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You are here: Home / Walt Disney World Resort Update / Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 1-6, 2016

Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 1-6, 2016

June 1, 2016 by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 1–6, 2016

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


News and Views

Summer Awakens at Animal Kingdom | Peek inside Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge | New bus routes for water parks | Views From Around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Summer Awakens at Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom kicked off its evening offerings this weekend, with Kilimanjaro Nighttime Safaris, Tree of Life Awakens, and The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic.

With extended evening hours now the norm at Disney's Animal Kingdom, traffic at the parking toll plaza can get congested (like here at nearly 6 p.m. on Sunday) as guests arrive to sample the new evening offerings. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Animal Kingdom has quite a different vibe and appearance at night. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Kilimanjaro Nighttime Safaris

Travelers can experience sunset on the savanna until 11:00 p.m. each night, now through Monday, September 5.

Kilimanjaro Safaris now runs “Sunset Safaris” after dark, which feature an artificial sunset on the savanna and a slightly different route than the daytime safaris. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The nighttime “Sunset Safaris” at Kilimanjaro Safaris can be very dark (even more so on a rainy night) and particularly difficult to photograph. Riders are asked to disable all camera lighting and flashes for the benefit of the animals. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The headlights of the safari vehicle may provide rare photo opportunities during the new “Sunset Safaris.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Tree of Life Awakens

Keep your eyes peeled for one of the “awakening” moments, a series of four different short shows that use the Tree of Life as the “screen” for projected and laser effects. The shows take place between sunset and park closing, but Disney has not published specific showtimes in a likely attempt to discourage people from congesting the surrounding walkway.

When the Tree of Life is not coming to life in one of its four new shows, the tree is lit with occasional bits of “life” appearing to move across it. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic

This “limited engagement” replacement for the not-yet-ready-for-primetime Rivers of Light show is held in the same seating area. At present, the show is scheduled twice each night: 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Fastpass+ reservations are strongly suggested for this show, though there is a standby line for each performance in the event the seating area does not reach capacity. You can view the show from either side of the seating area. If you don't have a Fastpass, you can also watch the show from a pedestrian bridge between Expedition Everest and the theater used for Finding Nemo: The Musical.

If you purchased one of the Jungle Book dining packages but the show is cancelled for weather or technical problems, you can use the seating voucher that comes with your meal at any performance of the show for the next five days. This offer is a change to normal Disney policy, in which rainchecks are not offered for dining packages in the event the show can not be performed, and is a smart customer service move on Disney's part.

Three barges appear to be anchored in the Discovery River for the new Jungle Book: Alive With Magic nighttime show. The central stage faces the pedestrian bridge. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic show uses three giant mist screens on the Discovery River as a backdrop for live singers, dancers, drummers, and other performers. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic show has three sets of stages set up near the seating arena, three stage barges on Discovery River (only one of which was used during the show I saw), three large mist screens, and three motored barges with fire-twirling performers. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic seems to be mostly a Bollywood-inspired dance show accompanied by three live singers on the central barge, which (for no apparent reason) faces the pedestrian bridge over the Discovery River rather than any of the arena's seating areas. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Silent, low level fireworks punctuate the finale of The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Peek inside Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge

Alan Dalinka got a look inside Tiffins and the adjacent Nomad Lounge, which opened over Memorial Day weekend.

Tiffins Signature Restaurant has opened along with the neighboring Nomad Lounge on Discovery Island next to the construction site of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Nomad Lounge overlooks the Discovery River and the bridge to the still under-construction Pandora: The World of AVATAR. It has both outdoor and indoor open seating areas. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The walls of Tiffins (including the Nomad Lounge) are decorated with art relating to imagineers' world exploration that underlies the theming of all of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The open indoor seating of the Nomad Lounge, including the bar area, is decorated with artwork drawn from travel throughout South Asia, “from Bali to the Himalayas to create the world of Anandapur.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Artwork on the wall of one of the main dining rooms of Tiffins is inspired by travels to “the towns and savannas of Eastern and Southern Africa… the details that give rise to Harambe.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New bus routes for water parks

If your Walt Disney World vacation includes a trip to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, be aware that Disney has modified the bus routes serving the two water parks. As of this past weekend, Disney no longer offers direct bus service from the Walt Disney World Resort hotels to either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. To get to Blizzard Beach, guests must take a bus from their hotel to Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, and from there transfer to a different bus to make the hop to the water park.

Guests going to Typhoon Lagoon board a bus from their hotel to Disney Springs. If it's before 1:00 p.m., the same bus will continue on to Typhoon Lagoon. After 1:00 p.m., passengers may need to change buses at Disney Springs—be sure to let the driver know you're heading to the water park so they can give you appropriate instructions.

This change will certainly add to the water park commute for most visitors, though it also helps provide a steady stream of buses heading to both Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs, two locations which are certain to see an uptick in traffic due to their new attractions.

If all this is making you want to rent a car and avoid all of the hassles, Disney will soon offer preferred parking at both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon for an additional $15 per car. Look for that new parking fee structure to roll out by mid-June.

Of course, you could also skip the bus and the rental car and just use a taxi or Uber to get from point to point.

Views from around the World

Contributing photographer Alan Dalinka shares his photos from around Walt Disney World this week.

Epcot

The refurbished sign in front of The Land pavilion has been installed and now features “Soarin'” which has reopened showing the Soarin' Over California ride-film until the June 17 debut of the new Soarin' Around the World. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Soarin' reopened last week with a newly carpeted queue, a new paint scheme, and a new Concourse C. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The new Concourse C at Soarin' leads to the newly built ride-theater which, until June 17, shows the classic Soarin' Over California ride-film. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Disney California Adventure version of the Soarin' Over California safety video is now shown to riders in the pre-show area before boarding. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

At least for now, the “Chief Flight Attendant” is still Patrick Warburton at Soarin'. No word yet on whether he also hosts the pre-flight safety video for Soarin' Around the World. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The new track inside Soundstage 1, extending the capacity of Toy Story Midway Mania, opened last week. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

After reaching the Fastpass+ merge point in the original queue for Toy Story Midway Mania, riders may be sent to the new loading/unloading and dispatch area for the new track. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New video screens have been installed near the boarding area of Toy Story Midway Mania. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The scoreboards alongside the newly opened additional track of Toy Story Midway Mania can be seen from its exit area. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Projection towers for the new Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks are in place in front of Center Stage. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New works of Andy's art decorate the walls of the exit from the new track side of Toy Story Midway Mania. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The exterior of Soundstage 1 has not been redecorated to reflect that it is now home to the new additional track for Toy Story Midway Mania. All riders enter the same Fastpass+ or Standby queues, but riders exit the new track from a doorway just beyond the “Hot Set” marquee. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

One of the new projection towers facing the Center Stage and Chinese Theater has been painted to match the nearby Hyperion Theater (home of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A light/sound/pyro tower between One Man's Dream and Voyage of the Little Mermaid is now completely surrounded by scaffolds and construction scrims. The tower is likely part of the infrastructure for the new Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks show. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The renovations of the former home of Pizza Planet now include additional external steelwork for a expansion. When Pizza Planet reopens, it will have a brand-new name and theme, in keeping with the rebranding of the surrounding area. According to permits filed by Disney, the restaurant will reopen as Rizzo's Pizza, named for the Muppet rat. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Temporary-appearing signage now marks the entrance to the Mickey and Minnie Mouse photo opportunity at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Temporary-appearing signage now marks the entrance to the Olaf photo opportunity at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New food kiosks opened along Echo Lake near the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show. As was true on the day of this photo, the kiosks may close hours before the park. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Across World Drive from Disney's Hollywood Studios, a large area has been cleared. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Animal Kingdom

Central Florida's amazing sunsets may be discovered in Epcot's parking lot. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Some new “floating” rocks have risen above the tree line in the area where Pandora: The World of AVATAR is being built at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

With the opening of the nearby Tiffins and Nomad Lounge, the construction wall blocking access to Pandora has been moved closer to the bridge to the new land and shows new artwork. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Construction continues in the “upper” seating area at Flame Tree BBQ. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Construction on the trail near the base of the Tree of Life along the Discovery River appears to be nearing completion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The rock work and floating mountains of the still under construction Pandora: The World of AVATAR are also illuminated at night. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Rather than light sabers, light-up animal-based toys are now available for sale at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Springs

Decorative signage now hangs over the Town Center pedestrian entrance to the newly opened Lime Garage. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Boardwalk

As announced last week, as renovations continue at the restaurant, the word “Cafe” has been dropped from the name of the Flying Fish and now it has also been removed from the sign facing Disney's BoardWalk. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

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This and That

…The Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge is expected to open on June 6 on the upper level of the Imagination pavilion at Epcot. The lounge opened briefly for previews, but closed again for final preparations.

The Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge is expected to open on June 6 on the upper level of the Imagination pavilion at Epcot. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The DVC Member Lounge Check-in podium is located at the base of the stairs to the upper level of the Imagination pavilion in the ImageWorks area. After rumors of a soft opening surfaced, some damage occurred to the ceiling/stairwell which can be seen in this photo. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…The Town Center bus loop has opened, providing one central stop for all of Disney Springs.

…The Ample Hills Creamery is now open on Disney's BoardWalk in the space formerly occupied by the ESPN arcade and gift shop. The Ample Hills Creamery features several ice cream flavors and an opportunity to design your own sundae.

The Ample Hills Creamery is now open on Disney's BoardWalk in the space formerly occupied by the ESPN arcade and gift shop. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Ample Hills Creamery features several ice cream flavors and an opportunity to design your own sundae. The walls behind the counter are decorated in a child-like watercolor rendition of Epcot, the BoardWalk and the Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…Aristo Crepes is now open near Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs. The kiosk offers sweet and savory crepes paired with alcoholic and non-acoholic beverages.

Aristo Crepes is now open near Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…If you're planning to spend Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World, now is the time to start thinking about your dinner reservations. Reservations for Thanksgiving day are now open.

…STK Orlando threw a grand opening preview party on May 24, complete with searchlights filling the sky like those that used to shine over the area back when it was Pleasure Island. STK opened for dinner service on May 25. You can read and see more from the grand opening pre-party in this article from Alan S. Dalinka.

STK Orlando threw a grand opening preview party on May 24, complete with searchlights filling the sky. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…The 2016 Gay Days at Walt Disney World, an annual unofficial event, take place June 2–5. You can find information on the event website, and download a schedule of events. To whatever degree there are “organized” events, the schedule calls for attendees to visit the parks on these days:

  • Thursday, June 2 – Animal Kingdom
  • Friday, June 3 – Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Saturday, June 4 – Magic Kingdom (the busiest day of the event)
  • Sunday, June 5 – Epcot

…While not affiliated with the Gay Days event, another group hosts One Magical Weekend June 3 – 5, with three after-hours events at Disney theme parks. Tickets for the events are available from the promoter's website. All events are age 18 and over.

  • Friday, June 3 – Riptide at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
  • Saturday, June 4 – Saturday Main Event, featuring Kesha at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m.
  • Sunday, June 5 – Deep at Epcot, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

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

 

Date Overall
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 9 / 10
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 7 / 10
Thursday, June 2, 2016 7 / 10
Friday, June 3, 2016 7 / 10
Saturday, June 4, 2016 8 / 10

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

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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
  • Gay Days at Walt Disney World (annual unofficial event) – June 2–5. More information on the event website. To whatever degree there are “organized” events, the schedule calls for attendees to visit the parks on these days:
    • Thursday, June 2 – Animal Kingdom
    • Friday, June 3 – Disney's Hollywood Studios
    • Saturday, June 4 – Magic Kingdom (the busiest day of the event)
    • Sunday, June 5 – Epcot
  • Night of Joy – September 9 & 10
  • 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival –September 14 – November 14, 2016.
  • Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – dates to be announced.
  • 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
  • “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.
  • Holidays at Walt Disney World – dates to be announced.
  • 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 – dates to be announced.
  • Candlelight Processional at Epcot – dates to be announced.

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 must be submitted by August 2, 2016

2017

  • Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration opens at Noon (Eastern) on Tuesday, April 26. Proof of time must be submitted by October 4, 2016.
  • Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration date has not been announced. Proof of time must be submitted by November 15, 2016.

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.

2016 ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex events

  • AAU National Club Championship – June 30 – July 3.
  • Special Olympics Florida Fall Classic – November 11–12.
  • 2016 Pop Warner Super Bowl –December 3–10.

Merchandise Events

Date Event
May 27-29

Epcot

  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Yardley representative Isis Sio. Noon – 7 p.m.
June 1

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist showcase with Greg McCullough. 1–8 p.m.
June 2

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist showcase with Greg McCullough. 1–8 p.m.
June 3

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist showcase with Greg McCullough. 1–8 p.m.

Epcot

  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Yardley representative Isis Sio. Noon – 7 p.m.
June 4

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist showcase with Greg McCullough. 1–8 p.m.

Epcot

  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Yardley representative Isis Sio. Noon – 7 p.m.
June 5

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist showcase with Greg McCullough. 1–8 p.m.

Epcot

  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Yardley representative Isis Sio. Noon – 7 p.m.
June 15–19

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist showcase with Greg McCullough. 1–8 p.m.
June 24

Epcot

  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Yardley representative Isis Sio. Noon – 7 p.m.
  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Kit Heath representative.
June 25

Epcot

  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Yardley representative Isis Sio. Noon – 7 p.m.
  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Kit Heath representative.
June 26

Epcot

  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Yardley representative Isis Sio. Noon – 7 p.m.
  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Kit Heath representative.
June 29–July 5

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist showcase with Greg McCullough. 1–8 p.m.
July 7–8

Epcot

  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Kit Heath representative.

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

  • Soarin' – closed January 4, 2016. Reopens June 17 as Soarin' Around the World, with a new ride film. The ride will reopen with the original film May 27 – June 16, giving fans one last chance to see the original attraction.
  • Maelstrom – permanently closed for construction of Frozen Ever After attraction. New ride expected to open June 21.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

2016

  • Magic of Disney Animation – building permanently closed for future expansion. Part of the space has been converted to the Star Wars Launch Bay.
  • One Man's Dream theater – an expanded sneak peek at Alice Through the Looking Glass began May 6.
  • Pizza Planet restaurant – closed for refurbishment. Reopening date TBD.
  • Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – permanently closed to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
  • Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – permanently closed to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
  • Studio Catering Co. – closed to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
  • Meet & Greet: Mike and Sulley at Streets of America – closed to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

  • Tiffins – the park's new table-service restaurant will open Memorial Day weekend for lunch and dinner.

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 through June 1, 2016 for refurbishment and transformation into a Planet Hollywood Observatory.
  • Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2016.

Resorts

  • Boardwalk Inn
    • Flying Fish Cafe closed through September 30 for refurbishment. Will reopen simply as “Flying Fish.”
    • Seashore Sweets – closed permanently. Will reopen as the “AbracadaBar” later this year.
  • 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.

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.


Discounts for Everyone

Thanks to Sue Pisaturo from Small World Vacations for the details. All of these packages can also be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today.

Fall Free Dining offer

Receive a free Dining Plan when you book a regular-price 5-night/6-day vacation package. Your package must include a room at a participating Walt Disney World Resort hotel, and a Magic Your Way ticket with either the Park Hopper and/or the Water Park Fun & More Option.

This offer is available for arrivals most nights Aug. 23–Oct. 1, 2016, Nov. 15–21, 26–28 and Dec. 10–21, 2016. You must book by July 8, 2016 to receive this offer.

If you book a Disney Moderate Resort, Disney Deluxe Resort, or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, your package will include the Disney Dining Plan. If you book at a participating Disney Value Resort, the package includes the Quick-Service Dining Plan.

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.

Disney's Port Orleans – Riverside is excluded during the following dates: November 15–21, 26–28 and December 10–21, 2016.

If you don't need theme park tickets or aren't interested in the dining package, consider one of the two room-only offers.

Back to School room-only offer

Save 20–30% off the published rate for stays August 1 through November 5, 2016. This offer as no length-of-stay requirement, which makes it ideal for a quick getaway if your dates are available.

  • Save up to 30% off Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
  • Save up to 25% off Disney Moderate Resorts
  • Save up to 20% 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 August 31, 2016.

Kid-sized Vacation offer

This package is a variation of the Back to School 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 $998 for a family of 3.

Valid for arrivals most nights August 1 – November 5, 2016. As with the Back to School offer, you must book by August 31, 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.

Late Summer Family Time offer

Another variant of the Back to School 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 $1,850.

Valid for arrivals most nights August 1 – November 5, 2016. As with the Back to School offer, you must book by August 31, 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 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.


Discounts for Annual Passholders

None at this time.

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:

  • Magic Kingdom Park
    • Disney's Family Magic Tour
    • Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour
    • Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour
    • Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour
  • Epcot
    • Gardens of the World (offered seasonally)
    • The UnDISCOVERed Future World
    • Disney's Dolphins in Depth
    • Epcot DiveQuest
    • Epcot Seas Aqua Tours
    • Epcot Behind the Seeds (15 percent discount)
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
    • Wild by Design
    • Backstage Safari
  • Multiple Theme Parks and Backstage Areas
    • Backstage Magic
    • Disney's Holiday D-Lights (offered seasonally)
    • Disney's Yuletide Fantasy (offered seasonally)

10 percent off select restaurants

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

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas:

  • Boma
  • Jiko (see restrictions)
  • Sanaa

Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas:

  • ESPN Sports Club
  • Flying Fish Cafe (see restrictions)

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:

  • Shutters at Old Port Royale

Disney's Contemporary Resort:

  • The Wave…of American Flavors

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground:

  • Trail's End Restaurant

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:

  • Citricos (see restrictions)
  • Grand Floridian Cafe

Disney's Old Key West Resort:

  • Olivia's Cafe

Disney's Port Orleans Resort:

  • Boatwright's Dining Hall

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa:

  • The Turf Club Bar and Grill

Disney's Wilderness Lodge:

  • Artist Point (see restrictions)
  • Whispering Canyon Cafe

Disney's Yacht Club Resort:

  • Captain's Grille

Disney's Hollywood Studios:

  • The Hollywood Brown Derby (see restrictions)
  • Hollywood & Vine (see restrictions)

Epcot:

  • Biergarten Restaurant (see restrictions)

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 at the spas and salons at Walt Disney World Resort listed below:

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Senses – A Disney Spa
  • Ivy Trellis Salon

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • Senses – A Disney Spa

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas

  • Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • Olympiad Fitness Center

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

  • La Vida Health Club
  • Casa de Belleza Salon

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • Sturdy Branches Health Club

Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

  • Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness

Free 5″ x 7″ character photo at a private meet and greet location at Epcot

Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a private character meet and greet at Epcot for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. inside Innoventions West at Epcot. You'll receive one free 5″ x 7″ character photo per day.


Discounts for Military Personnel

2016 Military Salute – 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket discount

Through December 16, 2016, 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:

  • Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper Option for $196 each, plus tax
  • Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Water Park Fun and More Option for $196 each, plus tax
  • Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun and More Options for $230 each, plus tax.

Walt Disney World Resort tickets may be used January 3 through December 19, 2016, except that the tickets may not be used March 20 – 2016 April 1, 2016.

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, 2016.

2016 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%, based on room category.

The new offer is valid most nights from January 3 through December 19, 2016. Like the ticket offer, the hotel discounts are not valid March 20, 2016 through April 1, 2016.

Discounts for Florida Residents

None at this time.

Discounts for Canada Residents

None at this time.

Discounts for U.K. Residents

None at this time.


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  • Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
    Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

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Filed Under: Walt Disney World Resort Update

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