Monday, March 28, 2005

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation Updates

THE DISNEY NEWS
March 28, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!

Lean back, prop up your feet, and take a Disney break!
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We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

A reminder... The following deals are for Affordable Disney
members only. Only our travel agent can book these specials
for you. Disney cannot honor these rates if you call
yourself, since they are NOT available to the general
public. Members should reserve their rooms as soon as
possible to avoid disappointment.

AFFORDABLE DISNEY MEMBER SPECIAL AT WDW NOVEMBER 2005

Beth, our travel agent, writes: "We have blocked space in
standard rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter for November 2
thru 22 (inclusive) - 20 rooms per night. The price on these
rooms is $99 per night INCLUDING TAX for up to four person
of any age per room. Given that the "rack rate is $149 PLUS
tax, and the AAA discount is $126.65 PLUS tax, we are
thrilled about being able to offer you these rates.

AFFORDABLE DISNEY MEMBER SPECIAL AT WDW DECEMBER 2005

We have blocked standard rooms at Port Orleans French
Quarter and Wilderness Lodge for November 27 thru December
18 (inclusive) - 30 standard rooms at Port Orleans for $99
per night INCLUDING TAX, and 20 courtyard view rooms at
Wilderness Lodge for $199 per night INCLUDING TAX. The usual
rates for this time of year are $134 per night PLUS tax at
Port Orleans and $255 per night PLUS tax at Wilderness
Lodge. You save $50.41 per night at Port Orleans and $85.33
per night at Wilderness Lodge!"

COOL DEALS ON FLORIDA'S WEST COAST

Beth, our travel agent, writes: "Lots of families like to
pair their Disney trip with a beach vacation and many also
enjoy the "quiet" side of the state - the west coast. There
are a handful of non-Disney beach locations that can
actually be booked through Disney reservations; however,
I've found that I don't have to work very hard to meet their
prices most of the time. I have several sources that I use
to find good rates, including packagers and wholesalers."
Rates start at 3 nights from $164 including tax!

LUXURY RESORT

Four acres of themed experiences under glass, including
innovative restaurants, fascinating shops and live
entertainment. Spring Special! Offer valid on the following
dates: April 1-2, 14-16, 26-30, 2005 only. From $219 plus
tax per room per night (Based on a 2-night minimum). Package
includes:

>> Florida-view accommodations
>> Gourmet buffet breakfast for two each morning
>> Unlimited use of the world-class Fitness Center
>> Complimentary high-speed Internet access
>> In-room fridge stocked with Dasani® bottled water
>> Complimentary bus transportation to WDW Theme Parks,
SeaWorld and Universal Studios

DISNEYLAND, CALIFORNIA

How to get a local discount at the Disneyland hotels without
being a local resident!

Disneyland has announced its Fall Vacation Package!

Disneyland Hotel Special: This non-Disney source is offering
"Stay 4 nights get the last night FREE!" at Disney's
Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian
Hotel.

Stay and play at this beautiful San Diego Resort located
next to SeaWorld from $197 per night. Enjoy a full resort
experience with waterfalls cascading into the pool,
supervised children’s activity programs, sailboat and wave
runner rentals, spa treatments, and more. These super
discounts are available only from April 1 to June 30, 2005,
and are based on availability. So book now and save!
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Affordable Disney Members should log in at our password-
protected site (The Disney Reading Room) to access the
particulars about the above mentioned specials.

If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here.
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A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR

Our Ticket agent has GREAT PRICES on tickets to Walt Disney
World and other Florida attractions!

"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!!! 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." The New York Post, November 16, 2004.

FORGET paying too much for your Disney tickets! Keep that
extra money in YOUR pocket! Join our Disney family today.
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

"A 42-year-old wooden roller coaster that has been a Panama
City Beach landmark may make its way to [Cypress Gardens]...
The coaster was built by legendary designer John Allen in
1963 and undulates for 2,000 feet atop whitewashed
latticework. It remains in Panama City Beach and will be
dismantled and then reconstructed at its new home." (Source:
Orlando Sentinel, 03/28/05) For the rest of the story, click here.
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Daytona Lagoon

"A water park in the heart of Daytona Beach's tourist zone
had been envisioned as a key part of beach revitalization,
but in its previous incarnation as Adventure Landing, the
$15 million water park drowned in a sea of red ink from its
opening day in 1998...

Now resurrected as Daytona Lagoon, the park has a new
pricing structure and a cheaper lease with Volusia County,
and it has undergone more than $3 million in renovations..."

Money Saving Tip: Florida residents save $7.00 per adult
ticket and can buy a season pass for $60. (Source: Orlando
Sentinel, 03/26/05) For the rest of the story, click here.
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NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without
notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message,
search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain
newspapers require a free registration to view their
articles online.
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HAVE DINNER ON US!

For every person you send to our site who becomes a member
of our Disney family, we'll send you a $10.00 electronic
gift certificate from Restaurant.com! Use your certificate
to purchase dining certificates online that are redeemable
at thousands of restaurants across the USA, including those
in Florida! Have your referral include your NAME AND EMAIL
ADDRESS in the comment box when she joins so we know where
to send your gift certificate via email. Note: Gift
Certificates are redeemable only by residents of the U.S.
and Puerto Rico.
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Beth, our travel agent, writes about her last stay 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."
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YOU CAN AFFORD DISNEY WORLD!

If you THINK a Disney vacation costs too much ... WE AGREE!
That's why we created the ULTIMATE Disney savings site. Save
up to 40% on your total trip. Learn about discounts on
tickets, food, Disney merchandise, hotels ON Disney
property, travel, parking, and MUCH more. Too much to list
here. See it all here.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Affordable Disney Books

Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price.
Hundreds of books under $1.00! Shop now for an additional
50% off their already low prices on over 2500 titles. Items
will sell out fast. Don't miss out. Plus! Over 700 videos
have been marked down to $1.99. To check out the bargains, click here.
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Got Coupons?

Here's a great deal on the 2005 Edition of the Orlando
Entertainment Book, which can save you thousands on travel,
groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more! For a limited
time, all 2005 Entertainment books are 50% OFF their retail
price or just $12.50 a book! Now you can buy two books for
the price of one and save even more! You could buy one for
Florida and one for your local area! Offers in the 2005
books are valid through November 1, 2005. For details, click here.
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Affordable Accommodations

Get the guaranteed lowest prices at the Downtown Disney
Resorts as well as at hotels, condos and vacation rentals
outside Disney property. Plus! Receive up to a $100.00 rebate! For hotels, click here.
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Affordable Car Rental

Just enter in your travel dates, select the kind of car you
want, and receive a list of car rental prices at over 12
companies starting with the cheapest price! Click here.

Cheryl writes: "I saved over $200.00 on my mini van rental!!!"
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Affordable Airfare

This service delivers as many as 230 flight options in a
single search - more options than any other travel site.
It's possible to save as much as 80%! To compare prices, click here.
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See You Real Soon!

John

AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
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Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information
contained in THE DISNEY NEWS. Always check to be sure. The
views and opinions expressed by others in THE DISNEY NEWS do
not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com.
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