Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation

The Disney News
Updates from Affordable
Walt Disney World Vacation

December 23, 2004 - Issue #247
Copyright © 1999 - 2004 by John P. Gross.
All rights reserved.

Save at Disney World with The Disney News!

Hi Everyone!

Donna and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers the happiest of holidays!

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

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Deals and Updates as of December 23, 2004

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

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

  • Universal Orlando: Free Passes for Kids (Ages 3-9)!

  • Disney Cruise 2005 Early Bird Specials from $359 per person!

  • Dining Gift Certificates to restaurants in Orlando and in the WDW area. For a limited time, save another 50% off their discounted certificates!

DISNEYLAND, CALIFORNIA:

  • Kids Fly Free on this airline!

  • Stay at the Disneyland Hotels and receive FREE Disney Dollars!

  • Kids receive a Disneyland Three-day Park Hopper for FREE!

  • Adults can buy a Disneyland Park Hopper at the child's price!

  • Universal Studios Hollywood Buy A Day Get 2005 Free!

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

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News From Around The "World"

"Ticket prices at Universal Orlando will go up today for the third time this year -- by far the largest single-year increase in the theme park's history. Before tax, a one-day, one-park adult ticket to either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure will go up $5 to $59.75, a 9 percent increase over the old price... In the price changes that take effect today, Universal increased the price of every ticket it offers -- including multi-day passes -- except its most expensive annual pass. Two- and three-day multiple-park passes increased about 5 percent, while the cost of a five-day pass went up 25 percent.

Still, even with the increases, Universal's two, three and five-day tickets will be cheaper than similar tickets at Disney. The price of a one-park adult ticket at the two resorts will match." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/18/04)

"The television quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," hosted by Meredith Vieira, will tape five weeks of episodes during January at Disney-MGM Studios. The tapings will take place inside the "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" set on Jan. 12-16, with multiple episodes taped each day.

A limited number of audience tickets are available in advance and can be requested at millionairetv.com. A limited number of tickets will also be available the day of the tapings and will be distributed inside Disney-MGM Studios on a first-come, first-served basis, while seats last, on taping days." (Source: Walt Disney World, 12/17/04)

Walk in January 15 at the Disney-MGM Studios and win! "Everyone who wants to participate in Walk In and Win Week must be at the Main Entrance of the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida by 7:30 am on Saturday, January 15." (Source: http://millionairetv.com/, 12/21/04) For more details, click here.

The Atlantic Dance Club located at Disney’s Boardwalk is having a New Years Eve Party.

Entertainment: The Big Ide band and a DJ playing music from the 70s to the present
Time: Starts at 9:00 PM
Snacks: Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres from 9:30 until 11:30 PM; a champagne toast, party favors and fireworks at midnight.
All guests must be 21 years old with proper ID
Tickets: Purchase at Atlantic Dance box office starting at 12 noon December 31. $40.00 per person. Call 407/939-2444.

--------------------------------

"Golf carts at Disney's Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge Golf Courses at the Walt Disney World® Resort are now equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices... These high-tech computers offer detailed 3-D renderings of golf holes and course features, measure exact distances from the golf ball to the flagstick, and at the touch of a button, share tips from professionals with helpful strategies for each hole."

DISNEYLAND, CALIFORNIA

To celebrate Mickey's 75 anniversary, "a collection of specially-created Mickey Mouse statues is en route to the Disneyland® Resort and will be on display Jan. 10 through Feb. 22, 2005."

(Source: Promotional e-mail from Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, 12/21/04)

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AFFORDABLE DISNEY BOOKS

Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price! Children's books starting at 19 cents! No per book shipping charges! Hundreds of books under $1.00!

Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price. Hundreds of books under $1.00!

  • Shop now for an additional 50% off their already low prices on over 2500 titles. Items will sell out fast. Don't miss out.
  • Plus! Over 700 videos have been marked down to $1.99.
  • Plus! Save $5.00 on your $35 purchase: Coupon Code: fall-promo; Coupon Password: bookcloseouts.
  • Hurry! Sale Ends: December 31 at 12:00am EST.

To check out the bargains, click here.

Resources

Save with Disney's Visa!
Disney Discounts!

Universal Orlando Discounts!
Universal Discounts!


Cash Back Shopping - Save up to 40% on your next online purchase. Over 700 stores to choose from. Get $2 just for signing up and get paid to refer others!
Rebates up to 40%!
No forms to mail in!

If your accommodations include a full kitchen, you can order frozen,  pre-packaged meals from A La Zing delivered to your hotel. Just heat and serve! They offer a wide variety of dinners ranging from hearty home-cooked fare to elegant, gourmet dining. Be sure to check out the specials and samplers for the greatest savings.
Affordable Meals

Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price! Children's books starting at 19 cents! No per book shipping charges! Hundreds of books under $1.00!
Affordable
Disney Books


Get the guaranteed lowest prices at the Downtown Disney Resorts as well as at hotels, condos and vacation rentals outside Disney property. Plus! Receive up to a $100.00 rebate!
Affordable Hotels
Vacation Rentals

This service delivers as many as 230 flight options in a single search - more options than any other travel site. It's possible to save as much as 80%! Some prices are so low, the airlines have asked them not to reveal the name of their airline so they don't tip off the competition!
Affordable Airfare

Just enter in your travel dates, select the kind of car you want, and receive a list of car rental prices at over 12 companies starting with the cheapest price!
Affordable
Rental Cars

Our ticket agent provides great prices on tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other Florida attractions!
Affordable
Attraction Tickets


The 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!
Order today and get FREE shipping!


Save 40-70% on your favorite Disney Movie or CD! Cheap shipping, too!
Affordable Disney
Movies and CD's


Disney framed stock certificates are works of art. They feature Walt Disney and the Disney characters. Unlike stock brokers that require you to purchase several shares of stock, OneShare sells one share of stock and mails you the certificate. You pay for the stock plus a $39 fee that covers fees and commissions and shipping and handling of the certificate to your home. You can frame the stock certificate yourself or OneShare will frame if for you at a nominal cost.

Own a Piece of the
Magic Kingdom


Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation
Affordable
WDW Vacation


Orlando's Weather

Orlando's Weather

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Renea writes:

"Hello John:

We went to Disneyworld in June and in November. There isn't anything to report about the June trip worth while.

The November trip however was very eventful!

We arrived at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 4th. I decided since it was only myself and my 3 children to stay on airport property. We stayed at the La Quinta Inn North for only $34.50 including breakfast with my Entertainment rate.

The hotel was "o.k." There were young girls talking on their phones at midnight outside our door (until they saw my dirty looks and went down the hall). The room was clean enough and the breakfast was very good with waffles, fruit, yogurt, breads, and cereals.

We checked into the La Quinta Inn on Jamaican Court on International Drive. Stay away from this property at all costs! I mean this!

We only paid $39.50/night with breakfast but here is what happened to us:

  1. Both properties charged extra $ on my debit card for incidentals (I was only at the airport property for 10 hours)

  2. The second morning I woke up to a man screaming at his girlfriend and beating her. I called the front desk immediately. it took a second call down there for a manager to come up!

  3. Our bathroom was not cleaned. only dirty towels taken away. there was a man at the desk complaining that he was there for 7 days and never got his coffee replenished.

  4. there were people trying to get into a room with a key that obviously wasn't the correct one.

  5. the security guard and the desk clerk were sleeping at night watching t.v.

  6. I told them to take the charges off my debit card and I would pay cash. I took the cash out, went to pay and they charged my card again for 2 nights!

I was terrified to stay here so I walked next door to the embassy suites and explained my situation. I am a Hilton honors member so I got a suite for $99/night. the room was o.k., much better then the L.Q. but not as clean and maintained as it should have been. It is a nice place with indoor/outdoor pool, hot breakfast in the a.m. and manager's reception with free drinks for 2 hours every night.

The good part of our trip was the last. I made reservations at the Grand Floridian in the Lodge Concierge building where we always stay (we know everyone there by name). I paid for the 2 nights in advance. the problem is we were in the lodge for 1 night and a lagoon view the second because they were sold out. I went to the lodge building the night before check in and spoke with the desk clerk who I know very well. he called the room assigner and asked if we could stay in the lodge building both nights.

we arrived on Tuesday a.m. and the concierge staff greeted us as usual to take us to the lodge building. he brought us to the golden elevators (these are only accessible to those who are staying in the main building concierge). I asked him where we were going and he said they upgraded us for the night!

What a fantastic place! breakfast, snacks at lunch, tea in the afternoon, hot foods at night with champagne, beer, etc. then at 8:00 they had cordials and fancy deserts. the rooms are gorgeous, the staff very helpful and the service is great. I couldn't believe this place.

I went down the next morning to check out and into the lodge building and they let me keep my free upgrade! I was so happy after the nightmare we were in before. if your readers have the $ and want a very special treat, stay here!

they were also setting up the gingerbread house (which we watched the chefs put the gingerbread and icing on the house) and I came out of the Jacuzzi around midnight and they were starting to put all the Christmas trees up (even the large one in the lobby).

We always stay at the G.F. and after this experience, we won't stay anywhere else...

thanks for the newsletter every week. it helps when planning our trips."

Ahhhh... concierge service! If you got the cash, make a dash for those gold elevators!

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Tickets to Walt Disney World at rock bottom prices!


Our ticket agent provides our members with
great prices on tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other Florida attractions!

Exclusive Walt Disney World Ticket Offer!

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.

Immediate Online Delivery Available!

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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!

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Special Limited Time Promotion!

Save with Disney's Visa!

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.

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Money Saving Tip

Captain Nemo's All You Can Eat Seafood Feast: 5469 W. Hwy. 192, Kissimmee, FL. 2 miles east of I-4. 407/396-6911 or 407/239-7729. Enjoy a free beer, wine or soft drink with the purchase of any adult feast with this coupon.

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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

Immediate Online Delivery Available!

All for the price of a fast food
lunch at Walt Disney World!

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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.

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See You Real Soon!

John

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

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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.