Walt Disney World Resort Update for September 7–12, 2016
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News and Views
Halloween Time at Walt Disney World | Walt Disney World expands use of biometric scans to fight ticket fraud | Local Brews, Local Grooves in Disney Springs | Direct transportation now offered from parks to Disney Springs | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast
Halloween Time at Walt Disney World
Halloween is almost two months away, but Walt Disney World's celebration is already in full swing with the debut of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party last week, and the arrival of holiday decor and merchandise throughout the Resort.
As the signs at the Ticket and Transportation Center note, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is now being held on select nights at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Magic Kingdom is decorated for the Halloween Season as the park holds the hard-ticketed Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on select nights. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
There appear to be no major changes to the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party entertainment lineup this year. As previously announced, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular has returned for a second year, with three performances on event nights. There are two performances of Mickey's Boo to You Halloween Parade, and one performance each of the Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular, and the Celebrate the Magic projection show on Cinderella Castle.
One nice offering this year is a special teal-colored Trick or Treat bag that visitors with food allergies can request from one of two “Allergy-Friendly Centers” inside the Magic Kingdom. Instead of candy, cast members give special teal tokens to guests who carry the teal bag through the treat trails. Visitors can return to the Allergy-Friendly Centers throughout the evening to receive special treats. You receive one treat for each token you've collected, and the selection includes gluten-free, sugar-free, and nut-free options, as well as non-food treats like craft kits.
Tickets are still available for all of the remaining Halloween Party nights. Adult tickets range in price from $72–$105, and are available from the Walt Disney World website.
The Halloween decor at Magic Kingdom appears to be largely the same as last year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Main Street Station at Magic Kingdom is decorated for fall's celebration of Halloween. The Mickey head floral display is accompanied by a few (imagineered) pumpkins. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Mickey pumpkin heads are plentiful at Magic Kingdom at this time of year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The pumpkin scarecrow Mayor of Main Street U.S.A. and his fellow pumpkin head scarecrows decorate the Town Square. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka
Pumpkin head scarecrows decorate Town Square at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
There are many different imagineered pumpkin heads above the Main Street U.S.A. shops. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
2016 Halloween themed t-shirts are now available at the World of Disney Store. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Halloween merchandise is available at many shops around Walt Disney World, and especially here at the World of Disney Store at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Main Street Station's underpass arches wish Disney guests a traditional farewell—in pumpkins. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Walt Disney World expands use of biometric scans to fight ticket fraud
Walt Disney World has updated their ticket policy, and is now requiring that all ticket holders, regardless of age, provide a biometric scan of their finger.
This means that children ages 3–9 who were formerly excluded from the requirement placed on those using “adult” tickets must now have their finger scanned when the ticket is activated, and at every subsequent park entry.
A Disney spokesperson told WESH.com that this new policy provides, “a seamless entry experience for our guests, helps protect guests from someone else using their ticket, and reduces ticket fraud.”
Parents who do not want their children's fingers scanned can use their own finger instead, according to reports. Disney made biometric scanning a requirement for all ticket holders age 10 and up in 2004. Adults who do not wish to provide a scan can instead show a photo ID that matches their ticket.
MousePlanet reader Jen Hill, a frequent contributor to our Parenting in the Parks panel, just returned from a vacation to Walt Disney World with her children. She said this policy had previously been in place for Premier Passholders, so her children were used to the process. She notes a problem with having a parent use their own finger instead of the child's, because the same parent will then have to be with the same child every time they enter a park. This poses a problem if one parent stays with some children at the hotel or in one park while the other parent takes other children to a different park.
Instead, Jennifer passes along a tip she received from a cast member: have your child use two fingers when they take the first scan. She said it's easier for younger children to hold two fingers steady.
Local Brews, Local Grooves in Disney Springs
Fans of craft beers should designate a driver and head to the House of Blues in Disney Springs this weekend for the 4th annual Local Brews, Local Grooves event on Saturday, September 10th. Attendees will enjoy samples from 15 different Florida breweries, plus music from five Florida bands.
Brews:
- Barley Mow Brewing Co. – St. Petersburg, FL
- Bold City Brewery – Jacksonville, FL
- Central 28 Beer Co. – Debary, FL
- Darwin Brewing Co. – Bradenton, FL
- First Magnitude Brewing Co. – Gainesville, FL
- Funky Buddha – Oakland Park, FL
- JDubs Brewing – Sarasota, FL
- M.I.A Beer Company– Miami, FL
- Motorworks Brewing – Bradenton, FL
- Orange Blossom Brewing Co. – Orlando, FL
- Orlando Brewing – Orlando, FL
- Original Sin Cider – New York
- Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. – Deland, FL
- Sweetwater Brewing Co. – Atlanta, GA
- Two Henrys Brewing Co. – Plant City, FL
Grooves:
- Darko Gray
- The Hooligans
- The Ellameno Beat
- Steve Hogie Band
- Jeff Howell Blues Band in the Blues Kitchen
General admission is $11, and tickets for 4-ounce sample pours are $3 each. A VIP package is available for $50, and includes admission, 10 tasting tickets, two food tickets, and a coupon for 25% off a meal in the House of Blues restaurant. Purchase in advance through the event website.
Direct transportation now offered from parks to Disney Springs
Walt Disney World visitors who want to end their park day with dinner or shopping in Disney Springs can now take advantage of a new bus route that debuted last week. Disney is testing direct one-way transportation from each of the four theme parks to Disney Springs, starting at 4:00 p.m. each day.
The service is one-way only, which is ideal for Resort hotel guests who can just hop a bus back to their hotel when they're ready for bed, but not as convenient for those who may have parked their car at a theme park and have to find a way back.
If you do find yourself stranded at Disney Springs, you can always go back to your desired theme park by taking a bus from Disney Springs to any of the resort hotels, and then transferring to a theme park-bound bus. You can also hail a cab or schedule an Uber to get you where you need to go.
Views Around the World
Resort Hotels
The rock wall built along the Seven Seas Lagoon beaches now extends the entire length of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort's waterfront to the Ticket and Transportation Center's ferry dock. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The newly built rock wall at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort extends all the way to the Wedding Pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Over on the Bay Lake side of Disney's Contemporary Resort, it appears that installation of the new rock wall is complete. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The installation of the rock wall along Bay Lake near the south garden wing of Disney's Contemporary Resort appears to be complete. In the distance, construction near the Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge continues. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Exterior refurbishment continues at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Monorail service does not appear to be affected. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
At Crescent Lake near Disney's Beach Club, a rock wall along the beach is being built. As of this past weekend, it did not yet extend all the way to the beach nearest Disney's Yacht Club. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A rock wall now stands beyond the fence along the beach at Disney's Beach Club. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Magic Kingdom
The roofs atop Cinderella Castle appear to be undergoing a bluish-white paint treatment, possibly in connection with this year's holiday dream lights installation. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The crane parked behind Cinderella Castle sometimes can be seen off to the side closest to Tomorrowland where the pathway is now closed to guests. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A closer view of the crane parked behind Cinderella Castle off to the side closest to Tomorrowland where the pathway is now closed to guests. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The uppermost roofs on the Fantasyland side of Cinderella Castle also have received the bluish-white paint treatment. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
It is not unusual to see painting projects around Magic Kingdom during the (slightly) slower time between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A surprising number of colors appear to be used to create the “weathered” look of the rocks at the entrance to Tomorrowland. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka
Epcot
Labor Day weekend saw an increase in crowd size at Epcot, as normal. With the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival starting earlier this year (in just a week), it will be interesting to see whether this traditionally slower time of the year sees bigger crowds. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The tank that has been home to alligators on the Living with the Land boat tour is being renovated. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Mulan greets guests inside the China pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The miniature residents of the railroad village next to Epcot's Germany pavilion appear to already be enjoying the Food & Wine Festival. The rest of us only need to wait until September 14 this year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Finishing touches, like the flags near the kiosk between France and Morocco, are being added all around Epcot for this year's Food & Wine Festival. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney Springs
Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs construction continues with “OBSERVATORY” recently appearing on the newly constructed entry portion of the building. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The new outer surface of Planet Hollywood Observatory is being installed over the former star-covered surface. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Paddlefish construction continues on Village Lake at Disney Springs in the “building” last occupied by Fulton's Crab House. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Additional steel construction is evident at the future site of The Edison in the Landing area of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Underground utilities are being installed next to STK Orlando Steakhouse for an as-yet-unannounced addition to the Landings area of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Don't keep it to yourself!
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This and That
…The folk musical group Alberta Bound has returned from their summer hiatus, and can be found performing on the Mill Stage in Epcot's Canada Pavilion.
Epcot's Canada pavilion once again features Alberta Bound on the Mill Stage. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
…Limited Edition pressed pennies with Star Wars and Frozen themes are now available at the Once Upon a Toy store in Disney Springs.
For pressed-penny collectors, the Once Upon A Toy store at Disney Springs now has “Limited Edition” Star Wars collectables available. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
There are currently eight “Limited Edition” Star Wars pressed-penny collectables available at the Once Upon A Toy store. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
“Limited Edition” Frozen themed pressed-penny collectables are also available at the Once Upon A Toy store. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
…The “rolling refurbishment” of four Walt Disney World golf courses continues this week. Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is closed September 5-11 for refurbishment.
…Disney is holding another audition this week to cast a performer to portray Moana during meet-and-greets in the theme parks. Visit the Disney Auditions website for more information.
…STK Orlando Steakhouse in Disney Springs is now open for lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The restaurant's new lunch menu includes salads, burgers, sandwiches, and lunch entrees. Book via the restaurant's website, use the Walt Disney World website, or call 407-917-7440.
…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.
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Crowd Forecast
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Resort Events
Check here to see if a park event might fall during your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).
2016 Resort events
- Star Wars Experiences – Opened December 1, 2015
- Night of Joy – September 9 and 10
- 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – September 14 through November 14, 2016.
- Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30.
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party –September – 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30; October – 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
- D23's Sip & Scream – Wednesday, October 5. The event is sold out
- D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A Midnight Soirée at the Tower of Terror – Wednesday, October 5. The event is sold out.
- “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.
- Destination D – November 19-20, 2016. D23 Members are invited to join the excitement of D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures, a celebration of Disney adventures of the past, present, and future. More details at the event website.
- Holidays at Walt Disney World – November 7 through December 31, 2016
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
- Holidays Around the World at Epcot – November 25 through December 30, 2016
- Candlelight Processional at Epcot – November 25 through December 30, 2016
- MouseAdventure – Saturday, March 4, 2017
runDisney events
If you participate in (or are considering signing up for) runDisney events, visit our Team MousePlanet forum on the MousePad discussion board, where you can join our community of health-minded readers and staff.
2016
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 3–5. All races are sold out, with the exception of the runDisney Kids races. Proof of time deadline has passed.
2017
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by October 4, 2016.
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by November 15, 2016.
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 20–23, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by January 17, 2017.
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.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex events
2016
- Special Olympics Florida Fall Classic – November 11–12.
- 2016 Pop Warner Super Bowl –December 3–10.
2017
- Pro Bowl week festivities – take place the week prior to the 2017 game on January 29. Additional schedule information to be released.
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Magic Kingdom
2016
- Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – closed July 7 – September 24 for refurbishment.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed August 8 – November 18 for refurbishment.
- “it's a small world” – closed August 22 – September 15 for refurbishment.
Epcot
2016
- None scheduled
Disney's Hollywood Studios
2016
- Pizza Planet restaurant – closed for refurbishment. Will reopen in Fall, 2016 as PizzeRizzo
- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster – closed for refurbishment October 27 though November 9.
Permanently closed:
- Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
- Studio Catering Co.
- Meet & Greet: Mike and Sulley at Streets of America
- Magic of Disney Animation
Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Dinosaur – closed for refurbishment July 25 – Fall, 2016
Blizzard Beach
- Closed October 23 – December 24 for seasonal refurbishment.
Typhoon Lagoon
- Closed December 24 – March 11, 2017 for seasonal refurbishment.
Disney Springs
- Fulton's Crab House – closed for refurbishment. Scheduled to reopen in Fall 2016 as Paddlefish
- Planet Hollywood – closed for refurbishment and transformation into a Planet Hollywood Observatory.
- Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2016.
Resorts
- 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.
- Disney's All-Star Sports – the Grand Slam Pool closes October 10 for refurbishment, and is expected to reopen by December 2. The Surfboard Bay Pool will remain open.
- Disney's Pop Century Resort – the Computer Pool closes October 31 for refurbishment, and is expected to reopen by December 23. The Hippy Dippy Pool will remain open.
Elsewhere
- Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course – closed September 5-11 for refurbishment.
- Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course – closed September 12-16 for refurbishment.
- Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed.
Current Discounts & Promotions
Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the intended audience. Check out the category that best matches you, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers.
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Travel Discounts for Everyone |
Thanks to Sue Pisaturo from Small World Vacations for the details. All of these packages can also be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today. Holiday Season Savings room-only offer
Holiday Season Kid-sized Vacation offer
Holiday Season Family Magic offer
Memory Maker pre-arrival discount Disney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney Memory Maker pre-arrival packages. For $169 plus tax, Walt Disney World guests can digitally download any photos associated with their Memory Maker account, including photos taken on attractions. The advanced purchase price is $149, a $20 savings. Applicable taxes are charged to all orders. Purchase must be made more than three days prior to arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund. |
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Travel Discounts for Annual Passholders |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA & 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:
10 percent off select restaurants Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off the check when you pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Discount excludes alcohol. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas:
Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas:
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:
Disney's Contemporary Resort:
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground:
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:
Disney's Old Key West Resort:
Disney's Port Orleans Resort:
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa:
Disney's Wilderness Lodge:
Disney's Yacht Club Resort:
Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Epcot:
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex:
10 percent off merchandise Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off at participating Disney-owned retail location when you spend a minimum of $50 and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Read all of the restrictions on the Disney Visa website. 15 percent off all Disney spa and salon services Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of any salon treatment valued at $45 or greater or any 50-minute or longer spa service most days at the spas and salons at Walt Disney World Resort listed below: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Free character photo at a private meet and greet location at Epcot Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a private character meet and greet at Epcot for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. inside Innoventions West at Epcot. You'll receive one free character photo download per day. Star Wars meet and greet at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Star Wars Launch Bay Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a character meet and greet at Star Wars Launch Bay for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. inside Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios. You'll receive one free character photo download per day. |
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Travel 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:
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. |
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Travel Discounts for Florida Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Travel Discounts for Canada Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Travel Discounts for U.K. Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
