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Hi Everyone! Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
DEALS AND UPDATES AS OF JANUARY 19, 2004 We continuously update our information and you can find the latest additions in our Addenda. Current specials include:
Walt Disney World:
Disneyland California:
Branson, Missouri: Details on the Hot Winter Fun season which takes place January through March
Las Vegas, Nevada:
Hot Specials in January:
Log in today for details. Not a member? Click here to join our Disney family.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD" Family Pride Coalition, a pro-gay family organization, will be taking 225 families to WDW June 17-20. (Source: The O'Reilly Factor, 01/15/04) Disney is closing its animation studio at WDW. Is that "Killing what made Disney Disney?" For a movie critic's answer, click here. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/12/04) Epcot's annual International Flower & Garden Festival will take place April 16 through June 6. The festival features topiaries of Disney characters as well as "seminars, demonstrations, special music and children's activities including butterfly and ladybug releases. Most festival activities are included with regular admission to Epcot." (Source: Walt Disney World Press Release, 01/12/04.) "For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line plans to include St. Lucia, Antigua and San Juan as scheduled ports of call on select sailings. In another first, Disney plans to embark on a 10-night holiday cruise vacation from Port Canaveral Dec. 18, 2004." (Source: Walt Disney World Press Release, 01/12/04.) For the 2004 itineraries, click here. Disney is pouring money into the makeover of Alien Encounter to Stitch Encounter. Unfortunately, there in no money left to bring Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Holiday starring Jack Skellington to the Magic Kingdom until 2005. (Source: Jim Hill Media, 01/12/04) NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the newspaper's archives for the story.
4-Day Park Hopper Pass Special Purchase Get them for $9.00 less than Disney charges at their site! It comes with all the bells and whistles of a normal 4-Day Park Hopper, but it expires 14 days from its first use. However, for people who plan on going just 4 days, it's a great deal. This pass is only available for advance order purchasing. 4-Day Park Hopper Plus Pass Our ticket agent writes: "I have acquired the new Disney 4-Day Park Hopper Plus Pass. It is not sold at the gate or AAA. You get 1 "plus" day for the Water Parks or Pleasure Island. It has no expiration date." You must purchase this pass in advance. So order early! "I thought I knew all the tips for saving money at WDW, even being a member of the Magic Kingdom Club for over 15 years, but just learning about [your ticket agent] saved our family over $300!!! Thanks." Janet Handy, Bel Air, MD Details on how to purchase these special passes will be provided with your Disney access codes as soon as you join our Disney family.
Sara writes: "We just returned from WDW 12/7/03. I have to say the highlight was the Fantasmic show at MGM. My husband and I saw it for the first time last year. This year we had my parents, our children, and friends with us. My kids just loved it. AND, We had front row center seats - WOW. Our friends' daughter is almost completely blind. Our first day we were at EPCOT. While waiting in line to slide our tickets in at the gate she went over to guest services. They gave her a card to use during our whole stay. This card gave us front row seats to everything. That's how we got front row at Fantasmic. We actually had eleven people in our party, but Guest services would only put a total of six on the card. But, disney cast members were great. We let them know we were all together, and they would try to put us all together if they could. It was our friends first time at WDW, and they had a blast. We did not stay on property; my parents have a condo. It gave our friends their privacy. It had two master bedrooms and two bedrooms with two double beds each and four bathrooms. It was wonderful. We did five beautiful sunny days at WDW and relaxed for four days. It was not really swimming weather except for two of the days we were there. But it was definitely perfect weather for walking around all day. My husband and I did the very merry christmas party last year, and we were looking forward to taking our children (11, 8, 5, and 3). The 8 and 5 year olds fell asleep even before the fireworks started at 9:15 pm. I would recommend anyone taking youngsters to the very merry christmas party not doing anything except that on that day, and making sure they get a good nap in. My husband decided he didn't want to go and took our youngest one home. Disney was very good and refunded his ticket. My mom stayed and used our other adult ticket. We ate at the Rose and Crown (Mm Mm). We did the Restaurantosaurus (Okay). And, we did our traditional Crystal Palace. Those were our only big money eat-outs."
ARE YOU SUFFERING WITHDRAWAL FROM WDW? You know ... that empty feeling you get when you arrive back home from your vacation at WDW and realize it may be a while before you experience that Disney magic again? We have had that feeling ourselves many times. Yet, we always seem to feel better when we read about the experiences of others who share their trip reports with us. It's almost like being there again. We invite you, our readers, to send us some feedback about your experiences during your latest vacation at WDW. Reports on Disney weddings, honeymoons, cruises, and resort vacations on and off Disney property are all welcome. Email us at johngross@affordabledisney.com What are you waiting for? Go write something!
Christine writes: "We are planning on getting married and would like to find a place for dinner that night in/around the Disney area. My question is whether or not you can wear your wedding attire into Epcot if you are having dinner at one of their restaurants. It would be nice to walk around the park afterwards and see the fireworks but I'm hearing from people that Disney doesn't allow it. Where would you suggest a nice, quiet place for two for dinner? A place with a small dance floor would be nice. don't think I have enough time to make a reservation at Victoria & Albert's but something along that line would be great." I am not familiar with Disney's official rules about wearing wedding attire at WDW. You may want to call Disney and ask. Perhaps one of our readers has some knowledge of this? For a romantic dinner with a great view, dine at Citricos at the Grand Floridian. They are supposed to offer a private dinner for two served outside. Ask about the view when you call. Victoria & Albert's is considered the best. I would try for a reservation. Disney is not that busy. Other restaurants with high ratings include Artist Point Dining, Bistro de Paris, California Grill and Coral Reef Restaurant. Christine wrote back: "I called V&A and was able to make a reservation. Ya!! I'll write a full review when I get back. Thanks again!!" Sorry, Christine, it took so long to publish your letter!
SEND FREE (I)NTERNET POST (CARDS) FROM WDW You can send free Internet post cards ("i-Cards") from our site, complete with graphics, text and music. You can choose from 18 languages and can send i-Cards to 10 people at the same time! You can even add your own photos and music! We've uploaded pictures of a theme park/beach motif that makes the service ideal for sending greetings from the parks or the beach to your family and friends! Or you may just want to use our cards to say hi to someone special while you're at home or the office. To send a free i-Card now, click here.
Sherry writes: "I have a question about the SeaWorld tickets. They are offering the same monthly plan on the Sea World/Bush Garden silver, gold, platinum, and bronze passes as well. Our trip is in March. The 5th thru the 12th to be exact. If I ordered these tickets would I be able to use them or do they need to be fully paid for before you can use them? I was unable to find this answer on their website. Thanks so much for the help and for the fantastic website!! I read it all the time!" You pay during each of the 12 months that you use your tickets. In other words, you can use them right away while you pay. Click here for details. Thanks for the pat on the back!
January Promotion!
Happy New Year Coupon: Take $5 off your order of $30 or more. Coupon: 5off30; Password: newyear. Expires Saturday, January 31, 2004. For details, click here.
Suzette writes: "I am curious to see if you know anything about perks for organizers of groups to WDW. For example, for some vacation destinations (I have done this specifically with ski and spring break trips), the organizer receives a free (room, entry, other) for securing "X" number of paid group members. I would like to see if similar perks are available in connection with WDW. Have you any leads, resources or other related information? Thanks so much." To book large parties, call 407/828-3318. Magical Gatherings is Disney's newest promotion, so they are offering perks like dessert parties and t-shirts.to groups of 8 or more. Call Disney and ask about any perks for the organizer who books the group.
MONEY SAVING TIP Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show: 8251 Vineland Avenue, Orlando FL 32867. 407/238-2777. Get $3.00 off adult admission for up to 6 people with this coupon.
Well, that's it for now. The Disney News is only available to members of Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation. See You Real Soon! John
http://www.affordabledisney.com
Disclaimer: We cannot assure the accuracy of information contained in The Disney News. Always check to be sure. The views and opinions expressed by others in The Disney News do not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other companies mentioned on our site and in our newsletter are registered trademarks of their respective companies. The use of these trademarks is for editorial reasons only. No endorsement by the Walt Disney Company or any other company is implied. |
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