WDW to announce new discount program: Magical Beginnings

[crazy4wdw]

Posted 4/20/2006 9:01 PM Updated 4/20/2006 9:35 PM

It's a small world after all at Disney
By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY
It's never too early to bring your kids to Disney World.

Magical Beginnings: Disney’s off-season program is for families with kids who are under school age.

At least, that's the message the nation's most-visited family destination hopes to get out with a major new program aimed at parents with the littlest toddlers and preschoolers.

Magical Beginnings, to be announced today, will run Aug. 13 through Sept. 30, a period when families with older children stop traveling as schools resume after summer breaks and Disney's parks clear out.

Disney hopes to turn the offseason period into a major draw for familes with children under school age by adding more toddler-focused shows, including performances by the Disney Channel's The Wiggles. Disney also will open kiddie-focused Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom an hour early on select days during the period, allowing youngsters extra times on rides such as Dumbo and Peter Pan.

The program offers unusual discounted packages for tyke-toting families that include free dining (one table-service meal, one snack and one quick-service meal a day). Prices start at $950 a family (two adults, one child age 9 or younger; $173 each additional child) for four nights. Reservations must be made before June 4 (407-939-7735; disneyworld.com/prek).

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Are the Wiggles actually going to be performing live?

 

[pjupton]

Magical Beginnings, to be announced today, will run Aug. 13 through Sept. 30, a period when families with older children stop traveling as schools resume after summer breaks and Disney's parks clear out.

Disney also will open kiddie-focused Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom an hour early on select days during the period, allowing youngsters extra times on rides such as Dumbo and Peter Pan.

Huh? So there's free dining and extra magic hours? Good to know they are doing all that special stuff for those of us with preschoolers

 

[brivers222]

^^ LoL

Yeah seems to me they are just putting another twist on the same exact discount already added... That is hilarious, Free Dining, EMH and trips in August... Yeah If only I could have a none school aged kid to get that now!

 

[kath1210]

I agree - same contents in a different box! Can you say "marketing"?

 

[daisy_77]

That would be sweet if the Wiggles were performing! It would be outta control busy! My DD loves the Wiggles! She freaks out when she sees them.

 

[LakeAriel]

Wonder if this includes theme park tickets for the 4 days?

It includes a one park per day ticket per person. I don't see that it's better then the free dining promotion

 

[pandora174]

I quoted the package exactly as my "free dining" pacakage for Sept. & it was the same amount down to the last penny. Kinda funny. But still very happy for "free dining" though will take any extra savings Disney would like to send our way

 

[MinnieM3]

Darn those pesky kids who have to grow up right when Disney does this great discount...... and the dratted schools who have NO consideration for these discounts whatsoever!!! A rgh!

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I have to know if the Wiggles would be performing!!!!
-Wendy

 

[LBKMAMA]

Where can you find out more about the extra hours in AM and additional shows? is it posted somewhere?

 

[ccgegg]

YES! I guess our DD won't be starting kindergarten after all this Fall so we can score these huge discounts. Should I go wake her up and tell her the big news???

 

[unbroken chain]

And in my state, schools don't start until after Labor Day. (But the free dining promotion at this time doesn't appeal to me, because I just can't take Florida in August, not even for free dining.)

 

[PartyOf5]

I thought this was a slower time because of Hurricane Season?

 

[SueEllen]

This is the exact same promotion, just marketed differently (in areas targeting families with pre-schoolers.) It has a different code associated with it so they can track the success of the marketing promotion, but there is no difference in the package discount.

Apparently the Wiggles, Johnny & the Sprites, the Doodlebops, and more will be appearing in August/Sept for this as well (to promote pre-schoolers coming down.)

Sue Ellen

 

[rantnnravin]

accroding to the wiggles website, no central fl bookings are in the works for this fall (they do the west coast in the summer)
so unless this reporter has info the band themselves aren't privvy to...

 

[40plus]

Seems kind of funny, during EE Peter Pan and Dumbo are both open along with IASM, Turnpike, Space mountain, Stitch, Poo and the normal rest of the EE rides nothing extra there and age 9 or under is 3rd grade and below

 

[raven69david]

In all the excitement i haven't read the whole thread, but if the Wiggles are performing live my DD will love it. She loves the Wiggles. I find it a little weird that 4 grown men are entertaining kids, but maybe that's just me being too cautious. Anyway, if the airfare is down we may go twice this year. We already have our vacations marked for the 1st two weeks in December as that's our favorite time to visit.

 

[Windy City Heather]

I can't wait until they post proformence times for the extra entertainment. We are already booked and if I need to move stuff around I want to do it as soon as possible.

 

[LBKMAMA]

Where would they post this stuff? I looked at WDW website and it's basically same info with a different twist. My other ? is where would they perform - in front of castle? Although my dd 2 would love some of this I'd be apt to stay away just because of volume....I'm worried about my plan if there is a concert scheduled...should I be? We would only be there for 3 days of this promo.