Affordable Disney - Disney Vacation Club

 
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We've negotiated an extra 2% discount from our ticket agent! We've arranged for Maple Leaf Tickets to provide our members and visitors with discounted tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other Florida attractions. Maple Leaf Tickets is a family owned business that has been selling discounted tickets in Florida for years. Save even more! Omar includes a 5th Day FREE when you purchase a Walt Disney World 4-Day Base or Hopper with 14 day Expiration! With the extra exclusive 2% discount you can be sure you're getting the best deals! "I thought I knew all the tips for saving money at WDW, even being a member of the Magic Kingdom Club for over 15 years, but just learning about [your ticket agent] saved our family over $300.00! Thanks." Janet Handy, Bel Air, MD "Plenty of roadside outfits in Orlando promise discounted tickets, but most of them really want to rope you into a time-share sales pitch in exchange for vouchers - accept at your own risk. [Affordable Disney's ticket agent], though, is legit." New York Post, November 16, 2004 "Maple Leaf Tickets is among the most established of the discounters, and operates out of Orlando." New York Post, July 11, 2006 Click the arrow and scroll to see more comments! "I wanted to say we used Maple Leaf Tickets for our Disney Passes and Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba passes. We bought them in Sept. '05. When we arrived at our resort we noticed the Cirque passes expired 12/30/05. We we very upset because they cost $75 each. I called and talked to Omar's father who was wonderful. he told us that Disney expires them every year and comes out with new prices. We knew the hopper passes went up every year, but didn't know the other pass would have an expiration date. He gave us new passes and brought them to the Boardwalk and didn't charge me anything! I have used Maple Leaf three times and will ALWAYS use them now." Donna T. (Lifetime Member) "I would like to recommend Maple Leaf Tickets for the purchase of Orlando park tickets. Omar was very helpful (which is what you need when phoning from such a distance). The service provided was FIRST CLASS and I couldn't fault him. After ordering the tickets they were at my U.K. address within 5 days. If you are in any doubt about dealing with a company outside the U.K. then DON'T. I would recommend them to anyone." K. Smith, United Kingdom Click here to order online. You can also buy and pick up your tickets in person, or they can mail your tickets to your home using priority mail and a tracking number, or they can deliver your tickets to your hotel. If you buy your tickets in person, let Omar know that Affordable Disney referred you so you get the Affordable Disney price!

Beth, our travel agent, writes about timeshares:

"Did you know that thousands of timeshare units sit completely empty every week? Did you know that you can use those unused weeks even if you’re NOT an owner? It’s big business these days… Plenty of timeshare owners can’t afford to use their weeks/points; although the lodging is next to free, they still have to pay for travel and food and entertainment so it’s just not in the budget this year.

There are several companies that manage the bookings of these timeshare units, and they’re more than happy to sell the unused space like a regular hotel booking - similar to how Disney books unused DVC villas for anyone that wants them. The prices can be amazing. For example:

• Grand Beach I - (1 mile from Disney entrance) - 3 bedroom unit (sleeps 8) - $168.57/nt + tax

• Tuscana at Champion’s Gate (great for golfers, close to Disney) - 3 bedroom unit (sleeps 8) - $114.29/nt + tax

• Cypress Point (1 mile from Disney) - 1 bedroom unit (sleeps 4) - $61.43/nt + tax

I could go on, but you get the picture.

Keep in mind that you will lose the free Disney airport transfers if you don’t stay at a Disney-owned resort. You will also not be able to add a dining plan or have park access during Extra Magic Hours, and no matter how many daily shuttles your resort offers to the parks (if any), it’s not going to be nearly as frequent or as convenient as Disney resort transportation. My advice is, and has always been, that you should stay in a Disney-owned resort whenever you can swing it - and if you plan ahead you should be able to get a good discount, but sometimes the numbers still don’t work out so an unused timeshare villa can still be a great option.

(FYI - I also priced a few Disney villas through a management company… For a week in a 1-bedroom unit at Boardwalk the cost is about $31 higher than the 'regular price' of going through Disney; $35 higher for a 2-bedroom at Saratoga Springs. The rates are considerably higher than a Disney promotional rate. However, promo rates aren’t always available, and you can’t always get the villa size you need when going direct to Disney. What’s more, you’ll be hit with a penalty for canceling less than six days prior to arrival with Disney, whereas the management companies give you up the three days prior to cancel. So even if you don’t necessarily save money, it can still be a great backup plan - and yes, you can still use Magical Express AND Extra Magic Hours.)"

Disney Vacation Club cuts base pay for front line sales staff
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2009/10/
disney-vacation-club-cuts-base-pay-for-front-line-sales-staff.html

Road rules for Disney with kids
http://www.kfsm.com/sfl-diskids,0,5422504.story

New Disney Vacation Club Treehouse Villas Blend Modern Luxury with Nostalgic Appeal Amid Forested Glens
http://www.wdwnews.com/viewpressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=113222&siteid=1

Disney Vacation Club Bay Lake Tower offers the most magical view in the kingdom of Walt Disney World
http://www.examiner.com/x-8506-Walt-Disney-World-Events-Examiner
~y2009m5d20-Bay-Lake-Tower--the-most-magical-view-in-the-kingdom-of-Walt-Disney-World

Disney Vacation Club Resorts Offer New Themed Adventures Just in Time for Summer Travel
http://www.wdwnews.com/viewpressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=112996&siteid=1

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort -- Fact Sheet
http://www.wdwnews.com/viewpressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=112998&siteid=1

Guests Discovering Disney Vacation Club – The ‘Best-Kept Disney Secret’
http://www.wdwnews.com/viewpressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=112999&siteid=1

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa --Fact Sheet
http://www.wdwnews.com/viewpressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=113002&siteid=1

Disney Vacation Club Properties
http://www.wdwnews.com/viewpressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=113001&siteid=1

Disney Resort Committed to Staying in Hawaii
http://www.khon2.com/mostpopular/story/Disney-Resort-Committed-to-Staying-in-Hawaii/
BNdQ_fwbq0ikr7neHmEnAw.cspx

Disney Vacation Club Scheduled to Open Kidani Village, Second Phase of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
http://www.wdwnews.com/viewpressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=112612&siteid=1

Disney moving ahead with Hawaii resort project
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Disney-moving-ahead-with-apf-14561422.html

Disney retools time-share points
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-tourism0909feb09,0,5830399.stor

Disney reveals details about Hawaiian resort
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/10/disney-moves-fo.html

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa - FACT SHEET

Nostalgic memories of childhood playtime translate into over-the-treetops family vacation time with the addition of the Treehouse Villas to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Evoking a sense of adventure that makes kids feel more like grownups and grownups feel more like kids, the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will combine a dash of luxury and comfort with the nostalgic memories of a childhood fortress.

Walt Disney World’s Long History of Treehouse Living

A cherished Walt Disney World tradition from 1975-2002, the original octagonal treehouse villas were built on pedestals in forested glens, offering Guests breathtaking treetop views of the natural surroundings.

When designing the new Treehouse Villas accommodations, Disney Imagineers went to great lengths to ensure that the new villas would actually lessen the original villas’ footprint. As a result, Disney Imagineers were able to reduce encroachment on the surrounding wetlands by 70 percent for each individual home site.

Treehouse Villas’ Unique Construction Process

Rather than heading to the nearest hardware store to purchase a few 2' x 4's and a handful of nails, Disney Imagineers will break the typical treehouse mold with the construction of the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The construction process itself is unique, as crews will assemble all 60 vacation homes onsite like a giant 3-D puzzle.

Treehouse Living With All the Comforts of Home

Designed in a style decreed "cabin casual," the Treehouse Villas will offer much more than the rope ladder and snack stash typically found in childhood treehouses. Elevated 10 feet off the ground, these villas will offer three bedrooms and two baths while comfortably accommodating up to nine Guests. An open kitchen will boast an island sink and a counter area offering seating for three, while a separate dining table will seat up to six. In addition, flat-screen TVs will be found in the living room and each bedroom, giving Guests an opportunity to catch up on the day’s latest news stories or favorite TV shows while relaxing after a fun-filled day at Disney’s theme parks. Throw in cathedral ceilings and granite countertops for a treehouse that surpasses every childhood expectation.

Resort Amenities

The Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will feature its own planned pool area, in addition to sharing all that the main resort has to offer, including boat transportation between the Downtown Disney Area and the Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort dock, tennis courts, bicycle rental, a children’s playground, a nearby spa and fitness center and High Rock Spring Pool, which boasts its own water slide and whirlpool spa.

Disney Vacation Club

Disney Vacation Club is a vacation-ownership program that helps families enjoy flexibility and savings on vacations for decades to come. By purchasing a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club resort, families enjoy flexible vacations at Disneydestinations worldwide, as well as more than 500 other popular Member Getaways vacation locations around the globe.

Disney Resorts

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts operates 38 resort hotels with more than 35,000 hotel rooms worldwide.

Disney Vacation Club properties include the following eight deluxe resorts:

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort

• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

• The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Disney Beach Club Villas

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas

• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Fun Facts

* Disney Vacation Club has doubled its membership since 2004 to include more than 350,000 individual members from each U.S. state and approximately 100 different countries.

* Environmental sensitivity was extremely important to Disney Imagineers when constructing the new Treehouse Villas. As a result, 5,178 tons, or 65.22 percent, of materials from demolition were recycled, including concrete and metals.

* When it comes to wiring, Disney Imagineers working on the Treehouse Villas went to great "lengths" to ensure every vacation home runs smoothly. Consequently, there are 87,858 lineal feet, or 16.6 miles, of wire for fiber optics, copper, telephones and CATV.

* To support all 60 Treehouse Villas, there are a total of 480 concrete columns.

Quick Facts

Date Announced:
September 16, 2008

Targeted Completion Date:
Summer 2009

Location/Geography:
Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be located within Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa near the Downtown Disney Area

Size:
Three bedrooms, two baths

Number of Units:
60 villas

Number of Guests per Unit:
Villas accommodate up to nine Guests

Bedding Sizes:
Master bedroom - Queen
Second bedroom - Queen
Third bedroom - Bunk
Living room - Queen-size sleeper sofa and sleeper chair (Source: Press Release)

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort - FACT SHEET

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, will complement the strong horizontal lines of the original resort while adding its own unique touches, including a fireworks viewing deck, a rooftop lounge, a lakeside pool and much more. Add to that a sky bridge linking the tower to the original resort’s monorail station, restaurants and shops, and you’ve got a new classic Disney resort that allows guests to blow Tinker Bell a kiss goodnight as they relax after a fun day of theme park experiences.

Building upon a Beloved Icon

Bay Lake Tower builds on the celebrated legacy of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, hailed as a modern marvel of American architecture when it opened alongside the nearby Magic Kingdom Park on Oct. 1, 1971. While its innovative design drew early crowds, it was Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s unparalleled convenience that kept families coming back. Today, Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers conveniences unavailable at any other resort hotel, including a monorail station right inside the building, the fine dining and amazing views of the Walt Disney World Resort available at the California Grill, the innovative and healthful dining options served at new restaurant The Wave and the new game arcade and quick-service eatery located on the resort’s fourth floor. Plus, the proximity to the Magic Kingdom Park continually proves to be among the resort’s most popular "amenities," allowing families to easily return to their rooms for quick breaks from their busy day in the Park.

Bay Lake Tower will take that experience one step further, adding the conveniences of "home" to this world-class vacation destination. Most rooms feature full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, separate bedrooms, washers and dryers, and other home-like amenities that will add even more comfort and convenience to the unique experience offered by Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Unparalleled Views

Bay Lake Tower’s crescent-shaped tower will boast some of the most dramatic Walt Disney World views available, offering open sightlines to an amenity-filled courtyard, the picturesque lakefront or one of the most beloved theme parks on earth. The view will be equally appealing on the other side of the window, with rich woods and warm fabrics complementing interior spaces and creating a welcoming, family friendly environment.

Planned Rooftop Lounge and Fireworks Viewing Area

The only view better than the one families will enjoy from their rooms may be the one available* from the exclusive rooftop deck, offering sweeping views of the resort and a dramatic look at Magic Kingdom Park’s fireworks by night. Plus, as an homage to the original, Bay Lake Tower’s rooftop lounge, Top of the World Lounge, was actually inspired by Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s former restaurant of the same name.

*Availability is limited and usage guidelines do apply.

Planned Spacious Lobby

After checking in at the original resort, Guests’ first glimpse of the tower’s interior will be revealed in the lobby area filled with woven woods and glass-wrapped columns. From the area, guests can catch their first look at Bay Lake Tower’s lakeside pool area and outside pool bar.

Planned Bay Cove Pool

Nestled in the shadow of Bay Lake Tower, the resort’s zero entry pool includes a water slide, separate whirlpool spa and an interactive children’s water feature - all overlooking picturesque Bay Lake.

Planned Resort Amenities

Beyond the rooftop lounge, spacious lobby and lakeside pool, Bay Lake Tower will feature a covered outdoor sky bridge that connects to the original resort so that guests can access the monorail as well as the restaurants and merchandise shops Guests love at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Plus, Bay Lake Tower Guests can pamper themselves with room service available through the original resort or make use of Community Hall, an activity center.

Disney Vacation Club

Disney Vacation Club is a vacation-ownership program that helps families enjoy flexibility and savings on vacations for decades to come. By purchasing a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club resort, families enjoy flexible vacations at Disneydestinations worldwide, as well as more than 500 other popular Member Getaways vacation locations around the globe.

Disney Resorts

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts operates 38 resort hotels with more than 35,000 hotel rooms worldwide.

Disney Vacation Club properties include the following eight deluxe resorts:

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort

• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

• The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Disney Beach Club Villas

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas

• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Fun Facts

* Disney Vacation Club has doubled its membership since 2004 to include more than 350,000 individual members from each U.S. state and approximately 100 different countries.

* There are 167 miles of post-tensioning cable running through the concrete slabs. These cables could stretch from Bay Lake Tower to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and back.

* There are 1,398 tons of reinforcing steel, known as rebar, within the structure. This is equal to the weight of 254 full-grown elephants.

* Bay Lake Tower rests on a foundation of more than 800 concrete piles that are 16" in diameter and extend 70’ into the ground. Stacked on top of one another, these would reach more than 10 miles into the sky.

Quick Facts

Date Announced:
September 16, 2008

Targeted Completion Date:
Fall 2009

Location/Geography:
Bay Lake Tower is ideally situated between the Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Contemporary Resort with easy access to the monorail

Room Mix:
Bay Lake Tower offers studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The majority of room categories include views of Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom Park

Number of Units:
295 two-bedroom equivalent villas

Planned Resort Amenities:

Zero entry pool with water slide, separate spa and interactive children’s water feature. Exclusive lounge on the top floor with outdoor fireworks viewing area* (* availability is very limited and usage guidelines apply). Covered outdoor sky bridge connects Bay Lake Tower to the existing resort so that guests can access the monorail. (Source: Press Release)

For a traveler's calendar listing vacation spots around the world and the time of year to visit, see: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/features/travelnews/sns-trvrail3
-wk4,0,7403725.story?page=1

Beth, our travel agent, writes: "DVC (Disney Vacation Club) members can now add the dining plan to their reservations. The rate is the same as it is for regular package reservations. They must, however, be using points to stay at one of the DVC resorts, not any of the other Disney resorts."

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members buy their timeshare points from Disney and use them to purchase stays at Disney's Vacation Club properties like the Wilderness Lodge Villas, Old Key West, and BoardWalk Villas. If the DVC members can't use their points, they are willing to sell them to nonmembers. The going rate is $10 a point.

This is how it works: Let's say the Wilderness Lodge Villas cost 80 points for a 5-night stay. You pay a DVC member $800 (which is about half the rack rate) and he makes the reservation in your name. Typically, the member will ask for a deposit in advance (usually the cost of a one night stay) with the balance due 30 days before arrival. 30 days is a significant number since DVC reservations must be cancelled 30 days in advance!

DVC resorts are very appealing. The Studios feature microwaves and refrigerators; the larger rooms boast a full kitchen. You also enjoy the perks reserved for WDW resort guests like early entrance to the parks and the use of Disney transportation.

Because the transaction requires quite a bit of trust, I would open up a PayPal account and pay the deposit and balance with a credit card. PayPal allows payments to individuals by credit card and they have a buyer protection plan. It only takes a few minutes to set up and both parties can feel safe. We use PayPal to pay our associates and process membership payments. If the DVC member doesn't want to open a PayPal account, I would contact another member. For more information on PayPal, click here.

Expect to pay twice as many points for weekend stays. You'll also pay more points to stay during certain seasons like Xmas. Points may be used at any WDW resort, should the resort you want be unavailable. The savings may not be as good, though. You will probably save 30% per night off the rack rate at the Contemporary, for example, whereas you would save 50% off the rack rate at a DVC resort like BoardWalk.

To buy or sell DVC points, join the discussion group at alt.disney.vacation-club.                    

Visit their website, call 407/566-2200 or write:

Celebration Information
200 Celebration Place
Celebration, FL 34747-4600

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