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John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
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"The American Automobile Association is urging U.S. residents who plan to
drive while traveling abroad to avoid purchasing fraudulent international
driving permits, especially over the Internet."
The price of gas keeps rising, but there may be a theme park near you.
See this article for a list of new attractions at parks in the USA and
Canada:
"A new express-commuter bus linking Poinciana with Walt Disney World
might result from a new deal involving Lynx, the state Department of
Transportation and Disney."
For a helpful article about how to travel with pets, see: Amtrak News: "The digEplayerTM is a portable digital entertainment device pre-loaded with movies, television shows, music videos, music, Amtrak route guides, city info and much more... The cost for the rental is based on trip length, and ranges from $12 to $35.95." (Source: amtrak.com, 07/26/07)
[The public bus system, Lynx, is launching] "a first-of-its-kind express shuttle bus service between Orlando International Airport and the tourist and trade-show corridor. The experimental service is targeted at reducing the commute times of hospitality employees who work on I-Drive and at the airport as well as offering a cheaper, public transit option for people flying in for trade shows or meetings along I-Drive." The Lynx is also adding more buses to its afternoon and night schedule to accommodate Disney workers. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/18/07)
Florida Department of Transportation Launches New Southwest Florida 511 Travel Information System Free real-time travel information available on the phone and on the Web
FORT MYERS - For the first time, residents and visitors in Southwest Florida can get free real-time travel information about 30 major roadways in Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties by calling 511. The Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) is launching the new regional Southwest Florida 511 Travel Information System. 511 provides callers with real-time travel information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by cell phone or landline and on the Web at www.SouthwestFlorida511.com. Traffic information is free, though cellular minutes or roaming charges may apply. 511 uses speech-recognition technology that allows callers to simply speak the name of the roadway or area where they want traffic information. Callers automatically are connected to Florida’s Statewide 511 system and then can ask for Southwest Florida 511. Once connected to the new regional service, callers can request information by saying a road’s name or number," or they may say the city or county. For example, callers may ask for Cleveland Avenue or US 41, or they may ask for Fort Myers or Lee County. 511 allows people to make better travel decisions, said Debbie Tower, public information director for Florida DOT’s District One. By calling 511 or logging onto the Web site before getting into their cars, drivers can know before they go. They can choose to alter their route or the time they plan to travel to avoid trouble spots. 511 operators monitor information about roadway incidents from the Florida Highway Patrol and other law enforcement and emergency service agencies across the region. Updates are available to 511 callers and on the Web site as conditions change. In a planned expansion of the service expected by the end of 2007, roadside sensors along the interstate will monitor the flow of traffic, allowing the 511 system to report actual travel times on I-75. Also available through 511 is information about lane closures and construction, severe weather, and Amber Alerts about missing or abducted children. During an evacuation, 511 provides information about traffic conditions, suspended tolls, weather-related road closings and reverse laning (when all lanes of the highway flow in one direction). Southwest Florida 511 covers these 30 roadways: I-75, Alico Road, Bermont Road, Bonita Beach Road, Burnt Store Road, Cape Coral Bridge/College Parkway, Colonial Boulevard/SR 884, Corkscrew Road, Daniels Parkway, Davis Boulevard, Del Prado Boulevard, Immokalee Road, Isle of Capri Road/Collier Boulevard, McCall Road, McGregor Boulevard, Midpoint Bridge, SR 82/MLK/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, SR 80/Palm Beach Boulevard, Pine Island Road/Bayshore Road, Pine Ridge Road, Sanibel Causeway, Summerlin Road, Toledo Blade Boulevard, Tuckers Grade, Vanderbilt Beach Road, Veteran’s Memorial Parkway, SR 29, US 17/Duncan Road, US 41 and US Business 41. Callers can also hear route and schedule information for Charlotte County Transit, LeeTran and Collier Area Transit, as well as arrival and departure times, parking, ground transportation, car rental and directional information for the Southwest Florida International Airport. Southwest Florida 511 is part of Florida’s free statewide service which provides travel information about all Florida interstate highways and Florida’s Turnpike. Florida has additional regional 511 systems in Northeast Florida, Central Florida, Tampa Bay and Southeast Florida. Callers to 511 can request information from any of the four regional systems by asking for the region by name. Currently, 511 systems are operating in 33 regions in 27 states. Real-time traffic updates coast-to-coast are expected by 2012. Depending on location, the caller will be connected to the 511 service in the region or state in which he or she is traveling. (Source: Press Release)
Cheap Gas Stations: Just enter your zip code at this site and it will tell you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) in your area. It's updated every evening.
"There's a new thrill ride at Walt Disney World that visitors will want to avoid: one in which a police car pursues you. At Disney's request, Orange County deputy sheriffs have been hitting the streets there hard, sometimes writing dozens of traffic tickets a day for violations ranging from speeding to loud stereos, a Sentinel analysis has found." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/08/06)
"Western Way, the new rear entrance to Walt Disney World from the new Western Beltway expressway, is set to open April 4. The four-lane, divided boulevard will give Disney a western entrance for the first time, allowing tourists coming in via Interstate 75 to enter Central Florida on Florida's Turnpike and the Western Beltway (State Road 429), then enter Disney without ever entering Orlando or driving on Interstate 4." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/27/06)
"The state provides a free service called 511 (by phone) and www.fl511.com (by Internet) that can keep you updated on the latest road conditions throughout Central Florida. The Orlando Sentinel also offers a free service that allows you to check road conditions and even receive e-mailed traffic alerts for the routes you plan to drive." Click here. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/20/06)
"Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World officials agreed Wednesday to a plan that will keep Disney's popular Magical Express shuttle and baggage service -- which has attracted national attention -- running through 2011... Magical Express will relocate from the terminal's A side to the B side, where more bus parking spaces are available. Six spaces will be assigned to Magical Express... Disney's uniformed greeters -- minus their original oversized Mickey Mouse gloves -- will be allowed back on the terminal's second level to help passengers find their way." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/16/06)
Jill writes: "how much does it cost for parking? is it cheaper if i purchase a 6 day park hopper plus pass..i am not staying inside disney..i will be at area hotels." You pay one parking fee of $10 per vehicle and receive a parking voucher that is good all day at any park. Those who have an annual pass (including the Florida Resident annual pass) get free parking (whether they stay on Disney property or not). Visitors staying off property and possessing Disney passes other than the Annual Pass, must pay full price for parking at WDW.
Nan writes: "My family will be traveling to WDW in December for a much anticipated 9-day trip. We will be staying on-site at the All Star Sports Resort. We want to go to Universal for one day while we are there... do you know of another cost saving measure to get to Universal from our hotel? Because we are staying on site, we will not be renting a car. By the way, I have already saved over $800 by using the tips in your book! Thanks so much for the information and assistance." If you're staying at WDW, but want to visit the parks off Disney property, you have some options: Mears Shuttle Service (407/423-5566) from Disney Resorts. Rates are for round trip per person:
Universal Studios: $14 Town Car Services: For up to five people round trip, rates range from $50 to $80 trip. Make reservations in advance to avoid disappointment. You can pay by credit card or cash and they expect to be paid upon arrival at the theme park. See our book for limo/towncar services. Taxi: Taxis can take up to six passengers, but the trip can cost $50 or more each way. They charge $3.25 for the first mile and $1.75 for each additional mile. They also charge for idle time and fees for each passenger. Rental Cars: Rates vary from $20 to $60 per day. National Car Rental (Alamo and National are owned by the same company and they share locations at WDW) is located on Disney property (Alamo has recently opened another office in Downtown Disney) and will provide transportation from their location (Disney's Car Care Center) to your hotel. They also rent child safety seats. Call 800/227-7368 or 407/855-4170. For more information, call Guest Relations at your resort or Universal's Guest Services at 407224-6350. (Should you need to get from your hotel to the Car Care Center, your hotel's front desk can arrange for a shuttle to take you. Give them one day's notice.) Note: You can reserve your rental car at the Dolphin resort: "You can only sign the paperwork at the National Car Rental office located at the Dolphin. Then they send a shuttle bus to take you to the car at the office near Magic Kingdom." Thanks, Katy, for letting us know! National is also located at the Wyndham Palace Resort in the Downtown Disney Resort area. Those are great savings! Glad we were able to help.
Driving Tips: Universal Boulevard parallels I-Drive to the east and has very little traffic. As might be expected, gas prices are higher in the tourist areas. If you're low on gas and don't want to overpay, just buy $5 worth of gas to hold you over. Then fill up the tank when you get out of the tourist areas. Disney Radio: Want to get in the Disney mood as you drive to the parks? Set your car radio to Radio Disney in Orlando at 990 on your AM dial. To locate a station near you, click here. For information about WDW transportation, call 407/WDW-RIDE.
Sharon writes: "John, I was wondering about parking at the Walt Disney World parks. I have never found it mentioned anywhere. What is the cost to park in the lots at the parks? Last year we took the bus and I didn't even consider the parking, this year, however, we are driving a rental and nowhere have I found parking lot rate information. If you have any information...please let me know. Thanks." Parking is free at the theme parks for WDW resort guests. Those with Disney passes and staying off property may park at the Transportation and Ticket Center located near the Magic Kingdom. You can access all of WDW from there via monorail and bus. You only pay one parking fee of $10 per vehicle and receive a parking voucher that is good all day at any park. Valet Service is no longer free at WDW. Disney now charges $7 a day for valet parking at the Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Contemporary, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge. Disney was already charging for valet parking at the BoardWalk Inn. Pay for valet parking once at WDW and you can receive valet parking for the rest of the day at Disney's other resorts at no additional cost. Handicapped parking is available throughout Walt Disney World. A disability parking permit is necessary. If you can't walk short distances, you can park next to the entrance at each theme park. Attendants at the Auto Plaza can explain parking options as you arrive.
Jane writes: "We are planning to be [at WDW] June 8-14. We are staying off site. How much does it cost to park per day at WDW? Do the parking lots fill up often? Also if you are switching parks during the day, do you take park transportation between parks or do you have to drive your car to the other parks? What time can you arrive? If you leave and return the same day do you have to pay twice or can you get a parking stamp or something of that nature? Do you have any information on the Marriott world center hotel? It sounds nice but have never stayed there?" You will only have to pay one parking fee of $10 per vehicle. Your parking voucher is good all day at any park. You want to be at the park gates 30 minutes before they open. So, arriving an hour before opening seems reasonable. Lots fill quickly. The official line is that only WDW resort guests and those with multi-day passes are allowed to use Disney transportation. All others must drive. Friends of ours stayed at the Marriott World Center during a convention. They said it was very nice.
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