected treasures of the fictitious Capt. Mary Oceaneer, “a treasure hunter stranded at Typhoon Lagoon after a storm.”

Wishes Gone Mad fireworks party

By now Disney World regulars are used to hearing about added-cost “dessert parties” and reserved viewing areas for the nighttime entertainment, so this latest offering is really quite novel – it's absolutely free.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort currently hosts a free “Gone Mad Party” for viewing Magic Kingdom's Wishes fireworks on Wednesday nights. The party is open to the public with non-reserved seating for those arriving first. Beverages and desserts are available for sale. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A new Wishes Gone Mad fireworks party has launched at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The event takes place only on Wednesday evenings, at a viewing area adjacent to the Gasparilla Island Grill. The outdoor venue includes a themed seating area (which should be familiar to fans of the Mad T Party at Disney California Adventure), a live DJ, and a bar offering themed beverages and desserts for purchase.

Alan Dalinka attended the event last week, and notes that the viewing area provides a good view of both the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant. No reservations are required (or available), and you need not be a guest of the Grand Floridian Hotel to attend the event. However, be sure to check with the hotel before you head over to make sure the party is offered the night you want to go, as we don't know how long this trial will last.

The “Gone Mad Party” at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort provides a table full of hats and props for personal photo opportunities. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Electrical Water Pageant passes behind the bar area of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort's “Gone Mad Party.” The beverage/dessert queue was quite long on this night, and the only serving station ran out of desserts rather quickly. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Glowing ice cubes sit in drinks on tables that previously were used for Disney California Adventure's Mad T Party. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A very limited number of seats for the “Gone Mad Party” are themed chairs previously used at Disney California Adventure's Mad T Party. Additional seating is available on existing Disney's Grand Floridian patio furniture. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The “Gone Mad Party” provides a good view of Magic Kingdom's Wishes fireworks and includes the synchronized soundtrack. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Tables in Wonderland news

Tables in Wonderland is now accepted at four new restaurants in Walt Disney World. The additions are:

• Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar in Disney Springs
• Jungle Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom
• Nomad Lounge in Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Tiffins restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Tables in Wonderland members can also take advantage of a new 20% discount on merchandise at the World of Disney store, Tren-D, and Once Upon a Toy in the Disney Springs Marketplace, now through September 5, 2016. The discount can not be combined with any other offers, including Florida resident, passholder, Disney Vacation Club, or cast member discounts. Show your valid Tables in Wonderland card at checkout to receive the discount.

Finally, the 2017 Tables in Wonderland blockout dates have been released. The dates are:

• Easter Sunday – Sunday, April 16
• Mother's Day – Sunday, May 14
• Independence Day – Tuesday, July 4
• Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 23
• Christmas Eve – Sunday, December 24
• Christmas Day – Monday, December 25
• New Year's Eve – Sunday, December 31
• New Year's Day – Monday, January 1, 2018

Views Around the World

Epcot

Rumors are swirling about the future of Epcot's Universe of Energy amidst sightings of height balloons on site last week. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The splash fountain on the east side of Future World between Innoventions and Mission Space and Test Track is closed for refurbishment. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Margret Almer and the Bavarian Band perform five days a week at the stage built earlier this year adjacent to Epcot's Germany pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Springs

New themed imagineered vintage advertising hangs above Orange Garage elevators on the pedestrian bridge nearest to the Town Center area at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A new structure is taking shape over the existing domed roof of the Planet Hollywood Observatory. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Wilderness Lodge

New forest landscaping has been planted along Center Drive near Disney's Wilderness Lodge (as viewed here from a Magic Kingdom express monorail). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Ground preparation appears complete and some of the utilities are in place for the (as yet unannounced) DVC expansion at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Magic Kingdom

It is almost as if Disney's Imagineers cut a hole in the clouds just to permit this New Fantasyland photo opportunity. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New Fantasyland provides a less-crowded alternative viewing area for Magic Kingdom's nightly Wishes fireworks, complete with the soundtrack. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New Fantasyland places guests closer to the Magic Kingdom's nightly Wishes fireworks than the Central Plaza (hub) area or Main Street. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

With the recent announcement of the Labor Day end of Disneyland's Paint the Night parade, speculation as to the future of Magic Kingdom's Main Street Electrical Parade is in the air. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Notwithstanding the rumors, there has been no officially announced date for Magic Kingdom's Main Street Electrical Parade to “glow away.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

When will midnight arrive for Magic Kingdom's Main Street Electrical Parade? Stay tuned. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That

…Blaze Pizza has opened in Disney Springs, bringing another affordable quick service dining option to the outdoor shopping and entertainment district.

Blaze Pizza is now open in the Buena Vista Timber Co. building in the Town Center area along the springs at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Blaze Pizza has ample indoor and outdoor (but shaded) seating areas. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Blaze Pizza features pick (by requesting) your own toppings, hand-tossed, quick (180 seconds) fired pizza. Opening day prices are: $9.65 for “Build your own”; $8.45 for sauce, cheese and one topping; $7.25 for sauce and cheese only. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A hand tossed pizza is “fire'd” in a Blaze Pizza oven. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A quick fired Blaze Pizza is ready for pick-up at the counter. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…The new and expanded Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disney Springs is offering a 10% discount on services now through September 5. The discount is available to Walt Disney World annual passholders, Disney Vacation Club members, Disney Visa cardholders, and guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel. The discount is valid only at the Disney Springs location. As a reminder, services at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are available only to customers age 3-12. Call 407-939-7895 or visit the Walt Disney World website for reservations.

…Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is now closed through November 18 for refurbishment.

…Florida residents can save 20% at three Disney Springs Marketplace shops now through September 5, 2016. Participating stores include World of Disney store, Tren-D and Once Upon a Toy. The discount can not be combined with any other offers, including passholders, Disney Vacation Club or cast member discounts. Show your valid Florida ID at checkout to receive the discount.

…The Orlando Weekly reports that log cabins recently replaced at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campgrounds are now for sale for $20,000 at a campground in Florida. The catch is that the cabins must remain at the campground, with site fees around $5000 per year.

…Disney's D23 club is offering all members a chance to see Pete's Dragon in an advance, complimentary screening. Visit the member website for details.

…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 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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Resort Events

Check here to see if a park event might fall during your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).

2016 Resort events

• Star Wars Experiences – Opened December 1, 2015
• Night of Joy – September 9 & 10
• 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival –September 14 – November 14, 2016.
• Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party –September – 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30; October – 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
• D23's Sip & Scream – Wednesday, October 5. The event is sold out
• D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A Midnight Soirée at the Tower of Terror – Wednesday, October 5. The event is sold out.
• “Jersey Week” – November 6–13. Expect larger crowds this week as New Jersey students and families take advantage of a Fall Break created by their school's participation in the New Jersey Teachers Convention.
• Dapper Day at Epcot (unofficial event) – Saturday, November 12, 2016. More information at the event website.
• Destination D – November 19-20, 2016. D23 Members are invited to join the excitement of D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures, a celebration of Disney adventures of the past, present, and future. More details at the event website.
• Holidays at Walt Disney World – November 7 – December 31, 2016
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
• Holidays Around the World at Epcot – November 25 – December 30, 2016
• Candlelight Processional at Epcot – November 25 – December 30, 2016

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.

2016

• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 3–5. All races are sold out, with the exception of the runDisney Kids races. Proof of time deadline has passed.

2017

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by October 4, 2016.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by November 15, 2016.
• Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 20–23, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by January 17, 2017.

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.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Events

Check here to see if a sporting competition might fall during your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. We don't list all events here, but focus on the larger sport and cheer events that might result in extra visitors to the theme parks, and make it harder to secure a hotel room. The All-Star and moderate resort hotels are often the home base for these larger events, so it's worth avoiding those properties if possible.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex events

2016

• Special Olympics Florida Fall Classic – November 11–12.
• 2016 Pop Warner Super Bowl –December 3–10.

2017

• Pro Bowl week festivities – take place the week prior to the 2017 game on January 29. Additional schedule information to be released.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

2016

• Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – closed July 7 – September 24 for refurbishment.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed August 8 – November 18 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed August 15 – 21 for refurbishment.
• “it's a small world” – closed August 22 – September 15 for refurbishment.

Epcot

2016

• None scheduled

Disney's Hollywood Studios

2016

• MuppetVision 3*D – closed August 15 – 22 for refurbishment
• Pizza Planet restaurant – closed for refurbishment. Will reopen in Fall, 2016 as PizzeRizzo

Permanently closed:

• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
• Studio Catering Co.
• Meet & Greet: Mike and Sulley at Streets of America
• Magic of Disney Animation

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Dinosaur – closed for refurbishment July 25 – Fall, 2016

Blizzard Beach

• None scheduled

Typhoon Lagoon

• None scheduled

Disney Springs

• Fulton's Crab House – closed for refurbishment. Scheduled to reopen in Fall 2016 as Paddlefish
• Planet Hollywood – closed for refurbishment and transformation into a Planet Hollywood Observatory.
• Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2016.

Resorts

• Wilderness Lodge and Villas – Hidden Springs pool, resort beach, playground, and Recreation fire pit closed. No opening date provided, but the pool is expected to be closed through 2017. Expect construction-related closures and noise due to construction of the as-yet-unannounced Disney Vacation Club cabins.
• Disney's All-Star Sports – the Grand Slam Pool closes in mid-October for refurbishment. The Surfboard Bay Pool will remain open.
• Disney's Pop Century Resort – the Computer Pool closes in late October for refurbishment, and will reopen in late December. The Hippy Dippy Pool will remain open.

Elsewhere

• Disney's Magnolia Golf Course – closed August 22-28 for refurbishment.
• Disney's Palm Golf Course – closed August 29-September 4 for refurbishment.
• Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course – closed September 5-11 for refurbishment.
• Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course – closed September 12-16 for refurbishment.
• Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed.

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.