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Updates for August 20, 2008 Brought to you by...
John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
Here you will find our money saving tips to make your visit to Walt Disney World more affordable! We will post your comments, answer your questions and announce the latest changes at the Walt Disney World Resorts and Theme Parks. We will also post updates to our book, Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation, and bring you the latest news regarding the Disney Company and other attractions in Florida. To add your own message, contact us at DisneyBBS@affordabledisney.com .
And now ... take small children by the hand and enjoy the ride! WALT DISNEY WORLD -------------------------------- "The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort said Monday it will randomly pick a guest for a gas rebate of $1 for every mile driven roundtrip." The promotion is only available to Florida residents and is good through Labor Day. Those with hybrid cars will receive complimentary valet parking. (Source: biz.yahoo.com, 08/18/08) -------------------------------- Thanks to an internship program at Oregon Coast Community College, aquarium science students are working at The Sea with Nemo and Friends. (Source: newportnewstimes.com, 08/15/08) -------------------------------- A recent visitor to Walt Disney World complained that her SUV had been taken for a joyride. Fortunately, she complained and Disney sent her park tickets and a gift card. Moral of the story? It pays to complain! (Source: cnn.com, 08/14/08) -------------------------------- Readers of Theme Park Rangers Blog voted for their favorite desserts at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks Chocolate-covered bananas are sold everywhere and are very popular.
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Hollywood Studios
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/15/08) -------------------------------- "Walt Disney World has limited its ban on employee guns at work to the giant resort's main property only -- and with that move Friday received the blessing of Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/16/08) -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar -------------------------------- DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA "Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell and other fictional fixtures of modern-day childhood were handcuffed, frisked and loaded into police vans Thursday at the culmination of a labor protest that brought a touch of reality to the Happiest Place on Earth." (Source: news.yahoo.com, 08/15/08) -------------------------------- -------------------------------- OUTSIDE DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA [Valerie Orleans] "has fond childhood memories of stagecoach robberies at Knott's Berry Farm." (Source: ocregister.com, 08/13/08) -------------------------------- CRUISES "A new Web site called ThemeCruiseFinder.com can help you locate a theme cruise." Sample themes include: art, astronomy, Christianity, Christmas, dance, history, and motorcycles. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/17/08) -------------------------------- NOTE: News sources remove their articles rather quickly. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the source's archives for the story. Certain news organizations require a free registration to view their articles online. |
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Beth, our travel agent, writes about Adventures by Disney: "When Disney first announced they were venturing into the world of escorted tours I had a hard time imagining how Mickey was going to fit down the aisle of a bus! Turns out that isn't a problem because there is nary a character to be seen on these tours. And yes, that's a GOOD thing! Disney has proven over the last few years that they CAN compete with the best when it comes to doing guided tours all over the world. They use the very best hotels and restaurants, their guides are fabulously trained, and each itinerary makes sure that all participants will do not only the usual 'tourist' things, but also some things you'd otherwise not be able to do. (When the name Disney is attached to your company you can really work some magic!) And don't be surprised to see little gifts unexpected appearing in your room from time to time. As you'd imagine, these tours are great for families with children, and especially so for multi-generational families. There are opportunities for the adults to have a nice dinner alone while the kids are expertly entertained for the evening, and there are activities specially planned for the kids so they don't get bored while Grandma and Grandpa tour the Louvre or attend a wine tasting. They even keep the kids happy on the bus rides! Amazingly, though, the tours are equally good for adults traveling without children, but if you're still worried about that then you can sign up for one of the many "adults only" departures offered on many itineraries. You all know how much I love Disney World and Disney Cruise Line, but let's face it... Sometimes even the biggest Mouse fans need to do a character-free vacation. What's great about Adventures by Disney is that you get all the attention to detail that Disney is known for, and they somehow manage to make their mark on every aspect of the trip despite the lack of large furry beasts and pretty girls in big dresses. I am so supportive of this new endeavor that I've told my sales rep that I'm aiming to be their top agent for 2009. To that end, I've acquired a domain name for a new website and am currently working on a site that will be JUST for Adventures by Disney. In the meantime, we're trying to develop a number of promotions to run starting this fall that will be geared towards Affordable Disney readers and their friends and families. This is the PERFECT time to be planning your 2009 vacation, so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop me a note!" Note from John: Affordable Disney members can find Beth's contact info on the welcome page - that's the page you're on when you log in.
William writes:
Sorry. Next year you would have to buy new 5-day tickets with no expiration option. Partially used tickets must be upgraded within 14 days of first use.
Beth, our travel agent, shares her thoughts on some of the comments made in last week's newsletter: Dining at Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge... "I had the pleasure of staying in a concierge level room at this resort once. While I loved very American breakfast offered in the lounge, I wasn't crazy about the hors d'oeuvres around dinner time. It turns out that (as you suspected, John) African spices are an acquired taste that I - apparently - haven't yet acquired the taste for. Not surprisingly, I found dinner at Boma to be equally disappointing. Even the desserts that I'd heard so much about fell short. A friend of mine that lived in Africa for a time tells me that this is one of her favorite places to eat, so if you want 'real' African food this is the place to go. Otherwise, skip it unless you have adventuresome taste buds. There are TONS of great places to eat where you can be nearly certain you'll like the food." Viewing Illuminations.... "Check to see which way the wind is blowing and be sure to NOT be where the wind will blow the smoke from the fireworks into your face. I learned that lesson the hard way! You cannot imagine how much smoke there is coming off the lake during those fireworks." Adult evening entertainment... "Don't forget about the Boardwalk area. There are several things going on over there in the evening that are a lot of fun and very much geared towards the adult crowd. The only down side is that there isn't any way to get back to your hotel late at night if you're not staying right in that area. You'd have to call a cab if you don't have a car with you. (It would be a cheap taxi ride, though.) And as John suggests, the deluxe resorts as well as Coronado Springs have lounges that get fun in the evenings. (Actually, all the moderate resorts have lounges, but Coronado's is a lot more interesting thanks to recent renovations as well as the fact that they have a convention center there that draws more of an adult crowd to that resort.)" Note from John: I think that might be a fun way to spend several evenings - visiting a different lounge every night! I just might have to write the "Walt Disney World Lounge Tour!"
Diana writes about the closings at Pleasure Island:
They will close all the clubs at Pleasure Island September 27, 2008. They plan to open more restaurants. Adult entertainment will be limited to lounges, like RIX at Coronado Springs.
Rumor has it that Disney was not happy that Pleasure Island didn't fit in with the family-friendly Marketplace and Westside on either side of it. Disney says that people wanted more restaurants and shops.
Cynthia, Lifetime Deluxe Member, writes:
We haven't eaten at Boma's. I'm not sure I'd like African seasonings. I believe a dominant African seasoning is cinnamon!
Cinderella's dinner has a lot of fans, but the food is not a strong point. You'll find this site's reviews helpful.
There's a great view right on the outside steps of the restaurant or anywhere along the lagoon. You're in for a real treat at Iluminations! A must see!
Beth, our travel agent, writes about the rumored Disney ticket price increase: "My sales rep will neither confirm nor deny rumors that ticket prices will increase Sunday, but there is lots of buzz around the reservations offices that 'stuff' is going to happen very soon. I'm assuming this means not only the annual ticket price increase, but also the 2009 package and rate details (which should be out within the next two weeks or so). I'm guessing the Oct-Dec promotional offers will be not far behind. If you're already booked you will not be affected by the ticket price increase unless you make a change to your reservation - at which point the updated total will reflect the new ticket pricing. Remember that if you don't need tickets then you don't need a package - and packages are the ONLY way (short of an annual pass) to get a dining plan. Packages are also the most likely way to get a discount. You could save yourself $50 or more by buying tickets before the price increase for a future stay - but then you'd either have to skip the package form of reservation (and a dining plan and any associated promotional discounts, either of which COULD save you considerably more) or shell out for a 1-day base ticket per person in order to book a package which will run you another $80 or so per person, probably eliminating whatever savings you might otherwise have had (or at least taking a big chunk out of it). In other words, if you are CERTAIN that you do not want a dining plan and will save more on buying tickets now than you cold possibly hope to save with a promotion then go for it. Otherwise, just accept that your vacation is about to cost a little more than you thought it would. (Nothing new there, huh?) All the more reason to put your Affordable Disney Membership to good use!"
Beth, our travel agent, writes about booking airfare: "Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me if I can do their flights for them. The truth is, I pretty much stopped doing air years ago. You can't imagine the amount of time I used to spend helping people find the right flights, booking them, ticketing them, and then staying on top of the frequent flight changes that followed. It was an easy hour or more of time for each and every trip. And about 20% of those trips would have additional issues... the need to cancel or make a change, a drop in price requiring a ticket reissue and fare refund, you name it. I can't tell you how much I hated doing air. It did, however, pay well sometimes. The commission was 10% on the base fare (price before taxes and fees). That meant I could make $15-30 per ticket on average, so for a family of 4 or more it was still worth the effort most of the time. Then the commission dropped to 8% - and then to 5%. Finally, commission disappeared completely. The airlines are no longer willing to pay travel agents for the headaches involved in putting people onto their planes. As such, I'm no longer willing to endure the headaches. I do, however, try to help clients as much as I can in booking air they will be happy with. Here are my top tips: 1) Check Southwest.com to see if they service your area. If so, see what their flight schedules and prices look like. Even if they aren't currently booking for your dates, you can still get a good idea of what Southwest offers. 2) Compare that to what you find on Kayak.com. Kayak doesn't sell airfare; they just help you compare fares from those that do sell it. They cover nearly every major airline except Southwest. The results filter allows you to easily adjust your arrival and departure times, dates, alternate airports, and more so that you can tweak the results to exactly fit your needs. 3) Once you've found flights that you like, GO TO THE AIRLINE'S OWN WEBSITE to book the flights. You'll avoid booking fees and, if you find yourself in need of a real person to help with a problem down the road, you're going to have a much better shot at a good result when dealing with an airline rather than with Expedia, Travelocity, etc. That's especially true if your flight gets canceled or there is a significant delay. 4) Once you've booked, don't look back. You'll just drive yourself nuts. There's no way to know if the flights will go up or down in price, and these days the change fees are so high that there probably isn't anything you can do about a lower price anyway. Just tuck your confirmation away with your travel documents, check "air" off your list, and move on. Yes, I can book (domestic) air through Disney as an add-on to your package - and I'll admit that every once in awhile they have a good deal, especially for groups of 10 or more, but it's rare. In the vast majority of cases, I find that Disney air is priced the same or higher (sometimes significantly higher) than what you'd pay online for the same flights. What's more, if you cancel your Disney reservation, nonrefundable air on the reservation is canceled as well and you lose that money. If you booked separately, you'd still have those air tickets to do with as you please. You might be able to pay a change fee and use them for a different trip. I'd be happy to get a price on Disney air for you, but unless they come in significantly lower than what you're finding online, book it separately. Disney will still provide Magical Express airport transfers (from MCO only!). Speaking of Magical Express, you can get that service regardless of what airline you fly, what time of day you arrive or depart, or how you booked the air. They will even provide transfers for international flights. (You just have to claim your bags and get through customs first.) Disney's optional insurance coverage also covers most air - even if you booked the air yourself! Affordable Disney members can contact me if they'd like to see a PDF copy of their insurance policy. Finally, be sure to stay on top of the current rules and regulations regarding luggage and other details:
Current
list of baggage fees for most airlines.
Beth, our travel agent, writes about booking hotels off Disney property: "There was a time when I booked a LOT of Disney World vacations for people using non-Disney hotels. That was before Disney offered free airport transfers, Extra Magic Hours, dining options, and packages that made sense. Those perks cannot be overlooked. At least one of them (probably several) can go a very long way towards providing you with a vacation more comfortable and convenient than any non-Disney hotel could. And if you plan ahead then you've got an excellent shot at a promotional discount for most times of the year. There are, however, times when you can't plan ahead. There are other times that there isn't a promotional offer for your dates, or nothing affordable is available under the promotional offer. For those times, it makes plenty of sense to look at hotels that aren't owned and operated by Disney - particularly true if you don't need airport transfers and aren't interested in a dining plan. What you need to keep in mind, though, is that a wide-angle camera lens and a creative hotel staff can make a real dump look like pure luxury online. I read an article recently posted in MSNBC.com's family travel section. They were suggesting six hotels in the Kissimmee area as non-Disney alternatives. Two of them I've never seen and two of them I often send people to myself. The other two, though, I was shocked to see listed. In fact, I list one of them among the worst hotels I've ever checked out! It's true that online it looks nice enough. The location is pretty good, it has a separate check-in desk for kids, and it has a name that makes it sound like Mickey himself probably vacations there. I was shown two rooms there, though, that I wouldn't have sent clients on the tightest budgets to. The carpets were so dirty they were sticky. The small refrigerators had mildew in them, and I'm pretty sure the microwaves has never been cleaned. I'd have been afraid to take a shower without flip-flops on my feet. Ick! I actually stayed at a different hotel once (not on the MSNBC list) that looked fabulous online... bedroom, living room, 'full' kitchen, manager's reception with beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres - nice! The pictures online were lovely. The actual units didn't look anything like the photos online. Well, they sort of did in that the layout was the same. The furniture we had, though, was stained and worn and falling apart. The bedding was dirty as were the towels. The little electric burner in our kitchen didn't work, and it was colder in the room than in the frig. There was no beer at the manager's reception; only a big jug of cheap red wine... which went well with the basket full of popcorn, the only food offered. The pool wasn't heated, but it was so dirty my daughter didn't want to go in anyway. BIG disappointment. Great location and a nice price, but I won't be going back. My point is that you need to do some homework if you're going to stay offsite - or at least talk with someone that's stayed in the place you're considering. Forget the online photos. Check out TripAdvisor.com or WeJustGotBack.com to see if there are recent reviews. Keep in mind that people tend to complain more than say nice things so you can't assume no nice comments means everything is bad. Do, however, consider the types of things being said. Are they things that you'd never notice, or things that would drive you nuts? If you need to stay offsite I can get you into rooms from about $32 a night including tax - but I wouldn't recommend those places. You really don't start getting into the moderately acceptable ones below $50-60 a night. Most times of the year $75 + tax will get you into something not too bad at all, and $100-120 will get you something pretty decent. There are exceptions, of course, but that's sort of a good scale to follow. Beware of places that are selling super-cheap. There's probably a reason for it, and you need to figure out what that reason is before you book."
Beth, our travel agent, writes about tipping on the Disney Dining Plan: Everyone that's ever asked me about the basic dining plan knows how much I love it. While it's not the least expensive way to eat at Disney, it's a real bargain if you are planning to do a character meal or full-service meal once a day for most of your stay - especially if you have children ages 3-9. You never have that little voice in your head telling you to order chicken or pasta when you really want prime rib (because it's all covered by the plan) and you're prepaying most of your food costs so you know in advance exactly what you're spending on food... or do you? I had a very interesting discussion with a man yesterday who told me of a family group that just returned from Disney World. They had a great time, and for the most part they loved the dining plan. What they didn't count on, though, was the gratuities. They were totally aware that gratuities were no longer included in the plan, and they understood that for parties of 6 or more 18% would automatically be added on, but in their minds they were budgeting 18% of the cost of the dining plan rather than 18% of the retail value of the food they ordered. This is a little detail that cannot be stressed enough: the gratuity is figured on the total of the bill as if you were paying out of pocket for everything you ordered. Now, if you're NOT a group of six or more, you can choose to leave less than 18% just like you can when you dine out anywhere else. If, however, you are dining with six or more that gratuity is going to be charged directly to your room. So, let's say your family of two adults and two teens heads out to Le Cellier for a nice steak dinner, a meal that takes one table-service credit each. To keep things simple, we'll say you all skip the appetizers since they aren't included, and you all decide to order the same entree and dessert: the filet mignon ($34.99) and the crème brulee ($6.99). You also each order Diet Coke (to cancel out the calories of the dessert) for $2.95 each. That's a total of $44.93 per person plus tax (another $2.92) and you're thrilled with your decision to spend $37.95 per person per night on your basic dining plan because you've spent more than that on just one meal! And then you realize you still have to pay a tip. A 15% gratuity is $26.96 - ouch! Of course, no one is going to MAKE you leave 15%, but you know that (or more) is what's customary for good service these days. Now, let's say that your family is dining with your sister's family of four. You're now a party of 8 so the gratuity is going to be billed to your room automatically, and it's billed at 18%. You're going to see a charge of $32.35 on your room bill at the end of the trip. If you ate like this every day for 7 days, the bill for gratuities at the end of the stay would be over $226!!! Didn't see THAT coming, did you? I'm not trying to say you should avoid the dining plan OR that you should eat pasta for every meal. I'm just saying that you need to understand in advance what to expect with these gratuities so you're not blind-sided. Those gratuities apply even if you're on the FREE dining offer, so plan for them. And if you've upgraded to deluxe dining then you REALLY need to think ahead because there's more of a tendency to eat 2-3 meals a day in the priciest places. By the way, if the gratuity thing is really an issue for you, you CAN find places that offer entrees for under $15. Also, gratuities are included when you use your credits for Grand Gathering events, dinner shows, room service, or pizza delivery (all of which take 2 table-service credits). Drop me a note if you need links to menus and/or tips for getting the most from your dining plan.
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Beth, our travel agent, shares her thoughts on cruising: "All of a sudden I'm being bombarded by requests for 'great deals on a summer cruise.' I've written many, many times about what a great vacation value cruising is. It seems that more people are finally willing to give it a chance. Bravo! The thing is, they're waiting too long to book. Gone are the days when you can call up the cruise line a week before sailing and snag a cabin for your family at bargain basement prices. OK, maybe not completely gone, but certainly very rare. The fact is, the cruise lines can't build ships fast enough to keep up with demand. That's especially true of the super liners. They're huge, but the demand far exceeds capacity. Think about it... There are currently only three of those ships that feature surfing onboard. Of their 1,817 cabins, about 20 of them sleep 6 or more. Those tend to book more than a year in advance, right when the sailings are first released. Well over half of the cabins hold only two passengers. Given that these are the coolest ships at sea, how long do you suppose those triple and quad cabins for June and July itineraries last? Not long! My point is that while the ships are really big and have lots of cabins, there aren't as many as you'd think that can accommodate a family. Those that can sell early, especially over times when schools tend to be on break. The tropical itineraries sell earlier than the Alaskan, European or other options as well. So while there are some amazing short-notice cruise deals to be had this summer, they tend to be on non-Caribbean itineraries, for cruises of 7 nights or longer, and on cabins that only sleep two people. NOW is the time to be booking your family cruise for next summer as well as for Thanksgiving and Christmas '09. For Disney cruises, which book up even earlier, I have a waiting list for 2010 sailings. Yes, seriously! You'll get the best pricing, the best choice of cabins, the best shot at free upgrades, and more if you book early. Your deposit will be refundable, so you really have nothing to risk. If you can't do it now, then watch for the World's Largest Cruise Night in October. It only lasts one day, though, so you have to know exactly what you want and have that deposit ready because we'll have to put it in at the time of booking to secure the promotional offers for that day. If you've got flexibility and there are just two of you, then by all means check with me about 90 days before you want to travel and I'll set you up with a bargain. If there are three or more of you, though, and you want just one cabin don't wait or you may miss out entirely."
Beth, our travel agent, writes about the travel agent business: "About once a month someone tells me they've been thinking about becoming a travel agent. My response is always the same: Why? Don't get me wrong. I love my job, and the fact that I specialize in cruising, Disney, and luxury properties - products that rarely produce unhappy customers - makes it even better. I've been in the industry for 23 years now (with just brief breaks from time to time), and I wouldn't still be doing it if I didn't find it both enjoyable AND profitable enough to put food on the table. As a divorced mom, I also find that being self-employed allows me the flexibility I need to get everything done. I'm a lucky woman! Being a travel agent does not, however, provide one with the glamorous and exciting life that many people seem to envision. At least 75% of the people that tell me they are considering being a travel agent do so after hearing about YTB. They are enticed by the prospect of not only earning money by selling friends and family travel, but also getting very low priced - or even free - travel opportunities for themselves. They all seem to have visions of putting in a few hours a week and, in return, earning some extra pocket money AND taking their family on a super-cheap cruise vacation next summer. What's not to love??!! But lets look at YTB a little more closely. According to their website, 99.65% of their representatives earned an average of less than $1900 per year. 80.92% earned nothing at all. The average annual income of all reps was $299.95, and the median income was $97. Now, you need to earn at least $5000 a year and work a verifiable 20 hours a week to get an IATAN card, considered the industry's leading type of identification identification and the ONLY way to qualify for many of the low-cost agent trips (called 'fam' trips, short for 'familiarization'). Under half a percent of all YTB reps earned that card - and every single one of them worked an average of 40 hours a week or more. Hmmmm.... Not exactly the picture that your neighbor was painting for you when trying to sign you up, huh? I'm only using YTB because it's the organization I hear the most about from clients, but there are several of them out there and the story is always the same. Folks, it's a great job to have, but it's a job like any other. To be successful it takes years to build the business, and a LOT of hard work. I usually put in seven days a week and average about 60-70 hours. It's commissioned sales and you don't get paid until the clients travel and the agency receives the check (and takes their cut off the top) so I never know from one month to the next how much I'm going to make until I submit a commission request. About 25% of every check is immediately set aside for the IRS. (You get to be VERY good at money management!) And as for all those great travel opportunities, the last discount on airfare I got was in 1992. I do get plenty of hotel discounts, but the rate is typically half off the full rack rate. Sometimes the AAA or promotional rate is better. I had a shot at a free week for two in Tuscany last summer with Adventures by Disney... but it didn't include the airfare (over $3000), and gratuities and spending money were also additional. Just as well since I couldn't take a week off anyway. In fact, I pretty much never go anywhere that doesn't have internet access, and my laptop is the first piece of luggage I pack. Walking away from email access for a week or more is the kiss of death in this business! Like I said, please don't misunderstand. I have dabbled in other industries and I always come back to travel. It's what I love, and I'm going to keep doing it. I'm good at it, I know my products, and I'm confident that I can help people plan great vacations. Maybe you can be good at it, too. Being a home-based travel agent might be the answer to your prayers. You need to approach it as a real job, though. Set aside a dedicated part of your home as office space. Be prepared to put in 20+ hours a week if you're serious about it, and don't expect to make more than a few hundred dollars the first six months. Sign up for every industry publication and read them cover to cover religiously. Take every online training course you can, and then choose just a few things to specialize in. (No travel agent can be really good at selling the whole world.) Join industry organizations that give you lots of support and the chance to meet and learn from others in the business. Avoid joining groups that want you to recruit others as agents. (Read this article.) And then go for it. I, for one, think there's always room for another awesome travel agent!"
Beth, our travel agent, explains the basics of Disney tickets: "This may seem like very basic information to nearly everyone that reads it, and yet there still seem to be a few people around that aren't completely familiar with how Disney tickets work. I thought maybe it's time to do a simple review... Adult tickets are needed for ages 10 and up, child tickets for ages 3-9 and NO TICKETS for children under the age of 3. They go by the age you are when you arrive. All Disney tickets start as 'base' tickets. That is, they are good for admission to one - and only one - of the four theme parks* for each of those days. You can go to Magic Kingdom one day and Animal Kingdom the next, but not both in the same day. That's called 'park hopping' and you have to add on the 'hopper' option to be able to do that. The cost for adding hopping is $47.93 per ticket, regardless of ticket length or age of the ticket holder. If you want to be able to enter Disney 'non-theme park' places (water parks, etc.) then you can consider adding the Water Parks Fun n' More (WPF&M) option. The cost is $53.25 per person, regardless of age or ticket length. You get one admission for each day of theme park entry in your main ticket. For instance, a 7-day ticket (base or hopper) would get you 7 days of WPF&M admissions; a 10-day park ticket would get you 10 WPF&M admissions. The admissions are good for the water parks, Pleasure Island, Disney Quest, and Wide World of Sports. You cannot hop between those places, even if you have added the park hopping option. (Hopping privileges apply only to the four theme parks.) You can come and go into the same place more than once in a day, but entering a different place will use another WPF&M admission. All tickets expire 14 days from first use unless you pay for the No Expiration option. The price for that depends on how many days you had to START with, not how many you have left over that you want to save. It gets expensive to make longer tickets non-expiring. Do you NEED hopping, WPF&M and/or No Expiration? Well, that depends on your situation and to get into it is a whole different topic. You can email if you have questions about your personal needs, though. Keep in mind that tickets now have your finger scan encoded into them after first use so you cannot share your ticket with anyone else. Tickets are nonrefundable, but most can be upgraded to more high-powered tickets as long as you do so while the original ticket is still valid. One note about ticket discounts... Yes, they exist. Florida residents, annual pass holders, and military personnel can get discounts and have (in the case of FL residents) access to some special tickets that aren't available to anyone else. If you're part of a group or convention you can also get discounted tickets. Many AAA clubs sell tickets at a small discount. Some wholesalers also sell at a discount - but be sure to use a reputable wholesaler like Affordable Disney's ticket agent. And remember that your best shot at a promotional offer is when booking a package and they all come with tickets, so if you run out and buy discounted tickets you may have to forego a promotional package offer (or shell out to buy very expensive 1-day base tickets for everyone in order to get it). My advice is always to NOT purchase discounted tickets until you are 100% certain that there won't be a package deal out that will work for you." * The theme parks are Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The water parks, miniature and regular golf, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island, etc. are NOT considered theme parks and require separate admission for entry.
Beth, our travel agent, writes about buying discounted theme park tickets: "I am frequently asked about purchasing theme park (and other) tickets at a discount. My advice is always the same: don't purchase until you're absolutely certain that a package deal isn't your better option. Disney typically releases discounts about 8-10 weeks before the applicable period starts. In other words, if you want a January discount the applicable promotion will probably be announced in late October or early November. There are exceptions, of course, but if you're booking your January vacation in July then you probably haven't seen the best deal yet. That doesn't mean you should wait to book, but it does mean that the price is likely to drop so you'll need to watch carefully for the discounts and try to get your price changed if and when they are announced. (We save you the hassle and track reservations automatically, trying to get you those deals on the first day they are released, but we can only track reservations we make in the first place.) These days, Disney shows a definite preference for discounting packages as opposed to room-only reservations, and ALL packages come with tickets. Also, given that you can normally only get the ever-popular dining plans with a package, even people that already have tickets will often shell out the extra cash ($64-$75 per person!) for 1-day base tickets in order to book a package with dining and/or the room discount. Annual pass discounts aren't what they used to be, so for the vast majority of people a package with room and tickets (and optional dining) is going to be the best way to go so you don't want to saddle yourself with nonrefundable park tickets until you know what the bottom line deal on a package is going to be. Recently, though, we've seen a wave of people trying to book their vacations just weeks before they want to go. This is a bad idea for many reasons, as these folks are finding out, but sometimes it's unavoidable. If you find that the promotions have expired for your dates (or all the promotional space is gone) you could be facing the prospect of paying full rack rate on your resort room. If you can live without a dining plan it makes sense to look at non-Disney properties as well as the idea of purchasing the room and tickets separately. Which brings us back to those discounted tickets… You cannot tell by looking at most theme park tickets how many days are left on them. Also, park tickets are not transferable; many Disney tickets even have names on them. If your finger scan doesn't match what's on the ticket you'll be asked to produce ID that matches the name on the ticket. (So no, you can't use the leftover days on your friend's ticket.) It is, therefore, critical that you purchase tickets from a reliable source. Affordable Disney's ticket agent has been around for a long time and they are great to work with. Their pricing is wonderful and I highly recommend them. (Affordable Disney members can log in and see the Walt Disney World Addendum for another tip for buying tickets at a discount from Beth.) And when comparing prices, don't forget to compare apples to apples by ensuring tax and shipping are included in all the prices you're looking at. (That's the #1 mistake that people make when shopping around!)"
Lisa writes about Disney dining changes:
Thanks, Lisa, for the update. I'm happy to hear that you are enjoying the newsletters!
Kathy writes:
Thank you again, Kathy, for your kind comments.
Judy writes about her recent Walt Disney World vacation:
Thank you, Judy, for your generous feedback. Your comments make all the work so worthwhile.
Alain writes:
Donna and I don't eat at the full service restaurants because it forces us to build our vacation around meals. We have our car, so we can always eat off property or at our resort. Coronado Springs has the best resort food. Others love to eat at the Disney restaurants so much that they don't mind the inconvenience. You'll have to decide this one. You may just want to book a meal or two at restaurants that really appeal to you. See our Dining chapter in the book for more dining info.
If you're referring to the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package, that's one way of getting a seat. Lines are really long to see that show. We have actually waited through the performance of a whole show so we could see the next one. Not pleasant. But it is beautifully done and your daughter will really enjoy it.
The people who were blocked from seeing the fireworks were at the Rose & Crown during Epcot's Illuminations. Here's what you need to know about the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package: Those who purchase a dinner package sit in a reserved seating area in the front of the theater in the center (behind vip's). It doesn't matter what dinner package you buy. Seating in the reserved area is first-come, first-served. So don't dawdle after your meal!
Vickie writes:
Disney only offers deals at Disneyland Paris to stockholders. Those who own 20 or more shares get in free, while those who hold 5-20 shares must pay a modest 30 Euro fee. (See our book for more information.) As of 06/04/08 cost is $34 per share plus brokerage fees.
Kim writes:
The SpectroMagic Parade usually runs at 8 and 10 PM when the park stays open later. You'll need a window seat at the Crystal Palace to see it as it runs along Main Street; and a window seat at Liberty Tree Tavern to see it as it makes its way through Frontierland. Unfortunately, you'll only be able to see it in the distance. The best view is from the outside tables at Tony's Town Square restaurant at Town Square Exposition Hall. Kim wrote back:
Here's the Disney Hollywood Studios calendar. Fantasmic runs 8:30 and 10 PM on longer nights. Tony's outside eating area is elevated and inaccessible to those without reservations. You should be able to see the parade from the tables just fine. We haven't personally eaten at 50's Prime Time, but many love the waitresses pretending to be mom.
Amanda writes:
My wife, Donna, and my daughter, Julie, like to visit the water parks. Donna writes: "They do have kiddie pools at the water parks. All the raft rides, etc, will be off limits for the infant. The big pools, low end will be okay. WDW water parks are the same as others, except they are themed. The good thing about Typhoon Lagoon is that they have lots of shade for your beach blanket. I actually took a nap in the shade there when Julie and I went when I had a migraine headache. Arrive early to snag a shady spot. Florida sun DEMANDS extra strength sunscreen for the baby and kids. Take the stroller so the baby can nap there (especially in a shady spot)."
David writes:
Happy Anniversary! You received very poor treatment after having spent so much. If I were you, I'd contact Disney about this and see how they respond. Here's the form: http://disney.go.com/Mail/DisneyWorld/index.html Let me know what they say. Thanks for writing and for your encouragement.
Carole writes:
Gary writes:
I can only assume the Dealer is going to resell your tickets. Selling partly used tickets in Florida is illegal. Pity the poor buyer of a used ticket... Disney scans your finger to make sure your ticket matches your fingerprint each time you use your ticket. If the scan doesn't match, Disney will confiscate your ticket. There is no way you can tell how many unused days remain on a ticket. Only Disney can verify that. If your ticket has no days left, you will have to get out of line and buy new tickets. So only buy new tickets from reputable dealers like the ones we recommend in our book.
A college professor writes:
Here is the email address which I found under a science job posting:
wdw.epcot.science.internship@disney.com.
Kim writes:
Thanks, Kim. Looks like those who are chosen to stay overnight at the Castle are REALLY lucky to be at the right place at the right time!
In issue #407 I posted an article about Disney's new Magic Connection electronic device that allows you to determine actual wait times for attractions, availability of FastPasses, etc.. The device will be able in 2009 if testing goes well, but you'll have to give Disney a refundable credit card deposit of $300 to do so. Stephanie writes:
Thanks for writing, Stephanie. We're still waiting for Disney to release more details.
A member writes:
Looks like it depends on the whim of castmembers who are looking for visitors who fit a certain profile. The best tip we can give you is to wear Disney shirts and mouseears and show a lot of enthusiasm when you enter and make your way through the park.
A subscriber writes:
We understand that Disney does NOT allow Santa outfits in the parks. I assume the same rule applies to Downtown Disney and the resort hotels as well. Disney is probably afraid of some predator using the outfit to attract children. It also confuses the children who may see 15 different santas in one day! And - perhaps the real reason - Disney wants to have absolute control over anyone wearing a costume on their property.
A member writes:
This year Disney's value season starts August 3. So adjust your arrival date accordingly if you can. Crowds are pretty thick in August until the kids return to school. Days in the 90's are common. It can feel like an oven some days. We used to go in July, but the heat can at times be too much. If you can hit the parks early and return to your room by noon and then return to the parks in the evening, you will be OK. Happy planning!
Rich writes about Disney's plans to build a Russia pavilion at Epcot:
Fran writes:
Thanks again, Fran, for your encouragement. The newsletter is a labor of love.
Alain writes:
Those checking in first get first dibs on rooms. Disney accommmodates special requests on a first come first served basis. In other words, they give out the rooms closest to the food court or the connecting rooms or the rooms on the first floor while supplies last. If you don't have any of these concerns, then don't worry about it. You can store your luggage at Guest Services for free and visit the parks if your room is not ready. Don't leave valuables or medications. Get there early and start having fun as soon as possible!
Laurie writes:
Thank you, Laurie, for the pat on the back! Seeing a shooting star is very rare. That truly was a magical start to a Disney dream vacation!
Carolyn writes:
Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your story with us. Many of us know how hard it is to lose a pet. Disney can be proud of the way the castmember went out of her way to make your daughter feel better. To email WDW's Guest Services, write: wdw.guest.communications@disney.com You can also use their online form.
Don writes about his Christmas vacation at WDW:
Thanks again, Don, for your generous comments!
Stacie, a lifetime member since 2005, writes:
Thanks so much, Stacie, for your wonderful comments! As a lifetime member you're sure to get more great deals in the future!
Marsha writes:
I found it for $14 + shipping at mouseshoppe.com. For Theme Park merchandise, call 407/363-6200 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM EDT. You can email them at: wdw.mail.order@disneyworld.com
Renea, an Affordable Disney Lifetime Member since 2001, writes:
My advice... Keep trying up until the last minute. Disney has been known to hold back rooms. Renea wrote back with good news:
I've seen it happen many times. Just keep calling and often something opens up. Have a great time, Renea!
Alain writes: "Hi John, I will be purchasing my Disney admission tickets this week. I was reading the latest edition of Affordable Disney book and it says that a Hopper pass with no expiry can be used for entry at the Disney parks in California too (but not the other way around). However, [your ticket agent] cannot guarantee this to be factual. Would you be able to get me an 'official' answer because if its possible to use them at both parks, then I would most likely get the 10-day ones. Thanks" I wrote Disneyland about this. Below is Disney's response.
"I am trying to decide if the price of the Water Park & Fun option is worth it...I am guessing I would spend 1 day doing [Typhoon and Blizzard] combined....and another day doing DisneyQuest, DowntownDisney, and a tour of the resorts. I will probably skip Pleasure Island as I will be with my pre-teen daughter. Are you able to tell me what the separate adult admissions are for these 'minor' parks?" Admission to each water park, tax excluded:
1-Day = $35 (adults); $29 (children 3-9) "Also, one thing I don't get about the WaterPark & Fun is how it works for the days. Apparently if I get a 10-day hopper with that, I get 10 [Plus Visits] for admissions to the [water parks, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island and Wide World of Sports]. For example, lets say my itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 - Magic Kingdom What would be left on my pass, and does this itinerary make sense?" You would use 2 days of Plus Visits on day 3 and 1 on day 6, leaving you 7 days to use later. Sure, that works. "Because there are more major parks than minor [like Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon], I would finish using up my major park admissions faster than my [Plus Visit] days (at a ratio of 2:1). So at some point I would have used up my 10 days [at the theme parks], I would still have 5 days of [Plus Visits] remaining (but no major parks left so I would have to buy those again?). How do they keep track?" You can make a note for yourself each time you use your tickets, but Disney can scan your tickets at any time to let you know what tickets you have left. Yes, you would have to buy more tickets to enter the major theme parks. "So indeed, its quite a deal if someone will be going to the minor parks!" You would pay $50 + tax to add 10 Plus Visits to the cost of your 10-day park hopper, which comes out to $5 per day to visit the water parks, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island or Wide World of Sports for 10 days. You can also use as many Plus Visits as you wish on any day. If you can use them at least twice or you can use them on a return trip to Disney World, that is a good investment. "How does it all tie in with staying at a resort. To use this for admission to any of the major or minor parks, the person has to show proof that they are staying at a Disney resort for at least one night? (ie., someone renting a Condo in the area wouldn't be able to use their ticket for admission?)" Visitors to Disney's parks may stay anywhere they like, on- or off-property. However, Disney has a rule that non-Disney resort guests must have Magic Your Way tickets with the Park Hopper or Water Parks & More options to use their bus transportation, although I can't imagine a bus driver asking you for proof, at least during the busy seasons! Alain wrote back: "Hi John, I just purchased my Disney tickets from [your ticket agent] but I was wondering if you would recommend I also buy at this time my Universal passes? I have decided to delay my vacation with my daughter to late 2009 in order to see the new Harry Potter section. Would I gain anything from buying Universal passes so much ahead of time, the way that I do with Disney?" Universal raises their ticket prices every year to match Disney's prices. So the same savings apply.
TJ writes about spending 8 days at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge:
Renea, an Affordable Disney Lifetime Member since 2001, writes:
Thanks again, Renea, for your kind comments. We are happy to have been a part of your Disney vacations for the past six years!
Julie writes:
For a guide which describes access for the disabled to specific theme park rides and attractions, pick up a copy of the Walt Disney World Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities at all wheelchair rental locations. You can also order the book by mail by writing to:
Walt Disney World Guest Communications Jennette writes:
Thank you so much, Jennette, for all of your helpful information! I have received other requests over the years specifically about Epilepsy and never could find any useful information. God bless you and your family for all the care you provide for your children.
Alain writes:
We have 2 scenarios: A partially used ticket purchased for a child who is now a teen - Disney will upgrade the remaining days on the ticket to adult status at no extra charge. Be sure to bring your child to Guest Relations when you upgrade. A new unused ticket purchased for a child who is now a teen - Disney will subtract what you paid for the older ticket from the price of a new adult ticket and charge you the difference.
Cindy, a member since 2001, writes:
Those dates fill up fast! If you plan to visit Disney over the holidays, call ASAP to reserve Cinderella's Table before they're booked out! I'm glad you are enjoying your membership, Cindy!
Beth, a member, writes:
You will need to make your own dining reservations. Use our customized tours of the theme parks to help you set up an itinerary around meals. Longer stays allow for more days away from the parks. Remember, it's a vacation. Take time to visit the pools, shop, etc. We try to build a day off every third day into our schedule so we can recharge our batteries! Here's a sample schedule: -- (7 days) Monday and Tuesday in the parks, Wednesday off, Thursday and Friday in the parks, Saturday off, and Sunday back in the parks for the last time. -- (10 days) Monday and Tuesday in the parks, Wednesday off, Thursday and Friday in the parks, Saturday off, Sunday and Monday in the parks, Tuesday off, and Wednesday back in the parks for the last time.
Doris writes:
If your child has gotten old enough to need an adult ticket upon returning to WDW, but still has leftover days on the "child" pass you purchased for her during your last visit, she will need an "adult" ticket to enter the theme parks. Present your child's pass at any Guest Relations location, in person only, and Disney will exchange it for the required "adult" ticket at no additional charge. Glad you are enjoying your membership!
Stephanie writes:
For Disney contact information, click here. Disney's principal executive offices are located at the following address:
The Walt Disney Company Their telephone number is 818/560-1000.
Cindi writes:
Beth can book your Disney vacation with or without dining. I see on your reservation form that you are going in September so you get free dining. Without free dining, we spend about $25 per adult. Our children are now adults, but figure $10 per child under 10. How do we spend so little? On most days we bring our own snacks (that we purchased at home) and bottles of water in our backpacks into the parks. For lunch we buy a soda and have our snacks; we eat breakfast and dinner at the food courts. This strategy allows us to dine now and then in a full service restaurant and not break the bank. It all depends on where you eat and what you buy. (See our "Affordable Dining" chapter in the book for recommendations.) Flying Mon-Thurs may be cheaper since weekends are busier. I can feel your excitement! We would love to publish your trip report. Thanks for being with us since the beginning. We're rapidly approaching our 400th newsletter. That's a lot of news, deals and stories over the years! Have a safe and fun vacation!
Sue writes:
For Disney Theme Park merchandise, call 407/363-6200 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM EDT.
Coleen writes:
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