Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
August 8, 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.
Beth, our travel agent, recently mentioned that some of our members believe that her name "Beth" is just a front for a fleet of travel agents and that my wife and I don't really exist! Well, let me assure you that Donna and I are the writers of our book and the information contained on our website. Beth is our hardworking travel agent who works full time with one assistant to handle all of your reservation needs. She does such a wonderful job that it just looks like there are many Beths at work behind the scene! Donna and I earn no commissions from Beth's bookings. We recommend her services because she is such a valuable resource and she works so hard for our members. That kind of service and loyalty cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Hope this clears things up!
Now on with the show...
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - 2008 Walt Disney World vacation packages, 2008 Walt Disney World ticket prices, 2008 Walt Disney World resort rates and season dates, Disney's Pirate and Princess Party Tickets, 2008 Disneyland California vacation packages, 2008 Disneyland California ticket prices, 2008 Adventures by Disney, and fan club discounts for this Orlando park
* The latest news from around the "World" - Disney extends the Year of a Million Dreams through the end of 2008!
* New! 2008 Affordable Non-Disney vacations!
* Jennette writes about dealing with epilepsy at Disney World
* Disney opens new Disney Vacation Club preview center in Chicago
* Walt Disney World 2008 Ticket Prices
* 2008 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about the 2008 Disney Dining Plan
* Beth writes about Disney's new 2008 resort rates
* This week's coupon - save on helicopter tours of the theme parks
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NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
* Walt Disney World ticket prices increased August 5.
* 2008 Walt Disney World vacation packages have been released.
* 2008 Walt Disney World resort rates have been released.
* Disney's Pirate and Princess Party Tickets are now on sale for Groups of 10 at a special advance purchase price! Dates: August 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31, and September 3. If Beth, our travel agent, is booking your group she can add the tickets for you.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
New Fan Club discounts just announced for this Orlando theme park! Save on tickets, vacation packages, VIP tours and more!
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
* 2008 Vacation Packages are now available for booking!
* Book this package deal and get 2 FREE days park admission!
* 2008 Adventure by Disney now include Disneyland!
* 2008 Disneyland Ticket Prices - we'll show you how to save up to $39 per ticket!
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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!
>> Exclusively from one of our providers: UK visitors get their 6th Night FREE when they stay at the Walt Disney World Resorts!
>> 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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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
>> Specials at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Mirage, Treasure Island and Venetian. Low rates - sometimes as low as $79 per night - dining discounts, show tickets, FREE room upgrades, FREE spa admission, and FREE play money are not uncommon.
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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 the Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Mediterranean, South Africa, and Europe up to 50% off!
>> Inexpensive Shore Excursions and Tours!
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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
This Day in Disney History
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"Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has decided to extend the Year of a Million Dreams in Central Florida and at Disneyland in Southern California through the end of 2008, spokesman Rick Sylvain announced." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/08/07)
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"Abraham Lincoln's hat, George Washington Carver's microscope, Mark Twain's pens and Sen. Daniel Inouye's Purple Heart are coming to Walt Disney World's Epcot as part of a new gallery exhibition called 'National Treasures.'" (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/06/07)
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"Anyone who still thinks Orlando is a bargain hunter's dream vacation destination is out of step with the way the rest of the world thinks. The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau says 36 percent of potential travelers consider price to be the primary barrier to a Central Florida vacation." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/06/07)
We paid $64 per night at Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings) on our first WDW vacation. Now a standard room can run $215 + tax per night!
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"The Jungle Cruise, considered one of the 'classic' rides at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, proved quite a challenge to re-create at Tokyo Disneyland, [Hong Kong and Disneyland Paris]." Disney had to adapt the ride to the culture and language of the host country. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/06/07)
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Disney promotes re-release of "Jungle Book" at Animal Kingdom
"On Sept. 29, passholders at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will get to stay two extra hours after the park’s usual closing time. You have to have a valid passholder ID and you have to be preregistered at disneyworld.com/passholder in order to take part in the event... 'Jungle Book' stars such as Baloo, King Louie, Mowgli and Colonel Hathi will appear to greet guests." (Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com, 08/03/07)
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"The back-to-school sales-tax holiday begins Saturday and continues through midnight Aug. 13... Clothing and books must cost $50 or less per item and school supplies must cost $10 or less per item to qualify for the tax exemption." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/03/07)
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"Coming soon to an airport or foreign consulate near you: Walt Disney Co.'s latest straight-to-video production, 'Welcome to America.'" (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/03/07)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
"I had dinner with a group of birthday-celebrating friends at Margaritaville at Universal CityWalk this weekend, and, well, it wasn't as relaxing as the mellow Jimmy Buffett classic would suggest. I mean, when you're paying that much for a drink, you should be allowed to finish it!" Click here to read the rest of the review.
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"I visited Cypress Gardens yesterday to (finally) ride Starliner, the old wooden coaster transplanted from Panama City... I'm no mother and won't pretend to be a psychologist, but just because you're tall enough to ride, doesn't mean you're ready for a big boy coaster, right?" (Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com, 08/01/07)
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Boutique hotel opens near Disneyland
"Hotel Menage, a former Holiday Inn, is considered the first specialty lodging in Anaheim. Is the family-oriented destination ready for an inn that targets guests looking for a taste of the nightclub?" (Source: latimes.com, 08/01/07)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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BRANSON MISSOURI
"From the longest word in any song to two dozen Duttons cavorting over the rooftops of London, the 2007 Dutton Family Show is their biggest extravaganza to date. In a tribute to an umbrella-wielding Mary Poppins, the rooftop stage is filled with song, dance, chimney sweeps and a surprise stage exit for the children in this heartwarming segment from their show." (Source: Branson Newsletter, 08/01/07)
"The beat of the island drums seems to drive audiences of Island Fire into a frenzy of vocal enthusiasm, while the breathtaking Fire Knife Dancing hushes them into awed silence. Welcome to Branson’s newest show - Island Fire at the Dutton Theater!" (Source: Branson Newsletter, 08/01/07)
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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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Last week Julie asked for advice about people visiting Disney with Epilepsy. Jennette writes:
"Hi John and Julie!
The first I would do is let the paramedic station closest to you know of your condition. We always stay at Boardwalk and Beach Club because the Fire Station is right down the street. We fill out a medical report form that the paramedics at the fire station give to us. On it we list medical conditions, current medications and amounts, and anything else we feel is important. We then put our hotel name, room number and our check out date on the top right hand corner.
The paramedics look at these reports every time they change shifts, so if they ever get a call about either of our children, they put it in the handheld computers, and the paramedic that is on the way can look over their chart. We had to call the paramedics twice while we were in WDW this past June, and they were great.
Make sure you know how to get to Celebration Hospital from your hotel. My husband had to take my son in the car to meet us at the hospital because we were in the ambulance, and he got lost because he got directions at the last minute, and he wasn't listening because he was so concerned.
Bring medical papers, and meds with you at all times. We were sometimes out late at night, and we would miss their scheduled med time. We made an extra bottle of meds for both of our kids, and we carry them at all times. It's just an evening dose of meds, but then you don't have to leave to go back to the hotel, because you forgot them.
The first day that you get to a park, go to guest relations and let them know that you need a special guest assistance pass (you may have to prove this, that's where the last blood tests, EEG's reports and meds come in handy), and they will give you a pass to help you while you are in the parks for your entire stay. We were able to go in the fastpass lines, and then my epileptic daughter and I could wait for my husband and son to go on the rides.
Try to think about each individual ride. Rides for younger kids are usually fine. More intense rides usually have some sort of strobe lighting. Ask your neurologist if strobe lighting will cause seizures. My daughter has 2 kinds of Epilepsy, so these can sometimes bother her. The Dinosaur ride, Star Tours, and Tower of Terror are 3 that I know have strobe lights, but we still go on them, because we know when it's going to happen and we both cover her eyes.
If something should happen during a ride most of them have cameras to watch you. In SpaceShip earth, I was told by a cast member to jump out of the ride if she seized, and that the alarms would go off and the ride would stop. They would then come to me, and they can walkie talkie to the paramedics. Let a cast member know at every ride about the condition. They will tell you what to do in every situation.
Make sure that you get plenty of rest, and always bring extra food, Gatorade and stuff to keep her cool. Know her triggers. Try to anticipate that she will seize, and how you are going to react, and then she probably won't. My daughter has hundreds of seizures a day, is on lots of meds, and my son is a severe asthmatic. They both have had brain surgery, and we were in WDW within 6 weeks of surgery. Just be prepared for any and all situations.
Let your hotel front desk know that you may have to call 911. We always stay on WDW property, and we have NEVER had a problem with getting paramedics quickly. All 4 parks have paramedics at the park, so if you need one, call one. They don't charge you, and they will do a quick neuro exam to determine if you need to go to the hospital. Also, any WDW hotel can get a DR. to your room within about 4 hours for a $200.00 charge. You need to pay for this up front, and can charge it, but not room charge it, and they carry some prescriptions on them--this can really save a vacation if you're not feeling well, and don't want to go to the hospital. They will even fill out the paperwork to help you submit it to your insurance.
I hope that some of this info helps. I can think of some other stuff to help, but it may be too much for you. If you need it, please e-mail me and I will be more than happy to help you with any medical questions you may have for the WDW trip. Have fun, and don't panic. You are not alone!"
Thank you so much, Jennette, for all of your helpful information! I have received other requests over the years specifically about Epilepsy and never could find any useful information. God bless you and your family for all the care you provide for your children.
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Your membership in Affordable Disney just became an even smarter choice.
NEW FOR 2008 - Affordable Non-Disney Vacations
Those in the know will tell you that one of the best ways to get great vacation rates is to hook up with a group. Now, I know what you're thinking... "I don't do groups!" You probably have visions of being bused around on a very regimented schedule with 12-15 other families you either don't know or have briefly met at church to do things that you really didn't have much interest in. Sure, that sort of group trip exists, but that's not what we're talking about.
In this context, "group" simply refers to the fact that a block of space has been pre-reserved for specific dates by the travel agent we work with at a discounted rate which can then be passed on to our readers. Unless you decide to join in on an exclusive group-only activity, you may never even know who the other group members are! We've done this before at Disney resorts, but never ventured beyond the gates. All that's about to change. After all, while we all love Disney, even the most avid Mouse supporter needs a change every once in awhile! These trips will emphasize quality, value, and a "no extra thought required" aspect to make them truly easy to plan and execute. We want to provide you with vacation options to fit a variety of budgets at reliably great destinations known for good service and comfy accommodations, and we're focusing on value... giving you the best rate we can secure along with some added-value inclusions that no one else is offering.
Here's what we're working on...
CRUISES - Undeniably the best vacation value around. We're looking at space for a Caribbean cruise in March, Alaskan space in June, and Hawaiian space in July or early August - and yes, some short-cruise space on the Disney Wonder in the Fall.
ALL-INCLUSIVES - The next best thing to a cruise and well-known for providing great family experiences. We're looking at space in Jamaica and in Mexico with resorts renowned for their family-friendly atmospheres and "cool stuff" for all ages. We may also take a look at Atlantis on Paradise Island with it's brand new water park. It's a little pricey, but it's a neat place and a short flight from the US, so if there's reader interest we're willing to give it a shot!
AWESOME TOURS - Our travel agent, Beth, is a huge fan of the new Adventures by Disney program and is working with her Disney rep to come up with some great promotions. Beth says what she loves about these tours is the small group size, the incredible attention to detail, the fact that all the "must do" activities are included, and (interestingly) the fact that - aside from the name and the quality - there's nothing "Disney" about these trips. Nope, not a single character meal or princess to be found. Beth is setting up some Webinar sessions for our readers with her rep so you can learn more about these amazing vacation opportunities. Sure, they seem a little expensive at first glance even with a discount, but Beth assures us that there is not a better tour product on the market and that, given the hotel quality, included admissions and activities, and number of included meals it's really a very good value. (Adult-only departures available on most itineraries.)
LAND VACATIONS - Ever hear of Great Wolf Lodge? Beth first stumbled on the one in Williamsburg and has been a fan ever since. "You really have to see one to believe it," she reports. "You just know that any resort with an inside water park is going to be a hit with the kids, and the options on suites are really cool. In Virginia, some sleep up to 8 people and most sleep at least 6 which is great for larger families, and they all have a frig and microwave." We're also looking at Smuggler's Notch in Vermont, another incredible family resort, as well as putting a family spin on some locations not traditionally thought of as family destinations.
VEGAS - "I love Vegas - and I'm not a gambler!" As with Disney World, the hotels are attractions unto themselves. Add to that the shows, both free and ticketed, and the side trips to places like Ethel M's chocolate factory and the Hoover Dam, and you can spend days there having a blast without dropping a single quarter into a machine. I really think that if you know where to go, how to get there, and what to see you can have a great time with your children - and do it without exposing them to the "more adult" side of the town that Vegas is known for. And yes, we're also looking at the idea of doing a few days at Disneyland "for Disney World fans."
ADULTS ONLY - We all love our children. They're our #1 priority and creating vacation memories with them is important to us. Let's face it, though: every once in awhile it's really nice to send them to Grandma's house for a few days and escape for a little RR&R - rest, romance, and relaxation. To some that means sitting under a palm tree, reading a book by the pool, sipping a drink from a coconut with an umbrella sticking out of it, and doing nothing else. Other grownups dream of days at the spa and romantic dinners by candlelight followed by a walk on the beach. Maybe a night on the town and dancing until dawn is your thing. Or maybe you have something a little more steamy in mind... perhaps something to make even the most avid romance novel reader blush. Not a problem! We're looking over the best adult-only destinations in the world to see what we can come up with to provide parents their own little get-away opportunities.
OTHER IDEAS
* JUST MOMS - Put Dad in charge of the kids for a few days and go away with the girls
* SINGLE PARENTS - A chance for single parents to take their kids on vacation and meet up with other single parents to compare notes, exchange war stories, or just make new friends.
* BONDING WITH DAD - Pack up Dad and the kids and send them away for a few days
* SPECIAL NEEDS - It can be hard for families with children - or adults - who have special needs to get away, but perhaps we can figure something out. What sort of special needs does YOUR family have??
* ALTERNATIVE FAMILIES - These days, the definition of "family" can mean many things and it's always nice to meet up with others that can relate to what you're dealing with. Are you raising your grandchildren? Maybe multiple foster children? Multiple generations under one roof? Merging your family with that of a friend or sibling? Tell us your situation and maybe we can get several similar families together for some fun.
We want to hear from you! Do you just love any of these ideas? Please let us know! We'd also like to know what "non-traditional" time periods you'd be willing to consider for vacations. Everyone wants to travel over holidays, spring break and summer, but much better deals can be had in between those times. What would work for you? Have any more ideas for us? We're all ears! You can contact us at johngross@affordabledisney.com.
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Beth, our travel agent, writes about Disney's new 2008 ticket prices:
"- 10 days is still the longest ticket offered in the US.
- The pricing on the water park option, hopping option, and no expiration option stay the same.
- The number of Water Park Fun n' More options is now equal to the number of park days you have
There is apparently no longer an advantage to buying in advance. At least, not if you're buying the tickets separately. Haven't figured out yet if the packages reflect a ticket savings. That being the case, Affordable Disney's ticket agent continues to offer a discount that saves you even after shipping. Of course, that's assuming that everyone in the party doesn't need tickets. If they do, you'll want to stick with the package that includes the tickets so that you have the best shot at getting a promotional rate on the package overall. In some seasons, they throw in hopping and water parks for free, so even that's a nice deal."
I've posted the new ticket prices here:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/admissiontickets.html
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2008 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages
New this year: You'll pay more for weekend nights, Friday and Saturday, than weeknights, Sunday through Thursday.
Disney no longer allows you to keep the lower rate throughout your stay if your vacation starts at the end of a cheaper season and runs into a more expensive season.
Disney has reduced the cost of its dining plan, but now excludes the tip and appetizer. New price: $37.99 per adult; $9.99 per child per night, including tax. Includes two meals and one snack per person per night. You'll pay 15-20% more than last year just to cover the tip.
Disney now offers a Deluxe Dining Plan: $69.99 per adult; $19.99 per child per night. Includes three meals and two snacks per night. Meals can be counter service or full service. Full service includes appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Certain popular restaurants require two table service meal credits to dine there. The plan also includes one refillable mug for use at your resort. An optional "Wine & Dine" Plan adds one bottle of wine per night to your menu selections: $39.99 per night. You must choose from Disney's approved list of wines.
PACKAGE OPTIONS:
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package: Includes accommodations at a Disney resort and Magic Your Way base tickets for everyone in your party.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining Plan: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Basic Dining Plan.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining Plan: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Premium Package: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan, tours, Cirque du Soleil tickets, and recreational activities.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Platinum Package: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan, tours, Cirque du Soleil tickets, recreational activities, Fireworks Cruise, Fantasmic! reserved seating, golf lessons, spa treatment, unlimited child care, itinerary planning, souvenir and turndown service.
Beth, our travel agent, writes:
"Packages can be booked for 1-14 nights; include room, tax, and tickets; must include at least a 1-day base ticket for everyone. Every one must have the same ticket, but you can upgrade them individually upon arrival. Book with a travel agent to get a special reference and info guide with your documents. '08 packages include the same special perks as for '07:
'08 packages include the same special "perks" as for '07:
- Certificate for one free PhotoPass photo per room to be redeemed onsite (travel agent must book online for this perk)
- One $15 food/beverage voucher and keepsake voucher per room for Planet Hollywood
- Free round of miniature golf
- Extra 30 minutes of Sea Raycer time when you pay for 60 minutes
- Collectable baggage tag (one per person)
- You can add the dining plan, the deluxe dining plan, the wine and dine option
- You can upgrade to a premium or platinum plan which also includes activities like golf, tennis, backstage tours, water craft rental, Cirque du Soleil tickets, spa treatments, childcare, and more. The upgraded plans also include dining.
In my opinion, these packages include WAY more than the average family will ever use and, in most cases, you'd be better off booking a more basic package and just paying for the additional activities.
A deposit of $200 is required within 14 days of booking. Final payment is due 45 days prior to arrival, after which time change and/or cancellation penalties apply. However, when you actually book the packages (online or via Disney's reservation center) the deposit comes up as the first night + tax, which can be more or less than $200 depending on where you're staying.
My guess is that this is a glitch and that they will fix it soon. Be prepared to pay the higher of the two - $200 or the deposit quoted - so you aren't caught off guard. It would be nice to think that they will honor the deposit amount quoted at the time of booking, but historically (this HAS happened before) they all revert to the $200 figure when the system gets fixed.
SUMMARY... The '08 package is pretty much the same as for this year. The major difference is in the dining options and in the way the room nights are priced."
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Beth writes about Disney's new 2008 Dining Plan:
"DINING
The basic dining plan is pretty much the same. You still get a counter service meal, a full service meal (or character meal), and a snack per person per night of stay. You still have to get the plan for everyone in the room and it must be for the entire length of stay. Credits are good from the time you check in until midnight the day you check out. Unused credits expire.
A snack is most anything under $4 and the credit can be used at counter service locations and food carts. Tax is included. Note that the official rules specifically spell out what items constitute a snack, but Disney hasn't been enforcing this. The $4 guideline has been rule of thumb. Hard to say if they will enforce the list for next year.
A counter service credit is still good for any meal at most counter locations in the parks and resorts. The entree or platter plus dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage as well as Florida tax are included. Note that at The Pepper Market (Coronado Springs) there is a 10% gratuity added to the bill and this is NOT covered. (This is a CHANGE to 2007.)
A table service/full service credit can be used for any meal and at most of the better dining locations in the parks and resorts. Most character meals can also be booked with these credits. The most premium of the locations require two credits, as do dinner shows. You get an entree, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage, and tax included -OR- a full buffet, beverage, and tax. CHANGE: An appetizer is no longer included; gratuities are no longer included.
The price is $37.99 per person per night for ages 10+, $9.99 per person per night ages 3-9. This is *down* $1 (for each) compared to 2007.
SUMMARY... Few people were able to eat an appetizer, entree, and dessert without exploding so I don't think anyone will miss the appetizer. Still, you're paying nearly the same price so the value is somewhat less. I also wish they'd give you the choice of an appetizer OR a dessert. Then half the party could order appetizers and share, the other half could get desserts and share, and you'd have the best of both worlds. It wouldn't have cost Disney any more than desserts only, but I guess it would be somewhat harder for the servers to track.
What I really hate is the elimination of gratuities. That's huge. On a $40 meal (very common at a table service location) that's another $6-8 per adult out of your pocket. So is this still a good deal? For children under 10, absolutely. For everyone else, probably. If you're inclined to do a character or table service meal most days of your trip then you'll probably still come out ahead - possibly way ahead, depending on what you order. It was an awesome deal before. Now it's just a good deal.
The deluxe dining plan is new for 2008. The cost is $19.99 for ages 3-9 (per night of stay) and $69.99 per night for ages 10+. You get THREE meals per person per night of stay (and they can ALL be full-service or character meals if you want them to be), two snacks per person per night of stay, and one unlimited refill drink mug per person. Let's look at these things in reverse...
The mug has to be used at the resort you're staying at and is good for your whole length of stay. You can't use it in the parks or anywhere else. Beverages included are coffee, sodas, ice tea, and hot chocolate. These are self-serve at the resort's food court area. Normally, the cost $11.99 per mug. If you're inclined to drink a lot while at the hotel, have an addiction to sodas or coffee, spend lots of time at the hotel pool, etc. then this is a nice little perk and can save you some money. It can be a bit of a pain lugging the mugs around all day, though, and your only option is to constantly run them back to the room for storage and then back up when you want to use them so you are doing some leg work to get that savings. Overall, a nice bonus even if you don't use it much.
The two snacks come in handy in that a drink and a bite to eat - be it popcorn, chips, or an ice cream bar - have always taken two credits, and the two things seem to go hand in hand. I drink at least two bottles of water in the parks every day and hate carrying the bottles around with me to refill them so I would gladly pay an extra $2-3 a day for the additional credit if for no other reason than to reduce my load for part of the day. Again, I think the extra credit is a nice thing, but not enough reason in and of itself to upgrade the plan.
The upgrade to the meals is what you're really paying for here. For an extra $10 for the kids and $32 for the adults you no longer have to worry so much about budgeting your table and counter service credits or spacing your two meals adequately. There's no doubt that most families will still come out at least a little ahead on their kids ages 3-9 even if they only eat two meals and one's a counter service.
So the question is, will you come out ahead for ages 10+? That depends on how much you can eat. If you're inclined to take in dinner shows and character meals and full-service locations for pretty much every meal it's still a bargain (despite that fact that you still have to shell out for the gratuities). AND you get the appetizer back with your lunch and dinner at the full-service locations, another plus.
One of the most common gripes I hear about the basic plan, though, is that it's too much food and I'm not sure taking out the appetizers will change that. The upgraded plan is a HUGE amount of food if you max it out. You'd do nothing but eat! But again, I have clients that consider the dining to be a big part of the vacation and they enjoy those shows and better dining locations immensely.
SUMMARY... This might still be a really good deal for your family if you're big eaters, want the ultimate in flexibility, or can't stand eating at counter service locations. If you're traveling with another room of people, consider getting the basic plan for one room and the upgraded plan for the second room. (Remember that those credits don't have names on them. You can use them for whomever you choose!)
When people ask me about the dining plan I send them a link to a site with all the menus (and prices!) posted. Then they can plan out their dining for the vacation, look up prices, and compare those to the dining plan costs to see if it's worth it. I tell them to price two versions of the meal... What they'd order if they were paying for it out of pocket and what they'd get if money were no object. I think that most people would agree they'd love to get the deluxe plan for a variety of reasons - but I suspect they'll often decide that the extra food and ease of planning are not worth the additional cost, especially once those gratuities are figured in.
The Wine & Dine option... Also new for 2008. YOU MUST FIRST HAVE ONE OF THE ABOVE DINING PLANS before you can add this option. It's $39.99 per night of stay and enables you to order one bottle of wine per night. (If you're staying three nights you get three bottles and you can order them all at once if you want to.) There are select locations within the resorts and parks where you can get the wine, and some wines/locations require two wine credits. GRATUITY IS NOT INCLUDED! You must be at least 21 to add the option to your room, and photo ID may be requested. The add-on must be purchased for the entire length of stay.
SUMMARY... Wow. You'd have to really like wine a LOT to want this one!"
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Beth writes about Disney's new 2008 resort rates:
Click here for the 2008 rate chart.
"Big changes here. First, there are still five rate "seasons" - value, regular, summer, peak, and holiday. Within those seasons, though, there are a few holiday dates that will now cost you more. For instance, even though the 4th of July falls into summer season you'll pay a little more than summer season rates for July 4 and 5. An even bigger change, though, is that weekends (Friday and Saturday night) will cost you more. Up to now, whatever the rate was for the first night of your stay, that was the rate for the whole stay. Now, each night is priced separately. There is no longer an advantage to arriving on the last day of value season, nor is there a disadvantage to arriving the last day of peak or holiday season. There IS, however, an advantage to staying Sunday - Thursday so if you're not spending the whole week try to plan accordingly.
In the value resort category there are very few rate changes at all - aside from paying more for weekends and holidays - and what did change was only by a few dollars.
In the moderate resort category there are somewhat more changes to the base price, but mostly just $4-5. I noticed, though, that ALL rooms at Port Orleans Riverside are listed as accommodating 5 people, so perhaps they are planning on installing trundle beds in the Magnolia Bend section as well. Wouldn't THAT be nice!
Once again, the deluxe resorts do not have a "summer" rate season. They go right from regular season to value season, making them a better value than usual (compared to the moderate and value resorts) during the summer months. Still, most prices increased $10-15 a night in all seasons.
Disney's Vacation Club (DVC) Resorts - also known as the villas - do not have higher rates on weekends, nor do they have higher rates on holidays. They still don't have a "summer" rate season, either. While they are the most simply priced of all the resorts, they're still expensive, though. Prices have gone up across the board around $5-10 a night, with much larger jumps for the grand (3 bedroom) villas."
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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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August 8, 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.
Beth, our travel agent, recently mentioned that some of our members believe that her name "Beth" is just a front for a fleet of travel agents and that my wife and I don't really exist! Well, let me assure you that Donna and I are the writers of our book and the information contained on our website. Beth is our hardworking travel agent who works full time with one assistant to handle all of your reservation needs. She does such a wonderful job that it just looks like there are many Beths at work behind the scene! Donna and I earn no commissions from Beth's bookings. We recommend her services because she is such a valuable resource and she works so hard for our members. That kind of service and loyalty cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Hope this clears things up!
Now on with the show...
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - 2008 Walt Disney World vacation packages, 2008 Walt Disney World ticket prices, 2008 Walt Disney World resort rates and season dates, Disney's Pirate and Princess Party Tickets, 2008 Disneyland California vacation packages, 2008 Disneyland California ticket prices, 2008 Adventures by Disney, and fan club discounts for this Orlando park
* The latest news from around the "World" - Disney extends the Year of a Million Dreams through the end of 2008!
* New! 2008 Affordable Non-Disney vacations!
* Jennette writes about dealing with epilepsy at Disney World
* Disney opens new Disney Vacation Club preview center in Chicago
* Walt Disney World 2008 Ticket Prices
* 2008 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about the 2008 Disney Dining Plan
* Beth writes about Disney's new 2008 resort rates
* This week's coupon - save on helicopter tours of the theme parks
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NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
* Walt Disney World ticket prices increased August 5.
* 2008 Walt Disney World vacation packages have been released.
* 2008 Walt Disney World resort rates have been released.
* Disney's Pirate and Princess Party Tickets are now on sale for Groups of 10 at a special advance purchase price! Dates: August 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31, and September 3. If Beth, our travel agent, is booking your group she can add the tickets for you.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
New Fan Club discounts just announced for this Orlando theme park! Save on tickets, vacation packages, VIP tours and more!
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
* 2008 Vacation Packages are now available for booking!
* Book this package deal and get 2 FREE days park admission!
* 2008 Adventure by Disney now include Disneyland!
* 2008 Disneyland Ticket Prices - we'll show you how to save up to $39 per ticket!
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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!
>> Exclusively from one of our providers: UK visitors get their 6th Night FREE when they stay at the Walt Disney World Resorts!
>> 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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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
>> Specials at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Mirage, Treasure Island and Venetian. Low rates - sometimes as low as $79 per night - dining discounts, show tickets, FREE room upgrades, FREE spa admission, and FREE play money are not uncommon.
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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 the Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Mediterranean, South Africa, and Europe up to 50% off!
>> Inexpensive Shore Excursions and Tours!
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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
This Day in Disney History
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"Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has decided to extend the Year of a Million Dreams in Central Florida and at Disneyland in Southern California through the end of 2008, spokesman Rick Sylvain announced." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/08/07)
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"Abraham Lincoln's hat, George Washington Carver's microscope, Mark Twain's pens and Sen. Daniel Inouye's Purple Heart are coming to Walt Disney World's Epcot as part of a new gallery exhibition called 'National Treasures.'" (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/06/07)
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"Anyone who still thinks Orlando is a bargain hunter's dream vacation destination is out of step with the way the rest of the world thinks. The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau says 36 percent of potential travelers consider price to be the primary barrier to a Central Florida vacation." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/06/07)
We paid $64 per night at Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings) on our first WDW vacation. Now a standard room can run $215 + tax per night!
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"The Jungle Cruise, considered one of the 'classic' rides at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, proved quite a challenge to re-create at Tokyo Disneyland, [Hong Kong and Disneyland Paris]." Disney had to adapt the ride to the culture and language of the host country. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/06/07)
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Disney promotes re-release of "Jungle Book" at Animal Kingdom
"On Sept. 29, passholders at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will get to stay two extra hours after the park’s usual closing time. You have to have a valid passholder ID and you have to be preregistered at disneyworld.com/passholder in order to take part in the event... 'Jungle Book' stars such as Baloo, King Louie, Mowgli and Colonel Hathi will appear to greet guests." (Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com, 08/03/07)
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"The back-to-school sales-tax holiday begins Saturday and continues through midnight Aug. 13... Clothing and books must cost $50 or less per item and school supplies must cost $10 or less per item to qualify for the tax exemption." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/03/07)
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"Coming soon to an airport or foreign consulate near you: Walt Disney Co.'s latest straight-to-video production, 'Welcome to America.'" (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/03/07)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
"I had dinner with a group of birthday-celebrating friends at Margaritaville at Universal CityWalk this weekend, and, well, it wasn't as relaxing as the mellow Jimmy Buffett classic would suggest. I mean, when you're paying that much for a drink, you should be allowed to finish it!" Click here to read the rest of the review.
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"I visited Cypress Gardens yesterday to (finally) ride Starliner, the old wooden coaster transplanted from Panama City... I'm no mother and won't pretend to be a psychologist, but just because you're tall enough to ride, doesn't mean you're ready for a big boy coaster, right?" (Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com, 08/01/07)
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Boutique hotel opens near Disneyland
"Hotel Menage, a former Holiday Inn, is considered the first specialty lodging in Anaheim. Is the family-oriented destination ready for an inn that targets guests looking for a taste of the nightclub?" (Source: latimes.com, 08/01/07)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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BRANSON MISSOURI
"From the longest word in any song to two dozen Duttons cavorting over the rooftops of London, the 2007 Dutton Family Show is their biggest extravaganza to date. In a tribute to an umbrella-wielding Mary Poppins, the rooftop stage is filled with song, dance, chimney sweeps and a surprise stage exit for the children in this heartwarming segment from their show." (Source: Branson Newsletter, 08/01/07)
"The beat of the island drums seems to drive audiences of Island Fire into a frenzy of vocal enthusiasm, while the breathtaking Fire Knife Dancing hushes them into awed silence. Welcome to Branson’s newest show - Island Fire at the Dutton Theater!" (Source: Branson Newsletter, 08/01/07)
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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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Last week Julie asked for advice about people visiting Disney with Epilepsy. Jennette writes:
"Hi John and Julie!
The first I would do is let the paramedic station closest to you know of your condition. We always stay at Boardwalk and Beach Club because the Fire Station is right down the street. We fill out a medical report form that the paramedics at the fire station give to us. On it we list medical conditions, current medications and amounts, and anything else we feel is important. We then put our hotel name, room number and our check out date on the top right hand corner.
The paramedics look at these reports every time they change shifts, so if they ever get a call about either of our children, they put it in the handheld computers, and the paramedic that is on the way can look over their chart. We had to call the paramedics twice while we were in WDW this past June, and they were great.
Make sure you know how to get to Celebration Hospital from your hotel. My husband had to take my son in the car to meet us at the hospital because we were in the ambulance, and he got lost because he got directions at the last minute, and he wasn't listening because he was so concerned.
Bring medical papers, and meds with you at all times. We were sometimes out late at night, and we would miss their scheduled med time. We made an extra bottle of meds for both of our kids, and we carry them at all times. It's just an evening dose of meds, but then you don't have to leave to go back to the hotel, because you forgot them.
The first day that you get to a park, go to guest relations and let them know that you need a special guest assistance pass (you may have to prove this, that's where the last blood tests, EEG's reports and meds come in handy), and they will give you a pass to help you while you are in the parks for your entire stay. We were able to go in the fastpass lines, and then my epileptic daughter and I could wait for my husband and son to go on the rides.
Try to think about each individual ride. Rides for younger kids are usually fine. More intense rides usually have some sort of strobe lighting. Ask your neurologist if strobe lighting will cause seizures. My daughter has 2 kinds of Epilepsy, so these can sometimes bother her. The Dinosaur ride, Star Tours, and Tower of Terror are 3 that I know have strobe lights, but we still go on them, because we know when it's going to happen and we both cover her eyes.
If something should happen during a ride most of them have cameras to watch you. In SpaceShip earth, I was told by a cast member to jump out of the ride if she seized, and that the alarms would go off and the ride would stop. They would then come to me, and they can walkie talkie to the paramedics. Let a cast member know at every ride about the condition. They will tell you what to do in every situation.
Make sure that you get plenty of rest, and always bring extra food, Gatorade and stuff to keep her cool. Know her triggers. Try to anticipate that she will seize, and how you are going to react, and then she probably won't. My daughter has hundreds of seizures a day, is on lots of meds, and my son is a severe asthmatic. They both have had brain surgery, and we were in WDW within 6 weeks of surgery. Just be prepared for any and all situations.
Let your hotel front desk know that you may have to call 911. We always stay on WDW property, and we have NEVER had a problem with getting paramedics quickly. All 4 parks have paramedics at the park, so if you need one, call one. They don't charge you, and they will do a quick neuro exam to determine if you need to go to the hospital. Also, any WDW hotel can get a DR. to your room within about 4 hours for a $200.00 charge. You need to pay for this up front, and can charge it, but not room charge it, and they carry some prescriptions on them--this can really save a vacation if you're not feeling well, and don't want to go to the hospital. They will even fill out the paperwork to help you submit it to your insurance.
I hope that some of this info helps. I can think of some other stuff to help, but it may be too much for you. If you need it, please e-mail me and I will be more than happy to help you with any medical questions you may have for the WDW trip. Have fun, and don't panic. You are not alone!"
Thank you so much, Jennette, for all of your helpful information! I have received other requests over the years specifically about Epilepsy and never could find any useful information. God bless you and your family for all the care you provide for your children.
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Your membership in Affordable Disney just became an even smarter choice.
NEW FOR 2008 - Affordable Non-Disney Vacations
Those in the know will tell you that one of the best ways to get great vacation rates is to hook up with a group. Now, I know what you're thinking... "I don't do groups!" You probably have visions of being bused around on a very regimented schedule with 12-15 other families you either don't know or have briefly met at church to do things that you really didn't have much interest in. Sure, that sort of group trip exists, but that's not what we're talking about.
In this context, "group" simply refers to the fact that a block of space has been pre-reserved for specific dates by the travel agent we work with at a discounted rate which can then be passed on to our readers. Unless you decide to join in on an exclusive group-only activity, you may never even know who the other group members are! We've done this before at Disney resorts, but never ventured beyond the gates. All that's about to change. After all, while we all love Disney, even the most avid Mouse supporter needs a change every once in awhile! These trips will emphasize quality, value, and a "no extra thought required" aspect to make them truly easy to plan and execute. We want to provide you with vacation options to fit a variety of budgets at reliably great destinations known for good service and comfy accommodations, and we're focusing on value... giving you the best rate we can secure along with some added-value inclusions that no one else is offering.
Here's what we're working on...
CRUISES - Undeniably the best vacation value around. We're looking at space for a Caribbean cruise in March, Alaskan space in June, and Hawaiian space in July or early August - and yes, some short-cruise space on the Disney Wonder in the Fall.
ALL-INCLUSIVES - The next best thing to a cruise and well-known for providing great family experiences. We're looking at space in Jamaica and in Mexico with resorts renowned for their family-friendly atmospheres and "cool stuff" for all ages. We may also take a look at Atlantis on Paradise Island with it's brand new water park. It's a little pricey, but it's a neat place and a short flight from the US, so if there's reader interest we're willing to give it a shot!
AWESOME TOURS - Our travel agent, Beth, is a huge fan of the new Adventures by Disney program and is working with her Disney rep to come up with some great promotions. Beth says what she loves about these tours is the small group size, the incredible attention to detail, the fact that all the "must do" activities are included, and (interestingly) the fact that - aside from the name and the quality - there's nothing "Disney" about these trips. Nope, not a single character meal or princess to be found. Beth is setting up some Webinar sessions for our readers with her rep so you can learn more about these amazing vacation opportunities. Sure, they seem a little expensive at first glance even with a discount, but Beth assures us that there is not a better tour product on the market and that, given the hotel quality, included admissions and activities, and number of included meals it's really a very good value. (Adult-only departures available on most itineraries.)
LAND VACATIONS - Ever hear of Great Wolf Lodge? Beth first stumbled on the one in Williamsburg and has been a fan ever since. "You really have to see one to believe it," she reports. "You just know that any resort with an inside water park is going to be a hit with the kids, and the options on suites are really cool. In Virginia, some sleep up to 8 people and most sleep at least 6 which is great for larger families, and they all have a frig and microwave." We're also looking at Smuggler's Notch in Vermont, another incredible family resort, as well as putting a family spin on some locations not traditionally thought of as family destinations.
VEGAS - "I love Vegas - and I'm not a gambler!" As with Disney World, the hotels are attractions unto themselves. Add to that the shows, both free and ticketed, and the side trips to places like Ethel M's chocolate factory and the Hoover Dam, and you can spend days there having a blast without dropping a single quarter into a machine. I really think that if you know where to go, how to get there, and what to see you can have a great time with your children - and do it without exposing them to the "more adult" side of the town that Vegas is known for. And yes, we're also looking at the idea of doing a few days at Disneyland "for Disney World fans."
ADULTS ONLY - We all love our children. They're our #1 priority and creating vacation memories with them is important to us. Let's face it, though: every once in awhile it's really nice to send them to Grandma's house for a few days and escape for a little RR&R - rest, romance, and relaxation. To some that means sitting under a palm tree, reading a book by the pool, sipping a drink from a coconut with an umbrella sticking out of it, and doing nothing else. Other grownups dream of days at the spa and romantic dinners by candlelight followed by a walk on the beach. Maybe a night on the town and dancing until dawn is your thing. Or maybe you have something a little more steamy in mind... perhaps something to make even the most avid romance novel reader blush. Not a problem! We're looking over the best adult-only destinations in the world to see what we can come up with to provide parents their own little get-away opportunities.
OTHER IDEAS
* JUST MOMS - Put Dad in charge of the kids for a few days and go away with the girls
* SINGLE PARENTS - A chance for single parents to take their kids on vacation and meet up with other single parents to compare notes, exchange war stories, or just make new friends.
* BONDING WITH DAD - Pack up Dad and the kids and send them away for a few days
* SPECIAL NEEDS - It can be hard for families with children - or adults - who have special needs to get away, but perhaps we can figure something out. What sort of special needs does YOUR family have??
* ALTERNATIVE FAMILIES - These days, the definition of "family" can mean many things and it's always nice to meet up with others that can relate to what you're dealing with. Are you raising your grandchildren? Maybe multiple foster children? Multiple generations under one roof? Merging your family with that of a friend or sibling? Tell us your situation and maybe we can get several similar families together for some fun.
We want to hear from you! Do you just love any of these ideas? Please let us know! We'd also like to know what "non-traditional" time periods you'd be willing to consider for vacations. Everyone wants to travel over holidays, spring break and summer, but much better deals can be had in between those times. What would work for you? Have any more ideas for us? We're all ears! You can contact us at johngross@affordabledisney.com.
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Beth, our travel agent, writes about Disney's new 2008 ticket prices:
"- 10 days is still the longest ticket offered in the US.
- The pricing on the water park option, hopping option, and no expiration option stay the same.
- The number of Water Park Fun n' More options is now equal to the number of park days you have
There is apparently no longer an advantage to buying in advance. At least, not if you're buying the tickets separately. Haven't figured out yet if the packages reflect a ticket savings. That being the case, Affordable Disney's ticket agent continues to offer a discount that saves you even after shipping. Of course, that's assuming that everyone in the party doesn't need tickets. If they do, you'll want to stick with the package that includes the tickets so that you have the best shot at getting a promotional rate on the package overall. In some seasons, they throw in hopping and water parks for free, so even that's a nice deal."
I've posted the new ticket prices here:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/admissiontickets.html
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2008 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages
New this year: You'll pay more for weekend nights, Friday and Saturday, than weeknights, Sunday through Thursday.
Disney no longer allows you to keep the lower rate throughout your stay if your vacation starts at the end of a cheaper season and runs into a more expensive season.
Disney has reduced the cost of its dining plan, but now excludes the tip and appetizer. New price: $37.99 per adult; $9.99 per child per night, including tax. Includes two meals and one snack per person per night. You'll pay 15-20% more than last year just to cover the tip.
Disney now offers a Deluxe Dining Plan: $69.99 per adult; $19.99 per child per night. Includes three meals and two snacks per night. Meals can be counter service or full service. Full service includes appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Certain popular restaurants require two table service meal credits to dine there. The plan also includes one refillable mug for use at your resort. An optional "Wine & Dine" Plan adds one bottle of wine per night to your menu selections: $39.99 per night. You must choose from Disney's approved list of wines.
PACKAGE OPTIONS:
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package: Includes accommodations at a Disney resort and Magic Your Way base tickets for everyone in your party.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining Plan: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Basic Dining Plan.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining Plan: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Premium Package: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan, tours, Cirque du Soleil tickets, and recreational activities.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Platinum Package: Includes the features of Disney’s Magic Your Way Package + the Deluxe Dining Plan, tours, Cirque du Soleil tickets, recreational activities, Fireworks Cruise, Fantasmic! reserved seating, golf lessons, spa treatment, unlimited child care, itinerary planning, souvenir and turndown service.
Beth, our travel agent, writes:
"Packages can be booked for 1-14 nights; include room, tax, and tickets; must include at least a 1-day base ticket for everyone. Every one must have the same ticket, but you can upgrade them individually upon arrival. Book with a travel agent to get a special reference and info guide with your documents. '08 packages include the same special perks as for '07:
'08 packages include the same special "perks" as for '07:
- Certificate for one free PhotoPass photo per room to be redeemed onsite (travel agent must book online for this perk)
- One $15 food/beverage voucher and keepsake voucher per room for Planet Hollywood
- Free round of miniature golf
- Extra 30 minutes of Sea Raycer time when you pay for 60 minutes
- Collectable baggage tag (one per person)
- You can add the dining plan, the deluxe dining plan, the wine and dine option
- You can upgrade to a premium or platinum plan which also includes activities like golf, tennis, backstage tours, water craft rental, Cirque du Soleil tickets, spa treatments, childcare, and more. The upgraded plans also include dining.
In my opinion, these packages include WAY more than the average family will ever use and, in most cases, you'd be better off booking a more basic package and just paying for the additional activities.
A deposit of $200 is required within 14 days of booking. Final payment is due 45 days prior to arrival, after which time change and/or cancellation penalties apply. However, when you actually book the packages (online or via Disney's reservation center) the deposit comes up as the first night + tax, which can be more or less than $200 depending on where you're staying.
My guess is that this is a glitch and that they will fix it soon. Be prepared to pay the higher of the two - $200 or the deposit quoted - so you aren't caught off guard. It would be nice to think that they will honor the deposit amount quoted at the time of booking, but historically (this HAS happened before) they all revert to the $200 figure when the system gets fixed.
SUMMARY... The '08 package is pretty much the same as for this year. The major difference is in the dining options and in the way the room nights are priced."
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Beth writes about Disney's new 2008 Dining Plan:
"DINING
The basic dining plan is pretty much the same. You still get a counter service meal, a full service meal (or character meal), and a snack per person per night of stay. You still have to get the plan for everyone in the room and it must be for the entire length of stay. Credits are good from the time you check in until midnight the day you check out. Unused credits expire.
A snack is most anything under $4 and the credit can be used at counter service locations and food carts. Tax is included. Note that the official rules specifically spell out what items constitute a snack, but Disney hasn't been enforcing this. The $4 guideline has been rule of thumb. Hard to say if they will enforce the list for next year.
A counter service credit is still good for any meal at most counter locations in the parks and resorts. The entree or platter plus dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage as well as Florida tax are included. Note that at The Pepper Market (Coronado Springs) there is a 10% gratuity added to the bill and this is NOT covered. (This is a CHANGE to 2007.)
A table service/full service credit can be used for any meal and at most of the better dining locations in the parks and resorts. Most character meals can also be booked with these credits. The most premium of the locations require two credits, as do dinner shows. You get an entree, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage, and tax included -OR- a full buffet, beverage, and tax. CHANGE: An appetizer is no longer included; gratuities are no longer included.
The price is $37.99 per person per night for ages 10+, $9.99 per person per night ages 3-9. This is *down* $1 (for each) compared to 2007.
SUMMARY... Few people were able to eat an appetizer, entree, and dessert without exploding so I don't think anyone will miss the appetizer. Still, you're paying nearly the same price so the value is somewhat less. I also wish they'd give you the choice of an appetizer OR a dessert. Then half the party could order appetizers and share, the other half could get desserts and share, and you'd have the best of both worlds. It wouldn't have cost Disney any more than desserts only, but I guess it would be somewhat harder for the servers to track.
What I really hate is the elimination of gratuities. That's huge. On a $40 meal (very common at a table service location) that's another $6-8 per adult out of your pocket. So is this still a good deal? For children under 10, absolutely. For everyone else, probably. If you're inclined to do a character or table service meal most days of your trip then you'll probably still come out ahead - possibly way ahead, depending on what you order. It was an awesome deal before. Now it's just a good deal.
The deluxe dining plan is new for 2008. The cost is $19.99 for ages 3-9 (per night of stay) and $69.99 per night for ages 10+. You get THREE meals per person per night of stay (and they can ALL be full-service or character meals if you want them to be), two snacks per person per night of stay, and one unlimited refill drink mug per person. Let's look at these things in reverse...
The mug has to be used at the resort you're staying at and is good for your whole length of stay. You can't use it in the parks or anywhere else. Beverages included are coffee, sodas, ice tea, and hot chocolate. These are self-serve at the resort's food court area. Normally, the cost $11.99 per mug. If you're inclined to drink a lot while at the hotel, have an addiction to sodas or coffee, spend lots of time at the hotel pool, etc. then this is a nice little perk and can save you some money. It can be a bit of a pain lugging the mugs around all day, though, and your only option is to constantly run them back to the room for storage and then back up when you want to use them so you are doing some leg work to get that savings. Overall, a nice bonus even if you don't use it much.
The two snacks come in handy in that a drink and a bite to eat - be it popcorn, chips, or an ice cream bar - have always taken two credits, and the two things seem to go hand in hand. I drink at least two bottles of water in the parks every day and hate carrying the bottles around with me to refill them so I would gladly pay an extra $2-3 a day for the additional credit if for no other reason than to reduce my load for part of the day. Again, I think the extra credit is a nice thing, but not enough reason in and of itself to upgrade the plan.
The upgrade to the meals is what you're really paying for here. For an extra $10 for the kids and $32 for the adults you no longer have to worry so much about budgeting your table and counter service credits or spacing your two meals adequately. There's no doubt that most families will still come out at least a little ahead on their kids ages 3-9 even if they only eat two meals and one's a counter service.
So the question is, will you come out ahead for ages 10+? That depends on how much you can eat. If you're inclined to take in dinner shows and character meals and full-service locations for pretty much every meal it's still a bargain (despite that fact that you still have to shell out for the gratuities). AND you get the appetizer back with your lunch and dinner at the full-service locations, another plus.
One of the most common gripes I hear about the basic plan, though, is that it's too much food and I'm not sure taking out the appetizers will change that. The upgraded plan is a HUGE amount of food if you max it out. You'd do nothing but eat! But again, I have clients that consider the dining to be a big part of the vacation and they enjoy those shows and better dining locations immensely.
SUMMARY... This might still be a really good deal for your family if you're big eaters, want the ultimate in flexibility, or can't stand eating at counter service locations. If you're traveling with another room of people, consider getting the basic plan for one room and the upgraded plan for the second room. (Remember that those credits don't have names on them. You can use them for whomever you choose!)
When people ask me about the dining plan I send them a link to a site with all the menus (and prices!) posted. Then they can plan out their dining for the vacation, look up prices, and compare those to the dining plan costs to see if it's worth it. I tell them to price two versions of the meal... What they'd order if they were paying for it out of pocket and what they'd get if money were no object. I think that most people would agree they'd love to get the deluxe plan for a variety of reasons - but I suspect they'll often decide that the extra food and ease of planning are not worth the additional cost, especially once those gratuities are figured in.
The Wine & Dine option... Also new for 2008. YOU MUST FIRST HAVE ONE OF THE ABOVE DINING PLANS before you can add this option. It's $39.99 per night of stay and enables you to order one bottle of wine per night. (If you're staying three nights you get three bottles and you can order them all at once if you want to.) There are select locations within the resorts and parks where you can get the wine, and some wines/locations require two wine credits. GRATUITY IS NOT INCLUDED! You must be at least 21 to add the option to your room, and photo ID may be requested. The add-on must be purchased for the entire length of stay.
SUMMARY... Wow. You'd have to really like wine a LOT to want this one!"
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Beth writes about Disney's new 2008 resort rates:
Click here for the 2008 rate chart.
"Big changes here. First, there are still five rate "seasons" - value, regular, summer, peak, and holiday. Within those seasons, though, there are a few holiday dates that will now cost you more. For instance, even though the 4th of July falls into summer season you'll pay a little more than summer season rates for July 4 and 5. An even bigger change, though, is that weekends (Friday and Saturday night) will cost you more. Up to now, whatever the rate was for the first night of your stay, that was the rate for the whole stay. Now, each night is priced separately. There is no longer an advantage to arriving on the last day of value season, nor is there a disadvantage to arriving the last day of peak or holiday season. There IS, however, an advantage to staying Sunday - Thursday so if you're not spending the whole week try to plan accordingly.
In the value resort category there are very few rate changes at all - aside from paying more for weekends and holidays - and what did change was only by a few dollars.
In the moderate resort category there are somewhat more changes to the base price, but mostly just $4-5. I noticed, though, that ALL rooms at Port Orleans Riverside are listed as accommodating 5 people, so perhaps they are planning on installing trundle beds in the Magnolia Bend section as well. Wouldn't THAT be nice!
Once again, the deluxe resorts do not have a "summer" rate season. They go right from regular season to value season, making them a better value than usual (compared to the moderate and value resorts) during the summer months. Still, most prices increased $10-15 a night in all seasons.
Disney's Vacation Club (DVC) Resorts - also known as the villas - do not have higher rates on weekends, nor do they have higher rates on holidays. They still don't have a "summer" rate season, either. While they are the most simply priced of all the resorts, they're still expensive, though. Prices have gone up across the board around $5-10 a night, with much larger jumps for the grand (3 bedroom) villas."
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