Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
September 29, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!

In this issue...

* Deals and specials - including a new WDW vacation package
for winter 2005
* The latest news from around the "World" - including the
explosion of the Illuminations fireworks barge at Epcot
* Jim and Charlotte ask about park attractions Disney has
opened to celebrate Disneyland's 50th birthday
* Stephanie asks about Disney packages for non-profit
organizations
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about 2006 Magic Your Way
Packages
* This week's money saving tip for Universal Orlando
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We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

A reminder...

* An exclusive deal for Affordable Disney members only at
Walt Disney World's Port Orleans French Quarter November 2
thru 22 (inclusive)!

--------------L@@K!--------------

Beth, our travel agent, writes: "This is the last call for
November 2-22 Affordable Disney space at Port Orleans French
Quarter. Final payments are due to the agency no later than
September 30. We regret that we are not able to accommodate
requests received after that date."

--------------L@@K!--------------

* An exclusive deal for Affordable Disney members only at
Walt Disney World's Port Orleans French Quarter and
Wilderness Lodge November 27 thru December 18 (inclusive)!

* Rates are too low to publish in our newsletter!

"Hi John, I just joined your affordable Disney group. My
wife and I have been planning a trip to Disney World in
December. When we saw the prices we were just awed."
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WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION PACKAGE FOR WINTER 2005

Includes room and tickets. Christmas week excluded.
How does this deal stack up?

Beth, our travel agent, writes: "This represents a savings
of 12% compared to a regular value season package for the
same family of four, or 19% off for the same family in
regular pricing season. Our Affordable Disney rates (at Walt
Disney World's Port Orleans French Quarter and Wilderness
Lodge November 27 thru December 18 inclusive) are 30-40% off
for November and December and there is no extra room fee for
having more than 2 adults in a room or for a king bed room
(if available).

You can add on tickets from any source you want (including
discount tickets from our ticket agent!), AND we have
amazing deals on 2- and 3- day hoppers. So if we have space,
the deadline hasn't passed, and you want one of the resorts
that we have then the Affordable Disney deal is better.
Otherwise, this offer is better than nothing."
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SAVE BIG AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO!

You and your child 3-9 save over $300.00 on four consecutive
days of unlimited admission to Universal Studios and Islands
of Adventure! A family of 2 adults and 2 children 3-9 years
of age will save $600.00 + 6.5% tax! Imagine what you could
so with another $600.00 in your vacation budget!

Tickets must be purchased before January 1, 2006 and used by
April 30, 2006.
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KIDS STAY, PLAY AND EAT FOR FREE AT UNIVERSAL!

Stay onsite at $129 per adult, per night. Includes:

* Three nights hotel accommodations
* Unlimited admission to both Universal Orlando theme parks
* Kids Eat FREE at select Universal theme park restaurants!
* Bypass regular lines with Universal Express ride access

Stat at this "Good Neighbor" Hotel at $79 per adult, per
night. Includes:

* Three nights hotel accommodations
* Unlimited admission to both Universal Orlando theme parks
* Kids Eat FREE at select Universal theme park restaurants!

Maximum two free child tickets per room. Offer valid for
travel through 01/01/06.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA 2006 VACATION PACKAGES

Disney is offering a choice of one of three perks if you
book a package:

* ticket discounts
* free child tickets
* $150 Disneyland Resort Gift Card good for merchandise and
food

Is it a good deal? That depends on the hotel specials and
ticket discounts Disneyland offers during the same period.
Our members can shop and compare.
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LAS VEGAS

Beth writes: "My favorite Strip hotel is offering more nice
deals." Book now for select midweek October dates and you'll
revel in the unparalleled splendor of this Resort & Casino
from only $100 per night! Special additional dates in
November and December are also available. Book before
October 3, 2005.
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Hotel & Casino Fall for Vegas Special! Starting at $79 per room!
Enjoy award-winning restaurants, pools and spa, as well as
must-see shows. It's time to give yourself a vacation from
the ordinary. Includes:

* $30 Dining Credit
* 15% Off Spa Services
* 2 for 1 spa admission
* Free upgrade to Deluxe Premium View room

Offer valid 09/22/05 through 11/01/05 Sun - Thurs. Book by
October 15, 2005.
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Hotel & Casino Fall Special! Starting at $70 per room! Valid
now thru December, 2005. Enjoy award-winning restaurants,
pools and spa, as well as must-see shows. It's time to give
yourself a vacation from the ordinary. Includes:

* $30 Dining Credit
* Buy one, get one free breakfast buffet
* Buy one, get one free microbrew or cocktail
* Rent one raft, get one free poolside
* Buy one, get one free Spa admission
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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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Jim and Charlotte write:

"I am interested in knowing what attractions are visiting
each park for the 50th birthday bash. Thank you."

Walt Disney World:

Four New Attractions and Two New Resorts:

* Mischief Abounds in Stitch's Great Escape!
* Soarin' Attraction Lands at Epcot
* Insiders Reveal Secrets Behind New Stunt Show Spectacular
* Fun Peaks With Expedition EVEREST
* Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Pampers Guests
* Disney's Pop Century Resort Recalls Yesteryear

For info on the new resorts, choose Pop Century and Saratoga
Springs from these drop down menus.

For what's new at WDW, click on each park at Disney's site.

For 50th anniversary happenings at Disneyland, CA, click here.
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

"Disney officials rejected a request for tougher thrill-ride
height restrictions proposed by the parents of a 4-year-old
Pennsylvania boy who died after passing out on Epcot's
"Mission: Space" ride, according to the family's attorney."
(Source: Associated Press, 09/22/05)
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"Disney's Magical Express, the free service that shuttles
Disney tourists and their baggage to and from Orlando
International Airport, will no longer be able to lure in
travelers with greeters on the airport's third level... 'We
don't let anybody else have greeters there,' said airport
board Chairman Jeffry Fuqua. 'Everybody needs to have a fair
opportunity and equal playing field.' (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/22/05)
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"the inferno barge, responsible for many of the spectacular
effects for the Illuminations fireworks show in the World
Showcase lagoon, exploded today at Epcot. The explosion
could be heard throughout the park and nearby Boardwalk
resort area." No injuries have been reported.
(Source: disneyworldtrivia.com, 09/19/05)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

"Starting October 1, Honda will present a month-long 2006
Civic-A-Day giveaway at the Disneyland Resort as part of the
re-launch of 'Space Mountain,' American Honda Motor Co. and
Disneyland Resort jointly announced today." (Source: Press
Release, 09/23/05)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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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. If web addresses are broken into more than
one line, copy and paste all lines.
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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.
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2006 MAGIC YOUR WAY PACKAGES

All packages include a 5" x 7" vacation photo taken by a
professional photographer; a voucher for a free entree and
non-alcoholic beverage at Planet Hollywood, as well as a
Planet Hollywood souvenir. Magic Your Way Premium or
Platinum packages include Preferred Fireworks Viewing for
Wishes at the Magic Kingdom and IllumiNations: Reflections
of Earth at Epcot.

* Disney’s Magic Your Way Package: Includes accommodations
(Disney owned and operated resort hotels, the Swan and
Dolphin, certain Downtown Disney hotels, Disney Good
Neighbor hotels) and Magic Your Way base tickets for
everyone in your party. Plus, official Walt Disney Travel
Company luggage tag (one per person).

* Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining: Includes
benefits of the Magic Your Way Package and adds two meals
and a snack per person, per package night at more than 100
Disney restaurants.

* Disney’s Magic Your Way Premium Package: Includes benefits
of the Magic Your Way Package and adds breakfast, lunch and
dinner per person, per package night, and options like
recreation, park tours, Cirque du Soleil admission, etc.

Beth, our travel agent, writes: "Word travels quickly when
it comes to changes at Disney, and the news about
enhancements to 2006 Magic Your Way packages is no
exception. I'm getting questions already! So here are the
answers to FAQ:

1. If you already have a 2006 package booked you will
automatically be entitled to all the new stuff, and it will
happen automatically. You don't need to do anything.

2. The photo that you get is one per package, not one per
person. You (theoretically) do not get the photo voucher if
you book directly with Disney by phone. It's meant to be an
incentive for people (travel agents included) to book
online.

3. The gift from Planet Hollywood is also one per package,
not one per person, and it has to be redeemed between 11AM
and 6PM. The free meal from Planet Hollywood is also one
per package, and it does NOT include gratuity. You have to
choose from certain entrees, and beverage is included. (Yes,
Planet Hollywood is a table service location on the dining
plan.)

4. The fireworks preferred viewing location vouchers do NOT
come with all packages; just the Premium and the Platinum
packages. The Premium package gives you three meals a day,
unlimited tours, lots of child care access and recreation
access (golf, etc.), tickets to La Nouba, and more. It's
pretty high-powered, and way more than the average family
needs. The Platinum plan just takes it to the extreme, with
access to the best restaurants, a spa treatment, a fireworks
cruise, etc. It is NOT worth getting these plans in order
to get access to better seats for the fireworks shows."
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DISNEY SECRETS NOW IN HARD COVER!

The Hard Cover/CD version of our "Secrets To An Affordable
Walt Disney World® Vacation" is now available with a Deluxe
Lifetime Membership!

These professionally printed works (weighing over 6 1/2 lbs)
come in two beautiful 3- ring binders with inside pockets.
You can easily add more pages to the binders in the future,
if you wish, and keep important documents in the inside
pockets where you can quickly access them.

Plus! Our book and all our reports are now available on CD!
You'll be able to access our book and reports on your
computer without paying for costly Internet access or trying
to figure out how to download!

Plus! We'll donate $25.00 of each new Deluxe Lifetime
Membership to the American Red Cross to help those suffering
from Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi and
Alabama.

You can subscribe to our Deluxe Lifetime Membership here.
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RJ and MJ recently returned from Disney World and here are
some of their insights:

1. "When riding the monorail, make your request from the
platform attendant to ride with the driver (max of 4
people). Once you board the monorail, they do not allow you
to come up front; they only take requests from the platform.

2. We stayed at the Contemporary Resort and had a great
time. We were fortunate to have a room that faced Magic
Kingdom so that we could watch the fireworks from the
comfort of our balcony (we only needed to join the crowds
one night to realize that with the heat and time of day, the
10 p.m. showing was a bit much on site for our 8 and 10 year
old children). Additionally, this resort has refrigerators
in the room which came in handy for the leftovers and cold
drinks.

3. We caught one of the first daily showings of the Lion
King at Animal Kingdom. The guidebook said to arrive a half
hour early which we did. Given the heat and humidity, this
was quite a stretch, especially since the performance began
20 minutes late as the attendants continued to wait for late
arrivals in order to fill the theater. The show was
incredible!

4. If you are northerners like we are, you might not be
familiar with the grocery chains in Florida. There are a
couple of Publix stores near the entrance to Disney World
which provide an abundant selection of supplies as well as
reasonably priced Disney souvenirs."
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MONEY SAVING TIP

Universal Orlando Special Offer for Convention Attendees
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 407-224-6222

"After 12PM" Convention ticket entitles you to admission to
both Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure
after 12:00 PM for 1 calendar day. Adult: $59.75, plus tax.
Add Universal Express Plus to the "After 12PM" Convention
Ticket for only $10.00 plus tax and skip the regular lines!
Buy online. No promo code necessary.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Don't Leave Home Without It!

Universal offers special deals to Universal Entertainment
MasterCard cardholders. Apply now and receive a movie ticket
with your first purchase! For more details, click here.
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Affordable Disney Books

Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price.
Hundreds of books under $1.00! Plus! Over 700 videos have
been marked down to $1.99!

Exclusively for Affordable Disney Readers!
Save $5.00 on an order of $35 or more!
Coupon code: bookcloseouts
Coupon password: bargainbooks
Expires: December 31, 2005
To check out the bargains, click here.
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Got Coupons?

With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on
travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more!
Receive a FREE $5.00 gift card from Target when you order
the 2006 version. Coupons in the 2006 book are valid through
11/01/06. Save at hotels and restaurants near Walt Disney
World, on car rental, airfare, admission to Universal
Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa!
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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Affordable Luggage

Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks, and more! Click here.
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Own a piece of the Magic Kingdom

Disney framed stock certificates are works of art. They
feature Walt Disney and the Disney characters. Unlike stock
brokers that require you to purchase several shares of
stock, OneShare sells one share of stock and mails you the
certificate. You can frame the stock certificate yourself or
OneShare will frame if for you at a nominal cost. 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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