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You are here: Home / Walt Disney World Resort Update / Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 8 – 14, 2016

Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 8 – 14, 2016

March 9, 2016 by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 8 – 14, 2016

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


News and Views

Rivers of Light set to debut April 22 | Wine and Dine delay | Views around the World | MouseAdventure Silly Symphonies | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Rivers of Light set to debut April 22

The new Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular will open on Earth Day, Friday April 22, Disney has announced. The company also shared a new video about the show, which will be hosted in a new amphitheater along Discovery River in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park.

Reserved viewing for Rivers of Light will be offered through the Fastpass+ system, though Disney hasn't yet said when the booking window will open. We are also expecting additional information about Rivers of Light dining packages, which are expected to be offered at several Animal Kingdom locations including the new Tiffins Restaurant under construction near Avatar Land.


‘Rivers of Light’ – Behind the Scenes | Disney’s Animal Kingdom . YouTube video © Disney.

 

Wine and Dine delay

Early registration was supposed to open Tuesday, March 8 for the 2016 Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend events, but runDisney abruptly announced Monday that registration has been rescheduled. According to the runDisney website, general registration will now open on Tuesday, March 29 at Noon (Eastern).

Early registration for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members will open on Tuesday, March 22 at Noon (EST). The passholder websites for Walt Disney World and Disneyland have both been updated with the new date, but the Disney Vacation Club website has no mention of this race at all. (As we've repeatedly recommended, if you are an annual passholder and a DVC member, it's always best to use the links from the annual passholder site to register for runDisney events. The DVC site is not updated as frequently, and the links are often posted after the events are already sold out.)

runDisney has not provided an explanation for this delay, saying only that they are “putting finishing touches” on the event, but an image being shared on social media provides a likely explanation. A runner found a listing on the Active.com website (the site runDisney uses for race registration) that included a 10K distance for the Wine and Dine event. This is the last of the runDisney events to add a 10K, so it's no surprise that Disney would add the popular distance to this event as well. What is not known is if this 10K will also be a nighttime race—the Wine and Dine is the only after-dark half marathon on the runDisney calendar—and whether Disney will add a Challenge division for those who want to run both races the same weekend.

While running events are always subject to weather challenges, the Wine & Dine Half Marathon seems to be the most notorious of the runDisney events. In 2014, the race was nicknamed the “Splash and Dash” race due to poor weather conditions. Thunderstorms and lightning in the area prompted runDisney to drastically shorten the course of the 2015 race following a delayed start, leaving runners to complete a “half, half marathon.”

We expect runDisney to come out will all of the details—and pricing—for the 2016 event by March 15, though there's still not much that can be done about the weather. The race is currently scheduled for the evening of Saturday, November 7, with the Jingle Jungle 5K and runDisney Kids Races scheduled for that morning.

The delay has also forced runDisney to move the registration dates for the 2016 Avengers Half Marathon weekend at the Disneyland Resort. General registration for that event will now open on April 12, with early registration on April 5.

Views around the World

Contributing photographer Alan Dalinka shares some photos from around Walt Disney World, including images from the 2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. You can see even more photos from the event tomorrow in a photo tour by Don and Bonnie Fink. Alan also took to the skies above Disney Springs to bring us a unique look at the construction in the area.

Epcot

Flower towers are intermingled among the Leave a Legacy stones near Spaceship Earth. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Butterfly topiaries point the way to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival's butterfly house in Future World near the Imagination pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Music Garden Melodies, along the pathway between Future World west and World Showcase is one of the play areas set up for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Topiary Minnie and Mickey Mouse stand amongst playable musical instruments in the Music Garden. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Topiary Mater stands in the Cactus Road Rally in Future World east near Test Track. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The area next to Innoventions East near Universe of Energy is again home to a Water Wise Garden for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Duffy the Bear's friend Shellie Mae in a Flower and Garden Festival outfit is amongst this year's themed merchandise. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Passholder exclusive merchandise is again available for sale this year's Flower and Garden Festival. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A sand sculpture advertisement for the upcoming live action version of The Jungle Book is along the shore of World Showcase Lagoon near the African Outpost. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Bonsai trees are on display along the World Showcase Promenade in the Japan pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Frozen themed additions continue to rise in the expanding Norway pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The technical equipment that supported the DJ-hosted dance parties at the Center Stage in front of the Chinese Theater has been removed. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Kylo Ren now makes an appearance in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Movie Set Adventure is scheduled to close on April 2 to make way for the Star Wars and Toy Story lands coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Inside the standby queue for Toy Story Mania, a mural wall now blocks off views of the animatronic Mr. Potatohead. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Storm Troopers of the First Order currently appear in the Animation Courtyard and will participate in a new mini-parade scheduled to begin in April at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular, the current Star Wars themed fireworks display at Disney's Hollywood Studios, will be replaced by a new Star Wars themed fireworks display in April. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Springs

The new Disney Springs water tower landmark has been installed facing Buena Vista Drive between the new parking structures. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A “Zootopia” photo backdrop has replaced the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” photo backdrop near the Disney Springs AMC 24 Theater. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Obvious progress on the exterior renovation of Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs includes the removal of the words “Planet Hollywood” from the sign, the enclosing of the former second-floor entrance area along with its entrance ramp, and the creation of a ground-floor entrance opening in the building. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Characters In Flight balloon at Disney Springs is helium-filled and is tethered to its base by a cable. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

In this photo from the Characters In Flight Balloon, you can see the construction site for The Edison (former home of The Adventurers Club) and the STK Steakhouse Orlando in The Landing area, and the Town Center construction. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

In this photo from the Characters In Flight Balloon, you can see the back of the new Disney Springs water tower that faces Buena Vista Drive and the construction of the Town Center area and the newest parking structure. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The blue colored water—the namesake “Springs”—seen in this photo from the Characters In Flight Balloon separates the Town Center and Landing areas of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

In this photo from the Characters In Flight Balloon, you can see beyond the West Side of Disney Springs to Spaceship Earth at Epcot and farther to the west. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

In this photo from the Characters In Flight Balloon, you can see beyond the on-property Buena Vista Palace Resort, to the Grand Cypress Resort all the way to the Orlando Eye and International Drive. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

MouseAdventure Silly Symphonies

Come join MouseAdventure for their first Spring game in Walt Disney World—MouseAdventure Silly Symphonies. This adventure will kick off at Sea Breeze Point, the gazebo on the edge of Crescent Lake near the Boardwalk resort. From here you will explore the nearby resorts and then continue into Epcot Park. We will wrap the day with an informal meet up back at the gazebo. Details will be announced on game morning.

So, get the band together and get ready for MouseAdventure Silly Symphonies! Registration for this event will open at 9am Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 15 online at www.mouseadventure.com.

MouseAdventure Silly Symphonies will take place on May 14 at Epcot.

Basic Division
May 14, 2016 • Epcot Resorts and Epcot Park

MouseAdventure Silly Symphonies will put you through a series of quests and challenges to be solved throughout the Epcot Resorts and Epcot Park.

Registration for the Basic Division is $150 per team. Each player will need admission to Epcot Park on Saturday, May 14. MouseAdventure registration does not include theme park admission.

More information about MouseAdventure can be found at www.mouseadventure.com.

We're Hiring!

Do you love Disney and have a flair for writing? We're currently looking for columnists to cover new areas of the Disney universe for MousePlanet.com.

If you are interesting in adding your voice to MousePlanet, please contact us—we'd love to hear from you!

This and That

…A casting notice was posted for performers to portray the Coca-Cola Polar Bear at the new store under construction in Disney Springs. Auditions are being held this week. The job listing says the position begins in early March, so the store may be closer to opening than expected.

The recently confirmed Coca-Cola Store's brick exterior is being covered in floor to ceiling glass area that appears to be creating an enclosed set of ramps to the upper level. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will move out of its current home inside the World of Disney Store, and into a new stand-alone location in Disney Springs. A newly-constructed store next to the World of Disney is the likely location.

The Boutique will be moving out of the World of Disney Store into an as yet unannounced location in Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…Walt Disney World annual passholders can collect three different “Fresh Artwork” prints during the 2016 Flower and Garden Festival. The 8″ x 10″ prints were drawn by Disney artist Don “Ducky” Williams, and change each month. The characters are:

  • March – Donald Duck
  • April – Goofy
  • May – Mickey Mouse

The redemption center is located behind Club Cool, inside Innoventions West. There is a limit of one print per passholder, per month.

Annual Passholders can pickup their “Fresh Artwork” by showing their Photo ID and having their Magic Band or Annual Pass scanned. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…Nick Wilde and Officer Judy Hopps from the Disney animated feature Zootopia will join the “Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party” at the Magic Kingdom sometime this spring. The duo are scheduled to appear in a meet-and-greet at the Disneyland Resort, but for now this is their only East coast appearance.

…Walt Disney World has lifted the Spring Break blockout window previously in effect for the Florida Resident Disney Select ticket. This ticket is available only to Florida residents, and allows three ($202) or four ($223) days of admission (one park per day) within a 180-day window. The tickets are valid through December 17, 2016 (or 6 months after first use, whichever comes first), and have a number of blockout dates. The tickets were originally sold with blockout dates of March 19 through April 1, but Disney has since lifted that restriction. If you are a Florida resident, visit the Disney World website for details and to view the blockout dates for the rest of the year.

…Good news for collectors looking to get the whole set of 6 eggs offered as prizes in the 2016 Egg-stravaganza. Disney now allows egg hunters to choose which of the six different two-inch-tall eggs they would like as their gift—Mickey, Minnie, Stitch, Cheshire Cat, Woody, or Jessie. You can collect all 6, while supplies last.

…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 MouseAdventure 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, March 8, 2016 7 / 10
Wednesday, March 9, 2016 7 / 10
Thursday, March 10, 2016 7 / 10
Friday, March 11, 2016 7 / 10
Saturday, March 12, 2016 7 / 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 – December 1, 2015 – March 20, 2016 (tentative end date)
  • 2016 Flower & Garden Festival – March 2 – May 30, 2016
  • Dapper Day at the Magic Kingdom (unofficial event) – Saturday, April 16, 2016. More information at the event website.
  • MouseAdventure (unofficial event) – Saturday, May 14. A puzzle hunt at the Walt Disney World Resort. More information at the event website.
  • 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 – dates to be announced
  • 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival –September 14 through November 14, 2016.
  • Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – dates to be announced.
  • Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party – dates to be announced.
  • “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 – dates to be announced.
  • 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

  • Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 14 – 17, 2016. All races are sold out. The deadline to submit proof of time for these events has passed.
  • Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 3 – 4, 2016. Pre-sale begins March 8, 2016. General registration opens March 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

  • 2016 Atlanta Braves Spring Training – March 4 – April 4. See website for game schedule. Tickets, including season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets are now on sale
  • International All Star Championship – March 12 – 13.
  • ICU Cheerleading and Dance Worlds Championship – April 21 – 22.
  • USASF Cheerleading and Dance Worlds Championship – April 23 – 25. This event draws over 12,000 participants.
  • Varsity All Star’s Cheerleading Championship – April 29 – May 1.
  • Special Olympics Florida Summer Games – May 20 – 21.
  • AAU National Club Championship – June 30 – July 3.
  • Special Olympics Florida Fall Classic – November 11 – 12.
  • 2016 Pop Warner Super Bowl – dates to be announced, but likely either December 3 – 10, or 10 – 17, 2016.

Merchandise Events

Date Event
March 2–27

Egg-stravaganza 2016

Egg-stravaganza returns for the fourth time March 2 through 27. A dozen oversized eggs decorated with images of Disney characters will be placed around the World Showcase lagoon. Egg hunters first purchase a special map and stickers to help locate these eggs, and then place the stickers in the corresponding spots on the map.

The maps are $5.95 plus tax (a $1 increase from 2015), and no discounts apply. Maps are sold at the following locations:

  • Pin Central
  • Port of Entry (Showcase Plaza)
  • Heritage Manor (The American Adventure)
  • World Traveler (International Gateway)

Once complete, participants return the map to a redemption location to claim their prize—one of six different two-inch-tall “eggs” featuring all-new character designs for the 2016 promotion. The redemption centers is located at the Point of Entry store in Epcot.

If you are only in it for the eggs, you don't need to complete the egg hunt to claim your prize—just buy your map at the redemption center and receive your egg. The eggs are awarded randomly, but you may be able to trade with other collectors to complete a set if that is your goal.

Mar. 17

Epcot

  • Art of Disney – Artist Showcase with Larry Dotson, 1 – 8 p.m.
Mar. 18

Epcot

  • Art of Disney – Artist Showcase with Larry Dotson, 1 – 8 p.m.
Mar. 19

Epcot

  • Art of Disney – Artist Showcase with Larry Dotson, 1 – 8 p.m.
Mar. 20

Epcot

  • Art of Disney – Artist Showcase with Larry Dotson, 1 – 8 p.m.
Mar. 23

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist Showcase with Greg McCullough, 1 – 8 p.m.
Mar. 24

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist Showcase with Greg McCullough, 1 – 8 p.m.
Mar. 25

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist Showcase with Greg McCullough, 1 – 8 p.m.
Mar. 26

Disney Springs

  • Art of Disney – Artist Showcase with Greg McCullough, 1 – 8 p.m.
Mar. 27

Disney Springs

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

2016

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed April 4 – July 15 for refurbishment.
  • Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – closed July 7 – September 24 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 as of January 4, 2016. Reopens sometime in “summer of 2016” as Soarin' Around the World, with a new ride film.
  • Circle of Life – closed February 7 through April 2 for refurbishment.
  • Maelstrom – permanently closed for construction of Frozen Ever After attraction. New ride expected to open May, 2016.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

2016

  • Toy Story Midway Mania – closing for one day, Tuesday March 15, to connect the new ride track.
  • Magic of Disney Animation – building permanently closed for future expansion. Part of the space has been converted to the Star Wars Launch Bay.
  • Pizza Planet restaurant – closed January 11 for refurbishment. Reopening date TBD.
  • Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – closes on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
  • Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – closes on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
  • Studio Catering Co. – closes on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
  • Meet & Greet: Mike and Sulley at Streets of America – closes on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

  • Flights of Wonder – show dark January 25 – March 17
  • The Boneyard play area – closed February 22 – March 17 for refurbishment.

Blizzard Beach

  • None scheduled

Typhoon Lagoon

  • Entire park closed January 3 – March 13, 2016 for refurbishment.

Disney Springs

  • Fulton's Crab House – closes April, 2016 for refurbishment.
  • Planet Hollywood – closed January 1 – June 1, 2016 for refurbishment and transformation into a Planet Hollywood Observatory.
  • Disney Springs Bridge 4 and restrooms on Pleasure Island – temporarily closed for ongoing construction work.
  • Disney Springs Lots A-G – closed through August 1, 2016.
  • Disney Springs Lots H, I, J, and K (in Westside area) – closed until further notice for construction.
  • Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.
  • Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2016. Will be replaced with an NBA Experience venue.

Resorts

  • Art of Animation – Schoolyard Sprayground closed through March 11 for refurbishment.
  • Bay Lake Tower – Bay Cove Pool closed February 1 – March 18 for refurbishment.
  • Boardwalk Inn
    • Exterior painting and repair during daylight hours, through May 5, 2016
    • Flying Fish Cafe closed February 1 – September 30, 2016 for refurbishment.
    • Seashore Sweets – closes February 1 as part of the Flying Fish refurbishment.
  • 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

Spring 2016 Family Time package

The Family Time package offers a 5-day/4-night Walt Disney World vacation package for a family of 4 for as low as $1,714. The package includes 5-day theme park tickets and a 4-night stay in standard rooms at Disney's All-Star Music Resort for as low as $1,714 for a family of 4. Book this offer through February 28, 2016 for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights February 22 through March 3, 2016 and April 3 through May 26, 2016.

Other great rates are also available for alternate lengths of stay and party sizes for stays most nights February 22 through June 11, 2016. Travel must be booked from December 28, 2015 – Feb. 28, 2016.

The Magic Your Way package offers up to 25 percent off on rooms for travel from April 14 to June 11 with a booking window from February 29 to March 31, 2016.

Find a full list of resorts and discounts on the Small World Vacations blog.

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.


Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments.

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  • Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
    Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

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Welcome to the new home (and new look) of MousePlanet! We’re currently performing a long overdue replatforming of our site to utilize newer technology and provide a cleaner experience for you, our readers.

The site is still a work in progress. We know that some features are not fully operational yet, but our crackerjack team of ninja hamsters is working to bring the site back to full functionality as quickly as possible.

To sate the demands of those who can never get enough of MousePlanet, our decades of articles and park Updates are again available, but there remains work to be done, including getting many more of our images optimized and loading properly. Thanks for your support!

Ready to book your next Disney vacation?

As always, the experts at MousePlanet’s travel partner Get Away Today are ready to guide the way and help you plan the best vacation ever.

Book your travel

 

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MousePlanet is your independent consumer guide to Disney travel and vacations, covering Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line. Look to MousePlanet for daily news, weekly theme park updates, and detailed travel and resort guides for your favorite Disney destinations. As with any endeavor of this size and complexity, we couldn't hope to succeed without the assistance of our readers. We encourage you to submit news, updates and feedback from your Disney travels.

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MousePlanet is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries. or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews. and guides about the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please contact destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.

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