Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
October 25, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - Last Call! The deadline for booking the December Specials for Affordable Disney Members is November 1!
* The latest news from around the "World" - Auditions for Disney characters making a 18-city tour
* Disney adds more nutritious foods to their menu
* Holiday magic with the Disney Cruise Line begins Thanksgiving
* Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland Hotel debuts in December
* This week's money saving tip - Save up to $10.00 per ticket to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede!
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NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
We now list 35 Sweepstakes to win a Walt Disney World/Florida vacation!
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Universal Special!
Save up to 25% per night when you stay at one of Universal Orlando hotels, Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Royal Pacific Resort. Plus! Receive Two Free Theme Park Tickets for unlimited admission to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks! Also includes:
* All club access to the CityWalk clubs
* Universal Express ride access which allows you to bypass the regular lines!
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Below are just some of the deals drawn from 53 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:
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 December.
Discounted Standard View Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort!
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.)
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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WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> 5-night/6-day packages from $369 per adult, double occupancy!
>> Inventory Reduction Sale at WDW Deluxe resorts!
>> This group gets a special rate:
* Value resorts - up to $20 off!
* Moderate resorts - up to $45 off!
* Deluxe/Home Away from Home resorts - $75 off!
>> Save up to $900.00 on Disney's New 2007 Adventures!
These are trips organized and guided by Disney to Spain, Hawaii, Wyoming, Costa Rica, Paris/London, Italy, the Canadian Rockies, and more!
* 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!
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> FREE Night Offer at this Orlando Resort! Reserve a room at the special rate of $87 and you will be entitled to ONE FREE NIGHT IN 2007 and additional nights on that reservation at $79.
>> Save up to 40% on Your Fall Getaway! $143 includes a Premium Room Upgrade!
The choices of how to spend time relaxing and reconnecting in sensible luxury are endless with these special fall rates. A round of golf on one of two Greg Norman-designed golf courses. An afternoon of pampered indulgence at The Spa. Scheduled activities for children and teens. And 15 acres of leisure recreation with two pools, a waterslide, an 850-foot lazy river, and a lighted 9-hole, par 3 golf course. Guests enjoy fun-filled days and a location that makes local attractions both easy to get to, and easy to escape - located only 6 miles from Walt Disney World. Valid 10/18/06 through 12/26/06.
>> New Discounts available on tickets to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens! Good for 6 consecutive days, too!
>> This group saves 40% at Universal!
>> Universal vacation package from $364 per adult, double occupancy!
>> A 7-day ticket to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for only $12 per day!
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of
Adventure for less than $20!
>> Kids go to SeaWorld FREE when you book this vacation
package!
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
* Three nights from $469!
* Four nights from $539!
* Seven nights Land & Sea from $899!
>> Disney Cruise Line Specials for this group! Too low to publish!
>> This group receives a $50 onboard credit good for buying merchandise, shore excursions, etc. on their 2007 Disney cruise!
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
* New ticket discount announced for this group!
* 4th night FREE with this vacation package!
* Adults get in at kids prices with this vacation package!
* Ticket upgrade, tour discounts, FREE photo souvenir for these groups!
* Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
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DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Christmas Special! 2 nights/3 days from $274 per adult!
>> Halloween Special!
>> Vacation Package for UK residents!
>> Get an EXTRA NIGHT including breakfast, plus an EXTRA DAY to explore both Disney Parks for free!
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VEGAS
>> Enjoy the luxury of this Hotel & Casino from $64 per night! Includes Room Upgrade, FREE Drinks, 2-for-1 Breakfast, 2-for-1 Lunch, and admission to the Spa!
>> Grand Reopening Special at this Cancun Resort & Spa! Includes $100 food and breakfast credit per room and one free night with a four-night stay!
>> Enjoy luxury accommodations at this Resort & Casino from $79 per night! Includes $25 Bar And Restaurant Credit, VIP Line Pass, and Two Complimentary Cocktails!
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BRANSON, MISSOURI
Free Accommodations for the military!
This luxury Branson golf resort community is offering two FREE nights - no strings attached - to active-duty U.S. military personnel on leave from the Middle East. Located just off the Branson Strip, it is conveniently situated between international award-winning theme park, Silver Dollar City, and Branson’s 49 live music theaters.
Reservations will be accepted until January 1, 2008 for stays occurring before February 1, 2008.
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CRUISES
>> Cruises to Europe and the Caribbean from $599 per person - even during the holidays!
>> Inexpensive Shore Excursions and Tours!
>> Luxurious accommodations in the Virgin Islands for only $199 per room per night!
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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
"The Oct. 27 broadcast of ABC-TV's "20/20" will feature a segment devoted to the new Broadway musical Mary Poppins."
(Source: playbill.com, 10/24/06) Click here to see Mary Poppins on "20/20".
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"The Travel Industry Association of America issued an advisory last week encouraging all travelers planning a trip to or from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean islands to apply for a passport. Airline passengers will be affected the soonest by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which will require passports to enter the United States from those destinations beginning Jan. 7... All adults and children must have valid passports for land and sea travel by 2009." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/23/06)
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Auditioning for Disney Characters
"The audition is part of an 18-city tour that started in three cities Thursday. It will cross the country through Nov. 8 and include a stop in Puerto Rico. The audition here was the only one in the state and came to the smallest U.S. city on the tour, Casting Director Saroya Zadeh said. Other cities included Boston, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia." (Source: mlive.com, 10/20/06)
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"Preview performances of 'Finding Nemo-The Musical' are set to begin in November and the premiere is set for January 2007 in the 1,500-seat Theater in the Wild at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando." (Source: usatoday.com, 10/18/06)
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"A terminally ill 6-year-old boy from Israel visiting Walt Disney World as a last wish died in August after riding Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain, state records show.
The boy, Rame Masarwa, suffered from terminal cancer of the lungs, abdomen and spine, according to the Medical Examiner's Office for Orange and Osceola counties. He fainted after riding Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom the afternoon of Aug. 1, was transported to Florida Hospital Celebration and died that night, according to records."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/18/06)
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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
8th Annual Universal Beer Festival: Schedule: 2 PM to 7 PM on November 11; 1 PM to 7 PM on November 12. (Affordable Disney Members should log in to learn how to save $7 per ticket!)
Universal For the Holidays: Dec. 26 - Jan. 1. Enjoy the Macy's Holiday Parade, Universal's 360 - A Cinesphere Spectacular, and Meet The Grinch. Included in regular admission.
New Year's Eve at Universal's CityWalk: Enjoy live music and unlimited admission to all CityWalk's clubs. Separate admission charge required. (Source: Universal Email Blast, 10/20/06)
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"Bad behavior and bad dress are now out at Magic Mountain and the other 29 amusement and water parks operated by Six Flags Inc. Hoping to attract more visitors to its parks, Six Flags said Wednesday that it had adopted rules requiring shirts, 'appropriate footwear' and considerate conduct, among other things." (Source: latimes.com, 10/19/06)
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
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NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain newspapers require a free registration to view their articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than one line, copy and paste all lines.
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WALT DISNEY COMPANY
New Policy to Associate Disney Brands and Characters with a More Nutritionally Balanced Range of Foods
BURBANK, Calif., October 16, 2006 -- The Walt Disney Company today introduced new food guidelines aimed at giving parents and children healthier eating options. The guidelines for licensed foods and promotions aimed at children will govern Disney's business partnerships and activities in the U.S. on a going-forward basis and will be adapted internationally over the next several years.
The new policies call for Disney to use its name and characters only on kid-focused products that meet specific guidelines, including limits on calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar. Disney also announced nutritionally-beneficial changes in the meals served to children at all Disney-operated restaurants in its Parks and Resorts and unveiled a company-wide plan to eliminate added trans fats from food served at its Parks by the end of 2007 and from its licensed and promotional products by the end of 2008.
"Disney will be providing healthier options for families that seek them, whether at our Parks or through our broad array of licensed foods," said Disney President and CEO Robert Iger. "The Disney brand and characters are in a unique position to market food that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them."
The guidelines are based on The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and have been developed in cooperation with two top child health and wellness experts, Dr. James O. Hill, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and Dr. Keith Thomas Ayoob, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Specifically, the guidelines governing kid-focused licensed foods call for limits such as the following:
A cap on calories that results in appropriate kid-sized portions. Total fat will not exceed 30 percent of calories for main and side dishes and 35 percent for snacks.
Saturated fat will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main dishes, side dishes and snacks.
Added sugar will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main dishes and side dishes and 25 percent of calories for snacks.
Disney will continue to license special-occasion sweets such as birthday cakes and seasonal candy as part of its product range but will limit the number of indulgence items in its licensed portfolio to 15 percent by 2010. In addition, most special-occasion sweets will be available in single-serving packets.
"By developing nutrition guidelines for children, Disney is demonstrating a long-term commitment to the health of kids," said Dr. Hill. "The guidelines are comprehensive and consistent with The Dietary Guidelines for Americans," that are issued by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.
"This is some of the best news I have heard in over twenty years of working with families and children as a pediatric nutritionist," added Dr. Ayoob. "Disney is synonymous with fun and can play an important role in getting kids to consume a more balanced diet."
Disney's timetable for implementing its new policies is dictated by existing contractual arrangements, the majority of which will lapse in their current form within two years. Disney expects most of its licensed products and promotional tie-ins to meet the new guidelines by the end of 2008.
Disney Consumer Products has already begun to offer many licensed products which comply with the guidelines. They include breakfast items such as instant oatmeal featuring characters like "The Incredibles" and "Kim Possible," and Disney Garden fresh produce such as kid-sized apples and bananas. Lunch and dinner foods such as Mickey-shaped organic ravioli and other pastas are also now available.
"Families are shopping together more often and we see an opportunity to give parents food choices they can approve of while at the same time satisfying their kids," said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products.
Beginning this month in U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts, kids' meals are automatically being served with low fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice or water along with side dishes like apple sauce or carrots in place of the traditional soft drinks and French fries. Parents will still be able to substitute French fries and soda at no additional cost. Initial tests involving 20,000 kids' meals show that as many as 90 percent of parents and kids stayed with the more nutritious option.
"This is a terrific initiative because it makes it easier for parents, even while on vacation, to offer their children well balanced meals with kid appeal," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Added trans fats are in the process of being removed from all Disney food offerings. Food served at the U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts will be free of added trans fats by the end of 2007. Disney's U.S. licensing and promotional groups are aiming to meet an end-2008 deadline.
"These are just first steps in an initiative that will evolve over time," said Iger. "But we understand the challenges faced by parents and recognize Disney can contribute to the solution." (Disney Press Release)
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
All That Glitters is Holiday Magic Aboard Disney Cruise Line
CELEBRATION, Fla. -- Holiday magic will deck the halls and add sparkle to the decks for guests who sail with Disney Cruise Line beginning this Thanksgiving and continuing through to the New Year. Both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will spread an abundance of holiday cheer, from traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts to "snowflake" sightings and seasonal caroling.
A special 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise is planned for Disney Magic from Dec. 16 through Dec. 26. The Eastern/Southern Caribbean cruise will call at ports not typically on the Disney Magic cruise itinerary, including St. Lucia and Antigua.
The spirit of the season will surround cruise guests from the moment they arrive at Port Canaveral, Fla. Disney characters decked out in their finest holiday attire will welcome guests to the lavishly decorated private cruise terminal. During holiday sailings, guests will discover:
Thanksgiving festivities complete with Thanksgiving Day meal with all the trimmings, craft activities with a focus on pilgrim hats and turkeys, and visits by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in Thanksgiving costumes.
A nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned with decorations in the atrium lobby, where "snow" flurries fall and a tree-lighting ceremony occurs.
A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids.
International holiday caroling by crew members from around the globe (exclusively on the Christmas cruise).
Special family time for designing and decorating gingerbread houses.
A reading of "The Night Before Christmas" by Mrs. Claus.
Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms (Christmas cruise only).
Multiple faith and interdenominational holiday services (Christmas and Hanukkah cruise only).
A ship-wide party to ring in 2007 and a New Year's Day tailgate party.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, Disney Magic embarks on a special Western Caribbean journey, during which the ship sails twice to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. The seven-night voyage departs Nov. 18, arriving first at Castaway Cay for the usual Disney Cruise Line visit. When the ship returns the day after Thanksgiving, the island will be transformed into a Magical Wonderland, where the sandy Bahamian isle becomes a "snowy" holiday hideaway. "Snow" flurries will fall like magic, Christmas trees will glow and carolers will croon. Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, wearing shell noses and tropical attire, will greet guests with a sleigh full of presents. The tram that transports guests across the 1,000-acre island will be reindeer themed, complete with antlers and tail. A four-night Disney Wonder cruise stops at Castaway Cay on Thanksgiving Day.
At the beach, families can learn the art of sand sculpting, and kids can dive into holiday-themed activities that include making candy cane reindeer, paper plate angels and snowflake-mobiles.
The Disney Magic 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise departs Dec. 16, with visits to Key West, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder four-night Christmas cruise departs Dec. 24, with visits to Nassau and Castaway Cay.
To celebrate the New Year, Disney Magic departs on its seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary Dec. 30; Disney Wonder departs Dec. 31 for its four-night cruise. (Source: Disney Cruise Line Press Release, 10/19/06)
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Mickey Mouse Penthouse Debuts For "Big Cheeses" of All Ages Beginning in December 2006
ANAHEIM, Ca. -- Beginning Dec. 1, 2006, Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Resort in Southern California will boast one of the most unique, and certainly one of the most "Disney," VIP lodging experiences in the world -- the all-new Mickey Mouse Penthouse. Designed for "big cheeses" of all ages, the penthouse offers spectacular views of the 500-acre resort (including Disneyland park, Disney's California Adventure park and the Downtown Disney District) via floor-to-ceiling windows in addition to a happy mixture of luxury, technology and whimsy featuring one-of-a-kind décor, artwork and magical touches that bring to life all the fun that Mickey represents.
Eligible guests and mail-in participants will be selected randomly as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway promotion during "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration at Disneyland Resort. An overnight stay in the over-the-top penthouse is one of the dream surprises awarded most days beginning Dec. 1 to a Disneyland guest at a park or at the Downtown Disney District randomly selected by early in the afternoon (visit disneyparks.com/rules for more information). The eligible guest and members of his or her party -- up to a total of five people plus the lucky guest -- will continue all the magic of their Disneyland Resort visit by receiving an overnight stay that night in Mickey's new digs. Mail-in winners will receive a prize of comparable value.
The swanky penthouse, featuring an interior design of bold "Mickey" colors of black, white, red and yellow, occupies an expansive 1,600 square feet and includes an open living room, dining and kitchen area, 2.5 baths and two bedrooms. Classic Mickey Mouse imagery and three-dimensional artwork dominate the design scheme throughout the penthouse.
Following dinner at the famed Blue Bayou Restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland park (and other special activities such as being grand marshals of a Disneyland parade), and as The Happiest Place on Earth slowly winds down to slumber, it will be a night of immersion in fantasy and fun when the special guests walk into the Mickey Mouse Penthouse.
As guests enter, Mickey will magically appear inside a foyer Magic Mirror, personally welcoming them to his one-of-a-kind penthouse. Upon entering the living room, guests will encounter very stylized contemporary décor featuring eclectic furnishings and motifs of Mickey with a primary color palette of red, black and yellow. Hardwood floors and colorful area rugs accent the living room while the formal dining area seats eight guests. A built-in media wall is the focal point of the living room and features multiple flat screen TVs and a state-of-the-art home theater system worthy of Mickey's status as one of Hollywood's brightest stars.
The master bedroom features a number of luxury amenities including a king-size bed, lounge chairs, a 37" flat panel TV and a DVD player, and is decorated with animation maquettes of Mickey Mouse in many of his most famous film roles. (Maquettes are three-dimensional models used by Disney animators to effectively render a character in two dimensions and are highly sought-after collectibles.) The master bath includes a steam shower, Jacuzzi tub and a double vanity with a built-in TV in the mirror.
The second bedroom has a more playful feel and is the perfect setting for little ones who wish to have the locale double as a playroom. The main "conversation piece" in the room is a vintage animator's desk that will add to the Mickey Mouse- and animation-inspired storyline for the penthouse. The bedroom also features a stylized built-in armoire with a flat panel TV, DVD player and video games.
"These special guests will feel extremely pampered in this unique, magical interior environment," said Wing Chao, executive vice president, Master Planning, Architecture and Design, Walt Disney Imagineering. "We want guests to walk away saying, 'This was a dream come true.'" (Source: Disneyland Press Release)
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MONEY SAVING TIP
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show
8251 Vineland Ave.
Orlando, FL 32821
Phone: 407-238-2777
Fax: 407-238-4494
"Magnificent horses; American buffalo; comedy; singing; dancing; a spectacular patriotic finale; fabulous four-course feast including beer and wine."
Get $10 off regular adult price; $4 off regular child price 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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October 25, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 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!
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - Last Call! The deadline for booking the December Specials for Affordable Disney Members is November 1!
* The latest news from around the "World" - Auditions for Disney characters making a 18-city tour
* Disney adds more nutritious foods to their menu
* Holiday magic with the Disney Cruise Line begins Thanksgiving
* Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland Hotel debuts in December
* This week's money saving tip - Save up to $10.00 per ticket to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede!
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
We now list 35 Sweepstakes to win a Walt Disney World/Florida vacation!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Universal Special!
Save up to 25% per night when you stay at one of Universal Orlando hotels, Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Royal Pacific Resort. Plus! Receive Two Free Theme Park Tickets for unlimited admission to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks! Also includes:
* All club access to the CityWalk clubs
* Universal Express ride access which allows you to bypass the regular lines!
--------------------------------
Below are just some of the deals drawn from 53 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:
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 December.
Discounted Standard View Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort!
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.)
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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WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> 5-night/6-day packages from $369 per adult, double occupancy!
>> Inventory Reduction Sale at WDW Deluxe resorts!
>> This group gets a special rate:
* Value resorts - up to $20 off!
* Moderate resorts - up to $45 off!
* Deluxe/Home Away from Home resorts - $75 off!
>> Save up to $900.00 on Disney's New 2007 Adventures!
These are trips organized and guided by Disney to Spain, Hawaii, Wyoming, Costa Rica, Paris/London, Italy, the Canadian Rockies, and more!
* 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!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> FREE Night Offer at this Orlando Resort! Reserve a room at the special rate of $87 and you will be entitled to ONE FREE NIGHT IN 2007 and additional nights on that reservation at $79.
>> Save up to 40% on Your Fall Getaway! $143 includes a Premium Room Upgrade!
The choices of how to spend time relaxing and reconnecting in sensible luxury are endless with these special fall rates. A round of golf on one of two Greg Norman-designed golf courses. An afternoon of pampered indulgence at The Spa. Scheduled activities for children and teens. And 15 acres of leisure recreation with two pools, a waterslide, an 850-foot lazy river, and a lighted 9-hole, par 3 golf course. Guests enjoy fun-filled days and a location that makes local attractions both easy to get to, and easy to escape - located only 6 miles from Walt Disney World. Valid 10/18/06 through 12/26/06.
>> New Discounts available on tickets to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens! Good for 6 consecutive days, too!
>> This group saves 40% at Universal!
>> Universal vacation package from $364 per adult, double occupancy!
>> A 7-day ticket to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for only $12 per day!
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of
Adventure for less than $20!
>> Kids go to SeaWorld FREE when you book this vacation
package!
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
* Three nights from $469!
* Four nights from $539!
* Seven nights Land & Sea from $899!
>> Disney Cruise Line Specials for this group! Too low to publish!
>> This group receives a $50 onboard credit good for buying merchandise, shore excursions, etc. on their 2007 Disney cruise!
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
* New ticket discount announced for this group!
* 4th night FREE with this vacation package!
* Adults get in at kids prices with this vacation package!
* Ticket upgrade, tour discounts, FREE photo souvenir for these groups!
* Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
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DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Christmas Special! 2 nights/3 days from $274 per adult!
>> Halloween Special!
>> Vacation Package for UK residents!
>> Get an EXTRA NIGHT including breakfast, plus an EXTRA DAY to explore both Disney Parks for free!
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VEGAS
>> Enjoy the luxury of this Hotel & Casino from $64 per night! Includes Room Upgrade, FREE Drinks, 2-for-1 Breakfast, 2-for-1 Lunch, and admission to the Spa!
>> Grand Reopening Special at this Cancun Resort & Spa! Includes $100 food and breakfast credit per room and one free night with a four-night stay!
>> Enjoy luxury accommodations at this Resort & Casino from $79 per night! Includes $25 Bar And Restaurant Credit, VIP Line Pass, and Two Complimentary Cocktails!
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BRANSON, MISSOURI
Free Accommodations for the military!
This luxury Branson golf resort community is offering two FREE nights - no strings attached - to active-duty U.S. military personnel on leave from the Middle East. Located just off the Branson Strip, it is conveniently situated between international award-winning theme park, Silver Dollar City, and Branson’s 49 live music theaters.
Reservations will be accepted until January 1, 2008 for stays occurring before February 1, 2008.
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CRUISES
>> Cruises to Europe and the Caribbean from $599 per person - even during the holidays!
>> Inexpensive Shore Excursions and Tours!
>> Luxurious accommodations in the Virgin Islands for only $199 per room per night!
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
"The Oct. 27 broadcast of ABC-TV's "20/20" will feature a segment devoted to the new Broadway musical Mary Poppins."
(Source: playbill.com, 10/24/06) Click here to see Mary Poppins on "20/20".
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"The Travel Industry Association of America issued an advisory last week encouraging all travelers planning a trip to or from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean islands to apply for a passport. Airline passengers will be affected the soonest by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which will require passports to enter the United States from those destinations beginning Jan. 7... All adults and children must have valid passports for land and sea travel by 2009." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/23/06)
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Auditioning for Disney Characters
"The audition is part of an 18-city tour that started in three cities Thursday. It will cross the country through Nov. 8 and include a stop in Puerto Rico. The audition here was the only one in the state and came to the smallest U.S. city on the tour, Casting Director Saroya Zadeh said. Other cities included Boston, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia." (Source: mlive.com, 10/20/06)
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"Preview performances of 'Finding Nemo-The Musical' are set to begin in November and the premiere is set for January 2007 in the 1,500-seat Theater in the Wild at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando." (Source: usatoday.com, 10/18/06)
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"A terminally ill 6-year-old boy from Israel visiting Walt Disney World as a last wish died in August after riding Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain, state records show.
The boy, Rame Masarwa, suffered from terminal cancer of the lungs, abdomen and spine, according to the Medical Examiner's Office for Orange and Osceola counties. He fainted after riding Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom the afternoon of Aug. 1, was transported to Florida Hospital Celebration and died that night, according to records."
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 10/18/06)
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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
8th Annual Universal Beer Festival: Schedule: 2 PM to 7 PM on November 11; 1 PM to 7 PM on November 12. (Affordable Disney Members should log in to learn how to save $7 per ticket!)
Universal For the Holidays: Dec. 26 - Jan. 1. Enjoy the Macy's Holiday Parade, Universal's 360 - A Cinesphere Spectacular, and Meet The Grinch. Included in regular admission.
New Year's Eve at Universal's CityWalk: Enjoy live music and unlimited admission to all CityWalk's clubs. Separate admission charge required. (Source: Universal Email Blast, 10/20/06)
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"Bad behavior and bad dress are now out at Magic Mountain and the other 29 amusement and water parks operated by Six Flags Inc. Hoping to attract more visitors to its parks, Six Flags said Wednesday that it had adopted rules requiring shirts, 'appropriate footwear' and considerate conduct, among other things." (Source: latimes.com, 10/19/06)
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
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NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain newspapers require a free registration to view their articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than one line, copy and paste all lines.
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WALT DISNEY COMPANY
New Policy to Associate Disney Brands and Characters with a More Nutritionally Balanced Range of Foods
BURBANK, Calif., October 16, 2006 -- The Walt Disney Company today introduced new food guidelines aimed at giving parents and children healthier eating options. The guidelines for licensed foods and promotions aimed at children will govern Disney's business partnerships and activities in the U.S. on a going-forward basis and will be adapted internationally over the next several years.
The new policies call for Disney to use its name and characters only on kid-focused products that meet specific guidelines, including limits on calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar. Disney also announced nutritionally-beneficial changes in the meals served to children at all Disney-operated restaurants in its Parks and Resorts and unveiled a company-wide plan to eliminate added trans fats from food served at its Parks by the end of 2007 and from its licensed and promotional products by the end of 2008.
"Disney will be providing healthier options for families that seek them, whether at our Parks or through our broad array of licensed foods," said Disney President and CEO Robert Iger. "The Disney brand and characters are in a unique position to market food that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them."
The guidelines are based on The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and have been developed in cooperation with two top child health and wellness experts, Dr. James O. Hill, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and Dr. Keith Thomas Ayoob, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Specifically, the guidelines governing kid-focused licensed foods call for limits such as the following:
A cap on calories that results in appropriate kid-sized portions. Total fat will not exceed 30 percent of calories for main and side dishes and 35 percent for snacks.
Saturated fat will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main dishes, side dishes and snacks.
Added sugar will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main dishes and side dishes and 25 percent of calories for snacks.
Disney will continue to license special-occasion sweets such as birthday cakes and seasonal candy as part of its product range but will limit the number of indulgence items in its licensed portfolio to 15 percent by 2010. In addition, most special-occasion sweets will be available in single-serving packets.
"By developing nutrition guidelines for children, Disney is demonstrating a long-term commitment to the health of kids," said Dr. Hill. "The guidelines are comprehensive and consistent with The Dietary Guidelines for Americans," that are issued by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.
"This is some of the best news I have heard in over twenty years of working with families and children as a pediatric nutritionist," added Dr. Ayoob. "Disney is synonymous with fun and can play an important role in getting kids to consume a more balanced diet."
Disney's timetable for implementing its new policies is dictated by existing contractual arrangements, the majority of which will lapse in their current form within two years. Disney expects most of its licensed products and promotional tie-ins to meet the new guidelines by the end of 2008.
Disney Consumer Products has already begun to offer many licensed products which comply with the guidelines. They include breakfast items such as instant oatmeal featuring characters like "The Incredibles" and "Kim Possible," and Disney Garden fresh produce such as kid-sized apples and bananas. Lunch and dinner foods such as Mickey-shaped organic ravioli and other pastas are also now available.
"Families are shopping together more often and we see an opportunity to give parents food choices they can approve of while at the same time satisfying their kids," said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products.
Beginning this month in U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts, kids' meals are automatically being served with low fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice or water along with side dishes like apple sauce or carrots in place of the traditional soft drinks and French fries. Parents will still be able to substitute French fries and soda at no additional cost. Initial tests involving 20,000 kids' meals show that as many as 90 percent of parents and kids stayed with the more nutritious option.
"This is a terrific initiative because it makes it easier for parents, even while on vacation, to offer their children well balanced meals with kid appeal," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Added trans fats are in the process of being removed from all Disney food offerings. Food served at the U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts will be free of added trans fats by the end of 2007. Disney's U.S. licensing and promotional groups are aiming to meet an end-2008 deadline.
"These are just first steps in an initiative that will evolve over time," said Iger. "But we understand the challenges faced by parents and recognize Disney can contribute to the solution." (Disney Press Release)
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
All That Glitters is Holiday Magic Aboard Disney Cruise Line
CELEBRATION, Fla. -- Holiday magic will deck the halls and add sparkle to the decks for guests who sail with Disney Cruise Line beginning this Thanksgiving and continuing through to the New Year. Both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will spread an abundance of holiday cheer, from traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts to "snowflake" sightings and seasonal caroling.
A special 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise is planned for Disney Magic from Dec. 16 through Dec. 26. The Eastern/Southern Caribbean cruise will call at ports not typically on the Disney Magic cruise itinerary, including St. Lucia and Antigua.
The spirit of the season will surround cruise guests from the moment they arrive at Port Canaveral, Fla. Disney characters decked out in their finest holiday attire will welcome guests to the lavishly decorated private cruise terminal. During holiday sailings, guests will discover:
Thanksgiving festivities complete with Thanksgiving Day meal with all the trimmings, craft activities with a focus on pilgrim hats and turkeys, and visits by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in Thanksgiving costumes.
A nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned with decorations in the atrium lobby, where "snow" flurries fall and a tree-lighting ceremony occurs.
A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids.
International holiday caroling by crew members from around the globe (exclusively on the Christmas cruise).
Special family time for designing and decorating gingerbread houses.
A reading of "The Night Before Christmas" by Mrs. Claus.
Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms (Christmas cruise only).
Multiple faith and interdenominational holiday services (Christmas and Hanukkah cruise only).
A ship-wide party to ring in 2007 and a New Year's Day tailgate party.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, Disney Magic embarks on a special Western Caribbean journey, during which the ship sails twice to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. The seven-night voyage departs Nov. 18, arriving first at Castaway Cay for the usual Disney Cruise Line visit. When the ship returns the day after Thanksgiving, the island will be transformed into a Magical Wonderland, where the sandy Bahamian isle becomes a "snowy" holiday hideaway. "Snow" flurries will fall like magic, Christmas trees will glow and carolers will croon. Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, wearing shell noses and tropical attire, will greet guests with a sleigh full of presents. The tram that transports guests across the 1,000-acre island will be reindeer themed, complete with antlers and tail. A four-night Disney Wonder cruise stops at Castaway Cay on Thanksgiving Day.
At the beach, families can learn the art of sand sculpting, and kids can dive into holiday-themed activities that include making candy cane reindeer, paper plate angels and snowflake-mobiles.
The Disney Magic 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise departs Dec. 16, with visits to Key West, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder four-night Christmas cruise departs Dec. 24, with visits to Nassau and Castaway Cay.
To celebrate the New Year, Disney Magic departs on its seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary Dec. 30; Disney Wonder departs Dec. 31 for its four-night cruise. (Source: Disney Cruise Line Press Release, 10/19/06)
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Mickey Mouse Penthouse Debuts For "Big Cheeses" of All Ages Beginning in December 2006
ANAHEIM, Ca. -- Beginning Dec. 1, 2006, Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Resort in Southern California will boast one of the most unique, and certainly one of the most "Disney," VIP lodging experiences in the world -- the all-new Mickey Mouse Penthouse. Designed for "big cheeses" of all ages, the penthouse offers spectacular views of the 500-acre resort (including Disneyland park, Disney's California Adventure park and the Downtown Disney District) via floor-to-ceiling windows in addition to a happy mixture of luxury, technology and whimsy featuring one-of-a-kind décor, artwork and magical touches that bring to life all the fun that Mickey represents.
Eligible guests and mail-in participants will be selected randomly as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway promotion during "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration at Disneyland Resort. An overnight stay in the over-the-top penthouse is one of the dream surprises awarded most days beginning Dec. 1 to a Disneyland guest at a park or at the Downtown Disney District randomly selected by early in the afternoon (visit disneyparks.com/rules for more information). The eligible guest and members of his or her party -- up to a total of five people plus the lucky guest -- will continue all the magic of their Disneyland Resort visit by receiving an overnight stay that night in Mickey's new digs. Mail-in winners will receive a prize of comparable value.
The swanky penthouse, featuring an interior design of bold "Mickey" colors of black, white, red and yellow, occupies an expansive 1,600 square feet and includes an open living room, dining and kitchen area, 2.5 baths and two bedrooms. Classic Mickey Mouse imagery and three-dimensional artwork dominate the design scheme throughout the penthouse.
Following dinner at the famed Blue Bayou Restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland park (and other special activities such as being grand marshals of a Disneyland parade), and as The Happiest Place on Earth slowly winds down to slumber, it will be a night of immersion in fantasy and fun when the special guests walk into the Mickey Mouse Penthouse.
As guests enter, Mickey will magically appear inside a foyer Magic Mirror, personally welcoming them to his one-of-a-kind penthouse. Upon entering the living room, guests will encounter very stylized contemporary décor featuring eclectic furnishings and motifs of Mickey with a primary color palette of red, black and yellow. Hardwood floors and colorful area rugs accent the living room while the formal dining area seats eight guests. A built-in media wall is the focal point of the living room and features multiple flat screen TVs and a state-of-the-art home theater system worthy of Mickey's status as one of Hollywood's brightest stars.
The master bedroom features a number of luxury amenities including a king-size bed, lounge chairs, a 37" flat panel TV and a DVD player, and is decorated with animation maquettes of Mickey Mouse in many of his most famous film roles. (Maquettes are three-dimensional models used by Disney animators to effectively render a character in two dimensions and are highly sought-after collectibles.) The master bath includes a steam shower, Jacuzzi tub and a double vanity with a built-in TV in the mirror.
The second bedroom has a more playful feel and is the perfect setting for little ones who wish to have the locale double as a playroom. The main "conversation piece" in the room is a vintage animator's desk that will add to the Mickey Mouse- and animation-inspired storyline for the penthouse. The bedroom also features a stylized built-in armoire with a flat panel TV, DVD player and video games.
"These special guests will feel extremely pampered in this unique, magical interior environment," said Wing Chao, executive vice president, Master Planning, Architecture and Design, Walt Disney Imagineering. "We want guests to walk away saying, 'This was a dream come true.'" (Source: Disneyland Press Release)
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MONEY SAVING TIP
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show
8251 Vineland Ave.
Orlando, FL 32821
Phone: 407-238-2777
Fax: 407-238-4494
"Magnificent horses; American buffalo; comedy; singing; dancing; a spectacular patriotic finale; fabulous four-course feast including beer and wine."
Get $10 off regular adult price; $4 off regular child price 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
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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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posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 12:29 AM
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