Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
November 30, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
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icon: Subscribe with Bloglines

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=================================================
Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Deals and specials - including all you can eat at
Universal for less than $20!
* The latest news from around the "World" - including a
clearinghouse for Disney memorabilia
* Beth, our travel agent, continues last week's trip report
* How to create your own online business
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

Walt Disney World Vacation Packages for 2006 are now
available! We have Disney Vacation Packages for Canadians,
too! You must book NOW if you plan to visit WDW this winter!

--------------------------------

All-you-can-eat at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure
for less than $20!

--------------------------------

VEGAS

Warm Winter Fun in Vegas from $39! Valid November 28, 2005 -
December 23, 2005. Expires December 7, 2005.

--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

"In a first-of-its-kind investigation, Local 6 News teamed
up with news partner Florida Today to evaluate G-forces
riders experience on Central Florida's most popular thrill
rides." Apparently, the body can safely handle level four
G's. Their findings:

* Disney's Space Mountain: 3.5 Gs
* Universal's Revenge of the Mummy: 3.5 Gs
* Disney's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: 2.5 Gs
* Disney's Rock-N-Roller Coaster: 4.5 Gs
* The Hulk roller coaster at Universal's IOA: 4.5 Gs

(Source: local6.com, 11/29/05)
--------------------------------
"With 'Spaceship Earth''s new sponsor declining to fund an
ambitious new redo of this Epcot icon, plus the half-
completed "Living Seas" pavilion as well as the coming
closure of the 'Wonders of Life,' Jim Hill wonders if
there's ever going to be any good news to report about this
WDW theme park." (Source: Jim Hill Media, 11/28/05)
--------------------------------
"Air travelers now have one more reason to love Orlando
International Airport: a free wireless connection to the
Internet." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/29/05)
--------------------------------
"On Friday -- the midway point of one of the busiest travel
weekends of the year -- unseasonably mild temperatures kept
a stream of people pouring into the gates of Central
Florida's major theme parks. The crowds, however, weren't as
frenzied as some had expected." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/26/05)
--------------------------------
Disney Park and Cruise Line Memorabilia & Collectibles

Mouse Surplus
1217 Spruce Avenue
Orlando, FL 32814
407/854-5391

"MouseSurplus is one of the premier clearinghouses for
memorabilia, artifacts, signage and one-of-a-kind items"
from the Disney parks and cruise line.

Click here for an interesting article about them.)
--------------------------------
"After months of bickering over a free Disney airport
shuttle, drivers of competing shuttles and luxury cars
joined Disney-contracted Mears Transportation Group on
Monday to fight proposed changes to how they all do
business." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/27/05)
=================================================
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

"If attendance really is a problem, then it perhaps comes as
no surprise. Remember the challenge of Euro Disney back in
1992--and the cries of "cultural imperialism" that roused
hundreds [of] employees to walk off the job? The Chinese
public doesn't seem to be too accommodating either--a recent
survey found a quarter didn't like the park. The local
press, meanwhile, has disclosed titillating accounts of
enraged pop stars, antagonized labor leaders and a
disgruntled employee who threatened to jump off of Space
Mountain." (Source: forbes.com, 11/22/05)

Disney responds:

"Disney expects the Hong Kong resort to attract 5.6 million
visitors in its first year, Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay
Rasulo said Wednesday. The attendance numbers are the first
that Disney has provided for the park since Hong Kong
Disneyland opened Sept. 12." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/24/05)
--------------------------------
Here's a Christmas photo of Mickey and Minnie during a news conference.)
=================================================
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.
=================================================
You Are At Home For Your Kids
Now You Can Contribute Financially Too...
And Love It!

A personal note from John:

We know that moms are the ones who plan most vacations, and
many have had to give up working outside the home to provide
for the needs of their young children. I was lucky enough to
be able to work at home and stay with our young children
while Donna was gone during the day at her teaching job.

However, many stay-at-home parents, moms AND dads, may not
have found a way to generate an income from home. There are
a lot of useless, waste-of-time ideas out there and you may
have even tried some of them - envelope stuffing schemes,
telephone soliciting, etc. But there is a better way!

Dr. Ken Evoy founded "Site Build It!" in 2002 and many have
benefited from his "everything under one roof" business
solution to make a full or part time income on the 'Net.
Although I was not able to integrate my already functioning
Internet business into his working model - I had already
done much of the leg work involved in creating my business
and getting listed in the search engines - I wish I had
found him in the beginning. He would have saved me so much
work and anxiety!

I was a paying member in 2002 and I have been an affiliate
since then! I use as many of his tips as I can because Dr.
Evoy knows how to do business online!

I usually don't promote businesses that are not travel
related, but I know what it's like to be taken advantage of
when you're trying to find a legitimate way to make a living
at home. So, in short, I recommend Dr. Evoy's business model
wholeheartedly.

You can learn more here.

Let me know if you start an online business. I'd like to
watch your progress.
=================================================
Beth, our travel agent, continues last week's trip report:

"Saturday we grabbed a quick breakfast at the hotel's food
court. The bacon, egg and cheese croissant was fine, but
the apple muffins were horrible. Definitely skip those! We
took the bus to Animal Kingdom and went in search of DeVine.
Her schedule is NOT listed in the park programming for the
day, but ask a cast member and they can tell you when and
where to look for her. She was just as amazing as I heard
she was!

>> Note from John: DeVine is a woman disguised in vines.
Unbelievable! For photos, click here and here.

Then we trotted over to the theater to see Tarzan Rocks, a
show that is scheduled to close early next year. Hint:
Arrive about 30 minutes early and sit in the front row of
the upper tier, as close to the center as you can. (The very
center is reserved seating.) This is a real high- energy
show, and while I don't think it's nearly as good as the
Lion King show, there are certain elements that are
impressive.

The end of the show is timed just perfectly for getting to
Flights of Wonder. We almost skipped this show - again - and
I'm so glad we didn't. We all really enjoyed it. It's
educational, entertaining, and a great chance to sit down
for a few minutes.

We exited that show just in time to get to get over to
Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends. I have one word for this
show: yuk. The actress was weak, the stage was small, there
were only a few animals and they did nothing more than move
quickly across the stage... so much potential here, and it
just totally disappointing. Amazingly, though, my daughter
loved it. (Of course, she liked the apple muffin at
breakfast, too!)

We decided to do a "light" lunch at the Rainforest Cafe
located at the Animal Kingdom's entrance. Big mistake. It
was even more noisy and crowded than normal. I joined their
Safari Club long ago for the food discount and the expedited
seating, but we still had to wait about 15 minutes - only to
discover that there's really nothing light on the menu. I
ended up ordering an appetizer (Blue Crab Dip with tri-color
tortilla chips) while the other adult ordered a Caesar side
salad. Both were good, but more food than we really wanted.
My daughter ordered a kid serving of pasta with butter -
hard to screw up! It took a long time to come, so by the
time we left we really didn't have all that much time to
kill before our dinner reservations!

So we took a bus to the Polynesian to see exactly where
'Ohana was located and then did a little walking tour of the
resort. Next, we jumped on the monorail (front cab!) and
rode to the Contemporary for some shopping before riding
back to the Poly. We settled into the lounge for pre-dinner
drinks and to catch some football scores. The dinner
reservations were for 5:05 and we were called promptly at
that time."

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
=================================================
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!

This professionally printed work (weighing over 4 lbs) comes
in a beautiful 3-ring binder with inside pockets. You can
easily add more pages to the binder in the future, if you
wish, and keep important documents in the inside pockets
where you can quickly access them.

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

Click Here To Learn More
=================================================
Money Saving Tip

Affordable Luggage: Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks,
and more! Donna and I just bought a beautiful 5-piece set of
Samsonite luggage for our daughter for Christmas for $144!
Click here to check out the bargains.
=================================================
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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!!!"
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
Affordable Luggage

Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks, and more! Donna and I
just bought a beautiful 5-piece set of Samsonite luggage for
our daughter for Christmas for $144! Click here.
--------------------------------
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.
=============================================

See You Real Soon!

John

AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
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.
=============================================

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
November 23, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog, click the following
icon: Subscribe with Bloglines

Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader:
http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml

: My Yahoo! users can instantly add our blog
content to My Yahoo! Add My Yahoo!

: You can also subscribe to our blog at MSN!
Add to My MSN!

=================================================
Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Deals and specials - including an airline holiday fare
sale
* The latest news from around the "World" - including a
preview of The Chronicles of Narnia on cable
* Wendy asks about getting a Disney Dining Experience card
when you can't wait weeks for delivery
* Beth, our travel agent, continues last week's trip report
* This week's money saving tip - Save 20% and get free
shipping at Disney's online store
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

Thanksgiving Holiday Special!

We're including with every new membership a FREE Duplicate
Gift Membership for a friend or loved one! Become a Basic
Member and we'll include a FREE Basic Gift Membership.
Become a Lifetime Member and we'll include a FREE Lifetime
Gift Membership!

The Hard Cover/CD version is excluded from this offer, but
we'll include free lifetime online access. If you don't have
the recipient's email address at hand, you can send it to us
any time at johngross@affordabledisney.com. Hurry! Offer
expires today, 11/23/05, at 11:59 PM EST.

You can join our Disney family here.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

--------------------------------

This Airline is having a Holiday Fare Sale! Purchase your
tickets by 11:59 p.m.(CST), November 28,= 2005, to take
advantage of these great savings.

--------------------------------

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Get early booking savings on these three-, four-, seven-,
ten- and eleven-night cruises booked November 21-27 for
travel in 2006. Three-night cruises start at $479 per adult,
double occupancy!

--------------------------------

3-, 4- and 7-night sailings in December and January at
special rates for Florida Residents, including NEW YEARS
EVE! Beth, our travel agent, will book this for Affordable
Disney members at no charge!

--------------------------------

DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Save up to $70.00 per adult on Park Hopper Tickets!

--------------------------------

Buy your Disneyland Tickets here and receive a free
collector's pin set with a $100 purchase.

--------------------------------

VEGAS

Las Vegas for New Year's! Beth's travel agency has a great
New Year's deal for you! Sahara from $57; Circus Circus from
$80; Luxor from $113; Riviera from $125; Aladdin from $132;
Wynn from $193. Valid December 28 or 29 (depending on hotel)
- January 1.

--------------------------------

CRUISES

These offers are special rates for upcoming cruises with
limited availability. These rates must be booked Thursday,
November 24th through Sunday, November 27th, 9:00 am - 11:59
pm EST for select sailing dates in 2006. Take a look at the
great cruise deals listed here and make your plans for a
terrific cruise:

* 10-Night Mexican Riviera & Baja Cruise Vacation from $700
* 11-Night Mexico Cruise from $600
* 9-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from $500
* 12-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from $1000
* 10-Night Mexico Cruise from $800
* 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from $500
* 9-Night Bermuda & Caribbean from $1000
* 6-Night Special Western Caribbean Cruise from $500
* All prices are per person, double occupancy

Another well known cruise line is running a similar sale.
Valid for select sailing dates in December, 2005. They also
have a 4-night cruise to the Bahamas, 5-night Southern
Caribbean cruise, and 13-Night Transatlantic Cruise.

--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe

"Many welcome Disney's film portrayal of a novel laced with
Christian imagery... As with Mel Gibson's 2004 blockbuster
"The Passion of the Christ," [...] thousands of churches
across the country - through advanced sales, sermons and
study guides - are preparing to flock to a movie that many
perceive as Christian-themed." (Source: ocregister.com, 11/21/05)
--------------------------------
"Tiger Claw and Disney's Martial Arts Festival have
announced the creation of a new national championship of
martial arts tournaments. Throughout 2006, 10 qualifying
tournaments will take place across the United States.
Winners of qualifying tournaments will be eligible to
advance to the Tiger Claw Elite National Championship as
part of Disney's Martial Arts Festival being held October
27-29, 2006 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in the
Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando Florida."
(Source: tigerclaw.com, 11/17/05)
--------------------------------
"Starz Entertainment Group (SEG), Walt Disney Pictures and
Walden Media announced today that they will partner to bring
Starz and Encore viewers an exclusive sneak peek at Walt
Disney Pictures' and Walden Media's The Chronicles of
Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe prior to its
nationwide theatrical release on December 9. Starz, Starz
Kids & Family and Encore viewers will be taken behind the
wardrobe door to experience a 30-minute original Starz
Original production and a 9-minute sneak peek of the film
beginning on Thursday, November 24... at
the following times (all times are ET/PT):

* 30-minute Starz Original production: Premieres on Starz at
6:30 p.m. and Starz Kids & Family at 8:00 p.m.

* 9-minute teaser: Premieres on Encore at 9:45 p.m. and also
airs on Starz and Starz Kids & Family throughout the day."

(Source: Starz Entertainment Group, 11/17/05)
--------------------------------
"Hit by increased competition, rising gas prices and a
record hurricane season, Universal Orlando's parent company
saw its profits fall 25 percent as attendance slipped at the
Orlando theme park during its most recent quarter, the
company said Tuesday."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/16/05)
=================================================
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

"Attendance at Hong Kong Disneyland is running below
government forecasts two months after the park opened, the
South China Morning Post reported Monday. Disneyland
officials have refused to say how many people have visited
the park. This has angered lawmakers, who say the public has
the right to know since the government owns 57 percent of
the attraction." (Source: Yahoo! Finance, 11/20/05)
=================================================
DISNEYLAND PARIS

"French theme park operator Euro Disney (EDLP.PA: Quote,
Profile, Research) reported a smaller annual net loss on
Wednesday, helped by financial restructuring, but heavy
charges and flat visitor numbers widened its operating
loss." (Source: Reuters, 11/16/05)
=================================================
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.
=================================================
Wendy writes about the Disney Dining Experience from last
week's issue:

"I was wondering if you knew if there was anywhere to buy
the Disney Dining Experience card for passholders. We were
going to buy one, but our vacation is Dec. 7 and the form
(and phone call) said to allow 4-6 weeks to get the card.
Thanks."

Call 407/566-5858. Ask them to let you stop by Guest
Services for a letter of authorization. Be prepared to show
photo ID.
=================================================
Beth, our travel agent, continues last week's trip report:

"Friday we headed down the path to Port Orleans Riverside
for a yummy breakfast at Boatwright's. I'm not big on
breakfast foods, but their sweet potato pancakes are pure
heaven! Then we crammed ourselves onto the bus to MGM and
headed right for Star Tours. This is one of the ones I was
always afraid of. (Claustrophobia, motion sickness, you name
it.) I slathered on some herbal oil behind my ears that's
supposed to take care of motion sickness and mentally tried
to prepare myself for the claustrophobia bit. We had a short
wait - maybe 10 minutes - to get on, and it turns out I was
worried for nothing! I admit I closed my eyes a few times,
but the pod was large enough and the temperature cool enough
that I was OK!

My daughter announced she was very proud of me for facing my
fears, and with that we took off for Who Wants to be a
Millionaire - Play It! I was all ready to be bored to tears,
but it was surprisingly entertaining. I didn't care for the
show's host (who made a few political statements that would
have been best kept to himself), but playing the game was
fun. And yes, even my daughter enjoyed it!

We were all ready to walk to Epcot, but a bus pulled up just
as we exited the MGM gates so we took the lazy way over.
After entering Epcot we went straight to The Land to
experience Soarin,' but were dismayed to see that, even
though it was just after 11:00 in the morning, all the
FastPasses for the day had already been given out! (Big
signs outside the pavilion and inside as well announced this
sad fact.) So we went in anyway, determined to ride. The
standby time listed was 90 minutes, and a cast member
assured us it would really take that long - but it didn't.
It only took 60 minutes of waiting. That's a long time, but
when you're mentally prepared for 90 minutes it's a
wonderful thing! There are plenty of places you can read
about this ride so I won't go into it except to say that it
was well worth the wait, and I'd stand in line again for it
if I had to.

After exiting Soarin' we sauntered across the park to Test
Track to grab a FastPass - and just in the nick of time! It
was about 12:30 at that point, and we snagged the last Test
Track FastPasses for the day. They told us to be back
between 8 and 9 PM!

At that point, we were hungry and a bit tired, so we took
the bus back to French Quarter and had a mediocre lunch at
the resort's food court before going to the room. Our travel
companion napped while I took my daughter out to the serpent
pool for 45 minutes. It was a gorgeous day and all the kids
seemed to be having fun. (It's a great pool for kids.) Then
we went back to the room for a short nap as well.

About 5:00 we got up, freshened ourselves, and went back to
Epcot. We were early, though, and they wouldn't allow us to
enter the attraction more than 5 minutes before our stated
pass time, so we shopped and did a little people-watching.
Finally, we got to head into Test Track, another first for
me. It is most definitely NOT what my daughter refers to as
a "mommy ride," but I lived through Star Tours so I figured
it couldn't be that bad! Well, claustrophobia wasn't a
problem and the herbal oil behind the ears was good for the
motion sickness, but that's the closest I've ever come - or
ever care to come - to being on a rollercoaster. Those of
you that love this ride are probably laughing, but when our
little car went flying into that outdoor curve every muscle
in my body was tensed. Some may call it exhilarating. I call
it insane. And yes, my daughter loved it, and no, she did
NOT talk me into doing Mission: Space! Instead, we actually
skipped Illuminations (something only those of us who are at
WDW often would/should even think about doing) and got a
seat on the bus back to the hotel. We had dinner at the food
court and dropped into bed with a smiles on our faces."

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
=================================================
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!

Click Here To Learn More
=================================================
MONEY SAVING TIP

Disneyshopping.com:
Save another 20% with your $75 purchase when you use coupon
code: THANKS. Plus! Enjoy FREE shipping for the holidays!
Expires 11/24/05.
=================================================
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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!!!"
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
Affordable Luggage

Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks, and more! Click here.
--------------------------------
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.
=============================================

See You Real Soon!

John

AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
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.
=============================================

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
November 16, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog, click the following
icon: Subscribe with Bloglines

Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader:
http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml

: My Yahoo! users can instantly add our blog
content to My Yahoo! Add My Yahoo!

: You can also subscribe to our blog at MSN!
Add to My MSN!

=================================================
Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Deals and specials - including a new Disney vacation
package for Canadians
* The latest news from around the "World" - including The
Chronicles of Narnia in the Snow Globes Experience
* Raymond asks about exceeding the number of guests per room
* Cherry writes about the Disney Dining Experience
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about her recent WDW visit
* This week's money saving tip - how to get free autographed
Disney character photos
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

New Affordable Disney Discount For Active Military

Active duty US military personnel receive a FREE upgrade to
a Lifetime Basic Membership when they purchase a Basic
Membership! Mention Code "military" on the order form. Thank
you for your service! You can sign up here.
--------------------------------

Disney Vacation Package for Canadians: Save US $121 and
receive FREE ticket upgrade to Park Hopper Option AND Water
Park Fun & More Option! Log in for your discount codes!

--------------------------------

Earn a FREE 1-Way Ticket or a FREE Round-Trip Ticket with
this Airfare promotion!

--------------------------------

Two new sweepstakes: Win a vacation to Walt Disney World or
a trip to London for the world premiere of Disney's new
film, The Chronicles of Narnia!

--------------------------------

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Get early booking savings on these three-, four-, seven,
ten- and eleven-night cruises booked November 14-20 for
travel in 2006. Three-night cruises start at $479 per
adult, double occupancy!
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

These members save $10.00 per ticket to SeaWorld San Diego
through 12/31/05! Maximum 6 tickets per purchase.
=================================================
CRUISES

4-night Caribbean cruise from $239 per person, double
occupancy! Book through Friday November 18, 2005, 11:59 PM.
Sailing dates: 12/05/05 and 12/12/05.
=================================================
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.
=================================================
Cherry writes:

"Hi John,

Have you included information on the Disney Dining
Experience in past newsletters? I apologize if I missed it
and this is duplicative. I first heard about the dining
experience when I visited Disney World during Spring Break
in April. I received the information when I renewed my
annual pass and was very interested but when I called (from
my Disney hotel room) I was told that I had to request it in
advance and get it through the mail before I visited Disney.
Of course I was disappointed but I did request it in time
for a short trip with my husband and two friends in July. We
more than made up for the cost of joining the Disney Dining
Experience on that trip.

The card provides for a 20% discount on meals including
food, soft drinks, and alcohol drinks at all the major
Disney park and resort restaurants - for up to 10 people in
your party. Discounts on beer, wine, and cocktails are a
very rare find. On our 4 night trip in July we ate lunches
and dinners at California Grill, Flying Fish, Bistro de
Paris, Coral Reef, Biergarten, and Brown Derby. We also
had cocktails and snacks at Rose and Crown lounge and MGM's
Prime Time Cafe ounge. I paid $50 for the card and, on
this July trip, for 4 adults we saved at least $300!!"

By the way, we are Disney Vacation Club members and are now
getting a $100 member discount on our adult annual passes.
Hope some of this info is useful."

Yes, we posted it in the newsletter - Beth wrote an article
about it - and it's in the book. The Disney Dining
Experience is available to Florida residents and now Annual
Passholders from any state. For more information, click here.

Thanks for the feedback, though, and the additional info.
Glad to see you get a discount on your passes with DVC
membership.
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

"A 4-year-old Pennsylvania boy who died last summer after he
rode one of Walt Disney World's most popular thrill rides
died from a cardiac arrythmia brought on by heart disease...

The medical examiner's office also announced on Tuesday that
the unrelated death in August of 12-year Jerra Kriby at Walt
Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon was caused by a viral
infection that attacked her heart."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/15/05)
--------------------------------
The 13th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
will take place from April 21 - June 11, 2006. Next year's
motif will be Disney couples.
--------------------------------
The Chronicles of Narnia in the Snow Globes

"Through larger-than-life snow globes, this spectacular
holiday set includes a walk-through 20-foot snow globe that
simulates snowfall in Narnia, life-like figures that help
tell the story of the film and green-screen digital photo
opportunity."

The experience is on display now through January 8, 2006
in the following cities:

Los Angeles CA
Denver CO
Fairfax VA
Norfolk VA
Charlotte NC
Short Hills NJ
Hartford CT
Dallas TX
--------------------------------
"Walt Disney Co. has signed a 12-year marketing agreement
with technology giant Siemens AG that includes rights for
Siemens to sponsor a number of attractions at Walt Disney
World in Orlando..."

* Epcot's SpaceShip Earth and Illuminations: Reflections of
Earth
* MGM's Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights
* Disney's Electrical Parade and Walt Disney's Parade of
Dreams at Disneyland California

(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/08/05)
=================================================
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

"Oakley Celebrates the Opening of its 100th Iacon Sunglass
Specialty Store at Downtown Disney Anaheim

Oakley, Inc today announced the opening of its 100th Iacon
sunglass specialty store, a Sunglass Icon, at the Downtown
Disney(r) District in Anaheim, Calif. In addition to the
Sunglass Icon store, a new outdoor Sunglass Designs kiosk
located near the Disneyland(r) Resort's Downtown Disney tram
drop-off opened in October.

'Reaching 100 stores within our Iacon organization is a
significant achievement in our retail expansion strategy,'
said Link Newcomb, chief operating officer, Oakley, Inc.
'This flagship store, which will be branded as Sunglass
Icon, is similar to the successful design featured at the
Downtown Disney store in Orlando and provides customers an
excellent location to find a wide range of Oakley products,
together with other leading brands.'" (Source: Oakley, Inc,
11/10/05)
--------------------------------
Candlelight Procession and Ceremony 2005

Host: Dick Van Dyke
When: December 3 and 4
Where: Main Street, U.S.A.
When: 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM

A dinner package includes reserved seating. A minimum dinner
purchase is required. The following restaurants are
participating:

* Napa Rose at the Grand Californian Hotel ($60 per adult;
$15 per child (3-9), not including tax and tip)

* Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel ($40 per
adult; $15 per child (3-9), not including tax and tip)

* Granville's Steakhouse at the Disneyland Hotel ($60 per
adult; $15 per child (3-9), not including tax and tip)

Hook's Pointe at the Disneyland Hotel ($40 adult; $15 per
child (3-9), not including tax and tip)

To make reservations, call 714/781-3463.
--------------------------------
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

"Hong Kong Disneyland's debut was marred by public relations
debacles that left Mickey Mouse looking like Cinderella's
stepmother in this former British colony."
(Source: USA Today, 11/10/05)
--------------------------------
"Hong Kong Disneyland said Tuesday it will offer ticket
discounts for one month to local residents to thank them for
their support, but denied the move was prompted by low
attendance at the park, which opened two months ago."
(Source: Yahoo! Asia News, 11/08/05)
=================================================
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.
=================================================
Raymond writes:

"Hi John, I would like your advice. I have an opportunity to
get a 7 night stay at Old Key West at a one-bedroom villa
for a really good price. My problem is, I have a party of
six (3 adults, 3 children). The person I would be buying
points from says he has had six there before, but has not
told Disney. I don't want to be deceptive. I had him ask
Disney if they would allow 6. Disney told him 5 was the
limit because of a shortage of bed linens and towels. Do you
think Disney would allow my party to stay there if I
provided my own towels and bedding? Would they give me six
keys? Do all six of us need keys for extra magic hours? I
love your book and newsletter."

Disney will not allow 6, even if you bring extra linen. If
you did stay there and bring your own sheets and towels,
they would only give you 5 keys. You need your key to gain
access to Extra MH. So someone will be left out.

I am delighted to hear that you are enjoying the book and
newsletter!
=================================================
Beth, our travel agent, filed this trip report:

"Hi, John. Just back from a few days with The Mouse and I
thought I'd report. This was a trip to do things I'd never
done before - either because they didn't exist that last
time I was there, or because I was always too chicken to
try, or because I just never got around to it before.

First, we had to swing over to Epcot's Guest Relations
window to pick up our temporary Dining Experience card. I
was so busy doing vacations for everyone else I'd forgotten
to renew early! (No park admission necessary, since the
window is outside the turnstiles.) The parking toll
attendant collected our $9, but printed a new parking tag
that clearly showed the time of day we were entering. After
picking up the Dining Experience card, we went back to the
toll plaza and they refunded the $9 since we'd clearly been
there for under a half hour. Getting the fresh tag printed
is important!

Then we checked into Port Orleans French Quarter right about
3:00. I'd requested a room on the end on the first floor
with a garden view near the main building. Sure that they'd
only be able to pull of a part of that detailed request, I
was amazed to discover that our room, 2101, fit every single
request! Check-in took awhile since our girl was "earning
her ears," but we finally got to the room and quickly put
away our stuff before heading over to the boat dock. It was
a lovely evening, and we didn't mind the 15 minute wait
before the boat showed up. There was still plenty of time
before dinner, so we strolled along from where we were
dropped off (near the Rainforest Cafe) toward Pleasure
Island. Our reservations for Raglan Road were for 6:30, but
we arrived really early. They were happy to accommodate us.

Raglan Road is HUGE, but it still has a warm, comfy feel to
it. We were too early to catch any of the entertainment,
but still enjoyed the authentic Irish decor and ambiance.
At first glance, the menu would maybe leave something to be
desired - but don't let it fool you. The seemingly everyday
fare is anything but! We shared a side order of crispy
onions (very thin, very crispy) as an appetizer. They were
served in the cutest little pail! All three of us - my
daughter, the onion-hater included - loved them. The two
adults both ordered Pie in the Sky. It's sort of a chicken
and mushroom soup (or thin stew) served in a small crock and
topped with a nice round of puff pastry, and a little salad
of greens to the side. Not a lot of food, but filling
enough for us ladies and deemed absolutely wonderful by us
both.

My almost-eight-year-old daughter shocked us by ordering the
Bean Bag, a child's version of Chef Kevin's signature dish,
Kevin's Kudos. It's honey-glazed, roasted loin of bacon with
braised cabbage and creamed potato. The bacon would be
called ham by most Americans - but it's fabulous no matter
what you call it. We found the cabbage to be undercooked,
but the potatoes and bacon were magnificent and plentiful -
WAY too much food for even a big eater like my child.
Children's meals range from $7.95 to $10.00. Adult entrees
run $11.99 to $28.99. Save your pennies and do this one.
You'll be happy you did!

We then strolled through Pleasure Island for a bit, but
found it to be crowded and noisy even early on a Thursday
night, so we turned around and sauntered over to Ghirardelli
to use the 2-for-1 sundae coupon they'd emailed us for my
daughter's birthday. (Sign up on their website.) Then we
hopped the boat back to the resort and had a good night's
sleep."

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
=================================================
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!

Click Here To Learn More
=================================================
MONEY SAVING TIP

Free Disney Character Photos

Did you know that Disney will send your children autographed
photos of their characters at no charge? Send the request
for your favorite character to:

The Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

Limit: one photo per request
Delivery: 4-6 weeks
=================================================
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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!!!"
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
Affordable Luggage

Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks, and more! Click here.
--------------------------------
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.
=============================================

See You Real Soon!

John

AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
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.
=============================================

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
November 9, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog, click the following
icon: Subscribe with Bloglines

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=================================================
Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Beth's travel agency has some openings on the Disney
Cruise line for NEW YEARS EVE!
* The latest news from around the "World" - including the
removal of Disney greeters from the main floor at Orlando
International Airport
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about the Wright Amendment
in Texas that is costing us billions a year in higher
airfare rates
* Aimee asks about re-entering the parks on the same day
with Disney's Magic Your Way Base Ticket
* This week's money saving tip
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

Walt Disney World Resort Discounts for Florida Residents
from $64 per night - even on Christmas day! Log in for the
discount codes.

--------------------------------

Universal Resort Special! Includes FREE admission to both
Universal Orlando theme parks for 2 adults and 2 children!
Save over $400.00! Includes:

* Universal Orlando theme parks for 5 consecutive days
* All club access to Universal CityWalk
* Universal Express Ride Access at both Universal Orlando
theme parks - Bypass the regular lines!
* Early Park Admission

--------------------------------

Another sweepstakes to win a vacation for four to WDW!

--------------------------------

Discount airfare for students 25 and under! Great rates!

=================================================
DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Beth's agency just opened up some Florida resident rates on
Disney Cruise line for NEW YEARS EVE! This one will fill up
fast!

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

Valid for January and February, 2006: Disney's Paradise Pier
Hotel from $165/night, Disneyland Hotel from $210/night, and
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel from $280/night!
=================================================
LAS VEGAS

Introducing the new pedestrian bridge connecting this Hotel
& Casino to the Fashion Show - the premier retail
destination in Las Vegas featuring upscale department stores
like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Niemen Marcus and Macy's
in addition to more than 200 specialty shops.

Special room rates from $79/night Sunday - Thursday.
Attraction package rates are per room, per night, subject to
availability and based on single or double occupancy with a
2 night minimum. Triple and quad occupancy rates available
upon request. Promotion runs November 13, 2005 - January 11,
2006, for travel now through March 2, 2006. Includes:

* Fashion Show premier passport coupons. Up to $2,000 Value!
* 2-for-1 breakfast
* 10% discount off Resort Logo items
* 15% Spa/Salon discount

Upgrade to a Petite Suite for an extra $30 per night.
Petite Suite promotion runs November 7, 2005 - January 11.

--------------------------------

Hotel & Casino Winter Special: Valid November 6 - January 29
from $79 Sunday - Thursday; $149 Friday - Saturday. Bonus:
December 11 - 22 Rates from $69 Sunday - Thursday; $99
Friday - Saturday. WINTER package rates are per room, per
night, subject to availability and based on double
occupancy. Triple and quad rates available upon request.
Includes:

* Deluxe Upgrade
* 2 for 1 drinks
* $20 FREE PLAY
* and more!
=================================================
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.
=================================================
SET LOVE FREE!

Beth, our travel agent, writes:

"If you live in the state of Texas, you probably know all
about the Wright Amendment. It was passed some 26 years ago
to eliminate competition for the then-new DFW airport. DFW
is now the third largest airport in the world, and it no
longer needs protection from competition. In fact, quite the
opposite. If the Wright Amendment didn't so severely limit
the routes flown from nearby Love Field, home of Southwest
Airlines, we'd surely see a nice drop in price for flights
to and through DFW as well as many more flight choices. A
recent study indicated that the Wright Amendment costs
consumers nationwide over $4 billion a year! That means that
we ALL pay for it, not just Texans.

If you want to join the fight to have the Wright Amendment
repealed, click here to learn more and email your legislators."
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

Effective February 1, 2006, the following changes to
Cinderella's Royal Table Dining will take place:

* all meals will be chosen from a prix fixed menu
* a photographer will take your photo before you're seated
* during your meal you will receive a photo package
containing 4x6 and 6x8 prints of your family photo, and a
6x8 print of Cinderella Castle. Retail value: $29.95 + tax.
* Dinner includes a lithograph worth $50
* Full payment by credit card will be required when you make
your reservation

New Prices:

Breakfast: $31.99; $21.99 (3-9)
Lunch: $33.99; $22.99 (3-9)
Dinner: $39.99; $24.99 (3-9)
--------------------------------
Beth writes: "Independence Air became the newest on the
ever-growing list of airlines in bankruptcy. So far, though,
they plan to continue usual operations."
--------------------------------
"Once upon a time, Cinderella was one of the humblest souls
in the world of children's entertainment... Lately, though,
Cinderella has become another kind of character: a retail
giant. She has opened her own boutiques in every Toys "R" Us
across the country, sold a million DVD copies of her classic
animated film in a single day and inspired flocks of little
girls to don sparkly light-blue tulle for Halloween."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel,11/04/05)
--------------------------------
Here's an article on a reporter's attempt to audition for a
Disney character position at WDW.
)
(Source: Hartford Advocate, 11/03/05)
--------------------------------
"Walt Disney World's airport greeters, whose job was to
direct tourists to the resort's free shuttle, were removed
from their controversial station on Orlando International's
main floor this week and assigned to a place where they are
out of travelers' sight. The relocation from the third to
the first floor of the airport was the latest blow to
Disney's Magical Express..."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/03/05)
=================================================
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

"Nov 3 (Reuters) - Hong Kong may eventually consider selling
its 57 percent stake in the new Hong Kong Disneyland theme
park, a government official said, less than two months after
the new attraction opened its doors."
(Source: Yahoo! Asia News, 11/03/05)
=================================================
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.
=================================================
Aimee writes:

"Hi John -

We are planning a trip to WDW in November. We were last
there in July, 2004. Of course the tickets have changed
since then. We do not usually park-hop, but rather choose
one park per day. My question is this: If we buy the 5 day
Magic Your Way Base ticket (with no park-hopping option),
can we leave and re-enter the same park during the day? I
ask because my kids may need a mid-day break, but then we
would like to return to the same park for the late
afternoon/evening. Thanks for your help."

Yes, you may leave and re-enter the SAME park.
=================================================
Karen writes:

"John,

My husband and I just got back from WDW tonight. We booked
the trip through Beth, and boy was everything perfect. We
were able to take advantage of the special pricing she was
offering and the only thing that was wrong, was that it had
to end. Thank you for the wonderful info on your site and
for having the "Beth Connection!"

Thank you, Karen, for your wonderful comments! You make all
the work worthwhile.
=================================================
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!

Click Here To Learn More
=================================================
MONEY SAVING TIP

Timpano Italian Chophouse)
7488 Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 407/248-0429
Fax: 407/248-1945

Live entertainment from Sinatra to Swing. Bone-in steaks,
chops, veal and huge pasta bowls. Like a timeless Chicago or
New York supper club, Timpano Italian Chophouse is larger
than life.

Enjoy 1/2 price on select liquors, wines and martinis Monday
- Friday 4 PM to 7 PM with this coupon.
=================================================
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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!!!"
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
Affordable Luggage

Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks, and more! Click here.
--------------------------------
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.
=============================================

See You Real Soon!

John

AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
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.
============================================

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
November 2, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog, click the following
icon: Subscribe with Bloglines

Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader:
http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml

: My Yahoo! users can instantly add our blog
content to My Yahoo! Add My Yahoo!

: You can also subscribe to our blog at MSN!
Add to My MSN!

=================================================
Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Deals and specials - including a new Disney World vacation
package for January - March!
* The latest news from around the "World" - including a new
attraction at MGM
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about a change in the rules
for Disney Dining Plan reservations
* Beth has an update on the effects of Hurricane Wilma on
travel to the Western Caribbean
* Allan asks about renting a car vs using public
transportation, and which Disney/Universal tickets are the
most cost effective
* This week's money saving tip
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD:

Walt Disney World Vacation Package for January - March, 2006
Announced!

Save 20% on your room and receive free ticket upgrades!
Hurry and book this one before the rooms are all gone!

--------------------------------

New WDW Annual Passholder Rates Announced for January -
April, 2006! Save up to $133.00 per night!

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Three more ways to Win a Trip for four to Walt Disney World!

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DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Last minute Disney Cruise Specials for Florida Residents
and Active Military from $399!

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Receive a $75 stateroom credit for cruises 09/02/06 through
12/09/06 with this offer. Book by 12/15/05. Maximum of four
staterooms per cardmember eligible for credit. Use your
credit for merchandise, shore excursions, spa treatments,
and more!

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Unadvertised price reductions on three- (Disney Wonder),
four- (Disney Wonder), seven- (Disney Magic), ten- and
eleven-night cruises (Disney Wonder), Category 12, standard
inside stateroom. From $399!
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

This group can book Paradise Pier Hotel and Disneyland Hotel
starting at $89 this January! Limit of two rooms per person,
5 people per room.
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LAS VEGAS

Welcome winter with an exclusive offer at this Luxury Hotel
& Casino. Enjoy worldly treatments, expert attention,
exquisite personalized service, international cuisine and
fascinating showmanship. Valid November 20, 2005 - January
25, 2006 at these exclusive Sunday - Thursday rates:

* Deluxe Room - $159/night
* Suites - $249/night
* Penthouse suites - $499/night
* Upgrade any suite to lakeview for only $50/night

Stay January 1, 2, 3, 11, or 12 and you'll receive a special
room rate of $139/night. (Includes complimentary upgrade to
LakeView - a $50 value). Rates are per room, per night, plus
tax. Triple and quad rates are available upon request.
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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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Beth writes:

"The Disney Dining plan (add-on to packages) has been hugely
popular this year, and it promises to be equally promising
next year. The plan enables families that otherwise would
have mostly avoided the pricey full-service meal locations
to eat in them once a day and still maintain a reasonable
food budget. That being the case, the reservations people at
Disney Dining have been going nuts!

So it's not a surprise to learn that, effective today, you
can now make dining reservations 180 days in advance rather
than 90 days in advance. As before, if you are staying at a
Disney-owned and operated resort, you can make up to 10 days
worth of reservations when you call. You will be asked to
provide a valid reservation number to do so. Otherwise, or
if you're staying at a non-Disney hotel, you will have to
call back each morning to make the reservations for the day
180 days later.

Disney Dining can be reached at 1-407-WDW-DINE and they open
at 7:00 AM Eastern time daily."
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

"Devoted fan rides Disney's Haunted Mansion for 999th time."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/31/05)
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"Delta Air Lines said today it will discontinue its discount
carrier Song by May 2006 and incorporate Song's planes into
Delta's regular service, as the Atlanta based carrier
struggles to stay aloft while operating with bankruptcy
court protection." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/28/05)
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"Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando will open a new attraction in
December called Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The
Witch and The Wardrobe.

The walk-through attraction will offer visitors a peek at
the props and some of the story line from the Walt Disney
Pictures and Walden Media's film The Chronicles of Narnia:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Opens December 9 at
Soundstage 4 on Mickey Avenue.
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/27/05)
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Cypress Gardens Improvements

"Plans for a yearlong celebration are under way at Cypress
Gardens Adventure Park, the state's oldest theme park. Among
the expected activities: a groundbreaking for a major roller
coaster, a new laser and fireworks show for next fall, and a
new premium annual pass. The park plans to spend several
million dollars on the additions."
(Source: Orlando Business Journal, 10/24/05)

"[Owner Kent] Buescher announced millions in capital
spending over the next year, much of it designed to evoke
the venerable park's former glory, including a retro-style
water-ski show, the oft-requested dinner cruise, a water
taxi, and the once-popular botanical cruise. His most
ambitious investment in nostalgia -- "several million"
dollars -- is the reconstruction of the Starliner, a classic
wooden roller coaster he hopes to have running by 2007. Its
white frame was a landmark in Panama City Beach from 1963 to
2004." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/27/05)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

A review of Disney's Napa Rose:

"The Napa Rose at the Grand Californian Hotel offers elegant
dining for serious food lovers... Once inside the restaurant
we can appreciate the beauty of the place. The high ceilings
add to the feeling of splendor, and the massive windows
offer an obscured view of California Adventure..."
(Source: ocregister.com, 10/27/05)
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Photographer Anne Geddes opens store at Downtown Disney

"At the 2,700-square-foot Geddes store, products range from
$11 photo albums to $20 posters to a $70 lined cotton bunny
suit with hat and booties... The shop also serves as part
gallery, with several 3-by-4 foot photos taken by Anne
Geddes along one wall and one 14- by-15-foot wall plastered
with the image of three newborns curled up and hanging in a
mesh-like fabric." (Source: ocregister.com, 10/26/05)
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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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Beth writes: "As I'm sure you've guessed already, ships
(incl Disney's) headed to the Western Caribbean that
normally stop in Cozumel and/or Cancun have had to change
their itineraries after that area was devastated by
Hurricane Wilma last week. People who have cruises or land
vacations scheduled down the road have been asking how soon
it will be before the area is usable again. I got this
message today from the president of Cancun Event
Organizers(CEO) and thought it was a good indication of
what's going on down there."

"Dear All,

As you all have seen on TV by now, Cancun and the Riviera
Maya including Cozumel and Isla Mujeres were extremely
affected by this powerful storm. We experienced hurricane
conditions for 36 hours...

There is lots to do to make this a working destination again
and the Mexican govt is very committed to making this happen
asap. President Fox has issued a command to completely
repair the infrastructure by Dec 15th of this year in time
for both Christmas and the high season.

The govt is lending money and credit to all hotels and
businesses to get them restored within this time frame as
well and has organized power crews and relief efforts to
make this happen.

To this end, I have some very encouraging news! Aventura
Spa Palace is opening next week! Moon Palace will open Dec
20th! And Playacar Palace Dec 15th! Given that the Aventura
and Playacar properties are opening soon, it seems that the
southern Riviera Maya hotels and quite possibly those in
Playacar were spared from the wrath of Wilma.

I have also learned that the Fiesta Americana properties in
the hotel zone will open Dec 31st..."
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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.
=================================================
Allan writes:

"We are due to depart for Disney from the United Kingdom on
8 October 2005, returning on 22 October 2005 with our two
boys aged 4 & 8. We are flying into Sanford Airport and
staying at the Marriot World Centre Resort at Lake Buena
Vista. Tens of thousands of fastidiously saved Airmiles over
the last 15 years have provided us with this (hopefully)
fantastic holiday. Sad, I know...

Over the two week period, we are looking at going to 9
attractions (Magic Kingdom, MGM studios, Universal Studios,
Epcot, Kennedy Space Centre (maybe), Seaworld, Discovery
Cove, The Animal Kingdom and a Disney Water Park. We have
already booked the Discovery Cove tickets (which included a
free SeaWorld Ticket). No other tickets have yet been
booked. We are also on a very limited budget.

Would it be possible to ask your advice on:

1. Do we need a car to get to the various attractions, or is
it easy to use the public transport? I ask this because I
drive about 1,000 miles per week and ideally wanted a
holiday where I didn't have to drive. But if the public
transport is too restrictive bearing in mind we will have 4
& 8 year olds with us, then perhaps a car is the only
option. Can you advise?

>> I would rent a car or use a limo service. See the book
for recommendations.

2. If we don't hire a car, is there a sensible way to get
public transport from where we land at Sanford Airport to
lake Buena Vista where the Marriot hotel is?

>> You will have to rent a car to get to LBV from Sanford -
it's 45 minutes by car.

3. What are the most cost effective Disney/Universal tickets
to purchase for a family of four? We don't anticipate
returning for many years, so we don't need the 'no
expiration' option. We don't believe we will need to switch
between parks on the same day, unless you would advise
otherwise?

>> You don't need a hopper. You'll be there plenty of time
to see one park each day. The base ticket is fine. Buy your
tickets from [our ticket agent].

4. On your web-site, you have suggested planned 1-day tours
of each of the Disney parks. Do you have a similar tour
guide for Universal?

>> No customized tour for Universal. For helpful tips, click here.

5. As we leave the United Kingdom at the end of next week,
we will need to purchase the tickets quickly so we get them
in time. Would you still recommend these are purchased from
[your agent] or do you sell them directly?

Buy them from our agent. He can even drop them off at your
hotel for you before you get there.

Thank you for your help. Keep well."

>> Have a safe and fun vacation! Send me a trip report when
you get back.
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MONEY SAVING TIP

Adobe Gilas )
9101 International Dr
Suite 2200
ORLANDO, FL 32819
Phone: 407-903-1476
Fax: 407-903-1478

Adobe Gilas Margarita Fajita Cantina. Live entertainment,
Great Food and Drinks, and never a cover charge.

Good for one FREE House Margarita! Or 10% off your total
bill with this (Source: coupon). Expires 12/30/06.
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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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