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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 August 10, 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." These Passholders can book Disney rooms from $59 January 2 - February 15! -------------------------------- Stay at this luxury hotel, adjacent to EPCOT and Walt Disney World Resort, from only $179/night! The hotel is a 1500-acre paradise with private lake, golf and miles of tropical nature trails for bicycling, horseback riding and jogging. Plus! You'll get a coupon book filled with 13 redeemable vouchers for resort activities worth more than $300.00! Offer valid between June 1, 2005 and September 30, 2005. -------------------------------- Airline Inclusive Vacation Packages Beth writes: "The vacation branch of this airline is currently offering $75 per person off their Disney World air-inclusive vacation packages for travel by September 22. The advantage is obviously the savings. The disadvantages are that you're not only subject to the pitfalls of a Disney package (namely, cancellation fees), but also to the airline's package (more cancellation fees). If this airline services your home airport and you're committed to going, and you can pay in full pretty much right away (which you'd have to do even booking directly with Disney if booking less than 45 days prior to arrival), then it's a nice way to save. And yes, the free dining offer still applies!" -------------------------------- DISNEYLAND PARIS
More magic for less money! This vacation package starts at $242 per
adult:
Includes:
Plus! On select dates, for each adult booking, a child gets her package for FREE! -------------------------------- DISNEY CRUISE LINE NEW! 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean Cruises on the Disney Wonder in September, 2006! The first time the Disney Wonder has sailed for more than 4 nights! Ports of call include St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Antigua and, for the first time, Barbados and St. Kitts. Rates start at $1,299 per person. -------------------------------- LAS VEGAS
This hotel & casino has the perfect way to spend long summer days.
Spend lazy days amid the lush elegance of their sparking pool. Laugh over
drinks and dance to the live entertainment. Rejuvenate your mind and body
with a Watsu Massage, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, Indian Head Massage,
and more in their Spa & Salon.
Beth writes: "$149 a night is a STEAL! --------------------------------
Hotel & Casino Summer Splash! Starting at $89 per room! Enjoy
award-winning restaurants, pools and spa, as well as must-see shows. It's
time to give yourself a vacation from the ordinary. Includes:
Offer valid 08/08/05 through 11/01/05 Sun - Thurs only. Book by August 29, 2005. -------------------------------- OTHER VACATION SPECIALS 4-night Bahama cruise on select dates in August and September on this luxury ship profiled on the TLC program "Dry Dock." From $209 per person, double occupancy! Hurry! Offer expires August 12, 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" This year's Candlelight Processional narrators:
Rita Moreno (Nov 25-27) -------------------------------- Protecting patient's privacy or Disney from bad PR? "After a summer filled with tragedy at Disney World, Channel 9 has learned why it will soon be much more difficult to learn about accidents and deaths at the theme park. That's because the fire department that sends ambulances to Disney wants to scramble all their radio transmissions. That means the public probably wouldn't know when paramedics were called out to an incident." (Source: wftv.com, 08/09/05) -------------------------------- "The British teen who collapsed after a Walt Disney World ride last month was flown by air ambulance back to Great Britain on Saturday, still in critical condition. Leanne Deacon, 16, suffered cardiac arrest July 16 after she rode the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/07/05) "Leanne Deacon is now being treated at Leicester General Hospital, where her condition has been described as "stable". (Source: edinburghnews.scotsman.com, 08/08/05) -------------------------------- "A 12-year-old girl died Thursday evening after passing out at the wave pool at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, marking the third time in three months that a young person has suddenly fallen critically ill while visiting Walt Disney World." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/05/05) -------------------------------- CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Disney-MGM Studios
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Disney's Boardwalk Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort (Source: Walt Disney World Mailer, 08/09/05) -------------------------------- DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA "Last week's collision on the California Screamin' roller coaster occurred three months after Disney made major modifications to the braking system without consulting the ride's manufacturer. State records show Disney changed two brakes in April - in the areas where a purple train passed through without stopping before colliding with a red train and sending 15 people to the hospital. The modifications were found to be safe by state investigators during a June 2 inspection. (Source: ocregister.com, 08/05/05) -------------------------------- Disneyland and California Adventure now have menus in Spanish and automatic kiosks where guests can order their meals on a touch screen. "Customers touch the screen to make selections and can modify orders to hold the mayo or add extra fries. The machines accept credit cards and cash. After the order is placed and payment accepted, guests walk to a counter where an employee distributes the food." The Spanish menus are available at full service restaurants at the parks and hotels. (Source: ocregister.com, 08/04/05) -------------------------------- HONG KONG DISNEYLAND "If it is possible in California, why is Hong Kong Disneyland reluctant to use environmentally friendly fireworks, a member of the government's advisory body on the environment asked Monday... Disney's plan to stage nightly fireworks at its Penny's Bay site in Lantau Island when it opens in September has been subject to criticism from residents of nearby Peng Chau Island and Discovery Bay, who have complained of excessive noise and air pollution. (Source: The Standard, 08/02/05) -------------------------------- 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 a Vegas-style resort in Hollywood, Florida: "I had an unexpected opportunity to travel to the Hard Rock Resort & Casino in Hollywood, Florida for two nights this week. The resort is a stone's throw from the Ft. Lauderdale airport and Port Everglades (cruise ship terminal). It's also sandwiched between I-95 and the Florida Turnpike, so very easy to reach. In fact, it's just about a 3-hour drive down the turnpike from Disney! Despite the Hard Rock name, this resort is NOT part of the Loews hotel chain like the Hard Rock at Universal Studios. It is, however, located on a Seminole Indian reservation which is why they can operate a casino. The resort is about as close as you're going to get to a Vegas-style resort in Florida. The large casino attracts many celebrities (especially local pro athletes), and a good deal of space is dedicated to poker tables. Nickel and dime slots are abundant, but quarter and dollar slots still have a solid presence as well. I'm sure the casino is busy during peak season, but this week we found it to be very quiet, even in the evenings. Beware, though... smoking IS permitted. There are 17 dining establishments, including a Hard Rock Cafe and a Johnny Rockets, plenty of shops, a comedy club, and a nice theater which plays host to some decent headliner acts. The upcoming Tim McGraw concert is sold out, but there are still tickets available for Journey. :-) The pool area is amazing, and really beautiful. Lots of waterfalls, two zero-entry areas, a water slide and two or three hot tubs, a sandy "beach," and even a number of cabanas with TVs! The pool bar is located in the center of the lagoon-style pool. Two thumbs up! The rooms are... interesting. Our standard room overlooking the pool was of a decent size, and the beds (complete with down comforters and pillows) are VERY comfy. There's a great TV and sound system, and you get a free CD of rock music hits when you check in so you can try it out. The complimentary shampoo and conditioner have a very strange scent (and not a pleasant one in my opinion), but the have decent coffee in the room and a free safe so that made up for it, I guess. We requested and quickly received a small frig at no additional charge - but don't even THINK about opening the minibar. They warn you at check-in, but we just had to take a peek, and wouldn't you know, one of the candy bars moved. It didn't move much, but it was enough to get my room charged $4.50 for it! The front desk took the charge off without question, though. The decor is on the minimalist/industrial side, but not horrible. My only real gripe was the noise. Our neighbors seemed to really enjoy the sound system - even after midnight - but a quick call to the front desk solved that problem. (You don't mess with these security guys when they come knocking on your door!) Even after the music was turned down, though, we still heard lots of slamming doors, voices in the hallway, thumps and bumps from above, etc. If you're a light sleeper, bring ear plugs! Nearby is the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame, which is conveniently located next to a HUGE Bass Pro Shop. I'm not a huge fishing fan myself, but the fishing simulators and the IMAX-like movie at the museum are pretty neat, as is the boardwalk area outside. You can get admission discounts for the museum inside the Bass Pro Shop, or use your AAA card. Next to the resort is a living history museum of the Seminole Tribe. I wasn't at the resort long enough to get over there, but it looked neat. The Billie Swamp Safari (featuring airboat rides) is nearby. We took an hour-long journey north on the turnpike to check out Lion Country Safari, and I have to say that I was impressed. It took us about two hours two drive through the wildlife park while listening to the CD narration. The animals are free to roam, and they do. We had to stop several times to allow zebras, giraffes, etc. to cross the road. There are no fences between you and the animals, and even on a day as hot as this one we had no trouble spotting everything mentioned on the recording. Included in admission is entrance to a second area that requires you to park and walk. There you can purchase nectar to feed lorries that sit on your hand, see a HUGE tortoise, wander through a petting zoo, cool off in a little water park area, and more. The highlight, though, is feeding the giraffes. There were two there on our day, and both were very eager to stick out their long tongues to grab small pieces of (purchased) treats. At around $20 for adults and $15 for children the Lion Country Safari isn't cheap, but you can download a coupon from their website for $2 off per person, which is the same discount AAA cardholders get. (See MONEY SAVING TIP below for link.) Southwest Florida has no shortage of tourist attractions. In short, I was impressed. The two children with us, ages 13 and 7, had a great time, and I took turns with my adult travel companion doing short bouts in the casino in the evenings while the other one watched the kids. The "rack" rate at this time of year is $149 per night + tax, and you get a lot for that compared to other nice resorts in the area - but you'll pay dearly for the food and beverage at most places, and most places did NOT have children's menus. (Hint: Try the soup and sandwich combo for $4.95 or the prime rib dinner for $15.95 at the Blue Plate. Yum!) Gamble early in the day if you don't like to be around smokers, and don't forget that you shouldn't go into a casino thinking you're going to win money. If you're looking for a few days of anti-Disney to balance your trip out, or a place to hang for a day before you do your next cruise, this is a fun option."
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.
Amy, a Lifetime Member, writes: "I was writing to see if anyone has ever written in about the Night of Joy concerts at MK. I was looking into it for my 9 and 11 year old, but don't want to waste the time and money if the crowds are too big and if we won't be able to enjoy it. Thanks for the help." I haven't gone, but I hear that the place is full of teens who can be pretty loud and hyperactive. If it's crowded, expect long waits to get on the rides and buses will be crowded at closing time.
With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, restaurants near WDW, and more! For details, click here.
Cynthia writes: "John, In the last few days my family has shown interest in going to Universal Studios in the near future. One in our party cannot walk long distances and has to use a wheel chair. We know how wonderful WDW is to her, and we are now wondering if Universal Studios is also a wheelchair friendly environment. Could you please tell us what you know about this? Thanks so much!" Universal is wheelchair friendly. You'll find their official Rider's Guide at their website. If you go, send me a trip report about your wheelchair experiences!
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 Lion Country Safari: 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee, FL 33470. Phone: 561/793-1084. As America’s first drive-through cageless zoo, Lion Country Safari has been a leader in conservation since 1967. Lion Country Safari provides a habitat in which many endangered or threatened species live and reproduce. Voted Best Local Attraction. Get $2.00 off per person with this coupon. Expires 08/09/06.
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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