Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
August 30, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Deals and specials - Beth, our travel agent, got the Disney Rep to lower the rate of our Members only special at Port Orleans Riverside in December even more!

* The latest news from around the "World" - The seven dwarfs have something to say about Pluto being reclassified as a dwarf planet!

* Steve offers advice on using the Disney Dining Plan

* Disney Concert Series schedule at MGM

* This week's money saving coupon - TGI Fridays
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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!

Here are the Disney deals that Beth, our travel agent, got exclusively for our members in November and December.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

Discounted Standard View Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort!

Dates:

November 2, 2006 - November 14, 2006. Last day to book: September 30, 2006.

Dates: December 8, 2006 - December 20, 2006. DISCOUNT RATE JUST REDUCED EVEN MORE! Last day to book: November 1, 2006.

Plus no additional fee for having more than two adults in a room. (Disney charges $15 + tax per night for each "extra" adult!) Riverside rooms have two double beds and accommodate up to 4 plus an infant in a crib. (Trundle bed rooms that can sleep a 5th person under age 10 can be requested.)

DECEMBER

Discounted Standard View Garden Wing Rooms at Disney's Contemporary Resort! Dates: December 8, 2006 - December 20, 2006. Plus no additional fee for having more than two adults in a room. (Disney charges $25 + tax per night for each "extra" adult!) Contemporary rooms have two queen beds and a daybed and sleep up to 5. (We can request, but not guarantee, a refurbished room or a room that sleeps 3 with a King bed.)

This special is a phenomenal deal for anyone who already has tickets (or buys them from our ticket agent) or who has no desire to have the dining plan. We are also checking on special group-rate tickets.

These rooms go fast! Members should log in and book today before they're all gone! If you are not a member, but would like to take advantage of these deals, as well as all our Disney discounts and specials, see: http://www.affordabledisney.com .

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FREE Disney Dining included in vacation packages for residents of these countries!

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SWEEPS

We now list 37 Sweepstakes to win a Walt Disney World/Florida vacation!

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WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT DISCOUNTS!

* Value resorts - up to $20 off!
* Moderate resorts - up to $45 off!
* Deluxe/Home Away from Home resorts - $75 off!

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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!

* 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!

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DISNEY CRUISE LINE

The latest Magical Disney Cruise Rates have been posted.
Book early and save!

Disney Cruise Line Special for Active Duty Military!

Disney Cruise Line Special for Florida Residents!

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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

2007 vacation packages with discount tickets and $150.00 spending money!

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OUTSIDE DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

FREE admission to Universal Hollywood!

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If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here. Members can use the following URLs to log in:

Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

Ernesto Changes Route of Disney Magic

"'The advantage of a cruise vacation is that you can change the ship's itinerary to avoid bad weather,' said Disney Cruise Lines spokeswoman Rena Langley. 'We'll be monitoring it over the next few days.'

Disney changed the schedule for the Disney Magic, which departed from Port Canaveral on Sunday, from a western to an eastern Caribbean cruise, Langley said."

Theme Parks are keeping a close watch on the path of the storm and so far it's business as usual.
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/29/06)

Update:

"... with forecasters predicting nothing more than a big, rainy mess, businesses ranging from the area's three main theme parks to hotels to shopping malls said they expected to be open today... Port Canaveral is scheduled to remain closed today and reopen Thursday morning. Officials expect Disney and Carnival cruise ships to dock there by midday Thursday, later than usual." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/30/06)
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Disney celebrates technology, democracy and faith in the future

"Intellectuals are not supposed to like anything about Disney... Nevertheless, there is much to admire in Walt Disney's built utopias, which are spectacular monuments to one man's faith in the power of technological progress and the enduring value of democracy."
(Source: Kennebec Journal Online, 08/25/06)
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"Twenty business administration students majoring in tourism management at Singapore Polytechnic (SP) will be at the theme park from next week until Jan 12. It is the first time the Walt Disney World College Programme has been offered to Singaporeans." (Source: thestar.com, 08/27/06)
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Now that Pluto has been reclassified as a dwarf planet, the seven dwarfs have issued this statement:

"Although we think it's DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney's Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at." (Source: Disney Press Release, 08/25/06)
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This Day in Disney History)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

Florida Butterflies Are Worth A Look

"These days, butterfly exhibits and gardens in Central Florida are drawing everyone from schoolchildren to photographers to hobbyists intent on raising the winged insects themselves. In Central Florida, at least three venues -- Lukas [Nursery & Garden Shop] exhibit, Cypress Gardens [Wings of Wonder] in Winter Haven, and the Florida Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville -- let guests walk among the creatures in enclosed spaces. Butterfly gardens also have popped up in city and county parks and area zoos as well as in yards and on condo-dwellers' balconies."
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Disneyland Resort Calendar
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TOKYO DISNEYSEA

"For its fifth anniversary, the park is adding new attractions and rides that will wow the young and thrill the young-at-heart."

* The Legend Of Mythica water parade
* Tower of Terror
* Raging Spirits roller coaster
* Big Band Beat featuring a tap-dancing Mickey

For the rest of the story, click here.
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BRANSON, MISSOURI

"Roy Rogers-Dale Evans '3rd Annual Roundup' - September 15-17, 2006

Branson will celebrate the King of the Cowboys and the Queen of the West in style September 15, 16 and 17 at The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum. The occasion is the Third Annual Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Roundup, celebrating the Museum's third full year in Branson." (Source: Branson/Lakes Newsletter, 08/20/06) For information, click here.
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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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Steve writes about the Disney Dining Plan:

"We just got back from the World and had a great time. Took advantage of the Stay and eat free (Disney Dining Plan) promotion being offered in late August and September. As always the food was fantastic.

Some advice if you purchase the dining plan. Make sure to make all reservations early. We had our Table services booked 3 months in advance, but I cant tell you how many people I saw that where turned away, because restaurants where booked up for the day and taking no walk-ins.

We did try to eat at Sci-Fi in MGM for a counter service lunch and couldn't get in. The Buffet at Hollywood and Vine was fantastic, it allowed us reserved seating for Fantasmic.

Also the Fantasia pool at the All Star Movies has a leak and will be closing sometime in Late Sept. or Early October for repair. We've been there 16 times and this was one of the best times."
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MAGICAL BEGINNINGS

Magical Beginnings is a new Disney program which features entertainment for young children during the months of August and September. The program includes one hour of early access to certain rides in Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland as well as a Playhouse Disney in Concert series at MGM featuring children's entertainment:

* Imagination Movers 9/18 - 9/24
* Mickey's Magic Show! 8/24 - 8/27
* The Wiggles® 8/29 - 9/1
* Johnny and the Sprites 9/2 - 9/10
* Ralph's World 9/11 - 9/16
* Dan Zanes and Friends 9/25 - 9/30

For a list of current activities, see Disney's official site

There seems to be some confusion about getting tickets to these shows. Intercot.com) states:

"Studios Cast have been informed that concerts that are deemed to have 'high popularity' will have a special admission process. The process will entail FastPasses for each of the scheduled show times for that day being distributed at the Lights, Motors Action! Stunt Show FastPass kiosks. Admission to these select performances will only be granted to those guests who have obtained a FastPass for the showing. Currently the only offering to be announced to have this special Admission are the Wiggles performances on August 29 - September 1."
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MONEY SAVING TIP

Friday's® Front Row Sports Grill
8126 International Drive
ORLANDO, FL 32819
Phone: 407-363-1414
Fax: 407-363-0115

Orlando’s #1 Sports Bar featuring lunch, dinner, over 140 televisions, video games, and pool tables.

Enjoy Select 99¢ Domestic Draft Beer Pints or 10% off your total bill with this coupon.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Don't Leave Home Without It!

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

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

Get FREE shipping on the new 2007 book for a limited time!
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Affordable Disney Movies and CD's

Save 40-70% on your favorite Disney Movie or CD! Cheap shipping, too! 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! Donna and I bought a beautiful 5-piece set of Samsonite luggage for our daughter for Christmas for $144! 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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