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Dateline Disney
March/April 2011
HGTV Design Celebrities and Disney Character Heroes Headline
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2-May 15
While Woody and Buzz battle the latest toy villain, HGTV's design gurus just might give their toy box a stylish makeover. As the lead toys of the Disney(Pixar film "Toy Story 3" take the art of Disney topiary "to infinity and beyond" for the
18th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2-May 15, HGTV adds star power to the festival lineup.
Genevieve Gorder, Vern Yip and a constellation of HGTV stars bring their flair for design to the festival with weekend appearances covering a variety of design and landscaping topics. Meanwhile, the floral facsimiles of Buzz Lightyear, Woody and their nemesis Lotso the strawberry-scented teddy bear will welcome guests at the Epcot World Showcase front entrance garden.
BEAUTIFUL BONSAI: Top bonsai artists from Florida display their masterpieces at the Japan pavilion in the World Showcase during the 17th
annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (March 3-May 16) at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
As part of the HGTV sponsorship, the Festival Center will open daily with entertaining presentations and Disney gardening workshops. And Bambi's Butterfly Garden expands to accommodate more butterflies, plants and guests in celebration of the upcoming release of "Bambi" Diamond Edition on Blu-ray Hi-Def.
Also new at the festival:
At Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, favorite Disney Fairies will pose for photos and sign autographs throughout the day. Young fans who enter this whimsical garden also discover play structures for children ages 2-5.
Sleek floral topiaries of "Cars 2" stars Mater and Lightning McQueen will shine at the World Showcase Plaza in anticipation of the June 24 release of the original film's sequel.
A Hundred Acre Wood wildflower display sets the scene for topiaries of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and pals, set to appear in the "Winnie the Pooh Movie" this summer.
More information about the 18th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is available by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or by visiting
disneyworld.com/flower. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.
Fredi Gonzalez Debuts as Atlanta Braves' Manager during
'Grapefruit League' Schedule at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
They'll probably be making snowballs some places in March, but at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida the only white spheres being thrown will be accompanied by the siren song of spring: "Play Ball!"
Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves launch into an 18-game "Grapefruit League" home schedule at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex that includes a collection of top clubs, with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals visiting Champion Stadium.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward takes time out pre-game to sign autographs for spring training fans at ESPN
Wide World of Sports Complex. The Braves will play an 18-game home schedule at Champion Stadium, their spring home since 1997.
Spring training 2011 also marks the debut of Fredi Gonzalez as Braves Manager following the retirement of Bobby Cox. The Florida Marlins, Gonzalez's former team, comes to Disney on March 23. Here's the complete schedule:
Feb. 27 -- New York Mets (1:05 p.m.)
Feb. 28 -- Houston Astros (1:05 p.m.)
March 3 -- Detroit Tigers (1:05 p.m.)
March 4 -- Toronto Blue Jays (1:05 p.m.)
March 5 -- New York Mets (1:05 p.m.)
March 8 -- New York Yankees (1:05 p.m.)
March 9 -- St. Louis Cardinals (1:05 p.m.)
March 10 -- St. Louis Cardinals (1:05 p.m.)
March 12 -- New York Mets (1:05 p.m.)
March 13 -- Houston Astros (1:05 p.m.)
March 16 -- Boston Red Sox (1:05 p.m.)
March 17 -- Washington Nationals (6:05 p.m.)
March 19 -- New York Mets (1:05 p.m.)
March 20 -- Houston Astros (1:05 p.m.)
March 23 -- Florida Marlins (1:05 p.m.)
March 25 -- Detroit Tigers (6:05 p.m.)
March 27 -- Philadelphia Phillies (1:05 p.m.)
March 28 -- Washington Nationals (6:05 p.m.)
Individual game tickets for the Braves' home spring training season are available through Ticketmaster (800/745-3000 and
ticketmaster.com) and at the sports complex box office. Information on the Braves' spring training season, group tickets and mini-packs is available by calling 407/939-GAME (4263) and online at
espnwwos.com/atlantabraves.
Ahoy, Mateys! Jake and the Never Land Pirates Landing
at Disney's Hollywood Studios as Part of Show Debuting March 4
Jake and the Never Land Pirates are landing at Disney's Hollywood Studios March 4, less than a month after they cast off on their first adventure on Disney Channel as part of the launch of Disney Junior programming designed for 2-to-7-year-old children.
At the Walt Disney World theme park, they are playing a role in "Disney Junior--Live on Stage!", a theme park show created for young guests. Co-starring roles in the show are played by the cast of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Little Einsteins -- other shows that are part of the Disney Junior schedule.
"Ever since 'Playhouse Disney--Live on
Stage!' premiered in 2001, it has been a chance for our younger guests to experience their Disney Channel friends at Disney's Hollywood Studios," said Dan Fields of Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative director for "Disney Junior--Live on Stage!" "As their circle of TV friends has grown and changed during the years, we've endeavored to make sure those new friends are part of their vacation fun, too."
Like the previous show ("Playhouse Disney--Live on Stage"), "Disney Junior--Live on Stage!" will be presented several times during the theme park day. Guests should check their Times Guide for show times.
Festival Center Abuzz with Garden and Design Discussions, Demos
Daily during 18th Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Presented by HGTV
The Festival Center at the 18th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival presented by HGTV will be alive with expert-led seminars, demonstrations, discussions and Q&A sessions daily throughout the 75-day event that begins March 2 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Located next to Mission: Space in Future World at Epcot, the Festival Center showcases HGTV and HGTV.com celebrities on weekends and other experts -- including "Master Gardeners" from University of Florida, Walt Disney World Horticulturists and a mix of national and regional TV/radio personalities, authors and educators -- seven days a week. Here's what's happening during March and April:
HGTV Designers' Stage
Presentations daily at noon and 3 p.m.
(HGTV/HGTV.com celebrity distinctions are noted in parentheses)
March 2-3: "Butterflies & Beyond" -- Jaret C. Daniels
March 4-6: "The Art of Sculpting Space" -- Genevieve Gorder (HGTV Design Star and Dear Genevieve)
March 7-10: "Passalong Plants" -- Felder Rushing
March 11-13: "Design It Yourself: Easy-to-follow Tips for Designing Your Favorite Rooms" --
Lisa LaPorta (Designed to Sell)
March 14-17: "Grow Great Grub" -- Gayla Trail
March 18-20: "The 5 DIY Secrets That Can Transform Any Space" --
Kim Myles (Myles of Style)
March 21-24: "10 Heirloom Plants You Should Be Growing" / "New & Exciting Plants for Every Garden" --
Danielle Sherry
March 25-27: "Mobile Gardens" -- Brian Patrick Flynn (Design Happens, HGTV.com)
March 28-31: "Secrets of the Garden Revealed & More Plants For Free" --
Ken Druse
April 1-3: "Adding Value to Your Home without Breaking the Bank" --
Taniya Nayak (Designed to Sell and Destination Design)
April 4-7: "Four Season Garden & Proven Combinations" -- Erica Glasener
April 8-10: "Life, Love and Landscaping" -- Ahmed Hassan (Yard Crashers)
April 11-14: "Container Gardening: From Dirt to Design & The Secret to Combining Plants" --
Steve Aitken
April 15-17: "Gardening with Kids: Fun Seed Starting Projects" --
Patti Moreno (Garden Girl, HGTV.com)
April 18-21: "Year-round Garden-tainment" -- Melinda Myers
April 22-24: "Creative, Back-to-Basics Style for All Things Natural and Decorative" --
Michele Beschen (B. Original)
April 25-28: "Herbal Blends from Around the World" -- Susan Belsinger &
Tina Marie Wilcox
April 29-May 1: "The Design Process: Curb Appeal Projects from Concept to Construction" --
John Gidding (Curb Appeal: The Block)
Greenhouse Stage
Presentations daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
March 4-6: "Groceries from the Garden" -- Robert Bowden
March 10-13: "Gardening for all Generations" -- Brenda Sandberg &
Scott Hulett
March 17-20: "Gardening in Miniature" -- Joseph Rainey
March 24-27: "Helpful Mower & Small Equipment Tips" -- Scott Franklin
March 31-April 3: "Tropical Edibles" -- Jarrod Stewart
April 7-10: "Fun Holiday Projects" -- Doug Benedict
April 15-17: "Gardening Challenges" -- Tom MacCubbin
April 21-24: "Seed, Sow & Grow" -- Ed Buhler
April 28-May 1: "Inspiring Patio Designs" -- Allison Brooks
The Greenhouse Stage sessions include interactive hands-on activities during which guests make something to take home. Guests can visit the Festival Center to learn about the topics on dates not noted above.
In addition, experts from University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) present Planting Pointers -- gardening ideas for everyone -- daily at 1 and 4 p.m. at the Festival Center. Guests also can Ask an Expert -- a UF/IFAS "Master Gardener" -- their gardening questions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The presentations are included with Epcot admission, but seating is limited and on a first-come basis. Speakers, presentations and guests are subject to change without notice. For more Epcot International Flower & Garden information, visit
disneyworld.com/flower.
Jose Feliciano Raises the Curtain on 'Flower Power' March 4;
Two News Acts Part of 2011 Musical Lineup at Epcot
Raise the curtain and light the musical fires! Jose Feliciano returns to Walt Disney World Resort March 4-6 to kick off the Flower Power Concert Series, a feature of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival that fills the air with classic pop, rock and R&B music each weekend of the festival.
Performances are at America Gardens Theatre and are included with Epcot admission. Showtimes are 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Guess Who “American Woman” rocks the house during the Flower Power Concert
series held during the annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
The March-April lineup of nine acts will include two Flower Power newcomers -- Melissa Manchester (March 25-27) and the duo Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (April 8-10):
Singer-pianist-composer Melissa Manchester burst onto the scene in 1975 with the hit "Midnight Blue" and won the Grammy for Pop Female Vocal for 1982's "You Should Hear How She Talks about You." Her fan-favorite hit: "Don't Cry Out Loud."
The husband-wife vocal team Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. recorded the smash hit "You Don't Have to be a Star" (To Be in My Show) for which they earned a Grammy as R&B Vocal Duo. They also were founding members of the 60s-70s group The 5th Dimension, which had 20 Top 40 hits.
Here's the complete March-April lineup (subject to change without notice):
March 4-6 -- Jose Feliciano
March 11-13 -- The Guess Who
March 18-20 -- Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
March 25-27 -- Melissa Manchester
April 1-3 -- Starship starring Mickey Thomas
April 8-10 -- Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.
April 15-17 -- Juice Newton
April 22-24 -- Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons
April 29-30, May 1 -- Paul Revere & The Raiders
For additional information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, visit
disneyworld.com/flower.
Bookings Underway for First-Ever Disney Cruise Line Alaskan Sailings
Bookings are underway for the first-ever Disney Cruise Line Alaskan cruises during a four-month season of seven-night sailings aboard the Disney Wonder starting this spring.
The first-ever Disney cruise to Alaska will depart on May 3 with the last cruise of the season scheduled for Aug. 30. Rates for the seven-night Alaskan itinerary start at $939 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Combining the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience provided by Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Wonder will depart out of Vancouver, B.C., sailing a total of 18 seven-night cruises to Alaska, calling on Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.
To see special offers on 2011 itineraries or to book a vacation, guests can visit
disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.
Disney's Dreamers Academy Attendance 'Snowballs' in 2011;
More than 100 Teens Going to Walt Disney World Resort March 3-6
The 2011 Disney's Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine continues a mission to annually bring together 100 high school students who want to ignite their lives, dreams and passions. However, the March 3-6 event at Walt Disney World Resort also will serve as a "make-up class" for 13 teens selected for the 2010 Academy which, due to winter-weather travel cancellations, they were unable to attend.
Combined with 100 high school students from 22 states and the District of Columbia selected for 2011, the class register this year will have 113 names on it, making it the largest in the four years of the program.
It also will be a watershed year as the students, selected from among thousands of applicants across the country, embark on customized itineraries based on their individual interests and aspirations. During hands-on experiences, they will explore a world of career options -- from animation, through entrepreneurship, to zoology. They'll be engaged with motivational speakers, Disney experts and celebrities -- each with a special talent and an individual life story.
Among the celebrities for the 2011 Dreamers Academy is musical and theatrical talent, including Raven Simone, Ruben Studdard and Cupid.
Disney's Dreamers Academy is designed so that the teens can be inspired, discover possibilities and prepare for their future. For additional information, visit
www.disneysdreamersacademy.com.
Disney Parks Welcomes 15 New Park-Savvy Panelists
To Help Families Plan Magical and Memorable Vacations
Fifteen new panelists hailing from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are members of the 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel,
www.disneyworldmoms.com. The popularity of the Moms Panel site has grown so much that Disney Parks invited back 30 alumni panelists. These passionate guests will give their unique and personal park-savvy smarts to fellow guests planning Disney vacations.
Also helping to spread the magic, Oscar-winning actress and mom to three, Geena Davis, serves as an honorary "Disney Mom" sharing her own personal tips and treasured Disney memories in an exclusive Moms Panel video, available in the celebrity video library at www.disneyworldmoms.com.
The newest members of the Walt Disney World Resort Moms Panel:
Angelo Alomar -- Simpsonville, S.C.
Carrie Burrows -- Georgetown, ON
Ca'Sandra Phillips -- College Park, Ga.
Emma Nicholson -- Morecambe, Lancashire (UK)
Jill Cooper -- Hillsborough, N.J.
Johnetta Scott -- Plainfield, N.J.
Krista Curtis -- Maryville, Tenn.
Marisol Lopez -- Lakeland, Fla.
Monina Wagner -- Avon, Ohio
Ritzy McCarthy -- Barrington, R.I.
Deborah Bowen -- Land O Lakes, Fla.
Leslie Krzan -- Holiday, Fla.
Lynn Lane -- Ottawa, ON
Teronya Holmes -- Kingsport, Tenn.
Wes Holloman -- Pearland, Texas
To learn more about the panelists, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com and click on the "Meet" button.
January/February 2011
Crocs, Hippos and Rickety Footbridges Add Up
To Wild Adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Navigating a rickety footbridge suspended over a river chasm can be a white-knuckle experience. For explorers on an all-new Disney adventure launching Jan. 16, 2011, what lurks below their bridge may quicken their step to get to the other side: crocodiles!
A ravine of menacing-looking crocs, pools of hippos, bushwalks along untracked terrain and other thrills await guests on Wild Africa Trek, a unique wildlife experience into the deepest, most-remote reaches of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The three-hour, expert-led adventure will immerse guests in the realms and wildlife thrills of far-off Africa – without leaving Walt Disney World Resort. In small groups, guests on Wild Africa Trek will enjoy an “up-close-and-personal” experience with African wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve. As part of the adventure, guests will clip onto a lifeline as they step to the very edge of a cliff to get amazingly close to the hippos and crocs waiting just below. Talk about cliff-hangers!
Wild Africa Trek will be offered several times daily for groups consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari. Reservations (ages 9 and up) can be arranged by calling 407/WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally. Guests who wish to experience Wild Africa Trek between Jan. 16-Feb. 26, 2011, may take advantage of an introductory offer starting at $129 per person. Park admission is required for tour participants.
Disney Calling Lovebirds to Enjoy New Memories Collection
To mark the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, Disney has announced a new Memories Collection which includes specialty pricing to commemorate the milestone.
Throughout the 20-month celebration, couples are invited to create new memories through intimate ceremonies. The Memories Celebration includes up to six guests, including the couple, a floral bouquet for the bride, solo violinist musician, transportation (three-hour limousine charter) and a professional photographer for one hour.
Ceremony locations include: Conch Key Marina at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Narcoossee’s Landing at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Luau Beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Memories Celebrations are priced at $1,991 in honor of the 1991 opening of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and will take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. More information:
www.disneyweddings.com or 321/939-4610.
New and Updated Disney Dining Offerings on the Menu
The New Year brings plenty of restaurant news from Walt Disney World Resort, including new menus, a new restaurant and “refreshes” of popular restaurants. Here’s what’s in store:
• Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney’s BoardWalk gets a facelift and new offerings. There’s new exterior signage and a new Cat Cora presence in the lobby with three video monitors with images and text that flow from one to the next, showcasing the celebrity chef’s views on food, family and her culinary journey. Chef Cat’s branded product line also is for sale in the lobby, including Greek olive oil, olives, tapenades and spreads.
In the main dining room, a new iconic olive oil display sets the stage for a new “olive oil tasting experience” for all diners – with the bread, servers will offer two varieties of Greek olive oils to taste and compare, as well as kalamata olives.
New artwork, marble finishes and soft drapes warm up the room, with a new “Coranation Room” at the back of the restaurant. The room has a more upscale décor and will offer a Chef’s Table prix fixe dining experience on weekends (still under development).
• Another facelift is at Fulton’s Crab House at Downtown Disney. Not only is everything on Fulton’s menu fresh, but the restaurant itself has just completed a “refresh” compliments of Matt Lorenz, 2007 winner of Bravo’s “Top Design” show. The refresh included a complete makeover of the lobby area, a one-of-a-kind crab map so guests can identify where their dish originated, a new and improved seafood display case, and renovations to each of the individual dining rooms on board. There’s more at
www.fultonscrabhouse.com; reservations can be made at 407/WDW-DINE.
• While Pollo Campero has 300 restaurants in 12 countries, diners at Pollo Campero at Downtown Disney Marketplace get the first look at the restaurant’s new Fresh A-Peel concept, inspired by Disney’s commitment to offer guests great-tasting, healthful options. Fresh A-Peel offers all-natural burgers, salads and wraps, and delicious cupcakes, cookies and other sweets (the goodies are all gluten-free). The restaurant still serves the legendary grilled and fried chicken, thick yuca fries or french fries and their signature dip (a mayo-ketchup concoction), corn tortillas and sweet caramelized plantains. Dessert features goodies from Erin McKenna’s BabyCakes NYC – cookies, cupcakes, and vegan desserts with no gluten, dairy and eggs are her signature.
• Disney’s new cocktail menu (found in most bars and lounges) has a twist: all mixes are made from scratch, taking the art of cocktail “mixology” to a whole new level. Many of the new cocktails are made with “better for you” ingredients such as organic spirits, fresh fruits and herbs that have been procured locally when seasonally available, and lower calorie no-sugar-added fruit purees. The Raspberry Rain Cocktail, for instance, is made with Rain Organics Red Grape Hibiscus Vodka, Chambord, freshly muddled raspberries, lychee and fresh lemon juice. The Superfruit Martini features Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cranberry juice, organic agave nectar and fresh lemon juice. And plenty of cocktails come sans alcohol.
It's easy to get caught up in the
excitement of a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, what with 40
square miles of attractions, entertainment and recreation at
guests' beck and call.
But what about the "bottom line"? What's all the
fun going to cost? With a little planning and a pinch of pixie
dust, a trip to the Vacation Kingdom can be awesome and even
more affordable.
Here are some money-saving -- and value-adding -- tips for
guests to consider as they think about when to go, how to get
there, where to stay, what kinds of tickets to buy, and how to
eat more economically.
Accommodations, Dining and Deals
Walt Disney World has 22 resorts that vary in price, allowing
guests to pay for only the amenities that are important to
them. Value resort guests are treated to larger-than-life
theming, swimming pools and playgrounds, arcade rooms, and
standard amenities -- at rates beginning at $82 per night.
About one-third of the Disney hotel accommodations -- a total
of 8,426 rooms -- are at the four Value resorts. Families who
prefer the great outdoors can rent a campsite at Disney's Fort
Wilderness Resort and Campground (there are 784 available) and
either pitch a tent or bring along an RV. Sites with full
hookups start at $46 per night, and sites with partial hookups
can be had for $41 per night. (Of course, moderate and deluxe
resorts are available for guests who prefer additional
amenities during their stay. By contrast, rooms at moderate
resorts start at $145, while rooms at deluxe resorts start at
$215.) Guestroom rates at Walt Disney World Resort vary
based on the time of year that a guest visits. Value
Season, which takes place over select weeks throughout the
year, offers lower room rates than peak or holiday seasons
(value prices are available for 130 days in 2007 as compared
to 59 days of peak-season pricing). Often, Value Seasons
coincide with smaller theme park crowds, meaning less time in
line and more time having fun! Compared to Peak or Holiday
Seasons, Value Season pricing can save a guest anywhere from
$30 (at a value resort) to $120 (at select deluxe resorts) per
night. Within each hotel, guestroom rates vary based on the
view from the balcony or terrace. For example, at Disney's
Polynesian Resort, guests can choose from a garden, lagoon or
Magic Kingdom view. During value season, lagoon-view rooms run
$96 more and Magic Kingdom-view rooms run $126 more than
those with a garden view (the good news is that garden-view
rooms make up 616 of the 847 rooms at the resort). At a Value
resort, the difference between a standard and preferred room
(5,740 of 8,426 rooms are standard) is $12 per night -- which
can nearly pay for two days of the Disney Dining Plan over a
six-night vacation. Guests of Walt Disney World resorts who
purchase "Magic Your Way" tickets along with their
hotel accommodations are eligible to add the Disney Dining
Plan to create a more inclusive "cruise-style"
vacation package. For each night of their resort stay, guests
can enjoy two meals and a snack (tax and gratuity included) at
more than 100 select restaurants throughout Walt Disney World
parks and hotels -- at savings of up to 40% off the average
non-dining plan price. The Disney Dining Plan costs $38.99 per
person age 10/up per night and $10.99 per child age 3-9 per
night. Guests add the dining option when they book a
"Magic Your Way" package (accommodations and park
tickets). The Walt Disney World Web site's "Special
Offers" section features deals throughout the year,
so guests should check the page often or speak with their
travel agent about promotions. The Web site is disneyworld.com.
Walt Disney World Resort offers several all-you-care-to-eat
restaurants including Boma-Flavors of Africa at Disney's
Animal Kingdom Lodge ($25.99 per adult, $16.99 per child for
dinner) and Cape May Café at Disney's Beach Club Resort
($25.99 per adult, $11.99 per child for dinner) where guests
can pay one price for an unlimited selection of appetizers,
entrees and desserts. Thirsty guests at Walt Disney World
resorts can save by purchasing length-of-stay refillable
drinking mugs for $11.99, good for unlimited free refills
on any fountain drink at the resort's cafeteria.
Admission Media
- The more you play the less you pay per day! That's one
of the charms of Disney's "Magic Your Way"
ticketing system that allows guests to customize their
vacations to the specific needs of their travel party.
Guests decide the number of days and whether optional
features such as park hopping, visits to attractions
outside the theme parks and "non-expiration" of
tickets are important. The per-day ticket cost decreases
the longer a guest stays, so where a one-day base ticket
costs $67 per day, a seven-day base ticket costs just $30
per day. Not to mention the total price difference between
four- and 10-day tickets is just $14.
- Guests looking to experience some of Disney's non-theme
park entertainment options can add the Water Park Fun
& More feature to their "Magic Your Way"
base ticket. For $50, guests are entitled to three to six
visits (depending on the number of days on the base
ticket) to their choice of Disney's Blizzard Beach,
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Downtown Disney
Pleasure Island or Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
One-day tickets to these recreational venues range from
$10.28 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex to $39 at
one of Disney's water parks. Thus, even the three-visit
add-on (offered with one-, two- and three-day base
tickets) could be worth more than twice the $50 cost.
- Save on multi-day theme park tickets through Advance
Purchase Savings available for guests who purchase
through The Disney Store locations outside Florida, disneyworld.com,
or a Disney reservation specialist (407/934-7639) before
leaving home. Guests can save $2 to $17 per ticket on
"Magic Your Way" tickets for four to 10 days
with the Park Hopper and/or Water Park Fun & More
option. Guests not only save money but also time as they
can skip past the lines of guests purchasing individual
theme park tickets at the box offices or concierge desks.
- When deciding what "Magic Your Way" tickets to
purchase, guests should consider how much time they want
to devote to non-theme park activities offered on
property such as the themed pools at Walt Disney World
resorts and recreational activities such as tennis,
jogging or water sports. In addition, Downtown Disney
Marketplace and the boardwalk at Disney's Boardwalk never
charge an admission fee, so guests can wander amidst the
unique shops and restaurants, and on select nights, view
outdoor entertainment without spending a dime.
Travel and Transportation
- Guests who travel by plane and stay at a Walt Disney
World owned-and-operated resort can take advantage of Disney's
Magical Express, a service that allows guests to check
their bags at their hometown airport, bypass baggage claim
at Orlando International Airport and board
state-of-the-art motor coaches to the Vacation Kingdom,
where their bags magically appear in their room after they
check in. The complimentary service not only saves time at
the airport, but also relieves guests of transfer costs
between the airport and resort.
- All it takes is a Walt Disney World Resort hotel ID to
secure a complimentary space aboard one of the Walt
Disney World Transportation System's buses, monorails
or boats. Resort guests can travel throughout the Vacation
Kingdom with door-to-door service directly from the resort
to theme park entrances and other recreational venues like
Downtown Disney. Several Walt Disney World resort hotels,
such as Disney's Yacht Club, Disney's Beach Club and
Disney's Boardwalk located in the Epcot Resort Area, are
even within walking distance to the theme parks!
- Annual passholders and guests of Walt Disney World
resort hotels are exempt from parking fees at the theme
parks. Guests who present a resort ID, resort parking
pass or annual pass enter the lot for free no matter how
many parks they visit during their stay.
- Animal lovers can avoid paying a pet sitter by bringing
their furry friends on vacation too! Walt Disney World
Resort offers kennel services for just $13 a day, where
pets can lounge in style. Dogs are provided with free
Purina pet food during daily feedings (owners can opt to
bring their own food if they'd like), plus plenty of love
from the staff. Pet owners are welcome to visit their
animals 24 hours a day, and a certified veterinarian is on
call at all times in case of emergencies.
- Families with small children can save by bringing
their own stroller instead of renting one daily at the
theme parks. Or, if they choose to rent, length-of-stay
strollers can be purchased at a reduced rate. A single
stroller costs $10 to rent for a single day or $8 per day
if rented for length of stay (length-of-stay wheelchairs
and ECV's are also available for handicapped guests).
- Families should weigh the pros and cons of driving
versus flying to Walt Disney World Resort when planning a
vacation. Although driving may initially seem more
affordable, when guests consider gas, tolls and the costs
of adding mileage to a vehicle, it may be less
expensive to fly. Guests who'd prefer to drive might
also consider renting a vehicle to use during their
trip instead of adding mileage to their personal
automobile.
Don't forget these tidbits!
- Children under the age of three are admitted for
free to any of the Walt Disney World four theme
parks.
- Guests under the age of eighteen stay for free in
their parent's hotel room at any of the Walt
Disney World resorts.
- Book dinner packages with preferred seating for
"Fantasmic!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios or the
holiday Epcot special show Candlelight Processional
for no extra charge.
- Create a budget for souvenirs and use it as a
teaching tool for young guests. Disney Dollars can
be purchased in any amount and distributed to children
to spend throughout their vacation. While they learn
about the value of a dollar, guests create a budget!
- Annual passholders receive a plethora of
discounts including reduced rates at Walt Disney World
resorts, 10% off merchandise purchases at Downtown
Disney's World of Disney store and up to 15% off at
select restaurants on property.
- Guests who hold a Disney Rewards Visa card earn
1% back in the form of Disney Dollars that can be used
to purchase Walt Disney World theme park tickets,
resort stays or Disney merchandise. Cardholders also
receive a 10% discount on merchandise at Downtown
Disney's World of Disney store and 20% off the
non-discounted price on select tours at Walt Disney
World Resort. Plus, when guests book a Walt Disney
World vacation using their card, they receive 0%
financing for the first six months.
- The new affordability Web site (disneyworld.com/affordable)
makes it even easier for guests to plan their Walt
Disney World vacation using money-saving tips, an
online booking engine that highlights affordable
prices and a personalized take-away that guests can
print and share with family when discussing vacation
options.
For more information about Walt Disney World Resort,
guests can visit disneyworld.com
or phone 407-824-4321.
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