Walt Disney World Resorts
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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.
We've all heard the rumors of WDW building a new luxury resort, the Mediterranean, by the Seven Seas Lagoon (near the Ticket and Transportation Center). Turns out that the sand is so soft that test footings pounded into the soil immediately sank and disappeared! (Source: DCACentral.Com)
Denise writes: "We just spent MLK [Martin Luther King] weekend at the All Star Movies Resort. We already had the trip booked when we ordered your book. Using one of your codes, we saved $30 per night. My husband is in Law Enforcement, so we took advantage of the Salute to America's Heros promo we saw in your newsletter - what a savings! Thanks for all of your help! :)"
Steve writes: "Bought your book on Disneyworld last year and we are planning to visit Universal Studios this coming summer. When are the best months to go? What hotels near the park do you recommend?" In the summer it doesn't matter when you go since the parks are busy June through Labor Day. Use our database for hotels and choose those that have at least three stars near the park of your choice: Suzy sent us a similar question: We're traveling to WDW for Spring Break and don't plan to stay on property our first night (travel day). Our lodging in WDW is at the Contemporary. Can you recommend a hotel off property that is near the Contemporary?
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Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is expanding its meeting space. Already Disney World's largest convention property, the resort is adding an 86,000-square-foot exhibit hall, bringing its total meeting and function space to more than 220,000 square feet. It is scheduled to open in spring 2005. (Source: Orlando Sentinel) |
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Sara writes: "I don't know if everyone else received one, but I received a postcard in the mail. It advertised the Deluxe resorts for $109 per night. I am a Disney Club member, and I have the Disney Visa card. It did not mention these things, but I sign up for so many free Disney things - who knows." Disney sends out postcards with special deals to select individuals routinely. These postcards have PIN numbers which can only be used by the recipient. To increase your chances of getting a postcard deal, our advice is to sign up for everything that Disney offers, from sweepstakes to their new Disney's Visa card.
Georgina writes: "Just got back from Disney. have a few things to relay. We stayed at the All-Star music. I wasn't impressed. our room was clean but clearly showed signs of wear with chipping paint and mold in the bathroom. The sheets must have been a poly-blend because they felt awful! The bed was nice and firm, but I never got the crib I ordered way in advance. Also, some friends who were [also] staying at Disney changed a few of our reservations, which I made months in advance, to include themselves!!! (Rude of my friends, yes) but I can't believe the reservations line did this without requiring I do the calling especially on the much desired and very difficult to get reservation at Cinderella's breakfast... This may actually be a benefit for those who want it, and have a hard time getting a seating...but just to make people aware. Thanks for the tips to help us save money! ... you're advice about calling back is invaluable!!!" We have learned from experience that if you don't like what the operator says when you call, hang up and call back. The next operator may have just what you're looking for!
Steve writes: "We just returned from 10 days at Disney with mixed feelings: The Good: Great....Beth, your recommended travel agent. We saved over $500 [following a strategy in the book] ... and having Beth reserve us 2 rooms at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for 10 nights... We had been calling every day and when I spoke with Beth she said, 'let me try for you,' and she did great. Fast Pass really works to get through the park the way you want to go. Overall Disney Food, especially Hollywood and Vine restaurant in MGM, was excellent. Your ticket agent, we got a 5 day park Hopper with 4 options and used them all. Plus it allowed us to take advantage of the E-ticket at the Magic Kingdom on a night the park closed at 7 PM. It was walk on time on the biggie rides. House of Blues Sunday Services/Brunch.......outstanding entertainment as well as a tasty buffet brunch. "Keys to the Kingdom" behind the scenes 5 1/2 hour tour, $58 with lunch at the Columbia House restaurant. You get to see the tunnels, behind the walls and inside the parade floats. Hostess Mary is an outstanding pleasure to tour with. I highly recommend calling for this. The Not so good: Having Animal Kingdom Lodge tell us at check in that they upgraded our room and then sending us to the almost but not quite furthest 2 rooms in the hotel, rooms 4347 and 4349. 350 steps to the front desk, 780 steps to the Mara for unlimited beverages in the $10 mugs. We (6 adults) were there 10 nights and I spoke with David, a Guest Services Manager, on day 7 to explain this and said we did not want to move but please don't consider this location at the back end of the hotel from the standard parking lot view rooms an upgrade and got no response. Losing 1/3 of the AKL parking lot to valet parking and having to walk and walk just to self park. The time we were there the valet parking was less than 25% full at any time. AKL swimming pool...just 1 pool for such a huge resort, well a hotel and then the animals they make show up by bringing their food outside the windows so you can see the various animals. The front desk staff at the AKL are not trained properly to answer questions beyond the ones in their orientation, such as when we were leaving at 6 :15 to catch a 7 :45 AM flight the front desk person explained the bell stand was not on until 7 AM and when we slepped our bags down they asked why didn't we call for the bell services at the valet area. The 3 restaurants are different but not always good different. Disney is still a full life experience but I would never ever stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge." Julie responds: "In response to Steve's experience. I'm so sorry to hear that he had a not so great time at AKL. I stayed there with my daughter the year it opened (about 2 years ago) and I also stayed at the very back of the hotel but we had a savanna view. I do agree the walk was really something but the hotel was my version of heaven!!! The staff was very knowledgeable when we stayed there. They were very accommodating to us and even explained their cultures to us at breakfast. It wasn't crowded at all. We had the bus service take us to the parks and we were the only people on the bus most of the time even after the fireworks shows at Magic Kingdom! It was like having the entire hotel to ourselves. One of the NBA players was there with their family too so that was exciting even though I don't care for b'ball. Hopefully Disney's service hasn't declined over all of the parks. I did take the Disney Cruise last year and gave my views to the Disney News site about being a single mom and Disney's accommodations during my trip. Maybe Steve would give that a try in a few years." Andreas from Germany responds: "I'd like to write a few comments about Steve's experience in the AKL: We went to Animal Kingdom Lodge in May at a very low discount price. Even with this discount price the cast member at the front desk offered us a room with Savannah view. Although our room was at the far end of the hotel, I think we would have [walked] even longer for this great accommodation! The room was beautifully decorated and every day we had the chance to see a lot of animals. The staff was very friendly and helpful and [made] this vacation the best in our lifetime. I would recommend the Animal Kingdom Lodge to everybody, but it's clear that a lot of walking is included in a WDW vacation."
Stephanie writes: "I can't find anything about the cost of a room refrigerator at the All-Star Resorts. Do you know the rates for these? Thanks for any info! Love your online book; I'm getting some great ideas on deals!" You can rent a refrigerator for $10.60 a day (including tax). You must pay in advance at check-in. Glad you like the book! Laurie adds: "Fridges cost nothing for medical and nursing reasons."
Paula writes: "we were wondering if you could clear something up for us? My husband called the Resort [you mention in the book] to see about making a reservation for 7 nights and asked the girl on the phone about the cash rebates. She told him that all the rebates only applied if your room is facing disney (like the village, epcot fireworks, etc...) this sounded so unfair to the other guests in their hotel. We did get a price on another view which was going to cost us more. We then called Disney reservations and booked a room at Port Orleans RS water view at $83.00 a night, great deal! thanks! Is that true what she said about the rooms having to face Disney? keep up the good work!" Hotels traditionally charge more for the Disney view. That's probably why they were giving rebates. However, you got a great rate on our favorite hotel! I could go for a cookie from their bakery right now! :)
Kim from Canada writes: "[stayed 8 days] at the Grosvenor resort, we got a great deal by calling and calling, reduced from $115 a night to $80 on 4th call. It was a nice hotel but not as nice as the other disney hotels we have stayed at. We did have free fridge in our room, but the cot for my daughter cost $17 a night. The character breakfast at the hotel was cheaper than most but only 2 characters, goofy and pluto and they came out separately. great food and plenty. Negative about Grosvenor is its bus system, we actually used disney buses whenever we could as they were better, the downtown disney bus system has one bus that picks up every 1/2 hr but at 6 hotels and the stop is in bus parking lot, not exactly safe. Still a great trip. I have used some of your tips and thank you, we (8) had a wonderful time, our 3rd together as 2 families, and will go again in about 3 yrs as kids could wander alone then, they will be 15, 14, 13, 10."
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is the newest Walt Disney World hotel to welcome Disney Cruise Line land & sea vacation guests as part of official land & sea packages..." (Source: Walt Disney World Press Release, 05/13/03)
"For the fourth year in a row, Disney's Vero Beach Resort is offering its resort guests the opportunity to observe the summer nesting rites of endangered sea turtles along the shores of Florida's famed Treasure Coast." (Source: Walt Disney World Press Release)
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We have divided Resorts into 10 sections.
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