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Hi Everyone! Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
Deals and Updates as of March 22, 2004 We continuously update our information and you can find the latest additions in our Addenda. Current specials include:
Walt Disney World:
Disneyland, California: Disneyland's Paradise Pier starting at $109 through 5/27/04.
Branson, Missouri:
Las Vegas, Nevada: Enjoy a Midweek Getaway in Las Vegas! Enjoy these superbly located resorts just steps from the world-renowned excitement of the Las Vegas Strip. Private resort amenities include heated pool, whirlpool spa and fitness center. Cascading waterfalls and lush tropical gardens exquisitely surround the resort and all of its amenities. Spacious one-bedroom villas and studio suite accommodations are available starting at $99 per night Sunday - Thursday!
News From Around The "World" The Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Disney has finished its makeover and is now a Holiday Inn. They offer free shuttle transportation to the Disney Parks every 30 minutes. Plus! Kids 12 and under eat FREE with paying adult. For more details, click here. "Walt Disney Pictures' newest animated feature, "Home on the Range," receives a rip-roarin' salute daily through April 16 at Magic Kingdom... Seldom is heard a discouraging word as Pearl, owner of the film's Patch of Heaven dairy farm, leads a daily processional down Main Street, U.S.A., accompanied by her bovine co-stars, Maggie, Mrs. Caloway and Grace. "Home on the Range" opens nationwide on April 2..." (Source: Walt Disney World Press Release, 03/17/04) "Night of Joy to Showcase 24 Acts Over Three Nights As Disney Plans Its Biggest Christian Music Event Yet... The marquee includes 24 acts spread across three consecutive evenings Sept. 9-11 -- including a first-ever Thursday evening Night of Joy. The expansion to a third night follows early sellouts in recent years... One-, two-, and three-night tickets will be available beginning April 21 by calling 407/W DISNEY or by visiting www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy on the Internet. Advance tickets are $36.95 (plus tax) for one night, $59.95 (plus tax) for two nights and $79.95 (plus tax) for three nights. Tickets will also be available at Florida locations of Family Christian Stores. One-day tickets on event days -- if available -- are $41.95. The event has been sold out in advance in recent years." (Source: Walt Disney World Resort Press Release, 03/15/04) For the rest of the story, click here. "General Motors Corp. is taking Juno, a new approach to family travel, to the Innoventions exhibit at Disney World's Epcot theme park, where it will be presented to Disney guests for the remainder of 2004. Juno demonstrates how a small, sporty vehicle can easily be equipped with family-friendly features that not only meet the transportation needs of a young family but also stay within their budget." (Source: General Motors Corporation Press Release, 03/15/04) For the rest of the story, click here. "The sponsorship [of Epcot's Universe of Energy pavilion] quietly ended Saturday with the expiration of a contract between Disney and Exxon... Exxon's name has also been dropped from the three gas stations on Walt Disney World property. The stations have been closed for renovation until March 30. They will reopen as Hess Express stations." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/15/04) Disney's Boardwalk Resort and Coronado Springs Resort have been designated "Green Lodgings by the state Department of Environmental protection [for installing] technology and institute programs that save energy and water." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/15/04) For the rest of these stories, click here. 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.
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Vanessa sent us a Disney cruise report: "Our trip took place on March 4-7 04. My mother and my aunt accompanied me. We are all equal Disney fans. We started our tradition of yearly trips to Disney in 1996. We pick a different resort to stay at each time. Being a FL resident makes this much easier. So going on a Disney cruise was sorta the icing on our cake. This was my mother's and my second cruise, my aunt's first. We arrived around noon. The check in process took all of 5 minutes. We boarded the ship shortly after. We had lunch at The Beach Blanket buffet (very good). We then explored the ship. And made our way down to Wave Bands (club) to change our late dinner seating to the early seating. We also requested our server Richard from Chile, our server from our first cruise. He was the funniest person I have ever met. Without going into every detail I will give a quick overview of it all. Dinner at Parrot Cay, Tritons and Animators Palate were all excellent. I highly recommend all of them. All of the shows Hercules, Disney Dreams and The Golden Mickeys are great. My personal opinion if you want to skip one skip Hercules. The second day of the cruise is spent in Nassau, Bahamas. My first cruise I did a shore excursion through Disney. We did the discover Atlantis tour. You board a ferry type boat (not run by Disney) this takes you over to the Atlantis hotel. We were broken down into smaller groups and we toured Atlantis' aquarium. The tour groups kept running in to each other and we felt a little claustrophobic so we ditched the group and explored on our own. We walked all over the hotel grounds, pools, casino etc. What a beautiful place... we took a taxi cab around $4.00 a person one way. Much to our dismay most of the hotel grounds could only be accessed if you were staying at the hotel. So we came back to the downtown area. My mom and aunt walked around Nassau. I decided to come back and sit by the pool. If you are a big shopper, then this would be the place to go, but it can be very crowded. with up to six boats in port you can only imagine the amount of people pouring into town. You set sail at 11:00 PM and arrive at Disney's Island Castaway Cay (key) at around 8:00 AM. Now on our first cruise the currents were so strong the captain could not dock the ship so we spent the day at sea. On this trip it was like looking out your window at a postcard. this island is absolutely beautiful. We got off the boat by 8:30, one of the first groups of people to get off the boat. We explored. and picked a spot with hammocks, umbrellas and lawn chairs. We didn't do the shore excursions, but we still had a great time. The island offers WaveRunner rentals, parasailing, banana boat rides, snorkeling etc. These are all additional fees. The island offers a barbecue at Cookies barbecue. They have hot-dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, chips, cookies, salad and much more. All very good. After a day at paradise we set sail at 4:30. The cruise director said it was the best weather they had all year. That night we realized that the cruise was coming to end (very sad). Disney cruises are a cashless cruise which means that your room key is used a a credit card. you can't use cash at all on the ship. But you can go to guest services and make a cash payment on your credit card bill. Disney also provided you with envelopes to hand deliver your tips to your servers and room host or you can charge them to your room key. I prefer giving the tips to the servers in person just to make sure they get them. Disney recommends how much to give each of them, but considering the service you get a little extra tip wouldn't hurt. Your ship arrives in port very early the next day. We were in by 5:00 AM. We had breakfast at 6:45 and were off the boat, had our luggage, through customs and in our car by 8:00. One word for the entire cruise experience FLAWLESS. Well, two words MAGICAL!!!!! I highly recommend Disney cruise line even if you are not a big Disney fan or don't have children. You will become hooked. I promise."
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!
Sandy writes: "I'm just pouring over your tips and organizing last minute details for our trip to Disney. We leave in just over a week. Its sooooooooo exciting. Anyway, I know I read somewhere that we can leave the park and then return later in the day but I can't put my hand on the detail and just wanted to check to be sure. We are only at Disney for 2 days and will be buying the Bounce Back tickets. We are going to spend our first day at Magic Kingdom but really like your suggestion about leaving mid-day for a break at our hotel. What do we need to do in order to be able to return to the park later in the afternoon? Also, do your happen to know the March dates for E-Ticket nights?" There will be a castmember at the exit who will stamp your hand. Be sure you all get stamped before exiting. There are no E-Ride nights scheduled for March so far. Have a safe and fun vacation. Send me a trip report when you get back!
Affordable Free shipping and $5 - $10 back for Easter! Earn points that are redeemable for part of the purchase price of your favorite Disney collectible. Over 30 treasures under $50. Enter promo code EASTER75 on orders over $75 for a $5 Gift Certificate Back for future purchases or EASTER100 for a $10 Gift Certificate Back for future purchases. For details, click here.
Money Saving Tip New Taste of India: 9252 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837. 407/855-4622. Receive a Free Mixed Pakora with purchase of an entree or buy one Buffet and get 1/2 off the second entree with these coupons.
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 guarantee 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. |
