Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
December 21, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
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icon:
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=================================================
Hi Everyone!
Christmas Holiday Gift Special!
We're including with every new Lifetime Membership a Disney
Online Gift Card in the amount of $25.00! Use your Gift Card
at the Disney store online and give the gift of Disney to a
child, grandchild, spouse, friend - even yourself! Hurry!
This offer expires 12/24/05 at 11:59 PM EST. On the order
form enter promo code: "gift card" Click here to join our
Disney family.
Imagine coming back for the 2007, 2008, 2009 - all future
versions at no extra charge!
Merry Christmas from John and Donna at AffordableDisney.com!
=================================================
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - including 2006 WDW vacation packages!
* The latest news from around the "World" - including ticket
price increases at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
* Dr. Heatherley sent us some photos of the crowds at WDW
and writes about his experience with a Shopping Service that
delivers groceries to any resort at WDW.
* This week's money saving tip - a Disney activity that
costs only $3!
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:
WALT DISNEY WORLD:
Save on Disney World 2006 Vacation Packages!
Vacation Package for Disney's Pop Century Value Resort
January - March and Easter, 2006. The following example is
for a family of two adults and two children 10-17 years of
age:
* 5 nights accommodations
* nonstop roundtrip airfare from Maryland to Orlando
* 4 Magic Your Way Base Tickets
* Disney's Magical Express transportation from the airport
to the resort
* You can add a rental car if you wish
From $499 per person! Less if you have children under 10! A
lot less if you have children under 3!
Vacation Package for Disney's Caribbean Beach Moderate
Resort January - March and Easter, 2006. Includes all the
features of the above Pop Century example, but this time you
stay at Disney's beautiful Caribbean Beach. From $582 per
person! Less if you have children under 10! A lot less if
you have children under 3!
--------------------------------
Round-Trip Air Fares to Orlando From $83!
Tickets must be purchased by December 22, 2005. Fares are
valid for travel from December 17, 2005 through January 1,
2006. Certain blackout dates apply. A three-day advance
purchase is required.
--------------------------------
A new Florida Vacation Sweepstakes!
--------------------------------
Stay & Shop in Orlando from $100! Stay at this upscale hotel
on International Drive from $100 per night and receive
deluxe overnight accommodations and a $50 gift certificate
to Prime One Outlet Mall (formerly Belz). Hurry! This great
offer is only available until December 25, 2005.
--------------------------------
VEGAS
Enjoy an exotic Winter Vacation at this Resort and Casino
during any of the following dates and enjoy a DELUXE ROOM
rate from $109/night:
January 20 - 26, 29
February 6, 7, 12 - 16, 26 - 28
March 1, 2
Plus! UPGRADE to a LUXURIOUS ONE-BEDROOM SUITE for an
additional $125/night!
Plus! Book online and receive a COMPLIMENTARY PREMIUM VIEW
UPGRADE!
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
Larry and Kim write about our travel agent, Beth:
"Elizabeth,
I just wanted to forward to you and your employers our
appreciation and gratitude for all your help and patience
booking our trip to WDW. We have just returned and we had a
wonderful time and your recommendation to stay at the
Wilderness Lodge was absolutely perfect. We couldn't have
been happier with our room location.
I also want to thank you again for your patience with us and
our last minute (literally) booking, especially with the
hurricane menacing you and the threat of your home being
flooded away. Despite our frantic and numerous bothersome
emails, due to our own panic, you were nothing but entirely
professional, prompt, and most important for a Disney trip,
cheerful. Again, thank you for our successful trip and we
will contact you in the future when we plan on returning to
WDW."
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
"Walt Disney World Resort takes listeners inside the world's
No. 1 vacation destination when 'Walt Disney World Resort:
Plugged In,' a weekly podcast, debuts Dec. 25 as part of the
'Happiest Celebration on Earth,' a global commemoration of
50 years of Disney theme parks. Hosted by David Brady, the
official Walt Disney World podcast will feature a lively mix
of exclusive content including behind-the-scenes tours of
Disney's four Florida theme parks, celebrity interviews,
news about upcoming events and conversations with Walt
Disney Imagineers, the men and women responsible for the
design, creation and expansion of the company's theme parks
and resorts.
Listeners can subscribe to the free audio program at
disneyworld.com/podcast) or through the iTunes Podcast
Directory. The podcasts are being produced exclusively for
the fast growing medium and can be enjoyed at the listener's
convenience with a computer or portable audio player such as
the Apple iPod." (Source: Walt Disney World Resort,
12/19/05)
--------------------------------
"SeaWorld Orlando said Friday it plans to open a new water-
theme park in March 2008, a change from the 2007 launch
announced last summer.
The International Drive attraction said it needs more time
to work on details of the park, which would join the
original SeaWorld and Discovery Cove, its smaller,
reservation-only venue." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/17/05)
--------------------------------
"Sure, there are the theme parks, especially the Disney
ones, all bedazzling in their Christmas finery... But, for
me, it isn't Christmas until I've toured Central Florida
hotel lobbies... And seeing a decorated hotel lobby is a lot
cheaper than visiting a theme park..."
* Gaylord Palms
- 54-foot Christmas tree in the 4.5-acre atrium-lobby
- brunches with Mrs. Santa at Villa de Flora
* Disney's Grand Floridian
- old-fashion decorated tree in the atrium-lobby
- 16-foot-high gingerbread house and gift shop
- pianist playing Christmas music
- free roasted chestnuts
* The Ritz at Grande Lakes Orlando
- Santa's Bakery in the lobby
- baking demonstrations at 11 AM and 5 PM
- free samples of Christmas goodies
- Dickens Era Carolers
- a Teddy Bear Tea for kids
* Renaissance Resort opposite SeaWorld
- bow-wrapped glass elevators with views of the atrium
- Venetian aviary in the lobby with tree and poinsettias
* Peabody Orlando
- lobby sitting area decorated in white and gold accents
* Hard Rock Hotel
- big tree with red ribbons and white lights
- two Nutcracker sentinels guard the tree
* Hyatt Regency Grand
- huge tree in the lobby
* Disney's Beach Club Resort
- life-sized gingerbread carousel
* Disney's Yacht Club Resort
- miniature train with village and mountain
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/16/05)
--------------------------------
SeaWorld Orlando has raised its one-day admission price:
$61.95 + tax for adults; $49.95 + tax for children.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will raise its one-day admission
January 2: $57.95 + tax for adults; $47.95 + tax for
children, ages 3 to 9.
"But both parks sweetened the deal by offering visitors the
option of exchanging the one-day tickets for a 'personalized
pass.' That will allow customers to return to the park where
they purchased the ticket as many times as they want during
the next six days.
Discovery Cove, SeaWorld's sister park in Orlando, also is
raising prices, effective Jan. 1, from $259 to $279 a day.
The new Discovery Cove admission deal includes snacks,
beverage, breakfast and lunch." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/15/05)
NOTE: Disney, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Universal
typically raise their prices this time of year. Affordable
Disney Members should contact our ticket agent and buy their
tickets before the increase! Your savings can be
substantial. Since Disney tickets don't expire until 14 days
after first use - tickets with the no expiration option
never expire - you can buy your tickets now and put them
away until you're ready to use them. That's another reason
to join our Disney family!
--------------------------------
"On Wednesday, the airport board voted to revise some of the
rules for ground transportation companies, including changes
that some board members indicated could be unfair to Disney.
The new rules say that Disney cannot post "greeters" on the
second level of the airport, where most transportation
companies meet their customers near baggage claim. Instead,
the rules say, Mears Transportation Group -- the company
that operates the shuttle for Disney -- can post its
employees there to meet Magical Express riders."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/15/05)
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
DISNEYLAND PARIS
"Staff at Euro Disney's troubled theme park east of Paris
will go without their Christmas bonuses for the first time
since the attraction opened in 1992 in a move branded an
"affront" by several unions." (Source: expatica.com, 12/17/05)
=================================================
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.
=================================================
Dr. Heatherley is spending three weeks at WDW! He sent us
the following email December 5:
"Ordinarily, I would wait until I got home to email this
note, but this is a special event. Friday when we arrived at
the MK (fresh off the plane) we walked onto Main Street
where they were filming the Christmas Parade for 2005
Christmas Day. Crowds were a tad heavy but not too bad.
However, on Saturday morning, the floods gates burst with
people wanting to be 'on camera' with Regis and Kelly...
[We] got to the Emporium and a CM told us the walk to the
Hub would take from 30-45 minutes. (I really doubt that, but
we took the hint and walked back out of the park.
I am sending a couple of pictures that will give you an
idea of what the crowd was like on the outside of the train
station. Many of these people wanted autographs from Mickey
and Goofy, but most of them were jockeying for position
trying to get thru the train station.
We got on a Monorail, went to the TCC and then took a bus to
the AK. There was about 7,000 people there and we had a
leisurely afternoon, taking in all but the Tarzan show. The
Dinosaur ride is another story and I will tell you about it
later.
Oh, there IS Broadband at PO French Quarter in some of the
rooms. It transfers at 10Mbs. Not great, but better than
dialup. The cost is $10 for 24 hours."
Dr. Heatherley. sent us some valuable information on
ordering groceries at WDW. See the next entry.
=================================================
Dr. Heatherley sent us this note December 14:
"We are still at the World. It has been a wonderful and
Magical 3 weeks. Six days left and still much to do.
John, here is a letter I composed and want you to have a
copy. It may have some value for you.
'Dear Beth,
Thank you for telling us about the Shopping Service that
Delivers a grocery order to any resort at Walt Disney World.
Here is how it played out:
We called Marge Peck at 1-888-737-5710
or email dandmpeck@bellsouth.net
or CentralFloridaShop@WeGoShop.com
We gave Marge our order over the phone (we made our grocery
list first).
She went to Publix, a superior but reasonable Florida
grocery store chain.
She shopped for our groceries, just like she would her own
groceries. (We told her exactly what brands to buy, like buy
generic Tylenol and not the name-brand and be sure to get
the Gel-Caps.) That is exactly what she bought.
Marge called us and said she was in the checkout line, and
would be here in about 30 minutes.
Then she keyed the Resort into her car GPS unit and called
me. She told me within two minutes of when she would be
there.
To expedite finding my suite at the resort, she asked that
we meet her at the front curb, but that was not necessary
because she DOES KNOW the property.
She got here exactly when she said she would. Together we
carried my groceries to the room.
Here is how the cost of the service broke down:
The grocery bill was $75.14
Her delivery fee is $17 for the first $100 of groceries I
think.
The fuel surcharge is $2.
Total: $94.79
She gave me a 10% (on the groceries) discount for being a
client of your travel agency.
New total $87.17
She suggested the average gratuity is $10.
Total cost of the whole transaction $97.17.
Why would anyone want to eat in the resort room?
Well, when we eat at a sit down restaurant at Walt Disney
World, the cost is about $25+ per person without alcohol. We
were spending $120 average / day for food!
Over the 20 days of our trip, we calculated we would drop
$2,400 just for food!!!!
Okay, we got some healthy meats, cheeses, mayo, whole wheat
bread, veggies, and the 'fixin’s,' and paid out less than
$100. That savings IS A BIG DEAL!!!
And, here is one other tip for anyone who might have an
interest... You do have to meet her to pay for your
delivery, right? Fine, we did our weekly wash in the hour it
took her to buy and deliver our groceries.
Oh, BTW... have Marge pick up your clothes soap for you. The
resort charges a buck for the little single load boxes of
Tide.
I am forwarding this to
John & Donna Gross at AffordableDisney.Com,
Michael J. Hewell at TourGuideMike.Com, and
Deb Wells at AllEarsNet.com
Anyone headed out to WDW should join all three of these
websites, PERIOD!
These people will save you money, and tell you how to do
Disney like a Pro.
Dr. James Heatherley
Ex-Cast Member Magic Kingdom"
Thanks again, Dr. Heatherley, for the grocery information
and your generous comments!
=================================================
MONEY SAVING TIP
We include this inexpensive activity in our book:
"The Nature Conservancy maintains the Disney Wilderness
Preserve, which was established in 1992 by the Walt Disney
Co., the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the Nature
Conservancy and public agencies. The 12,000-acre site
features a 3-mile hiking trail, picnic areas on Lake
Russell, an information kiosk, an interpretive trail and
buggy tours." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/16/05)
Open daily 9-5 PM.
$3 adults, $2 students!
Call 407/935-0002.
=================================================
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!
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
bought a beautiful 5-piece set of Samsonite luggage for our
daughter for Christmas for $144!
December 5-10: 10% OFF Plus Free Shipping!
December 11: 20% OFF Site-Wide
December 15-20: Free Second Day Air Upgrade
All other December Days not listed will offer Free Shipping.
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.
=============================================
December 21, 2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog, click the following
icon:
Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader:
http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml
: My Yahoo! users can instantly add our blogcontent to My Yahoo! Add My Yahoo!
: You can also subscribe to our blog at MSN! Add to My MSN!
=================================================
Hi Everyone!
Christmas Holiday Gift Special!
We're including with every new Lifetime Membership a Disney
Online Gift Card in the amount of $25.00! Use your Gift Card
at the Disney store online and give the gift of Disney to a
child, grandchild, spouse, friend - even yourself! Hurry!
This offer expires 12/24/05 at 11:59 PM EST. On the order
form enter promo code: "gift card" Click here to join our
Disney family.
Imagine coming back for the 2007, 2008, 2009 - all future
versions at no extra charge!
Merry Christmas from John and Donna at AffordableDisney.com!
=================================================
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - including 2006 WDW vacation packages!
* The latest news from around the "World" - including ticket
price increases at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
* Dr. Heatherley sent us some photos of the crowds at WDW
and writes about his experience with a Shopping Service that
delivers groceries to any resort at WDW.
* This week's money saving tip - a Disney activity that
costs only $3!
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:
WALT DISNEY WORLD:
Save on Disney World 2006 Vacation Packages!
Vacation Package for Disney's Pop Century Value Resort
January - March and Easter, 2006. The following example is
for a family of two adults and two children 10-17 years of
age:
* 5 nights accommodations
* nonstop roundtrip airfare from Maryland to Orlando
* 4 Magic Your Way Base Tickets
* Disney's Magical Express transportation from the airport
to the resort
* You can add a rental car if you wish
From $499 per person! Less if you have children under 10! A
lot less if you have children under 3!
Vacation Package for Disney's Caribbean Beach Moderate
Resort January - March and Easter, 2006. Includes all the
features of the above Pop Century example, but this time you
stay at Disney's beautiful Caribbean Beach. From $582 per
person! Less if you have children under 10! A lot less if
you have children under 3!
--------------------------------
Round-Trip Air Fares to Orlando From $83!
Tickets must be purchased by December 22, 2005. Fares are
valid for travel from December 17, 2005 through January 1,
2006. Certain blackout dates apply. A three-day advance
purchase is required.
--------------------------------
A new Florida Vacation Sweepstakes!
--------------------------------
Stay & Shop in Orlando from $100! Stay at this upscale hotel
on International Drive from $100 per night and receive
deluxe overnight accommodations and a $50 gift certificate
to Prime One Outlet Mall (formerly Belz). Hurry! This great
offer is only available until December 25, 2005.
--------------------------------
VEGAS
Enjoy an exotic Winter Vacation at this Resort and Casino
during any of the following dates and enjoy a DELUXE ROOM
rate from $109/night:
January 20 - 26, 29
February 6, 7, 12 - 16, 26 - 28
March 1, 2
Plus! UPGRADE to a LUXURIOUS ONE-BEDROOM SUITE for an
additional $125/night!
Plus! Book online and receive a COMPLIMENTARY PREMIUM VIEW
UPGRADE!
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
Larry and Kim write about our travel agent, Beth:
"Elizabeth,
I just wanted to forward to you and your employers our
appreciation and gratitude for all your help and patience
booking our trip to WDW. We have just returned and we had a
wonderful time and your recommendation to stay at the
Wilderness Lodge was absolutely perfect. We couldn't have
been happier with our room location.
I also want to thank you again for your patience with us and
our last minute (literally) booking, especially with the
hurricane menacing you and the threat of your home being
flooded away. Despite our frantic and numerous bothersome
emails, due to our own panic, you were nothing but entirely
professional, prompt, and most important for a Disney trip,
cheerful. Again, thank you for our successful trip and we
will contact you in the future when we plan on returning to
WDW."
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
"Walt Disney World Resort takes listeners inside the world's
No. 1 vacation destination when 'Walt Disney World Resort:
Plugged In,' a weekly podcast, debuts Dec. 25 as part of the
'Happiest Celebration on Earth,' a global commemoration of
50 years of Disney theme parks. Hosted by David Brady, the
official Walt Disney World podcast will feature a lively mix
of exclusive content including behind-the-scenes tours of
Disney's four Florida theme parks, celebrity interviews,
news about upcoming events and conversations with Walt
Disney Imagineers, the men and women responsible for the
design, creation and expansion of the company's theme parks
and resorts.
Listeners can subscribe to the free audio program at
disneyworld.com/podcast) or through the iTunes Podcast
Directory. The podcasts are being produced exclusively for
the fast growing medium and can be enjoyed at the listener's
convenience with a computer or portable audio player such as
the Apple iPod." (Source: Walt Disney World Resort,
12/19/05)
--------------------------------
"SeaWorld Orlando said Friday it plans to open a new water-
theme park in March 2008, a change from the 2007 launch
announced last summer.
The International Drive attraction said it needs more time
to work on details of the park, which would join the
original SeaWorld and Discovery Cove, its smaller,
reservation-only venue." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/17/05)
--------------------------------
"Sure, there are the theme parks, especially the Disney
ones, all bedazzling in their Christmas finery... But, for
me, it isn't Christmas until I've toured Central Florida
hotel lobbies... And seeing a decorated hotel lobby is a lot
cheaper than visiting a theme park..."
* Gaylord Palms
- 54-foot Christmas tree in the 4.5-acre atrium-lobby
- brunches with Mrs. Santa at Villa de Flora
* Disney's Grand Floridian
- old-fashion decorated tree in the atrium-lobby
- 16-foot-high gingerbread house and gift shop
- pianist playing Christmas music
- free roasted chestnuts
* The Ritz at Grande Lakes Orlando
- Santa's Bakery in the lobby
- baking demonstrations at 11 AM and 5 PM
- free samples of Christmas goodies
- Dickens Era Carolers
- a Teddy Bear Tea for kids
* Renaissance Resort opposite SeaWorld
- bow-wrapped glass elevators with views of the atrium
- Venetian aviary in the lobby with tree and poinsettias
* Peabody Orlando
- lobby sitting area decorated in white and gold accents
* Hard Rock Hotel
- big tree with red ribbons and white lights
- two Nutcracker sentinels guard the tree
* Hyatt Regency Grand
- huge tree in the lobby
* Disney's Beach Club Resort
- life-sized gingerbread carousel
* Disney's Yacht Club Resort
- miniature train with village and mountain
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/16/05)
--------------------------------
SeaWorld Orlando has raised its one-day admission price:
$61.95 + tax for adults; $49.95 + tax for children.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will raise its one-day admission
January 2: $57.95 + tax for adults; $47.95 + tax for
children, ages 3 to 9.
"But both parks sweetened the deal by offering visitors the
option of exchanging the one-day tickets for a 'personalized
pass.' That will allow customers to return to the park where
they purchased the ticket as many times as they want during
the next six days.
Discovery Cove, SeaWorld's sister park in Orlando, also is
raising prices, effective Jan. 1, from $259 to $279 a day.
The new Discovery Cove admission deal includes snacks,
beverage, breakfast and lunch." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/15/05)
NOTE: Disney, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Universal
typically raise their prices this time of year. Affordable
Disney Members should contact our ticket agent and buy their
tickets before the increase! Your savings can be
substantial. Since Disney tickets don't expire until 14 days
after first use - tickets with the no expiration option
never expire - you can buy your tickets now and put them
away until you're ready to use them. That's another reason
to join our Disney family!
--------------------------------
"On Wednesday, the airport board voted to revise some of the
rules for ground transportation companies, including changes
that some board members indicated could be unfair to Disney.
The new rules say that Disney cannot post "greeters" on the
second level of the airport, where most transportation
companies meet their customers near baggage claim. Instead,
the rules say, Mears Transportation Group -- the company
that operates the shuttle for Disney -- can post its
employees there to meet Magical Express riders."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/15/05)
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
DISNEYLAND PARIS
"Staff at Euro Disney's troubled theme park east of Paris
will go without their Christmas bonuses for the first time
since the attraction opened in 1992 in a move branded an
"affront" by several unions." (Source: expatica.com, 12/17/05)
=================================================
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.
=================================================
Dr. Heatherley is spending three weeks at WDW! He sent us
the following email December 5:
"Ordinarily, I would wait until I got home to email this
note, but this is a special event. Friday when we arrived at
the MK (fresh off the plane) we walked onto Main Street
where they were filming the Christmas Parade for 2005
Christmas Day. Crowds were a tad heavy but not too bad.
However, on Saturday morning, the floods gates burst with
people wanting to be 'on camera' with Regis and Kelly...
[We] got to the Emporium and a CM told us the walk to the
Hub would take from 30-45 minutes. (I really doubt that, but
we took the hint and walked back out of the park.
I am sending a couple of pictures that will give you an
idea of what the crowd was like on the outside of the train
station. Many of these people wanted autographs from Mickey
and Goofy, but most of them were jockeying for position
trying to get thru the train station.
We got on a Monorail, went to the TCC and then took a bus to
the AK. There was about 7,000 people there and we had a
leisurely afternoon, taking in all but the Tarzan show. The
Dinosaur ride is another story and I will tell you about it
later.
Oh, there IS Broadband at PO French Quarter in some of the
rooms. It transfers at 10Mbs. Not great, but better than
dialup. The cost is $10 for 24 hours."
Dr. Heatherley. sent us some valuable information on
ordering groceries at WDW. See the next entry.
=================================================
Dr. Heatherley sent us this note December 14:
"We are still at the World. It has been a wonderful and
Magical 3 weeks. Six days left and still much to do.
John, here is a letter I composed and want you to have a
copy. It may have some value for you.
'Dear Beth,
Thank you for telling us about the Shopping Service that
Delivers a grocery order to any resort at Walt Disney World.
Here is how it played out:
We called Marge Peck at 1-888-737-5710
or email dandmpeck@bellsouth.net
or CentralFloridaShop@WeGoShop.com
We gave Marge our order over the phone (we made our grocery
list first).
She went to Publix, a superior but reasonable Florida
grocery store chain.
She shopped for our groceries, just like she would her own
groceries. (We told her exactly what brands to buy, like buy
generic Tylenol and not the name-brand and be sure to get
the Gel-Caps.) That is exactly what she bought.
Marge called us and said she was in the checkout line, and
would be here in about 30 minutes.
Then she keyed the Resort into her car GPS unit and called
me. She told me within two minutes of when she would be
there.
To expedite finding my suite at the resort, she asked that
we meet her at the front curb, but that was not necessary
because she DOES KNOW the property.
She got here exactly when she said she would. Together we
carried my groceries to the room.
Here is how the cost of the service broke down:
The grocery bill was $75.14
Her delivery fee is $17 for the first $100 of groceries I
think.
The fuel surcharge is $2.
Total: $94.79
She gave me a 10% (on the groceries) discount for being a
client of your travel agency.
New total $87.17
She suggested the average gratuity is $10.
Total cost of the whole transaction $97.17.
Why would anyone want to eat in the resort room?
Well, when we eat at a sit down restaurant at Walt Disney
World, the cost is about $25+ per person without alcohol. We
were spending $120 average / day for food!
Over the 20 days of our trip, we calculated we would drop
$2,400 just for food!!!!
Okay, we got some healthy meats, cheeses, mayo, whole wheat
bread, veggies, and the 'fixin’s,' and paid out less than
$100. That savings IS A BIG DEAL!!!
And, here is one other tip for anyone who might have an
interest... You do have to meet her to pay for your
delivery, right? Fine, we did our weekly wash in the hour it
took her to buy and deliver our groceries.
Oh, BTW... have Marge pick up your clothes soap for you. The
resort charges a buck for the little single load boxes of
Tide.
I am forwarding this to
John & Donna Gross at AffordableDisney.Com,
Michael J. Hewell at TourGuideMike.Com, and
Deb Wells at AllEarsNet.com
Anyone headed out to WDW should join all three of these
websites, PERIOD!
These people will save you money, and tell you how to do
Disney like a Pro.
Dr. James Heatherley
Ex-Cast Member Magic Kingdom"
Thanks again, Dr. Heatherley, for the grocery information
and your generous comments!
=================================================
MONEY SAVING TIP
We include this inexpensive activity in our book:
"The Nature Conservancy maintains the Disney Wilderness
Preserve, which was established in 1992 by the Walt Disney
Co., the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the Nature
Conservancy and public agencies. The 12,000-acre site
features a 3-mile hiking trail, picnic areas on Lake
Russell, an information kiosk, an interpretive trail and
buggy tours." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/16/05)
Open daily 9-5 PM.
$3 adults, $2 students!
Call 407/935-0002.
=================================================
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!
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
bought a beautiful 5-piece set of Samsonite luggage for our
daughter for Christmas for $144!
December 5-10: 10% OFF Plus Free Shipping!
December 11: 20% OFF Site-Wide
December 15-20: Free Second Day Air Upgrade
All other December Days not listed will offer Free Shipping.
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.
=============================================
posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 10:57 PM
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