Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
February 6, 2008
Copyright © 1999 - 2008 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!
NOTE: 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 - Deals and specials - new Disney/Florida sweepstakes, Disney California cruise discount, latest Disney deadlines, Universal Mardi Gras discounts, Vegas spring special
* The latest news from around the "World" - new final scene added to Epcot's Spaceship Earth attraction
* 15th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
* 22 Hit Makers of 1960s and ‘70s Bring Groovy Vibes to Epcot's 2008 Flower Power Concerts
* A new name and face added to the entrance to "Pirates of the Caribbean" in Disneyland.
* Disneyland Dream Suite to be awarded during Year of a Million Dreams
* New Orleans’ Bands take the stage in The French Quarter at Universal Orlando’s 2008 Mardi Gras Celebration
* Hottest ticket in Branson: Hot Winter Fun Big Show
* This week's coupon - save at these popular restaurants on International Drive
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NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
More than $47,000 in prizes to be awarded in Disney/Florida sweepstakes added this week!
Last call for WDW Room Discounts for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders in February.
Two new rental car discounts.
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
7-night Disney cruise to California in June with early booking discount!
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Florida and Georgia residents save $10 off Mardi Gras tickets with this promotion.
Florida residents save $30 on this pass that includes admission to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for one year and admission to all 12 nights of Mardi Gras.
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VEGAS
Casino & Resort Spring Special
Valid now through May 1, 2008. Experience Spring at this AAA Five Diamond resort casino. We have the discount code for:
* Deluxe Rooms from $179/night
* Suites from $299/night
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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!
>> If you're staying at a Walt Disney World resort now, you can save up to 40% on a 2008 vacation with this promotion not known by the general public!
>> Disney Rewards Visa cardholders save at Walt Disney World in early 2008 with this discount code!
>> Value resorts from $49 and moderates from $99 for Annual Passholders in early 2008 with this discount code!
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Book your Tee Times at this site where rates start at $69
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for less than $20
>> Discounts available on tickets to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens!
>> Florida Residents save up to $80.00 at this Florida park!
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
>> Three nights from $299!
>> Four nights from $579!
>> Seven nights Land & Sea from $799!
>> This group receives a $50 onboard credit!
>> Discounts for Florida residents - rates too low to publish!
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> Win a Disneyland/Southern California vacation!
>> Kids fly FREE!
>> Fourth Night Free at Disneyland Hotels!
>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
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DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!
>> Kids under 7 stay and play 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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CRUISES
>> Affordable Disney Special: Sunday March 30 sail with us aboard the beautiful Caribbean Princess for 7 relaxing days in the Eastern Caribbean. This gorgeous ship has amenities galore including a Broadway-caliber theater, amazing children’s facilities, a fabulous spa, oodles of dining options, Movies Under the Stars, and so much more. With pricing starting at just $699 per person, it’s a real spring break bargain and Affordable Disney members will get special surprises, too! Contact Beth right away for more details - but don’t wait because we only have 32 cabins!
>> Cruise discounts, FREE upgrades, kids travel FREE!
>> 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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New boutique coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios
"Jim Hill talks about this variation on 'Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique' [that] will help your child look like their favorite Disney Channel star." (Source: jimhillmedia.com, 02/04/08)
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"In the new final scene of Epcot's Spaceship Earth attraction, a figure working in a garage on a personal computer represents all those who developed PCs in California in the 1970s." (Source: wired.com, 02/01/08)
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"The folks at the Walt Disney Dolphin resort recently changed the company that provides guests with little packets of coffee in each room. So they're donating the unused packages to the military members stationed overseas." (Source: blogs.tampabay.com, 01/31/08)
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"Meet some of the people responsible for making JTA [Jedi Training Academy] come to life and get a sneak peek behind the scenes of Star Wars and Disney." (Source: starwars.com, 01/23/08)
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You can register for Disney's Expedition Everest Challenge starting February 15. "Race through the dark, exotic terrain of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park on a thrilling 5K trek in the shadows of the Forbidden Mountain. (Source: disneyworldsports.disney.go.com, 01/30/08)
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Waste Management on display at Epcot's Innoventions
"Visitors will have the opportunity to virtually experience the operations on a single-stream recycling line, feed the boiler at a waste-to-energy facility and run the bulldozer at a landfill in a hands-on, interactive exhibit called 'Don’t Waste It.'" (Source: environmentalleader.com, 01/29/08)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Seaworld Dolphins are Bubblicious
If you think the best requirement for creating a great bubble is a piece of gum... SeaWorld Orlando’s dolphins are about to burst your bubble.
Young dolphins at SeaWorld have taken bubble-making to the extreme. Two young juveniles have been observed creating underwater bubbles with their blowhole, then using their rostrum to manipulate and play with the bubbles - spinning them, making them smaller and larger, swimming through them and popping them.
This is a phenomenon that has intrigued scientists watching dolphins in the wild and now is fascinating millions of guests at SeaWorld Orlando.
For more information or to obtain the footage in a different format, please contact SeaWorld Orlando Communications at 407-363-2280 (Source: Press Release)
Click here to see video.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
"In honor of the Year of the Rat, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will ring in the Lunar New Year at Disneyland with traditional red and gold Chinese attire Feb. 5-29." They will also appear in the Golden Dragon Parade February 9 in LA's Chinatown. (Source: travel.latimes.com, 01/30/08)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain newspapers require a free registration to view their articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than one line, copy and paste all lines.
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Great American Gardeners Plant New Ideas for Guests at 15th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Roger Swain, long-time host of PBS's "The Victory Garden," kicks off the Great American Gardener series March 19 and 20 during the 15th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Swain, known for his trademark red suspenders, appears twice daily at the new Garden Town festival center in Future World East next to Universe of Energy.
The Great American Gardener series, which continues each Friday-Sunday through June 1, is presented in partnership with the American Horticultural Society. Some of the most respected gardeners and nature experts in the country reveal tips and share entertaining stories during the presentations open to all Epcot guests at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear:
# Roger Swain (March 19-20): Gardening Bright from the Start -- "The Victory Garden" veteran celebrates gardening with an eye-catching, mouth-watering, planet-saving discussion of America's favorite hobby.
# Joe Lamp'l a.k.a. joe gardener (March 21-23): Green Gardening -- Joe helps gardening aficionados find new ways to "go green" and connect with the earth using practical information and environmentally friendly tips.
# Ellen Zachos (March 28-30): Prehistoric Planting -- Zachos shows you how to plant a dinosaur garden -- the perfect playground for kids of all ages and dinosaurs, too!
# Shirley Bovshow (April 4-6): 'Out of the Box' Garden Design -- TV host and garden designer Bovshow gives "out of the box" ideas on artistic design, elevating common landscape elements like fences and garden beds to art status.
# Jeffrey Rustuccio (April 11-13): Get Fit Through Gardening -- Based on his "Get Fit through Gardening" book, Rustuccio shares how to reduce back strain and muscle soreness and transform gardening into a lifelong fitness and wellness program.
# Tovah Martin (April 18-20): Garden Secrets and Stewardship -- Well-known author and TV guest on PBS's "Cultivating Life," Martin shares secrets from the country's top "green" experts and shows how to bring gardens with a past into the future.
# Felder Rushing (April 25-27): Slow Gardening -- Renowned horticulturist, NPR host and author of award-winning "Passalong Plants," Rushing shares practical tips for all-year beauty using tough shrubs, flowers, herbs and even "designer" vegetables grown in containers and flower beds.
# Tom MacCubbin (May 2-4): Whole Garden Foods -- Florida garden writer, media personality and extension agent Tom MacCubbin shares how to make your landscape pay its way by growing foods you can put on the table.
# Raymond Western (May 9-11): Plants and Perfume -- Guerlain perfume expert Raymond Western offers insights into the history of fragrances and explores the relationship between plants and perfume.
# Robert Bowden (May 16-18): Maximizing Weekend Gardening -- Gardening expert, author and director of lush Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Bowden discusses plants with unusual textures, habits and colors for weekend fun with the home landscape.
# Melinda Myers (May 23-25): Saving Space -- TV host and nationally known gardening expert Myers shares simple, creative ideas for packing a lot of garden into a small space or creating an intimate garden within a large lot. Discover tips and techniques for designing and maintaining year-round gardens from ground to roofline.
# Jon Carloftis (May 31-June 1): Integrating Nature Inside and Out -- Author of "First A Garden" and "Beyond the Windowsill," Carloftis offers insightful tips to integrate plants and nature in every aspect of life -- from interior spaces to urbanscapes.
The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is included with regular Epcot admission. For more information, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com/flower. (Source: Press Release, 02/01/08)
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22 Hit Makers of 1960s and ‘70s Bring Groovy Vibes to Epcot March 19-June 1 during 2008 Flower Power Concerts
The Searchers, The Ventures and The Cowsills join other new and returning hit makers to strike nostalgic notes during the Flower Power concert series March 19-June 1 at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in Walt Disney World Resort.
The spring shower of hit songs from the 1960s and '70s begins with opening-weekend performances by The Guess Who, known for pop singles like "American Woman" and "These Eyes." Other beloved chart-toppers featured by some of the festival's 22 musical acts include "Downtown," "Daydream Believer," "Light My Fire" and "Henry the 8th." B.J. Thomas, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, Petula Clark and Jose Feliciano are among returning acts to appear during the 75-day Flower Power concert series. Davy Jones will perform again this year during the Coming Up Roses themed weekend featuring the popular Mother's Day Brunch.
Flower Power concerts strike a lively, nostalgic chord daily at America Gardens Theatre at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. and are included with regular Epcot admission. Here's the lineup (subject to change without notice):
March 19-22 -- The Guess Who "American Woman"
March 23-24 -- Petula Clark "Downtown"
March 25-29 -- Paul Revere and the Raiders "Good Thing"
March 30-31 -- The 5th Dimension "Up, Up and Away"
April 1-3 -- Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection"
April 4-5 -- Jay Black (NEW) "This Magic Moment"
April 6-9 -- Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone "Henry the 8th"
April 10-13 -- The Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill "Midnight Confessions"
April 14-16 -- The Happenings (NEW) "See You in September"
April 17-18 -- Peter & Gordon "A World without Love"
April 19-23 -- Starship starring Mickey Thomas "We Built This City"
April 24-26 -- The Ventures (NEW) "Hawaii Five-O"
April 27-30 -- B.J. Thomas "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"
May 1-3 -- Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant"
May 4-5 -- The Searchers (NEW) "Bumble Bee"
May 6-10 -- The Tokens "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
May 11-15 -- Davy Jones "Daydream Believer"
May 16-17 -- Jose Feliciano "Light My Fire"
May 18-20 -- Felix Cavaliere's Rascals "Good Lovin'"
May 21-24 -- Gary Puckett "Over You"
May 25-27 -- The Cowsills (NEW)"The Rain, the Park, and Other Things"
May 28-June 1 -- Tony Orlando "Tie a Yellow Ribbon"
Guest information is available at disneyworld.com/flower. Or call 407/824-4321. (Source: Press Release. 02/01/08
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
A new name and face are joining the ranks of those infamous pirates whose images appear inside the entrance to "Pirates of the Caribbean" in Disneyland.
Alongside such legends of the high seas as Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa, a specially created portrait of Jenifer Greenwell of St. Petersburg, Florida, now appears along the wall where queuing guests approach the dock to board the attraction. Jenifer was selected at random as the grand prize winner from hundreds of thousands of entries in the "Become a Disney Pirate" sweepstakes conducted in connection with the DVD release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. Her likeness as "Mademoiselle Greenwell" in pirate costume will stand alongside the others and be viewed by millions of Disneyland guests.
Jenifer’s pirate journey, following the news of her big win, took her to the headquarters of Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California. There, in May 2007, she was sketched as a pirate in full costume by Imagineer artist Jim Crouch. She also was given a tour of Imagineering, which few non-Imagineers ever get to experience.
Jenifer returned to California in July where, in the Pirate Suite of the Disneyland Hotel, Jim Crouch and other Imagineers showed her the original artwork that he would paint as a four-foot-tall mural on the wall of the attraction. (The other notable pirates in this Pirates of the Caribbean rogues gallery were also painted by Crouch.)
The art was unveiled the morning of Tuesday, January 29, in a special presentation featuring Jenifer and some of the pirate denizens of New Orleans Square in Disneyland. "Mademoiselle Greenwell" will remain on view in "Pirates of the Caribbean" through June 2009.
In addition, Jenifer was given a VIP tour of Disneyland Resort during her January 29 visit. She met and posed for photos with Disneyland pirates, and took home the original "Mademoiselle Greenwell" artwork developed for the attraction. (Source: Press Release, 01/30/08)
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Disneyland Dream Suite Will Be Awarded To A Lucky Guest Most Nights During Year Of A Million Dreams, Starting Jan. 31
For the first time in history, lucky guests will have the chance to spend an unforgettable night inside Disneyland Park during the Year of a Million Dreams, most nights starting January 31, 2008, as part of the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway.
A guest will be escorted on the same day awarded into the most extraordinary accommodations at Disneyland Resort: the Disneyland Dream Suite, an in-park apartment with special-effects surprises and vintage design elements in each room.
The overnight stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite will be a highlight among the more than a million "dream come true" experiences awarded through random process to eligible Disneyland Resort guests and mail-in participants in the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway. Mail-in winners of prizes that require use on day awarded, such as the Disneyland Dream Suite, will receive a prize of comparable value.
Disney Imagineers have devoted months of hard work toward remodeling the suite of rooms above New Orleans Square in the Park, conceived by Walt Disney as a private apartment for his family and closest friends. The rooms, which most recently housed The Disney Gallery, have been restored to Disney’s original vision of deluxe living quarters. Vintage design illustrations, created under Disney’s personal direction, were recovered and used as inspiration for the look, furnishings and other décor elements in the Suite. Special design touches have been incorporated to evoke memories of Disney’s diverse interests and the rich heritage of Disneyland.
The guests chosen through a random process to enjoy a "dream stay" in the Disneyland Dream Suite will be following in the footsteps of Walt Disney. His dedication to the constant growth and development of Disneyland Park resulted in frequent overnight stays in a small private apartment which remains today above the Fire House on Main Street, U.S.A. In the 1960s, as plans were developed for the New Orleans Square area, Disney brought in illustrator and designer Dorothea Redmond (Gone with the Wind) and set decorator Emile Kuri (Mary Poppins, It’s a Wonderful Life) to help him create a larger, more lavish apartment where he could entertain friends, family, VIP guests and dignitaries.
Unfortunately, Disney passed away before the Suite was completed. Over the years, the rooms were used as offices and to entertain visiting business associates until, in 1987, the space became The Disney Gallery, a unique venue displaying artwork originally created during the development of various Disney movies and theme park attractions. Only now, 40 years later, is Disney’s dream being fulfilled. The rooms have been returned to their original intended purpose and, as Disney wished, the Disneyland Dream Suite will be occupied by overnight guests.
"Our plan has been to use the renderings that Walt worked on with Dorothea Redmond and to replicate those as exactly as we can," said Walt Disney Imagineering Art Director Kim Irvine. "Her illustrations were very specific, with a color and style for each room. "But to make it special for the guests, we want it to be more than just a beautiful suite. We want it to be filled with things that might have inspired Walt as he dreamed of Disneyland."
Located above Pirates of the Caribbean in the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland Park, the 2,600-square-foot Disneyland Dream Suite includes a living room, open-air patio, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. In addition to that night’s lodging in the Disneyland Dream Suite, each selected 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway winner of the Disneyland Dream Suite will also be celebrated as the Honorary Grand Marshal in that day’s Disneyland parade. The winner and their guests will enjoy dinner, late-night snacks and beverages, and the dazzling view overlooking New Orleans Square and the Rivers of America, where a private balcony provides an ideal vantage point on nights when fireworks or the "Fantasmic!" spectacular are presented.
Guests may enter the Dream Suite by climbing the grand staircase outside the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. An elevator will be available to accommodate guests with disabilities. Through the doorway at the top of the stairs is the Living Room, designed in a French Provincial style reflecting the New Orleans Square setting. Unusual decorative items like a full-size carousel horse, a mechanical songbird and original wall paintings of European castles will conjure up memories of Walt Disney and the inspirations that went into creating the magical world of Disneyland.
The Suite features not one, but two Master Bedrooms. In one, the spirit of early 20th century innovation and the American frontier are summoned with an earthy color scheme, leather furniture, a cast-iron stove, an electric train and vintage mechanical toys. The other Master Bedroom is on the side of the residence nearest Adventureland, and its lush décor and atmosphere evoke the exotic flavor of jungle adventure stories as told in the Victorian era.
The Bayou-themed Patio, central to the Disneyland Dream Suite and open to the sky above, is filled with tropical vegetation, furnished with comfortable chaises and illuminated by Chinese lanterns. Using a type of Disney magic familiar to guests on Pirates of the Caribbean, the Patio is also visited by fireflies.
As guests settle in for a stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite, they’ll discover special effects surprises in each room. It could be a special tune in a striking clock, a sunset or a starscape that appears when the lights go down, subtle audio enhancements, or something totally unexpected.
The Disneyland Dream Suite will be the supreme addition to the catalog of "dreams come true" at the Disneyland Resort during the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway as the Disney Dream Squad delivers dreams, large and small, to eligible guests selected through a random process. For information on how to enter by mail without visiting the parks, please see below.
The 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway is part of the Year of a Million Dreams at Disney Parks. At Disneyland Park, the popular immersive entertainment experiences will continue to thrill guests at Disney Princess Fantasy Faire, Jedi Training Academy and Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. And at Disney’s California Adventure Park, guests young and old will be dancing to the beat of the new High School Musical 2: School’s Out! street show, inspired by the megahit Disney Channel original movie. For information on new attractions, the Year of a Million Dreams celebration and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.
Disneyland Dream Suite stay will be awarded most nights beginning 1/31/08. Must stay the same night awarded. Subject to Official Rules/Complete Terms and Conditions (available in English and Spanish) at disneyparks.com/2008rules, which contains information on how to enter by mail. Mail-in winners of prizes that require use on day awarded will receive a prize of comparable value. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan & UK. Void where prohibited. (Source: Press Release, 01/29/08)
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BRANSON
Hottest ticket in Branson: Hot Winter Fun Big Show
Hot Winter Fun Big Show
417-335-8080
www.HotWinterFun.org
3440 W 76
Branson, MO 65616
The hottest ticket in Branson and a highlight of Hot Winter Fun is the 14th annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Jim Stafford Theatre.
The show is a virtual sampler of the wide variety of Branson shows and performers on one stage in one exciting evening. It features segments of several shows that are open during January and February and throughout the entire year in Branson.
Shows and entertainers scheduled to appear in the Big Show are 14 Karat Country, 50’s At The Hop, A Tribute to John Denver, Bob Nelson Comedy Show, Branson Brothers, Branson Divas, Branson Hot Hits Experience, Circle B Chuckwagon, Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express, Comedy Jamboree, From Patsy To Present, Grand Jubilee, Grand Old Gospel Hour, Island Fire, Isle of Dreams, Jim Stafford, Legends in Concert, Magic Up Close and Personal, Magnificent 7 Show, New’s Country, Penny Gilley, Red, Hot and Blue and Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience.
For tickets the Big Show call 417-335-8080.
Branson became an "overnight sensation" with the national tourism industry in the 1990s and, then, it happened again after a group of local tourism leaders created a wintertime seasonal promotion known as Hot Winter Fun. It was marketed in 1994 to close the brief seasonal gap between Christmas and spring and it provides year-round activities for Branson visitors.
"The fame might have come overnight, but the success of Branson as a tourism destination certainly was not," said Ross Summers, President/CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Branson’s tourism industry was built up over many decades of hard work by local townspeople who were imaginative and practical and completely believed in this town. January and February were somewhat risky because Branson does have a winter season, but there are far more nice days in winter than ice days.
"People were coming here year-round to fish in local lakes. They were coming year-round to shop in Branson. They were coming year-round to play golf. And some folks that were coming to Branson were unaware that many of the attractions were closed for the season in the winter months.
"Every year since 1994, more businesses have opted to stay open to accommodate visitors during January and February. There are always plenty of fun things to do in Branson."
Tourists will find a calendar full of things to do such as taking in Branson shows, shopping after-Christmas sales, golfing, visiting indoor attractions and museums and fishing on the area’s three lakes.
In a national comparison, Branson is one of America’s most affordable vacation destinations and because many locations offer discounts during the winter months, Hot Winter Fun is a good time to visit and very economical.
"Escaping to Branson after the holidays is both relaxing and entertaining. The easy pace, combined with so many choices for fun, makes a visit to Branson during Hot Winter Fun the perfect escape," said Lynn Berry, public relations director for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"Hot Winter Fun has proven to be very successful. Over the past 14 years, visitor numbers have increased during these winter months. Many folks have discovered that they can find a great vacation here any time of the year," said Summers.
Evie Mohrfeld, travel writer for the Post-Dispatch of Rochester, Minn., echoed this sentiment. She wrote, "Visiting Branson" We realized how the area has become a year-round tourist attraction. It’s totally family-friendly with many new shows and attractions always popping up. It’s a safe haven, which is the reason so many choose to live in this Midwest area... Re-visits to Branson are a new experience any season and every year."
For tickets the Big Show call 417-335-8080. For more information check out the website at www.HotWinterFun.org.
(Source: Press Release, 02/01/08
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New Orleans’ Bands Take The Stage In The French Quarter At Universal Orlando’S 2008 Mardi Gras Celebration
The Tradition Continues At Universal Orlando With Performances From New Orleans’s Most Celebrated Talent
Mardi Gras 2008 pays tribute to New Orleans’ musicians with must see performances from the hottest bands in Blues, Jazz and Zydeco music. Inspired by traditional Creole music, these bands are known to deliver soulful sounds with a Cajun flare and this year’s talent promises not to disappoint. The talent will perform in the "French Quarter" as part of an authentic annual celebration of New Orleans’ music, culture and cuisine.
Mardi Gras kicks off tomorrow and runs for twelve Saturday nights through April 19. During each week of the celebration, Universal Orlando will showcase musicians that evoke the spirit of New Orleans' special musical heritage. The twelve New Orleans-style performers include J.J. Caillier and the Zydeco Knockouts, The Kevin O’Day Band and Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band.
After Hurricane Katrina, many performers were displaced and out of work during the rebuilding of New Orleans. In 2006, Universal Orlando "partnered" with the Tipitina’s Foundation, a well-known foundation created to support musicians and their unique musical styles, to introduce a new program, "Celebrate the music of New Orleans." The program provided an opportunity for the city’s celebrated performers to share their musical passion with audiences during Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration. The concept proved popular with guests and since 2006, Universal has continued to boast a line-up of authentic New Orleans music.
"This is my third year performing at Universal’s Mardi Gras and I have to say that all that stuff about it being the biggest party this side of New Orleans is absolutely true. The French Quarter in New Orleans is not what it used to be after Katrina so getting to perform here is pretty exciting," said Bryan Lee of the Blues Power Band.
Mardi Gras 2008 performers have opened for the likes of Dave Matthews, Hootie and the Blowfish and George Clinton and have also appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bands like Soul Project were forced to relocate after the Hurricane and have created an enormous "old school soul" following on the east coast. Rockin’ Jake was named "Best Blues Har-monica" at the "Best of the Beat" New Orleans music awards.
"This year’s musical performances feature incredible musicians from New Orleans, making our Mardi Gras celebration truly authentic. The music, Cajun food and of course, the parade will deliver a ‘Big Easy’ street party atmosphere in Universal Studios that no one this side of New Orleans can top," said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment, Universal Orlando Resort.
MARDI GRAS 2008 BAND LINE-UP
February
February 2 - J.J. Caillier and The Zydeco Knockouts
February 9 - Lil Malcolm and the House Rockers
February 16 - The Daddy Mack Blues Band
Febrary 23 - Big Red & the Zydeco Playmakers
March
March 1 - Chris Klein and the Boulevards
March 8 - Bryan Lee and The Blues Power Band
March 15 - Rockin Jake
March 22 - Soul Project
March 29 - The Kevin O'Day Band
April
April 5 - Jumpin Johnny Sansone
April 12 - Mem Shannon and the Membership
April 19 - Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers
The Mardi Gras ticket, valid after 5 p.m. at Universal Studios, is applicable any one Saturday night from February 2 through April 19 and can be purchased for $46.95 plus tax.
Universal CityWalk will host the official after-party of the Mardi Gras celebration, with guests receiving free admission into select clubs until 2 a.m. by presenting their Mardi Gras tickets. For an additional $15, guests can purchase a VIP upgrade ticket to the official Mardi Gras after-party which includes complimentary appetizers, drink specials and souvenir beads. (Souece: Press Release, 02/01/08)
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MONEY SAVING COUPONS
Backstage Night Club
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
407-996-9700
Click here for reviews.
International Drive’s only night club. Buy one drink get a FREE drink with this coupon. Offer good up to a party of four.
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Everglades Restaurant
Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
407-996-2385
Click here for reviews.
"The interior design and menu reflect a respect for the native flora and fauna of the Everglades."
Receive one FREE cocktail per person with the purchase of each adult entree with this coupon.
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Shogun Authentic Japenese Steak House
Rodeway Inn International
6327 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
407-996-4444
Click here for reviews.
Teppanyaki chefs prepare your meal while you watch.
Receive one FREE cocktail per person with the purchase of each adult entree with this coupon.
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Jack's Place
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
407-996-1787
"Our tantalizing gourmet menu features prime steaks and fresh seafood in a whimsical atmosphere featuring the world’s largest collection of autographed star caricatures."
Receive one FREE cocktail per person with the purchase of each adult entree with this coupon.
Buy one entree and get the second entree 50% off with this coupon.
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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 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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February 6, 2008
Copyright © 1999 - 2008 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!
NOTE: 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 - Deals and specials - new Disney/Florida sweepstakes, Disney California cruise discount, latest Disney deadlines, Universal Mardi Gras discounts, Vegas spring special
* The latest news from around the "World" - new final scene added to Epcot's Spaceship Earth attraction
* 15th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
* 22 Hit Makers of 1960s and ‘70s Bring Groovy Vibes to Epcot's 2008 Flower Power Concerts
* A new name and face added to the entrance to "Pirates of the Caribbean" in Disneyland.
* Disneyland Dream Suite to be awarded during Year of a Million Dreams
* New Orleans’ Bands take the stage in The French Quarter at Universal Orlando’s 2008 Mardi Gras Celebration
* Hottest ticket in Branson: Hot Winter Fun Big Show
* This week's coupon - save at these popular restaurants on International Drive
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NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
More than $47,000 in prizes to be awarded in Disney/Florida sweepstakes added this week!
Last call for WDW Room Discounts for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders in February.
Two new rental car discounts.
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
7-night Disney cruise to California in June with early booking discount!
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Florida and Georgia residents save $10 off Mardi Gras tickets with this promotion.
Florida residents save $30 on this pass that includes admission to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for one year and admission to all 12 nights of Mardi Gras.
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VEGAS
Casino & Resort Spring Special
Valid now through May 1, 2008. Experience Spring at this AAA Five Diamond resort casino. We have the discount code for:
* Deluxe Rooms from $179/night
* Suites from $299/night
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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!
>> If you're staying at a Walt Disney World resort now, you can save up to 40% on a 2008 vacation with this promotion not known by the general public!
>> Disney Rewards Visa cardholders save at Walt Disney World in early 2008 with this discount code!
>> Value resorts from $49 and moderates from $99 for Annual Passholders in early 2008 with this discount code!
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Book your Tee Times at this site where rates start at $69
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for less than $20
>> Discounts available on tickets to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens!
>> Florida Residents save up to $80.00 at this Florida park!
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
>> Three nights from $299!
>> Four nights from $579!
>> Seven nights Land & Sea from $799!
>> This group receives a $50 onboard credit!
>> Discounts for Florida residents - rates too low to publish!
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> Win a Disneyland/Southern California vacation!
>> Kids fly FREE!
>> Fourth Night Free at Disneyland Hotels!
>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
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DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!
>> Kids under 7 stay and play 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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CRUISES
>> Affordable Disney Special: Sunday March 30 sail with us aboard the beautiful Caribbean Princess for 7 relaxing days in the Eastern Caribbean. This gorgeous ship has amenities galore including a Broadway-caliber theater, amazing children’s facilities, a fabulous spa, oodles of dining options, Movies Under the Stars, and so much more. With pricing starting at just $699 per person, it’s a real spring break bargain and Affordable Disney members will get special surprises, too! Contact Beth right away for more details - but don’t wait because we only have 32 cabins!
>> Cruise discounts, FREE upgrades, kids travel FREE!
>> 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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New boutique coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios
"Jim Hill talks about this variation on 'Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique' [that] will help your child look like their favorite Disney Channel star." (Source: jimhillmedia.com, 02/04/08)
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"In the new final scene of Epcot's Spaceship Earth attraction, a figure working in a garage on a personal computer represents all those who developed PCs in California in the 1970s." (Source: wired.com, 02/01/08)
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"The folks at the Walt Disney Dolphin resort recently changed the company that provides guests with little packets of coffee in each room. So they're donating the unused packages to the military members stationed overseas." (Source: blogs.tampabay.com, 01/31/08)
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"Meet some of the people responsible for making JTA [Jedi Training Academy] come to life and get a sneak peek behind the scenes of Star Wars and Disney." (Source: starwars.com, 01/23/08)
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You can register for Disney's Expedition Everest Challenge starting February 15. "Race through the dark, exotic terrain of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park on a thrilling 5K trek in the shadows of the Forbidden Mountain. (Source: disneyworldsports.disney.go.com, 01/30/08)
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Waste Management on display at Epcot's Innoventions
"Visitors will have the opportunity to virtually experience the operations on a single-stream recycling line, feed the boiler at a waste-to-energy facility and run the bulldozer at a landfill in a hands-on, interactive exhibit called 'Don’t Waste It.'" (Source: environmentalleader.com, 01/29/08)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Seaworld Dolphins are Bubblicious
If you think the best requirement for creating a great bubble is a piece of gum... SeaWorld Orlando’s dolphins are about to burst your bubble.
Young dolphins at SeaWorld have taken bubble-making to the extreme. Two young juveniles have been observed creating underwater bubbles with their blowhole, then using their rostrum to manipulate and play with the bubbles - spinning them, making them smaller and larger, swimming through them and popping them.
This is a phenomenon that has intrigued scientists watching dolphins in the wild and now is fascinating millions of guests at SeaWorld Orlando.
For more information or to obtain the footage in a different format, please contact SeaWorld Orlando Communications at 407-363-2280 (Source: Press Release)
Click here to see video.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
"In honor of the Year of the Rat, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will ring in the Lunar New Year at Disneyland with traditional red and gold Chinese attire Feb. 5-29." They will also appear in the Golden Dragon Parade February 9 in LA's Chinatown. (Source: travel.latimes.com, 01/30/08)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain newspapers require a free registration to view their articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than one line, copy and paste all lines.
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Great American Gardeners Plant New Ideas for Guests at 15th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Roger Swain, long-time host of PBS's "The Victory Garden," kicks off the Great American Gardener series March 19 and 20 during the 15th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Swain, known for his trademark red suspenders, appears twice daily at the new Garden Town festival center in Future World East next to Universe of Energy.
The Great American Gardener series, which continues each Friday-Sunday through June 1, is presented in partnership with the American Horticultural Society. Some of the most respected gardeners and nature experts in the country reveal tips and share entertaining stories during the presentations open to all Epcot guests at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear:
# Roger Swain (March 19-20): Gardening Bright from the Start -- "The Victory Garden" veteran celebrates gardening with an eye-catching, mouth-watering, planet-saving discussion of America's favorite hobby.
# Joe Lamp'l a.k.a. joe gardener (March 21-23): Green Gardening -- Joe helps gardening aficionados find new ways to "go green" and connect with the earth using practical information and environmentally friendly tips.
# Ellen Zachos (March 28-30): Prehistoric Planting -- Zachos shows you how to plant a dinosaur garden -- the perfect playground for kids of all ages and dinosaurs, too!
# Shirley Bovshow (April 4-6): 'Out of the Box' Garden Design -- TV host and garden designer Bovshow gives "out of the box" ideas on artistic design, elevating common landscape elements like fences and garden beds to art status.
# Jeffrey Rustuccio (April 11-13): Get Fit Through Gardening -- Based on his "Get Fit through Gardening" book, Rustuccio shares how to reduce back strain and muscle soreness and transform gardening into a lifelong fitness and wellness program.
# Tovah Martin (April 18-20): Garden Secrets and Stewardship -- Well-known author and TV guest on PBS's "Cultivating Life," Martin shares secrets from the country's top "green" experts and shows how to bring gardens with a past into the future.
# Felder Rushing (April 25-27): Slow Gardening -- Renowned horticulturist, NPR host and author of award-winning "Passalong Plants," Rushing shares practical tips for all-year beauty using tough shrubs, flowers, herbs and even "designer" vegetables grown in containers and flower beds.
# Tom MacCubbin (May 2-4): Whole Garden Foods -- Florida garden writer, media personality and extension agent Tom MacCubbin shares how to make your landscape pay its way by growing foods you can put on the table.
# Raymond Western (May 9-11): Plants and Perfume -- Guerlain perfume expert Raymond Western offers insights into the history of fragrances and explores the relationship between plants and perfume.
# Robert Bowden (May 16-18): Maximizing Weekend Gardening -- Gardening expert, author and director of lush Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Bowden discusses plants with unusual textures, habits and colors for weekend fun with the home landscape.
# Melinda Myers (May 23-25): Saving Space -- TV host and nationally known gardening expert Myers shares simple, creative ideas for packing a lot of garden into a small space or creating an intimate garden within a large lot. Discover tips and techniques for designing and maintaining year-round gardens from ground to roofline.
# Jon Carloftis (May 31-June 1): Integrating Nature Inside and Out -- Author of "First A Garden" and "Beyond the Windowsill," Carloftis offers insightful tips to integrate plants and nature in every aspect of life -- from interior spaces to urbanscapes.
The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is included with regular Epcot admission. For more information, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com/flower. (Source: Press Release, 02/01/08)
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22 Hit Makers of 1960s and ‘70s Bring Groovy Vibes to Epcot March 19-June 1 during 2008 Flower Power Concerts
The Searchers, The Ventures and The Cowsills join other new and returning hit makers to strike nostalgic notes during the Flower Power concert series March 19-June 1 at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in Walt Disney World Resort.
The spring shower of hit songs from the 1960s and '70s begins with opening-weekend performances by The Guess Who, known for pop singles like "American Woman" and "These Eyes." Other beloved chart-toppers featured by some of the festival's 22 musical acts include "Downtown," "Daydream Believer," "Light My Fire" and "Henry the 8th." B.J. Thomas, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, Petula Clark and Jose Feliciano are among returning acts to appear during the 75-day Flower Power concert series. Davy Jones will perform again this year during the Coming Up Roses themed weekend featuring the popular Mother's Day Brunch.
Flower Power concerts strike a lively, nostalgic chord daily at America Gardens Theatre at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. and are included with regular Epcot admission. Here's the lineup (subject to change without notice):
March 19-22 -- The Guess Who "American Woman"
March 23-24 -- Petula Clark "Downtown"
March 25-29 -- Paul Revere and the Raiders "Good Thing"
March 30-31 -- The 5th Dimension "Up, Up and Away"
April 1-3 -- Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection"
April 4-5 -- Jay Black (NEW) "This Magic Moment"
April 6-9 -- Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone "Henry the 8th"
April 10-13 -- The Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill "Midnight Confessions"
April 14-16 -- The Happenings (NEW) "See You in September"
April 17-18 -- Peter & Gordon "A World without Love"
April 19-23 -- Starship starring Mickey Thomas "We Built This City"
April 24-26 -- The Ventures (NEW) "Hawaii Five-O"
April 27-30 -- B.J. Thomas "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"
May 1-3 -- Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant"
May 4-5 -- The Searchers (NEW) "Bumble Bee"
May 6-10 -- The Tokens "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
May 11-15 -- Davy Jones "Daydream Believer"
May 16-17 -- Jose Feliciano "Light My Fire"
May 18-20 -- Felix Cavaliere's Rascals "Good Lovin'"
May 21-24 -- Gary Puckett "Over You"
May 25-27 -- The Cowsills (NEW)"The Rain, the Park, and Other Things"
May 28-June 1 -- Tony Orlando "Tie a Yellow Ribbon"
Guest information is available at disneyworld.com/flower. Or call 407/824-4321. (Source: Press Release. 02/01/08
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
A new name and face are joining the ranks of those infamous pirates whose images appear inside the entrance to "Pirates of the Caribbean" in Disneyland.
Alongside such legends of the high seas as Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa, a specially created portrait of Jenifer Greenwell of St. Petersburg, Florida, now appears along the wall where queuing guests approach the dock to board the attraction. Jenifer was selected at random as the grand prize winner from hundreds of thousands of entries in the "Become a Disney Pirate" sweepstakes conducted in connection with the DVD release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. Her likeness as "Mademoiselle Greenwell" in pirate costume will stand alongside the others and be viewed by millions of Disneyland guests.
Jenifer’s pirate journey, following the news of her big win, took her to the headquarters of Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California. There, in May 2007, she was sketched as a pirate in full costume by Imagineer artist Jim Crouch. She also was given a tour of Imagineering, which few non-Imagineers ever get to experience.
Jenifer returned to California in July where, in the Pirate Suite of the Disneyland Hotel, Jim Crouch and other Imagineers showed her the original artwork that he would paint as a four-foot-tall mural on the wall of the attraction. (The other notable pirates in this Pirates of the Caribbean rogues gallery were also painted by Crouch.)
The art was unveiled the morning of Tuesday, January 29, in a special presentation featuring Jenifer and some of the pirate denizens of New Orleans Square in Disneyland. "Mademoiselle Greenwell" will remain on view in "Pirates of the Caribbean" through June 2009.
In addition, Jenifer was given a VIP tour of Disneyland Resort during her January 29 visit. She met and posed for photos with Disneyland pirates, and took home the original "Mademoiselle Greenwell" artwork developed for the attraction. (Source: Press Release, 01/30/08)
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Disneyland Dream Suite Will Be Awarded To A Lucky Guest Most Nights During Year Of A Million Dreams, Starting Jan. 31
For the first time in history, lucky guests will have the chance to spend an unforgettable night inside Disneyland Park during the Year of a Million Dreams, most nights starting January 31, 2008, as part of the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway.
A guest will be escorted on the same day awarded into the most extraordinary accommodations at Disneyland Resort: the Disneyland Dream Suite, an in-park apartment with special-effects surprises and vintage design elements in each room.
The overnight stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite will be a highlight among the more than a million "dream come true" experiences awarded through random process to eligible Disneyland Resort guests and mail-in participants in the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway. Mail-in winners of prizes that require use on day awarded, such as the Disneyland Dream Suite, will receive a prize of comparable value.
Disney Imagineers have devoted months of hard work toward remodeling the suite of rooms above New Orleans Square in the Park, conceived by Walt Disney as a private apartment for his family and closest friends. The rooms, which most recently housed The Disney Gallery, have been restored to Disney’s original vision of deluxe living quarters. Vintage design illustrations, created under Disney’s personal direction, were recovered and used as inspiration for the look, furnishings and other décor elements in the Suite. Special design touches have been incorporated to evoke memories of Disney’s diverse interests and the rich heritage of Disneyland.
The guests chosen through a random process to enjoy a "dream stay" in the Disneyland Dream Suite will be following in the footsteps of Walt Disney. His dedication to the constant growth and development of Disneyland Park resulted in frequent overnight stays in a small private apartment which remains today above the Fire House on Main Street, U.S.A. In the 1960s, as plans were developed for the New Orleans Square area, Disney brought in illustrator and designer Dorothea Redmond (Gone with the Wind) and set decorator Emile Kuri (Mary Poppins, It’s a Wonderful Life) to help him create a larger, more lavish apartment where he could entertain friends, family, VIP guests and dignitaries.
Unfortunately, Disney passed away before the Suite was completed. Over the years, the rooms were used as offices and to entertain visiting business associates until, in 1987, the space became The Disney Gallery, a unique venue displaying artwork originally created during the development of various Disney movies and theme park attractions. Only now, 40 years later, is Disney’s dream being fulfilled. The rooms have been returned to their original intended purpose and, as Disney wished, the Disneyland Dream Suite will be occupied by overnight guests.
"Our plan has been to use the renderings that Walt worked on with Dorothea Redmond and to replicate those as exactly as we can," said Walt Disney Imagineering Art Director Kim Irvine. "Her illustrations were very specific, with a color and style for each room. "But to make it special for the guests, we want it to be more than just a beautiful suite. We want it to be filled with things that might have inspired Walt as he dreamed of Disneyland."
Located above Pirates of the Caribbean in the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland Park, the 2,600-square-foot Disneyland Dream Suite includes a living room, open-air patio, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. In addition to that night’s lodging in the Disneyland Dream Suite, each selected 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway winner of the Disneyland Dream Suite will also be celebrated as the Honorary Grand Marshal in that day’s Disneyland parade. The winner and their guests will enjoy dinner, late-night snacks and beverages, and the dazzling view overlooking New Orleans Square and the Rivers of America, where a private balcony provides an ideal vantage point on nights when fireworks or the "Fantasmic!" spectacular are presented.
Guests may enter the Dream Suite by climbing the grand staircase outside the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. An elevator will be available to accommodate guests with disabilities. Through the doorway at the top of the stairs is the Living Room, designed in a French Provincial style reflecting the New Orleans Square setting. Unusual decorative items like a full-size carousel horse, a mechanical songbird and original wall paintings of European castles will conjure up memories of Walt Disney and the inspirations that went into creating the magical world of Disneyland.
The Suite features not one, but two Master Bedrooms. In one, the spirit of early 20th century innovation and the American frontier are summoned with an earthy color scheme, leather furniture, a cast-iron stove, an electric train and vintage mechanical toys. The other Master Bedroom is on the side of the residence nearest Adventureland, and its lush décor and atmosphere evoke the exotic flavor of jungle adventure stories as told in the Victorian era.
The Bayou-themed Patio, central to the Disneyland Dream Suite and open to the sky above, is filled with tropical vegetation, furnished with comfortable chaises and illuminated by Chinese lanterns. Using a type of Disney magic familiar to guests on Pirates of the Caribbean, the Patio is also visited by fireflies.
As guests settle in for a stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite, they’ll discover special effects surprises in each room. It could be a special tune in a striking clock, a sunset or a starscape that appears when the lights go down, subtle audio enhancements, or something totally unexpected.
The Disneyland Dream Suite will be the supreme addition to the catalog of "dreams come true" at the Disneyland Resort during the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway as the Disney Dream Squad delivers dreams, large and small, to eligible guests selected through a random process. For information on how to enter by mail without visiting the parks, please see below.
The 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway is part of the Year of a Million Dreams at Disney Parks. At Disneyland Park, the popular immersive entertainment experiences will continue to thrill guests at Disney Princess Fantasy Faire, Jedi Training Academy and Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. And at Disney’s California Adventure Park, guests young and old will be dancing to the beat of the new High School Musical 2: School’s Out! street show, inspired by the megahit Disney Channel original movie. For information on new attractions, the Year of a Million Dreams celebration and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.
Disneyland Dream Suite stay will be awarded most nights beginning 1/31/08. Must stay the same night awarded. Subject to Official Rules/Complete Terms and Conditions (available in English and Spanish) at disneyparks.com/2008rules, which contains information on how to enter by mail. Mail-in winners of prizes that require use on day awarded will receive a prize of comparable value. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan & UK. Void where prohibited. (Source: Press Release, 01/29/08)
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BRANSON
Hottest ticket in Branson: Hot Winter Fun Big Show
Hot Winter Fun Big Show
417-335-8080
www.HotWinterFun.org
3440 W 76
Branson, MO 65616
The hottest ticket in Branson and a highlight of Hot Winter Fun is the 14th annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Jim Stafford Theatre.
The show is a virtual sampler of the wide variety of Branson shows and performers on one stage in one exciting evening. It features segments of several shows that are open during January and February and throughout the entire year in Branson.
Shows and entertainers scheduled to appear in the Big Show are 14 Karat Country, 50’s At The Hop, A Tribute to John Denver, Bob Nelson Comedy Show, Branson Brothers, Branson Divas, Branson Hot Hits Experience, Circle B Chuckwagon, Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express, Comedy Jamboree, From Patsy To Present, Grand Jubilee, Grand Old Gospel Hour, Island Fire, Isle of Dreams, Jim Stafford, Legends in Concert, Magic Up Close and Personal, Magnificent 7 Show, New’s Country, Penny Gilley, Red, Hot and Blue and Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience.
For tickets the Big Show call 417-335-8080.
Branson became an "overnight sensation" with the national tourism industry in the 1990s and, then, it happened again after a group of local tourism leaders created a wintertime seasonal promotion known as Hot Winter Fun. It was marketed in 1994 to close the brief seasonal gap between Christmas and spring and it provides year-round activities for Branson visitors.
"The fame might have come overnight, but the success of Branson as a tourism destination certainly was not," said Ross Summers, President/CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Branson’s tourism industry was built up over many decades of hard work by local townspeople who were imaginative and practical and completely believed in this town. January and February were somewhat risky because Branson does have a winter season, but there are far more nice days in winter than ice days.
"People were coming here year-round to fish in local lakes. They were coming year-round to shop in Branson. They were coming year-round to play golf. And some folks that were coming to Branson were unaware that many of the attractions were closed for the season in the winter months.
"Every year since 1994, more businesses have opted to stay open to accommodate visitors during January and February. There are always plenty of fun things to do in Branson."
Tourists will find a calendar full of things to do such as taking in Branson shows, shopping after-Christmas sales, golfing, visiting indoor attractions and museums and fishing on the area’s three lakes.
In a national comparison, Branson is one of America’s most affordable vacation destinations and because many locations offer discounts during the winter months, Hot Winter Fun is a good time to visit and very economical.
"Escaping to Branson after the holidays is both relaxing and entertaining. The easy pace, combined with so many choices for fun, makes a visit to Branson during Hot Winter Fun the perfect escape," said Lynn Berry, public relations director for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"Hot Winter Fun has proven to be very successful. Over the past 14 years, visitor numbers have increased during these winter months. Many folks have discovered that they can find a great vacation here any time of the year," said Summers.
Evie Mohrfeld, travel writer for the Post-Dispatch of Rochester, Minn., echoed this sentiment. She wrote, "Visiting Branson" We realized how the area has become a year-round tourist attraction. It’s totally family-friendly with many new shows and attractions always popping up. It’s a safe haven, which is the reason so many choose to live in this Midwest area... Re-visits to Branson are a new experience any season and every year."
For tickets the Big Show call 417-335-8080. For more information check out the website at www.HotWinterFun.org.
(Source: Press Release, 02/01/08
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New Orleans’ Bands Take The Stage In The French Quarter At Universal Orlando’S 2008 Mardi Gras Celebration
The Tradition Continues At Universal Orlando With Performances From New Orleans’s Most Celebrated Talent
Mardi Gras 2008 pays tribute to New Orleans’ musicians with must see performances from the hottest bands in Blues, Jazz and Zydeco music. Inspired by traditional Creole music, these bands are known to deliver soulful sounds with a Cajun flare and this year’s talent promises not to disappoint. The talent will perform in the "French Quarter" as part of an authentic annual celebration of New Orleans’ music, culture and cuisine.
Mardi Gras kicks off tomorrow and runs for twelve Saturday nights through April 19. During each week of the celebration, Universal Orlando will showcase musicians that evoke the spirit of New Orleans' special musical heritage. The twelve New Orleans-style performers include J.J. Caillier and the Zydeco Knockouts, The Kevin O’Day Band and Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band.
After Hurricane Katrina, many performers were displaced and out of work during the rebuilding of New Orleans. In 2006, Universal Orlando "partnered" with the Tipitina’s Foundation, a well-known foundation created to support musicians and their unique musical styles, to introduce a new program, "Celebrate the music of New Orleans." The program provided an opportunity for the city’s celebrated performers to share their musical passion with audiences during Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration. The concept proved popular with guests and since 2006, Universal has continued to boast a line-up of authentic New Orleans music.
"This is my third year performing at Universal’s Mardi Gras and I have to say that all that stuff about it being the biggest party this side of New Orleans is absolutely true. The French Quarter in New Orleans is not what it used to be after Katrina so getting to perform here is pretty exciting," said Bryan Lee of the Blues Power Band.
Mardi Gras 2008 performers have opened for the likes of Dave Matthews, Hootie and the Blowfish and George Clinton and have also appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bands like Soul Project were forced to relocate after the Hurricane and have created an enormous "old school soul" following on the east coast. Rockin’ Jake was named "Best Blues Har-monica" at the "Best of the Beat" New Orleans music awards.
"This year’s musical performances feature incredible musicians from New Orleans, making our Mardi Gras celebration truly authentic. The music, Cajun food and of course, the parade will deliver a ‘Big Easy’ street party atmosphere in Universal Studios that no one this side of New Orleans can top," said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment, Universal Orlando Resort.
MARDI GRAS 2008 BAND LINE-UP
February
February 2 - J.J. Caillier and The Zydeco Knockouts
February 9 - Lil Malcolm and the House Rockers
February 16 - The Daddy Mack Blues Band
Febrary 23 - Big Red & the Zydeco Playmakers
March
March 1 - Chris Klein and the Boulevards
March 8 - Bryan Lee and The Blues Power Band
March 15 - Rockin Jake
March 22 - Soul Project
March 29 - The Kevin O'Day Band
April
April 5 - Jumpin Johnny Sansone
April 12 - Mem Shannon and the Membership
April 19 - Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers
The Mardi Gras ticket, valid after 5 p.m. at Universal Studios, is applicable any one Saturday night from February 2 through April 19 and can be purchased for $46.95 plus tax.
Universal CityWalk will host the official after-party of the Mardi Gras celebration, with guests receiving free admission into select clubs until 2 a.m. by presenting their Mardi Gras tickets. For an additional $15, guests can purchase a VIP upgrade ticket to the official Mardi Gras after-party which includes complimentary appetizers, drink specials and souvenir beads. (Souece: Press Release, 02/01/08)
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MONEY SAVING COUPONS
Backstage Night Club
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
407-996-9700
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International Drive’s only night club. Buy one drink get a FREE drink with this coupon. Offer good up to a party of four.
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Everglades Restaurant
Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
407-996-2385
Click here for reviews.
"The interior design and menu reflect a respect for the native flora and fauna of the Everglades."
Receive one FREE cocktail per person with the purchase of each adult entree with this coupon.
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Shogun Authentic Japenese Steak House
Rodeway Inn International
6327 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
407-996-4444
Click here for reviews.
Teppanyaki chefs prepare your meal while you watch.
Receive one FREE cocktail per person with the purchase of each adult entree with this coupon.
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Jack's Place
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
407-996-1787
"Our tantalizing gourmet menu features prime steaks and fresh seafood in a whimsical atmosphere featuring the world’s largest collection of autographed star caricatures."
Receive one FREE cocktail per person with the purchase of each adult entree with this coupon.
Buy one entree and get the second entree 50% off with this coupon.
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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 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 8:26 AM
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