Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
October 19, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Deals and specials - including Downtown Disney during the
holidays
* The latest news from around the "World" - including how to
buy those hard-to-get tickets to Disney's Haunted Hayride
* Rachel writes about saving at WDW with an annual pass
* A note from American TransAir about service cancellations
* Brian writes about renting a car on Disney property
* This week's money saving tip for Metropolis, a popular
nightclub on International Drive
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We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

Holiday Specials

Downtown Disney 93-Cent Special: Buy 4 nights and get the
last night for only 93 Cents! Valid now through December 23,
2005!

Downtown Disney Resort Hotel "Theme Park" Package: Stay 3
nights from $219 per night now until December 21, 2005. This
package includes 2 adult three-day park hopper tickets and a
standard room. The room works out to about $100 per night,
including tax! Not bad, especially when you consider that
the deal runs through Thanksgiving! 3 night minimum stay is
required.
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UNIVERSAL SPECIALS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Subject to availability. Holiday Blackout dates may apply.

Get a FREE NIGHT at Universal's onsite Hotels!

Universal Kids Free Offer: Save over $300.00 per adult
purchase!

Kids Stay, Play and Eat for Free from $79 per adult, per
night!

Stay onsite and receive TWO (2) FREE TICKETS good for
unlimited admission to both Universal Studios and
Universal's Islands of Adventure!
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ABOUT TO EXPIRE:

WDW Vacation Package. Must be booked by October 22 for
select dates in October - December, 2005.
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Early booking savings on these three-, four-, seven, ten-
and eleven-night cruises! Three-night cruises start at $399
per adult, double occupancy!
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Southern California residents can save up to $20.00 on
Annual Passports and $10.00 on 2-Day Park Hopper tickets
with this coupon! Valid now through 12/15/05.
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LAS VEGAS

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:

* upgrade to a Bungalow Suite for $10
* $35 Gift Certificate
* $25 Grand Spa Credit
* $35 Dining Credit

This offer is available when booking your reservation by
October 26, 2005.
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Suite Special!

$149 weekdays (Sunday through Thursday); $169 weekends
(Friday and Saturday). Book your suite by October 24 and
receive a complimentary upgrade and express check-in. Plus,
you’ll also receive two-for-one cocktails and a
complimentary dessert.
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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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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

"These 'Haunted Hayrides' have become a Halloween tradition
at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. And folks who
have actually experienced this after-dark excursion through
the woods will tell you that it's the scariest thing that
they've ever done."

Tickets are only available on the day of the hayride at the
Fort Wilderness Kennels. To get one of these tickets before
they're sold out, be sure to be at the Kennels at 9 AM when
the office opens.

Times: 7 PM - 10 PM
Duration: 30 minutes
Where: Pioneer Hall
Price: $15.00 for adults; $10 for children (3-10); free for
kids under three (if your kids can handle being that
scared!)
Remaining Dates: October 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30 & 31
For more information, call 407/824-2900.
(Source: JimHillMedia.com, 10/14/05)
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"Tiger Woods commits to next week's Funai Classic at Walt
Disney World.

...As he sometimes does, Woods didn't call until the 11th
hour, joining the field shortly before Friday's deadline,
when the 144-player field for next week was cemented."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/15/05)
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As many of you know, Donna and I are proud supporters of the
Make-A-Wish Foundation:

"On Thursday, Lauren Ostler's wish came true, and her
father, Springville High welding teacher Brian Ostler was
reminded once again why he loves his students -- because
they, in an annual project with the Make-A-Wish Foundation,
are sending Lauren, who has cystic fibrosis, to Disney World
for her birthday. For her family, though, this meant much
more. (Source: Daily Herald, 10/14/05)
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"Disney has lowered its prices. I'm referring to the sips
and nibbles that have been part of the Epcot International
Food and Wine Festival for nine years. For the 10th annual
outing at the theme park, the food and wine that are offered
as representative tastes of countries and regions throughout
the world are priced one or two dollars lower than last
year, at least by my observations. That allows folks to
sample more without going broke halfway around the World
Showcase... The portions are bigger too."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/14/05)
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"SeaWorld announced on Wednesday a major overhaul of its
signature Shamu killer-whale show and plans for three new
rides aimed at children... The new show, called 'Believe,'
will feature the choreography of killer whales and their
trainers matched to an original musical score... The rides
will include a Shamu-themed roller coaster, a jelly-fish
shaped samba tower ride and oversized beach buckets that
spin and whirl." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/13/05)
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"The Holy Land Experience will close on Sundays starting
this weekend to give the staff of 225 time to spend that day
in worship and with their families, representatives of the
south Orlando attraction said Wednesday."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/13/05)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE

"After 10 days in dry dock, the Disney Magic cruise ship
will return to service Oct. 15 with some new features."

* a renovated Vista Spa and Salon
* three more private indoor/outdoor treatment rooms
* a larger fitness center
* more space for youth activities
* a new jumbo-screen television

(Source: Orlando Business Journal, 10/14/05)
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Disney has reopend the California Screamin' roller coaster
afer 33 passengers were injured almost two months ago.

"Disney maintenance workers had replaced the 'quick exhaust
valves' in an area known as Zone 7 the night before the
accident and tested them several times before opening the
attraction, Disney officials said. But a leak in the new
valves caused one of the main brakes to fail July 29,
allowing the train to roll through Zone 7 and hit the train
that was still sitting in brake Zone 8."
(Source: ocregister.com, 10/14/05)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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Hong Kong Disneyland

"Hong Kong Disneyland said on Wednesday that over 80 percent
of its guests have rated the overall experience at Hong Kong
Disneyland as very good or excellent."
(Source: chinaview.cn, 10/12/05)
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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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Rachel writes:

"Good morning John. When trying to figure the saving of an
annual pass do i still figure the 30% you suggest - is that
the average savings? Because if I am going to save 30% on my
room for using an annual pass that is awesome."

>>Disney just changed the rules. You can no longer assume
Disney will reduce the cost of the room by 30%. They now
only guarantee that it will be the lowest price available to
the general public. Not good enough! You should wait until
we announce the deal. Otherwise you will be buying a pig in
the poke and an expensive AP to boot!

"[The reservationist] told me that the E-tickets did not
cost if you stayed on disney property."

>>The operator was wrong! Disney resort guests must pay for
e-tickets! Adults: $12.72; Child 3-9: $10.60. Per night
including tax.

"Thanks for all you do."

>>Glad to be of service.
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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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Brian writes:

"We're going to Disney world and looking into renting a car
for 2 nights from one of the onsite Alamo rental places.
We're staying at Pop Century, so would you suggest renting
from the Car Care Center Alamo or the one in the Dolphin?
Also, which would be easiest to get to, and how would you go
about getting there?"

Your hotel's front desk can arrange for a shuttle to take
you to the Car Car Center. Give them one day's notice.
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A note from American TransAir (ATA)

"In spite of continuing industry challenges, ATA Airlines
has made tremendous progress in our efforts to reorganize.
We recently filed an initial Plan of Reorganization and are
in the process of fielding investment proposals to fund our
emergence from Chapter 11 protection. Unfortunately,
escalation of jet fuel expense and increased competition has
made it difficult to continue to operate all routes as
planned.

As a result, we have made the decision to realign our
network and discontinue service to the following markets:
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Newark and Boston. Additionally, we
will not initiate service to Miami and Sarasota, Florida as
previously planned. These actions are important elements of
our overall reorganization effort to better position ATA to
absorb the challenges of the industry.

ATA is in the process of contacting customers affected by
this announcement. Those already holding tickets for travel
beyond Jan. 9, 2006 on the affected routes will be provided
full refunds. ATA is also putting plans into place to assist
those individuals holding tickets beyond the cancellation
dates, but before Jan. 9, 2006, in booking alternative
travel. All changes will be reflected in the Company's
public timetable as of Oct. 16, 2005.

Thank you for your continued support of ATA Airlines through
these difficult times.

Sincerely,
ATA Airlines
Agency Sales and Marketing"
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MONEY SAVING TIP

Metropolis
9101 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 407/370-3700
Fax: 407/370-0050
Email: tricia@metropolismatrix.com

Nightclub featuring music of the 80's and 90's in a Moulin
Rouge-type atmosphere. Includes a thirteen-foot video wall,
fifteen 27-inch television screens, and hand-carved billiard
tables. Open 9 PM until 2 AM Wednesday - Sunday. Enjoy
Complimentary Nightclub Admission for up to 4 guests with
this coupon)
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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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