Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation

The Disney News
Updates from Affordable
Walt Disney World Vacation

March 30, 2005 - Issue #261
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross.
All rights reserved.

Save at Disney World with The Disney News!

Hi Everyone!

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

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Deals and Updates as of March 30, 2005

We continuously update our information and you can find these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD

A reminder... The following deals are for Affordable Disney members only. Only our travel agent can book these specials for you. Disney cannot honor these rates if you call yourself, since they are NOT available to the general public. Members should reserve their rooms as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Affordable Disney Member Special at WDW November 2005

Beth, our travel agent, writes:

"We have blocked space in standard rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter for November 2 thru 22 (inclusive) - 20 rooms per night. The price on these rooms is $99 per night INCLUDING TAX for up to four person of any age per room. Given that the "rack rate is $149 PLUS tax, and the AAA discount is $126.65 PLUS tax, we are thrilled about being able to offer you these rates.

Affordable Disney Member Special at WDW December 2005

We have blocked standard rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter and Wilderness Lodge for November 27 thru December 18 (inclusive) - 30 standard rooms at Port Orleans for $99 per night INCLUDING TAX, and 20 courtyard view rooms at Wilderness Lodge for $199 per night INCLUDING TAX. The usual rates for this time of year are $134 per night PLUS tax at Port Orleans and $255 per night PLUS tax at Wilderness Lodge. You save $50.41 per night at Port Orleans and $85.33 per night at Wilderness Lodge!"

Cool Deals On Florida's West Coast

Beth, our travel agent, writes: "Lots of families like to pair their Disney trip with a beach vacation and many also enjoy the "quiet" side of the state - the west coast. There are a handful of non-Disney beach locations that can actually be booked through Disney reservations; however, I've found that I don't have to work very hard to meet their prices most of the time. I have several sources that I use to find good rates, including packagers and wholesalers." Rates start at 3 nights from $164 including tax!

Luxury Resort

Four acres of themed experiences under glass, including innovative restaurants, fascinating shops and live entertainment. Spring Special Offer valid on the following dates: April 1-2, 14-16, 26-30, 2005 only. From $219 plus tax per room per night (Based on a 2-night minimum). Package includes:

  • Florida-view accommodations

  • Gourmet buffet breakfast for two each morning

  • Unlimited use of the world-class Fitness Center

  • Complimentary high-speed Internet access

  • In-room fridge stocked with Dasani® bottled water

  • Complimentary shuttle to WDW Theme Parks, SeaWorld and Universal Studios

DISNEYLAND, CALIFORNIA

  • How to get a local discount at the Disneyland hotels without being a local resident!

  • Disneyland has announced its Fall Vacation Package!

  • Disneyland Hotel Special: This non-Disney source is offering "Stay 4 nights get the last night FREE!" at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian Hotel.

  • Stay and play at this beautiful San Diego Resort located next to SeaWorld. Enjoy a full resort experience with waterfalls cascading into the pool, supervised children’s activity programs, sailboat and wave runner rentals, spa treatments, and more. These super discounts are available only from April 1 to June 30, 2005, and are based on availability. So book now and save!

VEGAS

Spring special at this luxury Hotel & Casino. Select nights March through June, 2005 from $79.99 per night! Includes 2 for 1 Breakfast, 2 for 1 Drinks, and more! Offer must be booked by April 3, 2005 and is valid until June 30, 2005.

OTHER VACATION SPECIALS

"The best cruise line for Europe" is having a "Europe 3-Day Sale" which begins Wednesday, March 30, 2005 and continues through April 1, 2005.

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Affordable Disney Members should log in at our password-protected site (The Disney Reading Room) to access the particulars about the above mentioned specials.

If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here.

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News From Around The "World"

"Tourism industry folks are feeling fat and happy this spring. More evidence of the strength of the travel season: Universal Orlando is extending its Mardi Gras celebration by three weeks until the end of April. It's the first time the annual event has been extended." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/30/05)

"A 42-year-old wooden roller coaster that has been a Panama City Beach landmark may make its way to [Cypress Gardens]... The coaster was built by legendary designer John Allen in 1963 and undulates for 2,000 feet atop whitewashed latticework. It remains in Panama City Beach and will be dismantled and then reconstructed at its new home." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/28/05) For the rest of the story, click here.

Daytona Lagoon: "A water park in the heart of Daytona Beach's tourist zone had been envisioned as a key part of beach revitalization, but in its previous incarnation as Adventure Landing, the $15 million water park drowned in a sea of red ink from its opening day in 1998...

Now resurrected as Daytona Lagoon, the park has a new pricing structure and a cheaper lease with Volusia County, and it has undergone more than $3 million in renovations..."

Money Saving Tip: Florida residents save $7.00 per adult ticket and can buy a season pass for $60. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/26/05) For the rest of the story, click here.

NEWS CONTINUES BELOW

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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!
Got coupons?


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

Save BIG on your Walt Disney World vacation!


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More News From Around The "World"

TOKYO DISNEYSEA

"From May 16 through August 31, 2005, Tokyo DisneySea Park will present the special event "Aladdin’s Whole New World," in which the characters from the Disney film Aladdin will bring the guests visiting the Park a tale of magic, comedy and adventure.

The special event’s entertainment program will be presented on the waters of Mediterranean Harbor, where a group of young travellers led by Aladdin and Jasmine will face off against the evil Grand Vizier Jafar and his minions in an exciting competition on the water. Amidst all the excitement, the Genie of the lamp will also appear, adding his special magic and humor to the show." (Source: Tokyo DisneySea, 03/23/05) For the rest of the story, click here.

DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

"Disneyland Park will be closed on May 4. This will allow our Cast to completely transform the park into its dazzling 50th anniversary regalia... Downtown Disney District, all three Disneyland Resort Hotels and Disney's California Adventure park will be open and welcoming Guests as usual. At Disney's California Adventure guests "will have the opportunity to experience a preview of 'Block Party Bash,' a wacky, wild parade and dance party in the streets with all the favorite friends from Disney/Pixar films." (Source: Disneyland Resort, 03/29/05)

Disneyland California has reduced the parking lot speed to 14 mph. (Source: latimes.com, 03/19/05) For the reason why, 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. Certain newspapers require a free registration to view their articles online.

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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!

"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 $300.00! Thanks." Janet Handy, Bel Air, MD

"Plenty of roadside outfits in Orlando promise discounted tickets, but most of them really want to rope you into a time-share sales pitch in exchange for vouchers - accept at your own risk. [Affordable Disney's ticket agent], though, is legit." The New York Post, November 16, 2004.

NEVER overpay again! Join our Disney family today and keep that extra money in YOUR pocket!

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Beth, our travel agent, writes about her last stay at Port Orleans Riverside:

"I've walked through this resort many times, but this was the first time for staying there. I have to give it two thumbs up. The room we had was one of the refurbished ones. The beds are now rather high, but ultra-comfy. The room has a new piece of furniture to house a small refrigerator. I heard that including the refrigerators in the moderate and deluxe rooms was a test program, but I can't imagine that they are spending all this money for the equipment and the furniture to put it in if they aren't committed to it. And the frig is larger than the tiny dorm-type ones they rent for $10 a day, too.

I didn't think that the addition of the privacy curtain between the dressing area and sleeping area would be that big of a deal, but it was REALLY nice to have it since we had some shy children in the party. Our room was clean and in very good shape. Other than what I mentioned, I didn't really notice major changes to the rooms compared to my last stay in a moderate resort.

The two children (ages 5 and 6) were totally content with the regular pool right next to our end of the building, but once they tried out the themed pool they didn't want to do the other one anymore. Who could blame them? It's a very cool pool! And plenty of life guards, too. I was amazed to see that there were at least six of them to cover a pool that most places would have assigned no more than two or maybe three guards to.

I have also come to the conclusion that there really isn't a "bad" building to stay in at PO-Riverside. The themed pool is very centralized, and it's easy to get over to the main building, too. No matter where you are you'll have to do some walking, but I can't say that it's significantly worse from one area than any other. HINT: Before leaving your room the first time, take a good look at the map and determine what bus stop is closest to you. The drivers can't tell you which one to get off at based on your building name or room number, so decide in advance which one you want.

We also learned that walking through the buildings to get from one place to another is a maze. It is MUCH more direct (and faster) to go out to the parking lot or to the main path along the river and then go. You can walk in a straight line from there to where you want to go rather than weaving in and out.

The peacefulness and tranquility of the Riverside grounds make this a wonderful contrast to the noise and bustle of the parks. I still think I like French Quarter better because of its smaller size, but I wouldn't hesitate to stay at Riverside again."

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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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Money Saving Tip

A#1 Bass Guide Service: 800-707-5463. Bass fishing charters only minutes from Disney. Half or full days. Fully rigged bass boats. All equipment, licenses and bait provided. Transportation available. Single or convention groups welcome. Get $10.00 off any guided trip. Click here and scroll down for coupon. Offer Expires December 31, 2005.

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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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See You Real Soon!

John

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

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