Writer’s Note, News & Views
Yes, it has been another quiet news week for Walt Disney World Resort and I’m sounding like a broken record on that note. I am increasingly surprised that we still await an opening date for “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios too, since it is Fall 2024 on all calendars now. With the National Hurricane Center on the cusp of tacking a name on to what at this writing is “Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine,” forming in the Gulf of Mexico and forecast to hit landfall later this week up in the Florida Panhandle/Big Bend area, I think weather news will probably predominate the balance of this week around Central Florida.
For those following along in these Updates, last week, I noted that the early indicators were that something would be brewing as we headed into mid-week this week, and, indeed, that is what is happening. It is looking like we could have a Category 2 or 3 hurricane off the west coast of Florida near Tampa Bay by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Remember that when you see the “cones” on the weather forecast, the cone is showing the range in which forecast models predict the center of the storm will travel, not the width of its impact. As I have learned from my decade of living in Central Florida, the northeastern part of a tropical storm or hurricane is what the weather folks call the “dirty side,” as that is where lots of extra precipitation, strong and damaging winds, tornadoes, flooding, and storm surge tend to happen. Here is the National Hurricane Center’s advisory as of 5 p.m. Eastern on Monday, September 23, 2024. (The hurricanes.gov webpages are updated every several hours, and this Advisory will probably be replaced by more specific forecasts by the time you are reading this Update, and, there is always a chance that the forecast proves inaccurate.)
If you have Walt Disney World plans for later this week, you will want to keep on eye on the Disney World weather updates page of DisneyWorld.com to see what the operational impact of the storm is; Disney also tends to use push notices and banners in the My Disney Experience app to post operational updates. Based on past experience, the more severe impacts Disney’s forecasters see for the Resort and for the cast’s ability to get between their homes and the Resort, the more operations that tend to get closed. The pattern usually starts with closing the Fort Wilderness Campground and the Treehouses at Disney’s Saratoga Springs, and then, the water parks and general recreational areas (like the miniature golf courses and other outdoor activities), then limiting the hours or closing the theme parks, then limiting the hours or closing Disney Springs. Disney Resort hotels are built to withstand strong storms, and guests staying in them are usually given additional instructions about food and beverage opportunities and places to shelter. They do not tend to close, but Disney often puts cancelation waivers in places to allow folks to cancel or postpone trips. If you have flights scheduled across the southeast, be sure to check with your airlines. If you are driving, be that much more cautious if your path includes the likely path of the storm and its likely impact zone.
Hopefully, there will be better news to report next week. New tidbits are posted throughout the balance of this week’s Update.
Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses — Limited Time Holiday Season Walking Tour at EPCOT
For the past several holiday seasons, EPCOT’s Living with the Land greenhouses at The Land pavilion have been lit by holiday lights during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Anyone riding the boats through the greenhouses can experience the lights after sundown during the Festival.
This year, from November 29 through December 30, 2024, guests can also experience a nighttime one hour walking tour through the greenhouses, “Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses.” According to Disney, the $45/person (plus tax) tour will give guests an opportunity to:
- Learn about crops that bring festive flavors to many of our holiday traditions.
- Enjoy brilliant light displays.
- Explore hydroponic greenhouses and discover sustainable growing techniques used to bring the Glimmering Greenhouses to life!
The Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses tour will be offered at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The daytime version of the Behind the Seeds tour will still be available during the holiday season. Guests must be at least 3 years old to be on the tour; guests under 18 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult.
The holiday tours can be booked in the My Disney Experience app starting September 30, and limited same-day and walk-in reservations may be available. In my experience, the daytime Behind the Seeds tours can be sold out weeks in advance, so advanced booking is recommended, but we aware of the 24-hour advance cancelation policy.
Like prior editions of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the park stays open until 9:30 p.m. nightly to accommodate the three nightly showings of Candlelight Processional, with the nightly showings of Luminous: A Symphony of Us beginning at 9:30 p.m. when the park closes. The list of celebrity narrators (or at least the preliminary list) for this year’s edition of Candlelight Processional should be released fairly soon, as EPCOT will again be selling dining packages with guaranteed seating. Be aware that attractions and other locations can close earlier than the park, so be sure to check My Disney Experience for operating hours of the places you want to visit.
This & That & Reminders…
…NEW: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café at Magic Kingdom now offers a “create-your-own” menu concept. Like Satu’li Canteen in Pandora-The World of AVATAR over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can select a “base” and a “protein” combination. The Tex-Mex flavors inspired by the American Southwest base options at Pecos Bill are: Steamed Tamale, Rice Bowl, Nacho Bowl, or Southwest Caesar Salad; and the protein options are: Citrus-Chipotle Chicken, Green Chili Pork, or Coca-Cola Cherry Braised Beef. Extra protein is available at an extra charge. There are new à la carte selections for both entrées and sides as well, and some “fan favorites” like the Cilantro-Lime Rice and Strawberry Limeade Slushy remain on the menu.
Disney Parks Blog has posted a Foodie Guide for the new Pecos Bill menu.
🔔 New Menu! 🔔 Check out new saloon favorites coming to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe: https://t.co/2OKwkQ1CDN ✨ #DisneyEats #DisneyParks pic.twitter.com/6huJMovdcA
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 18, 2024
…NEW DETAILS: With separately-ticketed five hour Disney Jollywood Nights event returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights from November 9 to December 21, 2024, Disney Parks Blog has shared updated details of what event goers can expect at the second annual edition of this new after-hours holiday party. The headlining new experience is “Glisten”—a skating show on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Chinese Theatre which will take place several times during each event and features what Disney describes as, “the grace and skill of international champion skaters as they perform breathtaking routines set to a vibrant holiday soundtrack including original songs and Disney favorites like ‘Be Our Guest’ and ‘When You Wish Upon A Star.’” The “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” projection, lasers, and fireworks show will be performed on the theatre facade at 10 p.m. exclusively on event nights. Among the characters at this year’s event, Disney says guests may spot The Mandalorian in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, or Bo Peep and Lotso in Toy Story Land. A Foodie Guide for this year’s event is coming soon.
Disney has posted a teaser video promoting Disney Jollywood Nights’ brand-new experience, “Glisten,“ a skating show on Hollywood Boulevard. Video Courtesy Disney Parks.
…NEW: As part of the ongoing reimagination by Arnold Palmer Golf Management which operates Walt Disney World Golf, the practice putting green adjacent to Disney’s Magnolia, Palm and Oak Trail Golf Course clubhouse has been given a massive makeover. The net result: a brand new 18-hole grass putting course which has been graded to give the area contours and elevation changes not seen before. Hole locations are changed each week, while the lengths of the holes and their level of difficulty will be amended daily by adjusting the starting positions. “Our vision was to create something unique and stunning, and our guests are thoroughly enjoying it,” said Bruce Gerlander, PGA, General Manager, Walt Disney World Golf. “We take our golf seriously, and we wanted to also emphasize how much fun this putting green is.”
…REMINDER: Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month are being celebrated at Walt Disney World and Disneyland through October 15, 2024. As the resorts do for these sorts of celebrations, the big focus is on food, and Disney Parks Blog has published a Foodie Guide with the highlights for both resorts. Some of the offerings are “currently available” and others are available only through October 15th.
…REMINDER: Disney’s Blizzard Beach will reopen on November 4, 2024, which also means that the last chance this season to visit Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is November 3, 2024. The Disney Water Parks Seasonal Pass is also available for $79 plus tax for a limited-time, providing admission through May 23, 2025. It provides admission to Typhoon Lagoon through November 3, 2024, and then Blizzard Beach starting November 4th. Disney Water Parks offer free parking for all guests. For more information on the seasonal pass, visit DisneyWorld.com.
…UPDATED DETAILS: Disney Vacation Club‘s new Island Tower addition at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will open on December 17, 2024, on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The new 10-story tower will add 268 rooms to the resort, with accommodation types ranging from cozy “duo studios” to its new two-bedroom penthouse villas. Sales will open to current Disney Vacation Club members on October 1 and the public on October 29. DVC Members at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows (including current members that add-on) can book stays with Vacation Points in the new Tower starting October 15; New DVC Members that purchase their first points at Polynesian can book with Vacation Points starting November 5. All DVC Members can book with points starting November 19.
The Island Tower’s new two-bedroom penthouse villas are a new accommodation type for DVC, and they will sleep up to eight guests with a living room area, full-size kitchen, dining area, two bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and an expansive outdoor patio offering views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom Park as well as Disney’s Oak Trail and Magnolia Golf Courses. The one- and other two-bedroom villas in the Island Tower will offer accommodations sleeping up to five and nine guests, respectively. These rooms will also have a dining area, a washer and dryer, and an outdoor patio. The new deluxe studios in the tower have an updated layout, including a seating area across from a kitchenette, a spa-like bathroom, an outdoor patio, and two queen-size beds, accommodating up to four guests. The duo studios sleep two, like at Disney’s Riviera Resort, and includes a queen-sized bed that tucks into the wall to reveal a sofa when not in use.
…UPDATED REMINDER: Disney Vacation Club recently announced additional Moonlight Magic events for eligible members at Disney’s Animal Kingdom before the end of 2024, and a slate of 2025 events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Typhoon Lagoon. Registration for these events is complimentary for eligible members (“eligible” generally only includes members who have purchased their membership points from Disney) and their guests. 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 – Closed September 19, 2024
The early registration window for the October 24, November 21 and December 10 events is now closed for eligible members with qualifying Resort reservations. Those that were successful in registering for one of the events cannot increase their reservation party size for the event by altering their Resort reservation; canceling the Resort reservation is supposed to cancel the event registration as well. - 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), including those with qualifying Resort reservations that were unsuccessful in registering during the early window. 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 probably will be posted to this page of the DVC website as the events approach.
…UPDATED 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. Sure the parties started back at the beginning of August, but this week, Disney Parks Blog finally shared a guide to the characters appearing at the party.
Happy haunts aren’t the only thing materializing this Halloween at @WaltDisneyWorld! 👻 Discover where to spot many of your favorite characters 🎃 https://t.co/aXuTKZLJge pic.twitter.com/QuDbtNvAni
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 23, 2024
…NEW: Congratulations to Wine Bar George at Disney Springs on being awarded “Best Short Wine List, 2024” by the World of Fine Wine. This prestigious organization assembled a panel of some of the world’s most respected experts in the wine industry tasked with selecting the finest wine lists in the world.
…REMINDER: Raglan Road at Disney Springs celebrates Oktoberfeis this year now through October 6. Over 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.
…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.
…NEW: At another of Patina Restaurant Group’s Disney Springs Restaurants, Enzo’s Hideaway, when you plan on spending $1,000 or more on your holiday event there, the venue will “throw in a little something extra to make your gathering just that much more special.” For those that book by October 28, 2024, you can receive an upgraded bar package on the house! The offer applies to events held Monday – Thursday between November 22 and December 27, 2024, excluding holidays. Events must be booked by October 28, 2024, and have a minimum spend of $1,000 to qualify for offer. All event bookings are subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Cannot be customized or exchanged. The booking form to contact the group planning specialists is available at: https://www.patinagroup.com/enzos-hideaway/mingle.
…NEW: Before you even get to the holidays, Patina Restaurant Group’s The Edison at Disney Springs has launched a new “Happy Hour.” The Edison invites guests to “indulge in a sampling of signature appetizers and crafted cocktails at reduced prices.” The Happy Hour options include Fried Pickles, creamy Spinach Dip and Electri-Fries, plus a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned, Edison Lager, Frenzy Sauv Blanc and Strawberry Fields Forever, made with Wheatley Vodka, St-germain liqueur, honey, lime juice, strawberry and mint. The Happy Hour runs Sunday through Friday, 3 – 6 p.m. The Edison also continues to offer Cocktail Classes, and it has announced new November dates for its Shaken & Stirred Cocktails Classes where guests can learn the skills to create expert-level cocktails during a hands-on experience with a private bartender. Featuring three cocktails and a light lunch, class options include “Organic & Sustainable” on November 9 and “Big Screen Cocktails” on November 23. Tickets start at $100 and begin at 1 p.m. Visit this page on the Tock event site for more details.
…UPDATED REMINDER: The deadline for applications for the 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy event is October 31, 2024. High school students looking to achieve their dreams can be nominated or apply themselves at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. 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.
…NEW: Over in Germany, Disney Cruise Line’s next new ship, the Disney Treasure, has been towed out to open water for the first time on its way to sea trials. Its maiden voyage from Florida for guests is scheduled for this December.
…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. MousePlanet has been invited to a media preview of this year’s event next month, and we will share what we learn on social media.
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.
…REMINDER: Give Kids The World Village will again host its Holiday VIP Tours this upcoming winter holiday season. Guests can enjoy the opportunity to experience the Village all decked out for the holidays with these special features:
- A behind-the-scenes, themed storytelling tour.
- Festive dessert party.
- Access to select venues on the Avenue of Angels, illuminated with more than 1 million holiday lights.
- Decorated vignettes from Village partners.
- Fun props and holiday photo backdrops.
Proceeds from the event help to ensure that the Village can provide magical, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses. Tickets are onsale for December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Tickets are $88.13 (including EventBrite service fees) per person. Be aware that the tour entails 90 minutes of walking and storytelling, and may not be suitable for young children.
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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.
FINAL DAYS: 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. Here’s a current sample package including room, tickets and dining:
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.
