January 1 - 6: The parks will still be at peak levels with families and visitors on Christmas Break. You definitely need a good touring plan to minimize your time spent in lines. See: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.htm

January 8th- 11th: 2. Disney Marathon Weekend. Disney is adding more marathons this year because they always fill up quickly. That means the parks and the resort will have thousands of runners and family members on property. Avoid the Magic Kingdom over the weekend - visit on a week day instead.

3. Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - Beginning January 3rd, this great show will no longer be presented every night. It will only be offered on Monday and Thursday nights. This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it. Because of the limited performances, you know Disney's Hollywood Studios is going to be busier on Mondays and Thursdays. 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.

Presidents Day Weekend - Saturday, Feb. 14 - Monday, February 16. This is a 3-Day weekend which always increases the crowds at Walt Disney World. Some people will add a few days prior to the weekend, others will add a few days afterwards. The peak crowds will be Feb. 14 -20. We can create plans that will help you manage these crowds.

Mardi Gras - February 21-24. This won't cause a big increase but as people head to New Orleans, a good number of residents flee the city and head to Walt Disney World.

January 1 - 4: Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney-MGM Studios. Millions of lights decorate the Streets of America backlot area.

January 8-11: Walt Disney World Marathon.

Campfire on de' Bayou - Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Enjoy a special storytime and campfire Sing-Along near Port Orleans Riverside's Ol" Man Island Fishin' Hole . This special event is only offered on Thursday & Sunday nights from 6:30 - 8:00PM from Oct. 31, 2008-March 2009. Cost: free. S'mores kits can be purchased for $7.00. No reservations required.

Advance Dining Reservations. Disney is currently only accepting dining reservations through February 22nd, 2009 EXCEPT at Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Mickey's, and Victoria & Albert. These three extremely popular are still accepting reservations up to 180 days prior to arrival. We always make dining reservations on your behalf (subject to availability) when you book your Walt Disney World Resort vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip.

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show (Show - Disney's Hollywood Studios) - As of October 2008, this show is only being offered Monday - Saturday / No performances on Sundays.

Liberty Tree Tavern (Restaurant - Magic Kingdom) the restaurant will be open but - beginning January 5th - Liberty Tree Tavern will no longer offer character dining.

The Hall of Presidents (Animatronic Show - Magic Kingdom) will be closed through July 1, 2009.

Splash Mountain (Ride - Magic Kingdom) will be closed Jan. 4-17, 2009.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Ride - Magic Kingdom) will be closed Jan. 7, 2009.

Mickey's Philharmagic (3-D Movie- Magic Kingdom) will be closed Jan. 18 - February 6, 2009.

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park will be closed for its annual refurbishment Oct. 26 - March 21, 2009.

Beach Club & Yacht Club Resorts - Stormalong Bay - Sections of the feature pool will be refurbished from January 5 to April 15, 2009. There are three "quiet" pools throughout the resort that will still be open and guests may use the feature pool at Disney's Boardwalk Resort.

Get a 7-night/7-day room & ticket vacation package for the price a 4-night/4 day room & ticket vacation package. You will get up to 3 FREE hotel nights and 3 extra days on your theme park admission tickets!

You'll also receive a $200 Disney Gift Card (one per reservation) when you travel between January 4 and March 29. The $200 Disney Gift Card can be used for souvenirs and merchandise at Walt Disney World! (Travel after March 29 does not include the Gift Card.) I was told by a Disney reservations agent that the gift card cannot be used towards food or beverages - it can be used on souvenirs, t-shirts, trading pins, etc. I'll double check this information tomorrow.

Promotion must be booked by December 20th, 2008.

Not every room category or every resort is available.

Potential savings: I was talking to Disney about my clients with existing reservations and one will have to switch value resorts if they want to take advantage of this offer - they'll save $265, if they decide to switch. Another client was able to get his first choice in resorts and he's saving $235 on a value resort. Another client is saving $1152 on their Deluxe resort reservation.

Other length stays: You can up to 10 nights with this package but the 7-night package provides the best value because there is a maximum of 3 free nights and 3 extra days per ticket, per stay. You must purchase 4 nights to take advantage of this promotion so shorter trips will have less free days. If your reservation is for 5 nights, you'll get one night free. If you stay 6 nights, you'll get 2 free nights.

Dining Plan: The Quick Service Dining Plan, the regular Dining Plan, or the Deluxe Dining Plan can be added at the regular price to these package. If you stay for seven nights, you'll pay for seven nights of the dining plan - the "free stay, free ticket" discount does not include any type of free dining promotion.

This is a great deal, especially when coupled with all the extra planning services we provide at no extra cost when you book your trip through us or transfer your existing reservation to us.

The Disney Pirate & Princess Party is a special event held on select nights from 7:00PM to Midnight at the Magic Kingdom theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort. This is a great event with fun events for both boys and girls. Come dressed as a Pirate, Princess, Pirate-Princess, Pirate-Prince or even as yourself!

February 20, 27
March 8, 12, 20, 27
April 1, 22
May 1, 8

Tickets are not yet for sale at this time.