From the Disney Website…

“We’ve reached our goal of inspiring one million people to volunteer a day of service to their communities, so the “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.” program has now ended. You can no longer register and sign up for volunteer opportunities on this site to receive a free Disney Theme Park ticket, but you can still continue to give back to your community by locating and signing up for volunteer opportunities through HandsOn Network.”

There are no known replacement promotions scheduled for 2010. Last year, Disney ran its “Free Admission on Your Birthday” promotion, but it expired at the end of 2009.

Families looking to save on Disney World vacation packages can still take advantage of some of the other special deals for the first half of 2010. This includes the free gift card promotion and special hotels rates through June 1st.

Typically, Disney runs pricing discounts in Spring and Fall so if you are planning to travel before June or after August then you will are likely to qualify for special rates. Stay tuned to Disney Vacation Specials for more information!

Here is a quick list of AAA Member Benefits for Disney World:

Tickets Only:
Purchase your park tickets through AAA and save. Your membership will get you access to discounted tickets that save you an average of 5% off the retail price.

AAA Vacations Diamond Card:
All AAA Disney Vacation Packages include a special AAA Vacations Diamond Card that gets you additional savings at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. This includes discounts on qualifying items like food, souvenirs, and attraction tickets.

AAA Diamond Parking:
Members are eligible to park in the AAA preferred parking spaces located at all four Disney World Parks. Note that these spaces are first-come first-serve and a voucher is required upon entrance to the parking lot.

Hotel Discounts:
Save up to 20% on your hotel only bookings just by showing your AAA member ID. Discount varies depending on time of year and availability.

200 Disney Dollars:
Book seven nights or more on your Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Package and receive 200 Disney Dollars upon check-in. Disney Dollars can be used at a number of different locations around the park – including restaurants, shops, and attractions. This offer can be combined with other AAA hotel discounts to help you save even more money. Please present your voucher to hotel upon check-in.

Exclusive Disney’s Story Time Experience:
AAA Disney World Vacation Packages that include a Disney Dining Plan also feature a unique story time experience with one of your favorite Disney characters. These events are held on specified days of the week at Norway Pavilion in the Epcot Park. Each family or party is entitled to one story time experience per booking. Reservations are required at least one day in advance and attendees must present their voucher and resort ID.

Exclusive Parade Viewing at the Magic Kingdom Park:
In addition to the story time experience, AAA vacation packages with dining plans also include access to a special viewing of the Magic Kingdom afternoon parade. The viewing deck is located on the second level of the Magic Kingdom Train Station. Advance reservations and AAA voucher are required for access.

Upgrades at Hertz Rental Cars:
Book a Hertz rental car with your AAA vacation package and receive a complimentary child seat and car upgrade. Certain qualifications apply. Talk to your AAA travel adviser for more information.

Disney typically does not offer package deals more than 6 months in advance, so you are out of luck if you are looking for deals during the 2010 Christmas season. However, there are ways to save on trips booked for early spring and summer.

Here is of current discount offers for 2010:

Give a Day Get a Disney Day
You have probably seen the commercials for this promotion on television. If you volunteer for one day at select charity organizations then you can earn one free Disney World Ticket for 2010.

You have to register on the Disney World website in advance of your service day. Only one ticket per person will be granted during the promotional period. This replaces the free admission on your birthday promotion which ran in 2009.

Free Disney Gift Card
Right now if you book a 5 night/ 6 day Magic Your Way package for select dates between January 3rd and June 1st you can earn a free Disney gift card valued between $300 and $750. This offer is valid for non-discounted packages only – no other coupons or promotions apply.

Here’s how it works…
-Book your package at a Disney DELUXE RESORT and earn a $750 gift card.
-Book your package at a Disney MODERATE RESORT and earn a $500 gift card.
-Book your package at a Disney VALUE RESORT and earn a $300 gift card.

Disney gift cards are redeemable at Disney World Restaurants, for special event tickets, and many other locations throughout the park. They can also be used on DisneyShopping.com. Read more here.

Save 25% or More on 1 – 5 Night Stays at Disney Resorts
This offer is valid for most nights before and after the week of Easter through June 1, 2010. The discount increases for room upgrades (value resorts – deluxe resorts) and also increases when you stay more than 4 nights.

Some restrictions apply. Find out more details here.

How can I save money on Disney World Vacation for Halloween and Christmas 2010?
If you want to make reservations now for late in the year, then the best way to save is by finding deals on flights and offsite hotel rooms. Using a booking service like Expedia can help you sort through available flights and hotels to save you the most money.

Although we are almost halfway through November there are still plenty of great rates available in December for Disney resorts. Even if you already have family plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can still save big on some of the pre-Christmas dates available

*Editors Note – This post was incorrectly titled for 2010. Click here for current Disney World Discounts.

From December 18th through the 24th, Disney Value Resorts room nights have been discounted 30% to $94 per night. Need more amenities such as swimming pools, health clubs, and transportation to and from the park? Disney Moderate Resorts room nights are available for $134 – more than $70 off the standard rates.

For those interested in Magic Your Way Packages, you can still take advantage of the 3 Additional Free Nights Special when you book a 4-night/4-day Magic Your Way Vacation Package between December 11th and 24th.

Here are a couple of the special celebrations going on in Orlando in December…

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (separate ticket purchase required)
December dates include 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18 from 7pm to Midnight
Featuring:
- Special Holiday Light Display at the Cinderella Castle
- The Annual Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade
- Holiday Fireworks Display Each Night
- Disney Characters Performing Holiday Favorites
- Complimentary Cookies and Hot Chocolate
- Snow in Florida? You’ll See it at Main Street, U.S.A

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park (included with admission)
Open through January 4, 2010
Quite simply one of the most amazing Christmas light displays in the world! Entire buildings are blanketed with multi-colored lights, and you won’t believe your eyes when you see the custom creations made entirely from thousands of twinkling lights. Every ten minutes all the lights dim and restart to a choreographed show set to your favorite holiday songs. Get your cameras ready!

All special offers are based on availability and advanced reservations are required. Discounts are limited to one per family and may not be combined with other offers.

Here is how the volunteer program works…

Volunteers over the age of 18 must first register at the Disney World website. An additional eight members of the same household can be registered under the primary account. This includes children between the ages of 6 and 17.

Beginning in January 2010, the website will feature a searchable list of approved organizations. The majority of eligible volunteer opportunities will be from the HandsOn Network and the Points of Light Institute, although other outside organizations may be included. Only those organizations listed on the Disney website will qualify for the “Give a Day – Get a Disney Day” program.

After the service work has been verified by the eligible organization and submitted to Disney World, the account holder will receive a confirmation email. The user can then print the email voucher and redeem at the Disney World ticket with a valid ID.

If you have already purchased tickets to Disney World, or if you are an annual pass holder, the email voucher may be used alternatively for a 1 day admission at the following Disney properties…

Disneyland Park
Disney’s California Adventure Park
Magic Kingdom Theme Park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Epcot Center
Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Ticket quantities for this promotion are limited, although Disney has not said how many will be available. Also, there are certain blackout dates that apply depending on which park you are visiting.

“Give a Day – Get a Disney Day” vouchers are NOT valid for…

- Walt Disney World admission on March 29 – April 8 and July 4, 2010.

- Disneyland admission on February 13-14, March 21, June 21-22, July 4, November 21, and December 11-12, 2010.

It is assumed that this promotion will replace the 2009 Free Admission on Your Birthday Program, but nothing official has been stated yet.

Right now Disney is offering significant room discounts for all dates in October. Here is an overview of the current prices advertised on their website as of September 7, 2009…

Value Resorts $74 per night (Save $31)
Moderate Resorts $109 per night (Save $61)
Deluxe Resorts $179 per night (Save $111)

Note that this offer cannot be combined with the free dining package special, so you will have to decide which deal makes the most sense for you.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween is a separate event that is held from 7pm to Midnight on the following dates 2009:

September Dates: 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
October Dates: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31

This event does require an additional ticket purchase. If you buy them online from the Disney World website you will get a $7 discount. Ages 10 and up pay $52 per ticket and $46 for children between 3 and 9 years old.

Here is a listing of the special Halloween attractions you will find…

- Dress up in your costume and trick-or-treat around Magic Kingdom theme park.

- See all of your favorite Disney Characters in special Halloween costumes.

- Witness the complete transformation of the park into happy haunted village.

- A special “Boo-to-You” parade that begins with a breath-taking ride by the famous Headless Horseman.

- Finish your evening with a spectacular Halloween themed fireworks display.

Even if you have visited Disney World before, if you haven’t been during Halloween you are in for a real treat. With the special savings offers going on now it has never been a better time to experience Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Annual Halloween Party.

December Discounts at Disney World Value Resorts
$59 room nights from November 29 through December 17
$94 room nights from December 18 through December 24
$135 room nights from December 25 through January 2 (standard rate)

* Disney Value Resort Hotels are designed for budget conscious travelers during their days exploring the theme parks. Each resort has a unique theme and all of the basic amenities needed for a comfortable stay.

December Discounts at Disney World Moderate Resorts
$96 room nights from November 29 through December 17
$134 room nights from December 18 through December 24
$209 room nights from December 25 through January 2 (standard rate)

* Disney Moderate Value Resort Hotels offer another tier of value and quality to your stay.  Amenities include access to a health club, themed swimming pools, and transportation to any of the Disney World theme parks by motor coach or boat.

This special promotion is valid through September 26th and is based on availability. 

 If you are traveling to Disney World in December than you really should book your dates around one of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties.  This once a year celebration features a parade, fireworks, and even a special snowfall! Parties require an additional ticket and events are held on the following dates: December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18.

The Christmas parties can sellout, so it is best to buy your tickets when you book your room nights. Discounted tickets are available for $52 (ages 10+) and $46 (ages 3 – 9).

Here are some sample prices for select dates between August 9th and October 3rd.  These are generally Sunday through Thursday rates in a Standard Room. Availability is limited and rates will vary depending the resort, room type, and dates of travel. (Note: Sales tax has not been included.)

- Select Disney Value Resorts: from $69 per night

- Select Disney Moderate Resorts: from $96 per night

- Select Disney Deluxe Resorts: from $149 per night

- Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort: from $169 per night

Here are the Disney Discount Codes you will need to secure these discounts through the website or general reservation line:

Room only code – TDU

Discount codes for use with Disney World Packages:

Magic Your Way Base Package – MVJ

Magic Your Way PLUS Quick Service Dining Option – FPC

Magic Your Way PLUS Dining Option – EQX

Magic Your Way PLUS Deluxe Dining Option – EQY 

To receive this discount all rooms must be reserved by 8/8/09. All Disney World promotional offers are subject to availability and certain restrictions apply.

Luckily Disney World does offer a flexible and interest fee payment plan for all packages purchased directly through the Disney World website and reservation line.  Although it is not officially called a “payment plan” it offers many of the same benefits.  Best of all, it applies to anyone who signs up.

How It Works
Disney World allows you to plan and book your vacation package by putting up a $200 deposit.  After this point you are free to make payments in any amount and whenever you want.  There is no interest or additional costs to sign up for this feature.  The only requirement is that your total vacation package must be paid in full 45 days before your trip.

Since there are no penalties or fees if you pay within the allotted time, you can customize your payments to fit within your budget.  This works especially well for people who are expecting tax returns or work bonuses to fund their Disney vacation.  They get the opportunity to plan their trip today and pay for it later.

You can use Disneyworld.com to manage the finances for your Magic Your Way vacation package. Once you have registered you can keep track of how much you owe and even make payments directly through the website.  You can pay the entire balance at anytime before 45 days prior to your arrival.

This is a great alternative to the hefty interest rates that credit cards have, and the flexible terms means you won’t accrue fees for unexpected events that prevent you from making your payment.  Of course you will lose your $200 deposit and any credited payments if you default.  But as long as you have the means to pay on time then there is no better way to take the anxiety out of paying thousands of dollars for your trip to Walt Disney World.

Note that this only applies to Magic Your Way packages purchased directly through Disney World.  The payment terms are not available for single ticket purchases or separate hotel room reservations.

The promotion launched to the public on March 30th and includes most check-in dates from August 16, 2009 through October 3, 2009. Packages must be purchased by June 21st. Free dining will extend past the October 3rd date, as long as you check in October 3rd or before. As with all Disney promotions, this offer is subject to availability.

The upgrade gives you a Magic Your Way Plus Dining package for the price of a regular Magic Your Way package. You must purchase a regularly priced Magic Your Way package consisting of at least a 3-night stay at an official Walt Disney World resort hotel, AND a minimum of a 1-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket.

You can also chose to upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan for just $32 per adult per night and $10 per child age 3-9 per night. The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals a day at your choice of table service or counter service locations. Table service meals include an appetizer on the Deluxe Dining Plan. The Deluxe Dining Plan also includes two snacks per day and one refillable mug for each ticket holder.

Even without the upgrade, a family of four will save just over $100 per day with this promotion. You’ll likely save even more however because you won’t need to budget as much for your meals during your vacation. The Deluxe Dining Upgrade is a steal at $32 per adult since it covers all of food needs while at the park.

No other discounts can be combined with this offer. Reservations are limited. Please note that gratuity for table service meals are not included.