Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
July 12, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
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=================================================
Hi Everyone!
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - a new WDW resort deal! Save up to $70.00 per night!
* The latest news from around the "World" - the Flying Dutchman from the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest moves to Disney's Castaway Cay
* Lyn writes about her problems at Disney's Polynesian
* Beth, our travel agent, continues her Disney Cruise trip report
* Paula writes about her encounter with Pirates of the Caribbean during her Disney vacation
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:
SPECIAL FOR AFFORDABLE DISNEY MEMBERS FROM OUR TRAVEL AGENT BETH!
Book any Walt Disney Travel Company package of three nights or more between July 1 and July 31 and receive a FREE copy of Passporter's Disney 500: Fast Tips For WDW Trips. This 113-page e-book will be emailed to you when you make your deposit, and is full of handy hints and ideas for getting the most from your Disney vacation. (Package must be booked through Beth no later than July 31. Offer valid for new bookings only.)
Coming soon! An exclusive deal at the WDW resorts for Affordable Disney Members this November and December! Become a member today so you'll be ready to pounce on this deal as soon as it's announced.
--------------------------------
NEW SWEEPS
* Win a 3-night trip for two to the Caribbean!
* Win a 6-night trip for two to the Caribbean!
* Win a 4-night trip for four to Disneyland or Disney World!
* Win a 3-night trip for four to Universal Orlando!
--------------------------------
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT DISCOUNTS!
* Value resorts - up to $20 off!
* Moderate resorts - up to $45 off!
* Deluxe/Home Away from Home resorts - $70 off!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE SPECIAL
Take a magical 10- or 11-night Southern Caribbean Disney cruise and get a great rate on airfare! Plus, receive a $100 onboard credit (per stateroom)!
--------------------------------
MORE CURRENT SPECIALS
* Kids go to SeaWorld FREE when you book this vacation
package!
* Receive a 5th Day FREE when you purchase a Walt Disney World 4-Day Magic Your Way Base or Hopper ticket with 14 day Expiration!
* More than 30 ways to win a FREE vacation to Walt
Disney World!
* Deals for the military, teachers, government workers,
nurses, Florida residents!
* Buy one, get one free tickets to Universal Studios and
Islands of Adventure!
* All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of
Adventure for less than $20!
* Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
* Special discounted rates for vacation packages at
Disneyland Paris!
* Las Vegas Hotels & Casinos from $79 per night!
* Cruises to Europe and the Caribbean from $599 per person - even during the holidays!
--------------------------------
VEGAS
Summer Special! Stay at this luxury Resort & Casino from $149/weekday and $199/weekends! Book before July 18, 2006 for travel 07/05/06 - 9/30/06.
--------------------------------
If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here: http://www.affordabledisney.com
Members can use the following URLs to log in:
Lifetime Deluxe Member: http://www.affordabledisney.com/lifetime/deluxe/welcome.html
Lifetime Basic Member:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/lifetime/basic/welcome.html
Deluxe Member:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/deluxe/welcome.html
Basic Member:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/basic/welcome.html
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
* You can make reservations for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival starting July 31. Festival starts September 29. Call 407-WDW-FEST.
* Preschoolers can meet and pose for photos with the characters from the Disney program, "Little Einsteins," at MGM.
* Two stars from "Cars," Lighting McQueen and Mater, now appear in "Disney Stars and Motor Cars" parade at MGM.
* The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are returning to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for training camp July 28 to August 16. Admission is free. For info or tickets, call 407-939-GAME or visit www.disneyworldsports.com or www.buccaneers.com
--------------------------------
"The parade of college basketball prospects through Central Florida cranks up Wednesday, with the AAU Girls 16s nationals being played at Disney, Champion Sports and several Kissimmee-area high school gyms through July 18."
(Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-localhoops1106jul11,0,3715070.story)
--------------------------------
"A 35-year-old woman fell and lost consciousness after getting off Mission: Space at Epcot on Monday night, authorities said. The woman, who was described only as a 'local,' was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center about 8:30 p.m. by the hospital's helicopter in 'serious, improving condition' authorities said."
(Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-mdisfall1106jul11,0,7480628.story?coll=orl-home-promo)
--------------------------------
"A 175-foot mock pirate ship, modeled after the Flying Dutchman from the new movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, is anchored at Disney's island getaway, Castaway Cay... The Flying Dutchman will provide a photo backdrop, and Disney Cruise Line passengers may rent boats on the island to get a close look." (Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-tourism1006jul10,0,7534346.story?coll=orl-business-headlines)
--------------------------------
"The Procaccianti Group, one of the nation's top ten hotel owner operators, announced today they have recapitalized the 626 room Grosvenor Hotel located in Downtown Disney, Orlando Florida... 'We are planning an extensive renovation and we're committed to returning the Grosvenor to first class status.'" (Source: http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4028114.search?query=disney)
--------------------------------
Pirate & Princess Party: On 13 nights between January 22 and March 8, 2007 at the Magic Kingdom, you can join the hunt for trinkets and chocolates. Includes a parade, fireworks, encounters with Characters and access to favorite attractions in the park. Adults: $42.95 + tax; children (3-9): $35.95 tax.
--------------------------------
The production designer and director of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" chose three locations to film the movie: St. Vincent, Dominica, and the Exumas. Now you can have your own pirate-themed vacation in these same locals. (Source: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/travel/booty_call_travel_gretchen_kelly.htm)
--------------------------------
Disney caters to special dietary requests at no charge!
"Guests making meal reservations are asked if they have any special dietary needs, and that information is passed on the restaurant staff, who can accommodate up to 15 types of food allergies, as well as requests for low-sodium and kosher diets... Disney adds no service fee, even working with families who want to enjoy a buffet by individually preparing the food items the guest selects."
(Source: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13679762/)
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/parkhours/calendarHome?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
"Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the hit film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl or the new film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (in theaters nationwide July 7) can now live-out their pirate dreams at the Disneyland Hotel in the all-new 'Pirates of the Caribbean Suite' (formerly one of the hotel’s Presidential Suites). The specially redesigned suite is intended to fully immerse guests, providing family lodging that combines modern conveniences with décor, furnishings and ambience that evoke the fun, whimsy and adventure of the films and attraction." (Press Release, 07/11/06)
--------------------------------
Blue Bayou, Café Orleans and the French Market have been renovated and feature new menus.
--------------------------------
Disneyland Resort Calendar http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/calendar/daily/daily?name=CalendarDailyPage&date=20050913&span=1&parkDCA=true&parkDLP=true&parkDTD=true
=================================================
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.
=================================================
AVAST THERE YE LAND LOVERS!
Paula sent us this note about her encounter with Pirates of the Caribbean during her vacation:
"We just got back from vacation 7-4-06 to 7-7-06 at WDW and we went on the 'PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.' WOW, it was awesome. the figures of Jack Sparrow and Barbossa look just like they stepped out of the movie and it was great how they had both the old soundtrack from the ride and the movie soundtrack going in the ride! There were other things new in the ride but I don't want to be the one to give it all away. It was great to see so many people going on the ride. Wait time was about 60 min., but moved very quickly. I think it took us about 35 min. from start to finish. Pirate booty was flying off the shelves as fast as they were restocking it. I know a lot of people didn't want the POC changed but it still keeps it close to the original but freshened up for the next generation of pirates.
We were going to take in the movie's first showing at 12:01am FRI. morning but all 12 theaters were sold out so we went to see another movie. The people were already in line at 7:30pm Thurs. night dressed in pirate ears and costumes. My husband said he hadn't seen anything like it since he went to see Star Wars. We heard a lot of people talking the next day about how great the movie was! Well the last suitcase is put away and I'm going to take off my pirate Mickey ears and put them on my Pooh bear and call it a night!"
=================================================
Lyn writes:
"When we were in Disney 4/30/06 to 5/6/06 we stayed at the Polynesian Resort - Room only. Upon entering the room, it was dirty and dusty and when I picked up the phone to call housekeeping, I had to brush the dust away in clumps. A maid came to clean, but she was done in a minute. I then called Housekeeping and explained that the comforters were ripped and torn, the carpet was torn and worn and the dust was awful and that $500 plus per night should have entitled me to a clean room at the least.
When the managers came to clean, they replaced the comforters and remade the beds, dusted the room and believe me, it was flying everywhere, cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed and cleaned off the floor on the balcony. This took most of the afternoon, time I would have preferred to use seeing more of the location. From that moment on, the room was only marginally cleaned and on the Friday of that week, after returning from the parks late, we found the beds had not been made, only covered with the comforter. I then, had to make the beds myself.
This was completely unacceptable and I was happy to be in a Holiday Inn on Saturday night where the room was clean and I even had free internet and breakfast the next morning, free coffee and cookies every evening. Perhaps you should go back to the service provided when we visited the Polynesian several years ago. The rooms were clean, the streams were not filled with garbage, the pathways were not littered and the beaches were clean enough to walk them. My disappointment was huge having been to disney so many times before and I was angry I spent so much for so little. It won't happen again."
I would contact Disney about your experience. To file a complaint online, see:
http://disney.go.com/Mail/DisneyWorld/index.html
=================================================
Beth, our travel agent, continues her Disney Cruise trip report:
"We arrived in Nassau early and the ship emptied fairly quickly with everyone headed off for shore excursions and touring the town. (You can walk right off the ship into town.) My daughter only wanted to go back to the Oceaneer Lab - which is open even in port - and I had emails to tend to, so after a quick breakfast at the Beach Blanket Buffet that's how we spent the morning.
At lunch time I picked up my daughter and we headed to Triton's for lunch. We were seated at a table for two and had a very pleasant meal - after which my daughter begged to head back to Lab. Those commercials you see with the kids 'dumping' their parents for the duration of the cruise are pretty accurate, much to the astonishment of most adults. Disney really does an amazing job with their children's programming, and the kids really DON'T want to have anything to do with you.
Still, given that it's supposed to be a 'family' vacation, I always feel obligated to ruin my daughter's day by forcing her to spend time with me. This day, though, she really had no desire to head into Nassau, so I went off the ship alone. (Yes, the beepers work even off the ship.) Town is right there, so little walking is required. I spent about 45 minutes wandering through stores before deciding that it was way too hot and humid and heading back to the ship. I collected my daughter and we went swimming at the 'Mickey' pool. Warning: the deck gets really hot on bare feet. Be sure to take flip-flops with you!
I learned my lesson from the day before and insisted on naps for us both after that. That worked out really well, since it gave us both enough energy to get through a longer-than-usual evening. The show was again at 6:15, this time the Golden Mickeys. The show's musical numbers highlight many popular Disney movies and characters and was, once again, very well done.
The children's group was off doing something my daughter wasn't interested in after the show, so we went to a lounge to have pre-dinner cocktails (a Shirley Temple for my daughter), and then proceeded to Parrot Cay for dinner. Once again, great food, great staff, slow service - but better then the previous night.
Once again my daughter begged to go back to the Lab afterwards, only this time her age group was off watching a movie that she didn't care to see. An older group was in the Lab making flubber, and although my daughter only wanted to sit at the computers and play, she wasn't permitted. (They said if she'd been a little closer in age to the group there they'd have considered it, though.) So we hit the shops instead. Not a bad way to spend a few minutes before heading to the deck party.
As you might guess, even DCL is into promoting the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and we were all given pirate bandanas to wear on our heads (or necks or wherever) at dinner. One gift shop also sells a lot of pirate-related costumes and accessories. We trudged up to deck 10 thinking we'd just sit at the back and wait for the fireworks, but the whole back part of the ship is closed off and secured by a safety crew. Instead, we found a good spot just ahead of the rope lines where we could look down on the stage - and it was the perfect location to watch Mickey literally fly down from one of the smoke stacks. Pretty cool.
Then the fireworks started. Yep, fireworks shot right off the top of the ship. Our evening, the fireworks were shot to the starboard (right) side, but that might change depending on wind direction... not sure. It's really surprising to me that they do it at all given that shipboard fire is one of the most dangerous and feared events at sea. I noticed, though, that when one round of fireworks seemed to misfire, going nearly straight out from the ship instead of upwards like all the others, a little army of safety people quickly ran to the side of the ship and examined all areas to be sure that there was nothing amiss. It was a crowded, but fun, way to end the evening."
TO BE CONTINUED
=================================================
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, see:
http://www.ncsreporting.com/LinkTrack/Redirect.asp?LinkID=CHU10862
--------------------------------
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! To check out the bargains, see:
http://www.bookcloseouts.com/default.asp?rid=disney
July Specials:
Coupon Code: Summer5
Coupon Password: Bookcloseouts.com
Value: Get $5 off an order of $25 or more
Coupon Code: Summer10
Coupon Password: Bookcloseouts.com
Value: Get $10 off an order of $50 or more
Coupon Code: Summer20
Coupon Password: Bookcloseouts.com
Value: Get $20 off an order of $100 or more
(Note: Above minimum order amount is before shipping/handling) Promotion expires 07/31/06.
--------------------------------
Got Coupons?
With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more! 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, see: http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2034967-10385898
--------------------------------
Affordable Disney Movies and CD's
Save 40-70% on your favorite Disney Movie or CD! Cheap shipping, too! Save $10 off any $100 or more order! Expires 07/15/06. See:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=PSEiizziCy8&offerid=57189.10001204&type=4&subid=0
--------------------------------
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, see: http://www.180096hotel.com/cgi-bin/pickcity?SID=ADI&LKF=ADI
--------------------------------
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! See:
http://partner.onetravel.com/go/go.cfm?GoID=1786
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, see:
http://partner.onetravel.com/go/go.cfm?GoID=15263
--------------------------------
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! See:
http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1695629-10293934
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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. See:
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1695629-5338946
Save 20% on the Fee and Frame, use code: combo20. Expires: 7/15/06
=============================================
See You Real Soon!
John
http://www.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.
=============================================
July 12, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog:
http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader:
http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Here's the URL to instantly add our blog to My Yahoo!:
http://add.my.yahoo.com/content?url=http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Here's the URL to subscribe to our blog at MSN:
http://my.msn.com/addtomymsn.armx?id=rss&ut=http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com
=================================================
Hi Everyone!
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - a new WDW resort deal! Save up to $70.00 per night!
* The latest news from around the "World" - the Flying Dutchman from the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest moves to Disney's Castaway Cay
* Lyn writes about her problems at Disney's Polynesian
* Beth, our travel agent, continues her Disney Cruise trip report
* Paula writes about her encounter with Pirates of the Caribbean during her Disney vacation
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:
SPECIAL FOR AFFORDABLE DISNEY MEMBERS FROM OUR TRAVEL AGENT BETH!
Book any Walt Disney Travel Company package of three nights or more between July 1 and July 31 and receive a FREE copy of Passporter's Disney 500: Fast Tips For WDW Trips. This 113-page e-book will be emailed to you when you make your deposit, and is full of handy hints and ideas for getting the most from your Disney vacation. (Package must be booked through Beth no later than July 31. Offer valid for new bookings only.)
Coming soon! An exclusive deal at the WDW resorts for Affordable Disney Members this November and December! Become a member today so you'll be ready to pounce on this deal as soon as it's announced.
--------------------------------
NEW SWEEPS
* Win a 3-night trip for two to the Caribbean!
* Win a 6-night trip for two to the Caribbean!
* Win a 4-night trip for four to Disneyland or Disney World!
* Win a 3-night trip for four to Universal Orlando!
--------------------------------
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT DISCOUNTS!
* Value resorts - up to $20 off!
* Moderate resorts - up to $45 off!
* Deluxe/Home Away from Home resorts - $70 off!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE SPECIAL
Take a magical 10- or 11-night Southern Caribbean Disney cruise and get a great rate on airfare! Plus, receive a $100 onboard credit (per stateroom)!
--------------------------------
MORE CURRENT SPECIALS
* Kids go to SeaWorld FREE when you book this vacation
package!
* Receive a 5th Day FREE when you purchase a Walt Disney World 4-Day Magic Your Way Base or Hopper ticket with 14 day Expiration!
* More than 30 ways to win a FREE vacation to Walt
Disney World!
* Deals for the military, teachers, government workers,
nurses, Florida residents!
* Buy one, get one free tickets to Universal Studios and
Islands of Adventure!
* All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of
Adventure for less than $20!
* Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
* Special discounted rates for vacation packages at
Disneyland Paris!
* Las Vegas Hotels & Casinos from $79 per night!
* Cruises to Europe and the Caribbean from $599 per person - even during the holidays!
--------------------------------
VEGAS
Summer Special! Stay at this luxury Resort & Casino from $149/weekday and $199/weekends! Book before July 18, 2006 for travel 07/05/06 - 9/30/06.
--------------------------------
If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here: http://www.affordabledisney.com
Members can use the following URLs to log in:
Lifetime Deluxe Member: http://www.affordabledisney.com/lifetime/deluxe/welcome.html
Lifetime Basic Member:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/lifetime/basic/welcome.html
Deluxe Member:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/deluxe/welcome.html
Basic Member:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/basic/welcome.html
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
* You can make reservations for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival starting July 31. Festival starts September 29. Call 407-WDW-FEST.
* Preschoolers can meet and pose for photos with the characters from the Disney program, "Little Einsteins," at MGM.
* Two stars from "Cars," Lighting McQueen and Mater, now appear in "Disney Stars and Motor Cars" parade at MGM.
* The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are returning to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for training camp July 28 to August 16. Admission is free. For info or tickets, call 407-939-GAME or visit www.disneyworldsports.com or www.buccaneers.com
--------------------------------
"The parade of college basketball prospects through Central Florida cranks up Wednesday, with the AAU Girls 16s nationals being played at Disney, Champion Sports and several Kissimmee-area high school gyms through July 18."
(Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-localhoops1106jul11,0,3715070.story)
--------------------------------
"A 35-year-old woman fell and lost consciousness after getting off Mission: Space at Epcot on Monday night, authorities said. The woman, who was described only as a 'local,' was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center about 8:30 p.m. by the hospital's helicopter in 'serious, improving condition' authorities said."
(Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-mdisfall1106jul11,0,7480628.story?coll=orl-home-promo)
--------------------------------
"A 175-foot mock pirate ship, modeled after the Flying Dutchman from the new movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, is anchored at Disney's island getaway, Castaway Cay... The Flying Dutchman will provide a photo backdrop, and Disney Cruise Line passengers may rent boats on the island to get a close look." (Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-tourism1006jul10,0,7534346.story?coll=orl-business-headlines)
--------------------------------
"The Procaccianti Group, one of the nation's top ten hotel owner operators, announced today they have recapitalized the 626 room Grosvenor Hotel located in Downtown Disney, Orlando Florida... 'We are planning an extensive renovation and we're committed to returning the Grosvenor to first class status.'" (Source: http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4028114.search?query=disney)
--------------------------------
Pirate & Princess Party: On 13 nights between January 22 and March 8, 2007 at the Magic Kingdom, you can join the hunt for trinkets and chocolates. Includes a parade, fireworks, encounters with Characters and access to favorite attractions in the park. Adults: $42.95 + tax; children (3-9): $35.95 tax.
--------------------------------
The production designer and director of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" chose three locations to film the movie: St. Vincent, Dominica, and the Exumas. Now you can have your own pirate-themed vacation in these same locals. (Source: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/travel/booty_call_travel_gretchen_kelly.htm)
--------------------------------
Disney caters to special dietary requests at no charge!
"Guests making meal reservations are asked if they have any special dietary needs, and that information is passed on the restaurant staff, who can accommodate up to 15 types of food allergies, as well as requests for low-sodium and kosher diets... Disney adds no service fee, even working with families who want to enjoy a buffet by individually preparing the food items the guest selects."
(Source: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13679762/)
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/parkhours/calendarHome?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
"Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the hit film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl or the new film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (in theaters nationwide July 7) can now live-out their pirate dreams at the Disneyland Hotel in the all-new 'Pirates of the Caribbean Suite' (formerly one of the hotel’s Presidential Suites). The specially redesigned suite is intended to fully immerse guests, providing family lodging that combines modern conveniences with décor, furnishings and ambience that evoke the fun, whimsy and adventure of the films and attraction." (Press Release, 07/11/06)
--------------------------------
Blue Bayou, Café Orleans and the French Market have been renovated and feature new menus.
--------------------------------
Disneyland Resort Calendar http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/calendar/daily/daily?name=CalendarDailyPage&date=20050913&span=1&parkDCA=true&parkDLP=true&parkDTD=true
=================================================
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.
=================================================
AVAST THERE YE LAND LOVERS!
Paula sent us this note about her encounter with Pirates of the Caribbean during her vacation:
"We just got back from vacation 7-4-06 to 7-7-06 at WDW and we went on the 'PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.' WOW, it was awesome. the figures of Jack Sparrow and Barbossa look just like they stepped out of the movie and it was great how they had both the old soundtrack from the ride and the movie soundtrack going in the ride! There were other things new in the ride but I don't want to be the one to give it all away. It was great to see so many people going on the ride. Wait time was about 60 min., but moved very quickly. I think it took us about 35 min. from start to finish. Pirate booty was flying off the shelves as fast as they were restocking it. I know a lot of people didn't want the POC changed but it still keeps it close to the original but freshened up for the next generation of pirates.
We were going to take in the movie's first showing at 12:01am FRI. morning but all 12 theaters were sold out so we went to see another movie. The people were already in line at 7:30pm Thurs. night dressed in pirate ears and costumes. My husband said he hadn't seen anything like it since he went to see Star Wars. We heard a lot of people talking the next day about how great the movie was! Well the last suitcase is put away and I'm going to take off my pirate Mickey ears and put them on my Pooh bear and call it a night!"
=================================================
Lyn writes:
"When we were in Disney 4/30/06 to 5/6/06 we stayed at the Polynesian Resort - Room only. Upon entering the room, it was dirty and dusty and when I picked up the phone to call housekeeping, I had to brush the dust away in clumps. A maid came to clean, but she was done in a minute. I then called Housekeeping and explained that the comforters were ripped and torn, the carpet was torn and worn and the dust was awful and that $500 plus per night should have entitled me to a clean room at the least.
When the managers came to clean, they replaced the comforters and remade the beds, dusted the room and believe me, it was flying everywhere, cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed and cleaned off the floor on the balcony. This took most of the afternoon, time I would have preferred to use seeing more of the location. From that moment on, the room was only marginally cleaned and on the Friday of that week, after returning from the parks late, we found the beds had not been made, only covered with the comforter. I then, had to make the beds myself.
This was completely unacceptable and I was happy to be in a Holiday Inn on Saturday night where the room was clean and I even had free internet and breakfast the next morning, free coffee and cookies every evening. Perhaps you should go back to the service provided when we visited the Polynesian several years ago. The rooms were clean, the streams were not filled with garbage, the pathways were not littered and the beaches were clean enough to walk them. My disappointment was huge having been to disney so many times before and I was angry I spent so much for so little. It won't happen again."
I would contact Disney about your experience. To file a complaint online, see:
http://disney.go.com/Mail/DisneyWorld/index.html
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Beth, our travel agent, continues her Disney Cruise trip report:
"We arrived in Nassau early and the ship emptied fairly quickly with everyone headed off for shore excursions and touring the town. (You can walk right off the ship into town.) My daughter only wanted to go back to the Oceaneer Lab - which is open even in port - and I had emails to tend to, so after a quick breakfast at the Beach Blanket Buffet that's how we spent the morning.
At lunch time I picked up my daughter and we headed to Triton's for lunch. We were seated at a table for two and had a very pleasant meal - after which my daughter begged to head back to Lab. Those commercials you see with the kids 'dumping' their parents for the duration of the cruise are pretty accurate, much to the astonishment of most adults. Disney really does an amazing job with their children's programming, and the kids really DON'T want to have anything to do with you.
Still, given that it's supposed to be a 'family' vacation, I always feel obligated to ruin my daughter's day by forcing her to spend time with me. This day, though, she really had no desire to head into Nassau, so I went off the ship alone. (Yes, the beepers work even off the ship.) Town is right there, so little walking is required. I spent about 45 minutes wandering through stores before deciding that it was way too hot and humid and heading back to the ship. I collected my daughter and we went swimming at the 'Mickey' pool. Warning: the deck gets really hot on bare feet. Be sure to take flip-flops with you!
I learned my lesson from the day before and insisted on naps for us both after that. That worked out really well, since it gave us both enough energy to get through a longer-than-usual evening. The show was again at 6:15, this time the Golden Mickeys. The show's musical numbers highlight many popular Disney movies and characters and was, once again, very well done.
The children's group was off doing something my daughter wasn't interested in after the show, so we went to a lounge to have pre-dinner cocktails (a Shirley Temple for my daughter), and then proceeded to Parrot Cay for dinner. Once again, great food, great staff, slow service - but better then the previous night.
Once again my daughter begged to go back to the Lab afterwards, only this time her age group was off watching a movie that she didn't care to see. An older group was in the Lab making flubber, and although my daughter only wanted to sit at the computers and play, she wasn't permitted. (They said if she'd been a little closer in age to the group there they'd have considered it, though.) So we hit the shops instead. Not a bad way to spend a few minutes before heading to the deck party.
As you might guess, even DCL is into promoting the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and we were all given pirate bandanas to wear on our heads (or necks or wherever) at dinner. One gift shop also sells a lot of pirate-related costumes and accessories. We trudged up to deck 10 thinking we'd just sit at the back and wait for the fireworks, but the whole back part of the ship is closed off and secured by a safety crew. Instead, we found a good spot just ahead of the rope lines where we could look down on the stage - and it was the perfect location to watch Mickey literally fly down from one of the smoke stacks. Pretty cool.
Then the fireworks started. Yep, fireworks shot right off the top of the ship. Our evening, the fireworks were shot to the starboard (right) side, but that might change depending on wind direction... not sure. It's really surprising to me that they do it at all given that shipboard fire is one of the most dangerous and feared events at sea. I noticed, though, that when one round of fireworks seemed to misfire, going nearly straight out from the ship instead of upwards like all the others, a little army of safety people quickly ran to the side of the ship and examined all areas to be sure that there was nothing amiss. It was a crowded, but fun, way to end the evening."
TO BE CONTINUED
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posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 9:07 PM
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