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Hi Everyone! A Reminder: Affordable Disney has blocked 10 nights at both Port Orleans Riverside at $89 per night per room + tax and Animal Kingdom Lodge (savannah view) at $159 per night + tax for December 1-13, 2004. Come for one night or come for ten - your choice! These rates are NOT available anywhere else! If you'd like to add tickets and meals, Beth, our travel agent, has packaged this offer to include three-day park hopper plus ticket (you can't get this ticket anywhere else!), three quick-and-casual lunch/dinner vouchers per person, and one hour dessert party! Log in today for more details. Not a member? Join our Disney family here. Now... Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
Deals and Updates as of June 14, 2004 We continuously update our information and you can find the latest additions in our Addenda:
WALT DISNEY WORLD:
DISNEYLAND, CALIFORNIA:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity returns from vacation to this Resort & Casino with special sofa seating available from June 18-29. Included with your stay: 2 for 1 breakfast, 2 for 1 drinks, and 2 Roller Coaster passes. Rates start at $79.99. Hurry! Offer ends June 20, 2004. Log in today for more details. Not a member? Join our Disney family here.
News From Around The "World" "New Epcot Gallery: Art lovers will have a new reason to visit Epcot beginning in August when the Walt Disney World theme park opens its sixth gallery, American Heritage Gallery, with an inaugural exhibition exploring the connection between historical African art objects and their influence and significance as interpreted by contemporary African-American artists. The new gallery will be located in the American Adventure pavilion in World Showcase." (Source: Walt Disney World Media Relations, 06/11/04) For the rest of the story, click here. Tax Increase! Effective 07/01/04, the resort tax in Osceola County will rise to 6%, bringing the hotel tax at the All Star Resorts to 13%. The Peppermint Pig "is one of four [businesses] in Saratoga County selected to have merchandise at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., which opened last month. When it's fully completed in 2007, it will be Disney's largest vacation club resort. The pig will have some company. The resort also is stocking products from Saratoga Salsa and Saratoga Water Co. of Saratoga Springs and Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce of Greenfield Center." (Source: Saratogian.com, 06/08/04) For the rest of the story, click here. "To help lure business travelers, Hyatt hotels and resorts have launched branded Wi-Fi service through T-Mobile HotSpot. The wireless Internet service is also available at more than 4,600 locations, including Starbucks, Borders Books & Music and FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Centers." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 06/07/04) 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.
Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price. Hundreds of books under $1.00. Receive $5 off a purchase of $35 or more! To redeem this coupon, simply add $35 or more of books to your shopping cart, enter the coupon number GIFT and password BOOKCLOSEOUTS in the area at the bottom of your shopping cart and click on "Submit Coupon". Valid through July 1, 2004. To check out the bargains, click here.
Stan writes: "I ran across your website on a Google Search and thought I'd ask a question. I used to be a Cast Member for WDW at their Central Reservations Office (CRO) a number of years ago - a job I really enjoyed. I was influenced by a spouse to leave the Orlando area at that time. That influence is now gone and I am in the process of returning to the Orlando area. I would like nothing more than to return to the CRO. Here's my question: I would imagine the CRO is continually hiring for Reservation Sales Agents. Do you have any suggestions as to the best way I can achieve my desire to return to the CRO?" To get a job at WDW, fill out an application in person at Walt Disney World's Casting Center (located near I-4 and the Downtown Disney exit). You can also call the jobline at 407/828-1000 or visit the Disney Careers website. |
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Beth continues her latest trip report of her vacation at WDW Memorial Day weekend. Her family stayed at the Caribe Royale so that she would know first hand what her customers could expect: "We went back to the hotel after the hot fudge sundaes for a swim and a nap. Then we headed over to Wide World of Sports. My husband is very much the athlete, so I was anxious to hear his impression. We got some little glimpses into the stadium where the Atlanta Braves train, and it looks very nice - but it was locked up so we couldn't really explore without chancing getting arrested. So we went into the Milk House and spent about 20 minutes cheering on the kids in an inline hockey tournament. (Trying to stay impartial, we cheered for both sides.) Then we wandered around outside a bit more, observing more youth soccer matches than one might believe possible. What we were looking for is the area where you can try your own hand at your favorite sports. We didn't know what it was called, but figured it couldn't possibly be all that tough to find. Wrong again. We stopped at this huge directory and couldn't find anything listed that sounded remotely correct. We visited every building and saw only sports in progress. So we asked the cast member at the turnstile. He pointed down past the Milk House and said that it was in a tent beyond the building and over the hill.And it closed at 5:00. (It was about 5:30 at this point.) Figures. Seems to me that people at Disney are often looking for non-park things to do in the early evening, so that would be a great time for it to OPEN, not close. As I've said before, if only they'd let ME run Disney! Anyway, we did get to stop in the Cafe, but we didn't put our Entertainment coupon to use there. We just used the bathrooms and scoped the place out. Looks nice, and my husband deemed it one of the best sports bars/restaurants he's seen as far as the ambiance is concerned." TO BE CONTINUED
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. Send your email to: johngross@affordabledisney.com . Thanks!
NEW! 3-Day Park Hopper Pass Good luck in finding this one somewhere else! No restrictions. Unused days never expire. Hurry! Supplies are limited. 4-Day Park Hopper Pass Special Purchase Get them for $10.00 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! Our agent also has great prices on tickets to other popular attractions in Florida. "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.
Last week we announced that the 2005 season dates and room rates had been released. Beth, our travel agent, offers her observations: "I was just studying the dates for the seasons a little more closely and I realized something I missed before: Fall "regular" season is now going to cover October AND November! That's sad news for those that like to take advantage of the traditionally lower rates (and nicer weather) in November. I've noticed in recent years, though, that Super Soap Weekend, the Food & Wine Festival, and Thanksgiving are all doing well at bringing people to WDW in November so maybe that's why. Value season won't start next year until the Sunday after T'giving. Also, the Ft. Wilderness Campground has a new pricing season called "Pre-Holiday" that roughly covers the month before Christmas. Many people don't know that there is a group of people called the Ft. Wilderness Settlers that arrive in the Fall in their RVs, trailers, campers, etc. and actually LIVE at Disney World for the winter. They get a deal on the campground rates, and since they don't have to pay property taxes like they would if they bought a mobile home down here it works out to be very cost-favorable. Anyway, that makes the campground very popular and I'm certain that it's the recent trend of these settlers to come earlier than ever now that has made Disney add the new pricing level. And how do next year's rates compare to this year? Well, as expected they are somewhat higher. And I guess I can't blame them because Disney did NOT raise the rates for 2004 (for the most part) and their business has been way up in 2004. The value resort pricing ranges from a $0 increase to $7 (preferred rooms in holiday season), depending on room type and season. They've added a new category for the value resorts, too: king bed rooms! These will NOT cost any more than a room with 2 beds. Moderate resorts went up $0 to $5, depending on the room type and season. There is also a new category of rooms at this level: Caribbean Beach Resort preferred rooms. They are the same price as water view rooms: $15 over standard room rates. Although the deluxe entry level pricing (standard rooms at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom) are the same as this year, the woods view room at Wilderness Lodge jumped up $16 a night in peak season. Generally, though, the increases are $5-10 more a night. Most rooms at the Home Away from Home resorts are also moderately increased, but the larger units show a jump of as much as $30 a night during Holiday Season. AAA rates are NOT out for 2005 yet. Last year they didn't load those rates until well into Fall, and they may wait that long again this year."
Money Saving Tip Silver Springs: 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL 34488. 352/236-2121. 90 miles from Orlando; 100 miles from Tampa; 96 miles from Jacksonville; 63 miles from Daytona. Features the famous glass bottom boats. Save $7 on adult admission (valid for up to 6 adults) with the following coupon.
YOU CAN AFFORD DISNEY WORLD! If you THINK a Disney vacation costs too much ... WE AGREE! That's why we created the ULTIMATE Disney savings site. Save up to 40% on your total trip. Learn about discounts on tickets, food, Disney merchandise, hotels ON Disney property, travel, parking, and MUCH more. Too much to list here. See it all at here. "We just got back from a great trip ... and thanks to you and your great advice, [we] saved money and time! ... In total we saved about $3,000.00 for our group of 6. We are going back within a year to use our passes again, and think our per person cost will be in the $150-200 range, flights and all." Michael Barrett, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
All for the price of a fast food
Well, that's it for now. THE DISNEY NEWS is a free service provided by
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See You Real Soon! John
http://www.affordabledisney.com
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.
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