Walt Disney World in October 2011 - Special Events, Crowd levels, and Theme Park Ride Closures

1. Columbus Day Weekend - three day weekends always bump the crowds up a little bit but you'll manage just fine with a good touring plan.

2. Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival ~ September 30 - November 13, 2011. 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.

3. Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - Yea! Hooray! Fantasmic! is being offered every evening this month. Disney had gone to only offering this great show a couple of nights a week and that really impacted crowds. Know that crowds will be much higher on nights where Disney's Hollywood Studios is having an Extra Magic Hour. This show is included in the cost of admission. 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.

4. Main Street Electrical Parade (Magic Kingdom) - This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night because the park will close early (7PM) this month for the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties (separate ticket required. This means that the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a Main Street Electrical Parade. The Main Street Electrical Parade will be presented on October 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 2011. The Main Street Electrical Parade is very impressive and worth seeing so plan your visit to the Magic Kingdom on a day it is offered, arrive a bit before park opening in the morning, and use a good touring plan to keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.

5. 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.

1. October 1, 2011 is the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort and the Magic Kingdom theme park will be busy . The Magic Kingdom (Disney World's first theme park) will be open late and will have two Main Street Electrical Parade. There will be a special 40th anniversary presentation on the Castle Stage at 10:00AM. The Main Street Bakery will be selling special 40th Anniversary cupcakes and the Wishes fireworks - 9:00PM - will have a special finale. If you go to Magic Kingdom today, go because you'll enjoy being among so many sentimental Disney fans. If you don't really care about the anniversary, you might enjoy Magic Kingdom more on a less crowded day.

2. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Disney's Magic Kingdom)- 7:00PM to Midnight - September 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30, October 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31 and November 1, 2011. 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 October can still be quite warm 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.

3. September 30 - October 1, 2011 - Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. This event shouldn't affect park touring.

4. October 15, 2011 - Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival (Downtown Disney) Races will run from approximately 8:00AM - 4:30PM.

5. Children's Miracle Golf Classic (Disney's Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses) - Monday, Oct. 17 - Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011.

6. Shipwrecked Party at Rix Lounge at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort October 29, 2011 at 9PM. Live DJ and Costume Contest. Age 21 & older. Tickets: $5 in advance / $10 at the Door / Free to Disney Resort Hotel Guests.

7. Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival ~ September 30 - November 13, 2011. 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:

Ariel's Grotto & Pooh's Playful Spot (Magic Kingdom) have closed to make way for the big Fantasyland expansion.

Magic Kingdom: Swiss Family Treehouse will be closed September 8th - November 17th, 2011.

Blizzard Beach Water Park - Closed for annual refurbishment from October 30th - December 3rd, 2011.

Mickey's Toontown Fair (Magic Kingdom) closed on February 11, 2011. A new area is being constructed in this space. The Walt Disney Railroad will continue to run but the Toontown station will be closed during construction. The Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse Meet-and-Greets are now offered at the new Town Square Theater. FASTPASS tickets available. TinkerBell & Friends are currently meeting guests at "Tinker Bell's Magical Nook" at the Adventureland Verandah in the Magic Kingdom.

Epcot : Yakitori House (Restaurant / World Showcase - Japan Pavilion) will be closed for refurbishment from August 10 - December 1, 2011. During the refurbishment, some Japanese Quick Service items will be available at the temporary Food & Wine kiosk.

Animal Kingdom - The Tropicals, a steel drum band, will have their final performance in the park on October 29, 2011.

Disney's Hollywood Studios - Lights Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show closed October 3 - 6, 2011.

Downtown Disney - Happy Haunting Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Disney has been discontinued. According to Disney, participation in the event had outgrown what the area could safely accommodate.

Disney's Palm & Magnolia Golf Courses closed October 10 - 23, 2011.

Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course closed October 24 - November 3, 2011.

Disney's Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals. 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.

~ 2011 & 2012 Disney World FREE Dining Promotion ~

October 2, 2011 - March 31, 2012

Must Book By October 29, 2011

Limited Availability & Black-out Dates Apply.

Disney has extended this year's Free Dining Promotion to guests booking a Disney vacation package on select dates for check-ins October 2, 2011 through March 31, 2012. There are a lot of blackout dates but this is a great deal, if you are able to arrive within the promotional dates. Your arrival date must fall within the promotion dates but your departure date can extend into the blackout dates.

Book a qualifying vacation package at a Disney moderate or deluxe resort and receive the Standard / Plus Dining Plan at no extra cost. This dining plan includes 1 counter-service meal credit, 1 table-service meal credit, and 1 snack credit per person, per night of stay. Receiving this dining plan free of charge saves a family of four about $107 or more per night of stay, based on the regular cost of this dining plan. You can upgrade to the Deluxe dining plan and just pay the difference between the standard and the deluxe plans. Contact us for details.
Book a qualifying vacation package at a Disney Value Resort (All-Star or Pop Century resorts) and receive the Disney Quick-Service Dining plan at no extra cost. The quick-service plan provides two quick/counter-service meals + 2 snacks per person, per night of stay. Receiving this plan at no extra cost saves a family of four about $85 per night of stay. You can upgrade to the Standard or Deluxe dining plans by paying the difference between the quick service dining plan and your preferred dining plan. Contact us for details.

Travel Dates: Your arrival (check-in) date must fall within these days to qualify for the free dining promotion: October 2 - 8, 2011 / October 23 - November 5, 2011 / November 13 - 19, 2011 / November 27 - December 3, 2011 / December 11 - 17, 2011 / January 8-14, 2012 / January 22 -February 4, 2012/ February 12-18, 2012 / March 4 - 10, 2012 / March 25 - 31, 2012.

Minimum Requirements: Must purchase a package that includes three (3) Consecutive nights stay at a Disney Resort + at least 2-Day Disney Magic Your Way theme park Tickets.

Must book by October 29, 2011. There are a limited number of promotional packages available at each resort so book early to get your first choice in travel dates and resort.

You must pay the $200 deposit at the time of booking with the balance due 45 days prior to arrival.

Suites and campsites are excluded from this offer. The Cabins at the Fort Wilderness campground are included in the promotion.

If you do not have us book this for you, be sure to tell the booking agent that you want the free dining promotion. They do not automatically apply promotions to new or existing reservations - you must specifically ask for the discount.

Existing reservations falling within these days can be altered (subject to availability) to reflect the free dining promotion. Call and ask to have the discount applied - it will not happen automatically.

Trip Insurance - Some of the travel dates for this promotion fall within Florida's hurricane season; consider purchasing trip insurance (either through Disney, your airline, or another insurance provider), especially if you have non-refundable, non-transferable airline tickets. Trip insurance is not usually a good value if you are driving.

Dining Reservations - Dining can be booked up to 180 days prior to your arrival. Book your dining reservations as soon as you are eligible. The free dining promotion has a serious impact on the number of available dining reservations and some restaurants will fully book very early. Remember that we book dining reservations on your behalf (subject to availability) when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel

In addition to the free dining promotions, you can receive vacation planning help at no additional cost when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip. We help with establishing a "Best Days" itinerary, help with dining reservations, and theme park touring plans designed to keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel
Toll free: 877-815-6515

Disney has once again offered reduced room rates for active duty United States military members & their families.

See more attractions and avoid long ride lines with a good itinerary
At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans - this is even more important during holiday travel seasons. 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.

We offer three great options for touring plans at no extra cost to you when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip:

1. The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World is an excellent guide book with great standardized plans. A great resource.

2. Tour Guide Mike Subscription - this fantastic website is a great option for anyone who loves travel planning.

3. TouringPlans.com - a great site with excellent plans for all kinds of travellers. Perfect for people who don't have a lot of time and need and quick & easy option.