Writer’s Note, News & Views
We are just over a week into the final month of The Walt Disney Company’s fiscal year, so it is not particularly surprising that it is a quiet news week for Walt Disney World Resort. As mentioned last week, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy closes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios October 7, 2024 (note the lack of social media outrage?). Disney has not yet mentioned other closing dates for those attractions and areas that will give way to what the executives keep calling the “turbocharging” of the parks for the future. We will probably see some of those dates rather soon, and, maybe a date for the opening of “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” for Disney’s Hollywood Studios too, since Disney said it is opening Fall 2024, and the meteorological start of Fall 2024 was September 1, and the Autumnal Equinox is coming up September 22, 2024.
Oh, and if you missed the news item last week, TRON Lightcycle / Run operates with a traditional standby queue or paid Lightning Lane Single Access entrance rather than a virtual queue as of yesterday, September 9. Make your plans accordingly programs.
The biggest news item of note this week is Disney Vacation Club’s announcement of additional Moonlight Magic events at Disney’s Animal Kingdom before year end and its 2025 slate of events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World, plus one event over at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. For those that are not aware, the DVC Moonlight Magic events are like the various Disney After Hours and Parties which allow registered members and their guests to mix in to the park before its official closing time and then allows those admitted to enjoy three hours in the park with lower-than usual standby waits for a number of attractions (though not all attractions remain open), the opportunity to meet and greet with popular and rare characters, and complimentary snacks. Registration for these events is complimentary and, as DVC says, are not paid for with member dues (which is likely why the term “eligible” members can exclude those who have purchased their membership points from sellers other than Disney). Full details and reservation requirements are on this page of DVC’s website (and, in particular, the reservation details will be updated as relevant dates approach).
The additional Disney’s Animal Kingdom 2024 events are: October 24, 2024, November 21, 2024, and December 10, 2024.
The new Disney’s Animal Kingdom Moonlight Magic Events are open to eligible DVC members even if they attended a previous 2024 Moonlight Magic event.
- Early Registration Window – Opens September 19, 2024
The early registration window for the October 24, November 21 and December 10 events opens to eligible members with qualifying Resort reservations (essentially, a points or cash reservation at a Disney owned and operated Walt Disney World DVC property or hotel or Disney’s Vero Beach Resort), with the reservations and modifications finalized—including party size—by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 15, 2024. (Modifications to Resort reservation party size after September 15, 2024, will not increase your party size for the event). - General Registration – Opens October 8, 2024
The general registration window for the October 24, November 21 and December 10 events is open to all eligible Members (limited availability). Be aware that this general registration may close very quickly! The most recent general registration window closed within a matter of minutes for the final Moonlight Magic event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier this summer but, unlike the prior general registration periods in 2024 where general registration opened on an event-by-event basis, this is a single general registration opportunity to register for one of the three event dates.
The 2025 Moonlight Magic event dates at Walt Disney World are:
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: January 26 and September 1
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: February 12
EPCOT: April 30 and July 17
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: May 20, June 9, and August 11
Registration details for these events have not been published as of this Update’s publication. They will be posted to this page of the DVC website as the events approach. For those interested in the West Coast too: the Disney California Adventure Moonlight Magic event will be held February 3, 2025, and its registration details have not yet been posted either.
We are in the peak of Tropical Storm season now. Tropical Storm Francine is now being tracked in the Gulf of Mexico off the Mexican Coast just south of Texas, and is forecast to make landfall, likely as a hurricane, up in Louisiana. It does not appear to pose a direct threat to Central Florida, but increased rain is likely. Indeed, at this time of year, it seems to rain quite a bit in Central Florida in the late afternoons and evenings.
Should a Tropical Storm forecast more directly target Central Florida, be aware that Disney can modify or suspend park and other operations, and it posts those notices on DisneyWorld.com. In the meantime, flash flood advisories continue almost daily from just seemingly-ordinary thunderstorms, so it pays to be vigilant. As I have said before, be aware that a Central Florida downpour tends to be very much unlike what you may have experienced in more northern regions around the U.S.A.; no matter where you are, do not attempt to drive or hike through flooded areas!
This & That & Reminders…
…Though his voice hopefully will be present in the parks (and many other places in the world of Disney entertainment and otherwise) for the foreseeable future, Disney legend James Earl Jones passed away yesterday at age 93.
…Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. Disney Parks Blog paid homage this week, highlighting some of the long-running show’s current cast, including those that have been a part of the experience for nearly all of its run.
…REMINDER: The Timon and Pumbaa Passholder magnet is available at Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures in Disney’s Animal Kingdom during regular park operating hours through September 22, 2024. The park also has Lion King-themed Passholder-exclusive treats and PhotoPass experiences available during this time in honor of the 30th anniversary of the film’s debut. Usual Passholder requirements apply.
…REMINDER: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party nights are underway at Magic Kingdom. The select nights, extra ticket required after-hours events run until Halloween. Remember that if you are visiting the park on a party night and do not have the extra ticket for the party, you will be gently swept out of the park at 6 p.m. and there will be no showing of the Happily Ever After Fireworks that night. If you do have the ticket for the party, at the park’s main entrance, you can get your wristband and mix in with the day guests as early as 4 p.m. without a separate park ticket or reservation. If you have a ticket to be in the park during regular park hours and a ticket for the party, you can find wristband distribution locations scattered around the park where you can have your tickets checked and your wristbands issued. Disney Parks Blog has published its Foodie Guide for the party (and many of the items are also available during regular park hours through October 31 as well)–the exclusive party item on the list that will probably generate the most buzz is the Minnie Mouse: Hocus Pocus Halloween Dress-up Sipper which will be available at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments (limited to two per person, per transaction, while supplies last). MousePlanet was invited by Disney to attend the debut edition of the 2024 party, and that sipper sold out within the first hour or so of that night’s party (and there’s possibly a different available stock each party night).
Be aware that for this year’s party nights, the Boo-To-You Halloween Parade’s early performance is scheduled earlier than in past years (be sure to check My Disney Experience for times). Also new this year, some Hitchhiking Ghosts (actors) materialize on the upper level of Frontierland near the Country Bears Musical Jamboree; other times the Cadaver Dans return to perform in that space.
…REMINDER: Raglan Road at Disney Springs celebrates Oktoberfeis this year now through October 6. Over this past Labor Day weekend, Raglan invited MousePlanet to preview this year’s Great Irish Hooley that we shared on our Instagram Story (and it remains available as a Highlight), where the team at Raglan also showed off some of its new offerings starting September 9 for Oktoberfeis. Raglan partnered with Crooked Can Brewing in Winter Garden, FL, for a special Bavarian Irish Pumpkin Ale for the occasion, and I got to sample it (and enjoyed its flavor). Potato Pretzel, Pork Chop Schnitzel, and Apple Strudle are some of its special offerings for Oktoberfeis.
…UPDATED REMINDER: For nearly two decades, restaurants around Orlando annual have participated in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining program. The participating restaurants offer three-course, prix-fixe dinners at “exceptional” prices. Every meal served supports charities. This year, the event runs through September 30th. Like last year, participating restaurants offer either $40 or $60 menus. Each of the offered three-course dinners includes the choice of an appetizer, entree and dessert from the restaurant’s Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu. Tax and gratuity are not included. The organizers ask that diners please tip based on the total meal value. Participating restaurants at Disney Springs include Summer House on the Lake, Jaleo, Maria & Enzo’s, and The Edison. Amare at The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is also participating, as are Il Mulino New York Trattoria at the Walt Disney World Swan and Todd English’s bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin. Several dozen more participating restaurants are also nearby, including several in the Lake Buena Vista area like Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Twin View Restaurant at Evermore Resort, and Sophia’s Trattoria at Conrad Orlando, plus more in the Dr. Phillips and I-Drive areas. For all the participating restaurants and their special menus, visit MagicalDining.com.
…REMINDER: Cirque du Soleil has released its performance schedule and opened tickets sales for 2025. Performances will be offered twice a day at Disney Springs, five days a week in 2025, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Matinee shows will continue to be offered on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Beginning October 2, 2024, the Page to Stage Signature Experience will also be available five nights per week following the second performance each day. Tickets for all performances can be purchased at cirquedusoleil.com/drawn-to-life or at the Disney Springs box office and are subject to availability.
…REMINDER: Looking ahead to winter, tickets are now on sale for Breakfast with Santa at Maria and Enzo’s at Disney Springs. Offered on select dates in December, this breakfast experience will include a spread of classic menu items, visits from Santa’s merry band of elves, holiday carolers and take-home treats. After enjoying breakfast, guests will get to meet Santa himself. Children can share their holiday wishes with him, and will receive a keepsake photo from their special meet and greet. Tickets are $45 for children and $79 for adults, and are available with more information here.
…REMINDER: Applications are now open for the 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy event at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com, where high school students looking to achieve their dreams can be nominated or apply themselves. Disney Dreamers Academy is an annual four-day transformational program at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, designed to broaden career and personal development for a select group of 100 teens from Black and underrepresented communities across America. The 100 selected students receive an all-expense-paid trip, along with one parent or guardian, to Walt Disney World Resort to experience a combination of inspiration, education and fun at The Most Magical Place on Earth. MousePlanet has been hosted by Disney at several past editions of Disney Dreamers Academy and has reported on them in past Walt Disney World Resort Updates.
…REMINDER: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic celebrates 15 Years this year with the return of its Food & Wine Classic on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. The event runs a half-hour longer each evening than in the past, giving guests more time to enjoy the sips, flavors and music. Tickets are available now at SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com, including a bundle offering with a 15 percent discount for tickets for both Friday and Saturday night. The discounted bundle gives attendees a taste of everything the Food & Wine Classic has to offer, with different menu items featured each night. Additionally, favorite stations from years past will make an exclusive return, paying tribute to the event’s early years.
To celebrate the event’s 15th year, the menu lineup features 45 dishes, the most in the Food & Wine Classic’s history. The Swan & Dolphin says, “A tribute to the resort’s award-winning restaurants and passions of its incomparable culinary team, guests will embark on a global culinary journey without ever leaving the resort.”
New dishes on the 2024 menu include:
- Baja Style Fish Taco with shaved cabbage, pico de gallo, Rosa Mexicano white sauce and corn tortilla from Rosa Mexicano
- Red Wine Braised Beef Short Rib with browned butter potato gnocchi, porcini mushroom purée, pecorino romano, fennel and parsley salad from Il Mulino
- Korean “No Mayo” Salad with rice noodles, bean sprouts, cucumber, kimchi, cashew and bibim from Cabana Bar and Beach Club
- Hand-Made Harissa Spiced Lamb Sausage with bulgar wheat, smoked yogurt and fennel-onion salad from Amare
- Slow Roasted Pernil with garlic and sour orange marinated crispy skinned pork, white rice, black beans, sweet plantains and fresh lime from For the Love of Florida specialty area
Returning favorites include:
- Roasted Linz Heritage Black Angus Beef Tenderloin with baked marble potatoes, caramelized onion purée, horseradish and béarnaise sauce from Shula’s Steak House
- Signature Classic Guacamole en Molcajete with fresh tortilla chips and roasted tomato salsa from Rosa Mexicano
- Butter Poached Bay Scallops with Florida corn purée, charred scallion vinaigrette, radish threads and shallot butter from For the Love of Florida specialty area
- Dragon Roll with crispy shrimp, yellowfin tuna, avocado, cream cheese, kewpie mayonnaise and eel sauce from Kimonos
- Gua Bao with sweet and spicy glazed pork belly, pickled cucumber, red chile, toasted sesame and hot sauce from Chinatown specialty area
All-new dessert options will include:
- Caramel Banana Crème Brûlée
- Nougat Rum Dark Chocolate Mousse
- Pistachio Raspberry Mousse with white chocolate foam
- Mandarin Cream Beignet
The complete 2024 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic menu can be found at https://swandolphin.com/wp-pdf/foodandwine/FWCMENU.pdf.
This year’s event features three interactive seminars taught by members of the resort’s award-winning food and beverage team, allowing guests to expand their knowledge in what the resort says is “a delicious way”:
- (NEW) Beer Here! will take guests on a flavorful journey through Florida’s craft beer scene, celebrating the vibrant and diverse brews of the Sunshine State
- (NEW) Salud! A Journey Through Spain guides attendees through Spain’s rich winemaking heritage, with cuisine pairing tips and more
- Craft Cocktails, a fan favorite, breaks down the components of a great cocktail and how to make a perfect drink in your own home
All seminars will take place at the Swan Reserve on Saturday, November 16 from 4:30-5:30 p.m., just prior to the outdoor festival, and are $85 per person, excluding tax. Seminars require separate tickets and space is limited. More information can be found at swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/seminars/.
For the latest information or to purchase tickets, guests can visit SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com, like swandolphinfwc on Facebook, or call 1-888-828-8850. Discounted hotel packages are available with proof of ticket purchase.
…REMINDER: Before the fall comes around, Florida residents and Disney Annual Passholders can save up to 30% off regular rates on hotel stays at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Guests can visit swandolphin.com/offers/ for more information or to book.
…REMINDER: Give Kids the World Village, the 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Kissimmee that provides cost-free week-long trips to critically ill children and their families, announced that its Gingerbread Run is returning this fall and will take place at night – under the holiday lights! On Saturday, November 23, you’ll have the chance to run, roll or stroll a 5K or family fun run through the whimsical storybook Village illuminated by thousands of holiday lights. Information and registration is available on this page of the Village’s website.
…TIME-SENSITIVE REMINDER: For those looking to sail on the last of the three Disney Wish-class ships that Disney has named (ahead of the next, as yet unnamed batch of ships announced at the D23 event), bookings for the Disney Destiny will open September 12, 2024, with earlier opportunities for those with status in the DCL Castaway Club, Disney Vacation Club, and some others (if you have status, you probably know already). Disney Destiny will sail its maiden voyage from Disney’s terminal at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 20, 2025. That special four-night cruise will also include stops at both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations in The Bahamas – Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The maiden voyage will be followed by an inaugural season of four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean. Every sailing will include a day at either Disney Castaway Cay or Disney Lookout Cay — some itineraries will visit both. Visit DisneyCruise.com or contact your favorite travel agent (like our travel partner, Get Away Today).
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Resort Reservations, Ticket Advice & Special Offers
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.
The 4-day Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket is $235 ($59 per day), plus tax, and offers admission to one theme park per day. The ticket is valid through September 28, 2024, and park reservations are required. The ticket can be used on consecutive or non-consecutive days, and there is no fuse, so you can use the first admission in April and space out your remaining visits over the summer.
A 3-day version of the ticket is also available for $219 ($73 per day).
Both of these tickets also offer optional upgrades:
- Park Hopper Option
—$40 More Per Ticket, Plus Tax.
Visit more than one theme park on the same day. - Water Park and Sports Option
—$35 More Per Ticket, Plus Tax.
Visit one theme park per day. Plus, get a certain number of visits to a water park, golf course or miniature golf course based on the length of your ticket. For example, if you purchase a 3-Day Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket with the Water Park and Sports option, you can visit a Walt Disney World theme park on 3 days with an advance theme park reservation—and visit a Disney water park on 3 additional days by September 28, 2024. - Park Hopper Plus Option
—$55 More Per Ticket, Plus Tax.
Visit more than one theme park on the same day. Plus, get a certain number of visits to a water park, golf course or miniature golf course based on the length of your ticket. This option is a combination of the Park Hopper option and the Water Park and Sports option.
It really is important to stress the necessity for making your park reservations as soon as you complete your purchase. Disney is only setting aside a limited number of reservations for this ticket type each day, and states, “Reservations may be unavailable for any particular date or park, especially as you get closer to the date of visit or ticket expiration date.”
If you are not a Florida Resident, or you are, but park reservations are not available for the dates you want to visit, Disney is also offering the 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket from $99 Per Day, Plus Tax (Total Price from $396, Plus Tax). The 4-Park Magic Ticket includes one admission to each of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks—Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios—for a total of 4 admissions, on 4 separate days. Limit one admission per theme park, one theme park per day. This is a date-based ticket, so it does not require a theme park reservation to enter a park, but you must pick a start date through September 22, 2024, and the ticket must be used within 7 days of the selected start date. This ticket cannot be used to enter the same theme park more than once.
If you are willing to skip Magic Kingdom, Disney is also offering a Special 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom only, starting from $89 per day, plus tax (total price starting from $267, plus tax). This is also a date-based ticket that does not require a theme park reservation to enter a park, but you must pick a start date through September 24, 2024, and the ticket must be used within 5 days of the selected start date.
Disney+ subscribers can get a FREE dining plan when purchasing a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is valid for arrivals most nights through September 30, 2024. Visit DisneyWorld.com/SpecialOffers for additional offer details!
Disney Rewards Visa Card users can get a free dining plan when using the card to purchase a non-discounted 4-night/4 day Walt Disney Travel Company Package including room at select hotels and tickets with Park Hopper Option for arrivals most nights December 9 – 21, 2024. More details, restrictions, information, and the opportunity to book are on this page of the DisneyWorld website.
Florida residents can save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for stays most nights through October 3, 2024. Which resort qualifies for which discount and booking opportunities are available on this page of DisneyWorld.com. A similar offer is available for most Sunday to Thursday nights from October 6 to November 21, 2024, and for most nights from November 24 to December 25, 2024, with the details on this page of DisneyWorld.com.
Details and more special offers are available on this page of DisneyWorld.com.
MousePlanet’s travel partner Get Away Today is available to help you book rooms and packages.
REMINDER: Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages can now be booked completely on its website! No cumbersome quotes needed! Simply compare all your favorite Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Get Away Today’s hand selected off-property hotels in a few clicks, and then customize for your included tickets for your vacation.
Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages now have the option to add Layaway Plans, which allow you to pay the total balance up to eight days prior to travel. You can also add their popular “Peace of Mind Plan” when booking a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, which allows any reschedules and cancellations up to five days prior to travel with no penalty.
When booking with Get Away Today, all Walt Disney World Resort on-site packages include Get Away Today’s e-concierge, which includes its Best Price Guarantee, Dining Reservation Reminders, access to their Concierge Team email for help before and during your vacation, and more.
Looking to go beyond Walt Disney World Resort when visiting Central Florida? Check out Get Away Today’s Universal Orlando Resort ticket offers and resort package stay offers too. Right now, for example, you can get 2 days free with a 2-Park, 3-Day ticket for 5 days of fun when you book with Get Away Today! Enjoy all of the thrills, entertainment and fun that Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure has to offer for as low as $62 per day. Upgrade to a 3-Park ticket to experience Universal Volcano Bay water theme park (which may be closed on some dates). This offer is valid for travel now – April 16, 2025.
Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today! As always, we remind our readers that Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel benefits. Historically, non-Florida residents tend to benefit the most by purchasing tickets in advance (and, of course, being mindful of the rules relevant to those tickets). Don’t get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside Disney property stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and may result in denial of entry. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks.
…REMINDER: Limited Time Special Offer from Evermore Orlando Resort – Families can save 20% on stays in 5–11-bedroom vacation homes (within sight of and just minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort) November 15, 2024 – January 12, 2025, and enjoy a complimentary Evermore to Your Door holiday meal delivery and kitchen tidy-up service, when they book by September 30, 2024. Terms and conditions apply, including that stays must be at least 5 consecutive nights. To book, visit EvermoreResort.com and use promo code HOLIDAY24.
