Disney Digest – Week of December 17, 2012
What’s New
Coming Soon to the Walt Disney World Resort
At Disney Parks, we’re always working to improve our offerings and add new, magical experiences. NewFantasyland® is now open at Magic Kingdom® Park and there’s even more on the horizon at the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Guests Can Soon Interact with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in New Immersive Queue – In the works in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is about to get a new interactive queue.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park – Imagineers have laid the first pieces of track in the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction in the New Fantasyland expansion, set to open in 2014.
Development of AVATAR-Themed Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Park Continues – Work continues to bring the epic fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks.
Splitsville Almost Ready to ‘Roll In and Rock Out’ at Downtown Disney® – Construction has been underway for several months now, and the new Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Downtown Disney is almost ready to debut on Dec. 19.
Starbucks Locations at Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot® Set to Open Next Year – The first two Starbucks locations at Walt Disney World Resort will open next year, one at Magic Kingdom Park and one at Epcot.
Discounted Room Rates for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend
Ladies, here’s your chance to prove you have the commitment, perseverance, and determination to be a true princess! Run Disney’s women’s focused half marathon course will take you through the Magic Kingdom® andEpcot®Theme Parks on your quest for royalty in the “Most Magical Place on Earth!”Whether running solo or with a group of your closest friends and family, past run Disney participants will agree that every mile ran in a race at the Walt Disney World®Resort is a magicalone!
But don’t let that royal treatment end at the finish line! Stay at one of the Walt Disney World®Resort Hotels and enjoy accommodations fit for any queen or princess! Just a few of the onsite benefits include Disney’s Magical Express®Airport Transportation, Extra Magic Hours, and legendary Disney hospitality.
Booking Window:
Oct. 5, 2012 – Jan. 14, 2013 (or while availability lasts)
Offer Details:
Save 10%-25% on your stay forDisney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend at select Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels. Available Resorts include:
The Comedy Warehouse Brings Laughs to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™
Walt Disney World® Resort has always been a place full of laughter. From entertainment to rides, and everything in between, smiles are not a rarity when you are on property!
However, on September 27th, 2008 Walt Disney World® Resort lost one of their ‘laughter’ staples whenDowntown Disney® Pleasure Island area closed all of their nightclubs. In doing so, Comedy Warehouse opened their doors for a final time.
Comedy Warehouse was a nightclub at Downtown Disney® Pleasure Island that featured an improv comedy troupe. It was originally the home to the parody show “Forbidden Disney”; before introducing the improve comedy troupe to keep things fresh.
Last year, fans of the former Comedy Warehouse were given a special treat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ as the cast reunited for a special show that ran for 7 days called “The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special”. The special show was met by capacity crowds every day.
Now, Comedy Warehouse fans have something else to look forward to, and it is something you won’t want to miss even if this is your first introduction to the improv comedy troupe. “The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special” is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ again this year! Sure, there are plenty of things to make you smile and laugh at Walt Disney World® Resort, but this show is a must for the whole family!
“The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special” will be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ at the end of this year, and this time for an extended 14 days! The show will run from December 23rd through January 5th in the Premier Theatre.
New Kids Sail Free on Select Disney Cruise Line® Cruises from Miami in 2013
Kids Sail Free is coming to Miami, FL! For a limited time, kids under age 17 can sail FREE on select 4-night and 5-night Disney Cruise Line® sailings from Miami, FL! Guests can choose from a 4-night Bahamian itinerary or a 5-night Western Caribbean itinerary, and most sailings include a stop Disney’s own private island paradise, Castaway Cay.
Offer Details:
Kids Sail FREE with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom in categories 4A – 11B on select cruises from Jan. 14 – Feb. 25, 2013. Government Taxes and Fees are not included.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure®
Right next door you can catch the music and festivities of Grinchmas™, as Seuss Landing™ in Universal’s Islands of Adventure is transformed into a wintry wonderland. You won’t want a miss the heartwarming live show starring The Grinch™, the Wonky Tree Lot, strolling Whos, and a chance to get your picture taken with the mean green one himself.
It’s a can’t-miss holiday fun and entertainment for every member of the family – and it’s only at Universal Orlando Resort.
Disney Discounts
Walt Disney World
Stay, Play, Dine & Save Package-For a family of four on a 5-night/6-day Walt Disney Travel Company room, ticket and dining plan package at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels! For stays most nights 1/2-3/7/13. Book now through 12/31/12. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package for 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. Tickets are for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use.
No group rates or other discounts apply. Offer excludes campsites and 3-bedroom villas, and is not valid at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms. Advance reservations required. Excludes gratuities and alcohol. Children age 3–9 must order from the children’s menu, if available. Some Table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.
Military Discount – Active duty and retired members of the US military can get specially discounted rooms at the Disney resorts most nights from October 1, 2012 – September 28, 2013 except November 22, 2012 through November 24, 2012; December 23, 2012 through December 31, 2012; and March 25, 2013 through April 4, 2013. Service members can also get up to (6) 4-day Park Hopper tickets for just $156.00 at their base ticket sales office.
Disney Cruise Line
Kids Sail FREE on select 6 and 8 Night DisneyCruise sailings out of Galveston. Book a 4A-11B stateroom from January 4-March 1, 2013 with two paid adults in the room and kids 17 and under sail for free.
Special Verandah Offer On Galveston Sailings Book a verandah stateroom (categories 5A-7A) for the price of an oceanview stateroom (categories 9A-9D) on most 7-night Western Caribbean sailings from Galveston, Texas, Sept. 22–Dec. 21, 2012.
Military Discount In honor of the brave men and women who serve this country, Disney Cruise Line® is proud to offer special military rates on select sail dates during the year. These sailings offer a great way for military families to reconnect and create memories while enjoying Disney’s legendary service.
Beginning Dec. 17, 2012, the following policies will go into effect for all new bookings:
- Military personnel may book one stateroom under the military rates program.
- A second stateroom may be confirmed, if needed, to accommodate immediate family members only. For example, a family of two adults and four children may confirm two staterooms, based on availability, with the offer. Extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) do not qualify as immediate family members for the second stateroom.
Disney Cruise Line® Early 2014 Itineraries
Disney Cruise Line® has unveiled itineraries for the early part of 2014 for the Disney Magic®, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder®.
For the first part of 2014 the Disney Magic® is returning to Port Canaveral, where it will be home with theDisney Dream and Disney Fantasy, giving you more opportunities than ever to unwind Disney’s private islandCastaway Cay on your next tropical vacation. There are also more opportunities to pair your next cruise aboardDisney Cruise Line® with a visit to Walt Disney World® Resort to visit the NewFantasyland® expansion!
The Disney Wonder® will remain in Miami, offering itineraries with something for everyone in the family!
Sailing from Port Canaveral
3- and 4-night Bahamas
• Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Dream departures Jan. 2 – Aug. 31, 2014; Disney Magicdepartures Jan. 6 – May 16, 2014
7-night Eastern Caribbean
• Ports: Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Fantasy departures Jan. 11 – Aug. 23, 2014
7-night Western Caribbean
• Ports: Port Canaveral, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Fantasy departures Jan. 4 – April 26, 2014
7-night Western Caribbean, including Jamaica
• Ports: Port Canaveral, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Fantasy departures May 10 – Aug. 30, 2014
Sailing from Miami
4-night Bahamas
• Ports: Miami, Castaway Cay, Nassau, Key West
• Dates: Disney Wonder departures Jan. 15 – April 23, 2014
5-night Caribbean
• Ports: Miami, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
• Dates: Disney Wonder departures Jan. 10 – April 18, 2014
5-night Caribbean, including Castaway Cay
• Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay
• Dates: Disney Wonder departures Jan. 19 – April 27, 2014
Aulani
Stay 6 Nights for the Price of 5 at Aulani with $150 One-Time Resort Credit
At Aulani Disney Resort & Spa, you can enjoy many inclusive features– from entertainment to amazing water features to special activities just for kids and more! There’s something to delight every member of the family.
For a limited time, when you book a six-night stay, you will get one of those nights free! And you will also receive a one-time Resort credit of $150! Book this special offer Nov. 15, 2012– Jan. 15, 2013, for stays most nights from Jan. 8 – Feb. 15 and Feb. 19 –March 10, 2013.* A five-night minimum length of stay is required.
Universal Studios Discounts
Save and Play Getaway – Save up to $350 on a Universal Orlando®Vacation Package! A 4-night vacation include on-site hotel room, park tickets and free Express Pass for a family of four starts from $1,509 tax inclusive