Walt Disney World News!

Feature Article

This article appeared in the January 19, 2000, Issue #15 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! I hope each of you had a happy and safe holiday season! Winter has arrived here in the Mid-Atlantic and so I am anxiously awaiting a trip to Orlando in February!

The Big Disney news is that the company is working on the development of a Frequent Buyer Program! YEA!!!!!!!!!!! Let's just hope it has some "meat" to it!

Here's what the USA Today reports….

A frequent buyer program will be unveiled this summer "..to strengthen the brand's relationship with its best customers by offering them discounts on home videos and other merchandise, access to preferred gifts, and preferred seats at its Broadway and theme park shows. The company would also communicate with members via e-mail, send birthday and other personal greetings to members' children and tell them about upcoming events."

The program will be modeled after American Airlines and American Express programs. "Disney planned to issue wallet-size buying cards for members to present to get credit for a purchase. Customers also could get points by responding to questions after shows aired on its ABC, ESPN or Disney networks."

WDW TICKET PRICES were increased earlier this month. One day admission tickets are now $2 more! The new prices, excluding taxes are: $46 for adults and $37 for children ages 3 to 9. In March of 1989, a one day admission ticket cost $29! Four and Five Day Park Hopper ticket prices were also increased. "Traditionally" Disney raises admission prices in the Spring and Annual Passport prices in the fall.

FLORIDA RESIDENT NEWS: Disney's Play 4 Days Pass offers admission to all four Disney parks for four days for $99. The pass allows residents to park hop — it doesn't have to be consecutive days — and provides $10 discounts to admission rates at Pleasure Island, Disney water parks and DisneyQuest. The pass is valid from Jan 10 to May 21, excluding April 15 to 29. Also Florida residents are now able to buy seasonal passes for $165. The passes allow admission to the parks except during the busiest periods, such as Easter.

DID YOU KNOW….. The Special Events Page on WDWIG also includes attraction closures and rehabs. Indiana Jones at the Disney-MGM Studios is currently closed until June. This is the first time this show has closed down for a major rehab since it opened. Pirates of the Caribbean will under a rehab from late February to early April. The Jungle Cruise will undergo a rehab during May and June. (All dates approximate — please be sure to contact Disney for official information). http://allears.net/pl/events.htm

COMING SOON TO WDWIG — A brand new feature will begin to appear this Friday! In response to so many of you requesting Disney Cruise information, the folks at Kingdom Magic Travel (who just happen to be Disney Cruise Experts) are writing a weekly "Cruise Highlight" report! The first article is on Castaway Cay! Look for the debut this friday.

Would you like to be part of the WDWIG team??? The following FAQs are in need of volunteers to maintain/update them: All Star Sports, Boardwalk Inn, Coronado Springs, Dolphin, Grovsenor, Swan. Also Deb is looking for someone to maintain the Special Diets/Vegetarian Sections! HTML is helpful but not mandatory. Please contact Deb at [email protected] if you are interested.

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Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.