Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
March 26, 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 - new Disney sweepstakes, Annual Passholder discounts, and new early booking discounts on 3- and 7-night Disney cruises
* The latest news from around the "World" - ticket surcharge to be added to Disney cruise bills
* 13th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
* Toy Story Mania! premieres this summer in Florida and California
* New fun and adventures arrive at Disneyland California for spring and summer
* Canaveral and Disney Cruise Line Reach Agreement
* Canaveral to serve as homeport for Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the Seas Ship
* This week's coupon - save up to $200 at the Festival Bay Mall
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Two new Disney sweepstakes added to our list of 30! Win a trip to Walt Disney World!
Annual Passholder discounts on rooms and the new Annual Passholder Package with Dining are still available now through May 21 with this discount code!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Early booking discounts on six (6) 3-night cruises in May, July and August starting at $499!
Early booking discounts on six (6) 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises in May and June starting at $1249!
=================================================
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!
>> Discount codes for special rates at the deluxe Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort for Memorial Day, Mother's Day, late Summer, Labor Day and Thanksgiving!
>> Save up to 40% on a 2008 vacation with this promotion if you're at Walt Disney World right now!
>> FREE Customized Park Maps for Walt Disney World!
>> 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
>> 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!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
>> Three nights from $499!
>> Onboard credits!
>> Discounts for Florida residents and the military - rates too low to publish!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> Kids fly FREE!
>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!
>> Kids under 7 stay and play FREE!
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here. Members can use the following URLs to log in:
Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
--------------------------------
"The first 2,500 age 14 and younger attending each of the Tampa Bay Rays three games April 22 to 24 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex will receive limited edition Rays mini baseball bobbleheads of Disney characters." (Source: heraldtribune.com, 03/20/08)
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Click here for the recipe for Apple Shooters from the California Grill at Disney World's Contemporary Resort.
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
"JetBlue Airways Corp. declared Orlando its newest 'focus city' Wednesday, announcing plans to add more gates at Orlando International Airport to accommodate a rapidly growing flight schedule... Delta said Tuesday it will eliminate nonstop service from Orlando to seven markets and substantially reduce service to a number of other cities." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/20/08)
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
"Even if Disney Cruise Line ultimately decides to join its fellow cruise companies and tack on a new ticket surcharge to cover skyrocketing fuel costs, it will not follow the others in charging even those guests who have already booked." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/24/08)
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"After more than a year of negotiations, Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral struck a deal Wednesday that will keep Disney ships sailing out of Brevard County for the next 15 years..." Royal Caribbean will dock its Freedom of the Seas ship in 2009 at Port Canaveral." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/20/08)
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line Reach Agreement
New and larger vessels to homeport at Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, FL- March 19, 2008 - Disney Cruise Line will extend its partnership at Port Canaveral for another 15 years, operating its two new 4,000-passenger vessels from its exclusive-use terminal in Canaveral.
After yearlong negotiations, the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners today voted unanimously to approve the agreement, which includes pier and terminal improvements needed for the arrival of the first new Disney ship in 2011. The second ship is scheduled for launch in 2012.
"Port Canaveral set the standard for the world's cruise terminals," says Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne. "The terminal, which was built exclusively for Disney, will be enlarged and enhanced for efficient handling of the additional passengers and baggage. We are pleased to continue this partnership that has been successful since the arrival of Disney 10 years ago."
In addition, a parking garage will be built to accommodate the 40-percent capacity increase with the two new ships.
"This agreement reflects Disney's commitment to Central Florida and success at Port Canaveral," said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. "We are proud to call Port Canaveral our homeport."
Disney currently homeports the Disney Magic, offering a seven-day itinerary to the Caribbean, and the Disney Wonder, offering 3- and 4-day voyages to the Bahamas.
"The continued partnership with Disney Cruise Line is a win-win for the Port Authority and the Brevard and Central Florida community," says Joe Matheny, Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. "This benefits our economy with more local jobs, more customers for area businesses, and expanded cruise options from Port Canaveral." (Source: Press release, 03/20/08)
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Canaveral to Homeport Freedom-class Ship
Royal Caribbean International's vessels largest afloat
PORT CANAVERAL, FL - March 19, 2008 - An agreement between the Canaveral Port Authority and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is expected to be finalized in the next few months to homeport Freedom of the Seas at Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean today submitted a letter of intent to deploy the 160,000 gross-registered ton vessel to Canaveral in May 2009.
"The Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise vessel homeported here," says Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne. "And the agreement represents the longest commitment of Royal Caribbean to Port Canaveral."
"Bringing a Freedom-class ship to Port Canaveral will give vacationers another homeport choice to experience the most innovative cruise ship at sea," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "Based on the popularity of Mariner of the Seas at Port Canaveral, we look forward to and anticipate similar success for Freedom of the Seas."
The 3,634 guest capacity, double-occupancy, Freedom-class ships revolutionized the cruise industry when Freedom of the Seas first was launched in 2006. With Liberty of the Seas, launched in 2007, and the soon-to-be launched Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's Freedom-class ships feature exclusive onboard amenities, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, a boxing ring for Power-Box conditioning classes, an ice-skating rink, 10-route rock-climbing wall, a full-size basketball court, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of restaurants, bars, lounge and shops that runs nearly the length of the ship.
"We are delighted that Royal Caribbean continues to offer those traveling from Port Canaveral with the best the cruise line has to offer," says Joe Matheny, Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. (Source: Press Release)
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Great ‘Foodie’ Cities of the World Shine Sept. 26-Nov. 9 at 13th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Fine cuisine and wines from some of the best "foodie" cities in the world will take a bow at the 13th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 26 through Nov. 9 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Epcot guests can explore these "Cities in Wonderland" -- from trendy Cork, Ireland, to the melting pot of Cape Town, South Africa -- around the World Showcase promenade while also discovering blissful bites at international and regional marketplaces brimming with exotic flavors and comfort foods. The six-week festival will showcase tastes from countries on six continents.
More than 25 international marketplaces will serve tapas-sized portions of regional specialties at $2-to-$5 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. New festival flavors explore the culinary wonders of Lyon, France; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; Bologna, Italy; Tokyo and Mexico City. Exhibits along the promenade also will showcase entertainment and traditional crafts of several countries.
Daily complimentary wine and beer tastings serve up sips from around the world, and culinary demonstrations dish up featured taste treats. A series of special culinary programs features a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.
"We wanted to take our guests on a grand gustatory expedition," says Nora Carey, festival manager. "The cities that we'll feature are known for great dining experiences, and the 'Cities in Wonderland' theme will inspire our guests to enjoy great food and wine in a fresh new way."
The Epcot festival continues to grow dramatically, attracting a diverse audience of more than one million guests each fall -- from wine connoisseurs and epicures to neophytes wishing to boost their wine IQs. Beer aficionados can raise their steins at several tasting locations, including Germany's Biergarten, which specialize in brews from light to dark.
Musical entertainment pairs perfectly with culinary fun during the nightly Eat to the Beat! concert series featuring a varied lineup of classic rock, soul, R&B, oldies, jazz and funk hit-makers. Concerts are performed three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon. New acts to appear include Kool & The Gang, Spyro Gyra, En Vogue and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. David Sanborn, Jon Secada and Otis Day and the Knights are among returning crowd-pleasing acts.
Other festival highlights include:
# The Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Wine Bar, complimentary wine seminars and book signings, and festival keepsakes including exclusive festival pins and an official festival cookbook.
# Some 250 Disney chefs and guest chefs conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events. Guest chefs are now being signed for the event; last year's lineup included Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Jeff Henderson, Roy Yamaguchi, Todd English, G. Garvin, Suvir Saran, Warren
Brown and many others.
# The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event featuring tempting tastes from eminent chefs, more than 70 wines and beers and live entertainment.
Festival guests also can enjoy new Epcot experiences including the re-launched Spaceship Earth attraction in Future World, with narration by Oscar winner Dame Judi Dench, new scenes, sets and costumes, updated Audio-Animatronics figures, plus a touch-screen interactive ride sequence. In the World Showcase, there's a new restaurant at the Italy pavilion, Tutto Italia, with cuisine from different regions of Italy. And the Japan pavilion just introduced its new Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo restaurants. Mexico's new tequila bar is perfect for cool sips on a warm autumn evening.
Included with Epcot Admission:
Wine and beer seminars, cooking demonstrations, special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary and cultural exhibits, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.
Special Programming by Reservation:
The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Regional Feasts, Epcot Wine Schools, Cheese Tastings, Sweet Sundays, and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate admission.
Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details are available at the Web site: disneyworld.com/food. (Press Release, 03/21/08)
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Toy Story Characters Challenge Guests To Ride And Play Toy Story Mania!
Disney Parks guests will don 3-D glasses and enter a wild and wooly 4-D world of Woody the Cowboy and Buzz Lightyear when Toy Story Mania! premieres this summer. The attraction will debut on both coasts: at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and along the Paradise Pier midway in Disney’s California Adventure at Disneyland Resort in California.
Celebrating the Disney/Pixar classics "Toy Story" and "Toy Story II," Toy Story Mania! raises the bar for interactive ride-game attractions. It’s a high energy, immersive adventure that makes guests a key part of the action as their game play triggers special effects that provide a fourth dimension of fun. "Toy Story Mania!" engages guests in a whole new way with the delightful characters of the films.
Upon entering the attraction, guests will be welcomed by Mr. Potato Head, more than five feet tall and looking like he stepped right down from the movie screen. The state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics Mr. Potato Head makes a perfect carnival barker for the immersive Toy Story Mania! experience, since he is the first attraction-based Audio-Animatronics figure who can engage guests in a two-way conversation.
Everyone gets a front row seat when guests put on their 3-D glasses, "shrink" to the size of a toy, and board the Toy Story Mania! carnival tram ride vehicles, whose fast travel and spinning add a huge amount of fun to the interactive experience. The exciting and colorful route takes guests through "Andy’s Bedroom" filled with oversized murals and toys. The vehicles spin to face Toy Story Mania! game booths - high-tech yet rooted in classic midway games of skill - and guests aim for 3-D animated targets using their own on-board "spring-action shooters." Players pair up and sit side-by-side for a friendly competition that delivers an ever-changing variety of targets and surprises.
As they play, guests can actually see the "virtual" objects they’ve launched leave their "spring-action shooters" and hit the targets (or not). And thanks to 4-D special effects technology, they may sense objects whirring past them as they pop out of the 3-D scenes.
The Toy Story Mania! games - five of them, plus an introductory practice round - are designed to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages and skills, from beginners to serious gamers. Play is energized by the spirit of the "Toy Story" characters cast in games that best suit their very animated personalities.
First comes the "Pie Throw Practice" round in which guests can try splattering targets with "virtual" pies.
Next Hamm the pig hosts a "Hamm & Eggs" booth in which players launch "plastic virtual eggs" at various barnyard targets.
"Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop" presents a landscape full of balloon sheep, trees and other objects at which guests can launch virtual darts. But players had better be careful! A popped virtual water balloon might add an additional 4-D wet dimension to the game.
From there it’s on to "Green Army Men Shoot Camp" where the challenge is to break plates with baseballs.
Next up is "Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers," a ring-toss game hosted by everyone’s favorite space ranger, with Little Green Aliens as the targets.
For the grand finale game, Toy Story Mania! players will ride through Wild West scenes launching virtual suction-cup darts at targets in "Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery." A final "Woody’s Bonus Roundup" encourages guests to fire their "spring-action shooters" as rapidly as possible at one last super-target for extra points. When scores are tallied, players’ skill levels are identified with the reward of an onscreen "virtual plush."
The game play of Toy Story Mania! is accompanied by ingenious musical variations of Randy Newman’s "You’ve Got A Friend in Me," arranged by veteran music editor Bruno Coon, a frequent Newman collaborator, to compliment the games - for example, a military brass band version for "Green Army Man Shoot Camp." No matter how many times guests return to ride and play, they can be sure every ride-through will be different. (Source: Press Release, 03/20/08)
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New Fun And Adventures Arrive At Disneyland Resort For Spring And Summer Of The Year Of A Million Dreams
Innovative new attractions and colorful, new live entertainment are coming to the Disneyland Resort this spring and summer to entertain guests during The Year of a Million Dreams.
Friends from the lively and fun worlds of Disney/Pixar movies and Playhouse Disney television shows will bring two new entertainment acts to Disney’s California Adventure park beginning March 14, when both "Pixar Play Parade" and "Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!" premiere. Opening this summer are the new "Toy Story Mania!" attraction, a fun-filled adventure at Disney’s California Adventure, and the "Innoventions Dream Home" at Disneyland.
Visitors will get to play along with Disney/Pixar characters in "Toy Story Mania!" - an amazing new attraction that features the next level of interactive technology. "Toy Story Mania!" is scheduled to open in June on the Paradise Pier midway, featuring a larger-than-life Audio-Animatronics Mr. Potato Head who will deliver a zany performance with the voice of famous comedian Don Rickles. Guests will don 3-D glasses and hop into fancifully decorated "Toy Story Mania!" vehicles. While riding along a colorful, midway-themed route, they will take aim at animated targets using their own spring-action shooters, scoring points in a series of energetic, fun gaming sequences featuring Woody, Bo Peep and the rest of the gang from Toy Story.
Also in Disney’s California Adventure, characters from Disney/Pixar motion pictures such as Toy Story, a bug’s life, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars and Ratatouille will dance onto the parade route and invite guests of all ages to join in the "Pixar Play Parade," a whirling, spinning, fun-for-all animated playground, brought to life in giant parade floats, puppetry, acrobatics and interactive surprises including bubble and water effects.
Over in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area of Disney’s California Adventure, a cast of friends from the Disney Channel’s hit "Playhouse Disney" programs will appear in an all-new "Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!" show. As Mickey Mouse and his pals from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" plan a birthday celebration for Minnie Mouse, they will encounter helpful characters from "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny’ and more.
"Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!" is an exciting combination of live performers, amazing puppetry, projections, moving scenery and special effects in which children and their parents will clap, dance and sing along.
Also opening this summer will be the "Innoventions Dream Home" in Tomorrowland in Disneyland, an attraction that will remind fans of Walt Disney’s fondness for futuristic ideas. The latest in cutting-edge and inspiring home ideas will be showcased in the Innoventions Dream Home, a 5,000-plus square foot residence featuring integrated digital technology in an immersive "high-tech, high-touch" guest experience. Design and development of the "Innoventions Dream Home" sprang from an alliance between Disneyland Resort, Microsoft, HP, Life/ware and home builder Taylor Morrison. (Source: Press Release, 03/20/08)
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MONEY SAVING COUPON
Festival Bay Mall
5250 International Dr # 650
Orlando, FL 32819
407-351-7718
Save up to $200 at specialty stores, restaurants and entertainment venues with your Festival Bay Mall $200 Advantage Card.
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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.
=============================================
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
March 26, 2008
Copyright © 1999 - 2008 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog, click the following
icon:
Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader:
http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml
: My Yahoo! users can instantly add our blogcontent to My Yahoo! Add My Yahoo!
: You can also subscribe to our blog at MSN! Add to My MSN!
=================================================
Hi Everyone!
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 - new Disney sweepstakes, Annual Passholder discounts, and new early booking discounts on 3- and 7-night Disney cruises
* The latest news from around the "World" - ticket surcharge to be added to Disney cruise bills
* 13th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
* Toy Story Mania! premieres this summer in Florida and California
* New fun and adventures arrive at Disneyland California for spring and summer
* Canaveral and Disney Cruise Line Reach Agreement
* Canaveral to serve as homeport for Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the Seas Ship
* This week's coupon - save up to $200 at the Festival Bay Mall
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Two new Disney sweepstakes added to our list of 30! Win a trip to Walt Disney World!
Annual Passholder discounts on rooms and the new Annual Passholder Package with Dining are still available now through May 21 with this discount code!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Early booking discounts on six (6) 3-night cruises in May, July and August starting at $499!
Early booking discounts on six (6) 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises in May and June starting at $1249!
=================================================
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!
>> Discount codes for special rates at the deluxe Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort for Memorial Day, Mother's Day, late Summer, Labor Day and Thanksgiving!
>> Save up to 40% on a 2008 vacation with this promotion if you're at Walt Disney World right now!
>> FREE Customized Park Maps for Walt Disney World!
>> Deals for the military, teachers, government workers, nurses, Florida residents!
>> Receive a 5th Day FREE when you purchase a Walt Disney World 4-Day Magic Your Way Base or Hopper ticket with 14 day Expiration!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> 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!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
>> Three nights from $499!
>> Onboard credits!
>> Discounts for Florida residents and the military - rates too low to publish!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> Kids fly FREE!
>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!
>> Kids under 7 stay and play FREE!
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here. Members can use the following URLs to log in:
Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
--------------------------------
"The first 2,500 age 14 and younger attending each of the Tampa Bay Rays three games April 22 to 24 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex will receive limited edition Rays mini baseball bobbleheads of Disney characters." (Source: heraldtribune.com, 03/20/08)
--------------------------------
Click here for the recipe for Apple Shooters from the California Grill at Disney World's Contemporary Resort.
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
"JetBlue Airways Corp. declared Orlando its newest 'focus city' Wednesday, announcing plans to add more gates at Orlando International Airport to accommodate a rapidly growing flight schedule... Delta said Tuesday it will eliminate nonstop service from Orlando to seven markets and substantially reduce service to a number of other cities." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/20/08)
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
"Even if Disney Cruise Line ultimately decides to join its fellow cruise companies and tack on a new ticket surcharge to cover skyrocketing fuel costs, it will not follow the others in charging even those guests who have already booked." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/24/08)
--------------------------------
"After more than a year of negotiations, Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral struck a deal Wednesday that will keep Disney ships sailing out of Brevard County for the next 15 years..." Royal Caribbean will dock its Freedom of the Seas ship in 2009 at Port Canaveral." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/20/08)
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line Reach Agreement
New and larger vessels to homeport at Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, FL- March 19, 2008 - Disney Cruise Line will extend its partnership at Port Canaveral for another 15 years, operating its two new 4,000-passenger vessels from its exclusive-use terminal in Canaveral.
After yearlong negotiations, the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners today voted unanimously to approve the agreement, which includes pier and terminal improvements needed for the arrival of the first new Disney ship in 2011. The second ship is scheduled for launch in 2012.
"Port Canaveral set the standard for the world's cruise terminals," says Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne. "The terminal, which was built exclusively for Disney, will be enlarged and enhanced for efficient handling of the additional passengers and baggage. We are pleased to continue this partnership that has been successful since the arrival of Disney 10 years ago."
In addition, a parking garage will be built to accommodate the 40-percent capacity increase with the two new ships.
"This agreement reflects Disney's commitment to Central Florida and success at Port Canaveral," said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. "We are proud to call Port Canaveral our homeport."
Disney currently homeports the Disney Magic, offering a seven-day itinerary to the Caribbean, and the Disney Wonder, offering 3- and 4-day voyages to the Bahamas.
"The continued partnership with Disney Cruise Line is a win-win for the Port Authority and the Brevard and Central Florida community," says Joe Matheny, Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. "This benefits our economy with more local jobs, more customers for area businesses, and expanded cruise options from Port Canaveral." (Source: Press release, 03/20/08)
=================================================
Canaveral to Homeport Freedom-class Ship
Royal Caribbean International's vessels largest afloat
PORT CANAVERAL, FL - March 19, 2008 - An agreement between the Canaveral Port Authority and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is expected to be finalized in the next few months to homeport Freedom of the Seas at Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean today submitted a letter of intent to deploy the 160,000 gross-registered ton vessel to Canaveral in May 2009.
"The Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise vessel homeported here," says Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne. "And the agreement represents the longest commitment of Royal Caribbean to Port Canaveral."
"Bringing a Freedom-class ship to Port Canaveral will give vacationers another homeport choice to experience the most innovative cruise ship at sea," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "Based on the popularity of Mariner of the Seas at Port Canaveral, we look forward to and anticipate similar success for Freedom of the Seas."
The 3,634 guest capacity, double-occupancy, Freedom-class ships revolutionized the cruise industry when Freedom of the Seas first was launched in 2006. With Liberty of the Seas, launched in 2007, and the soon-to-be launched Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's Freedom-class ships feature exclusive onboard amenities, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, a boxing ring for Power-Box conditioning classes, an ice-skating rink, 10-route rock-climbing wall, a full-size basketball court, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of restaurants, bars, lounge and shops that runs nearly the length of the ship.
"We are delighted that Royal Caribbean continues to offer those traveling from Port Canaveral with the best the cruise line has to offer," says Joe Matheny, Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. (Source: Press Release)
=================================================
Great ‘Foodie’ Cities of the World Shine Sept. 26-Nov. 9 at 13th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Fine cuisine and wines from some of the best "foodie" cities in the world will take a bow at the 13th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 26 through Nov. 9 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Epcot guests can explore these "Cities in Wonderland" -- from trendy Cork, Ireland, to the melting pot of Cape Town, South Africa -- around the World Showcase promenade while also discovering blissful bites at international and regional marketplaces brimming with exotic flavors and comfort foods. The six-week festival will showcase tastes from countries on six continents.
More than 25 international marketplaces will serve tapas-sized portions of regional specialties at $2-to-$5 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. New festival flavors explore the culinary wonders of Lyon, France; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; Bologna, Italy; Tokyo and Mexico City. Exhibits along the promenade also will showcase entertainment and traditional crafts of several countries.
Daily complimentary wine and beer tastings serve up sips from around the world, and culinary demonstrations dish up featured taste treats. A series of special culinary programs features a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.
"We wanted to take our guests on a grand gustatory expedition," says Nora Carey, festival manager. "The cities that we'll feature are known for great dining experiences, and the 'Cities in Wonderland' theme will inspire our guests to enjoy great food and wine in a fresh new way."
The Epcot festival continues to grow dramatically, attracting a diverse audience of more than one million guests each fall -- from wine connoisseurs and epicures to neophytes wishing to boost their wine IQs. Beer aficionados can raise their steins at several tasting locations, including Germany's Biergarten, which specialize in brews from light to dark.
Musical entertainment pairs perfectly with culinary fun during the nightly Eat to the Beat! concert series featuring a varied lineup of classic rock, soul, R&B, oldies, jazz and funk hit-makers. Concerts are performed three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon. New acts to appear include Kool & The Gang, Spyro Gyra, En Vogue and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. David Sanborn, Jon Secada and Otis Day and the Knights are among returning crowd-pleasing acts.
Other festival highlights include:
# The Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Wine Bar, complimentary wine seminars and book signings, and festival keepsakes including exclusive festival pins and an official festival cookbook.
# Some 250 Disney chefs and guest chefs conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events. Guest chefs are now being signed for the event; last year's lineup included Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Jeff Henderson, Roy Yamaguchi, Todd English, G. Garvin, Suvir Saran, Warren
Brown and many others.
# The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event featuring tempting tastes from eminent chefs, more than 70 wines and beers and live entertainment.
Festival guests also can enjoy new Epcot experiences including the re-launched Spaceship Earth attraction in Future World, with narration by Oscar winner Dame Judi Dench, new scenes, sets and costumes, updated Audio-Animatronics figures, plus a touch-screen interactive ride sequence. In the World Showcase, there's a new restaurant at the Italy pavilion, Tutto Italia, with cuisine from different regions of Italy. And the Japan pavilion just introduced its new Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo restaurants. Mexico's new tequila bar is perfect for cool sips on a warm autumn evening.
Included with Epcot Admission:
Wine and beer seminars, cooking demonstrations, special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary and cultural exhibits, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.
Special Programming by Reservation:
The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Regional Feasts, Epcot Wine Schools, Cheese Tastings, Sweet Sundays, and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate admission.
Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details are available at the Web site: disneyworld.com/food. (Press Release, 03/21/08)
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Toy Story Characters Challenge Guests To Ride And Play Toy Story Mania!
Disney Parks guests will don 3-D glasses and enter a wild and wooly 4-D world of Woody the Cowboy and Buzz Lightyear when Toy Story Mania! premieres this summer. The attraction will debut on both coasts: at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and along the Paradise Pier midway in Disney’s California Adventure at Disneyland Resort in California.
Celebrating the Disney/Pixar classics "Toy Story" and "Toy Story II," Toy Story Mania! raises the bar for interactive ride-game attractions. It’s a high energy, immersive adventure that makes guests a key part of the action as their game play triggers special effects that provide a fourth dimension of fun. "Toy Story Mania!" engages guests in a whole new way with the delightful characters of the films.
Upon entering the attraction, guests will be welcomed by Mr. Potato Head, more than five feet tall and looking like he stepped right down from the movie screen. The state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics Mr. Potato Head makes a perfect carnival barker for the immersive Toy Story Mania! experience, since he is the first attraction-based Audio-Animatronics figure who can engage guests in a two-way conversation.
Everyone gets a front row seat when guests put on their 3-D glasses, "shrink" to the size of a toy, and board the Toy Story Mania! carnival tram ride vehicles, whose fast travel and spinning add a huge amount of fun to the interactive experience. The exciting and colorful route takes guests through "Andy’s Bedroom" filled with oversized murals and toys. The vehicles spin to face Toy Story Mania! game booths - high-tech yet rooted in classic midway games of skill - and guests aim for 3-D animated targets using their own on-board "spring-action shooters." Players pair up and sit side-by-side for a friendly competition that delivers an ever-changing variety of targets and surprises.
As they play, guests can actually see the "virtual" objects they’ve launched leave their "spring-action shooters" and hit the targets (or not). And thanks to 4-D special effects technology, they may sense objects whirring past them as they pop out of the 3-D scenes.
The Toy Story Mania! games - five of them, plus an introductory practice round - are designed to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages and skills, from beginners to serious gamers. Play is energized by the spirit of the "Toy Story" characters cast in games that best suit their very animated personalities.
First comes the "Pie Throw Practice" round in which guests can try splattering targets with "virtual" pies.
Next Hamm the pig hosts a "Hamm & Eggs" booth in which players launch "plastic virtual eggs" at various barnyard targets.
"Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop" presents a landscape full of balloon sheep, trees and other objects at which guests can launch virtual darts. But players had better be careful! A popped virtual water balloon might add an additional 4-D wet dimension to the game.
From there it’s on to "Green Army Men Shoot Camp" where the challenge is to break plates with baseballs.
Next up is "Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers," a ring-toss game hosted by everyone’s favorite space ranger, with Little Green Aliens as the targets.
For the grand finale game, Toy Story Mania! players will ride through Wild West scenes launching virtual suction-cup darts at targets in "Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery." A final "Woody’s Bonus Roundup" encourages guests to fire their "spring-action shooters" as rapidly as possible at one last super-target for extra points. When scores are tallied, players’ skill levels are identified with the reward of an onscreen "virtual plush."
The game play of Toy Story Mania! is accompanied by ingenious musical variations of Randy Newman’s "You’ve Got A Friend in Me," arranged by veteran music editor Bruno Coon, a frequent Newman collaborator, to compliment the games - for example, a military brass band version for "Green Army Man Shoot Camp." No matter how many times guests return to ride and play, they can be sure every ride-through will be different. (Source: Press Release, 03/20/08)
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New Fun And Adventures Arrive At Disneyland Resort For Spring And Summer Of The Year Of A Million Dreams
Innovative new attractions and colorful, new live entertainment are coming to the Disneyland Resort this spring and summer to entertain guests during The Year of a Million Dreams.
Friends from the lively and fun worlds of Disney/Pixar movies and Playhouse Disney television shows will bring two new entertainment acts to Disney’s California Adventure park beginning March 14, when both "Pixar Play Parade" and "Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!" premiere. Opening this summer are the new "Toy Story Mania!" attraction, a fun-filled adventure at Disney’s California Adventure, and the "Innoventions Dream Home" at Disneyland.
Visitors will get to play along with Disney/Pixar characters in "Toy Story Mania!" - an amazing new attraction that features the next level of interactive technology. "Toy Story Mania!" is scheduled to open in June on the Paradise Pier midway, featuring a larger-than-life Audio-Animatronics Mr. Potato Head who will deliver a zany performance with the voice of famous comedian Don Rickles. Guests will don 3-D glasses and hop into fancifully decorated "Toy Story Mania!" vehicles. While riding along a colorful, midway-themed route, they will take aim at animated targets using their own spring-action shooters, scoring points in a series of energetic, fun gaming sequences featuring Woody, Bo Peep and the rest of the gang from Toy Story.
Also in Disney’s California Adventure, characters from Disney/Pixar motion pictures such as Toy Story, a bug’s life, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars and Ratatouille will dance onto the parade route and invite guests of all ages to join in the "Pixar Play Parade," a whirling, spinning, fun-for-all animated playground, brought to life in giant parade floats, puppetry, acrobatics and interactive surprises including bubble and water effects.
Over in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area of Disney’s California Adventure, a cast of friends from the Disney Channel’s hit "Playhouse Disney" programs will appear in an all-new "Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!" show. As Mickey Mouse and his pals from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" plan a birthday celebration for Minnie Mouse, they will encounter helpful characters from "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny’ and more.
"Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!" is an exciting combination of live performers, amazing puppetry, projections, moving scenery and special effects in which children and their parents will clap, dance and sing along.
Also opening this summer will be the "Innoventions Dream Home" in Tomorrowland in Disneyland, an attraction that will remind fans of Walt Disney’s fondness for futuristic ideas. The latest in cutting-edge and inspiring home ideas will be showcased in the Innoventions Dream Home, a 5,000-plus square foot residence featuring integrated digital technology in an immersive "high-tech, high-touch" guest experience. Design and development of the "Innoventions Dream Home" sprang from an alliance between Disneyland Resort, Microsoft, HP, Life/ware and home builder Taylor Morrison. (Source: Press Release, 03/20/08)
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