Writer’s Note, News & Views
A cold wave has made its way all the way down to the Walt Disney World Resort in recent days. Overnight lows have been in the 40s and some daytime highs have not even hit 70º. For a former Chicagoan like me, these are some of my favorite weather days of the year, especially after the brutally hot extended summer we had. For folks in other parts of North America, these temperatures probably seem like a heat wave, ho ho ho!
Anyway, as we get close to the end of 2024, Disney announced a broad timeline of when some of the new offerings will debut in the parks in 2025. I will go through all of those highlights below. There will be no Walt Disney World Resort Update next week, as MousePlanet has been invited on a preview cruise December 9-12, aboard Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Treasure, and I will be that correspondent. Expect a flurry of posts and reels on our Instagram and Facebook pages, and probably X too. I’d venture to say, as a bonus for those that have started following us on BlueSky and Threads, I hope to reward you with some unique content there too! I will post longer form content about Disney Treasure in one or more posts on MousePlanet.com as we head in to the end of 2024.
Immediately on the heels of the preview cruise, I expect to get from Port Canaveral right over to the DVC Member Gathering and Reception on December 12, to learn about what Disney Vacation Club has planned for the year ahead. Then, on December 14, I expect to be at the media preview for the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows ahead of its December 17th opening.
So, expect one more Walt Disney World Resort Update this month, some time during the week of December 16th. After that, absent some major news, I expect the next one will be the week of January 6th, 2025.
With the housekeeping out of the way, and Thanksgiving so quickly in the rearview mirror, let’s get to what Disney has said about its plans (so far) for 2025, park by park, with all of the concept art in the following four sections courtesy of Disney Parks…
2025 at Magic Kingdom
Earlier this year at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California, Disney laid out massive expansion plans for Walt Disney World’s oldest theme park, Magic Kingdom. A new Villains land and two new Cars-themed attractions were announced for the northwestern part of the park, including the area “beyond Big Thunder Mountain.” We subsequently learned that Big Thunder Mountain, itself, will close January 6, 2025 for a year-long refurbishment, and will reopen sometime in 2026. Disney says the refreshed ride will reopen “with a little bit of new magic” The last day for fans to ride before the closure is January 5, 2025
We also subsequently learned in vaguer terms that some or all of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be removed as part of the areas incorporation into the Cars-themed attractions. Disney has not shared specifics of what will close or a timeline for that yet, and, indeed, given some of the other announcements that we cover below, we may not see those specifics for quite some time and that the closures in that area may still be more than a year away. We know that Disney Vacation Club has already begun transforming the old shooting gallery in Frontierland into a new Members lounge expected to open in 2025.
“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away”
At the D23 event, Disney also shared that Magic Kingdom would finally get a new nighttime parade. Except for the hard ticket parties, Magic Kingdom has been without a nighttime parade since Main Street Electrical Parade glowed away for the umpteenth time back in 2016. In sharing plans for 2025, Disney shared the extended name of the new parade, “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” and that it is coming in the summer. Not surprisingly, that is as specific as the timeline is right now, and those of us that have watched the Disney Parks for years knows that, like Florida weather, Disney sometimes defines summer a bit differently than the calendar–starting as early as May, ending as late as the end of September. In any event, I would bet Disney Live Entertainment is working hard to get this parade ready to debut before Universal’s Epic Universe park opens around Memorial Day.
Disney says that the new parade will offer, “the chance to see a bunch of your favorite characters in a whole new light … literally. Featuring fan-favorites from classic and new Walt Disney Animation Studios films like ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘Encanto,’ ‘Frozen,’ ‘Moana,’ and more, the parade’s vibrant lights will dance in the dark, transforming the night into a mesmerizing canvas of glowing colors. The Blue Fairy from the classic tale, ‘Pinocchio,’ will weave the transformative magic of starlight through each float and every costume in the parade, illuminating the stories in a vibrant constellation of wonder, hope and imagination.” The latest concept art shows a brand new float featuring Moana.
Pirates of the Caribbean-Inspired Tavern
Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro first teased that a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired tavern would be added to Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland back at the Destination D23 event in Florida in 2023. It was mentioned again at the D23 event in Anaheim this year, and, this week, Disney shared a new piece of concept art for it. As has been the case for just about every new eatery or lounge that has hit my radar in the decade that I have lived in Central Florida, this one seems to be a rather slow-go too. Disney says that this new lounge is expected in late 2025, and ” yonder lounge “will welcome pirates of all ages with a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub, and strike me colors, there may be more than a few mysterious and magical surprises in store!” As its opening gets closer, I assume its first surprise will be the name of this new venue.
2025 at EPCOT
Though the opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza this past summer was said to have marked the end of the “historic transformation” of EPCOT, the park continues to evolve. A few indefinitely postponed projects are still on our radar: a refurbishment of Spaceship Earth’s ride system and show scenes seems long-overdue now, and there is that big empty building that was to become the Play! pavilion and formerly was the Wonders of Life pavilion and then the park’s main seasonal Festival Center. There are a host of other projects too, but none of those postponed projects have been mentioned in official Disney statements recently. Indeed, I and many other park observers have noted, the CommuniCore Hall and Plaza have not yet been operated anywhere close to where the pre-opening concept art and statements about the facilities had led us to believe. We all need to keep an eye on that area too, probably festival by festival.
New Lounge Above Spaceship Earth’s Exit
In the meantime, at the D23 event, Disney shared that EPCOT would get a new lounge. As MousePlanet reported at the time, the concept art made it pretty clear that it would replace the former sponsor lounge at Spaceship Earth that faces the center of what is now called World Celebration Gardens and beyond. This week, Disney shared that the new lounge in that space would open in late spring, and that it will honor the “intertwined history of Spaceship Earth and EPCOT itself, is set to celebrate the legacy of the icon’s past while admiring its future.” The space will provide “a unique perspective of the nightly fireworks,” and, given that it is not a very large venue, it will be interesting to see if the venue will require reservations and time limits on how long guests may visit like Oga’s Cantina over in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, or some new upcharge scheme.
Test Track Presented by General Motors
At Destination D23 in 2023, Disney announced that the current version of Test Track would close in 2024 for the second reimagining in its history. Indeed, Disney said that the next version of Test Track would take some of its inspiration from the original attraction in that building, World of Motion. The attraction closed back in June, and demolition work visible on its exterior began rather quickly. The most notable throwback to the earlier history of the building is that the sponsorship of the attraction apparently is reverting back from Chevrolet, which presented what we refer to as Test Track 2.0, to the parent company, General Motors, which presented both Test Track 1.0 and the original World of Motion attraction.
Disney says that, “Test Track presented by General Motors is making its return lap late summer 2025.” It promises an all-new storyline that Walt Disney Imagineering has been working on with General Motors. The concept art released so far suggests that the layout of the track for the attraction will not be changed, but the cars themselves will have a new look. Disney says the cars featuring that new look may start to appear on the track early in 2025.
2025 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Back at the D23 event earlier this year, Disney shared that when the upcoming “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is released in theaters in 2026, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will see changes based on the movie. The film’s release is slated around Memorial Day 2026, so that leaves an open question of whether Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will see any closures needed to change up the attraction. It could be that the changes to Smugglers Run can be accomplished the same way the parks have been updated Star Tours: The Adventures Continue without any closures. Fingers crossed for that scenario, because…
From just last week, we know that the Muppets Courtyard area, including Muppet*Vision 3D is slated for closure at some unspecified point in the future to make way for the new Monsters, Inc. themed land, including the new suspended door-themed coaster, a theater, and dining options. Likewise, we know that at the other end of the park, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be rethemed to the Muppets, and that will likely require another extended closure while the Aerosmith story elements are removed and the Electric Mayhem and friends elements are added.
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure”
At the park’s 35th Anniversary celebration last spring, the Live Entertainment team was all excited to share the details of its next venture in the park that was expected to open by this now-past Fall. At this summer’s media event for the opening of Magic Kingdom’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the team even showed off video of some of the work being done to produce the next new show for Disney’s Hollywood Studios that would be opening soon. But…
When the global pandemic shut down Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ “The Voyage of the Little Mermaid” combination live action, puppets, and projected film-based show shut down like everything else. That show never returned during the phased reopening of the resort. Last year, Disney announced an all-new “The Little Mermaid-A Musical Adventure” would take its place, featuring songs from the animated classic like the former show, plus “Kiss the Girl” and “Daughters of Triton,” both from the film but neither of which had been in the prior show. Unfortunately, by Fall of this year, Disney announced that the show would not debut until next summer.
For its 2025 offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney said, come summer, “it’s time to shell-ebrate with ‘The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.’ The show will feature all-new sets, and, like its predecessor, a cast of puppets and live performers.” The video shared at the Tiana’s media event showed that many of the new visuals for the show will be digital.l coming together to take us under the sea.
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
This Fall, Disney shared that an all-new stage show featuring Disney Villains would debut next summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To create the new show, the park closed the Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy show which debuted back in 2019 in the Sunset Showcase building. This week, Disney shared a few more details about the show that will be entitled, “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.”
According to Disney, “This delightfully wicked live show will keep you on your toes when the most fiendish of foes, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent, break through the glass to take center stage and captivate you with performances full of witty humor and mischievous charm. You may even get a glimpse of a few more of your favorites through the magical mirrors as dozens of the most infamous evildoers try to join in the delightfully diabolical fun. “
2025 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Earlier this year, Disney officially announced the first phase of closures in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to make way for the Tropical Americas land scheduled to open in 2027. First to close as of January 13, 2025, are TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and the Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures gift shop. The last day to visit these three Dino-Rama area attractions is Sunday, January 13. The rest of DinoLand USA, including the DINOSAUR attraction and Restaurantosaurus will remain open for now, but will eventually close as the Tropical Americas construction expands. This week, Disney has said as to DINOSAUR in particular, “2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!” Folks around the web and social media are taking that to mean that the attraction will remain open throughout the year before it closes to be reimagined as a new Indiana Jones adventure. That is certainly one interpretation of that announcement, and, if the development of the Tropical Americas land does not move at a rapid pace, it very well could be that DINOSAUR continues operations into 2026, but we all know that the attraction is on a countdown to extinction and that date is not known.
“Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”
We have known for quite some time that the Disney’s Animal Kingdom opening day “It’s Tough to be a Bug” 4D show inside the Tree of Life Theater is also earmarked for the exterminator. It will be replaced by Zootopia: Better Zoogether! and Disney now says the new show will debut in the Winter of 2025.
The odd thing about that announcement is that winter is the vaguest of the seasons. Winter solstice is the third week of December. Meteorological winter starts December 1. Disney starts celebrating the winter holidays sometime between November 1 and 10th, depending on which day of the week Halloween falls on.
In other words, Disney refers to “winter” as the end of a given year. Many other folks in North America in the colder regions, think of winter as the first season of the year, like when the snow is falling in January, February and March.
At any rate, the fact that “It’s Tough to be a Bug” has not closed yet, and, indeed, has not been given a final curtain date yet, it seems reasonable to assume that the new show will debut late in 2025–probably after Halloween. To get the theater ready for the new show, there are “Bug” animatronics to remove and likely some new “Zootopia” characters to install, in addition to whatever other cosmetic or physical changes the imagineers have dreamed up. Given recent attraction reimaginings around the resort, that probably means a minimum of 6 months of downtime for the theater; best optimistic guess for closing the current show: April — perhaps as late a the park’s Earth Day anniversary?
This & That & Reminders…
…REMINDER. Disney D23 announced the 2025 return of Destination 23 to Walt Disney World Resort. Billed as “the biggest Disney fan event of 2025,” Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney will be August 29-31, 2025. This edition will be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and D23 says the event has more than doubled in size. A block of rooms is available for reservation at: https://www.mydisneygroup.com/destd25/. D23 Gold Membership seems to be required for ticket purchases, though the on-sale date and information has not yet been published. D23 has announced new Gold Membership tiers are going into effect on January 1, 2025, and effect existing Gold Members upon their renewals. Read more about all that, on this page of D23.com.
Save the Date – Destination D23, the biggest Disney fan event of 2025 is coming to Walt Disney World Resort, August 29-31, 2025: https://t.co/1lkl0J7zYT #D23 pic.twitter.com/peEUCu6OQ7
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) November 25, 2024
…REMINDER. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party after hours hard ticket events continue on select nights through December 20, 2024. At publication, tickets for the Christmas Party nights remain only for December 17 ($209 plus tax), and December 19 ($219 plus tax). Disney invited MousePlanet to attend the party on media night on November 11, and I shared a highlights Reel on our Instagram and Facebook pages. The remaining party nights are sold out. For those that do not know, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an extra ticket required after-hours event. On event nights, those without the extra ticket are gently sweep out of the park ahead of the party’s 7 p.m. start, and no additional day guests are admitted starting at 6 p.m. On event nights, there is no showing of the Happily Ever After Fireworks show, but there is an opportunity to see a 6:15 p.m. showing of the “Frozen Holiday Surprise” with Olaf and his snowgie siblings, Elsa, Anna and Kristoff decorating the castle (with lighting, projections, and some pyrotechnics, but without the dream lights that the park used to install for the holidays) before exiting the park. Those with a party ticket can start to mix in with day guests as early as 4 p.m., and can see the 6:15 show, and they can see the encore presentation during the party at 8:15 p.m.; those with a party ticket who are already inside the park with a day ticket or Annual Pass need to locate one of the inside the park wristband distribution locations so that they are not swept out of the park as the party starts at 7 p.m. The party runs until Midnight. By the way, for those hoping to see “Happily Ever After” fireworks, be aware that December 18, 2024 will be the last time it is scheduled through the end of the year, as the park “treats” all park guests to some of the holiday entertainment nightly after the party night ends, including the Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show that is also shown on party nights at 10 p.m. If you’re an Annual Passholder with anything other than an IncrediPass, blockouts mean you will not see the end-of-year holiday entertainment without purchasing an additional day ticket or upgrading your pass
…REMINDER WITH NEW PHOTOS. When the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is underway through December 30th. There is an assortment of new treats to try around the park. Disney Parks Blog has published a Foodie Guide. The Festival of the Holidays has the shortest run of any of the EPCOT festivals, and with Thanksgiving falling as late in November as the calendar permits, and with its last 12 days blocked out for all but the IncrediPass, most Passholders have but a brief opportunity to check it out without purchasing a day ticket to the park: for Passholders other than IncrediPass, the dates for attending the Festival this year were limited December 1 to December 18th (plus the weekends are blocked out for Pixie Dust passes too).
Like 2023, Santa meets and greets guests inside Odyssey pavilion during the Festival (but only through Christmas). The Holiday marketplace inside the building sells several cookies and beverages, including a salted caramel-filled sugar cookie version of a holiday-decorated Spaceship Earth. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
A highlight of the 2024 edition of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, the decor in The Land pavilion’s “Living with the Land-Glimmering Greenhouses” is even more impressive than prior years, and, indeed, the queue for the old boat ride through the greenhouses can get quite long, even on less busy evenings in the park. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
…REMINDER. Disney Jollywood Nights are underway on select nights through December 21, 2024, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from 7:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Tickets start at $159/person (plus tax) are still available for December 7, 11, 14 and 18 (as of publication of this Update) on this page of DisneyWorld.com. Disney did not invite MousePlanet to a media event at one of the parties this year; last year, my late friend and occasional MousePlanet Contributor Tim Ellison attended on our behalf, and his report is available in the Walt Disney World Resort Update for November 21, 2023 (apologies, though, that this page of the site has suffered a bit in its migration to our new server, but Tim’s comments about the event are all there). This party celebrates the holidays with Hollywood “glitz and glam” with stage shows, character meet and greets, exclusive showings of the “Jingle Bells, Jingle BAM!” show that used to be party of regular park operations, and a bunch more. I did get over to the park before the parties got underway to get a look at some of the seasonal decor that is available to all park guests through the holiday season and usually into the first days of the new year.
…Disney Springs is decked out for the holidays. The Christmas Tree Stroll is back for the season too. The themed trees are spread out across all the neighborhoods of Disney Springs, with a large central one in the Town Center neighborhood that occasionally sees Disney “snow” fall in its vicinity.
Disney Springs is decked out for the holidays. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
…REMINDER: Disney’s Blizzard Beach reopened November 4, 2024, which also means that Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon has closed for seasonal refurbishment. The Disney Water Parks Seasonal Pass remains available for $79 plus tax for a limited-time, providing admission through May 23, 2025. Disney Water Parks offer free parking for all guests. For more information on the seasonal pass, visit DisneyWorld.com.
…REMINDER: Disney Vacation Club‘s new option for those members eligible for Membership Extras named, “Membership Magic Beyond” is now available for sale with its new slate of optional benefits available January 12 through December 31, 2025. For its $99 fee, the monetary value of the benefits offered in 2025 can exceed that price for those members that plan to spend money on some the categories offered. For example, a 30-day Disney PhotoPass service Memory Maker entitlement for Walt Disney World is included (which Disney values at up to $210.) Also included are available discounts for 5-day weekday Walt Disney World theme park tickets (plus one water park admission) for the Member and up to 7 family members in the same household; 3-day weekday Disneyland theme park tickets including Lightning Lane Multi-Pass for the Member and up to 7 family members in the same household; and waiver of the $95 transaction fee when booking Disney Collection Resorts and experiences (think Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Line, Disney hotels that are not part of DVC, etc.). An interesting benefit for those that enroll is that members can use DVC points to purchase the Walt Disney World Disney Sorcerer Pass; and for those that purchase One-Time-Use Points for bookings other than hotel exchanges, a bonus One-Time-Use Point for each purchased (up to 12 Points for a total of 24 One-Time-Use Points in a Use Year). There are also some priority waitlist benefits at member lounges plus character meet and greet opportunities when staying on a points reservation. The published details are posted on this page of the DVC website.
…UPDATED REMINDER: Reservations are now open at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows for stays in the new Disney Vacation Club Island Tower addition which opens December 17, 2024. MousePlanet has been invited to a preview of the Island Tower on December 14, and we will share highlights on our social media and in a future Update. Yesterday, Disney Parks Blog shared a bunch of details about the spirit of conservation realized in both the construction and planned operation of the new tower. I will share more of those details as well following the preview at the Tower later this month.
…REMINDER: Disney Vacation Club announced Moonlight Magic events for 2025 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Typhoon Lagoon. Registration for these events is complimentary for eligible members (“eligible” generally only includes members who have purchased their membership points from Disney) and their guests. Full details and reservation requirements are on this page of DVC’s website.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: January 26 and September 1
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: February 12
- EPCOT: April 30 and July 17
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: May 20, June 9, and August 11
Registration details for these events have not been published as yet. They probably will be posted to this page of the DVC website as the events approach. The DVC Member Gathering and Reception is coming up on December 12th, and perhaps some additional details will be shared in connection with that (and, of course, the annual dues bills are going to be posted to member accounts by December 17th). If you are a DVC Member, RSVP is required for that event too.
…NEW. The Raglan Road Irish Dancers will perform in their colorful holiday finest this season, and there will be added live music and dance beginning at noon on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1. Also on those afternoons of seasonal celebration, the restaurant will serve two of its Rollicking Raglan Brunch mainstays:
- The Full Irish breakfast with Cheshire Heritage pork Irish banger, black and white pudding, bacon, roasted tomato, mushrooms and fried eggs with hash brown potato cake.
- Hipsters Lament with Irish bacon and poached eggs on sourdough with smashed avocado, chive butter, roasted tomato, and hash brown potato cake.
As usual, the full brunch menu will be served every weekend from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. with holiday entertainment starting at noon. As always, reservations are recommended.
…NEW. Wine Bar George is again offering up its Gift Card Special: For every $100 gift card purchased in-store through December 31st, you’ll receive an additional $10 bonus gift card.
…NEW. José Andrés Group that operates restaurants across the U.S.A., including Jaleo at Disney Springs, is offering a gift card bonus as well: Receive a $20 digital gift card for every $100 in e-gift cards purchased on its website (which also has a good deal of fine print based on which location you would like to use the gift cards): https://joseandres.com/gift-cards/.
…REMINDER. Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs will hold its popular holiday celebration, 12 Beers of Christmas, on December 8. This culinary tradition features holiday-themed beers and gourmet bites, including some of Central Florida’s best breweries, like Ivanhoe Park, Ravenous Pig and Crooked Can, and 12 stations of Morimoto Asia’s mouthwatering Pan-Asian cuisine. This year, guests will sip on Black Frost Schwarzbier, Cranberry Crisp and Gingerbread Red, plus sample bites like A-5 Katsu Sliders, Wonton Ramen, Pecking Duck, Lobster Toast, sushi and raw bar. An option for an early Christmas gift or a holiday-themed night out. Two different seating options are available — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets for adults are $95++ and tickets for kids nine and under are $55++. Upgrades to booths are available for $500+++. Seats are limited, purchase them online HERE.
…REMINDER: Patina Restaurant Group’s The Edison at Disney Springs has launched a new “Happy Hour.” The Edison invites guests to “indulge in a sampling of signature appetizers and crafted cocktails at reduced prices.” The Happy Hour options include Fried Pickles, creamy Spinach Dip and Electri-Fries, plus a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned, Edison Lager, Frenzy Sauv Blanc and Strawberry Fields Forever, made with Wheatley Vodka, St-germain liqueur, honey, lime juice, strawberry and mint. The Happy Hour runs Sunday through Friday, 3 – 6 p.m. The Edison also continues to offer Cocktail Classes, and it has announced new November dates for its Shaken & Stirred Cocktails Classes where guests can learn the skills to create expert-level cocktails during a hands-on experience with a private bartender. Featuring three cocktails and a light lunch: “Big Screen Cocktails” on November 23. Tickets start at $100 and begin at 1 p.m. Visit this page on the Tock event site for more details….
…REMINDER: Cirque du Soleil has released its performance schedule and opened tickets sales for 2025. Performances will be offered twice a day at Disney Springs, five days a week in 2025, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Matinee shows will continue to be offered on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Page to Stage Signature Experience is also be available five nights per week following the second performance each day. Tickets for all performances can be purchased at cirquedusoleil.com/drawn-to-life or at the Disney Springs box office and are subject to availability.
…REMINDER: Give Kids The World Village will again host its Holiday VIP Tours this upcoming winter holiday season. Guests can enjoy the opportunity to experience the Village all decked out for the holidays with these special features:
- A behind-the-scenes, themed storytelling tour.
- Festive dessert party.
- Access to select venues on the Avenue of Angels, illuminated with more than 1 million holiday lights.
- Decorated vignettes from Village partners.
- Fun props and holiday photo backdrops.
Proceeds from the event help to ensure that the Village can provide magical, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses. Tickets are onsale for December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Tickets are $88.13 (including EventBrite service fees) per person. Be aware that the tour entails 90 minutes of walking and storytelling, and may not be suitable for young children. MousePlanet was invited to a media preview earlier this month attended by Dave & Nan Kent, and we learned that the Village is also encouraging folks looking for a place to hold their holiday event to consider the Village to find out about options it has available too!
Give Kids the World Village is decked out for the holidays again this year, but it is not generally open to the public, only the Wish children and their families get to enjoy it anytime during their stay. The Village is offering a limited number of VIP Tours this holiday season and opportunities are available to businesses and organizations that want to hold their seasonal parties at the village. Photos by Dave & Nan Kent.
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Resort Reservations, Ticket Advice & Special Offers
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.
Disney Rewards Visa Card users can get a free dining plan when using the card to purchase a non-discounted 4-night/4 day Walt Disney Travel Company Package including room at select hotels and tickets with Park Hopper Option for arrivals most nights December 9 – 21, 2024. More details, restrictions, information, and the opportunity to book are on this page of the DisneyWorld website.
Florida residents can save most Sunday to Thursday nights through December 25, 2024, with the details on this page of DisneyWorld.com.
The current Florida resident theme park ticket offer is available on this page of DisneyWorld.com which starts at $119 plus tax for a one day ticket and can be as low as $72/day plus tax for a four day ticket (before the various add-ons). As a date-based ticket, the first date of use has to be selected when purchased and users of a Florida resident ticket will be required to provide proof of residency either at the time of purchase or at a park ticket window prior to first use.
Details and more special offers are available on this page of DisneyWorld.com.
Various packages are now posted for stays through June 30, 2025, and Military Discounts are now posted for the whole year as well.
REMINDER: Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages can now be booked completely on its website! No cumbersome quotes needed! Simply compare all your favorite Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Get Away Today’s hand selected off-property hotels in a few clicks, and then customize for your included tickets for your vacation.
Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages now have the option to add Layaway Plans, which allow you to pay the total balance up to eight days prior to travel. You can also add their popular “Peace of Mind Plan” when booking a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, which allows any reschedules and cancellations up to five days prior to travel with no penalty.
When booking with Get Away Today, all Walt Disney World Resort on-site packages include Get Away Today’s e-concierge, which includes its Best Price Guarantee, Dining Reservation Reminders, access to their Concierge Team email for help before and during your vacation, and more.
Looking to go beyond Walt Disney World Resort when visiting Central Florida? Check out Get Away Today’s Universal Orlando Resort ticket offers and resort package stay offers too. Right now, for example, you can get 2 days free with a 2-Park, 3-Day ticket for 5 days of fun when you book with Get Away Today! Enjoy all of the thrills, entertainment and fun that Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure has to offer for as low as $62 per day. Upgrade to a 3-Park ticket to experience Universal Volcano Bay water theme park (which may be closed on some dates). This offer is valid for travel now – April 16, 2025.
Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today! As always, we remind our readers that Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel benefits. Historically, non-Florida residents tend to benefit the most by purchasing tickets in advance (and, of course, being mindful of the rules relevant to those tickets). Don’t get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside Disney property stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and may result in denial of entry. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks.
