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Hi Everyone! Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
Deals and Updates as of January 06, 2005 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" Extended breakfast hours for the Once Upon a Time Character Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table start January 30. The last seating for breakfast will be at 11:15 AM rather than at 10:20 AM. New lunch hours will be 1:00 to 2:55 PM. Rehab Schedule: Magic Kingdom Epcot DISNEYLAND Mickey's Shining Star Cavalcade will replace the Disneyland Parade of Stars January 7-27. (Source: Promotional email from Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort, 01/04/05) -------------------------------- "Delta Air Lines Inc. on Wednesday announced it is cutting domestic fares by up to 50 percent and scrapped its unpopular Saturday-stay requirements... Other features of the plan called SimpliFares include charging $50 instead of $100 to change tickets... The move would make the company, the nation's No. 3 airline, more like low-cost airlines such as Southwest Airlines Co..." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/05/05) For the rest of the story, click here. Fewer people are getting sick on Mission: Space. Has Disney softened the rides effects or are more visitors heeding the ride's warnings? (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/04/05) For the rest of the story, click here. Disney is working on Stitch's Great Escape in the Magic Kingdom to make it less scary. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/03/05) No details have been released yet. -------------------------------- New for 2005 at the themeparks:
AirTran Airways has added nonstop service between Tampa and Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport in Virginia. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/03/05) For the rest of the story, click here. -------------------------------- Following Disney's and Universal's recent price increases, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens raised their prices Monday, January 3. A single day ticket at SeaWorld now costs $59.75 + tax or about 11 percent more than 2004's price! Busch Gardens had a slow 2004 so they have only raised their price to $55.95. (We sent out a notice in our blog on Saturday notifying subscribers to buy their tickets before the price increase. To join Affordable Disney's Blog at Bloglines, click here. Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader: http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml) "The Buccaneers will hold their 2005 training camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, heading back to Central Florida for the fourth straight year." (Source: buccaneers.com, 12/29/04) For the rest of the story, click here. The Science of Queuing... "In geometry, the shortest distance between two points may be a straight line, but in queuing science that's heresy when long waits are concerned. If Disney guests saw what a one-hour wait looked like in a continuous single-file line, they'd be too demoralized to enter it, research suggests. That's why the [Indiana] Jones ride [at Disneyland, California] repeatedly cuts back and forth, and turns around bends and corners to prevent guests from ever spotting the front. The ride adroitly manages expectations as well, a basic concept in the science of queuing. By posting estimated wait times along the way, Disney helps guests make an informed decision about joining." (Source: latimes.com, 12/29/04) For the rest of the story, click here. For an article on Disney World for adults, click here. NEWS CONTINUES BELOW | Resources
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More News From Around The "World" "The "Happiest Celebration on Earth" marks the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland, the landmark destination that changed the way the world thinks about family vacations. When the 18-month celebration officially begins May 5, 2005, every Disney destination around the world, along with Disney Cruise Line, will join in the festivities with new attractions, shows and other offerings." Disneyland California
Walt Disney World, Florida - Imports from other parks:
Tokyo Disneyland Park
Disneyland, Paris
Disney Cruise Line The Disney Magic will sail to the Port of Los Angeles visiting the Mexican Riviera (Source: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, 12/30/04) -------------------------------- SeaWorld's new Annual Pass card is disappointing Passport members. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/31/04) For 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.
Disney's Visa® Credit Card from Bank One®
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.
INFO ON FREE DISNEY BUS TRANSPORTATION Beth, our travel agent, writes: "I've had a few questions on this, so I thought I'd clarify: As part of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary (which starts 5/5/05) ALL the Disney theme parks are making changes, additions, etc. which may or may not continue after the 18-month celebration. One of the changes that WDW is making is adding a much-needed airport transportation service - FOR FREE! If you've ever stayed at a Disney Resort or close by then you know that none of the Disney hotels and practically none of the none Disney resorts in the vicinity offer complimentary airport transportation. For a family of four, the most cost-efficient choice is a private car and driver which runs around $100-120 with gratuity, depending on what hotel you're at. While you do get to stop at a grocery store on the way in, it's still a lot to pay for transportation. Nonetheless, it's been an unavoidable expense. Well, starting 5/5/05, if you're staying at a Disney resort then you can use the brand new complimentary Magical Express service. You need to sign up (through your travel agent, online, or by calling Disney directly) at least 10 days prior (preferably at least 21 days prior). *** Special luggage tags must be placed on your bags prior to boarding your first flight. When you arrive in Orlando you go straight to the Disney Welcome Center (Level 1, A side) and you'll be directed to a comfy motorcoach which, when filled, will whisk you away to your hotel. Your bags will be collected off the luggage belt by Disney representatives and will eventually be delivered to your room. If you are on an international flight and Orlando is your first US city you will have to claim your bags to go through customs and then give them back. They will go to the baggage claim area at that point where the Disney representative will collect and transport them for you. For the return trip, you'll get a notice under the door the day prior telling you what time to meet the bus out front. It will average 2.5-3 hours prior to your flight time. They will NOT pick up your luggage from the room. Either haul it down yourself or call a bellman. (Call bell services early, because in peak hours you can have a long wait for them.) TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
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 NOTE: Disney's new ticket prices kick in January 2, 2005, but you still have a chance to purchase tickets at 2004 prices! Omar writes: "We will have plenty of 4 and 5 day hopper Plus passes and 5 day regular hoppers at the old system and price. Disney will be honoring them... I should have them for a couple of weeks after January 2nd until we sell out." Details on how to purchase these special passes will be provided with your Disney access codes as soon as you join our Disney family.
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!
Money Saving Tip Gift Cards: Did you receive a gift card that you can't use? Now you can sell or trade it online! See SwapAGift.com, ebay.com, and CardAvenue.com .
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. | ||||||
