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| Hi Everyone!
As many of you know, Donna and I are supporters of the Make- A-Wish Foundation®. Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children who are facing life-threatening medical conditions. The wish of many of these children is to visit Walt Disney World. We made our last contribution in December, 2004. Make-A-Wish writes: "Few things are more exciting than a child's wishes and dreams. Together we make these wishes come true for children who face life's greatest challenges. Thank you for your donation, which is helping make wishes come true today. The need for support is urgent, and you have made a difference." Not only we, but all of you, have made a difference! Donna and I will continue to offer our support to this wonderful organization in 2005. Now... Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
AFFORDABLE DISNEY CRUISE SPECIALS FOR OUR MEMBERS Beth, our travel agent, writes:
"Our first DCL promo of the year will be the week of January 30. Most 2005
and 2006 cruise and land/sea vacation dates are included. All members that
book a NEW Disney cruise or cruise vacation that week will get:
Plus! We have group space blocked on the 3-night Disney Wonder cruise sailing DECEMBER 8, 2005. Regardless of the cabin category booked, participants will get $50 off the normal cabin price. This is NOT combinable with the promotion above, but I will still send out a Passporter guide to those that book the group cruise during the promotion. We hope to have a nice, big group of people joining us on this cruise. We only have limited space, though, so don't wait long!" Members should log in for details. Not a member? Join our Disney family here.
Deals and Updates as of January 13, 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" "Ms. Cayz spent four months at her favorite vacation destination, when she interned with the Walt Disney World College Program in Orlando... She said the Walt Disney World College Program helped her develop skills that are useful in her field." (Source: newszap.com, 01/10/05) For the rest of the story, click here. Disneyland Paris is adding new attractions to increase attendance. "The theme park has announced the opening next year of the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast attraction, based around one of the star characters of the animated film Toy Story... In 2007, the park will launch a Toon Studios attraction allowing visitors to "experience the magical workings of Disney animated films from an insider's point of view". (Source: Times On Line, 01/11/05) For the rest of the story, click here. "Disney Mobile, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group, is now offering consumers an extensive array of character voice ringtones featuring the voices of their most popular Disney and Disney/Pixar characters. The ringtones are currently available to customers of major carriers nationwide for a fee of $2.50 per ringtone. "The technology behind Epcot's new Turtle Talk attraction may represent the wave of the future." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/10/05) For the rest of the story, click here. "[George] Millay, 75, is from an age when a California restaurateur with no experience in the amusement-park business could become a pioneer with two kinds of parks. Before he opened Wet 'n Wild in Orlando, the first park of its kind in the world, he created SeaWorld, the first modern marine park, in San Diego." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/09/05) For the rest of the story, click here. Disney Imagineers are creating concept art for a "Pirates of the Caribbean" themed water park! (Source: Jim Hill Media, 01/06/05) For the rest of the story, click here. "The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation has contributed $1,000 to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture to support an exhibit at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The display is called 'The Great American Farm' and will present information about the importance of farming and ranching to everyone's lives... The Great American Pizza Game, a game show in the exhibit's theater, is the biggest hit. The object is to match states with pizza ingredients. Guests are divided into two teams - Thin Crust and Deep Dish. The team that ends up with the most ingredients on its virtual pizza is the winner." (Source: Wisconsin Ag Connection, 01/06/05) For the rest of the story, click here. Here's a not too flattering article on security at Disneyland, California. What do you think about the article? NEWS CONTINUES BELOW |
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More News From Around The "World" Disney is now equipping the Deluxe and Moderate resorts with coffee makers and providing free coffee and condiments! On April 10, the Princess Storybook Breakfast will be replaced with the Princess Storybook Dining at Restaurant Akershus at the Norway pavilion in Epcot. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served. Guests at WDW can now download their digital photos to CD at the parks' camera centers. It will eventually be available at the hotels as well. Consequently, Disney has eliminated its film processing! "ESPN The Weekend" will take place at MGM February 27, 2005. Fans will get to see their favorite athletes. Closed for rehab: The Trinidad North quiet pool at the Caribbean Beach Resort is closed January 4 - February 7, 2005. DISNEYLAND Disney's 2005 Romance Package includes candlight dinner, spa treatment, souvenir gift and limited edition pins. The package can be added on to any Disney vacation package. With hotel and tickets, the price comes to $325 per couple. Closed for rehab: Splash Mountain: January 10-14 and January 18 - March 17 (Source: Promotional email from Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort, 01/11/05) 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. Certain newspapers require a free registration to view their articles online.
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.
Beth, our travel agent, continues her discussion about free Disney bus transportation: "To use the luggage pre-check service you must stop by the special desk at the hotel between 6AM and 2PM (and at least 2.75 hours before the flight). You will also receive boarding passes for your flights home, thus eliminating the need to stand in a check-in line at the airport. You just go straight to security! This is great for families that have flights leaving later in the day.
The airlines that participate in baggage pre-check and boarding passes are
American, United (and TED), Delta (and SONG) and Continental. You can't check-in
for a flight more than 12 hours prior to the flight time. If you're not using
one of these airlines then you can still get the free trip back, but can't
use the baggage pre-check and boarding pass service.
The airport check-in service is operated by a TSA-approved company (not Disney) and all the usual rules apply. Everyone needs to come to the desk to check in and passports and/or photo ID are needed for everyone. If you lock your bags they may have to break the lock at the airport to look inside unless you use the new TSA-approved locks that they can get into. To reserve your transportation space you must provide your Disney room/package reservation number (unless the transportation is booked at the same time), the airline and flight #s, the city of origin for the flight coming into Orlando, and the destination city for your departing flight. Again, you can't add this until after January 2, and it is only for reservations starting May 5, 2005 or later. Buses will make 3-4 stops, so it's not necessarily a real time-saver; and they will not stop at a grocery store like the private drivers. Still, to save $100 or so, it's going to be worth it for most folks. The service will run 24/7 and they will be tracking flights so even if you arrive late they will wait for you and ensure that you get to the hotel. If you miss your incoming flight for some reason, but your bags make it, they will hold the bags at the airport until you physically arrive in Orlando. If you get to your room and one or more of your bags doesn't show up, then you contact the Magical Express deck at your resort and they will assist. If you check your bags at the hotel and then fail to appear at the airport for the flight, federal regulations require that your baggage be pulled off the plane. This can cause delays and everyone on the plane will hate you."
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
Planet Hollywood - Downtown Disney West Side: 407/827-7827. Three
NEW
coupons:
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. |
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