Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
March 5, 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 blog
content 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 - 26 Disney Sweepstakes, California resident ticket special for Disneyland, and Disney cruise discounts
* The latest news from around the "World" - credit card scam at Walt Disney World
* Kim writes about how to get picked to sleep overnight at the Castle
* Voting continues for the first-ever Disney Parks Chief Magic Official
* Universal Citywalk Calendar and Venue Entertainment - March 2008
* Busch Entertainment Corporation to develop four theme parks in the United Arab Emirates
* This week's coupon - save at this Orlando restaurant voted best Middle Eastern Restaurant in 2007
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
We now list 26 sweepstakes/contests to win a Disney/Florida/California vacation!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Early booking savings on 19 Disney cruises!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
California Resident 2 for 1 Ticket Special - California residents in certain zip codes gain entry to both Disneyland parks with the purchase of a 1-day ticket - has been extended another month! Up to eight tickets per person per day may be purchased.
--------------------------------
VEGAS
Save up to 30% on luxurious accommodations now through June 20, 2008 at this Resort & Casino!
=================================================
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 Disney's Spring Vacation Package with FREE ticket upgrade! Save as much as $120 per person!
>> Discount codes for special rates at the deluxe Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in March, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, late Summer, Labor Day and Thanksgiving!
>> 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!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Universal stay 4 nights, receive two FREE theme park tickets!
>> 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 $429!
>> Four nights from $579!
>> Seven nights Land & Sea from $999!
>> This group receives a $50 onboard credit!
>> Discounts for Florida residents - rates too low to publish!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> 2 for 1 ticket special for Southern California residents!
>> 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!
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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!
--------------------------------
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
--------------------------------
Disney is making Primeval Whirl safer. "Walt Disney World is tinkering with a roller coaster at Animal Kingdom to improve overall safety after the accidental death of an employee there last fall." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/05/08)
--------------------------------
Credit card scam at Walt Disney World: "Detectives said the credit card scam could be the work of just one man who contacted people staying in Disney hotels and offered them deals that sounded too good to be true." Cast members never ask guests on property for their credit card info on the phone. Disney has worked out a deal with the credit card companies to refund the victims' $11,000. (Source: wesh.com/news, 02/28/08)
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
"SeaWorld Orlando's Aquatica is awash with thrills." Click here for a review.
--------------------------------
"Busch and UAE-based developer Nakheel will together build a SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and Aquatica water park on a man-made island in Dubai. The resort will also include hotels, spas, shops and restaurants.(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 02/28/08)
"Just days after Busch Entertainment Corp. announced that it would create a SeaWorld and three other parks in the Middle East boomtown of Dubai, Six Flags announced Tuesday that it, too, will create a theme park there." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/05/08)
--------------------------------
"US Airways Group Inc. will implement a $25 service fee for a second checked bag [effective May 5]. The new policy will apply to all flights within the United States and to and from Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe." (Source: bizjournals.com, 02/26/08)
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
Kim writes:
"John,
My husband and I just returned a few days ago from our 6th trip to Disney. This time, however, was the first time without children. Because we were there without children, we decided to take advantage of one of the tours. We did The Keys to the Kingdom tour. It was absolutely amazing.
Anyway, I thought I might give a response about 'how to get picked' by a cast member. For simple things, a cast member asking for volunteers, wearing matching shirts and being enthusiastic really helps.
As far as being picked for one of the 'dreams' (Cinderella Suite), that's really just luck, at least how it was explained to us. They use a program called a randomizer to determine winners. The dream patrol will get very specific directions to follow, for example, go to Downtown Disney and pick the person sitting on the right side of the bench in front of Once upon a Toy or go to the Nemo show in Animal Kingdom and pick the person in the 8th row, third from the left. Thought that was pretty interesting.
Anyway, thanks for the great info. We are already planning our next trip later this month (with the kids)."
Thanks, Kim. Looks like those who are chosen to stay overnight at the Castle are REALLY lucky to be at the right place at the right time!
=================================================
Want More Magic in a National Election?
Use your right to vote and help choose the first-ever Disney Parks Chief Magic Official
Today, the Top 10 semi-finalists for Disney Parks’ Chief Magic Official (CMO) joined the online campaign trail to ask America to cast votes for the first-ever CMO who will oversee magic throughout Disney Parks. The semi-finalists were chosen from more than 1,300 applicants who applied to be the Disney CMO in a national search contest sponsored by CareerBuilder.com.
During the Year of a Million Dreams, the CMO will travel to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts and help create magical experiences for guests, participate in special events and wizard behind-the-scenes with the Walt Disney Imagineers.
Unlike the U.S. presidential candidates who specialize in foreign policies and healthcare, the 10 Disney Parks’ CMO wannabes are campaigning their abilities to pillage and plunder with pirates, befriend dwarfs - up to seven at a time - and show just how royal they can be.
It is up to the semi-finalists to drive their own campaigns. Political symbols such as donkeys and elephants have been traded in for lions, pixies and everyone’s favorite mouse. Each candidate will choose from one of five iconic Disney characters to represent his or her campaign Web site: Mickey, Goofy, Cinderella, Tinker Bell or Simba.
"We were overwhelmed by the number of online entries," said Craig Dezern, Vice President, Global Public Relations, Disney Parks. "The creativity and love of Disney displayed in nearly every entry was inspiring. Now we’re eager to see how well our CMO candidates perform in winning the votes needed to be a finalist."
Voting nationwide is open now through March 22 (11:59 p.m. ET). Over the next three weeks, consumers are encouraged to visit www.DreamCMO.com and vote for who they believe is most magically fit to be the Disney Parks CMO.
Each CMO candidate completed a Magic Aptitude Test (M.A.T.) online and was encouraged to submit a virtual entry which captured his or her personality and visually and verbally supported why he or she would make the ideal CMO.
"Who wouldn’t want to put ‘made magic’ on his/her resume," said Richard Castellini, Vice President of Consumer Marketing of CareerBuilder.com. "This is a one-of-a-kind position for a one-of-a-kind company. We are pleased to be working with Disney Parks to provide the American workforce with an opportunity you, quite honestly, couldn’t get anywhere else."
The Top 10 Chief Magic Official candidates are:
* Amy Kate Connolly; Pacific Palisades, Calif.
* Karrie Dunkin; Englewood, Colo.
* David Hawley;Roseville, Calif.
* Patrick Hurd; Oklahoma City, Okla.
* Justin Vance Muchoney; Seven Fields, Pa.
* Jennifer Sechler; Westerville, Ohio
* Tangela Yvonne Walker-Craft; Lakeland, Fla.
* Meggin Weaver; Kissimmee, Fla.
* Ronald "Tripp" West; Powder Springs, Ga.
* David Wotruba; Bremerton, Wash.
Ballots Reopen for the Top Three
After America’s votes are in, the top three vote-getters will be announced mid-April, along with details surrounding their two-day in Park competitions at Walt Disney World Resort. Semi-finalists will face tests of creativity, enthusiasm, knowledge of the Parks and actual magic aptitude. The competition will be recorded and videos highlighting each of the three finalists will be posted on www.DreamCMO.com for a final round of voting. The top vote-getter during April 14-21 will be named the Disney Parks Chief Magic Official.
For additional information about the CMO search, please visit www.DreamCMO.com. (Source: Press Release, 03/03/03.)
=================================================
Universal Citywalk Calendar and Venue Entertainment - March 2008
**SPECIAL EVENTS**
Mardi Gras Parties at CityWalk
Saturday Nights ~ February 2 - April 19
Your Mardi Gras ticket gets you free admission to select clubs, including Pat O’Brien’s, your official Mardi Gras party headquarters
Pat O’Brien’s VIP upgrade: $20 (tax included)
St. Patty’s Day... With Attitude
March 17, 2PM - Close
Live rock band and dueling pianos - Traditional Irish food
Hurricane and Bud specials
General Admission Tickets: $8+tax; VIP Ticket: $20+tax
Tickets available at CityWalk Guest Services or (407) 224-2691
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
March 28 and 29
The Ellen DeGeneres show is coming back to Universal Orlando Resort. Guests can be a part of the excitement at the Riff Raff Street Party in CityWalk - see live musical performances and watch the shows on the Astrovision screen.
For more details visit universalorlando.com or call 407-363-8000
**RESTAURANTS AND CLUBS**
Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom
Legendary Thursdays ~ 8PM - Close
1/2 price select appetizers and Red Stripe Beer specials
Entertainment
Mystik NRG ~ Monday - Friday
Chain Reaction ~ Saturday & Sundays
CityJazz
CityJazz Goes Bonkerz! ~ Every Thursday - Sunday Night
Doors open at 6:30PM, show starts at 8PM, 18+ for admission
Food menu available
March 6 - 8: Mike McCarthy as seen on Showtime and Comedy Central with Derrick Tennant and MC James Yon
March 13 - 15: Grandma Lee as seen on HBO, "Last Comic Standing" and "Comic View" with Dan Niblock and MC James Yon
Entertainment
Herb Williams Band ~ Tuesday - Saturday
Hypnosis Sundays ~ Sunday evenings
Karaoke ~ Monday evenings
CityWalk Promenade
Orange Avenue plays on Fridays, Saturdays and other select dates
the groove
XL at the groove - SKYY’s Jet Set Fridays
Signature martinis, bottle service, SKYY drink specials and more
Hosted by WXXL 106.7 FM
Teen Nights at the groove
Fridays ~ March 7, 20; 7PM - 11PM
Thursday ~ March 27; 8PM - 12AM
Sunday ~ March 30; 8PM - 12AM
Come listen to live DJs spin all of today’s hits, and experience state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video
Ages 15 - 19 welcome. Bring your school ID or driver’s license for admission.
Entertainment
DJs nightly
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Locals Night - Thursdays
Enjoy drink specials, live rock entertainment and a chance to win prizes
Guests receive free admission with a Florida ID or a college ID after 10PM
Entertainment
Blue Stone Circle ~ Tuesday - Saturday
Fred Ramos Band ~ Sunday - Monday
Lone Palm, DJ Bo Wilson ~ Thursday - Sunday
Patio ~ Live music nightly
Latin Quarter
Ladies Night with Rumba 100.3FM - Thursdays
Reggaeton/freestyle dance party from 10PM - 2AM
Ladies drink free (select beverages) from 10PM - 12AM
Entertainment
Alejandro Kartal ~ Monday - Saturday
George Dimitrov ~ Sundays
NASCAR Sports Grille
Featuring the following sporting events:
- Kick off the 2008 NASCAR season
- New "RACE Night" on Thursdays. Ask about the RACE VIP Card for drink, food and game specials from 7PM to close
NBA City
All Sports, all the time
Happy Hour daily ~ 4PM - 7PM
Pat O’Brien’s Orlando
Dueling Piano Bar - Live music nightly
2 for Tuesdays ~ 4PM - 10PM, select beer specials
Red Coconut Club
Nightly Happy Hour
Sunday - Thursday, 8PM - 10PM; Friday and Saturday, 6PM - 8PM
$5 Martinis and complimentary valet parking
Ladies Night every Thursday ~ 8PM - Close
Ladies receive complimentary admission and valet parking and $3 martinis all evening
In Crowd Hospitality Sundays ~ Sundays at 10PM
Free admission for members of the hospitality industry all evening
Drink specials starting at $2 with your ID or hospitality pay stub
Entertainment
Shifty Eyed Dog ~ Thursday - Saturday
DJs nightly
Universal Cineplex 20, an AMC Theatre
Doomsday - March 14, 2008
**Dates and times subject to change. (Source: Press Release, 02/25/08)
=================================================
Worlds Of Discovery Planned For Nakheel’s The Palm Jebel Ali In Dubai
Busch Entertainment Corporation and Nakheel sign Memorandum of Understanding to develop four theme parks in the United Arab Emirates
Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2008) - Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Cos., today announced an agreement with Nakheel PJSC, one of the world’s largest property developers, to create the Worlds of Discovery - SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove - on The Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai.
BEC and Nakheel, a key company in Dubai’s transformation into one of the fastest growing cities in the world, reached agreement earlier this month on the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding that calls for the phased construction of four theme parks on the second of the company’s three Palm man-made island developments.
Nakheel will invest the necessary capital to build and operate the parks. BEC will license its brands to Nakheel and operate the parks under a management contract.
Worlds of Discovery will occupy a section of The Palm Jebel Ali known as "the Crown," which will resemble a giant killer whale when reclamation work is complete. Nakheel’s plans for The Palm Jebel Ali, currently the world’s largest man-made island, also call for the development of commercial, residential and shopping districts, as well as resort hotels and restaurants.
BEC President and Chief Operating Officer Jim Atchison announced the deal today with Nakheel’s Chief Executive Chris O’Donnell in a ceremony at SeaWorld Orlando’s Shamu Stadium. Also present were BEC Chief Marketing Officer Joe Couceiro and Marwan Al Qamzi, Managing Director of The Palm Jebel Ali.
"Dubai has become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, and a key part of the strategy has been attracting world-class entertainment brands to the emirate. We have already concluded partnerships with major brands such as Trump, Cirque du Soleil, and Atlantis, and the partnership with BEC is a further example of Dubai’s growth as a city of global prominence," O’Donnell said. "We are extremely honored that The Palm Jebel Ali will become home to the first Worlds of Discovery theme parks outside of the U.S., which is not only a major coup for Nakheel, but for the whole of Dubai."
"We are delighted to sign this unique partnership with BEC. SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove are incredible entertainment experiences that have thrilled millions of families since opening," Al Qamzi said. "Worlds of Discovery will become the attraction of The Palm Jebel Ali and I am already excited about the prospect of opening the doors to our very first visitors."
The Worlds of Discovery project will be phased and includes SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and, the company’s newest theme park brand, Aquatica. Worlds of Discovery on The Palm Jebel Ali will also include a variety of other family activities, including resort hotels, spas, shops and restaurants.
In addition to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, plans call for the construction of a Discovery Cove similar to the park adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando in Central Florida. Discovery Cove in Orlando is an all-inclusive, reservations only park that features a variety of animal interactions and resort experiences, most notably swimming with bottlenose dolphins, rays and exotic fish. The first Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark, opened this week in Orlando.
Preliminary design work and site planning is underway, with the first phase expected to open in 2012.
More than 300 million cubic yards of sand and 10 million tons of rock have been used in the construction of The Palm Jebel Ali, with the island adding more than 52 miles of coastline to Dubai. Reclamation of the island is nearly complete and Nakheel has already begun putting an infrastructure in place that will eventually support a population of more than 280,000 people.
BEC President, Jim Atchison, said the partnership provides tremendous growth opportunity for both companies: "Dubai has emerged as one of the world’s great travel destinations. Thanks to the vision of companies like Nakheel, the future for this city and this region is bright. We’re thrilled to be joining the tourism community in the emirate and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Nakheel."
The Worlds of Discovery in Dubai will be designed and managed by BEC. The parks will be staffed by a combination of BEC expatriates and executives trained in BEC parks in the United States and workers recruited regionally.
SeaWorld Dubai will include many of the attractions visitors have come to enjoy in BEC’s U.S. operations, including killer whale, dolphin and sea lion attractions and marine themed rides. BEC will provide all animals for the parks developed in Dubai.
About Nakheel
Nakheel is one of the world’s largest privately held real estate developers, and a key player in realizing the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: creating a world-class destination for living, business and tourism.
Nakheel is developing an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai across a range of sectors -- residential, commercial, retail and leisure.
Nakheel’s developments spread across more than 2 billion square feet of land, and its projects are projected to be worth $60 billion. Upon completion, Nakheel’s waterfront projects will have added more than 600 miles of shoreline to Dubai’s coastline.
Nakheel’s portfolio currently includes The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Deira, The World, The Universe, Waterfront, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, Al Furjan, International City, Dragon Mart Complex, Dubai Promenade, Port Rashid and Dubai Design Centre.
Nakheel is a key entity within Dubai World. Dubai World is one of the world’s largest holding companies and supervises a portfolio of businesses and projects for the Dubai government across five continents and more than 100 countries.
Further information can be found at www.nakheel.com and www.nakheelmediacentre.com
About BEC
Orlando-based Busch Entertainment Corporation is the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. BEC operates 10 Worlds of Discovery parks across the U.S.: SeaWorld Florida in Orlando, SeaWorld California in San Diego, SeaWorld Texas in San Antonio; Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, Fla., Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark in Orlando; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg.
Worlds of Discovery parks employ more than 21,000 people nationwide. Further information can be found at www.WorldsofDiscovery.com (Source: Press Release, 02/28/08)
=================================================
MONEY SAVING COUPON
Cedar's Restaurant of Orlando
7732 W. Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
407-351-6000
Voted best Middle Eastern Restaurant in 2007 by readers of Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Magazine
Get 10% off your entire check with this coupon.
=================================================
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.
--------------------------------
Got Coupons?
With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more! Save at hotels and restaurants near Walt Disney World, on car rental, airfare, admission to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa! For details, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Disney Movies and CD's
Save 40-70% on your favorite Disney Movie or CD! Cheap shipping, too! Click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Accommodations
Enjoy Special Rates at select hotels, condos and vacation rentals near Disney. Plus! Receive up to a $100.00 rebate! For hotels, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable 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.
--------------------------------
Own a piece of the Magic Kingdom
Disney framed stock certificates are works of art. They feature Walt Disney and the Disney characters. Unlike stock brokers that require you to purchase several shares of stock, OneShare sells one share of stock and mails you the certificate. You can frame the stock certificate yourself or OneShare will frame if for you at a nominal cost. Click here.
=============================================
See You Real Soon!
John
AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
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 5, 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 - 26 Disney Sweepstakes, California resident ticket special for Disneyland, and Disney cruise discounts
* The latest news from around the "World" - credit card scam at Walt Disney World
* Kim writes about how to get picked to sleep overnight at the Castle
* Voting continues for the first-ever Disney Parks Chief Magic Official
* Universal Citywalk Calendar and Venue Entertainment - March 2008
* Busch Entertainment Corporation to develop four theme parks in the United Arab Emirates
* This week's coupon - save at this Orlando restaurant voted best Middle Eastern Restaurant in 2007
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
We now list 26 sweepstakes/contests to win a Disney/Florida/California vacation!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Early booking savings on 19 Disney cruises!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
California Resident 2 for 1 Ticket Special - California residents in certain zip codes gain entry to both Disneyland parks with the purchase of a 1-day ticket - has been extended another month! Up to eight tickets per person per day may be purchased.
--------------------------------
VEGAS
Save up to 30% on luxurious accommodations now through June 20, 2008 at this Resort & Casino!
=================================================
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 Disney's Spring Vacation Package with FREE ticket upgrade! Save as much as $120 per person!
>> Discount codes for special rates at the deluxe Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in March, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, late Summer, Labor Day and Thanksgiving!
>> 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!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Universal stay 4 nights, receive two FREE theme park tickets!
>> 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 $429!
>> Four nights from $579!
>> Seven nights Land & Sea from $999!
>> This group receives a $50 onboard credit!
>> Discounts for Florida residents - rates too low to publish!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> 2 for 1 ticket special for Southern California residents!
>> 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!
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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!
--------------------------------
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
--------------------------------
Disney is making Primeval Whirl safer. "Walt Disney World is tinkering with a roller coaster at Animal Kingdom to improve overall safety after the accidental death of an employee there last fall." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/05/08)
--------------------------------
Credit card scam at Walt Disney World: "Detectives said the credit card scam could be the work of just one man who contacted people staying in Disney hotels and offered them deals that sounded too good to be true." Cast members never ask guests on property for their credit card info on the phone. Disney has worked out a deal with the credit card companies to refund the victims' $11,000. (Source: wesh.com/news, 02/28/08)
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
"SeaWorld Orlando's Aquatica is awash with thrills." Click here for a review.
--------------------------------
"Busch and UAE-based developer Nakheel will together build a SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and Aquatica water park on a man-made island in Dubai. The resort will also include hotels, spas, shops and restaurants.(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 02/28/08)
"Just days after Busch Entertainment Corp. announced that it would create a SeaWorld and three other parks in the Middle East boomtown of Dubai, Six Flags announced Tuesday that it, too, will create a theme park there." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/05/08)
--------------------------------
"US Airways Group Inc. will implement a $25 service fee for a second checked bag [effective May 5]. The new policy will apply to all flights within the United States and to and from Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe." (Source: bizjournals.com, 02/26/08)
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
Kim writes:
"John,
My husband and I just returned a few days ago from our 6th trip to Disney. This time, however, was the first time without children. Because we were there without children, we decided to take advantage of one of the tours. We did The Keys to the Kingdom tour. It was absolutely amazing.
Anyway, I thought I might give a response about 'how to get picked' by a cast member. For simple things, a cast member asking for volunteers, wearing matching shirts and being enthusiastic really helps.
As far as being picked for one of the 'dreams' (Cinderella Suite), that's really just luck, at least how it was explained to us. They use a program called a randomizer to determine winners. The dream patrol will get very specific directions to follow, for example, go to Downtown Disney and pick the person sitting on the right side of the bench in front of Once upon a Toy or go to the Nemo show in Animal Kingdom and pick the person in the 8th row, third from the left. Thought that was pretty interesting.
Anyway, thanks for the great info. We are already planning our next trip later this month (with the kids)."
Thanks, Kim. Looks like those who are chosen to stay overnight at the Castle are REALLY lucky to be at the right place at the right time!
=================================================
Want More Magic in a National Election?
Use your right to vote and help choose the first-ever Disney Parks Chief Magic Official
Today, the Top 10 semi-finalists for Disney Parks’ Chief Magic Official (CMO) joined the online campaign trail to ask America to cast votes for the first-ever CMO who will oversee magic throughout Disney Parks. The semi-finalists were chosen from more than 1,300 applicants who applied to be the Disney CMO in a national search contest sponsored by CareerBuilder.com.
During the Year of a Million Dreams, the CMO will travel to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts and help create magical experiences for guests, participate in special events and wizard behind-the-scenes with the Walt Disney Imagineers.
Unlike the U.S. presidential candidates who specialize in foreign policies and healthcare, the 10 Disney Parks’ CMO wannabes are campaigning their abilities to pillage and plunder with pirates, befriend dwarfs - up to seven at a time - and show just how royal they can be.
It is up to the semi-finalists to drive their own campaigns. Political symbols such as donkeys and elephants have been traded in for lions, pixies and everyone’s favorite mouse. Each candidate will choose from one of five iconic Disney characters to represent his or her campaign Web site: Mickey, Goofy, Cinderella, Tinker Bell or Simba.
"We were overwhelmed by the number of online entries," said Craig Dezern, Vice President, Global Public Relations, Disney Parks. "The creativity and love of Disney displayed in nearly every entry was inspiring. Now we’re eager to see how well our CMO candidates perform in winning the votes needed to be a finalist."
Voting nationwide is open now through March 22 (11:59 p.m. ET). Over the next three weeks, consumers are encouraged to visit www.DreamCMO.com and vote for who they believe is most magically fit to be the Disney Parks CMO.
Each CMO candidate completed a Magic Aptitude Test (M.A.T.) online and was encouraged to submit a virtual entry which captured his or her personality and visually and verbally supported why he or she would make the ideal CMO.
"Who wouldn’t want to put ‘made magic’ on his/her resume," said Richard Castellini, Vice President of Consumer Marketing of CareerBuilder.com. "This is a one-of-a-kind position for a one-of-a-kind company. We are pleased to be working with Disney Parks to provide the American workforce with an opportunity you, quite honestly, couldn’t get anywhere else."
The Top 10 Chief Magic Official candidates are:
* Amy Kate Connolly; Pacific Palisades, Calif.
* Karrie Dunkin; Englewood, Colo.
* David Hawley;Roseville, Calif.
* Patrick Hurd; Oklahoma City, Okla.
* Justin Vance Muchoney; Seven Fields, Pa.
* Jennifer Sechler; Westerville, Ohio
* Tangela Yvonne Walker-Craft; Lakeland, Fla.
* Meggin Weaver; Kissimmee, Fla.
* Ronald "Tripp" West; Powder Springs, Ga.
* David Wotruba; Bremerton, Wash.
Ballots Reopen for the Top Three
After America’s votes are in, the top three vote-getters will be announced mid-April, along with details surrounding their two-day in Park competitions at Walt Disney World Resort. Semi-finalists will face tests of creativity, enthusiasm, knowledge of the Parks and actual magic aptitude. The competition will be recorded and videos highlighting each of the three finalists will be posted on www.DreamCMO.com for a final round of voting. The top vote-getter during April 14-21 will be named the Disney Parks Chief Magic Official.
For additional information about the CMO search, please visit www.DreamCMO.com. (Source: Press Release, 03/03/03.)
=================================================
Universal Citywalk Calendar and Venue Entertainment - March 2008
**SPECIAL EVENTS**
Mardi Gras Parties at CityWalk
Saturday Nights ~ February 2 - April 19
Your Mardi Gras ticket gets you free admission to select clubs, including Pat O’Brien’s, your official Mardi Gras party headquarters
Pat O’Brien’s VIP upgrade: $20 (tax included)
St. Patty’s Day... With Attitude
March 17, 2PM - Close
Live rock band and dueling pianos - Traditional Irish food
Hurricane and Bud specials
General Admission Tickets: $8+tax; VIP Ticket: $20+tax
Tickets available at CityWalk Guest Services or (407) 224-2691
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
March 28 and 29
The Ellen DeGeneres show is coming back to Universal Orlando Resort. Guests can be a part of the excitement at the Riff Raff Street Party in CityWalk - see live musical performances and watch the shows on the Astrovision screen.
For more details visit universalorlando.com or call 407-363-8000
**RESTAURANTS AND CLUBS**
Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom
Legendary Thursdays ~ 8PM - Close
1/2 price select appetizers and Red Stripe Beer specials
Entertainment
Mystik NRG ~ Monday - Friday
Chain Reaction ~ Saturday & Sundays
CityJazz
CityJazz Goes Bonkerz! ~ Every Thursday - Sunday Night
Doors open at 6:30PM, show starts at 8PM, 18+ for admission
Food menu available
March 6 - 8: Mike McCarthy as seen on Showtime and Comedy Central with Derrick Tennant and MC James Yon
March 13 - 15: Grandma Lee as seen on HBO, "Last Comic Standing" and "Comic View" with Dan Niblock and MC James Yon
Entertainment
Herb Williams Band ~ Tuesday - Saturday
Hypnosis Sundays ~ Sunday evenings
Karaoke ~ Monday evenings
CityWalk Promenade
Orange Avenue plays on Fridays, Saturdays and other select dates
the groove
XL at the groove - SKYY’s Jet Set Fridays
Signature martinis, bottle service, SKYY drink specials and more
Hosted by WXXL 106.7 FM
Teen Nights at the groove
Fridays ~ March 7, 20; 7PM - 11PM
Thursday ~ March 27; 8PM - 12AM
Sunday ~ March 30; 8PM - 12AM
Come listen to live DJs spin all of today’s hits, and experience state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video
Ages 15 - 19 welcome. Bring your school ID or driver’s license for admission.
Entertainment
DJs nightly
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Locals Night - Thursdays
Enjoy drink specials, live rock entertainment and a chance to win prizes
Guests receive free admission with a Florida ID or a college ID after 10PM
Entertainment
Blue Stone Circle ~ Tuesday - Saturday
Fred Ramos Band ~ Sunday - Monday
Lone Palm, DJ Bo Wilson ~ Thursday - Sunday
Patio ~ Live music nightly
Latin Quarter
Ladies Night with Rumba 100.3FM - Thursdays
Reggaeton/freestyle dance party from 10PM - 2AM
Ladies drink free (select beverages) from 10PM - 12AM
Entertainment
Alejandro Kartal ~ Monday - Saturday
George Dimitrov ~ Sundays
NASCAR Sports Grille
Featuring the following sporting events:
- Kick off the 2008 NASCAR season
- New "RACE Night" on Thursdays. Ask about the RACE VIP Card for drink, food and game specials from 7PM to close
NBA City
All Sports, all the time
Happy Hour daily ~ 4PM - 7PM
Pat O’Brien’s Orlando
Dueling Piano Bar - Live music nightly
2 for Tuesdays ~ 4PM - 10PM, select beer specials
Red Coconut Club
Nightly Happy Hour
Sunday - Thursday, 8PM - 10PM; Friday and Saturday, 6PM - 8PM
$5 Martinis and complimentary valet parking
Ladies Night every Thursday ~ 8PM - Close
Ladies receive complimentary admission and valet parking and $3 martinis all evening
In Crowd Hospitality Sundays ~ Sundays at 10PM
Free admission for members of the hospitality industry all evening
Drink specials starting at $2 with your ID or hospitality pay stub
Entertainment
Shifty Eyed Dog ~ Thursday - Saturday
DJs nightly
Universal Cineplex 20, an AMC Theatre
Doomsday - March 14, 2008
**Dates and times subject to change. (Source: Press Release, 02/25/08)
=================================================
Worlds Of Discovery Planned For Nakheel’s The Palm Jebel Ali In Dubai
Busch Entertainment Corporation and Nakheel sign Memorandum of Understanding to develop four theme parks in the United Arab Emirates
Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2008) - Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Cos., today announced an agreement with Nakheel PJSC, one of the world’s largest property developers, to create the Worlds of Discovery - SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove - on The Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai.
BEC and Nakheel, a key company in Dubai’s transformation into one of the fastest growing cities in the world, reached agreement earlier this month on the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding that calls for the phased construction of four theme parks on the second of the company’s three Palm man-made island developments.
Nakheel will invest the necessary capital to build and operate the parks. BEC will license its brands to Nakheel and operate the parks under a management contract.
Worlds of Discovery will occupy a section of The Palm Jebel Ali known as "the Crown," which will resemble a giant killer whale when reclamation work is complete. Nakheel’s plans for The Palm Jebel Ali, currently the world’s largest man-made island, also call for the development of commercial, residential and shopping districts, as well as resort hotels and restaurants.
BEC President and Chief Operating Officer Jim Atchison announced the deal today with Nakheel’s Chief Executive Chris O’Donnell in a ceremony at SeaWorld Orlando’s Shamu Stadium. Also present were BEC Chief Marketing Officer Joe Couceiro and Marwan Al Qamzi, Managing Director of The Palm Jebel Ali.
"Dubai has become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, and a key part of the strategy has been attracting world-class entertainment brands to the emirate. We have already concluded partnerships with major brands such as Trump, Cirque du Soleil, and Atlantis, and the partnership with BEC is a further example of Dubai’s growth as a city of global prominence," O’Donnell said. "We are extremely honored that The Palm Jebel Ali will become home to the first Worlds of Discovery theme parks outside of the U.S., which is not only a major coup for Nakheel, but for the whole of Dubai."
"We are delighted to sign this unique partnership with BEC. SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove are incredible entertainment experiences that have thrilled millions of families since opening," Al Qamzi said. "Worlds of Discovery will become the attraction of The Palm Jebel Ali and I am already excited about the prospect of opening the doors to our very first visitors."
The Worlds of Discovery project will be phased and includes SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and, the company’s newest theme park brand, Aquatica. Worlds of Discovery on The Palm Jebel Ali will also include a variety of other family activities, including resort hotels, spas, shops and restaurants.
In addition to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, plans call for the construction of a Discovery Cove similar to the park adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando in Central Florida. Discovery Cove in Orlando is an all-inclusive, reservations only park that features a variety of animal interactions and resort experiences, most notably swimming with bottlenose dolphins, rays and exotic fish. The first Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark, opened this week in Orlando.
Preliminary design work and site planning is underway, with the first phase expected to open in 2012.
More than 300 million cubic yards of sand and 10 million tons of rock have been used in the construction of The Palm Jebel Ali, with the island adding more than 52 miles of coastline to Dubai. Reclamation of the island is nearly complete and Nakheel has already begun putting an infrastructure in place that will eventually support a population of more than 280,000 people.
BEC President, Jim Atchison, said the partnership provides tremendous growth opportunity for both companies: "Dubai has emerged as one of the world’s great travel destinations. Thanks to the vision of companies like Nakheel, the future for this city and this region is bright. We’re thrilled to be joining the tourism community in the emirate and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Nakheel."
The Worlds of Discovery in Dubai will be designed and managed by BEC. The parks will be staffed by a combination of BEC expatriates and executives trained in BEC parks in the United States and workers recruited regionally.
SeaWorld Dubai will include many of the attractions visitors have come to enjoy in BEC’s U.S. operations, including killer whale, dolphin and sea lion attractions and marine themed rides. BEC will provide all animals for the parks developed in Dubai.
About Nakheel
Nakheel is one of the world’s largest privately held real estate developers, and a key player in realizing the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: creating a world-class destination for living, business and tourism.
Nakheel is developing an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai across a range of sectors -- residential, commercial, retail and leisure.
Nakheel’s developments spread across more than 2 billion square feet of land, and its projects are projected to be worth $60 billion. Upon completion, Nakheel’s waterfront projects will have added more than 600 miles of shoreline to Dubai’s coastline.
Nakheel’s portfolio currently includes The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Deira, The World, The Universe, Waterfront, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, Al Furjan, International City, Dragon Mart Complex, Dubai Promenade, Port Rashid and Dubai Design Centre.
Nakheel is a key entity within Dubai World. Dubai World is one of the world’s largest holding companies and supervises a portfolio of businesses and projects for the Dubai government across five continents and more than 100 countries.
Further information can be found at www.nakheel.com and www.nakheelmediacentre.com
About BEC
Orlando-based Busch Entertainment Corporation is the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. BEC operates 10 Worlds of Discovery parks across the U.S.: SeaWorld Florida in Orlando, SeaWorld California in San Diego, SeaWorld Texas in San Antonio; Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, Fla., Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark in Orlando; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg.
Worlds of Discovery parks employ more than 21,000 people nationwide. Further information can be found at www.WorldsofDiscovery.com (Source: Press Release, 02/28/08)
=================================================
MONEY SAVING COUPON
Cedar's Restaurant of Orlando
7732 W. Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
407-351-6000
Voted best Middle Eastern Restaurant in 2007 by readers of Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Magazine
Get 10% off your entire check with this coupon.
=================================================
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.
--------------------------------
Got Coupons?
With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more! Save at hotels and restaurants near Walt Disney World, on car rental, airfare, admission to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa! For details, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Disney Movies and CD's
Save 40-70% on your favorite Disney Movie or CD! Cheap shipping, too! Click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Accommodations
Enjoy Special Rates at select hotels, condos and vacation rentals near Disney. Plus! Receive up to a $100.00 rebate! For hotels, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable 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.
--------------------------------
Own a piece of the Magic Kingdom
Disney framed stock certificates are works of art. They feature Walt Disney and the Disney characters. Unlike stock brokers that require you to purchase several shares of stock, OneShare sells one share of stock and mails you the certificate. You can frame the stock certificate yourself or OneShare will frame if for you at a nominal cost. Click here.
=============================================
See You Real Soon!
John
AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
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.
=============================================
posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 8:25 AM
<< Home