Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 20–26, 2017
Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | runDisney Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions
Writer's note: Not too many weeks ago, our Walt Disney World Resort Updates began with my comments and news items about the increasingly severe drought conditions around Central Florida and the lack of rain's impact on the Resort. Well, here we are about three weeks into the rainy season, and the rain deficit is rapidly being erased throughout the region. I knew before I moved here that every summer day has the potential for some rain in Central Florida; so far this season, the potential has been realized nearly every day around Walt Disney World.
Of course, as the local weather forecasters regularly note around here, tropical storms are also a possibility during this time of year. Generally, that threat to the Walt Disney World area is much lower than it is to the coastal regions. Locals and visitors should be aware of and prepare for these threats but, for the most part, they should not interfere with having fun around the Resort as Disney provides many ways to have fun even in bad weather. This week, for example, I finally got to see one of the rainy day activities I had heard and read about but had never seen before: Magic Kingdom Rainy Day Cavalcade.
On a rainy day around the scheduled time for Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party (mini-parade), Magic Kingdom Rainy Day Cavalcade made a trip down Main Street U.S.A. and around the hub in front of Cinderella Castle. Video by Alan S. Dalinka
The Cavalcade does not appear on Times Guides or the My Disney Experience App, but it may roll down Main Street U.S.A., around the hub and back so long as lightning is not in the area at roughly the time a regularly scheduled parade had been scheduled. The Cavalcade includes characters and other performers that likely would have participated in the regularly scheduled parade (or “street party”) if conditions were safe (dry) enough for the regular parade floats and dance routines.
While our friends out West had lots of news to cover in this week's Disneyland Resort Update, here in the East we have just a little bit. After that, I have some more weather-related photos among the Views around the World, another installment of One Passholder's Tip, This and That, and the rest of our usual Update.
News and Views
Dead Men Tell No Tales Yet Take Photos | New Animated Shorts Now Playing in Epcot | Views around the World | One Passholder's Tip | This and That | Crowd Forecast
Dead Men Tell No Tales Yet Take Photos
At Disney Parks, guests are not supposed to take flash photos on classic dark rides like Magic Kingdom's Pirates of the Caribbean. Even with modern cameras, for those of us that follow the rules, some low-light photos attempted on moving rides are extremely difficult or impossible to capture. Enter Disney PhotoPass service to another ride.
Announced just last Thursday on Disney Parks Blog, as of yesterday, Pirates of the Caribbean now has on-ride Disney PhotoPass photo capture just before the waterfall “dive into the Golden Age of Piracy.” A brand new talking pirate skull opposite the skeleton pirate at the ship's wheel talks to your boat full of fellow voyagers before a flash captures a group photo with the perfectly positioned skeleton pirate sailing in the background.
A new talking skull address guests before the new Disney PhotoPass photo is taken and your boat plunges down the waterfall. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
To be able to preview this on-ride PhotoPass photo, riders must wear their MagicBand or be wearing their touchpoint disk mounted into another MagicKeeper item, so that the photo can be associated with the rider's MyDisneyExperience account. Like on Epcot's Frozen Ever After ride, having the MagicBand or MagicKeeper in a pocket or purse likely will block the radio signals necessary to associate the photo with an account, and there are no preview screens with touchpoints at the ride's exit to use with Park Ticket Cards, Keys to the World, or PhotoPass Cards. Folks that have purchased Memory Maker and Passholders with that benefit may download the photo like any other PhotoPass photo. For everyone else, photo purchase options are the same as all other PhotoPass photos.
New Animated Shorts Now Playing in Epcot
The Magic Eye Theater at Epcot's Imagination pavilion has been home to numerous 3-D (and 4-D) film adventures since it opened just after Epcot's 1982 debut. Since late 2015, it has been showing the “Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival,” which, until a few weeks ago included “For the Birds,” “La Luna,” and Mickey Mouse in “Get A Horse!”
As of yesterday, the theater reopened with a revised line-up of animated short films from the Disney and Pixar libraries. The show opens with “Get A Horse!” and includes “Piper” and “Feast.” As before, the show includes in-theater effects including mist sprays and the minimal movements of the theater's motion base.
“Get A Horse” is a 2013 short by Walt Disney Animation Studios that features Mickey Mouse (voiced by archival recordings of Walt Disney himself) along with some of the other characters from Mickey's early cartoons. It combines hand-drawn black-and-white animation with color computer generated images, and includes the first appearance of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in a Disney-produced film since Disney re-acquired the rights to the character. The short made its original U.S. premiere at D23 Expo in Anaheim in 2013, and was theatrically released with Frozen.
“Piper” is a Pixar Animation Studios short that was released with Finding Dory last year. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. It follows the adventure of a hungry baby bird overcoming its fear of water.
“Feast” is a Walt Disney Animation Studios short that made its theatrical debut with Big Hero 6 in 2014. It also won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. It follows the adventures of a puppy and his adopted family.
Views Around the World
As noted above, it has rained quite a bit around Walt Disney World Resort lately. When the rain clears away around sunset, some great photo opportunities arise. Also, with “Happily Ever After” still being so new, I went to Magic Kingdom twice this week to explore the show's view from New Fantasyland and Main Street from as far back as Center Street. As always, as you enjoy some of my views around Walt Disney World, the captions provide a little bit more news and information.
Magic Kingdom
The shops of Main Street U.S.A. frame the “Happily Ever After” fireworks. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Exterior refurbishment continues at Sir Mickey's in Fantasyland. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Gaston's Tavern continues to offer an Enchanted Rose Cupcake. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Minnie Mouse meets guests who wait in the same queue as Daisy. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Epcot
Disney Springs
Road Construction
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 20
If you want to sit in the middle of a Disney Parks theater, do not rush the door.
Many adults and kids at Walt Disney World seem to share in the excitement of being first through the automatic (or is it “automagical”) doors into the many theater-type attractions around the Resort. Some of these folks are the same ones that cast members repeatedly ask to move all the way down to the end of the row, filling each and every seat. And, when those announcements fail to move these inconsiderate folks, they are the ones you step over on your way down the row to the plentiful open seats on the other side.
If the door-rushers are thinking anything at all, I like to think that they are thinking that they will get the best seats by being “first” since “first is best,” right? Now, of course, most Walt Disney World venues really do not have any “bad seats” per se and the announcements often say that the theater has been designed so that every seat has a great view of the show/film/attraction. But folks, and especially repeat guests, have their favorite places to watch.
Except during the most crowded times of the year, my strategy tends to be to stay to the back of the pack when the theater doors open. Once inside the theater, I typically find that I have my choice of a good number of rows with seats in the center or whatever part of the theater I like for a particular show. In fact, if you like that empty seat next to you, being last through the door gives you many options where you will not be inconsiderate for failing to fill that empty seat between you and the screaming, kicking, bubble-blowing kid you never saw before and never want to see again who has no interest in whether Donald succeeds in getting back that hat.
During the times that a particular theater venue is going to be full (peak seasons, for example), my modified strategy is to allow about half the crowd to get through the doors ahead of me if I want to be seated in the middle, or to straggle to the very front or back rows as the final folks meander through the doors, as those locations seem to be where the most empty seats tend to remain. Your mileage may vary, but please, do not push and shove: it is hot outside and we are probably all a bit tired and looking forward to the air conditioning too.
Don't keep it to yourself!
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This and That
…For folks that enjoy the fireworks dessert parties at Epcot for viewing “IllumiNations Reflections of Earth,” reservations are now open for the latest offering. On select nights starting July 17, Epcot will offer the new “Frozen Ever After Dessert Party” that combines the usual reserved area for viewing the fireworks show and dessert buffet which will feature Frozen-themed hot and cold desserts plus adult and non-alcoholic beverages with a special post-show opportunity to ride the Frozen Ever After attraction at the nearby Norway pavilion.
With the late-night ride on Frozen reserved this way, folks making this reservation can use their Fastpass+ selection to choose only one attraction “tier” on Test Track or Soarin' (since they are already getting both Illuminations and Frozen—and if you do not understand this analysis, you may need to do a bit more homework if you want to get the most out of your Walt Disney World vacation day at Epcot; let us know in the comments and we will point you to more planning tools). In addition to park admission, cost is $79 for ages 10 and above, $47 for ages 3 to 9 (tax and gratuity included). Reservations can be made at DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling (407)WDW-DINE. /p>
…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 (ongoing)
- Dapper Day Outing (unofficial events)– November 18, 2017 at Magic Kingdom; November 19, 2017 at Epcot
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – August 31 – November 13, 2017.
- 35th Disney Night of Joy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – September 8 and 9, 2017
- Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – October 27–28, 2017
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party – August 25, 29; September 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29;
October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31; November 1 - Holidays at Walt Disney World –Dates TBD
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – November 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26, 28;
December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22 - Holidays Around the World at Epcot –Dates TBD
- Candlelight Processional at Epcot –Dates TBD
2018 Resort Events
- Epcot International Festival of the Arts – “Early” 2018
- 25th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – “Spring” 2018
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
- Virtual Running Shorts – June 1-August 31, 2017 (Virtual). Registration now open. (June event is sold out.)
No proof of time required. - Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 2–5, 2017. Registration open (most events sold out).
Proof of time must be submitted by August 1, 2017.
2018
- 25th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 3-7, 2018. Registration now open (many events sold out).
Proof of time deadline October 3, 2017. - 10th Anniversary Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 22–25, 2018. All events sold out.
The runDisney website says to check with Travel Providers and Charity Groups for additional registration opportunities. - Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 19-22, 2018. Registration now open (10K is sold out).
Proof of time deadline is January 16, 2018. - 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
- Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams – had its final showing on May 11, 2017, and has been replaced by the new fireworks show: Happily Ever After.
- The Incredibles Super Dance Party – closed. The Rockettower Plaza Stage now hosts “The Cosmic Dance Party.”
- Stitch's Great Escape – often closed on a “seasonal” basis. As of this posting, it is again open for the peak Summer season.
- The Hall of Presidents – closed to add an audio-animatronic figure of the 45th president of the United States. My Disney Experience App continues to say the closure is through June 29, 2017, but several cast members working in the vicinity of the attraction say to not expect it to reopen until late summer at the earliest.
The Hall of Presidents remains closed. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Epcot
Temporarily closed:
- Mission:SPACE – June 5, 2017 through late July, 2017
Permanently closed:
- Innoventions West (except Character Meet and Greets)
- Innoventions East (except Colortopia and a Passholder shop)
…including Sum of All Thrills and Storm Struck
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Temporarily closed:
- Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away (stage show) – My Disney Experience next lists performance times starting on June 18, 2017.
Permanently closed:
- Streets of America
- Premiere Theatre
- The Writer's Stop
- Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
- Studio Catering Co.
- Meet & Greets: Mike and Sulley, Phineas and Ferb, Mater and Lightning McQueen
- Magic of Disney Animation
- Academy of Television Sciences Hall of Fame
Disney's Animal Kingdom
- No known closures at this time
Blizzard Beach
- Runoff Rapids. Expected completion: TBA.
Typhoon Lagoon
- No known closures at this time
Disney Springs
- Portobello Country Italian Trattoria – Closed April 24, 2017. Will reopen in Fall 2017 with a new concept from James Beard award-winner and Top Chef Master Tony Mantuano.
- Disney Quest – scheduled to close July 3, 2017 to make way for The NBA Experience.
- La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil – ends its run on December 31, 2017. Next use of the theater on the West Side TBA.
- Wolfgang Puck Grand Café – closes its West Side location on August 1, 2017. A new Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill has been announced for Town Center and is expected to open in 2018.
Resorts
- Caribbean Beach – Centertown, the resort's marketplace, will be expanded with new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. The project is expected to be completed 2019-20. Due to the work, the following food service and retail locations are closed:
- Old Port Royale Food Court
- Shutters at Old Port Royale
- Banana Cabana Pool Bar
- Calypso Trading Post
- Coronado Springs – A new 15-story tower overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort's central lake, will add 500 rooms featuring suites and concierge level services, and a rooftop dining facility that will include panoramic views of nighttime fireworks shows at the Theme Parks. Construction around some of the bus stops started earlier this month. The resort also plans to refurbish current resort rooms and transform some of its landscape. The project is expected to be completed 2019-20.
- Wilderness Lodge and Villas – Hidden Springs pool, resort beach, and playground closed. The opening of Disney Vacation Club's Copper Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is expected July 17. In the meantime, Roaring Fork is also closed.
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 |
DisneyWorld.com has released its Fall 2017 Free Dining offer. Get a free dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package with a Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus Option. Book through July 7, 2017.
Additional restrictions and exclusions may apply. Thanks to Mary Kraemer of Masterpiece Travels for the tip. Our friends at Small World Vacations let us know that Disney has a made a summer discount offer where you can save up to 25% on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays most nights May 28-Aug. 31, 2017 when you book March 27-July 14, 2017. You can also see all of Disney's current special offers on DisneyWorld.com. 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 |
Visit the Annual Passholder website for information, 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. |
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Travel Discounts for Florida Residents |
Rates for Florida Residents starting as low as $108 per night, plus tax are available for a stay in a standard room at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, most Sunday through Thursday nights from June 11 through August 31, 2017. Other discounted rates and Resorts may be available from June 6 through August 31, 2017. Book through August 30, 2017. Visit this page of DisneyWorld.com for more information and reservations. Florida Residents can also save 30% on 4 days at the theme parks with a 4-Day Disney Select Ticket. This $54.75 plus tax per day ticket gives you access to one theme park per day for up to 4 days (which do not have to be used consecutively). A 3-Day Disney Select Ticket is also available for $66.34 plus tax per day. Tickets expire 6 months after first use, with the first use on or before December 31, 2018. Proof of Florida Residency is required. More information is available on this page of DisneyWorld.com. 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 |
Check disneyparks.ca for the latest offers from Disney. 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 |
Reader Stuart D. let us know about Disney's 2018 free dining offer for folks traveling from the U.K. You can see the offers on Disney World's U.K. packages website. There are lots of details about the free dining, a $200 Disney Gift Card, a 14-Day Ticket for the price of 7 (including Water Parks and Memory Maker) and a lot of fine print. Here are the highlights of the 14-night packages during summer 2018 holidays and all include Memory Maker photos, 14-Day Ultimate Ticket for the price of a 7-Day ticket (including FastPass+), and 12-month DisneyLife subscription:
Sample package prices are for 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3-9) , including a two-week stay, arriving 27th May, 2018 – 5th September, 2018, for new bookings only, subject to availability. Additional terms and conditions on Disney's U.K. website, but a few more details follow. Free Dine and Free Breakfast Offers are available to book 6 April, 2017 – 6 July, 2017, for selected arrivals 1 January – 18 March, 2018 and 6 April – 30 November, 2018. Minimum length of stay is 5 consecutive nights, and a maximum of 21 consecutive nights. Dining plan must be selected for all members of the traveling party aged 3 and over. In addition to the minimum stay, Disney Tickets for the whole party must be booked to qualify. Gratuities are not included. *$200 Disney Spending Money Offer is available to book 6 April, 2017 – 6 July, 2017, for selected arrivals 1 January – 18 March, 2018 and 6 April – 30 November 2018. Booking must include 5 nights minimum stay at a Moderate Resort or participating Deluxe Resort or Villa. Spending money will be in the form of a Disney Gift Card valid at Walt Disney World and select U.S. Disney Stores only. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
