Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 28 – March 6, 2017
Writer's note: After several weeks with lots of Walt Disney World Resort news, it was finally a rather quiet news week. The 24th Annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival gets underway tomorrow, March 1, so there will be lots of new details to share with you next week. This week, enjoy some more photos of the Festival preparations, our other Views Around the World, a bit of news and One Passholder's Tip.
Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | RunDisney Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions
News and Views
Price Increases Continue Popping Up Around Walt Disney World Resort | The Magic Is Endless Promotion Underway | Disney Vacation Club Launches Moonlight Magic Events at Magic Kingdom | Views around the World | One Passholder's Tip | This and That | Crowd Forecast
Price Increases Continue Popping Up Around Walt Disney World Resort
As is often the case after Walt Disney World rolls out its annual theme park ticket price increases and adjustments, other prices around the Resort also increase or are otherwise adjusted. This week, we found that the new Express Transportation option has seen its first price hike, and there have been increases in the Disney Dining Plans too.
Express Transportation
We have previously reported on the new inside-the-park-to-inside-the-park scheduled bus service Disney began offering to ParkHoppers (including Annual Passholders) earlier this winter. Disney initially introduced the service as a “test” that was sold for $15 for a single day and $24 for up to seven consecutive days. The new price is $19 for a single day and $29 for up to seven consecutive days.
The new flier for Express Transportation reflects the price increases. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney Dining Plans
Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resorts who purchase a Magic Your Way Package can also add on a Disney Dining Plan for each night of their stay for all guests on their reservation. There are three types of plans (per night of stay for each guest): Quick Service (two quick-service meals plus two snacks); Disney Dining (one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, plus two snacks); Disney Deluxe Dining (three table-service meals plus two snacks). All plan participants also receive refillable mugs which can be used at specified locations for the length of their stay.
The official Walt Disney World website does not offer an easy way to see the per night and per person costs of the dining add-ons, but a number of sites report that these are the new prices for 2017:
- Quick Service: $48.19/Adult; $20.88/Ages 3-9
- Disney Dining: $69.35/Adult; $24.95/Ages 3-9
- Disney Deluxe Dining: $106.68/Adult; $38.75/Ages 3-9
Disney Vacation Club Members staying at Walt Disney World DVC Resorts using points may also purchase the dining plans at slightly lower prices that can be viewed within the DVC Member website's vacation planner when booking or modifying a room reservation. The 2017 per person/night rates currently shown there are:
- Quick Service: $46.34/Adult; $20.18/Ages 3-9
- Disney Dining: $67.33/Adult; $24.22/Ages 3-9
- Disney Deluxe Dining: $103.57/Adult; $37.62/Ages 3-9
As always, keep a look out for other packages that Disney may offer during the year that may change those prices again. In some years, there have been packages offered that included “free” dining packages, but the details are always in the fine print. As always, we will keep you informed of offers we learn about.
The Magic Is Endless Promotion Underway
Walt Disney World has launched the “Be our Guest to Endless Magic Sweepstakes” offering a chance to win a 4-night/5-day Walt Disney World Resort vacation and other prizes to celebrate the upcoming March 17 U.S. theatrical release of the new live action version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Full details and rules are available on the DisneyParks website. As you know, MousePlanet just passes along the news and is not involved or responsible for the sweepstakes.
Disney Vacation Club Launches Moonlight Magic Events at Magic Kingdom
As mentioned in the Writer's Note atop last week's Update, I am a long-time Disney Vacation Club Member. I attended DVC's first 2017 Moonlight Magic Event at Magic Kingdom on Friday night, February 24 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. This Friday night, March 3, DVC again takes over Magic Kingdom for an after-hours party for DVC Members and their guests (prior registration required and filled some time ago).
One of the highlights of the Moonlight Magic Event at Magic Kingdom is the opportunity to meet some Disney characters that rarely make park appearances. Some of the available “rare” characters at this year's event included: Wendell & Big Al; Genie & Abu; Terk & Timon; Dr. Facilier; Bowler Hat Guy; Chicken Little & Abby Mallard; and Clarice. Those characters and others are scheduled to appear again at this Friday's event.
The DVC Event also included complimentary food and soft drinks, an opportunity to meet DVC Executives, a dance party, and a post-midnight, specially created fireworks show. Numerous attractions were open with fairly short wait times too.
Additional DVC Moonlight Magic Events are scheduled (and not yet open for registration) for Typhoon Lagoon, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot later this year. If you want more information about DVC, a good place to start is with a DVC Open House Tour which, as a bonus, will provide you and each member of your party with 3 additional FastPass+ selections (subject to restrictions, of course). You can read more here and, if you did not already know, the Open House Tour is a promotion for soliciting the sale of a timeshare interest sold by Disney Vacation Development, Inc.
Views Around the World
Construction around Magic Kingdom's parking toll plaza is becoming more visible, like the ever-present cranes at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Epcot's preparations for the Flower & Garden Festival reach their final days with the entry topiary installation likely to occur overnight tonight. Those sights and more in this week's Views Around the World.
Magic Kingdom (and surrounding area)
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Some of the real “stars” of the park are the Citizens of Hollywood. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Citizens of Hollywood often appear on Sunset Boulevard. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Construction cranes can also now be seen from Sunset Boulevard. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Epcot
runDisney's Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend concluded on Sunday. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Topiary Buzz Lightyear is once again stationed in front of Mission: Space. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The floating gardens are in place. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The butterfly house is once again located in Future World West. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Butterfly topiaries stand in the World Showcase Plaza. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Bambi and friends are again in garden at the Canada pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney Springs
One Passholder's Tip
This section of the Update provides our MousePlanet readers with the benefit of my years of experience as a longtime Walt Disney World Four Parks Annual Passholder, and lots of personal trial and errors, one (hopefully weekly) tip at a time.
One Passholder's Tip: Week 6
Learn how to disable your camera's flash.
Of course, in many attractions and in some of the shows, flash photography is prohibited at Walt Disney World. It is particularly important to pay attention to that prohibition, not only for the safety of performers who ought not be even temporarily blinded by a flash, but for maintaining the aesthetics and “magic” of many attractions for your fellow guests (please listen fellow Haunted Mansion visitors).
Beyond the prohibitions, however, trial and error over the years has shown me that there are many times that a better photo is produced by disabling the flash, even when the camera suggests using it. Taking photos through glass, like those photos shown here from the queue of The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios, are one of the best examples where a camera's flash tends to create more noise in the photo than you really want to see. You might also notice that I have taken both of these photos from an angle that also ensured that my camera and I (and other nearby guests) are not reflected in the glass either.
Outdoors at night, a camera's flash may also light up the tiny little water droplets that make up central Florida's usual humid climate. While you need to hold your camera very steady, try some nighttime shots with the flash disabled. You might really like what you see, even with your smartphone's camera. In a future Update, I will discuss some other nighttime shots, like strategies for capturing fireworks without the assistance of a tripod.
Don't keep it to yourself!
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This and That
…Doc McStuffins now makes appearances at Disney's Animal Kingdom just outside the vet clinic at Rafiki's Planet Watch. Doc also makes daily visits to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Animation Courtyard.
…The Disney PhotoPass Studio in Disney Springs now offers a new “Personalized Storybook” currently featuring these princess themes: Anna, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, Elsa, Mulan, Rapunzel and Snow White. The current product places your young princess (age 14 and under) in a favorite Disney story, told over 24 pages by a customized photo session at the Disney PhotoPass Studio in Disney Springs. Photos taken during the Personalized Storybook photo session can only be purchased as a complete storybook and cannot be reproduced individually. Personalized Storybook photos are also not associated to your PhotoPass account and are not included in any Memory Maker products. The Personalized Storybook is available for an introductory price of $149.95 plus shipping. Reservations are not required.
…The Fairyhouse Ladies that we showed a few times during the Epcot International Festival of the Arts will be located in the Festival Center at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival a number of times, including its March 1-5 opening days
…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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Crowd Forecast
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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).
2017 Resort events
- Star Wars Experiences – Opened December 1, 2015
- Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom – March 2 & 9 (9 p.m.-12 a.m./midnight).
- Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – March 1 – May 29, 2017.
- MouseAdventure – Saturday, March 4, 2017
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – August 31 through November 13, 2017.
- Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – Dates TBD
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party –Dates TBD
- Holidays at Walt Disney World –Dates TBD
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party–Dates TBD
- Holidays Around the World at Epcot –Dates TBD
- Candlelight Processional at Epcot –Dates TBD
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.
2017
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 20–23, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time deadline has passed.
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 2–5, 2017. Registration opens January 17, 2017. Proof of time must be submitted by August 1, 2017.
2018
- 25th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 3–7, 2018. Registration opens February 14, 2017. Proof of time deadline TBD.
- 10th Anniversary Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 22–25, 2017. Registration opens May 2, 2017. Proof of time deadline TBD.
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 18–22, 2017. Registration opens May 23, 2017. Proof of time deadline TBD.
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – TBD
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
Note: Not all attraction closures have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, visit DisneyWorld.com or use the MyDisneyExperience App on your iOS or Android device.
Magic Kingdom
2017
- Walt Disney World Railroad – closed January 9 – March 2, 2017 for refurbishment.
- The Magic Behind our Steam Trains guided tour – closed January 9 – March 2, 2017 during the Walt Disney World Railroad refurbishment.
- The Hall of Presidents – closed January 17, 2017 to add an audio-animatronic figure of the 45th president of the United States. Expected to reopen July, 2017.
The Hall of Presidents is closed until this summer. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Epcot
Permanently closed:
- Sum of All Thrills
- Storm Struck
Disney's Hollywood Studios
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
- The Writer's Stop
- Academy of Television Sciences Hall of Fame
Disney's Animal Kingdom
- No known closures at this time
Typhoon Lagoon
- Closed December 24 – March 11, 2017 for seasonal refurbishment.
Disney Springs
- Disney Quest – scheduled to close July 3, 2017 to make way for The NBA Experience.
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 Disney Vacation Club's Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge which is scheduled to open in 2017 (though not yet fully registered or available for sale).
- Disney's BoardWalk Villas – Luna Park Pool and slide closed until March 3; based on the signs, guests may be shuttled to Disney's Yacht & Beach Club's pools.
Elsewhere
- 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.
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Travel Discounts for Everyone |
Walt Disney World released several new discount offers for the start of 2017, and Small World Vacations shared the details with us. All of these packages can also be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today. 25% off room offer Save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for stays most nights from February 20 through June 10, 2017. Book your stay by March 30, 2017.
Get a free day added to your ticket when you upgrade to a Magic Your Way package with a minimum 4-day ticket. Book Through: Travel Dates: Terms and Conditions:
Offer Restrictions
Memory Maker pre-arrival discount Disney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney Memory Maker pre-arrival packages. For $169 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 $149, a $20 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. |
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Travel Discounts for Annual Passholders |
Spring into 2017 room offer Passholders can book rooms at the Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort starting at $70 per night under this offer. The discount is valid most Sunday through Thursday nights, January 16 through February 15, 2017. Additional resorts and dates are available for stays through April 8. 2017, with rates from $103 at the All-Star Resorts to $293 per night at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Booking Window – Must book by April 7, 2017 Travel Window – Select stays through April 8, 2017 Terms and Conditions:
Visit the Annual Passholder website for details, or call 407-939-7676 to book by phone. Kick Off Your Spring room offer Passholders can book rooms at the Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort starting at $86 per night under this offer. The discount is valid most Sunday through Thursday nights, April 23 through May 25, 2017. Additional resorts and dates are available for stays April 9 through April 22 and May 26 through June 10, 2017, with rates from $101 at the All-Star Resorts to $292 per night at Disney's BoardWalk Inn Booking Window – Must book by June 9, 2017 Travel Window – Most nights from April 9, 2017 through June 10, 2017 Terms and Conditions:
Visit the Annual Passholder website for details, or call 407-939-7676 to book by phone. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders |
20 percent off Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks Disney Visa cardholders receive 20 percent off their entire purchase at Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks throughout Walt Disney World, including Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's, and online at Joffreys.com with code: VISABEANS 15 percent off select guided tours Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 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:
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 and Villas:
Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas:
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:
Disney's Contemporary Resort:
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground:
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:
Disney's Old Key West Resort:
Disney's Port Orleans Resort:
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa:
Disney's Wilderness Lodge:
Disney's Yacht Club Resort:
Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Epcot:
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex:
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. Cardholders also receive 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at the following Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant merchandise locations including Basin®, Basin White®, Chapel Hats, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, kidsHeritage and Marrakesh Emporium Arts & Crafts. 15 percent off all Disney spa and salon services Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of any salon treatment valued at $45 or greater or any 50-minute or longer spa service most days at the spas and salons at Walt Disney World Resort listed below: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
10% off select recreation experiences Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of the recreation experiences listed below:
Free 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. at the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot (enter near the jumping fountains near the exit to the Magic Eye Theater). You'll receive one free character photo download per day. |
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Travel Discounts for Military Personnel |
2017 Military Salute – 4-Day or 5-Day Military Promotional Ticket discount Through December 19, 2017, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase:
Walt Disney World Resort tickets may be used January 1 through December 19, 2017. Thanks to our reader Dr. Smith who alerted us that the website militarydisneytips.com notes that April 9-23 are no longer listed as blockout dates for Disney's Armed Forces Salute. Active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. No more than six Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any eligible member of the U.S. military (or spouse) pursuant to this offer. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by December 19, 2017. Military Salute – Hotel discount Disney does not publish the actual discounted rates offered to service members under this program, and instead asks eligible U.S. military personnel to call 407-939-7830 to check pricing, availability and to make reservations. The website Military Disney Tips.com says the offer is 30-40 percent, based on room category. The 2017 offer is valid most nights from January 1 through December 19, 2017. Like the ticket offer, the hotel discounts are not valid April 9–23, 2017. |
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Travel Discounts for Florida Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Travel Discounts for Canada Residents |
MousePlanet reader Scott S. alerted us to a new offer for Canadian residents. Canadian residents receive a 25% discount on 4-day or longer tickets purchased by February 28, 2017. The discounted rate for a 4-Day adult base ticket is $244.00 USD, compared to $325.00 USD when purchased at the gate. A 10-day adult base ticket is $300 USD, a savings of $100 from the main gate price. This offer is only good for Canadian citizens with valid passport, or residents of Canada with valid proof of Canadian residency. The tickets are sold as an exchange certificate, and must be exchanged for park ticket upon arrival. There is no expiration date on the unused tickets, but once activated the tickets must be used within 14 days of first entry. You can see the full details on the Walt Disney World website. Thanks Scott for the heads up! If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Travel Discounts for U.K. Residents |
MousePlanet reader Ben from the U.K. wrote to tell us about his recent booking of a 2017 Disney World holiday using a current promotion for U.K. residents. Ben reports:
If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
