EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

[Dustysage]

As luck would have it, I think I'll already be in Florida when this event takes place, so if I can get tickets, I'll be there! Who wants to join me? This really does look fun and I love all the little perks and extras. Very nice D23!

D23's Magic & Merriment at Walt Disney World - Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 15 at 10 a.m. PST

Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2009

Pocahontas; Ugly Betty). Following this special performance, you will be transported to Disney's Hollywood Studios for a sumptuous holiday feast on one of the park's largest backlot sets – Lights! Motors! Action!™ After the park closes, enjoy "the last ride of the night" on one of the park's signature attractions, and then head over to New York Street for a private viewing of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights during a special presentation hosted by two of Walt Disney World's top creative minds.

On Sunday, you'll head to the Magic Kingdom for a day of Christmas fantasy and fun in this delightfully wintery wonderland. After a morning of enjoying the park's sparkling holiday majesty, everyone will gather inside Frontierland's iconic Diamond Horseshoe for a private holiday luncheon complete with special entertainment to keep the holiday spirit alive. After dessert, D23 members and their guests will get another "suite" treat… the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an exclusive tour of the magical Cinderella Castle Dream Suite, situated high above Fantasyland.

Come nightfall, celebrate together at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and relax at D23's private hospitality lounge (located at the Swan Boat Landing in front of Cinderella Castle) for holiday treats and cocoa. You'll also enjoy reserved viewing for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade. Holiday magic abounds, and, of course, it wouldn't be a D23 event without a very special holiday gift to commemorate the weekend! Happy holidays from your friends at D23!

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2009
Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Time: Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Odyssey Center located in Epcot's Future World (just past Test Track). First presentation begins at 10 a.m.
Tickets: Tickets will be available Thursday, October 15 at 10 a.m. PST. Members may bring up to three guests.
Cost: $195 per person

Included with the cost of your ticket:

• Park admission for two days at Walt Disney World
• Two tickets per guest to Disney Quest in Downtown Disney (Orlando)
• Access to the D23 Member Lounge Sunday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Epcot and Sunday from 7 p.m. – midnight on Sunday at the Magic Kingdom
• Special morning "Holidays Around the World" presentation with surprises for all guests (Saturday)
• Guaranteed seating for Candlelight Processional at 5 p.m. (Saturday)
• Dinner and dessert on the set of Lights! Motors! Action!—includes wine and beer (Saturday)
• Private presentation of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (Saturday)
• Transportation to and from Epcot to dinner (Saturday)
• Private luncheon with entertainment inside the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon (Sunday)
• Reserved parade viewing (Sunday)
• Cinderella Suite tours (Sunday; Sign up on Saturday morning)
• Admission to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (Sunday)
• Special gift for all guests from your friends at D23!

Full event details and ticket information: D23 | The Official Community for Disney Fans

[Ladewig]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Wish they would have announced this earlier. We're arriving mid-day on the 12th. Sounds like a great event, but a bit pricey (although you do get a lot), and if you pay all that and then miss half or more of the first day, doesn't sound like a good deal. Would have loved to see the Cinderella suite.

[NeverNeverland]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Sounds awesome!!
I too wish they would have announced this sooner, as I'll just miss it

[zapjones]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

This looks like a great event. Wish I could afford to go. I'm actually considering not getting my annual pass renewal and doing this instead. I just cant afford it unless they subtract the park tickets since I don't need them.

[StrikerObi]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Wish they would have announced this earlier. We're arriving mid-day on the 12th. Sounds like a great event, but a bit pricey (although you do get a lot), and if you pay all that and then miss half or more of the first day, doesn't sound like a good deal. Would have loved to see the Cinderella suite.

It's actually quite the deal considering the costs of the tickets on their own.

I live in Florida and with the resident discount a 1 day 1 park pass is still $73. There is a deal running that gets you 3 days for $135, so a two day pass isn't available. Add to that the cost of a Very Merry Christmas ticket ($52), and you've already approached $187. The difference between that and the $195 cost of the event is only $8. The event adds two meals and a whole host of what look like awesome events and experiences. Can you even put a price on getting a peek inside the Castle Suite? It's certainly worth a hell of a lot more than $8.

If you live outside of Florida the 2-Day ticket price is $156. Add to that the $52 for the VMC ticket and you're at $208, so this package actually saves you $13, plus you get all the benefits.

I think I'll be pulling some money out of savings and treating myself and my girlfriend to an amazing weekend.

Of course that all ignores the Disney Quest tickets that are also included. 2 tickets each, which would be $65.42. I doubt I'll even have time to go to Disney Quest though, what with all the things on the itinerary. Plus, DQ is kinda lame IMO. I wonder if they can be traded for cash or credit. I'm guessing probably not, which is a shame because I'd much rather have $64 to spend at the World of Disney store.

[Dustysage]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

It's actually quite the deal considering the costs of the tickets on their own.

I live in Florida and with the resident discount a 1 day 1 park pass is still $73. There is a deal running that gets you 3 days for $135, so a two day pass isn't available. Add to that the cost of a Very Merry Christmas ticket ($52), and you've already approached $187. The difference between that and the $195 cost of the event is only $8. The event adds two meals and a whole host of what look like awesome events and experiences. Can you even put a price on getting a peek inside the Castle Suite? It's certainly worth a hell of a lot more than $8.

If you live outside of Florida the 2-Day ticket price is $156. Add to that the $52 for the VMC ticket and you're at $208, so this package actually saves you $13, plus you get all the benefits.

I think I'll be pulling some money out of savings and treating myself and my girlfriend to an amazing weekend.

Of course that all ignores the Disney Quest tickets that are also included. 2 tickets each, which would be $65.42. I doubt I'll even have time to go to Disney Quest though, what with all the things on the itinerary. Plus, DQ is kinda lame IMO.

Thank you for breaking that all down for us. It really does look like a good deal.

I just found out that the trip I'm already booked on comes back the day before this event. I'm trying to figure out if I can change my departure date so I can attend this event. It looks fantastic.

[lurkyloo]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

I'm fortunate enough to already be going to WDW on these dates. I just don't know if I want to cancel my existing, painstakingly set plans for MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, and the DISboards' private party at DHS just to do this. In fact, it looks like there'll be a D23 party and the DIS party going on at DHS simultaneously that night!

[DOOM BGI]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Yeah, this event not only sounds amazing... the price is a real bargain. Compared to the Food & Wine event at $240 for one day... a two day event for less than $200 is a great deal. This is more in line price-wise for what I expected of member events.

Count me as another who really wishes this would have been announced a month ago. I have airfare already booked for a trip right around that time also, and I will probably change to re-book so that I can attend this event... it really looks to be worth it. But after change fees, it will cost me an extra $300! :verymad:

If the ticket cost for this event was even one more dime, I probably wouldn't go.

[StrikerObi]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Yeah, this event not only sounds amazing... the price is a real bargain. Compared to the Food & Wine event at $240 for one day... a two day event for less than $200 is a great deal. This is more in line price-wise for what I expected of member events.

Count me as another who really wishes this would have been announced a month ago. I have airfare already booked for a trip right around that time also, and I will probably change to re-book so that I can attend this event... it really looks to be worth it. But after change fees, it will cost me an extra $300! :verymad:

If the ticket cost for this event was even one more dime, I probably wouldn't go.

To be fair the Sip & Stroll event includes a $50 gift card, so it's really a $190 event. Still, it seems a good deal more expensive because of this. It also includes access to the Party for the Senses, which is pretty pricey on it's own. I still think this deal is much better though. It's probably because of the perks. They seem a whole lot cooler than those included with Sip & Stroll.

[DOOM BGI]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Found this detail about the park tix in the small print:

December 30, 2010.

This is great; they do not require these tickets to be used "day of event" only (like most DLR special events). As a WDW AP holder, it's great that these are good for a whole year. I can definitely put them to good use on friends or family members when needed at a later date. The value of this package just gets better and better!

[Dustysage]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

I'm changing my travel plans as well so I can attend this event.

[DOOM BGI]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

I'm fortunate enough to already be going to WDW on these dates. I just don't know if I want to cancel my existing, painstakingly set plans for MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, and the DISboards' private party at DHS just to do this. In fact, it looks like there'll be a D23 party and the DIS party going on at DHS simultaneously that night!

DISboards? What's that? I thought MiceChat was the only Disney message boards... lol

[Dustysage]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

DISboards? What's that? I thought MiceChat was the only Disney message boards... lol

(Doing his best Jedi mind trick) We ARE the only Disney message board. Pay no attention to Lurkyloo, move along, move along . . . .

[fspadafora]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Looks like a good package.

Anyone have any idea how many spaces they usually have available for these?
I see the Sip and Stroll is still open, but I have a feeling this may be much more popular.

[DOOM BGI]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Looks like a good package.

Anyone have any idea how many spaces they usually have available for these?
I see the Sip and Stroll is still open, but I have a feeling this may be much more popular.

Welcome to MiceChat! :wave:

I don't know the answer, but I am concerned about the same thing. I am paying a lot of money to re-arrange my flight schedule so that I can attend, so I will be sorely disappointed if I don't get tickets. I too think that with the lower price point this will be much more popular than the Sip & Stroll.

I am hoping that if it does sell out, it will be in a number of days, and not minutes. However with all the other WDW events not filling up, I just can't imagine that all of a sudden this one will sell out instantly. So at least I am pretty confident that if I try at the allotted time when they are released I will get my tix. Well, we will see, one can only hope.

[Dustysage]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Found this detail about the park tix in the small print:

December 30, 2010.

This is great; they do not require these tickets to be used "day of event" only (like most DLR special events). As a WDW AP holder, it's great that these are good for a whole year. I can definitely put them to good use on friends or family members when needed at a later date. The value of this package just gets better and better!

Bad news Doom BGI, you actually caught a typo. The correct date the tickets must be used by is actually January 30, 2010. D23 will be making the change tomorrow on their web site.

But that still gives almost 2 months to use the tickets. And if you don't need them, I know someone who's pass just expired who does.

-Dusty

[lurkyloo]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

(Doing his best Jedi mind trick) We ARE the only Disney message board. Pay no attention to Lurkyloo, move along, move along . . . .

:lol:

[NatdRat]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Oh this is most excellent!

I, like a previous poster, will be arriving there in the afternoon on the 12th. Now with this announcement I may be able to make plans to get there earlier and attend from the start.

Hmm, my only other predicament is that I may have to abandon my family on Sunday to do some what is scheduled. Well, at least I have a few days to try and plan this out.

[goofystitch]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

This looks amazing! Hopefully this becomes an annual event. The dates are too close to my finals and presentations for me to go, but this sounds spectacular!

[Ladewig]

Re: EVENT: D23 Magic & Merriment at WDW - December 12 & 13, 2009

Checking with my travel agent to see how adding a day or sliding our stay up one day so we get there on Friday instead of Saturday impacts things. We booked airfare on Southwest, so we can change our resevations as often as we like witrhout penalty. Love that they don't charge for changes.