Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
September 13, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Deals and specials - Disney Cruise Line Special from $429! New Universal Specials!

* The latest news from around the "World" - Disney's The Little Mermaid makes its world premiere on stage next summer

* Beth, our travel agent, sent us some notes on Disney's Magical Express

* This week's money saving tip - experience some of the areas finest restaurants in Orlando at bargain prices!
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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, click here.

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Cirques du Soleil tickets increase October 1. Save two ways: Buy your tickets now before the price increase and buy them from our ticket agent who sells them at a discount price!

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SWEEPS

We now list 32 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

This group receives a $50 onboard credit good for buying merchandise, shore excursions, etc. on their 2007 Disney cruise!

Disney Cruise Line Special from $429!

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

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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

New Universal Specials!

* Get a 7-day ticket to Universal Orlando for only $12 per day!

* Florida residents save 40%!

* Stay on Universal property, enjoy 5 days of admission to both parks, and receive a CityWalk Party Pass starting at $364 per adult, double occupancy!

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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

New discounts and benefits just announced for Annual Passholders, Disney's Visa Cardholders, and AAA members!

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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

Walt Disney World gets spot on new Monopoly board!

"Hasbro, maker of Monopoly, unveiled its new 'Here & Now' edition Tuesday, which replaces Atlantic City's streets with 22 American cities and their most notable landmarks... Orlando's landmark, which online voters decided was Disney World, occupies the Illinois Avenue square on the board, between Honolulu's Waikiki Beach and New Orleans' French Quarter right around the corner." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/13/06)
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"Walt Disney Co. landed the No. 1 spot on BusinessWeek's inaugural "Best Places to Launch a Career" ranking. Disney's strong on-campus recruiting, solid benefits, and collaborative culture helped put the entertainment giant at the head of the BusinessWeek ranking, which identifies top employers for new college graduates." (Source: Yahoo! Finance, 09/07/06)
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"Disney's The Little Mermaid will swim on stage next summer, receiving its world premiere in Denver.
Exact dates for the production, based on the 1989 animated film, were not released." (Source: usatoday.com, 09/07/06)
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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

"The drive to unionize Universal Orlando employees intensified Tuesday with more than 40 organizers reaching out to workers at employee gates to the resort, on buses and elsewhere... SeaWorld workers are not unionized. Walt Disney World has had unionized workers since it opened in 1971."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/13/06)
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Reserve your table online with OpenTable.Com!

"Now there are about 50 participating restaurants in Central Florida, ranging from Carrino's Italian trattoria to the elegant Dux at Peabody Orlando [and Emeril's Restaurant at CityWalk!]... As an enticement, customers who register fully with OpenTable can earn credits toward dining certificates that can be used at any of the 5,300 participating restaurants nationwide. Think of them as frequent-diner points. And all of this is free to the consumer..." The service makes reservations in "real time" and is accessible 24/7/365. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/08/06)
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Great Scott, Marty! They're removing the Back to the Future ride from Universal Studios!

"After months of not commenting on rumors of the attraction's demise, Universal Orlando on Wednesday confirmed that the 16-year-old simulator ride will be closing to make room for an as-yet-undisclosed new attraction." Cast members say it will close October 1. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/07/06)
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Disneyland Resort Calendar
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HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

Visitors are familiar with Disney, but not with Disney parks. "With this in mind, Disney will launch a 10-15 minute "pre-show" induction course at its Hong Kong theme park in the coming months to teach its guests about its characters, stories and park attractions. This crash course -- a first for any Disneyland -- is aimed at minimizing any cultural confusion." (Source: Reuters, 09/11/06)
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Disney faces stiff competition from nearby park

"In the past year, Ocean Park has experienced its largest attendance boom ever, luring customers with its cheaper ticket prices and diverse attractions like dolphin shows and a cable car ride with stunning views of the South China Sea... many thought [it] would be wiped out by the time Disneyland celebrates its first anniversary this Tuesday.
Just the opposite has happened." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/10/06)
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"Hong Kong Disneyland Thursday said it will celebrate its first Halloween in Hong Kong from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31, when its target of drawing 5.6 million visitors in its first year seems to be more illusory than realistic."
(Source: People's Daily Online, 09/08/06)
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BRANSON, MISSOURI

B.J. Thomas and Billy Joe Royal ("Down In The Boondocks") are appearing at Branson's Welk Resort Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, September 23 and 24 at 8:00 PM. Tickets start at $35.50 and are on sale at the Theatre Box Office or call 417/337-7469. For more information, click here.
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Branson’s Area Festival of Lights returns November 1. BAFOL features over 5 million Christmas lights and officially marks the start of Ozark Mountain Christmas. For more 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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AffordableDisney.Com Growing in Popularity!

Seomoz.org measures the importance, visibility and popularity of a site in regard to other sites in a particular field. Here's what they have to say about how AffordableDisney.Com rates in the field of Disney travel:

"Your site is having an impact and may even be a leader in your field... Keep on this path; it's clear that the effort you've put in is producing results."

That's quite an accomplishment given the number of Disney sites on the 'net! Thanks to all of you who have helped us grow over the years!
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Beth sent these notes on Disney's Magical Express:

The Disney Welcome Center is currently located at Terminal side A, Level 1. Effective, October 3, 2006, the Disney Welcome Center will be found at Terminal Side B, Level 1.

Normal operating hours are from 6 AM to 11 PM, but Disney will extend the hours if your plane arrives outside their schedule.

Upon arrival, guests should proceed to the Welcome Center before proceeding by elevator or escalator to the Main Terminal, Level 1.

Although Disney can't display directional signs, Cast Members on Level 2, A and B sides, can help you find your way.
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MONEY SAVING TIP

September is Orlando's Magical Dining Month!

Now's your chance to experience some of the areas finest restaurants at bargain prices. Participating establishments are offering specially priced prix fixe menus: How about a three-course dinner for $29 per person? Or a three-course lunch for $17 per person!
Here are a few of the participating restaurants:

Emeril's Tchoup Chop
Asian / Polynesian
Universal's Royal Pacific Resort
407-503-2467

Emeril's Orlando
Contemporary Creole
Universal CityWalk
407-224-2424

Fulton's Crab House
Seasonal Seafood
Downtown Disney
407-934-2628

Portobello Yacht Club
Regional Italian
Downtown Disney
407-934-8888

Click here for the complete list.
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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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