Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
May 2, 2007
Copyright © 1999 - 2007 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!
Disney rarely offers deals to the general public during its busiest seasons: Spring Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Easter. If you want to visit Walt Disney World when there is no deal for the general public, you will need to follow the discount strategies that are revealed in our online book, "Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation," to make your vacation affordable. Now on with the show...
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - Group discount at Universal's hotels, $450 Alaska cruise line credit, group discount on Disney cruises, and group discount at Swan and Dolphin restaurants
* The latest news from around the "World" - Walt Disney World now smoke free
* Jeanee asks about eloping to Walt Disney World for a cheap wedding
* Coleen writes about credit card fraud at Walt Disney World
* Disneyland's Nemo Dream Mobile begins road tour
* Disneyland Paris celebrates 15 Years of Dreams
* This week's coupon - save at this Italian grill in Kissimmee
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Receive a $500 gift card per room on an Adventures by Disney vacation!
Group discount at Disney's Swan and Dolphin resort hotel restaurants!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
This group saves 40% at Universal Orlando's three on-site Loews Hotels! Plus! They receive Universal Express access so they can bypass lines at the parks. Plus! They receive two days at both Universal parks for the price of a 1-day/1-park ticket! You must purchase tickets before May 16. Hotel special expires June 7.
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
New dates added for group discounts!
--------------------------------
OTHER VACATION SPECIALS
Book any sailing with this popular cruise line between October 1, 2007, and March 31, 2008, and get up to a $450 cruise line credit per Stateroom or Suite to spend on board! The following credits apply:
* Suites and Villas: $450
* Mini-Suite: $180
* Balcony Stateroom: $180
* Outside Stateroom: $140
* Inside Stateroom: $100
Also valid on roundtrip Vancouver to Alaska cruise 05/13/07 - 08/26/07.
--------------------------------
Win a trip to Paris France!
=================================================
Below are just some of the deals drawn from over 50 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:
WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Several ways to win a Walt Disney World/Florida vacation!
>> Late Summer Special! FREE dining at Walt Disney World! Save $38.00 per adult and $11.00 per child per day!
>> Exclusively from one of our providers: UK visitors get their 6th Night FREE when they stay at the Walt Disney World Resorts! Valid all 2007 and, the last time I checked, includes Christmas and New Year's Eve!
>> FREE meals for Kids at these resorts on Disney property!
>> FREE Customized Park Maps for Walt Disney World!
>> This group can save up to $100.00 per night on Disney accommodations!
>> Deals for the military, teachers, government workers, nurses, Florida residents!
>> 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!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Save up to 30% at Universal's Portofino, Hard Rock and These teachers receive a FREE ticket to both Universal Orlando theme parks
>> Book your Tee Times at this site where rates start at $69
>> This group saves $80.00 on day visits to SeaWorld's Discovery Cove
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for less than $20
>> These teachers receive a FREE ticket to both Universal Orlando theme parks!
>> Save up to 40% at this Luxury Resort just 6 miles from Walt Disney World!
>> New Discounts available on tickets to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens! Good for 6 consecutive days, too!
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of
Adventure for less than $20!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
>> Three nights from $499!
>> Four nights from $539!
>> Seven nights Land & Sea from $899!
>> This group receives a $50 onboard credit!
>> Discounts for Florida residents and the military - rates too low to publish!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> Win a Disneyland/Southern California vacation!
>> Fourth Night Free at Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels!
>> Kids fly FREE to Disneyland! A family of four can save $700.00 on airfare!
>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!
>> Stay one night get one night FREE!
>> Kids under 7 stay FREE!
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VEGAS
>> Stay at this luxury resort & casino from $79 per night! Includes Room Upgrade, 2 FREE Drinks, 2-for-1 Breakfast, 2-for-1 Lunch, Admission for 2 to the Spa, and more!
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
CRUISES
>> Cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Mediterranean, South Africa, and Europe up to 50% off!
>> Inexpensive Shore Excursions and Tours!
--------------------------------
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
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
--------------------------------
"As of June 1, 2007, all Disney owned and operated resort hotels at the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney Vacation Club resorts will become smoke-free environments." No smoking will be allowed in rooms, balconies, patios, lobbies, restaurants, convention areas and common areas. Disney has established outdoor smoking areas for resort guests. Since 2000, smoking has been prohibited in the theme parks and water parks where Disney has set up designated areas for smokers. (Source: Disney Promotional Email, 05/01/07)
"It can be expensive to sneak a cigarette in a nonsmoking room. If Disney finds that someone did light up, a "cleaning fee" of $250 to $500 will be tacked onto the customer's bill. That is to cover the replacement of fabrics such as draperies and bedding, and the deep cleaning of everything else." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 05/02/07)
Please Note: Any reservations already made through Beth, our travel agent, or other agencies, including Disney itself, that had "smoking" requested will be affected.
--------------------------------
"Thursday night's Pleasure Island jaunt was my first time seeing the 'new bridge' without the construction walls up. Wow. It's seamless... the new bridge integrates so seemlessly into the old design, you would never know there had been a change." (Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com, 05/01/07)
--------------------------------
Disney's popular makeover salon for princesses (and pirates), Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, is opening a second location at Cinderella Castle. The other boutique can be found at Downtown Disney. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/30/07)
Cost: $35 - $245
Hours: daily 8 AM - 7 PM
Ages: 3 and up
Park admission required
--------------------------------
"Walt Disney World matched money from a new federal grant program Friday to help Lynx expand its bus service for Disney employees who work some late shifts." Buses #300 to 304 on the Disney World route now run until 12:30 AM. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/28/07)
--------------------------------
"Get ready to experience the magic of Walt Disney World. Everyone who donates blood or platelets with the American Red Cross in May will get a chance to win a Disney getaway, four tickets to Disney World, four Delta Air Lines round-trip tickets, a three night stay at the Clarion Hotel and dinner for four at Planet Hollywood." (Source: cherokeesentinel.com, 04/26/07)
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
"A Universal Studios theme park will be a cornerstone attraction in the huge Dubailand vacation resort rapidly rising in the United Arab Emirates. The park, to be called Universal Studios Dubailand, will be comparable in size to Universal Studios Orlando, should open by 2010 and is projected to eventually draw up to 5 million visitors a year. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 05/01/07)
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Amtrak has created a site where train travelers can share their personal train adventures. Click here to visit Amtak's Whistle Stop.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Visitors to the theme parks in Disneyland California can now buy their tickets online. As a promotion, Disney is including an e-coupon good for $50 in savings on Disneyland merchandise. (Source: disneyland.disney.go.com)
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"The City Council defied Disney's wishes by approving a zoning change that could pave the way for 1,500 [affordable] homes across from its property... The approval came despite Disney's repeated protests, a lawsuit and threat of a ballot measure to deter new homes in the resort." (Source: ocregister.com, 04/25/07)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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DISNEYLAND PARIS
"Euro Disney SCA, the owner and operator of the theme park outside Paris, said Friday that its fiscal first-half loss narrowed because of growing attendance and hotel revenues." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/27/07)
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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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DISNEYLAND SUBMARINE TAKES TO THE ROAD FOR THE YEAR OF A MILLION DREAMS!
ANAHEIM, CALIF.---As the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is being readied for its June 11 premiere at Disneyland, the Nemo Dream Mobile will be coming out of the water and onto the road beginning May 4 for a spring-summer tour of the West. This road-tripping submarine-on-wheels will bring some of the magic of Disneyland Resort and its new summer attraction to cities in the western United States and Canada.
Designed to resemble one of the yellow submarines in the Disneyland fleet, the Nemo Dream Mobile will travel to Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Tucson, Phoenix and other locales, appearing in a variety of settings including landmarks, festivals, schools, aquariums, museums, parks, boys & girls clubs, sporting events and parades.
With a length of 43 feet, a height of nearly 13 feet, and a colorful design evoking the classic Disneyland submarine fleet, the Nemo Dream Mobile will bring news of an all-new submarine attraction opening this summer as part of The Year of a Million Dreams at Disneyland.
Along for the voyage, and appearing atop the Nemo Dream Mobile in select locations, will be Nigel, the friendly pelican from the Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo, and the scavenging seagulls (Mine, Mine, Mine) from the movie. The vehicle will also convert, on select occasions, into an aquarium on wheels, featuring surprise appearances by Crush, the cruisin’ turtle from Finding Nemo, who can take questions and chat with small groups of guests in a road show version of Turtle Talk with Crush, the popular interactive animation experience from Disneyland Resort.
The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, debuting June 11, will feature extensively enhanced versions of the original 1959 Disneyland submarines in a new adventure with Nemo and his fish friends from the Disney/Pixar movie Finding Nemo. Submarine voyagers will go on an underwater expedition featuring cutting-edge imaging technology which will bring the Finding Nemo characters amazingly to life.
The Nemo Dream Mobile will make its first stops May 4 through 6 in Vancouver, British Columbia. It will voyage onward according to the following itinerary:
May 7-11 Seattle, Washington
May 14-15 Portland, Oregon
May 17-23 San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, California
May 24-30 Sacramento area, California
May 31 - June 1 Fresno, California
June 4-6 Salt Lake City, Utah
June 11 Disneyland for Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage launch
June 13-15 Las Vegas, Nevada
June 17-18 Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 21-22 Tucson, Arizona
June 26-29 Phoenix, Arizona
(Source: Press Release, 04/27/07)
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Disneyland Resort Paris Celebrates 15 Years of Dreams
With its Biggest Party Ever Beginning April 1, 2007
MARNE-LA-VALLÉE, France - From a new parade spectacular with dozens of Disney characters to exciting new attractions and an enchanting makeover of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland Resort Paris celebrates its 15th anniversary with a yearlong celebration beginning April 1, 2007.
In the last 15 years, Disneyland Resort Paris has established itself as the leading tourist destination in Europe, welcoming more than 175 million visits and growing from a single park and a handful of hotels into a vibrant destination. Today, the resort features two Disney Parks, seven Disney themed hotels with 5,800 rooms, seven partner hotels, two convention centers, the Disney Village entertainment and retail district and first-class golf courses.
'Since 1992, Disneyland Resort Paris has been making dreams come true for guests of many cultures, countries and ages,' said Karl L. Holz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Disney S.A.S. 'The yearlong 15th Anniversary celebration has something new for everyone -- and festivities every single day for 12 magical months.'
In the Disneyland Park, Mickey Mouse and dozens of Disney characters star in the all-new Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade. The colorful procession features famous 'dream' moments from some of the most beloved Disney stories ever. The parade starts with a float featuring an open book to symbolize dream images coming to life, with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in a hot-air balloon, Donald Duck at center stage, and Goofy, Pluto and Chip and Dale interacting with Guests.
'Most of the floats have two themes, one on the front and one on the back,' explained François Leroux, vice president of entertainment. 'Our guests will see more of their favorite dreams coming to life, such as Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio representing Dreams of Laughter and Fun. And for the first time ever, to excite the senses we've added fragrances that will fill the air and match the themes of each float.'
Throughout both the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, there are even more opportunities to meet favorite Disney characters, including the new Disney Characters' Express that transports a trainload of characters several times daily down Main Street, U.S.A. to meet guests in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and at special locations added just for the celebration.
As a dazzling backdrop for the party, the Disneyland Park's Sleeping Beauty Castle is artfully adorned with colorful sculptures of Disney Characters with birthday candles decorating the turrets. Each evening, the candles will sparkle as they come to life during Candleabration, a stunning character-filled birthday show.
New Attractions Debut
Three new attractions open at Walt Disney Studios Park during the celebration. The first two, opening in June 2007, will be making their highly anticipated worldwide debut:
* Crush's Coaster, a family thrill ride, plunges guests into the underwater world of the Disney Pixar animated hit film 'Finding Nemo.' This immersive experience will transport guests into the big blue world of curious clownfish Nemo and his surfer turtle friend, Crush. Plenty of thrills and unexpected surprises await.
* Cars Race Rally, inspired by the Disney Pixar film 'Cars,' lets guests of all ages take a crazy spinning ride on the famous Route 66. Guests of all ages climb aboard for a zany cruise on the famous Route 66, created with dimensional movie sets. At each corner of the track, famous faces from the award-winning film are waiting to cheer on drivers. As the rocky desert landscape whizzes past and the canyon walls spiral around, the colorful cars cross the finish line.
The fun continues in early 2008 on the park's new Hollywood Boulevard with the opening of the The Twilight ZoneTM Tower of Terror, a haunted hotel towering 13 stories tall. The thrill ride will dare guests to board a ramshackle hotel freight elevator -- with a faster-than-the-speed-of-gravity drop that plummets 13 fear-filled floors. The Twilight ZoneTM Tower of Terror, already a hit at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Tokyo Disneyland, is one of Disney's most popular attractions worldwide.
Special Packages, Easier Access
"In addition to all of our new and unique experiences, and as our anniversary present to guests, we're creating special packages that make it more affordable than ever before to live out Disney dreams," said Norbert Stiekema, sales and distribution vice president, Disneyland Resort Paris. (Affordable Disney members should log in for details.)
And just in time for the 15th Anniversary celebration, the TGV French rail network is expanding service to Disneyland Resort Paris with links to Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich in Germany, and Basel and Zurich in Switzerland.
"With this expansion, Marne-la-Vallée is the biggest platform of hub interconnections for TGV in France," said Stiekema.
The party continues daily from April 1, 2007 through March 2008 at both parks of the Disneyland Paris Resort. (Source: Press Release)
=================================================
Coleen writes:
"John:
Here's a quick overview of what happened to me after my recent DisneyWorld visit. I'm not sure how it can help prevent this from happening to other guests. Pop Century has a security person investigating this.
Stayed at Pop Century 3/21-3/24. We used the in room laptop computer connection, costing $9.95 per day. I checked email on that connection and also logged into my ebay account to check an item I was bidding on.
I used my Chase Bank Disney Visa to pay for the room, and also on 2 purchases at the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney.
On Monday 3/26, I got an email from ebay stating I had changed my ebay password and email address, and that the changes were made from IP address 83.229.122.28. I made NO changes to my ebay account, therefore someone had stolen my password and login info and changed it. That IP address is in Nigeria. They changed my address for my ebay account to an address in the UK. Fortunately, I entered "live help" with ebay, corresponded with an ebay account representative, gave him enough information that only I knew, and he changed everything on my account to my own preferences.
While I was on the computer with ebay, Chase Bank called and said they had denied 9 of 10 charges on my Disney Visa that day, due to excessive usage that was unlike my normal usage. I ONLY used that Visa at Disney World during the 3/21-3/24 trip, and the people trying to charge were charging in California, Wisconsin, 1-800flowers, so Chase KNEW it wasn't me. They canceled the card and issued a new one, and will be investigating the bogus charges.
However, I will NOT be using credit cards or internet at Disney ever again! We normally stay at All Star Music and never have a problem. From now on I will pay cash and refuse to hold the room with a credit card except through AAA. Once burned... My sister and my daughter also used the internet connection, checked their bank accounts online, both accounts were compromised and had unauthorized charges days after we checked out. The one lady with us who did not use the internet or her charge cards at the resort had no problems at all.
P. S. They didn't get my bank info, but my sister and daughter had NSF fees due to all the charges the thieves were sending through. Ebay and Chase gave me excellent customer service. I will let you know the outcome of all of this. Chase is also investigating."
Coleen, this is very disturbing news. I have two questions that perhaps one of our readers who is well versed in computer security could answer:
1. Can a firewall on our laptop protect us from cyber thieves? (I have one and have never had a problem in all my years online.)
2. If we use a wireless connection, will connecting through a security-enabled wireless network protect us? (I only use my security-enable network connection since Linksys warns me that information processed through an unsecured wireless connection can be seen by others.)
If someone would like to address these issues, please email me at johngross@affordabledisney.com and I'll post your comments in the newsletter. Thanks.
=================================================
Jeanee writes:
"Hi there,
My Fiance and I are looking to sneak away to Disney to get married. Kinda like a Vegas thing. Is there a way to do it cheap with no guests, just him and I? Thanks."
Sneaking away to get married is not the best way to go about making such a serious and lifelong commitment. The support of family and friends right from the start is crucial to making your marriage a success. That said...
The cheapest way is to have a non-Disney wedding and have your honeymoon at Walt Disney World. We have created six themed honeymoon vacations that include five nights at a Disney Resort, tickets and meals starting at $1,300.
=================================================
MONEY SAVING COUPON
Key W. Kool's Open Pit Grill: 7725 W. Hwy 192, Kissimmee, Florida. 2 miles west of I-4. 407-396-1166. 407-239-7166. This Italian Grill features pastas, fresh seafood and prime choice beef. Get $5 off a check of $30 or more with this coupon.
=================================================
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Don't Leave Home Without It!
Universal offers special deals to Universal Entertainment MasterCard cardholders. Apply now and receive a movie ticket with your first purchase! For more details, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Disney Books
Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price. Hundreds of books under $1.00! Plus! Over 700 videos have been marked down to $1.99! To check out the bargains, click here.
--------------------------------
Got Coupons?
With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more! Save at hotels and restaurants near Walt Disney World, on car rental, airfare, admission to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa! For details, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable 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
Enjoy Special Rates at select hotels, condos and vacation rentals near Disney. Plus! Receive up to a $100.00 rebate! For hotels, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Car Rental
Just enter in your travel dates, select the kind of car you want, and receive a list of car rental prices at over 12 companies starting with the cheapest price! Click here.
Cheryl writes: "I saved over $200.00 on my mini van rental!!!"
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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.
=============================================
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.
=============================================
May 2, 2007
Copyright © 1999 - 2007 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!
Disney rarely offers deals to the general public during its busiest seasons: Spring Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Easter. If you want to visit Walt Disney World when there is no deal for the general public, you will need to follow the discount strategies that are revealed in our online book, "Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation," to make your vacation affordable. Now on with the show...
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - Group discount at Universal's hotels, $450 Alaska cruise line credit, group discount on Disney cruises, and group discount at Swan and Dolphin restaurants
* The latest news from around the "World" - Walt Disney World now smoke free
* Jeanee asks about eloping to Walt Disney World for a cheap wedding
* Coleen writes about credit card fraud at Walt Disney World
* Disneyland's Nemo Dream Mobile begins road tour
* Disneyland Paris celebrates 15 Years of Dreams
* This week's coupon - save at this Italian grill in Kissimmee
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Receive a $500 gift card per room on an Adventures by Disney vacation!
Group discount at Disney's Swan and Dolphin resort hotel restaurants!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
This group saves 40% at Universal Orlando's three on-site Loews Hotels! Plus! They receive Universal Express access so they can bypass lines at the parks. Plus! They receive two days at both Universal parks for the price of a 1-day/1-park ticket! You must purchase tickets before May 16. Hotel special expires June 7.
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
New dates added for group discounts!
--------------------------------
OTHER VACATION SPECIALS
Book any sailing with this popular cruise line between October 1, 2007, and March 31, 2008, and get up to a $450 cruise line credit per Stateroom or Suite to spend on board! The following credits apply:
* Suites and Villas: $450
* Mini-Suite: $180
* Balcony Stateroom: $180
* Outside Stateroom: $140
* Inside Stateroom: $100
Also valid on roundtrip Vancouver to Alaska cruise 05/13/07 - 08/26/07.
--------------------------------
Win a trip to Paris France!
=================================================
Below are just some of the deals drawn from over 50 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:
WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Several ways to win a Walt Disney World/Florida vacation!
>> Late Summer Special! FREE dining at Walt Disney World! Save $38.00 per adult and $11.00 per child per day!
>> Exclusively from one of our providers: UK visitors get their 6th Night FREE when they stay at the Walt Disney World Resorts! Valid all 2007 and, the last time I checked, includes Christmas and New Year's Eve!
>> FREE meals for Kids at these resorts on Disney property!
>> FREE Customized Park Maps for Walt Disney World!
>> This group can save up to $100.00 per night on Disney accommodations!
>> Deals for the military, teachers, government workers, nurses, Florida residents!
>> 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!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Save up to 30% at Universal's Portofino, Hard Rock and These teachers receive a FREE ticket to both Universal Orlando theme parks
>> Book your Tee Times at this site where rates start at $69
>> This group saves $80.00 on day visits to SeaWorld's Discovery Cove
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for less than $20
>> These teachers receive a FREE ticket to both Universal Orlando theme parks!
>> Save up to 40% at this Luxury Resort just 6 miles from Walt Disney World!
>> New Discounts available on tickets to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens! Good for 6 consecutive days, too!
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of
Adventure for less than $20!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
>> Three nights from $499!
>> Four nights from $539!
>> Seven nights Land & Sea from $899!
>> This group receives a $50 onboard credit!
>> Discounts for Florida residents and the military - rates too low to publish!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> Win a Disneyland/Southern California vacation!
>> Fourth Night Free at Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels!
>> Kids fly FREE to Disneyland! A family of four can save $700.00 on airfare!
>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!
>> Stay one night get one night FREE!
>> Kids under 7 stay FREE!
--------------------------------
VEGAS
>> Stay at this luxury resort & casino from $79 per night! Includes Room Upgrade, 2 FREE Drinks, 2-for-1 Breakfast, 2-for-1 Lunch, Admission for 2 to the Spa, and more!
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
CRUISES
>> Cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Mediterranean, South Africa, and Europe up to 50% off!
>> Inexpensive Shore Excursions and Tours!
--------------------------------
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
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
--------------------------------
"As of June 1, 2007, all Disney owned and operated resort hotels at the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney Vacation Club resorts will become smoke-free environments." No smoking will be allowed in rooms, balconies, patios, lobbies, restaurants, convention areas and common areas. Disney has established outdoor smoking areas for resort guests. Since 2000, smoking has been prohibited in the theme parks and water parks where Disney has set up designated areas for smokers. (Source: Disney Promotional Email, 05/01/07)
"It can be expensive to sneak a cigarette in a nonsmoking room. If Disney finds that someone did light up, a "cleaning fee" of $250 to $500 will be tacked onto the customer's bill. That is to cover the replacement of fabrics such as draperies and bedding, and the deep cleaning of everything else." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 05/02/07)
Please Note: Any reservations already made through Beth, our travel agent, or other agencies, including Disney itself, that had "smoking" requested will be affected.
--------------------------------
"Thursday night's Pleasure Island jaunt was my first time seeing the 'new bridge' without the construction walls up. Wow. It's seamless... the new bridge integrates so seemlessly into the old design, you would never know there had been a change." (Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com, 05/01/07)
--------------------------------
Disney's popular makeover salon for princesses (and pirates), Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, is opening a second location at Cinderella Castle. The other boutique can be found at Downtown Disney. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/30/07)
Cost: $35 - $245
Hours: daily 8 AM - 7 PM
Ages: 3 and up
Park admission required
--------------------------------
"Walt Disney World matched money from a new federal grant program Friday to help Lynx expand its bus service for Disney employees who work some late shifts." Buses #300 to 304 on the Disney World route now run until 12:30 AM. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/28/07)
--------------------------------
"Get ready to experience the magic of Walt Disney World. Everyone who donates blood or platelets with the American Red Cross in May will get a chance to win a Disney getaway, four tickets to Disney World, four Delta Air Lines round-trip tickets, a three night stay at the Clarion Hotel and dinner for four at Planet Hollywood." (Source: cherokeesentinel.com, 04/26/07)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
"A Universal Studios theme park will be a cornerstone attraction in the huge Dubailand vacation resort rapidly rising in the United Arab Emirates. The park, to be called Universal Studios Dubailand, will be comparable in size to Universal Studios Orlando, should open by 2010 and is projected to eventually draw up to 5 million visitors a year. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 05/01/07)
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Amtrak has created a site where train travelers can share their personal train adventures. Click here to visit Amtak's Whistle Stop.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Visitors to the theme parks in Disneyland California can now buy their tickets online. As a promotion, Disney is including an e-coupon good for $50 in savings on Disneyland merchandise. (Source: disneyland.disney.go.com)
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"The City Council defied Disney's wishes by approving a zoning change that could pave the way for 1,500 [affordable] homes across from its property... The approval came despite Disney's repeated protests, a lawsuit and threat of a ballot measure to deter new homes in the resort." (Source: ocregister.com, 04/25/07)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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DISNEYLAND PARIS
"Euro Disney SCA, the owner and operator of the theme park outside Paris, said Friday that its fiscal first-half loss narrowed because of growing attendance and hotel revenues." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/27/07)
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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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DISNEYLAND SUBMARINE TAKES TO THE ROAD FOR THE YEAR OF A MILLION DREAMS!
ANAHEIM, CALIF.---As the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is being readied for its June 11 premiere at Disneyland, the Nemo Dream Mobile will be coming out of the water and onto the road beginning May 4 for a spring-summer tour of the West. This road-tripping submarine-on-wheels will bring some of the magic of Disneyland Resort and its new summer attraction to cities in the western United States and Canada.
Designed to resemble one of the yellow submarines in the Disneyland fleet, the Nemo Dream Mobile will travel to Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Tucson, Phoenix and other locales, appearing in a variety of settings including landmarks, festivals, schools, aquariums, museums, parks, boys & girls clubs, sporting events and parades.
With a length of 43 feet, a height of nearly 13 feet, and a colorful design evoking the classic Disneyland submarine fleet, the Nemo Dream Mobile will bring news of an all-new submarine attraction opening this summer as part of The Year of a Million Dreams at Disneyland.
Along for the voyage, and appearing atop the Nemo Dream Mobile in select locations, will be Nigel, the friendly pelican from the Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo, and the scavenging seagulls (Mine, Mine, Mine) from the movie. The vehicle will also convert, on select occasions, into an aquarium on wheels, featuring surprise appearances by Crush, the cruisin’ turtle from Finding Nemo, who can take questions and chat with small groups of guests in a road show version of Turtle Talk with Crush, the popular interactive animation experience from Disneyland Resort.
The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, debuting June 11, will feature extensively enhanced versions of the original 1959 Disneyland submarines in a new adventure with Nemo and his fish friends from the Disney/Pixar movie Finding Nemo. Submarine voyagers will go on an underwater expedition featuring cutting-edge imaging technology which will bring the Finding Nemo characters amazingly to life.
The Nemo Dream Mobile will make its first stops May 4 through 6 in Vancouver, British Columbia. It will voyage onward according to the following itinerary:
May 7-11 Seattle, Washington
May 14-15 Portland, Oregon
May 17-23 San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, California
May 24-30 Sacramento area, California
May 31 - June 1 Fresno, California
June 4-6 Salt Lake City, Utah
June 11 Disneyland for Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage launch
June 13-15 Las Vegas, Nevada
June 17-18 Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 21-22 Tucson, Arizona
June 26-29 Phoenix, Arizona
(Source: Press Release, 04/27/07)
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Disneyland Resort Paris Celebrates 15 Years of Dreams
With its Biggest Party Ever Beginning April 1, 2007
MARNE-LA-VALLÉE, France - From a new parade spectacular with dozens of Disney characters to exciting new attractions and an enchanting makeover of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland Resort Paris celebrates its 15th anniversary with a yearlong celebration beginning April 1, 2007.
In the last 15 years, Disneyland Resort Paris has established itself as the leading tourist destination in Europe, welcoming more than 175 million visits and growing from a single park and a handful of hotels into a vibrant destination. Today, the resort features two Disney Parks, seven Disney themed hotels with 5,800 rooms, seven partner hotels, two convention centers, the Disney Village entertainment and retail district and first-class golf courses.
'Since 1992, Disneyland Resort Paris has been making dreams come true for guests of many cultures, countries and ages,' said Karl L. Holz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Disney S.A.S. 'The yearlong 15th Anniversary celebration has something new for everyone -- and festivities every single day for 12 magical months.'
In the Disneyland Park, Mickey Mouse and dozens of Disney characters star in the all-new Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade. The colorful procession features famous 'dream' moments from some of the most beloved Disney stories ever. The parade starts with a float featuring an open book to symbolize dream images coming to life, with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in a hot-air balloon, Donald Duck at center stage, and Goofy, Pluto and Chip and Dale interacting with Guests.
'Most of the floats have two themes, one on the front and one on the back,' explained François Leroux, vice president of entertainment. 'Our guests will see more of their favorite dreams coming to life, such as Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio representing Dreams of Laughter and Fun. And for the first time ever, to excite the senses we've added fragrances that will fill the air and match the themes of each float.'
Throughout both the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, there are even more opportunities to meet favorite Disney characters, including the new Disney Characters' Express that transports a trainload of characters several times daily down Main Street, U.S.A. to meet guests in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and at special locations added just for the celebration.
As a dazzling backdrop for the party, the Disneyland Park's Sleeping Beauty Castle is artfully adorned with colorful sculptures of Disney Characters with birthday candles decorating the turrets. Each evening, the candles will sparkle as they come to life during Candleabration, a stunning character-filled birthday show.
New Attractions Debut
Three new attractions open at Walt Disney Studios Park during the celebration. The first two, opening in June 2007, will be making their highly anticipated worldwide debut:
* Crush's Coaster, a family thrill ride, plunges guests into the underwater world of the Disney Pixar animated hit film 'Finding Nemo.' This immersive experience will transport guests into the big blue world of curious clownfish Nemo and his surfer turtle friend, Crush. Plenty of thrills and unexpected surprises await.
* Cars Race Rally, inspired by the Disney Pixar film 'Cars,' lets guests of all ages take a crazy spinning ride on the famous Route 66. Guests of all ages climb aboard for a zany cruise on the famous Route 66, created with dimensional movie sets. At each corner of the track, famous faces from the award-winning film are waiting to cheer on drivers. As the rocky desert landscape whizzes past and the canyon walls spiral around, the colorful cars cross the finish line.
The fun continues in early 2008 on the park's new Hollywood Boulevard with the opening of the The Twilight ZoneTM Tower of Terror, a haunted hotel towering 13 stories tall. The thrill ride will dare guests to board a ramshackle hotel freight elevator -- with a faster-than-the-speed-of-gravity drop that plummets 13 fear-filled floors. The Twilight ZoneTM Tower of Terror, already a hit at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Tokyo Disneyland, is one of Disney's most popular attractions worldwide.
Special Packages, Easier Access
"In addition to all of our new and unique experiences, and as our anniversary present to guests, we're creating special packages that make it more affordable than ever before to live out Disney dreams," said Norbert Stiekema, sales and distribution vice president, Disneyland Resort Paris. (Affordable Disney members should log in for details.)
And just in time for the 15th Anniversary celebration, the TGV French rail network is expanding service to Disneyland Resort Paris with links to Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich in Germany, and Basel and Zurich in Switzerland.
"With this expansion, Marne-la-Vallée is the biggest platform of hub interconnections for TGV in France," said Stiekema.
The party continues daily from April 1, 2007 through March 2008 at both parks of the Disneyland Paris Resort. (Source: Press Release)
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Coleen writes:
"John:
Here's a quick overview of what happened to me after my recent DisneyWorld visit. I'm not sure how it can help prevent this from happening to other guests. Pop Century has a security person investigating this.
Stayed at Pop Century 3/21-3/24. We used the in room laptop computer connection, costing $9.95 per day. I checked email on that connection and also logged into my ebay account to check an item I was bidding on.
I used my Chase Bank Disney Visa to pay for the room, and also on 2 purchases at the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney.
On Monday 3/26, I got an email from ebay stating I had changed my ebay password and email address, and that the changes were made from IP address 83.229.122.28. I made NO changes to my ebay account, therefore someone had stolen my password and login info and changed it. That IP address is in Nigeria. They changed my address for my ebay account to an address in the UK. Fortunately, I entered "live help" with ebay, corresponded with an ebay account representative, gave him enough information that only I knew, and he changed everything on my account to my own preferences.
While I was on the computer with ebay, Chase Bank called and said they had denied 9 of 10 charges on my Disney Visa that day, due to excessive usage that was unlike my normal usage. I ONLY used that Visa at Disney World during the 3/21-3/24 trip, and the people trying to charge were charging in California, Wisconsin, 1-800flowers, so Chase KNEW it wasn't me. They canceled the card and issued a new one, and will be investigating the bogus charges.
However, I will NOT be using credit cards or internet at Disney ever again! We normally stay at All Star Music and never have a problem. From now on I will pay cash and refuse to hold the room with a credit card except through AAA. Once burned... My sister and my daughter also used the internet connection, checked their bank accounts online, both accounts were compromised and had unauthorized charges days after we checked out. The one lady with us who did not use the internet or her charge cards at the resort had no problems at all.
P. S. They didn't get my bank info, but my sister and daughter had NSF fees due to all the charges the thieves were sending through. Ebay and Chase gave me excellent customer service. I will let you know the outcome of all of this. Chase is also investigating."
Coleen, this is very disturbing news. I have two questions that perhaps one of our readers who is well versed in computer security could answer:
1. Can a firewall on our laptop protect us from cyber thieves? (I have one and have never had a problem in all my years online.)
2. If we use a wireless connection, will connecting through a security-enabled wireless network protect us? (I only use my security-enable network connection since Linksys warns me that information processed through an unsecured wireless connection can be seen by others.)
If someone would like to address these issues, please email me at johngross@affordabledisney.com and I'll post your comments in the newsletter. Thanks.
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Jeanee writes:
"Hi there,
My Fiance and I are looking to sneak away to Disney to get married. Kinda like a Vegas thing. Is there a way to do it cheap with no guests, just him and I? Thanks."
Sneaking away to get married is not the best way to go about making such a serious and lifelong commitment. The support of family and friends right from the start is crucial to making your marriage a success. That said...
The cheapest way is to have a non-Disney wedding and have your honeymoon at Walt Disney World. We have created six themed honeymoon vacations that include five nights at a Disney Resort, tickets and meals starting at $1,300.
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MONEY SAVING COUPON
Key W. Kool's Open Pit Grill: 7725 W. Hwy 192, Kissimmee, Florida. 2 miles west of I-4. 407-396-1166. 407-239-7166. This Italian Grill features pastas, fresh seafood and prime choice beef. Get $5 off a check of $30 or more 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.
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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
Enjoy Special Rates at select hotels, condos and vacation rentals near Disney. 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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posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 4:36 AM
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