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Hi Everyone!
In this issue...
Now... lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
Deals and Updates as of July 20, 2005 We continuously update our information and you can find these current specials in our Addenda:
WALT DISNEY WORLD
"Hi John, I just joined your affordable Disney group. My wife and I have
been planning a trip to Disney World in December. When we ... saw the prices
we were just awed."
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "Prices are at least $50 per cabin below Disney's current pricing, it's a short cruise over a weekend so you don't have to take a lot of time off work, you can easily combine it with our great room rates, and the ship is all decked out (so to speak) for the holidays." -------------------------------- Discounts for teachers, military, government workers, and nurses from ANY country at these luxury resorts on Disney property! Save USD$100.00 or more per night! -------------------------------- Great deals at this Downtown Disney Resort Hotel that provides complimentary bus service to all the parks every 30 minutes.
-------------------------------- Florida Resident Special at WDW starting at $59 per night! --------------------------------
Beth, our travel agent, can book an add-on package for Epcot's Food and
Wine Festival September 30 - November 13, 2005 for only $119 + tax per
person! Includes:
-------------------------------- Another note from Beth: "I have a client who is doing a family group in October. They have a GREAT rate for concierge level rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge for October 13-14-15 and will not be using all the space that is currently blocked, so we can sell up to 4 more rooms to anyone else who wants to take advantage. As you know, we are not allowed to advertise prices, but I can say that it's a VERY good rate - and given that you can't even access annual pass or Florida resident rates for these dates at this point, it's just that much sweeter. First ones to ask get them!" --------------------------------
Universal Summer/Fall Vacation Package saves you $340! Includes:
-------------------------------- LAS VEGAS The most spectacular suites the Strip has to offer are now available this summer at this luxury hotel & casino from only $149 per night! Valid from June 27 to Sept 12, 2005. Hurry! Book by July 25, 2005! -------------------------------- 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.
Universal Entertainment MasterCard® from Chase Bank
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Resources
 Affordable Airfare
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD" Walt Disney World "Fourteen Disney Cruise Line buses were removed from service this week because of concerns about two separate fires in the past 11 months. The buses are operated by Orlando-based Mears Transportation Group, which shuttles Disney customers between Orlando and the coast. Both fires were attributed to problems with the buses' braking systems, which are being replaced in the remaining vehicles." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/16/05) -------------------------------- Beth, our travel agent, writes: "I have it on good advice that August 15 will be the day that Candlelight Processional dinner package reservations go on sale via Disney dining." -------------------------------- "SeaWorld Orlando confirmed Thursday that its proposed new attraction will be a "naturalistic water park" that will give visitors a chance to be in close contact with marine life while taking water rides... SeaWorld officials said one of the park's signature elements would be an attraction that would swoosh swimsuit-clad visitors down clear acrylic flumes amid a lagoon of jumping Commerson's dolphins, a rare species native to South America." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/15/05) The water park is scheduled to open in 2007. "The thought of kids careening down water slides at a planned SeaWorld water park brings no joy to Williamsburg resident Anthony Franco... The neighborhood lies in the shadow of SeaWorld, and the traffic makes too much noise, he said. "Just wait until they make it bigger," he warned." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/1905) -------------------------------- "Each summer, Gatorland offers thrill-seekers the chance to assist in its annual egg-collecting duties. When the park's randy reptile residents are done mating, trainers guide guests into the 10-acre breeding marsh in search of fertile nests. Once a mound is isolated from the protective mother, participants carefully excavate the pile of decomposing plant matter to unearth 30 to 70 eggs. From there, it's off to incubation and a safe birth." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/08/05) -------------------------------- "Disney guests must now put their index and middle fingers into a device at the turnstile that assigns a code to link the image of their fingers with their name and ticket... Universal Orlando relies on photographs to identify pass-holders, but by the end of the year it plans to roll out a new system that uses finger geometry. SeaWorld uses a variation of the finger-scanning device for its multiday pass holders but does not require it for single-day ticket holders." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/14/05) -------------------------------- "No one saw it coming. Over and over again, Leanne Deacon rode the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror thrill ride without a hitch. The British teen had visited Disney-MGM Studios six times in a week... Leanne remained in critical condition at Florida Hospital Orlando on Wednesday, a day after doctors discovered blood on her brain and performed emergency surgery." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/14/05) -------------------------------- "The sidewalk star, one of Hollywood's most venerable perks, is going corporate. Long available to celebrities with $15,000 and a project to promote, a version of the iconic symbol will be given for the first time Thursday to a company: Disneyland is receiving the pink terrazzo-and-brass star in honor of the Anaheim theme park's 50th anniversary." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/13/05) -------------------------------- Closed for Refurbishment Disney's Contemporary Resort South Garden Wing: May 30 - Oct. 31 Epcot:
The Living Seas: 8/21/2005 - Nov. 2005 -------------------------------- DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA Happy Birthday Disneyland! Disneyland turned 50 on July 17, 2005. Click here for related stories. "Thousands of Disney fans donned special gold-colored Mickey ears as they streamed through the entrance to Disneyland on Sunday, 50 years after the landmark opened its gates and gave birth to the modern theme park." (Source: Associated Press, 07/17/05) -------------------------------- 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.
Beth, our travel agent, writes about Disney dining reservations: "Disney is at it again. In their ongoing attempt to give added value to being a guest of a "real" Disney resort, they will now allow Disney resort guests to book up to 10 days of dining reservations at once up to 90 days prior to their arrival date. That means that Disney resort guests will have first shot at booking meals that are as many as 100 days out, including the ever-popular character breakfasts. This change effects ONLY people staying at Disney-owned and operated resorts. This does NOT apply to guests of the Swan and Dolphin, people traveling on DVC points, military staying at Shades of Green, and people staying at the Downtown Disney resorts. Guests of these hotels, as well as all resorts not on Disney property, may still book reservations 90 days prior to the day they want to eat. They will have to call back each day until they've covered all the days of their stay, just as they've been required to do for years. If you are staying at a Disney resort and have a reservation number, call 1-407-WDW-DINE at 90 days prior to arrival. How are you supposed to figure THAT out, you ask? Use this great website to look up the date. (Fill in your arrival date and then press the CALC button.) Note that you still have to cancel any pre-pay reservations you don't want lest you be charged a no-show fee. If you are part of the Affordable Disney November or December groups at Port Orleans and Wilderness Lodge, rest assured that we are working closely with the Groups department at Disney to find out how you will be able to take advantage of this new perk. They've always issued individual reservations numbers to group participants, but normally not until a few weeks before the travel date. Perhaps they will just have to start earlier now! :-)"
Sue writes: "Our family went to Fl. at the end of March and we were looking forward to a great time. My son, who has Aspergers Syndrome, a form of Autism was especially excited, which was great because he seldom shows excitement about anything. There were only 2 places he really wanted to go, that was Epcot and Kennedy Space center. After arriving and looking at different pamphlets we thought that Animal Kingdom would be something he would enjoy. We took the shuttle from the parking lot to Animal Kingdom and it was extremely crowded, especially since so many people had to stand. This was irritating to most and was especially for a person that has special needs and by the end of the trip it was especially bad for our son. The trip back on the shuttle to the parking lot was devastating for our son. The amount of people that were crowded onto the bus was unbelievable, people packed in seats not to mention all that were standing. Our son had a total melt down (a term used for autistic people). Neither my husband nor I were able to sit with him due to the amount of people packed on the bus. I saw him from behind (I was 2 seats back) and could tell what was happening to him, it was devastating. After getting off the shuttle our son would not let us comfort or console him, he couldn't stand to be touched because of this incident. Knowing that his main goal of going to Fl. was to go to Epcot and Kennedy we thought we would take him the next day to Epcot, but he wanted no part of going to either of the places. He asked if he would have to go on the shuttle again and we told him it was possible and he started to cry and said we would never go back. So that shuttle ride ended his expectations, any chance or thought we had of doing anything at the Disney parks, which was such a shame. After that all he wanted to do was stay at the motel and go to the pool. I did not see anything, shuttle wise, to make the Disney experience a nice one for the special needs. I do understand that the parks get crowded, but something should really be done about the shuttle situation. I enjoy the Affordable Disney newsletter and got some very helpful hints. I did not know who to contact about the problems we encountered, so I thought telling you this story you maybe able to get it to the appropriate persons in charge. Thank you." Sue, I'm very sorry to hear about your son's experience. Disney really loads those buses to capacity. You can make a complaint or a comment about your experiences at WDW... Disney has provided a form online. Snailmail your letter to:
COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS: For those who may find themselves in a similar situation, I would recommend calling a taxi or renting a car to avoid taking the shuttle to the parks.
Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price. Hundreds of books under $1.00! Plus! Over 700 videos have been marked down to $1.99. Exclusively for Affordable Disney Readers: Save $5.00 on an order of $35 or more! Coupon code: bookcloseouts; Coupon password: bargainbooks. Expires December 31, 2005. Click here to check out the bargains.
Reid writes: "John, My daughter is going with her school choir group to sing at Disneyland.... I am taking the whole family to Disneyworld for the international soccer tournament.... That same daughter will be playing in the soccer tournament. Here is my question: Being at Disneyland are there any savings or things you would recommend she buy at Disneyland (i.e.: tickets, or ?) for our family trip to Disneyworld?" No savings there. Buy your tickets for Disney World from our ticket agent. "The second part of that question... are there any particular savings or things we should do when someone in your party is participating in a Disneyworld event?" Disney has a separate division for youth groups and there are perks. For example, a chaperone gets one free chaperone ticket for every ten student tickets purchased. If you need more chaperone tickets than that, you can buy one additional chaperone ticket at the student price for every five student tickets. See the book for details. Regarding things you should do... Watch your daughter participate in her event and have a great vacation! "Thanks Again....this is an awesome site and I am going to tell my soccer team about you."
Here's a great deal on the 2005 Edition of the Orlando Entertainment Book, which can save you thousands on travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more! All 2005 Entertainment books are FREE when you pre-order the exciting 2006 edition! Offer expires July 31, 2005. For 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!
Money Saving Tip Islands Dining Room at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort: 6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando, FL 32819. 407/503-3000. Fax: 407/503-3010. Enjoy the taste of the islands and traditional menu items in Islands Dining Room. Present this coupon and receive $10.00 off lunch or dinner with purchase of two entrees. Valid through June 30, 2006.
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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