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Hi Everyone! Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
Deals and Updates as of February 16, 2004 We continuously update our information and you can find the latest additions in our Addenda. Current specials include:
Walt Disney World:
Las Vegas, Nevada:
Branson, Missouri: BransonFest will be held April 6-10 at the Welk Resort in Branson. Features concerts, food, arts, and many activities. Being touted as one of the Top 100 Events for 2004 by the American Bus Association.
Other Vacation Specials:
News From Around The "World" A Disney worker was killed by a parade float during Wednesday's afternoon parade. "... his sister, said someone who worked with her brother told her that he tripped in front of the float and there wasn't enough time for him to move." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 02/12/04) For the rest of the story, click here. "The nation's largest cable TV operator, Comcast Corp., said early today that it wanted to buy the Walt Disney Co. for about $66 billion... [CEO) Roberts said he spoke with Eisner earlier this week about a merger of the two companies, but was rebuffed." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 02/11/04) For the whole story, click here. CBS 2 took "a look at dozens of Disney restaurant health inspection records, uncovering critical health code violations." On the one hand, Disney serves millions of meals a year and "the state of Florida received eight complaints in 2003 from Disney guests of food poisoning." On the other, "77 Disney Resort restaurants [had] critical, dangerous violations in 2003." (Source: CBS 2, 02/10/04) For the whole story, click here. "Disney World doesn't allow visitors, even those with disabilities like Exum, to use the self-balancing transportation machines [Segways]. The policy has angered some Segway owners with disabilities and surprised others since the Disney parks have a reputation for accommodating the disabled.... Sea World Orlando says it doesn't allow them for safety reasons... Orlando's other major theme park resort, Universal Orlando, doesn't have a policy." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 02/09/04) For the rest of the story, click here. Universal's Mummy ride is nearing completion! "Just three months shy of its spring opening, Revenge of the Mummy is part construction site, part thrill ride... Its maze of stage sets is nearly complete, and a roller-coaster track coils like a whip through its building on the back lot at Universal Studios Florida." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 02/09/04) For the rest of the story, click here.
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.
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Beth, our travel agent, concludes her article on group bookings: "Finally, there's the new option, Grand Gatherings (GG). This is JUST for groups that need less than ten rooms and they can be youth groups or otherwise. (If you hit ten rooms then there appears to be some discrepancy about what happens to the group, the program still being new and all, but technically it's supposed to be thrown out of the GG program. What they will actually do in that case remains to be seen.) You don't get a room discount - but then, you don't have to sign a contract, either. As long as you have at least eight people age three or older, it doesn't matter what your group size is. Some can have packages, some can have room-only reservations. If a promotional rate comes along, you can try to get it... Something you can't do if you're a Leisure group or Youth group. There are no special admission tickets or lower prices, but at least every room can get exactly what they need. There are special fun things available that you can only do if you're officially a GG group, and group dining arrangements are more friendly now. This sort of group doesn't get you any discounts at all, but it is by far the most flexible option and perfect for family gatherings - particularly when they are coming from different places and have different needs. You don't even have to have the same hotel! (By the way, GG groups can be done for small youth groups as well and you can still get the youth meal vouchers and youth admission/chaperone tickets.) If it all sounds very confusing, well, I suppose it is if you don't do it a lot. Disney can be very hard to work with if you don't know the ropes. And as you can see, as a planner you don't get much in return... which is why I strongly suggest that you work with a travel agent that really knows Disney groups. Many agents like myself will often work for just the commission received from Disney so it won't cost you anything to take advantage of the expertise. I'm fortunate to work for an agency with deep pockets, and we will usually be able to put up necessary room deposits on your behalf so you don't have to come up with the cash. And the best part is that YOU, the group leader, still get to take advantage of any free or reduced price tickets. All the perks, a lot less work - sort of a no-brainer there." Thanks, Beth, for shedding light on a confusing subject. When you work with Beth, it's a win-win situation. She provides great service at no extra cost to you. That IS a "no-brainer."
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 . Thanks!
Aimee writes: "We are taking our family to Walt Disney World this July, and wonder which tickets we should purchase. We are taking my parents and our children, who are young. We would like to spend 6 days in the theme parks. We are not interested in Ultimate Park Hopper tickets, because we will not be able to use them on arrival or departure days. We do not want to go to the water parks. Is there a 6 day park hopper pass without the plusses? What do you recommend?" There is no 6-day hopper without a plus. You could buy a 4-day park hopper and then add 2 Day/2 Park Tickets: $105.43 (adults); $84.14 (child). Saves you $5.00 on the purchase of two single day. Prices include tax. Ticket expires 4 days from purchase. See book for details. You could buy a 6-day day plus and save the plus days until you return. You could buy the Ultimate Park Hopper since Disney will deduct the first day and/or last day if you can't use them, but you must buy your Ultimate Park Hopper in person at your hotel's Guest Services. Also, those in your party who don't want one, don't have to buy one. You could also buy the 5-day hopper - no plus - and take some time off to relax, shop and see the sites.
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.
Sheila sent me a note with her request to be added to our new mailing list: "Dear John, So this was a great excuse to finally write to you and thank you. I went by myself for a week to Disneyworld May 2000. It was a time of relaxation and rejuvenation. Your online book was a great resource! I have returned with my family, my husband and his employees, 2 trips with daughters, and my husband and I are going back this May and taking 2 of our sons. I have stayed four times on Disney property (Dixie Landing--I loved that!, and twice at All Star Music, and with family in our RV at the RV park). Then last time tried a condo from Condosavers.com. The Westgate Lakes? Planning to go back there this year. Thank you so much for money saving tips on food, ideas of how to spend days in the parks, ideas of where to see Epcot night show, and so much more! Thank you, thank you!" Thank you, Sheila, for the wonderful feedback!
February Promotion! The 2004 Orlando Entertainment Book includes discounts on Restaurants and Hotels near WDW; Movie Tickets; Swan and Dolphin hotels; Universal Orlando Hotels and Tickets; and Car Rental Agencies! You can also get your money saving coupons online with the Orlando Entertainment Book "Savings Subscription!" Donna and I downloaded over $100.00 in coupons for our last WDW vacation! For a limited time, all Entertainment books are $10 off with Free Shipping. This is the second biggest discount of the year (and probably the best value, as there is still so much time to save money in and around one's hometown, on vacations, trips, etc.). Click here for details.
Julie writes about the news last week that the Grosvenor at Downtown Disney had filed for bankruptcy protection: "I just made reservations for Grosvenor hotel... Do you think there will be any problems?" You have nothing to worry about. The Grosvenor says the filing was just a formality and their service will continue as usual.
Money Saving Tip Lu Lu's Bait Shack: 9101 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. 407/351-9595. Free entree with the purchase of 1 entree and appetizer with this coupon.
Beth , our travel agent, writes: "The newsletter that I got yesterday for Disney Visa card holders has an article about the sitcom ACCORDING TO JIM which filmed two episodes on the Magic. The episodes will air on February 24 and March 2 on ABC. Aside from the Travel Channel's specials, this is the first time a show has been filmed on the Disney ships.
Well, that's it for now. The Disney News is only available to current customers of Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation. See You Real Soon!
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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. |
