This week at Walt Disney World, Disney offers massive discounts on tickets for Florida residents, a popular fall event is cancelled, plus Disney announces more availability for annual passholders (just not at Disney’s Hollywood Studios).
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort cancels Halloween Horror Nights (but will still be selling merchandise) and SeaWorld offers a free ticket deal!
1. Disney offering a deeply discounted ticket deal for Florida residents
In addition to the discounts being offered on hotel rooms, merchandise and more, this week Disney announced a new Florida resident ticket offer that deeply discounts admission for multi-day visits. Here’s the price/validity breakdown for this new “Magic Flex Ticket”:
- 2-Day Ticket – $130
Valid: Now – September 30, 2020 - 3-Day Ticket – $174
Valid: Now – November 20, 2020
November 29, 2020 – December 18, 2020 - 4-Day Ticket – $195
Valid: Now – November 20, 2020
November 29, 2020 – December 18, 2020
2. Disney Wine and Dine 2020 race cancelled, virtual event announced
runDisney announced this week that it will cancel the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort and instead offer it as a virtual event. Those who participate in this online event will receive a race shirt and medal for each distance they complete. Registered participants will receive an email beginning July 23 with instructions on how to register for this online before August 5, 2020. If a selection is not made, registered Guests automatically will be refunded.All registered Guests for the onsite event have the option of receiving a full refund for the race if they do not want to compete in the virtual event.
3. Ample Hills Creamery at BoardWalk Resort will not reopen, Disney Springs project abandoned
Image: Dakota Gardner
Despite operating a popular location at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort for the last 5 years, it has been announced that the Ample Hills Creamery will not reopen, and the Disney Springs location, which was in the early construction phases before the COVID-19 shutdown will not be moving forward. No reason was given for the abrupt removal of Ample Hills from Disney Property, but we’d guess the company is short on cash following its bankruptcy filing earlier this year and it could not reach an agreement to work with Disney
4. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance boarding group procedure changed AGAIN
Last week Disney tried a new staggered distribution method for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, giving guests the opportunity to snag a boarding pass at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. However, Disney has changed course and is now only distributing boarding passes at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Guests will definitely want to make sure their phones are ready when attempting to join the virtual queue as boarding passes are still running out very quickly, usually within 30 seconds of becoming available.
5. Disney increases annual passholder availability for select theme parks
Disney has announced that it has increased availability for annual passholders during select dates in July and August for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Due to its continued popularity, Disney’s Hollywood Studios was not included in the list.
Disney said that this additional availability for passholders is not due to increased capacity, which is remaining extremely limited for the time being.
6. Mask wearing enforcement squad deployed to enforce new mask rules
Much like they did during the early days of Disney Springs’ reopening, Disney has been deploying their social distancing team, who are now carrying signage that reminds guests to “wear a face covering unless stopped to eat or drink.”
This team has probably been out in full force in recent days to try and enforce Disney’s newest mask rules, which state that guests can not walk around with their masks off while eating and drinking around the parks.
7. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort CANCELLED
For the first time in 30 years, Universal Orlando Resort has made the difficult decision to cancel Halloween Horror Nights. Those with tickets should call (407) 363-8000 to discuss the following options:
- Get a full refund for event tickets as well as resort reservations (if applicable)
- Hang on to your ticket and roll it over to next year’s event
- Use the Halloween Horror Nights ticket to visit Universal Orlando Resort as a day guest.
Though there will not be a Halloween Horror Nights event this fall, Universal will still be selling merchandise related to this event, spotlighting previous years’ events with throwback merchandise, inside the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store, which will be opening this weekend. Merchandise is also available at the Halloween Horror Nights online shop.
8. Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando offering free ticket deal for veterans
This week SeaWorld announced a new deal which allows Veterans can get free single-day tickets for themselves and up to three family members or friends at all SeaWorld parks, including SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld San Antonio. In addition to free admission, veterans can purchase up to four additional guest tickets for 50 percent off.
The deal is valid through November 11, and will also be available at SeaWorld San Diego and Busch Gardens Williamsburg when those parks are able to reopen.
