Hi Everyone!

Many of us were concerned about Hurricane Charley's effect on travel in Florida and about our travel agent, Beth, who lives there! Beth writes:

"Today (August 14) we are hearing an amazing amount of criticism of area meteorologists. After all, people are saying, these folks called for a category 1 or 2 storm to hit Tampa and it ended up a category 4 hitting well south. In fact, at one point, these guys were pleading with the residents of Sanibel Island to get in their bath tubs and pull a mattress over because the eye was going to hit within minutes... and then all of a sudden the radar showed that Hurricane Charley had changed its mind yet again and was headed north!

It slowed to a near stop for about 10-15 minutes (sucking up a little more energy from the Gulf) before charging up into Charlotte Harbor, the only waterway south of Tampa Bay wide enough and deep/warm enough to sustain a strong hurricane while it worked its way inland. Our NBC and ABC news and weather teams were working together on this, putting aside network competition to simulcast on two TV stations and several radio stations without commercial breaks and without sleep for well over 24 hours straight. At 3:15 yesterday afternoon, the two chief meteorologists stood side by side on TV, helpless to do anything else, and utterly stunned to see this sudden change of events.

It was their worst nightmare, and you could see it on their faces. Despite the best technology money can buy and literally dozens of the top weather people in the country working with them on this, they could only watch as they realized that they'd called this one wrong. Worse yet, because there are hundreds of manufactured and mobile home residents in the Charlotte County area that had decided to stay put based on the earlier predictions, these guys knew that people were going to die because Mother Nature had decided not to follow their forecasted track.

These men and women did their utmost to predict what they thought was going to happen, and for their efforts I give them a standing ovation. They were phenomenal, as were the huge teams of people that worked behind the scenes. At best, a forecast is only an educated guess, and this time they guessed wrong. Experts will be studying this storm for many years trying to determine just what went wrong. There are only a few hurricanes a year, this just the 18th of this strength or higher to ever hit the US, and every single hurricane has been different. There are general trends, sure, but the only thing that can be 100% accurate about predicting a hurricane's path is that you can never be 100% certain about your accuracy. Right up until the last second Hurricane Charley was still throwing them curves (literally!).

However, each and every one of those barrier islands had been under mandatory evacuation for over a day. All of the people in mobile homes and similar structures were warned, including those in Charlotte County. They chose to take their chances by riding it out in their homes, and it seems that many paid the ultimate price for doing so.

And so I'd like to remind everyone coming to Florida (Disney or otherwise) for vacation of just a few things:

1. Pack your sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen because you'll probably need both, and you'll probably have a fabulous vacation.

2. If you're coming during hurricane season (June - November) check the weather channel before you go, and then maybe a time or two during your stay. You probably won't be effected by a tropical storm, but you need to remember that it's always a possibility.

3. If there's a tropical system ANYWHERE in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico, pay more attention. Have a great time, but stay aware of developments.

4. If at any time officials tell you that relocating is in order, DO IT! Please put the safety of you and your family ahead of your vacation plans.

5. Be understanding. Businesses begin closing a day or more before a storm hits in order to secure everything. Florida business owners make their livelihoods by providing goods and services, and they aren't turning you away to be mean. They're doing it for everyone's best interest, and they'll reopen again as soon as they can. Don't give them a hard time.

6. Be optimistic. Don't dwell on the negative. If you have to make sudden changes to your plans then see it as an adventure, especially if you end up stranded in Florida a few extra days. This may turn out to be the most memorable vacation you and your family ever have so try to fill it with good memories, not bad ones.

7. Be patient. The airlines WILL get you home eventually. You WILL have a place to sleep and food to eat. Your boss WILL understand. In the event of a catastrophic storm such as Charley it takes a lot of time and thousands of people to get power restored, roads cleared, and so on.

8. Be thankful. Thankful that you survived, thankful that technology is so advanced that you had days to prepare, and thankful that there are people out there putting their own lives at risk to ensure your safety and well-being.

Many people don't realize that there are lots of Disney cast members actually working behind the scenes from offices in Tampa. Those offices were closed all day Friday. The offices in the Orlando area closed at 1:00 on Friday afternoon. Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney and the water parks were closed all Day Friday, while Epcot, MGM and the Magic Kingdom closed at 1:00. While Animal Kingdom remain closed for today (Saturday), the other three parks have extended hours. Typhoon Lagoon is also closed today, but Blizzard beach is open until 7:30. Some Downtown Disney stores are open, and Cirque du Soleil will go on as scheduled this evening.

The Disney golf courses are closed while crews clean them up, and there are no watercraft rentals or fishing excursions available today while equipment is inspected for damage. The Hoop Dee Doo Review and Polynesian Luau are also cancelled for today, but Disney Dining people are hard at work trying to reschedule those that had reservations for yesterday and today. Disney resorts are doing their best to accommodate those stranded in Orlando, and concierge desks and guest services staff are helping people contact airlines to reschedule flights home. Those who were scheduled to arrive at Disney and have been unable to do so because of the storm will NOT be charged cancellation penalties. Disney is working hard to reaccommodate those families on an individual basis as the calls come in.

And on a personal note, many thanks to all of you that sent me and my family good luck and prayers via email. It means a lot! We are south of the hardest hit area and fared quite well, with only some downed trees and power lines. We were fortunate indeed!"

Now... Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!

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Deals and Updates as of August 16, 2004

We continuously update our information and you can find the latest additions in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

• Free Night's Stay! Purchase a ticket on this airline to any domestic or international location. Stay three consecutive nights (including a Saturday) now through December 25, 2004, and enjoy a third night free!

• Disney Cruise Special for Southern California in 2005! Six-night cruise from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera starts at $1,199 per person, double occupancy, Category 12 Inside Stateroom.

• Stay at this Downtown Disney Resort starting at $98 nightly!

DISNEYLAND, CALIFORNIA:

• See this Disney movie and get Five Disney Dollars, a mini movie poster, and a merchandise discount voucher good for up to 20% off Disneyland merchandise! Disneyland has even set up a suite to resemble the one in the movie.

• Stay 4 nights, get the last night FREE at the Disneyland Resorts through this link!

BRANSON, MISSOURI:

Branson Autumn Homecoming: September 22-26; October 6-10, 2004. From $859 per person, double occupancy. 5 days/4 full dinners, 4 nights accommodations, 6 top headliner shows!

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA:

Shop 'til you drop at this resort & casino! Stay on select nights September-November from $79.99! Includes:

• $10 credit at Starbucks
• $10 room upgrade charge to Deluxe accommodations
• 2 for 1 breakfast
• 2 for 1 drinks

OTHER VACATION SPECIALS:

This cruise line has created a group category called the Family Reunion Program. Families booking at least five cabins (half the usual group threshold) get special group pricing plus extra dining options and amenities, such as soft drinks, dinner at the line's alternative restaurants or complimentary use of snorkel gear!

Log in today for more details. Not a member? Join our Disney family here.

Disney's Visa® Credit Card from Bank One®

• Earn a full 1% in Disney Dream Reward Dollars on your card purchases!
• Redeem your rewards with no black-out dates for Disney vacations, merchandise and more!
• Pay no interest for 6 months on selected Disney vacation packages!
• Get 0% intro APR on card purchases and balance transfers - plus, no annual fee!
• Get 25 Disney Dream Reward Dollars FREE when you become a Disney's Visa Cardmember!

Disney's Visa Card -- a way to take your family on the vacation they've been wishing for sooner and even more affordably than you ever thought possible! For more details, click here.

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!

News From Around The "World"

The 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon will take place January 7-9, 2005. Active, reserve, or retired members of the military now have their own division. For more details or to sign up, click here.

Nickelodeon is taping a new live game show, "Splat," at Universal Studios through August 27. Several guests will be chosen as contestants! Call 407/224-4233 to learn how you can participate.

SeaWorld Orlando will host a Latino celebration, "Viva La Musica!," Sept 25-26, 2004. Features music, concerts, dance, food and crafts of the Latino culture.

"Disney Magic's stop in Old San Juan may bring wave of business to island." (Orlando Sentinel, 08/10/04) For the rest of the story, 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.

Melissa and her family visited WDW in May, 2004. We were going to publish the conclusion of her trip report in this issue, but we postponed it to next week so we could share Beth's comments with our readers.

	Our ticket agent provides our customers with great prices on tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other Florida attractions!
	We are pleased to announce Walt Disney World Ticket Offers that are NOT available at the gate or Disney's web site:

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.

Money Saving Tip

Discounts at Universal Orlando:Chase Universal Entertainment MasterCard cardholders enjoy the following benefits:

• Discounts on 2-Day 2-Park and 3-Day 2-Park Tickets, 2-Park Preferred Annual Passes, and 2-Park Annual Power Passes when purchased online
• Discounts on merchandise and food at the parks
• Discounts on food at CityWalk and on CityWalk Party Passes
• Discounts on Vacation Packages
• To see all the benefits at Universal Studios, click here. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this file.
• Apply now and receive a movie ticket with your first purchase!

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
lunch at Walt Disney World!

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John

http://www.affordabledisney.com
johngross@affordabledisney.com

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