Disney Parks Salutes U.S. Military with Special Tickets, Room Rates for 2017

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — At Walt Disney World Resort from Sept. 28, 2016 through Dec. 16, 2017, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active or retired members of the National Guard, Reservists, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)) or their spouses can purchase:

• Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper Option for $209 each, plus tax.
• Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Water Park Fun and More Option for $209 each, plus tax.
• Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun and More Options for $246 each, plus tax.
• Disney 5-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper Option for $224 each, plus tax.
• Disney 5-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Water Park Fun and More Option for $224 each, plus tax.
• Disney 5-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun and More Options for $261 each, plus tax.

Walt Disney World Resort tickets may be used Jan.1, 2017, through Dec. 19, 2017, except that the tickets may not be used April 9 – 23, 2017.

Active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. No more than six Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any eligible member of the U.S. military (or spouse) pursuant to this offer. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 19, 2017.

At the Disneyland Resort – from Nov. 1, 2016 through Dec. 16, 2017, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active or retired members of the National Guard, Reservists, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA))) or their spouses can purchase:

• Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $156 each.
• Disney Military Promotional 4-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $181 each.

Disneyland tickets may be used Jan. 1 – Dec. 19, 2017, except that the tickets may not be used April 9 – 23, 2017.

Active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. No more than six Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any eligible member of the U.S. military (or spouse) pursuant to this offer. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 19, 2017.

Active and retired U.S. military personnel can also take advantage of specially priced rooms at select Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort hotels.* This offer is valid for stays most nights from Jan. 1 – Dec. 19, 2017, except for April 9 –23, 2017.

For information on Disney 4-Day/5-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to Walt Disney World Resort, or to make room reservations at Walt Disney World Resort, military personnel may call 407-939-5684 or participating U.S. military base ticket offices. For information regarding Disney 3-Day/4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort, or to make room reservations at the Disneyland Resort, military personnel may call 866-943-7872 or participating U.S. military base ticket offices. Information is also available at DisneyMilitaryOffers.com.

Here are some other details guests should know about:

• Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets ONLY by Eligible Service Members (defined below) or their spouses (but not both), for use by themselves and other family members and friends, as provided herein. These Tickets may not be otherwise transferred, distributed or resold.
• “Eligible Service Members” are active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• The actual prices charged at the individual U.S. military base ticket offices for Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be less than the prices set forth above.
• Participating military sales outlets must require that Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) present valid military identification to purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets.
• Subject to certain exceptions, Disney 4-Day/5-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort are not valid until activated by the Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) at Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows. Tickets and options expire and may not be used after December 19, 2017. Valid military identification will be required for purchase and use.
• Disney 3-Day/4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort expire and may not be used after December 19, 2017. Valid military identification will be required for purchase and use.
• No more than six (6) Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased and (if applicable) activated by any Eligible Service Member or spouse (regardless of the place of purchase and whether purchased by that person or that person’s spouse). In addition, one of the six (6) Tickets purchased must be used by the Eligible Service Member or his/her spouse.
• Each Disney Military Promotional Ticket must be used by the same person on any and all days.

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*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply. Valid Military ID will be required upon check-in, and military member (or spouse) must stay in the room. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Additional per-adult charges apply at the Walt Disney World Resort if there are more than two adults per room. Other restrictions apply.

Clock Ticking for America’s High School Students to Participate in 10th Annual Disney Dreamers Academy

October 31 is the last day students can apply for a once-in-a-lifetime inspirational program at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Sept. 27, 2016 – Time is running out for high school students nationwide to be a part of the 2017 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine – the innovative, outside-of-the-classroom, mentoring program is in its 10^th year at Walt Disney World Resort. To be among the 100 selected to participate in this unique experience, high school students around the country must apply at DisneyDreamersAcademy.com by October 31.

Each year, students participate in engaging and immersive workshops related to a variety of career paths, ranging from animation to zoology. Each participant learns important skills such as communication techniques, leadership values and networking strategies from Disney experts and world-renowned entrepreneurs and executives. Moreover, motivational speakers and celebrities such as syndicated radio and television personality Steve Harvey and ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks connect with students to share their stories and provide insight into how to achieve success and DREAM BIG.

Immersed in the imaginative and magical setting of Walt Disney World Resort, Dreamers go behind the scenes to learn what inspires Disney storytellers, as well as use the theme parks as energetic ‘classrooms,’ leading to career discoveries, the pursuit of dreams and fun memories to cherish.

“Giving back to our youth – our future – is something I am so passionate about,” said Harvey. “This is a milestone year, where the success and collaboration with Disney continue to pay dividends for the lives of over 900 Disney Dreamer alumni and with the addition of the class of 2017, we will have influenced over 1,000 aspiring young leaders. I encourage all high school students to take the time to apply for the 10^th annual Disney Dreamers Academy because I truly believe that a young person’s dream deserves constant nourishing.”

Applicants must answer essay questions describing their stories, the people who are most influential in their lives and their dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including a strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams.

Selected Dreamers, along with a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the event March 9-12, 2017. Applications are open to U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19, until Oct. 31, 2016. A distinguished panel of leaders will judge the applications in November and selected students will be announced in December.

For more information regarding applications, visit: DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Follow the Dreamers on Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy or on Twitter.com/DreamersAcademy.

About Walt Disney World Resort / The Walt Disney Co.:

Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation center located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando. The Walt Disney Co. has a rich legacy of creativity and exceptional storytelling that brings families together in unique and memorable ways. Creative excellence is coupled with a strong commitment to community service and diversity. The Walt Disney Co. is dedicated to making a positive impact in communities around the world, with a primary focus on brightening the lives of children.

About Steve Harvey:

Steve Harvey began doing stand-up comedy in the mid-1980s, which eventually led to a long stint as host of “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.” His success as a stand-up comedian led to multiple TV sitcoms, including “Me and The Boys”, “The Steve Harvey Show” and “Steve Harvey’s Big Time Challenge. His first book, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man,” quickly became a bestseller in 2009. Harvey has appeared on “The Oprah Show,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Currently, Harvey hosts the nationally syndicated “Steve Harvey Morning Show,” which airs in over 60 markets and has over 7 million listeners. He is host of “Steve Harvey,” a nationally syndicated daytime talk show.

About ESSENCE Communications Inc.:

ESSENCE Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online.  The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 46 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of nearly 14.1 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women’s lives.  Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

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