|
|||||
Hi Everyone! Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
Deals and Updates as of June 21, 2004 We continuously update our information and you can find the latest additions in our Addenda:
WALT DISNEY WORLD:
DISNEYLAND, CALIFORNIA:
Log in today for more details. Not a member? Join our Disney family here.
News From Around The "World" Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede "is adding beer and wine to the menu in mid-July. None of the other Stampedes -- in Branson, Mo.; Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; and Myrtle Beach, S.C. -- sells alcohol now or plans to." Ticket prices are increasing: adults will pay $46.99; kids, $19.99. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 06/16/04) For the rest of the story, click here. "Back by popular demand at Disney-MGM Studios is one of Disney's biggest holiday spectacles -- the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. This Disney holiday tradition returns to Disney-MGM Studios bigger and better than ever before. After eight years of holiday cheer on Residential Street, Disney-MGM Studios took a short break from the tradition last year to begin construction in the area on the new "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" (opening 2005). Now the lights will once again brighten the Streets of America backlot inside the theme park. (Source: Walt Disney World, 06/15/04) For the rest of the story, click here. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets are now available: "A winter wonderland of holiday fun awaits guests on 12 nights in 2004 -- Nov. 28 and 30, Dec. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17. Advance tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are $36.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $26.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9. (Children under 3 are admitted at no charge.) Tickets on the day of each party are $42.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $32.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9." (Source: disney.com, 06/15/04) "July 4th Plans across Walt Disney World: Fireworks, Music, Patriotic Parties. Known worldwide for its spectacular fireworks shows -- including the newest pyrotechnic pageantry in Magic Kingdom, "Wishes" -- Walt Disney World Resort will paint the skies red, white and bibbity bobbity-blue on July 4 with star-spangled fireworks fun." (Source: Walt Disney World, 06/15/04) For the rest of the story, click here. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will reopen in October, 2004. "The targeted opening is months later than originally hoped by owner Kent Buescher but more extensive damage to the venerable Old Florida theme park's buildings, an international concrete shortage and other engineering challenges arose to foil his goal of capturing the summer season." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 06/14/04) Also 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.
Beth, our travel agent, continues her latest trip report of her vacation at WDW during Memorial Day weekend: "Then we set out for the Winter Summerland miniature golf course. I've played the Fantasia Gardens before and found it to be a very difficult course, particularly for kids. I also found that one to be seriously in need of refurbishment, so my hopes for Winter Summerland weren't high. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. We played the Winter course because I've heard it's easier, and it was, in fact, easy enough for my 6-year-old to play without getting too frustrated. My husband and I were both below par, but still enjoyed it. The sun was still out, so we didn't get to really feel the full flavor of the Christmas decorations and lights. I'm sure it's lovely at night. We did sing many a holiday tune as we putted our way through the course, and we also found out that the rumors about the "hole of the day" are true... They choose a different hole each day, and if you ask them to check your scorecard on your way out and they find that you got a hole in one on that hole then you get a free beverage. We had several holes in one, but none on 16. Maybe next time. Anyway, a good time was had by all and I'd play there again." BETH'S REPORT CONTINUES BELOW.
|
Resources
 Affordable Airfare
Affordable
|
||||
NEW! 3-Day Park Hopper Pass + 1 Exclusively For Our Members! 3 Hopping days + 1 extra plus option for Disney Quest OR Pleasure Island. Expires 10 days from first usage. The competition doesn't have this ticket and it's not sold at the gate! 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.
Beth concludes her trip report. Her family stayed at the Caribe Royale so that she would know first hand what her customers could expect: "We arrived about 11:15 in the morning and completely expected to be checked in and promptly sent away until our room was ready - but we were pleased to find that it was already cleaned so we were able to head to the room right away... after the obligatory roam around the lobby, of course. It's a very pleasant, bright place - and big - but not what I'd call spectacular. Just nice. Caribe Royale is a huge place, so we moved our car over to the tower we were assigned to. There were plenty of parking spaces right near the door, and a nice woman greeted us from behind a desk when we entered the building. (I think she was pushing timeshare visitations, but we didn't stick around to find out.) Our room was on the first floor. It was convenient, but there were bushes growing half way up the windows so we didn't have a good view at all. I think if we'd been up higher we'd have had a nice pool/waterfall view. There was a strange odor in the room that we decided was maybe new carpet smell. The room was long and narrow, with a sort of living room first, a bathroom and sink area in the middle and the bedroom on the far end (which could be completely shut off for privacy). The room had a pull-out sofa in the living room, a TV, an honor bar, a small microwave, and a sink. There was also a chair and coffee table, and then a small dining table with two chairs. The living room isn't large or glamorous, but it's more than you get in a standard hotel room and it was fine for our needs. The bedroom was also very basic, with two queen beds, a closet and some drawer space as well as a second TV. Comfortable, reasonably clean, and very quiet. We didn't dine in any of the restaurants, but there are several on site. We chose to go out for both meals we were there for since there are many good places near by. The pool was a huge hit with our 6-year-old, though. She was wide-eyed the first time down the water slide, but couldn't stop after that. And she loved the waterfall and being able to go behind it as well. There was a toddler pool as well with neat squirty things, but my child deemed it "for babies" and wouldn't have anything to do with it and that was fine with us... Nothing like a dip in the pool after a long day running around Orlando! Bottom line: The Caribe Royale isn't nearly as fancy as the name or the website would have you believe, and I'm glad we weren't paying $200 a night for it; but it has a great location and you get plenty of space there. If you can get it for a decent rate (under $100 a night) then go for it. If it's under $150 it might still be OK, but at some point I'd start looking at condos and small houses instead. By the way, gas prices on Disney property are GREAT! The onsite gas stations recently changed over to Hess stations, and this weekend they had regular unleaded for $1.95 a gallon. That's as much as 16 cents under prices we saw on our way up from Naples, and about 12 cents under what it is in the immediate Disney area at off-site places. Hess is in the perfect position to really stick it to park go-ers, but instead they're giving vacationers a break so please let them know you appreciate it if you stop there."
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!
Patti writes: "John, thanks for all your hard work keeping us "Disney Freaks" satisfied with news and tips from Disney! How did you get started with this? Second: do you or Beth know when the Food and Wine festival is this year? If I haven't moved to FL by then, I am planning another Disney vacation for the end of Oct the beginning of Nov. Thanks for your help!" For our story :), click here. The Food and Wine Festival will run Oct. 1 - Nov. 14, 2004.
Money Saving Tip Rusty Anchor Water Tours: (Next to the Yacht Club.) 400 W. Fourth Ave. Mount Dora, FL 32757. 352/383-3933. 47 miles from WDW or one hour drive. Narrated tour through lakes features wildlife, beautiful homes, and the Mount Dora Lighthouse. They offer the Lakefront Tour (one hour), Dora Canal Eco Tour (2 hours), and the Lunch Dora Canal Cruise. Buy one sunset cruise and get one free with this coupon. New Customers Only. Only valid on Saturdays. Reservations are required and subject to availability.
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
AffordableDisney.Com. Please forward our newsletter to your friends and family.
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.
|
||||||
