|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brought to you by...
John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
We have divided Resorts into 10 sections.
NOTE: News sources remove their articles rather quickly. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the source's archives for the story. The source's URL is posted in its entirety to make it easier to track down the original article and avoid dead links. Be sure to copy and paste the entire URL in your web browser's address window. Certain news organizations require a free registration to view their articles online.
Stacie, a lifetime member since 2005, writes:
Thanks so much, Stacie, for your wonderful comments! As a lifetime member you're sure to get more great deals in the future!
"The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort said Monday it will randomly
pick a guest for a gas rebate of $1 for every mile driven roundtrip."
The promotion is only available to Florida residents and is good through
Labor Day. Those with hybrid cars will receive complimentary valet
parking.
2009 Walt Disney World Resort Rates Click here for 2009 resort rates and season dates.
2009 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages
Include:
PACKAGE OPTIONS: Disney’s Magic Your Way Package: Includes accommodations at a Disney resort and Magic Your Way base tickets for everyone in your party. Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining Plan: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Basic Dining Plan. Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining Plan: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan. Disney’s Magic Your Way Premium Package: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan, tours, Cirque du Soleil tickets, and recreational activities. Disney’s Magic Your Way Platinum Package: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan, tours, Cirque du Soleil tickets, recreational activities, Fireworks Cruise, Fantasmic! reserved seating, golf lessons, spa treatment, unlimited child care, itinerary planning, souvenir and turndown service.
"Walt Disney World has unveiled a rendering and a few details of some retheming
and renovations in the works for Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort --
theming it after the hugely-popular Pirates of the Caribbean ride/movies/games
franchise." The new look affects rooms in the Trinidad South Village section
and will debut in 2009.
"Your hotel room is your home away from home, with a few exceptions -- hundreds
of strangers from every corner of the world have slept there, and the hotel
staff may not have the same standards of cleanliness that you do at
home." For tips to help you sleep better at night, see:
Beth, our travel agent, writes about booking hotels off Disney property: "There was a time when I booked a LOT of Disney World vacations for people using non-Disney hotels. That was before Disney offered free airport transfers, Extra Magic Hours, dining options, and packages that made sense. Those perks cannot be overlooked. At least one of them (probably several) can go a very long way towards providing you with a vacation more comfortable and convenient than any non-Disney hotel could. And if you plan ahead then you've got an excellent shot at a promotional discount for most times of the year. There are, however, times when you can't plan ahead. There are other times that there isn't a promotional offer for your dates, or nothing affordable is available under the promotional offer. For those times, it makes plenty of sense to look at hotels that aren't owned and operated by Disney - particularly true if you don't need airport transfers and aren't interested in a dining plan. What you need to keep in mind, though, is that a wide-angle camera lens and a creative hotel staff can make a real dump look like pure luxury online.I read an article recently posted in MSNBC.com's family travel section. They were suggesting six hotels in the Kissimmee area as non-Disney alternatives. Two of them I've never seen and two of them I often send people to myself. The other two, though, I was shocked to see listed. In fact, I list one of them among the worst hotels I've ever checked out! It's true that online it looks nice enough. The location is pretty good, it has a separate check-in desk for kids, and it has a name that makes it sound like Mickey himself probably vacations there. I was shown two rooms there, though, that I wouldn't have sent clients on he tightest budgets to. The carpets were so dirty they were sticky. The small refrigerators had mildew in them, and I'm pretty sure the microwaves has never been cleaned. I'd have been afraid to take a shower without flip-flops on my feet. Ick! I actually stayed at a different hotel once (not on the MSNBC list) that looked fabulous online... bedroom, living room, "full" kitchen, manager's reception with beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres - nice! The pictures online were lovely. The actual units didn't look anything like the photos online. Well, they sort of did in that the layout was the same. The furniture we had, though, was stained and worn and falling apart. The bedding was dirty as were the towels. The little electric burner in our kitchen didn't work, and it was colder in the room than in the frig. There was no beer at the manager's reception; only a big jug of cheap red wine... which went well with the basket full of popcorn, the only food offered. The pool wasn't heated, but it was so dirty my daughter didn't want to go in anyway. BIG disappointment. Great location and a nice price, but I won't be going back. My point is that you need to do some homework if you're going to stay offsite - or at least talk with someone that's stayed in the place you're considering. Forget the online photos. Check out TripAdvisor.com or WeJustGotBack.com to see if there are recent reviews. Keep in mind that people tend to complain more than say nice things so you can't assume no nice comments means everything is bad. Do, however, consider the types of things being said. Are they things that you'd never notice, or things that would drive you nuts? If you need to stay offsite I can get you into rooms from about $32 a night including tax - but I wouldn't recommend those places. You really don't start getting into the moderately acceptable ones below $50-60 a night. Most times of the year $75 + tax will get you into something not too bad at all, and $100-120 will get you something pretty decent. There are exceptions, of course, but that's sort of a good scale to follow. Beware of places that are selling super-cheap. There's probably a reason for it, and you need to figure out what that reason is before you book."
32 rooms have been refurbished at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort with
a "Finding Nemo" theme. Rumor is that the rest of the rooms will have their
walls torn down "between various units so that Disney can then book these
now-supersized-rooms (Which will be themed to Disney's 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
franchise) as family suites."
"Through a fluke of existing travel plans, my husband's extensive work travel
schedule and a little bit of luck, I managed to visit all five resorts
- 11 different theme parks - in less than a year." |
Resources
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Wave Brings a Splash of Fun, Healthful Dining to Disney’s Contemporary Resort LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With drinks like the Antioxidant Cocktail, entrées such as whole-wheat linguine with clams, rock shrimp and fresh thyme in chunky tomato broth, and crispy almond-raisin "baklava" for dessert, The Wave brings a surge of new dining ideas to Walt Disney World Resort. Located in Disney's Contemporary Resort, the new restaurant is "bold cooking inspired by fresh markets," said Dieter Hannig, vice president of new concepts for Walt Disney World Food & Beverage. "America is more and more a melting pot, and The Wave features American cooking with world flavors." Guests enter the stylish new space on the first floor of the hotel through a brushed steel arch "tunnel" into The Wave's lounge, one of the largest at Walt Disney World Resort. The sleek, serene décor is earthy browns and golds, with frosted glass lamps for soft ambient light and a copper-colored metal ceiling. Banquettes and booths line the perimeter of the dining room, and wooden tables are set with white linen napkins. A large central table is draped in sheer fabric in purples and golds. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the 220-seat restaurant takes casual dining into the health-conscious 21st century. The classic American breakfast menu includes plenty of egg creations, but guests also can make their own Wave muesli or sip a Beta Berry Smoothie with raspberry puree and non-fat yogurt blended with Odwalla Berries GoMega (a great source of Omega-3). The Pure Sunshine breakfast cocktail features organic vodka and orange juice topped with Vitamin Energy Drink. Coffee is organic Colombian (fair trade and "Smithsonian-certified bird-friendly") and teas are whole leaf Pyramid bags in flavors from chamomile blossoms to monsoon chai. At lunch, light eaters might enjoy lettuce wraps with sautéed lamb and bay scallops, or a lump crab cake with crispy papaya slaw. Entrées include oversized salads and a vegetarian sandwich with grilled tofu, roasted veggies and herb goat cheese on multi-grain bread, but guests also can chow down on an Angus chuck burger with cheese and Applewood smoked bacon, or a classic grilled Reuben. The dinner menu offers a delicious spin on comfort classics such as pan-seared Alaskan black cod with corn and edamame (soybean) stew with cilantro chutney; braised lamb shank with bulgur lentil stew and red wine sauce, and a nouvelle chicken pot pie with thyme pastry. Sides at both lunch and dinner include braised greens and roasted sweet potatoes and carrots. "Lots of stocks, lots of broths and seasonal ingredients keep the menu well balanced," said Chef Frank Brough. "We are sourcing ingredients locally and regionally to create fresh flavors, and our fresh catch of the day features sustainable seafood." Desserts continue the theme with a dozen choices for mixing and matching three mini-favorites for one price. From chocolate mousse with chocolate ganache, to yogurt sorbet with blueberry compote and coconut panna cotta with passion fruit, guests can indulge their sweet tooth without a big hit in calories. Or go overboard with a dessert cocktail like the Mudslide martini: Baileys Irish Cream, vanilla vodka, Kahlúa and vanilla ice cream. Wine 'With a Twist,' Innovative Spirits Menu The wine program, with only screw cap wines, is cutting-edge and supports sustainable agriculture, says Master Sommelier John Blazon, manager of wine sales and standards for Walt Disney World Resort. "The surge in the use of the screw cap is nothing short of a revolution in wine packaging," says Blazon. Industry experts say that the screw cap is the most significant technical evolution in the wine industry since the glass bottle was introduced 250 years ago. And the options for screw cap wine are growing, said Blazon. The Wave serves no California wines (California Grill on the resort's 15th floor has a corner on the California market), but instead focuses on bright-style New World wines from the Southern Hemisphere, including Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Sparkling wines from Tasmania, Rieslings from South Australia, floral New Wave whites from Argentina and Pinot Noirs from New Zealand are among the interesting choices, with 50 available by the glass. A flight of 3-ounce samplings and dessert wines, ports and sherries round out the wine list. For beer fans, certified organic ales from Orlando Brewing are on the menu. Produced in Orlando, these handcrafted ales use only American-grown certified-organic barley malt. Three Orlando Brewery ales are available on tap, including Blonde Ale, Pale Ale and Blackwater Dry Porter. Also on the menu is gluten-free Redbridge lager. Trendy cocktails are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start the day with a Pomegranate Splash (vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cranberry juice and soda water) or the Ultimate Bloody Mary (organic vodka, Bloody Mary mix and a dash of red chili sauce). "Natural and flavorful are the buzzwords for cocktails," said Stuart McGuire, director of beverage sales and standards for Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts. The Pure-tini mixes organic vodka with organic mango and passion fruit liqueur. The Antioxidant Cocktail features wild berry vodka, black raspberry liqueur, açai juice with agave, lychee, aloe juice and freshly squeezed lemon juice. The Wave is part of a revitalization at Disney's Contemporary Resort that includes a makeover of the hotel's fourth floor with a new game arcade and new quick-service eatery for salads and sandwiches (replacing Concourse Steakhouse). The popular Chef Mickey's restaurant and the monorail station anchor that family-friendly area. (Source: Press Release, 05/22/08)
Family-Friendly Luxury Hotels: "Elite hotels are now providing a broader
range of amenities for kids, including 'toys specific to the destination,
DVD libraries and DVD players in the rooms, children’s menus and programs
such as cooking classes and special outings.'" "Guests who stay at -- or even attend a time-share presentation at -- one of [Westgate's] seven area resorts will be offered a free trial membership to a new social networking and photo sharing Web site called Westgatefamilies.com." Westgate's photographers will be taking photos of guests throughout the property, staff will upload your photos for you, and cameras are to be installed at different locations where guests can insert their room keys and the camera will take their picture which will be automatically posted to the family's website. The bad news: when the trial ends, it will cost you $5 - $12 a month. The fever is spreading... Universal's new roller coaster, the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, opens next spring and will allow riders create a music video of their experience.
Disney is thinking about installing cameras near the lines of their
attractions which will take your photo and make it part of your own story
starring you and the Disney characters featured at the attraction.
"Looks like Disney may have changed the name of the new time-share tower
the company is building next to its Contemporary Resort. 'Bay Lake Tower'
has replaced 'Kingdom Tower.'"
"It had been a wonderful vacation at Walt Disney World -- until Paul Campanale
accidentally threw away his wife's three platinum and diamond rings...
but Disney Wilderness Lodge workers dug them out of the trash."
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Gets a Facelift! LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- An outdoor adventure that has been a favorite with Walt Disney World guests since 1971 is receiving some enhancements. As part of a resort-wide renovation project, on now, changes are coming or already in place across the 700 acres of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. "Over the last 37 years, the average length of an RV has increased by 27 feet," says Fort Wilderness spokesperson Darcy Cormier. "Many feature 'slide outs' that mechanically extend from the sides of the vehicle." To address the needs of today's larger vehicles, an intensive effort will widen and lengthen the concrete parking pads while maintaining privacy and tranquility provided by natural vegetation. A new "Premium" campsite will be available that features extra large concrete pads for larger vehicles -- also upgrades to existing amenities such as picnic tables and grills. The main pool at Fort Wilderness will be enhanced with a themed water slide, hot tub and children's wet play area. The pool's deep end has been made shallower. Nestled in the woodlands, the resort's 409 Wilderness Cabins feature brand-new furniture, carpeting, fixtures and linens -- plus a fresh coat of paint. Each spacious cabin features more than 500 square feet of air-conditioned living space as well as a private patio deck with a charcoal grill and picnic table. The master bedroom sleeps four with a full-sized bed and set of bunk beds, while the separate living room sleeps two with a full-sized pull-down bed. All cabins also feature vaulted ceilings, color cable television, DVD player, telephone and a spacious oval dining table. Daily housekeeping service is provided to all Wilderness Cabins. "With all of the comforts of home, the Wilderness Cabins are perfect for guests who want to wind down in a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere after a fun-filled day at the theme parks," said Jean Gallagher, general manager of Fort Wilderness. Fort Wilderness has always been the pet-friendly choice for guests to Walt Disney World Resort, and now dogs are getting a playground of their own at the newly opened Waggin' Trails Dog Park, an off-leash play area. Of course there is plenty of recreation for humans, too, including horseback riding, fishing excursions, nature trail exploration, boat rentals, volleyball, tennis, bike rentals and the new Wilderness Back Trail Adventure, where guests can experience, first-hand, a Segway X2 Personal Transporter. Guests can unwind on a white sand beach, play a leisurely game of shuffleboard, take the little ones on a pony ride or enjoy an evening horse-drawn wagon ride around the resort. Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is located in the Magic Kingdom resort area on the banks of Bay Lake. Convenient boat transportation to Magic Kingdom and motorcoach transportation to all Walt Disney World destinations, including Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom, is provided. For more information, or to make reservations at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, visit www.wdwcamp.com or call 407/WDW-CAMP. To book the two-hour guided Segway X2 experience, contact 407/WDW-TOUR. (Source: Press release, 04/14/08)
"[Wamsutta bedding and bath products], part of the Disney Resort
Collection, will be offered direct-to-consumer at
www.disneyresortcollection.com online and via in-room services."
"The Walt Disney Co. has won approval to begin selling time shares in a 15-story
tower the company is erecting next to its famed Contemporary Resort, a $110
million addition that Disney has named 'The Kingdom Tower.'"
The first phase of timeshare construction at Animal Kingdom Lodge
is complete. The second phase of the project includes the creation of "Kidani
Village." The 340-unit building "will include a 120-seat sit-down restaurant,
a 4,700-square-foot swimming pool with a water slide and two spas, plus tennis,
shuffleboard and half-court basketball, among other amenities."
Disney is going to rebuild the Treehouse Villas.
The final renovation project - pool and aquatic playground - at the Regal
Sun Resort - formerly the Grosvenor - at Downtown Disney is now complete.
"The folks at the Walt Disney Dolphin resort recently changed the
company that provides guests with little packets of coffee in each room.
So they're donating the unused packages to the military members stationed
overseas." -------------------------------- Alain writes:
Those checking in first get first dibs on rooms. Disney accommmodates special requests on a first come first served basis. In other words, they give out the rooms closest to the food court or the connecting rooms or the rooms on the first floor while supplies last. If you don't have any of these concerns, then don't worry about it. You can store your luggage at Guest Services for free and visit the parks if your room is not ready. Don't leave valuables or medications. Get there early and start having fun as soon as possible! --------------------------------
"An ongoing facelift has erased [the Contemporary's] garish '60s room
decor and is adding 21st-century atmosphere and attractions."
"Walt Disney World is in the midst of building a $110 million, 15-story tower
next to its iconic Contemporary Resort that likely will feature time
shares -- bringing the units closer to the Magic Kingdom than ever before."
The new building is expected to open in 2009.
To see a 30-second video of the building of the gingerbread house at Disney's
Grand Floridian, see:
"Attempted rape reported at Disney's Pop Century resort."
To learn about the Top 10 Most Annoying Hidden Hotel Fees, see:
"The Holiday Inn Express-Lake Buena Vista has received Intercontinental
Hotels Group’s 2007 renovation award." For the recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake from the kitchens of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort see http://www.swandolphin.com/recipeclub/1007print.html.
It is being reported: the rooms at the still unopened "Legendary Years"
section of Pop Century resort will be converted into suites similar
to Disney's conversions at All Star Music. Rooms should be available for
booking in 2009.
"Tucked away in yesterday's business news was Disney's (NYSE: DIS) announcement
of plans to open a standalone resort on the Hawaiian island of Oahu,
as part of a broader strategy of building 'niche' resorts. The idea is to
have a sort of megahotel property without an accompanying theme park nearby."
"The resort [in Hawaii] is scheduled to open in 2011 with more than 800 units, including hotel rooms and villas for Disney's timeshare business, Disney Vacation Club... Groundbreaking is expected in the second half of 2008." (http://uk.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUKWNAS551320071003)
"Disney, which has been testing Segway trips along its Fort Wilderness
trails for about a year, announced the formal start of its 'Wilderness Back
Trail Adventures.' For $85 per person, a visitor can take a two-hour tour
of the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground in tours offered twice a day
on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays." Call 407-939-8687 for reservations or
more information.
TJ writes about spending 8 days at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge:
"Now, the Polynesian is a mega-super-very-very seriously family-friendly resort, but indeed, they do have bars, and we found one, with the help of an uber-friendly cast member, right upstairs in the main building..." (Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com, 09/12/07) "Walt Disney World's Contemporary, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs Resorts were designated Tuesday by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as the 34th, 35th and 36th Florida hotels in its Florida Green Lodging Program." (Source: bizjournals.com, 09/05/07) Character Brunch at the Beach Club's Cape May Cafe: "It’s a fun place for the kids... that enjoys the Beach Club’s New England sun-and-swim setting and is open from 7:30 to 11 a.m. (Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com, 08/10/07) "When inviting my son's friend [to join us at Disney world], who pays for what? Etiquette suggests that whoever extends the invitation is responsible for providing airfare, accommodations, meals and tickets to all activities." (Source: eagletribune.com, August, 2007) Hotel Refunds: "Have you stayed in a Florida Wyndham property between May 29, 1998, and July 28, 2006? In a deal with the Attorney General's Office, the company is refunding a total of $560,000 to hotel guests." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/21/07) Click here for the list of hotels offering refunds.
"As of June 1, 2007, all Disney owned and operated resort hotels at the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney Vacation Club resorts will become smoke-free environments." No smoking will be allowed in rooms, balconies, patios, lobbies, restaurants, convention areas and common areas. Disney has established outdoor smoking areas for resort guests. Since 2000, smoking has been prohibited in the theme parks and water parks where Disney has set up designated areas for smokers. (Source: Disney Promotional Email, 05/01/07)
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "The 2007 rates for the resorts have been released, and I've been pondering them a bit this evening. At first glance it seems that the rates are up $3-4 across the board for next year - but there's a new 'season' added called SUMMER and that increases the rates for May 24 - August 4 by a whopping $10 a night compared to this year. Ok, so $10 doesn't sound like much, but that's a 10% increase! I am, however, very happy to see that they've backed off the dates for value season. Instead of starting at the end of August (the 27th this year), value season will start on August 5. That's great news for families where school doesn't start until after Labor Day."
Beth, our travel agent, explains some confusing terms for travelers: "I was just reading a Disney-themed newsletter and came across a comment from another reader about the difference between connecting and adjoining rooms. Assuming that most of you don't read as many Disney-themed newsletters as I do, I thought it was worth repeating here. 'Connecting' rooms are side-by-side rooms with a door that opens in between. 'Adjoining' rooms are simply two rooms that share a common wall. They do NOT have a connecting door. This terminology also applies to cruise ships, not just hotels."
"The Asian, the Venetian and the Persian resorts [were] three beautifully designed & themed hotels that -- thanks to circumstances entirely beyond Disney's control (I.E. The Oil Embargo) -- never quite made it off the drawing board." (Source: jimhillmedia.com, 04/20/07)
"A neighbor recommended Fort Wilderness, a campground at Walt Disney World in Orlando. In a 700-acre forest of pine and cypress, a setting many people might not associate with Disney, you?ll find 784 campsites and, more important for us, 409 log cabins with kitchens and bathrooms, not to mention televisions, DVD players, hair dryers and housekeeping services." (Source: dispatch.com, 04/24/07)
"Hilton Hotels, owner of the Waldorf since 1949, plans to turn the hotel into a brand that can be spread around the planet, starting with a project now rising amid the slash pines just outside Walt Disney World." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/13/07)
"Walt Disney World plans to break ground on a luxurious Four Seasons resort this year, bringing one of the world's most prestigious hotel brands to a theme park long considered the ultimate middle-income vacation destination... Disney [also] said it is planning a second development on the western side of its property that... would include thousands of 'value-priced' hotel rooms, as well as assorted restaurants, shops and small entertainment businesses." The Four Seasons will open 2010. The value hotels will open in 8-10 years. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/02/07)
"Walt Disney World has pulled its colorful brochures from thousands of hotels, motels, restaurants and businesses throughout the state, maintaining they do little to attract visitors staying at other Florida tourist destinations. Disney officials call it a business decision, but the move has angered some hoteliers and tourism executives. They say their guests have been inconvenienced by the absence of information about Florida's most popular attraction." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/10/07)
"Orlando's Hard Rock International empire is being sold to the Seminole Tribe of Florida for $965 million... The deal, announced Thursday, is expected to close next March. The sale includes Hard Rock's Orlando headquarters, 68 company-owned Hard Rock Cafes and retail stores, interest in 56 franchised restaurants and five hotels, and Hard Rock Live! concert venues in Orlando and Los Angeles." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/08/06)
"Instead [of visiting the theme parks], I was heading to some of Disney World's lavish hotels in search of good shopping, even better dining and, most importantly, a little Christmas spirit... Each has that theme park 'theme,' without the crowds or expensive tickets." Traveling the monorail... You can visit the Grand Floridian for its beautiful Christmas tree and live music, afternoon tea, and fine dining. Then it's on to the Contemporary for good food at the California Grill which also provides a wonderful view of the Magic Kingdom's fireworks. Next stop, the Polynesian for a taste of the Pacific Islands. Boardwalk... Visit Disney's Beach Club to see the chocolate carousel, the Yacht Club to see the candy mountain village, then on to the Boardwalk hotel to visit Santa's Workshop - also made of candy! (Source: news-journalonline.com, 12/07/06) Non-Disney resort visitors may tour the hotels and shops. We love visiting the hotels. We even created our own tours of the WDW resort hotels so you can join in the fun as well!
"Loews Hotels will ban artificial trans fats [by June 1] from the food sold in its restaurants, shops and room mini-bars at its 18 hotels in the United States and Canada, including three near Universal Studios Orlando... In Orlando, Loews owns the Portofino Bay Hotel, the Royal Pacific Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/09/06)
ICE! show at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center "The show, which Gaylord Palms began doing four years ago, has attracted thousands of visitors since opening day. Although many main attractions stay the same, additions are made each year... [Exhibits include] Santa's Toyland -- complete with gears and carved toy giraffes, cars and panda bears -- a Victorian house where a couple could be seen kissing under mistletoe, and a church wall with colorful stained-glass windows. A Nativity scene carved out of 470 blocks of ice, a crowd favorite, glowed in ice and light." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/26/06)
All Marriott hotels in the United States and Canada will become 100% smoke-free by October 15, 2006... Designated smoking areas will be made available outside of the hotel for our guests who smoke." (Source: Marriott Email Blast, 07/31/06)
Disney has created a site where parents and children can learn about park safety. Parents with safety concerns will want to read the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Report on Safety which is "the first edition of a publication developed specifically to provide our Guests, community and business partners, and shareholders with a better understanding of the steps we take to make our properties safe for the millions of people who visit each year."
A Disney Beach Vacation? Beth, our travel agent, writes: "I can't count the number of times I hear the comment, 'We want to stay at Caribbean Beach Resort so we can spend some time in the sand.' OK, maybe not those exact words, but it's obvious that many people think they can get something like a beach vacation if they choose that hotel. No doubt this misconception comes from the photos that Disney uses for publicity on that resort. Here are the facts... * You can't swim in the lakes. There are signs saying as much, but they don't go into detail about WHY you can't swim in the lakes. They don't want to scare you, but the fact is, there are alligators in Disney lakes just like nearly every other fresh water lake in the Florida peninsula. Trust me when I tell you that you often can't see one until it's too late. Are they definitely in there? No, but they could be. (I see them all the time in the waters in front of the Yacht Club.) * This is a HUGE resort. It even has its own internal bus system. This is the only moderate resort where the front desk isn't in the same building as the food and gift shop. In fact, they are on opposite sides of the resort. Only one of the eight pools has a themed water slide, so you may be quite a hike from some key areas of the resort. * There are no elevators in the building at this resort, so request the first floor if you don't want to be carrying your tired kids up the stairs at night. * Although this resort is one of the few that nearly always has cots available at $15 per night, you cannot pre-reserve them and you still cannot exceed the 4-person maximum occupancy (plus a child under age 3). If you have five people age 3+ then you need to stay in the Alligator Bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside (which, coincidentally, doesn't have elevators, either - although they DO have them in The Magnolia Bend section.) You'll get a trundle bed for the 5th person at no extra charge. * All four moderate resorts and most of the deluxe resorts have access to water and offer watercraft rental. Caribbean Beach Resort is one of TWO moderates with lakeside sandy areas and beach chairs, the other being Coronado Springs. Several deluxe resorts have 'beaches.' In other words, the Caribbean Beach Resort isn't the only Disney resort to offer a sand and water experience."
All-Star Music Resort Family Suites Fact Sheet:
Cherry writes: "John, I consider myself a fairly savvy Disney guest now. But I still do not have the knack of getting the best views or rooms in the resort I stay in. I have requested, complained, complained to management, kindly asked for input, and think I have the answer but still it more often than not doesn't work out. It seems at best to be hit or miss. Your book recommends specific floors, wings, etc. for many of the hotels, but how do you know you will get this?" >> It's totally up to Disney. They say they will accommodate where possible. Don't count on it. "For example, my husband and I were married October a year ago and spent our honeymoon at Wilderness Lodge Villas. We planned the honeymoon 9 months in advance, put on the reservation that it was our honeymoon, requested a romantic view, and ended up in a room designed to accommodate a wheelchair, a shower but no tub, and a view of the closest bus stop. We checked in at 4:00 pm that day. For our first anniversary trip this past October, we stayed at Saratoga Springs and had requested a view of Downtown Disney. At check-in, I was told this view was gone by 2:00 pm that afternoon and was given a garden view which really looked directly into other balconies. When I said I thought check-in was at 4:00 pm, I was told people can check in as early as 6:00 am - they just may not get into their room that early." >> You can leave your luggage and return later in the day when your room is ready. During my recent December visit, we spent one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge in a Deluxe Savannah View room so our teenaged guests could experience this wonderful hotel and the animals. We were assigned a room at the end of the corridor with a distant view of the animals which was nothing like my experience a few years back. I really had to work at moving beyond my disappointment to avoid ruining the kids’ excitement. The kids did have a great time along with a midnight swim in the heated pool and didn't realize what they were missing... but I had assumed I would get a great view with a 'Deluxe Savannah View' room and I asked the front desk staff how this could have happened that I didn't. The answer was that people are so internet savvy these days - they all know to request the best views and it’s who gets there first... So, in your experience, is that the answer? I need to arrive very early in the day for the best shot at a good view even if I can't get into the room they assign me for hours? Thanks." >> This is one of my pet peeves. First come, first served upon arrival seems to be the norm, but Disney should give us the room we want if it's available when we call. If it's not available for our visit, they should say so and we can make the choice to stay at that particular hotel or somewhere else.
Beth, our travel agent, writes: " Word is that Disney is going to fast-track the installation of value-priced family suites. Plans call for 192 two-room suites (520 sq. ft.) that will sleep two in one room (queen bed) and up to four in the other room (double sleeper sofa and two convertible twins). They will offer a 'mini kitchen' with microwave, small frig, and sink. The price on these suites will start at $169 a night + tax in value season. They will be available - for now - ONLY at All Star Music. No word as to whether or not they will be included in promotions. (Suites are usually NOT included.) These suites are NOT currently available for booking, and no mention was made as to an opening date for the suites."
"For the first time ever, a Disney World property is going 100 percent smoke-free. Guests can't smoke in the Swan Hotel anymore, either in rooms or public areas." (Source: Wesh.com, 02/17/06)
Jane writes about Shades of Green: "Hi John, We have 2 families travelling to Disney arriving April 11. We are staying at Shades of Green, my husband is retired Army. We were wondering if we are entiltled to the Magical Express transportation? If so how do we make reservations? Also, we would like to rent a car to travel to the Clearwater area after our stay at Disney. What companies are at the Car care Center, and is this the only place to rent from in Disney? Is there a number for the rental center, or do you have to contact each company directly? Thanks so much for all the great tips." Magical Express is not available to guests at Shades of Green. (I understand it only costs Disney 50 cents per passenger to ride the Magical Express bus, so I'm disappointed they don't provide this service to the military.) National/Alamo is located at the Car Care Center near the Magic Kingdom and at the Dolphin hotel. There are also rental companies at the Downtown Disney hotels. Rates vary from $20 to $60 per day. National Car Rental (Alamo and National are owned by the same company and they share locations at WDW) will provide transportation from their location (Disney's Car Care Center) to your hotel. They also rent child safety seats. Call 800/227-7368 or 407/855-4170. For more information, call Guest Relations at your resort. In general, should you need to get from a Disney hotel to the Car Care Center, your hotel's front desk can arrange for a shuttle to take you. (Give them one day's notice.) However, you'll need to contact Shades of Green to see if they provide the same service.
Here's an article on Spa treatments at Disney World. Here are links to video on Disney World resorts. Disney has posted links to several videos describing the fun available at WDW. Disney is now equipping the Deluxe and Moderate resorts with coffee makers and providing free coffee and condiments!
Krista writes: "Hi John, My family just got back on Saturday from 2 ½ weeks in Disney! We had the greatest time ever! It was my son's first time in Disney and he was so excited. We drove down from Massachusetts and stayed at the Fort Wilderness Campground. The campground was beautiful. It was so relaxing! We were there for the grand opening of Stitch's ride! I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful newsletter that I receive every week. it really helped me plan my vacation! Thanks Again, John." Thank you, Krista, for the great feedback! 2 1/2 weeks! Now I'm jealous! :)
Beth, our travel agent, writes about the Hotel Royal Plaza: "I've had a few questions about this resort - not sure if any are your readers or not - but here's the scoop... It's true that they are not accepting any reservations for stays starting prior to February 3, 2005. Many of the buildings in the area sustained heavy damage from Hurricanes Charley and Frances, and this building was particularly hard hit, so they will be closed for the next several months and those with existing reservations there need to make alternative plans. There has long been rumor that the resort was going to become a Crown Plaza and it was obvious to anyone that's been there lately that they'd need to do a huge refurbishment in order for that to happen, so maybe they will emerge from this with a new name - or at least worthy of one. In any case, I expect some great deals to be out for the place, so anyone planning a trip in February might want to consider it as an option to a value resort or maybe even a moderate."
Beth writes: "I have verified that starting this week ALL moderate and deluxe hotel rooms on Disney property have dorm-sized refrigerators at no extra charge in them. (About time!) While they could pull the plug on this program at any time, it is in full effect for now. If you are holding airport transportation reservations for an upcoming trip and have added a fridge or cooler to them, you may want to contact that company to have them remove the cooler from your reservation. (If you're not going for a few months, wait to be sure that they will be continuing this program.)"
Larry and Kim write about our travel agent, Beth: "Elizabeth, I just wanted to forward to you and your employers our appreciation and gratitude for all your help and patience booking our trip to WDW. We have just returned and we had a wonderful time and your recommendation to stay at the Wilderness Lodge was absolutely perfect. We couldn't have been happier with our room location. I also want to thank you again for your patience with us and our last minute (literally) booking, especially with the hurricane menacing you and the threat of your home being flooded away. Despite our frantic and numerous bothersome emails, due to our own panic, you were nothing but entirely professional, prompt, and most important for a Disney trip, cheerful. Again, thank you for our successful trip and we will contact you in the future when we plan on returning to WDW."
Deb writes: "Dear John, Thank you for getting in touch with Beth [your travel agent] for me. She has contacted me several times now with detailed, helpful advice. She possesses great patience with overwhelmed, confused, undecided customers. Her advice has been wise and helped us consider things that we'd deemed unimportant. For example, we'd assumed that we would save more by staying off-Disney and figured that the extra hours that resort guests receive were not that big a priority for us. Beth advised us to reconsider the benefit that early morning and evening hours would bring in terms of dealing with the heat. I'm so grateful that she brought that to our attention as it will make a tremendous difference in our enjoyment of the park. I look forward to working with her more as we nail down our vacation plans. Thank you for finding such a great travel agent to assist your customers. Beth is the BEST!"
Kim writes: "One of my other children will be turning 2. (Their birthdays are a day apart.) What is Disney's policy about the value resorts if we arrive before his birthday? Online, if I enter his age after his birthday, I am unable to make accommodations at the value resorts, but if I enter his age before his birthday, it will allow the accommodations. (I have three kids.) I'm just curious, because that may make a difference on the dates we select. I don't want to purchase tickets in advance only to find out that we didn't get enough and have to pay gate prices or have to unexpectedly change to a moderate hotel. Thank you so much for your advice." If you arrive when he is one and he can sleep in a crib, that will be OK. Disney allows four + a crib in the Value resorts. Beth, our travel agent, can sort this all out for you if she books your room.
Raymond writes: "Hi John, I would like your advice. I have an opportunity to get a 7 night stay at Old Key West at a one-bedroom villa for a really good price. My problem is, I have a party of six (3 adults, 3 children). The person I would be buying points from says he has had six there before, but has not told Disney. I don't want to be deceptive. I had him ask Disney if they would allow 6. Disney told him 5 was the limit because of a shortage of bed linens and towels. Do you think Disney would allow my party to stay there if I provided my own towels and bedding? Would they give me six keys? Do all six of us need keys for extra magic hours? I love your book and newsletter." Disney will not allow 6, even if you bring extra linen. If you did stay there and bring your own sheets and towels, they would only give you 5 keys. You need your key to gain access to Extra MH. So someone will be left out. I am delighted to hear that you are enjoying the book and newsletter!
Stephanie writes: "I work for a non-profit group home for abused and neglected girls in Concord, New Hampshire and I was informed that there are packages available for non-profit organizations (discount airfare, hotel, etc.) such as this one. Would you know anything about this or be able to point me in the right direction? Thank you for your time!" Beth, our travel agent, writes: "I do non-profit groups all the time... schools and churches mostly. Sometimes it goes through Leisure Group Sales or Disney Youth groups; other times it's just a Grand Gathering. It depends on the situation: size of the group, what their plans are, the ages of the participants, etc. It is MUCH easier to plan a group trip with a travel planner that really knows Disney for that reason. If you try to do it alone, it can get really confusing!" Our agent can handle all the details for you at no extra charge.
Lisa writes: "Hi There John, There are 10 of us going (my husbands family) to WDW. Our son who is 22 months is going as well. He is highly allergic to milk. I wanted to ship his soy milk cartons and some other snacks down for him. What is the best way to do this? We are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, and are expecting our Magical Express Tags any day now.. so we'll keep you updated. Thanx so much." FEDEX is Disney's official shipper. I would send the package by FEDEX to:
Caribbean Beach Resort Put your name and reservation number on the package so Disney knows it's for your party.
WILDERNESS LODGE - The Hidden Gem of Deluxe Resorts Beth, our travel agent writes: "When deciding which of Disney's 22 resorts is the best for your vacation, you will no doubt be impressed with the deluxe resort descriptions... everyone is; but you may find that the deluxe hotels are a bit out of your price range. Before you completely discount the option, consider Wilderness Lodge - the deluxe resort that I think is one of the best, and probably the most overlooked. This resort is located on a gorgeous lake near the Magic Kingdom, which is just a short boat ride away. It is done in the style of a grand national park lodge, with exposed log walls and trusses and soaring ceilings. Giant totem poles, a gorgeous fireplace, and Native American artifacts are highlights of the lobby, and the view of the lake from the lobby is simply beautiful. A babbling brook trickles through one corner of the lobby, passing under a footbridge and then through an exterior wall to the outside where it becomes a waterfall, splashing over the rocks to the freeform swimming pool below. We've blocked rooms for Affordable Disney readers at this resort from November 27-December 20, and the pricing is even better than an annual pass rate. These rooms are the "courtyard" view - the best - and feature balconies that overlook the lake and/or pool area. Many rooms give a great view of the electric water parade held each evening, and of the geyser that spouts high into the air every half hour. You can choose a king bed, two queens, or a queen and bunks. Rooms sleep a maximum of four plus a child under 3, and all rooms have complimentary refrigerators. High-speed internet access has recently been installed as well. Here's a hint: If staying there for your whole trip is more than your budget can take, just spend a night or two at the end of your trip. The hotels will move your luggage for you and it's a great way to end your vacation AND experience the deluxe resort difference."
Andrew writes: "John, Thoroughly enjoying and making the most of your website as we near our trip to Disney World. Can you tell me up to what time can we check in at All Star Movies? I can see the start time of 4:00 p.m. but no close time. We land at Orlando International late on the afternoon of Sunday April 3rd. Is there a limit to what time we can check in?" Official check-in at All Star is 4 pm. For arrivals during the day... If your room is ready earlier, they'll let you check in then. If you arrive before your room is ready, you can preregister and leave your luggage at Guest Services (no charge) so you can start having fun right away. GS will give you a claim check that you use to reclaim your luggage when you return later. For arrivals during the night... We've arrived at all hours of the night. Disney is always ready to welcome guests, no matter how late they arrive. Glad you are enjoying the site!
Karen writes: "I've been a member for sometime and have gotten some very good information from your site, but today was the best! I talked with Beth [your travel agent] and what a deal. My husband and I go to WDW every November and always stay at Port Orleans French Quarter. When we saw the price Beth quoted as $99.00 a night including tax (for Affordable Disney Members) I thought I was seeing things, but its true and now I only have 125 days until we'll be in the heart of all the magic again. Thank you for your wonderful site." Thanks, Karen, for the pat on the back!
Stephanie writes: "I am planning my trip for 9/30-10/7. I am going to book one of the Moderate Resorts. I am going with my two small children, that will be 5 and 7 when we go. Do you have any advise or a recommendation regarding which Moderate resort we should select? Any information is very appreciated." My favorite resort is Port Orleans Riverside. To save walking, book your room at Oak Manor in Magnolia Bend, or lodge 18 or lodge 27 in Alligator Bayou. A cruise on the Sassagoola River is one of the most pleasant free things to do at Walt Disney World. Guests are allowed to use the pools at the French Quarter. A member writes: "I thought I'd let your readers know that our room at Port Orleans Riverside was the perfect location. We stayed in building 87. Rooms 8739 and 8740. We had a great river view and were just a short walk over the bridge to the main pool. The East depot bus stop was just another short walk from the front of the building and we always got a seat. There was only one additional stop (the very crowded main depot at the lobby) before the Magic Kingdom."
Karen writes: "John, One of the best FREE things that we did when we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside is not on your list and you might want to add it. We went to the piano bar one night and sat and enjoyed the antics of Bob Jackson. I think he's only there evenings Thurs through Sunday if I remember right. He is a great entertainer and the cost is free unless you decide to purchase a drink or soft drink from the bar. He's hilarious and keeps the whole family laughing and children are welcome. He even calls the kids up to help him with some songs and then hands out autographed photos during his break. Great time for free." Thanks, Karen. I've seen him playing and getting lots of laughs on my way to and from the food court. I'll add him to the list.
Monette writes: "I am a new subscriber and am planning to book a room at the Wilderness Lodge. I was wondering what the chances are of upgrading there during our stay from April 7-11? Is that considered a value season? I haven't found a listing of the value vs. peak seasons anywhere. Are they included on your web site? Also, I need to make sure there are no animals mounted on the walls at the lodge, as my 7-year-old will freak if there are. Do you happen to know? Finally, I am planning to book one of the deluxe resorts mainly because I want super easy and fun transportation to and from the Magic Kingdom for my 1 and a half year old. It will make the trip much more fun (for all of us!) if he has a boat or train to make the back and forth more exciting for him. I did want to make sure there is not typically a long wait for the boat from the hotel to the Magic Kingdom, as that would defeat the purpose. Also, how long is the ride? Thanks for answering my many questions. It is an adventure just getting all this planned, and your tips are making it easier!" WL does have totem poles with carvings on them. I believe they are of Disney characters. Can't remember if there are any animal heads. Deluxe resorts: Peak Season: February 17 - April 16. Chances of an upgrade are slim or none. Yes, that info is in our book. The boat to the MK is slow going, especially during the busy season. The bus can take a while, too. For speed and comfort, try one of the hotels on the monorail line.
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "Up through the end of December 2004, if you booked a room at Port Orleans Riverside with five people you were charged an extra $15 a night + tax for the use of the trundle bed in those rooms. They stopped charging that fee as of January 2, 2005. If you booked in 2005 and were charged the trundle fee, they can fix that."
A subscriber writes: "Has Disney World ever done anything about their smoking policy? You use to be able to smoke anywhere." Smoking is prohibited at the theme parks (except at designated areas) and at all restaurants (except those that provide outside seating). You can smoke at the Pleasure Island Clubs (except the Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers Club) and in certain areas of the resort lounges. There are designated smoking areas at the water parks, miniature golf courses and Wide World of Sports. The Disney guide map will list the areas and you can always ask a cast member.
Tax Increase! The resort tax in Osceola County rose to 6%, bringing the hotel tax at the All Star Resorts to 13%.
Effective July 11, 2004, the Disney Reservations Center, (including Walt Disney Travel Company Florida) will have new hours: 8:30 am - 10:00 pm Monday through Friday; 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Michelle writes: "I got the rooms I wanted at the Port Orleans-riverside waterview rooms for $103.00 a night... Thanks. I saved over $600.00!"
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."
Beth, our travel agent, writes about Pop Century: "The rooms are nearly identical to the All Star resort rooms with respect to size and amenities, and the buildings themselves are very similar as well. There are differences in how the resort is laid out, though. Some of the buildings are nearer to the main one than others, but the furthest ones aren't quite as far a walk as the furthest All Star buildings. (With nearly 2,900 rooms the resort is huge, so you should anticipate at least some amount of walking.) As with the All Stars, you can pay an extra $12 per night to get closer to the main building. Another nice change is the food court area. Pop Century has many built-in booths in addition to the tables, and the entire area has a softer, somewhat classier feel than the All Star cafeteria ambiance. It's still a food court, but a definite improvement. What continues to amaze me is how many people still request an All Star Resort rather than Pop Century. All I can figure is that people just don't understand the amenities and improvements they're missing at Pop Century. The number one thing I hear is, "We want to stay at All Star Movies because of the giant characters." In truth, Pop Century has more of those giant characters than ANY of the Disney resorts, including All Star Movies! The 50s section has characters from Lady and the Tramp. Jungle Book characters are in the 60s section. In the 70s section you get Mickey himself in the form of a classic Mickey dial phone. And, of course, you get the pop culture icons the resort is known for: humongous Play-doh cans and cell phones and yo-yos and big wheels and more. Pop Century has the added benefit of being in the same county that most Disney resorts are rather than over the line where the All Star resorts are. That means you save an extra 1.5% on tax! So the next time you feel that a value resort is what you need, give Pop Century a try. If you liked the All Star resorts you'll LOVE Pop Century!"
Mike writes: "Our family is a relative new comer to Affordable Disney, having purchased A Life Time Membership in April 2004. However, we are not that new to Disney World as we are beginning to plan our eighth consecutive March vacation at Disney World. Each of our stays has been for seven nights and each vacation has always been a great new adventure. For background information I will give you our Disney World accommodations history. Our first family trip to Disney World as a family was in March 1998 and we stayed at the All Star Music Resort. This worked out fine, however we did learn that with a child (we had traveled the world - but just as a couple - before having our son - who was 2 years old at the time) you do more than just sleep in a hotel room and close at hand amenities start to count. For the next five years (March 1999-2003) we stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort which was a huge hit with our son (and us) with the 'quiet pools', sand beach, boats to rent, the food court and other activities at OLD Port Royale filling lots of needs when not at the parks. This year (March 2004) we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge (we had a room overlooking the grand lobby) and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful experience. Now to finish the story - I was preparing to make reservations for March 2005 and was reading through the updated AD Addendum and saw some room rates that I was not seeing on the Disney web site. I sent Beth an email asking some questions and the end result is we have booked through Beth a March 2-9 stay at the Wilderness Lodge. All of this was the result of Affordable Disney... Thanks again for your help and I do enjoy reading [your newsletter] and have passed much info on to others. All the best - Mike" Thank you, Mike, for your kind words. We hope you had a great time! Mike read his comments in our blog on March 22 (we post to out blog every two days or so) and sent me this: "John – just read today’s blog . . . funny to read my own words – but cool. I am updating my comments and will be sending them out soon. We did have a great time and would like to add a recommendation for limo service. We use Dixielimo of Orlando (dixielimo.com) and our driver is Rocky. They are terrific – get you to and from the airport on time during evening rush hour traffic without going near that famous parking lot – the I-4. Sam (my son) loves Rocky and the sign waiting for him at the baggage area and the vehicles are outrageous. Gotta run now . . . but more later – busy planning for next year ya know!" Thanks again, Mike! Here's a Dixielimo coupon good for $5.00 off your first roundtrip from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney or any other Central Florida location in the Disney area.
Margie writes: "Dear John, I just wanted to write you a short note about the travel agent that works with you. I have read several letters sent to you by "satisfied customers", and this is definitely another one. She is someone who goes above & beyond "the call of duty". Beth is a great communicator & works very hard to get everyone the best deals she can get. I know this from personal experience. She always takes the time to answer any questions (from the most common to the bizarre). Beth is very busy, but treats each client like they are her one & only. My family & I (total of 7) recently visited WDW. We were staying at a condo that I was able to get through a friend of mine & three nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Beth helped me with just about everything except the condo. Two days before we were to leave for Florida, I called the condo to get their exact address so I could print out a map from the airport. Well, to my surprise, the condo was hit by the hurricane & no one called me to tell me that my reservations were cancelled. Basically, I had seven people arriving in FL in less than two days & no where to go. I called Beth in a panic. She dropped everything to help me find the best deal she could. She was wonderful! Fortunately I was able to get another condo (which I was originally told I couldn't) & everything worked out. She spent a couple of hours working on this for me, booked me a place, & then I needed to cancel it. Needless to say I felt terrible doing that to her, but my condo was paid for. She even cancelled the reservations for me with a smile in her voice. I can't express enough what a wonderful person Beth is. She is very professional, but personable as well. Kudos to you Beth! I would recommend her to anyone. Thank you for recommending her to me through your newsletter. I hope this note helps someone else choose to do the same. Thanks Again!"
The Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Disney has finished its makeover and is now a Holiday Inn. They offer free shuttle transportation to the Disney Parks every 30 minutes. Plus! Kids 12 and under eat FREE with paying adult.
Dianna writes: "Which hotel would you prefer for young children: polynesian, contemporary, or the swan?" The Contemporary is easily accessible to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The kids will love to see the monorail come into the building. The resort also has one of the best character meals at WDW.
We have divided Resorts into 10 sections.
|
