Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
October 15, 2008
Copyright © 1999 - 2009 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 - last call for Fall deals at Walt Disney World, get a call from Mickey, Amtrak Auto Train discount, new Disney/Florida sweepstakes, Disneyland annual pass discount, $10 theme park ticket, free admission for Florida public school personnel, and Universal/Blue Man Group discounts

* News from around the "World" - Disney changes menu

* Cruise Month Specials from Beth, our travel agent

* Expanded Fireworks Illuminate Walt Disney World Resort During New Year’s Celebration

* T-Rex at Downtown Disney Takes Guests on a Dining Adventure to a Prehistoric Time as Restaurant Debuts in October

* A Frightfully Good Time Awaits Disney Cruise Line Guests this Halloween

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NEW THIS WEEK

WALT DISNEY WORLD

Last call for Walt Disney World vacation packages and room discounts for those wishing to visit before the end of the year. You must book by October 18!

Save 25% on Amtrak's Auto Train!

2 new sweeps added this week to win a Disney / Florida vacation! That makes 52 active sweepstakes and contests to win a Walt Disney World / Florida / Disneyland / Southern California vacation!

How to get a call from Mickey Mouse on Christmas Day.

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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

The first 10,000 visitors arriving on October 17 will gain admission to this theme park for $10.

Florida School Personnel get FREE admission to these theme
parks now through 12/21/08.

Save $6-$8 per ticket to Universal's Blue Man Group.

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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Save $30 on a Disneyland Deluxe Annual Passport.

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Below are just some of the deals drawn from over 50 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:

WALT DISNEY WORLD

>> Several ways to win a Walt Disney World/Florida vacation!

>> Save 50% at these deluxe Walt Disney World resorts!

>> 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!

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DISNEY CRUISE LINE

>> Three nights from $299!

>> Onboard credits!

>> Discounts for Florida residents and the military - rates too low to publish!

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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

>> Local Newspaper promotions that apply to everyone in the USA!

>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!

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DISNEYLAND PARIS

>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!

>> Kids under 7 stay and play FREE!

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VEGAS

>> Specials at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Mirage, Treasure Island and Venetian. Low rates - sometimes as low as $79 per night - dining discounts, show tickets, FREE room upgrades, FREE spa admission, and FREE play money are not uncommon.

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If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here. Members can use the following URLs to log in:

Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

This Day in Disney History
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Disney's new dinosaur-themed restaurant opens Also see Press Release below.

Disney's menu change is good for the goose, not the gourmet
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

Universal's Bloody Mary: Eyes that chill

Save money on airfare by buying your tickets when the airlines lower their rates throughout the day to fill their planes. During the week check early in the morning and then every five hours. Check weekend flights early Saturday morning and at 5 PM. (Source: information.travel.aol.com, 10/13/08)

Online tool calculates gas cost for any drive
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Disneyland Resort Calendar
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NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain newspapers require a free registration to view their articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than one line, copy and paste all lines.
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Cruise Month Specials From Beth, Our Travel Agent

October is cruise month. You can view promotional videos from the top family-oriented cruise lines on Beth's web page. The page is available October 16-31, 2008.*

WIN STUFF: Check out the site above on October 16, 2008 and then email Beth a request for some cruise info by 9PM eastern time on October 16 (only) and have a shot at getting one of several great door prizes! (purchase not required)

Beth writes: "Please note that offers are for new bookings only. You cannot cancel and rebook an existing reservation in order to get the promo deal. Offers are not combinable with any other promotions or discounts except as specified."

Promo Offers For Cruise Month

Disney Cruise Line: $25-$50 onboard credits

Book with Beth in October ANY 2009 Disney cruise and receive:

* An additional onboard credit equal to the ones mentioned above, as well as a $50 onboard credit for sailing of 7 nights or longer
* A Passporter Guide to Disney Cruise Line (one per cabin)
* A Disney autograph book (one per cabin)
* A Disney Cruise Line bookmark (one per cabin)

Carnival Cruise Line

Book ANY Carnival 2009 cruise with Beth in October and receive:

* An onboard credit of $25-$150 per stateroom (based on cabin type, itinerary and length of cruise)
* A 1-year subscription to Porthole magazine or Cruise Travel magazine

Princess Cruise Line

Book ANY Princess 2009 cruise with Beth in October and receive:

* An onboard credit of $50-$200 per stateroom (based on cabin type, itinerary and length of cruise)
* If you book a balcony cabin for 7 nights or longer, also receive a complimentary balcony champagne breakfast

Royal Caribbean

Book ANY Royal Caribbean 2009 cruise with Beth in October and receive:

* An onboard credit of $25-$150 per stateroom (based on cabin type, itinerary and length of cruise)
* A 1-year subscription to Porthole magazine or Cruise Travel magazine

Norwegian Cruise Line

Book ANY 2009 Norwegian cruise with Beth in October and receive:

* An additional onboard credit of $20-$50 per stateroom (based on cabin type, itinerary and length of cruise)

* Beth's services are only available to those with paid Affordable Disney Memberships. Members should log in at our private password-protected site to access Beth's cruise page and contact info.
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Expanded Fireworks Illuminate Walt Disney World Resort During New Year’s Celebration

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A kaleidoscope of colors and elaborate light displays will decorate the skies on the final night of 2008 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Dazzling fireworks showers, live entertainment and extended park hours throughout the Vacation Kingdom on Dec. 31 make it a popular spot to ring in the new year.

# At Epcot, a special version of "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth," the laser-light spectacular featuring dancing flames and cascading fountains orchestrated to an original musical score, will be presented at 7:40 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. The park’s Dec. 31 operating hours are 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

# Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host "Fantasmic!," the lavish spectacular of water animation, lasers and fireworks, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Revelers can "rock on" with live performances by in-park band "Mulch, Sweat and Shears," plus a DJ spinning tunes at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. A special "Lights, Camera, Happy New Year" fireworks show brings in the new year at 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 9 a.m. until midnight on Dec. 31.

# Late-nighters can party at Magic Kingdom until the wee hours with parades and fireworks galore. The park is aglow with "Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" at 12 noon and 3 p.m., followed by the wondrous "SpectroMagic" parade at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. "Holiday Wishes" fireworks, the boldest and brightest pyrotechnics show at Disney, takes place at 8:30 p.m. capped with the grand finale "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks at 11:50 p.m. On Dec. 31, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

# Disney’s Animal Kingdom is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 31. Guests can enjoy one of the final presentations of the romping character cavalcade "Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade" at 3:45 p.m. (Source: Press Release, 10/07/08)
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T-Rex at Downtown Disney Takes Guests on a Dining Adventure to a Prehistoric Time as Restaurant Debuts in October

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Walt Disney World guests can go on an adventure back in time to dine among the dinosaurs as T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover® opens it doors at Downtown Disney in mid October.

T-Rex, developed by Schussler Creative, Inc. and operated by Landry’s Restaurants, Inc., features dining and retail in a 30,000-square-foot, 600-seat, family-friendly interactive prehistoric environment. The concept is built around water, fire and ice: Guests are greeted with life-size animatronic dinosaurs among cascading waterfalls, bubbling geysers, a fossil dig site and much more.

Schussler Creative Chairman Steve Schussler, the founder of Rainforest Cafe and the T-Rex restaurant, depicts the experience as "edutainment," noting that this "treat for all five senses" includes artifacts such as fossils – all carefully labeled – that are hundreds of millions of years old, carefully crafted animatronic dinosaurs, and even a meteorite found in Argentina.

A full-size skeleton replica of Argentinosaurus, one of the largest of the dinosaurs and copied from a museum specimen about 125 feet in length, looms over the entrance, joined by a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.

The prehistoric theme extends to the menu, which features items with names such as Caesarsaurus (Caesar salad), Raptor Ribs (Asian BBQ ribs), Pterodactyl Wings (Buffalo chicken wings), Triassic Tortellini (tri-colored cheese tortellini) and Gigantosaurus Burger (think really big hamburger!).

Menu choices range from starters (appetizers, salads and soups) to pastas, burgers and sandwiches to a broad selection of entrees plus desserts. Some favorites include rotisserie chicken, fried shrimp, steaks and ribs, tarragon chicken salad sandwich, Cobb salad and "Chocolate Extinction."

Guests can make reservations by calling 407/WDW-DINE. (Source: Press Release, 10/07/08)
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A Frightfully Good Time Awaits Disney Cruise Line Guests this Halloween

CELEBRATION, Fla. - Disney Cruise Line will treat guests sailing over the Halloween holiday to a spook-tacular good time as the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder transform into a ghoulish wonderland filled with hair-rising events and activities.

Guests of all ages will delight with special decorations, unique menu items in the restaurants and themed dance parties on deck The Halloween happenings take place on the Disney Magic cruise departing Oct. 25 and on the Disney Wonder cruise departing Oct. 30.

Here is a glimpse at the treats awaiting guests this Halloween:

Trick-or-Treat Trail: Young guests will be invited to participate in a trick-or-treat hunt exploring multiple decks of the ship and collecting candy from various stations.

Haunted Parties: Following the trick-or-treat hunt, families will gather at the Goofy Pool for a fun-filled Halloween costume party - Disney Cruise Line style. The world-famous Disney Characters will join in the fun, wearing special Halloween costumes just for the occasion. For adults, the nighttime entertainment district on the Disney ships becomes the ghoulish setting for a costume contest and party sure to bring chills to everyone.

Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, the Buena Vista Theatre will host special showings of Walt Disney Pictures’ The Haunted Mansion and Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs have conjured some very special treats for Halloween, including: Pumpkin Cheesecake, spider cupcakes and "Witch’s Brew." (Source: Press Release 10/08)
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Affordable Disney Books

Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price. To check out the bargains, click here.
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Got Coupons?

With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more! Save at hotels and restaurants near Walt Disney World, on car rental, airfare, admission to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa! For details, click here.
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Affordable Disney Movies and CD's

Save 40-70% on your favorite Disney Movie or CD! Cheap shipping, too! Click here.
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Affordable Accommodations

Enjoy Special Rates at select hotels, condos and vacation rentals near Disney. Plus! Receive up to a $100.00 rebate! For hotels, click here.
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Affordable Luggage

Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks, and more! Donna and I bought a beautiful 5-piece set of Samsonite luggage for our daughter for Christmas for $144! Click here.
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Own a piece of the Magic Kingdom

Disney framed stock certificates are works of art. They feature Walt Disney and the Disney characters. Unlike stock brokers that require you to purchase several shares of stock, OneShare sells one share of stock and mails you the certificate. You can frame the stock certificate yourself or OneShare will frame if for you at a nominal cost. Click here.
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See You Real Soon!

John

AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
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Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information contained in THE DISNEY NEWS. Always check to be sure. The views and opinions expressed by others in THE DISNEY NEWS do not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com.
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