Magic Your Way Package FREE Dining Promotion for September 29th – December 17th, 2009

A Fall & Winter Free Dining Promotion is a new and wonderful thing!

Dine at Walt Disney World Resort for Free in September, October, November, and December

~ Must be booked by September 26^th, 2009 ~

Please contact us as soon as possible using our online form: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/quoterequest.php .  We would like to have all of your reservation information complete so that we can move on your behalf immediately now that the offer is available to the general public. Please include the names of everyone in your party, the ages of the kids, and your travel dates.

Book a Walt Disney World Magic Your Way package at a Disney Value Resort (the All-Star or Pop Century resorts) and receive the Quick Service Dining Plan at no additional cost.  The Quick Service Dining Plan provides two counter-service meals and 2 snacks (up to $4 value) per person, per night of stay. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) will save $77.96 per night of stay.  Each person over age 3 also receives a refillable mug good for sodas, tea, and coffee at your resort food court with the quick service plan.   Guests staying at a value resort can upgrade to the Standard Dining Plan for an additional $10 per night per person over age 10 and an additional $2 per night per child aged 3 – 9.

Book a Walt Disney World Magic Your Way package at a Disney Moderate or Deluxe Resort and receive the Plus / Standard  Dining Plan at no additional cost.  The Standard Dining Plan provides one table service meal credit, one counter-service meal credit, and 1 snack (up to $4 value) per person, per night of stay. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) will save $101.96 per night of stay.

It may be possible to add this promotion to your existing reservation.  If it cannot be added to your existing reservation, ask if the package is available in a different room category or at a different resort.  The savings may make it worth switching resorts.

• Travel Dates:  September 29^th – December 17^th (November 25^th – 28^th may be excluded from this offer)
•  A deposit ($200)  will be due within 7 days of reserving a package.  
• Package must be booked by September 26^th, 2009
• Your package much include at least 3 nights consecutive stay at a Walt Disney World Resort + at least 1 day Magic Your Way Basic Ticket.
• Offer good at Walt Disney World Resorts, subject to availability – not every resort will necessarily be available every night of the promotion.
• Suites are excluded from this offer.
• The “Wine and Dine” plan can be added to this promotion at full price

* Availability is limited and certain restrictions apply. Tickets must be used within 14 days of first use.  No group rates or other discounts apply.

Important:  Dining can now only be booked 90 days prior to arrival.   There will be a lot of people taking advantage of the free dining promotion who will be ready to book their dining as soon as they are eligible.  Now that Fantasmic! is not offered every night, the Fantasmic Dinner Packages that only require one dining credit (Hollywood & Vine and Mama Melrose) are now the first to fill.   Cinderella’s Royal Table remains popular, as does LeCellier in the Canada pavilion at Epcot.   Do your research now so you know what you want as soon as you’re allowed to make reservations.  

Tip: Do you know what you can buy using your dining plan snack credits?   We have an unofficial list of available items.  Knowing this helps you plan ahead and get the most from your snack credits, especially if you want to use them as a light meal.  Just contact us and I’ll be happy to send an email copy of the list.

Don’t forget that you’ll get some great vacation planning help at no additional cost when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip. 

• Help with building a Best Days Itinerary – a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip
• Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)
• Custom touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  Or, if you prefer to do your own plans, we will provide either a subscription to Tour Guide Mike or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to you instead of our touring plans.  The choice is yours.

I’m here and happy to help with your reservation.   You can reach me:  

• by phone:  877-815-6515 (toll free)
• – or – by this online form: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/Ordering.html

Thank you,

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll Free Phone: 877-815-6515
International callers: 719-495-5698

Some Disney Free Dining Promotional Codes:

• Value Resort Magic Your Way with Quick Service Dining Plan: KHF
• Value Resort Magic Your Way upgraded to the Standard Dining Plan (extra cost):  OCQ
• Value Resort Magic Your Way upgraded to the Deluxe Dining Plan (extra cost):  GXY
•  
• Moderate or Deluxe Resort Magic Your Way with Standard Service Dining Plan: NAR
• Moderate or Deluxe Resort Magic Your Way upgraded to the Deluxe Dining Plan (extra cost):  EVR
• Note – these are just some of the Free Dining Promotion discount codes.  The Disney reservation agent I spoke to today said that there are over 36 different codes associated with just this promotion alone. 

 

Build A Better Mouse Trip is a full service travel agency specializing in Florida vacations & Cruises. Build A Better Mouse Trip is not affiliated with or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates.

Walt Disney World Resort in September – crowd warnings, ride closures, and special events

There are some things going on at Walt Disney World in September that you need to know about:

Crowd Warnings:

1. Free Dining Promotion – September isn’t a particularly high crowd time at Walt Disney World – they wouldn’t offer the “free dining promotion”, if it was.   But you will have a lot of competition at the sit-down restaurants; especially the most popular locations like Chef Mickey’s, Cinderella’s Royal Table, LeCellier, etc..  Make your dining reservations as soon as you are eligible.   Warning: Fantasmic Dinner Packages will probably completely fill the first day that they’re offered.  At this time, dining reservations can be booked 90 days prior to your arrival.
2. Labor Day Weekend  (September 5^th – 7th) – Because so many schools are back in session, this holiday doesn’t draw nearly as many people as the 4^th of July.   Don’t think the parks will be empty though – there will still be a lot of people looking for one last hoorah! before summer ends.  TIP: Make dining reservations right away.
3. Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival ~ September 25 – November 8, 2009.   This event is included with regular theme park admission; there a few special events related to this festival that have a separate admission fee. The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is very popular as chefs and winemakers from around the world set up booths where you can savor the wonderful flavors offered offered for sale.   There will be food & wine themed demonstrations as well.  You typically can use your Disney Dining Plan meal and snack credits at this event – in fact, many people “hoard”  their snack credits just for this event.  Warning: This event is very, very popular.  Expect Epcot to be busier than usual on weekends as locals and annual passholders come to enjoy the festival.  TIP: Monday is always a great day to visit Epcot.  
4. Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) –This great show is no longer presented every night.  It will be offered Sept 3, 6, 10, 13, 18, 20, 25, 29.  This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it – arrive at least 60 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package.   Warning: When there are limited performances, you know Disney’s Hollywood Studios is going to be busier on days featuring a Fantasmic! show.  TIP: Any day with an Extra Magic Hour  & Fantasmic! will be especially crowded (Sept 29).   Fantasmic! Dinner Package reservations will be harder to get.   Afternoons will be especially busy as those with Park Hopper tickets come over to see the show.  A good touring plan will help you manage this.   Warning:  This show is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes.  The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children.
5. SpectroMagic Parade (Magic Kingdom) – This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a SpectroMagic Parade.   The SpectroMagic Parade will be presented on September 3, 5, 7,10, 12, 14, 17, 19,21, 24, 26.  TIP: Avoid going to the Magic Kingdom on Thursdays in September – the combination of the Morning Extra Magic Hour (early opening for Disney hotel guests) along with the SpectroMagic Parade will make this park disproportionately busier than the other Disney theme parks.
6. Extra Magic Hours – (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest) !  We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park of the day.   Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone – that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You’ll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park.  This is doubly important if you are not staying at a Disney resort – you don’t want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you.  TIP: Epcot will close an hour earlier than usual on nights featuring an evening Extra Magic Hours – Illuminations (fireworks) will be at 8:00PM, rather than at 9:00PM – like we’ve all become accustomed to. 
7. A good touring plan will keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.   We provide three choices for custom touring plans – our Custom Touring Plans, the 2009 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (book), or a subscription to Tour Guide Mike (online service) – at  no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip.  For more information, see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php

Special Events:

1. Nights of Joy (September 11^th & 12^th – Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – This special event features some of the top performers in Christian Contemporary music today.  These nights require a special event ticket – you cannot enter using your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper tickets.  Advance ticket prices:  1 night – $44.95 per person, 2 nights – $75.95.    Warning:  Disney’s Hollywood Studios will close to the public at 6:00PM on Friday, Sept. 11^th and Saturday, Sept. 12^th.  There is a lot to see and do at this park so – you’ll probably want to visit this park on a day with longer park hours if you’re not attending the Nights of Joy.   For more information see: http://wdw4christians.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/walt-disney-world-night-of-joy-september-11-12-2009/
2. Expedition Everest™ Challenge – September 26^th / 7:30PM – Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Competitive 5K run, obstacle course & scavenger hunt.  A portion of every entry fee will benefit the Himalayan Youth Foundation and Disney’s Wildlife Conservation fund. For more information see: http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/events/eventDetail/detail?name=ExpeditionEverestChallengeDetailPage
3. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Disney’s Magic Kingdom)- 7:00PM to Midnight – September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 31.  This special event is a lot of fun for families, with rides, trick-or-treating, and fun party type events.   These nights require a special event ticket – you cannot enter using your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper tickets.  Ticket prices vary with an advance purchase discount offered on select nights. There are a limited  TIP: A lot of children dress up for this event but select costumes that will let your kids comfortably enjoy the rides and attractions – remember that September can be hot & muggy in Orlando.     Warning:  The Magic Kingdom will close to the public at 7:00PM on party nights.  Magic Kingdom resort area restaurants (Chef Mickey’s, 1900 Park Fare, Whispering Canyon, etc.) will fill their reservations early as people look for something nearby to enjoy after the early park closing.  For more information see: https://buildabettermousetrip.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-tickets-on-sale-now/
4. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival ~ September 25 – November 8, 2009.   This event is included with regular theme park admission; there a few special events related to this festival that have a separate admission fee. The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is very popular as chefs and winemakers from around the world set up booths where you can savor the wonderful flavors offered.   You typically can use your Disney Dining Plan meal and snack credits at this event – in fact, many people “hoard”  their snack credits just for this event.  Warning: This event is very, very popular.  Expect Epcot to be busier than usual on weekends as locals and annual passholders come to enjoy the festival.  TIP: Monday is always a great day to visit Epcot.  Also popular are the “Eat to the Beat” mini-concerts offered nightly at 5:15PM, 6:30PM, & 7:45PM.   Here’s a tentative list of performers (subject to change):

• Sept. 25-27:  Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• Sept. 28 – 29:  Richard Marx
• Sept. 30 – Oct. 3:  Starship starring Mickey Thomas
• Oct. 4 – 6:  En Vogue
• Oct. 7 – 8:  Better than Ezra
• Oct. 9-11:  Sister Hazel 
• Oct. 12-13:  Kool & the Gang
• Oct. 14-16:  Spyro Gyra
• Oct. 17-18:  Jon Secada
• Oct. 19-20:  Sister Sledge
• Oct. 21-22:  Vanessa Carlton
• Oct. 23-25:  Taylor Dayne
• Oct. 26-28:  Boyz II Men
• Oct. 29-31:  John Waite
• Nov. 1 – 2:  Night Ranger
• Nov. 3 – 5:  Billy Ocean
• Nov. 6- 8:  Los Lobos

Temporary Attraction Closures and refurbishments:

• Liberty Tree Tavern (Restaurant – Magic Kingdom) the restaurant will be open but – beginning January 5^th – Liberty Tree Tavern will no longer offer character dining.
• Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom) will close April 19^th and is not schedule to reopen until late 2009.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority (Magic Kingdom) may be closed until September 12th.
• Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) will be closed September 13th – 19th.
• Donald’s Boat (Magic Kingdom – Toontown Fair) will be closed September 7th – 13th.
• Flights of Wonder (Bird show – Animal Kingdom) will not be presented September 13th – 25th, 2009.
• Living with the Land Boat Ride (Epcot – Land Pavilion) will be closed through November 1, 2009.
• Disney’s Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) – New luggage procedure for late night arrivals.  As of March 30^th, luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM.   Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney’s Magical Express check-in desk. 

 Free Custom Touring Plans

If you find this report helpful, please consider using us to book your vacation reservations or for custom theme park touring plans.  We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself.  Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

•  Help with building a Best Days Itinerary – a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip
• Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)
• Custom touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  Or, if you prefer to do your own plans, we will provide either a subscription to Tour Guide Mike or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to you instead of our touring plans.  The choice is yours.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans.   During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines – our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners.   During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times.    But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone’s priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.  For more information see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php

You can purchase custom planning service from us but most of our clients get them for free.  We accept Disney and other hotel commissions as payment for our planning services. If you’ve already booked your own reservation, it may be possible to have our name added as the agent of record.  Your rate, confirmation, and benefits all stay exactly the same.  In this situation, Disney just pays us the commission they would’ve kept for themselves.  Then – free to you – we provide you with custom touring plans that let you enjoy more attractions with less lines.

 If you have questions or are interested in our services:

•  just call us toll free at 877-815-6515
•  or send an email message to info@babmt.com
•  or use the online form at http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/Ordering.html   

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com 
Toll Free Phone: 877-815-6515

Build A Better Mouse Trip is a full service travel agency specializing in Florida vacations & Cruises. Build A Better Mouse Trip is not affiliated with or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets on Sale Now

Walt Disney World Resort has released official ticket prices and party dates for the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  This event happens every year on select nights in the Magic Kingdom.  The party typically goes from 9:00PM – Midnight.   This event has a limited admission and requires a separate ticket – you cannot enter using a Magic Your Way or Park Hopper ticket.

The October 31^st party is always the first to sell out.  Friday night parties tend to draw more residents from the Orlando area but this is spread out over the numerous party dates and won’t have a huge impact on any one night.   Other dates will not reach capacity at all or won’t fill until we get much closer to September and October.  

TIP: Wait until the September and October park hours are released before buying your tickets.   September hours should be released around June 1^st and October hours should be released around July 1^st.    Because Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) is no longer offered every night, you may want to select a party night that does not conflict with Fantasmic!.   The tickets are non-refundable and nontransferable.

Our Opinion: These parties are well done and a lot of fun.  Because admission is limited, you can also ride a lot of rides with a very short wait.  If money is no object, go ahead and go.  One the other hand,this is an expensive event – a family of four will pay around $200 for a three hour experience.  If you’re already stretching your budget to take this trip, you do not need to feel guilty about skipping this event – you’re going to have a great time in the theme parks without your having to add one more thing to the schedule.  Since the party goes from 7:00PM – Midnight, this might be too late an event for very small children who go to bed early. 

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Boo! Don’t be afraid. The screams you hear are squeals of delight, not fright. Disney fantasy and Halloween fun come together on selected nights in September and October for a one-of-a-kind celebration. Seize this rare opportunity to visit the Magic Kingdom® in costume*, ride some of the most popular attractions and enjoy some really sweet trick-or-treating with favorite Disney characters in their finest Halloween outfits. With special music, a parade and the spectacular Happy HalloWishes fireworks show, this is no trick — it’s a real treat. *For safety, costumes must not be obstructive or offensive. 2009 Event Dates & Tickets: Friday, Sept. 4* Monday, Oct. 12* Friday, Sept. 11* Tuesday, Oct. 13* Tuesday, Sept. 15* Thursday, Oct. 15 Friday, Sept. 18* Sunday, Oct. 18* Tuesday, Sept. 22* Tuesday, Oct. 20* Friday, Sept. 25* Thursday, Oct. 22* Tuesday, Sept. 29* Friday, Oct. 23 Thursday, Oct. 1* Sunday, Oct. 25* Friday, Oct. 2* Tuesday, Oct. 27* Tuesday, Oct. 6* Saturday, Oct. 31** Thursday, Oct. 8*   Friday, Oct. 9    Ticket Pricing: Advance Prices*: $52 USD + tax (Ages 10+), $46 USD + tax (Ages 3 – 9) *Advance Purchase Price Available on these select nights when purchased prior to the day of the event. Day-Of Event Prices: $59 USD + tax (Ages 10+), $53 USD + tax (Ages 3 – 9) Halloween (10/31) Prices**: $64 USD + tax (Ages 10+), $58 USD + tax (Ages 3 – 9) Entertainment Highlights: (subject to change without notice) Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade! Trick-or-treating throughout Magic Kingdom® Park at numerous locations Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular — where the Disney Villains go trick-or-treating in the sky! Characters decked out in their favorite costumes — so wear yours, too. Some of the most popular Magic Kingdom® attractions.

 You can purchase the party tickets directly through Walt Disney World or you can contact us and we’ll be happy to handle it for you.

 TIP: You may become exhausted if you spend the whole day in a theme park before going to an evening party.   Consider doing the party on a day you don’t go into the theme parks or on a day you’re going into one of the water parks and sleep in!   Another option is to combine this with a day that you’ll visit the Magic Kingdom so that you can arrive later in the morning – you can catch any attractions you would’ve ordinarily done right at park opening later in the evening during the party.  If time is short and you must combine a day in the theme parks with the party, consider visiting Animal Kingdom which typically closes around 5:00PM – this way, you won’t miss any fireworks or special shows.

 Information for people who do not have the park hopper option: You are not limited to visiting the Magic Kingdom on the same day that you are going to the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  Your Magic Your Way ticket is completely separate from the party ticket so it is not considered “Park Hopping” to go to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom during the day and then use your ticket for the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the evening. 

If you find this information helpful, please consider using us to book your vacation reservations or for custom theme park touring plans.  We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself.  Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

•  Help with building a Best Days Itinerary – a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip
• Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)
• Custom touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  Or, if you prefer to do your own plans, we will provide either a subscription to Tour Guide Mike or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to you instead of our touring plans.  The choice is yours.

These services are intended to make the whole vacation experience better – less stress, less lines, less wasted time and money.

There are two ways that I can provide the touring plans and any other planning help you need at no charge to you:

•  Free Option #1: If you book a new reservation through us, we’ll provide custom touring as our thank you to you.  We will also help you put together an itinerary that puts you in the least busy park for each day of your vacation and we’ll make dining reservations on your behalf.
•  Free Option #2:  If you made your existing Walt Disney World vacation package reservation yourself, it is possible to have Build A Better Mouse Trip added to the reservation as the “Agent of Record”. Your price, benefits, and confirmation numbers stay the same – we just become your travel agent.  
•  With either option 1 or 2, Disney will pay us a commission they would’ve kept for themselves and we accept that commission as payment-in-full for all planning services. 
•  You can also just purchase custom touring plans from us – the first day’s plan is $45 plus $25  for each additional day’s plan.

 If you have questions or are interested in our services:

•  just call us toll free at 877-815-6515
•  or use the online form    

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com 
Toll Free Phone: 877-815-6515