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Writer's Note: Happy New Year! It's Alan S. Dalinka back with you for another week. Well, I got another Disney Parks New Year's hat, but the only noticeable change this year was the very last digit)! With a slow news week and lots of photos (and a couple of videos), on with the Update….
News and Views
Welcoming 2017 | NFL Stars Announced for Pro Bowl Week at Walt Disney World Resort | New Park Opening Details & Ceremony Coming to Magic Kingdom | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast
Welcoming 2017
Well, some of the December 30-31 crowds around Walt Disney World Resort seemed to measure up to past years. Last week, we wrote about how the the tiered ticket pricing changes Disney implemented over the past year as well as the currently strong U.S. Dollar and its related exchange rate disadvantages for visitors from abroad may have done what Disney publicly said it wanted—put a damper on some of the usual peak season's crowd levels. However for New Year's weekend, if there was a dip in attendance for December 30-31, it was much more modest than Christmas.
While Disney does not release attendance figures, the Resort “felt” like it generally was at its expected busiest December 30-31. As we mentioned last week, the Magic Kingdom celebrates the New Year with celebrations and countdowns on both nights. The park was very crowded for the 7:30 p.m. showing of Holiday Wishes and its “early” countdown to midnight. The park was still crowded as the actual midnight countdown approached, but (and this has been typical over the years) less than insanely so. As is typical of the night of December 30, the park remained open for Extra Magic Hours for Resort guests until 3 a.m. but the crowd thinned significantly by my 2 a.m. departure, most likely due to the “Florida cold” temperatures which dipped to nearly 40ºF in the early hours of December 31.
Magic Kingdom celebrated the New Year on December 30 and 31. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Magic Kingdom was busy on December 30. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
In case you missed it, I uploaded video of the kid-friendly hour December 30 “Countdown to the New Year” at Magic Kingdom on our Facebook page. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
On December 31, there were the usual reports of backups on World Drive from the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza to past the ramps to Epcot, and even reports of some phased closings of the Park. Over at Disney's Hollywood Studios during daylight hours, however, the crowd seemed somewhat smaller than past New Year's Eves, likely owing in no small part to the public's perception of the reduced offerings at the Park given the on-going construction of the Toy Story and Star Wars lands—no more Streets of America (Osbourne Dancing Lights), no Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special, no Lights! Motors! Action!, no Studio Tour, and so forth.
Epcot seemed as busy as this writer has ever seen it. Having said that, though, the park likely never reached capacity, and, even estimating a crowd of 70,000 or more, there was still room to walk around many parts of the park. The “choke points” were as congested as ever and Frozen Ever After had a standby line that was 210 minutes long at 5 p.m. (and more than that later in the evening). Fortunately, the backstage routes on both the east and west sides of the park were open to assist guests going from World Showcase to Future World avoid the most crowded parts of the World Showcase Promenade. Several Future World lawn areas were opened for guests to watch the two showings of Illuminations and the countdown to midnight.
The China pavilion's DJ dance party included its traditional dragon. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A DJ hosts a large dance party on the stage at the Future World fountain. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The countdown to 2017 and fireworks display at Epcot never fail to be spectacular. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
During the daylight hours of January 1, Epcot seemed pretty quiet while there were reports that Magic Kingdom was very busy. The more quiet day at Epcot, again, may be reflective of the new categories of Annual Passes that were blocked out. The blockouts end today, so the rest of the week could start to get busier again as Annual Passholders return.
Also coming up is Marathon Weekend. That means later this week and next weekend, the several runDisney run events take place all over Walt Disney World Resort. Expect lots of road closures around the Resort and even places where cast members will keep guests from crossing usual walkways (including some in the parks themselves). Also, according to MousePlanet's Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix, there may be additional noise in unexpected places around the Resort (she said she has heard race-related noise at Disney's Polynesian Village) from announcers and those cheering depending on the day's cloud-related acoustics. Your mileage may vary, as I have not heard race-related noise at Disney's BoardWalk or Beach Club Villas in any of the years I stayed there during a Marathon Weekend.
NFL Stars Announced for Pro Bowl Week at Walt Disney World Resort
Since Orlando will be the new home of the National Football League's Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium (formerly known as the Citrus Bowl) starting this year, it is not surprising that Disney is joining in the associated revelry. Pro Bowl players including New England quarterback Tom Brady, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and Dallas rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott are some of the 88 all-star players selected to the AFC and NFC team rosters. Starting January 24, marquee players are scheduled to appear at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Pro Bowl Week activities at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are scheduled to include AFC and NFC team practices; youth football events; and a free, family-friendly football-themed festival – NFL Pro Bowl Experience; among others. It will also host the taping of “The Pro Bowl Skills Showdown,” with AFC and NFC All-Stars, which is scheduled to air on ESPN on January 26 at 7:00p.m. EST. Additional activities are planned for Disney Springs and Epcot, which will be the site of the Pro Bowl 5K run.
On Friday, January 27 at Magic Kingdom, Pro Bowl players, NFL cheerleaders, and various community groups will take part in a celebratory parade down Main Street, U.S.A.
New Park Opening Details & Ceremony Coming to Magic Kingdom
Beginning January 9, guests will be allowed to enter Main Street, U.S.A. earlier than the park’s scheduled opening time. Guests will be able to get breakfast or a warm drink at the Main Street Bakery (Starbucks). At the park's scheduled opening time, a new welcome show will officially open the park for the day on the Castle Stage. A “Royal Herald” will deliver a proclamation and welcome a few familiar characters to the stage, officially opening the park so “the magic can begin!”
Views Around the World
Other than New Year's-related photos, I took a few more photos of interest around Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's BoardWalk Resort.
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Alberta Bound is again performing at the Canada pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Hollywood Studios
Resorts
Don't keep it to yourself!
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This and That
…MousePlanet reader Chris (Mousellaneous) on MousePad writes of his experience using the new Express park-to-park transportation option, “Would I do it on my first time [ever visit to Walt Disney World] – probably not. But it is an incredible convenience, and an amazing steal in my opinion for what you are getting. If you are park storming like me, and want to get the most out of a day – this is a great tool to have in the arsenal.”
…With the upcoming inauguration of a new U.S. President, you have just a couple of weeks left to see the current version of The Hall of Presidents until it closes for around six months for refurbishment/installation of a new version of the show, and a new animatronic President.
The current version of The Hall of Presidents show will close January 17. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
…The Canada pavilion at Epcot is celebrating the country’s upcoming 150th birthday. From now until July 1, 2017, commemorative buttons will be available to guests at Epcot’s Canada pavilion. According to the Disney Parks Blog, “Everyone is invited to join in the fun and answer questions like, 'What do Canadians call a one dollar coin? Answer – A Loonie' and 'Who hosts Hockey Night in Canada Coach’s Corner? Answer – Don Cherry and Ron MacLean' to receive a button.” No purchase (other than park admission, of course) is necessary.
…The Starbright Holidays drone show at Disney Springs is scheduled to conclude its twice nightly run on January 8. That is also the last day the Christmas Tree Trail is scheduled to be open in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs.
…The new Epcot International Festival of the Arts begins on January 13. The Odyssey building will be its Festival Center.
…And, finally, our friends at Small World Vacations alerted us to some of the latest discounts offered on the official Walt Disney World Website. Please note that some of the discount information in our wrap-up below has passed the published booking deadlines and we will make revisions to that section in an upcoming Update.
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Crowd Forecast
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MousePlanet
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
- Epcot International Festival of the Arts – January 13 through February 20, 2017
- 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
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time deadline has passed.
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time deadline has passed.
- 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.
- 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
Magic Kingdom
2017
- Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 3 – 12, 2017 for refurbishment.
- 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 – closes January 17, 2017 to add an audio-animatronic figure of the 45th president of the United States. Expected to reopen July, 2017.
Epcot
Permanently closed:
- Sum of All Thrills – closed permanently on September 14.
- Storm Struck – closed permanently on September 14.
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
- Kali River Rapids – closed January 3 – February 13, 2017 for refurbishment.
Blizzard Beach
- Closed October 23 – December 24 for seasonal refurbishment.
Typhoon Lagoon
- Closed December 24 – March 11, 2017 for seasonal refurbishment.
Disney Springs
- Fulton's Crab House – closed for refurbishment. Scheduled to reopen in Early 2017 as Paddlefish
- Planet Hollywood – closed for refurbishment and transformation into Planet Hollywood Observatory to reopen soon.
- Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2017.
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 closed October 10 for refurbishment, and is expected to reopen by December 2. The Surfboard Bay Pool will remain open.
- Disney's Pop Century Resort – the Computer Pool closed October 31 for refurbishment, and is expected to reopen by December 23. The Hippy Dippy Pool will remain open.
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.
Travel Discounts for Everyone |
All of these packages can also be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today. 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 |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA & Debit Card Holders |
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. 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
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. Star Wars meet and greet at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Star Wars Launch Bay Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a character meet and greet at Star Wars Launch Bay for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. inside Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios. You'll receive one free character photo download per day. |
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, except that the tickets may not be used April 9–23, 2017. 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. |
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! |
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! |
Travel Discounts for U.K. 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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