Category — p. News and Changes

Josh and I published earlier this week an updated version of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2017, the latest edition of the best-reviewed Disney World guidebook series, ever.

We had kinda hoped that this update would also include a review of Rivers of Light, but that’s still not out…so the next update will cover it.

But even so, with this update The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit remains the most accurate, most up-to-date, and most usable guidebook to Walt Disney World that you can find!! Buy it now, or if you bought it already, get your email to us so we can send you the updated version (as a PDF)!

(Note that I expect to start sending out the updated PDF to those who have already signed up for the updates later this week).

Here’s some details of the changes we just published:

• Title, Introduction and Chapter 1 (“How to Use This Book”): minor changes—mostly typos and infelicities. At our August publication date, we dropped the word “First” from the title for the 2017 edition, added content more helpful to returning visitors, and added a free PDF update model. There’s more on these points here and here.
• Chapters 2 and 3 (“Why Age and Height Matter” and “How Long to Stay”): just minor changes to reflect ride closures since August.
• Chapter 4, “When to Go”: one of four core chapters of the book, this one also saw just minor changes that add more precision to reflect additional info that’s come out since early August. The basic changes for 2017 are covered here.
• Chapter 5, “Where to Stay”: another core chapter saw some updates to reflect resort refurb facts and rumors that have come out since August. We also cleaned up one minor floor plan error and one price error. The details of the 2017 changes are here.
• Chapter 6, “How to Spend Your Time”: the heart of the book, with theme park overviews, itineraries, ride reviews, and touring plans. This section saw the most updates, as there’s new attractions, closed attractions, and a result lots of new and updated material. Josh, who writes 99% of this chapter, also fully updated the touring plans, which may be the most valuable part of the book. The scoop on 2017 changes to this chapter is here.
• Chapter 7, “Where to Eat”: the astonishing transformation of Disney World dining continues, and here in this core chapter we update both the latest good news (e.g. Flying Fish) and bad news (Liberty Tree Tavern). The overview of 2017 changes to where to eat is here.
• Chapter 8 and 9 (“Which Tickets to Buy and How Much to Budget” and “How to Get Everything Done”) saw minor changes—e.g. a new four day, four park ticket model, and the renewal of the Armed Forces Salute.

As I noted, we had kinda hoped that this update would also include a review of Rivers of Light, and in fact timed this update, we thought, to include it.

But Rivers of Light is still not operating…so the next update will cover it. Even so, The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit remains the most accurate, most up-to-date, and most usable guidebook to Walt Disney World that you can find!

The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit … don’t plan a Disney World trip without it!

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As co-author Josh points out here, we have two bits of news:

• First, we just published a stem to stern update of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit, and
• Second, if you use the Amazon code HOLIDAYBOOK, you’ll get $10 off for any order of $25 or more.  Buy two easy Guides, one to give away as a present and one for yourself, and you’ll pay just around $7 for the second one!

Find the full scoop in Josh’s post here. Or just buy it here. And those who have forwarded their Amazon confirmations to us will get their updated PDF copies starting late next week!!

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JINGLE BELL, JINGLE BAM! AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! is a holiday show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that debuted in 2016 and has returned each year since. It’s return for 2019 is confirmed–but not yet the dates.

A fun combination of projections of Disney characters, lasers, pyrotechnics, Christmas songs, and fireworks, I’d rate it as a don’t miss if not for the fact that most nights (except the busy weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years) you can see it or Fantasmic, but not both.

Fantasmic is both a little better and has much more capacity (you need to get close to where BAM is projected, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, to get much value from the projections), so on nights when you can see only one, for most Fantasmic will the better choice. On nights where you could see either—or of you have more than one evening in the Studios–see both.

The show begins with snow…

…that gradually accumulates.

Soon the crew from “Prep and Landing” show up. (If you know nothing about “Prep and Landing,” don’t worry—it matters not. But for more on Prep and Landing, see this.)

They can’t find Santa at his desk, and thus a search for him begins, accompanied by Christmas songs and multiple character vignettes (on all the projection areas, and they go by very quickly, so keep your eyes peeled)…

…and lasers:

The final battle for Santa is with some folk from A Nightmare Before Christmas:

Yet somehow Santa is saved.

Santa saved, the show ends with a pile of fireworks (other fireworks punctuate earlier moments):

Like the Star Wars show, this is more “projections with fireworks” than “fireworks with projections,” so a spot close to the theater (and center or left) really pays off. But—frankly—the projections are so, umm, random, and brief, and scattered, that with the music and fireworks you can enjoy it from Hollywood Boulevard much more than you can the Star Wars show.

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2018 RESORT PRICE SEASONS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

The material below shows resort price seasons at Walt Disney World at different times of the year in 2018.

It’s based on material Disney published June 20, 2017, revised–especially January–June 21, and may revise yet again. As my material is based on moving averages and ranges, revisions should much change conclusions you’d draw from it. (For 2017 price seasons, see this.)

Although this may change at the next ticket price increase, currently only one-day ticket prices vary over the course of the year–multi-day tickets do not, although they typically have an annual increase during the year. See this for more on ticket prices.

Resort prices, however, can be almost twice as high during some periods as they are at others.

In the material below, “X% Higher” means compared to the lowest prices of the year.

In addition to the detailed forecasts presented below, Disney ups prices even more during certain weekends and holidays–particularly over the Martin Luther King Day weekend, President’s Day weekend, Memorial Day weekend, Columbus Day weekend, and Veterans Day weekend.

The images give an overview of the year, with specifics in the lists.

2018 DISNEY WORLD PRICE SEASONS: VALUE RESORTS

• 40-50% higher–the peak season–begins 1/1/2018
• Lowest of year–the value season–begins 1/2/18
• 20-30% higher–Marathon rates–begin 1/3/18
• Lowest of year–the value season–begins 1/7/18
• 25-30% higher–the regular season-begins 2/11/18
• 40-50% higher–the peak season–begins 2/15/18
• 25-30% higher–the regular season–begins 2/25/18
• 40-50% higher–the peak season–begins 3/9/18
• 65-70% higher–the Easter season–begins 3/25/18
• 25-30% higher–the regular season–begins 4/8/18

• 35-40% higher–the summer season–begins 5/25/18
• 25-30% higher–the regular season–begins 8/12/18
• 10-15% higher–the fall season–begins 8/26/18
• 25-30% higher–the regular season–begins 9/16/18
• 10-15% higher–the fall season– begins 10/28/18
• 30-40% higher over Thanksgiving begins 11/17/18
• 10-15% higher–the fall season—begins 11/24/18
• 25-30% higher–the regular season–begins 12/9/18
• 40-50% higher–the peak season–begins 12/14/18
• 65-80% higher–the holiday season–begins 12/21/18

2018 DISNEY WORLD PRICE SEASONS: DELUXE RESORTS

• 30-45% higher–the peak season–begins 1/1/18
• Lowest of year–the value season–begins 1/3/18
• 15-25% higher–Marathon rates–begins 1/4/18
• Lowest of year–the value season–begins 1/7/18
• 20-25% higher–the regular season–begins 2/11/18
• 30-45% higher–the peak season–begins 2/15/18
• 20-25% higher–the regular season–begins 2/25/18
• 30-45% higher–the peak season–begins 3/9/18
• 50-65% higher–the Easter season–begins 3/25/18
• 30-45% higher–the peak season–begins 4/8/18

• 20-25% higher–the regular season–begins 4/15/18
• 10-20% higher–the summer season–begins 5/25/18
• 5-10% higher—near-lowest of year–the value season 2–begins 7/6/18
• Lowest of year–the value season—begins 8/24/18
• 10-25% higher–the regular season 2–begins 9/21/18
• 10-20% higher–the fall season–begins 10/14/18
• 20-25% higher–the regular season–begins 11/2/18
• 10-20% higher–the fall season–begins 11/12/18
• 25-40% higher during Thanksgiving begins 11/20/18
• 10-20% higher–the fall season–begins 11/24/18
• 20-25% higher–the regular season–beings 12/9/18
• 30-45% higher–the peak season–begins 12/14/18
• 55-75% higher–the holiday season–begins 12/21/18

2018 DISNEY WORLD PRICE SEASONS: MODERATE RESORTS

• 25-30% higher–the peak season–begins 1/1/18
• Lowest of year–the value season—begins 1/3/18
• 10-15% higher–Marathon rates–begins 1/4/18
• Lowest of year–the value season—begins 1/7/18
• 15-20% higher–the regular season-begins 2/11/18
• 25-30% higher–the peak season–begins 2/15/18
• 15-20% higher–the regular season-begins 2/25/18
• 25-30% higher–the peak season–begins 3/9/18
• 45-50% higher–the Easter season–begins 3/25/18
• 15-20% higher–the regular season–begins 4/8/18

• 15-20% higher–the summer season–begins 5/25/18
• 15-20% higher–the regular season–begins 8/12/18
• 15-20% higher–the fall season–begins 8/26/18
• 15-20% higher–the regular season–begins 9/16/18
• 15-20% higher–the fall season–begins 10/28/18
• 20-25% higher over Thanksgiving begins 11/17/18
• 15-20% higher–the fall season—begins 11/24/18
• 15-20% higher–the regular season–beings 12/9/18
• 25-30% higher–the peak season–begins 12/14/18
• 50-60% higher–the holiday season–begins 12/21/18

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Chapter 7, Where to Eat, is one of four core chapters in The easy guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit—the 2017 edition of the best-reviewed Disney World guide book series, ever. (The other core chapters are When to Go, Where to Stay, and How to Spend Your Time.)

We—and especially my co-author Josh of easyWDW.com—put a lot into this chapter, as of the more than a hundred options you will be able to dine at only a few restaurants at Disney World, so understanding your alternatives and picking just the right ones for your party are one of the ways you optimize your Disney World experience.

There’s been a dozen major restaurant openings or major-redos in the past year or so, and of these a least half a dozen are profoundly significant. So the 2017 easy Guide, updated as of early August and with more free updates yet to come, is a handy way to sort through all of what’s new to pick just the best for you.

Chapter 7 of The easy Guide begins with the basics of Disney World dining, with a particular focus on suggestions that might make sense for various types of visitors.

We then cover a couple of peculiar features of dining at Disney World, Advanced Dining Reservations and the Disney Dining Plan, and after some thoughts on saving money, turn to the meat of this chapter—overviews of dining in the parks, and individual reviews of all the table–service options in the Disney parks, Disney Springs, and the Disney-owned hotels. (See the excerpt above from the table of contents; If you don’t know yet what “table service” means, you really need this book.)

For example, here’s part of the overview of dining at Magic Kingdom, with some thoughts on the new table service restaurant here, Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen:

And here’s the full review of this restaurant later in the chapter:

This is an example of the kind of care and detail you’ll find in our reviews. And note that last lines of the first bit “Disney is expected to make changes that make the menu more appealing to the unadventurous.” In fact, Disney just made some changes here, and they simplified the menu much less than we thought they would. (See Josh’s note here.)

Because our is the only major Disney World guide book that offers free updates, buyers of The easy Guide 2017 will get for free the updated versions of the 2017 easy Guide that we’ll be publishing later this year and in 2017, including changes to this text! See the image for how to get yours:

Disney Springs—the old Downtown Disney—has seen a particular renaissance in fine and fun dining. Josh’s reviews of all the new and re-imagined offerings here are, for returning visitors looking to try something new, well worth the entire price of the book.

Here’s some brief excerpts of a few Disney Springs reviews from Chapter 7:

• Planet Hollywood: “Planet Hollywood is set to later in fall 2016 with a planetarium theme and new menu, though little else is known about what exactly will be offered.”
• Paddlefish: “Paddlefish replaces Fulton’s Crab House in the same location in a riverboat on the water and it will be operated by the same company that elevated it into becoming one of the 15 most profitable restaurants in the country.”
• Morimoto Asia: “Officially helmed by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto Asia opened in October 2015 to great fanfare. The restaurant is sleek and stylish, with impressive chandeliers said to resemble jellyfish.”
• Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar: “Jock Lindsey is Indiana Jones’ longtime pilot and his bar is ornately themed to his hangar which was recently converted into a bar for the enjoyment of his fellow members of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.”
• Homecoming—Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar: “Chef Art Smith is perhaps best known as the personal chef of Oprah Winfrey, but those that appreciate his history with Disney will remind you that he completed a Disney internship as well. Homecoming Florida showcases the state’s fresh flavors with appetizers like house-made pimento cheese hushpuppies served with red jalapeño jelly and deviled eggs.”
• Frontera Cocina: “Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless, who operates around ten Mexican restaurants mostly in the Chicago area, brings what is easily Disney’s best Mexican restaurant to Disney Springs”
• The Edison: “Themed to a 1920s-period electric company, The Edison celebrates an era of invention, excitement, and imagination. Much more than just a restaurant, The Edison is expected to bring live singing, dancing, palm readers, contortionists, and a lot more.”
• The BOATHOUSE: “Offering picturesque waterfront dining, multiple bars inside and out, and a number of diversely themed dining areas, The BOATHOUSE brings upscale cuisine wrapped up in a casual atmosphere to Disney Springs.”
• STK Orlando: “STK is a significant departure away from anything else at Walt Disney World, blending an ultra-modern steakhouse aesthetic with an atmosphere that resembles more of a Las Vegas club than a traditional steakhouse.”

For the rest of these reviews, and all kinds of great advice on Disney World dining, buy the book!

Ok, that’s it for now. More to come on other changes in the 2017 easy Guide later! Meanwhile, buy the book, OK?

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As Steve is reporting on the MilitaryDisneyTips.com Facebook page, the 2017 Disney Armed Forces Salute became available today.

Steve has the details on both the 2016 and 2017 Armed Forces Salutes here, but here’s the basics:

• The salute is valid from January 1, 2017 through December 19, 2017, but excludes April 9-23.
• For 2017 it includes not just deeply discounted 4 day tickets, as it has the past few years, but also deeply discounted 5 day tickets. Unless your kids are younger than 5, the 5 day option is the one to choose, as it permits two days in the Magic Kingdom and a day each in the other three parks.
• Also available again as part of the 2017 salute are room discounts—30% off value resorts, 35% off moderates, and 40% off deluxes.
• Note that the two deals are not linked–you can get the ticket deal, the room rate deal, or both

Some of the most popular room types (e.g. Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation) are excluded, and availability elsewhere is very limited (more rooms may be added).

S0 those aiming to use the room rate deal for a visit before May (remembering the excluded April dates!) should book right away.

The ticket deal is available only directly from various base sources. But Kelly can book the room rate deal for eligible military families.
Contact her at KellyB@DestinationsInFlorida.com or 980-429-4499.

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