Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
November 19, 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 - November membership drive, new Disney sweepstakes, scooter rental discount, Adventures by Disney discount, Disneyland California ticket discount/vacation package, Disney cruise line discounts, Disney Good Neighbor hotel & suites special, Florida Pool Homes special, packages for hotels near Disneyland Paris, dining certificate sale, and balcony bonanza cruise
* News from around the "World" - Disney Cruise Line plans 3-D theaters
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about her recent cruise aboard the Ruby Princess
* How Beth saved a family $3,000!
* Disney Cruise Line Premieres First-Ever 3-D Cinematic Experience at Sea
* Half off Disney toy promotion
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NEW THIS WEEK
Save BIG With our November Membership Drive!
* 2 years for the price of one!
* Free gift membership!
* Free lifetime upgrade for the military!
Hurry! This special offer ends November 21, 2008.
Visit our website for details.
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WALT DISNEY WORLD
8 new sweeps added this week to win a Disney / Florida vacation! That makes 51 active sweepstakes and contests to win a Walt Disney World / Florida / Disneyland / Southern California vacation!
Discounted Scooter Rental: Beth's clients can rent any Standard Scooter delivered between now and December 31, 2008 at the discounted rate of $25.00 a day! Beth writes: "I would say about half of all the clients I talk with about renting scooters and chairs end up adding one from this company to their reservation and - so far - they've all been happy. In fact, I even had one once that got a scooter with a battery that wouldn't hold a charge. Not only did the company run right over with a replacement, but they also refunded half her money for her troubles... and this was about 24 hours into a 10-day stay! Really good people to work with."
Adventures by Disney early booking discount: Save up to $500 per person!
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Beth highly recommends this Hotel and Suites. An Official Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel. One of the closest hotels in Kissimmee to Walt Disney World and all the other Orlando and Kissimmee attractions. Pet friendly. Free shuttle to the parks. Full service restaurant and food court.
# Breakfast Special: Add $13 per day (save $25!) and enjoy a breakfast buffet for two adults. Tax and beverage included. (Kids 12 and under always get free breakfast - limit 2 children per room).
# Special Military Rate: From $45 per night!
# Seniors save with their Senior Fun Club.
# Single Parent Package: Kids enjoy:
* FREE ice cream
* FREE breakfast
* FREE play at Dungeon Castle Video Arcade
# Florida Pool Homes: Private vacation homes 5 miles from Walt Disney World. 3-bedroom home (sleeps 8): $135/night; 5-bedroom home (sleeps 12): $175/night. For stays through January 31, 2009. Both homes have screened private pools and are completely equipped with bedding, towels, and cooking utensils. Book by 11/30/08 and receive FREE Pool Heat (regularly $30 per day).
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DINING CERTIFICATES
Discounts at Restaurants near Disney: This dining resource offers money saving dining certificates to restaurants in Orlando, near Walt Disney World, in Anaheim, near Disneyland California, and all across the US. Get $25 certificates for only $2! Expires 11/20/08.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Park Hopper ticket at the kid’s price!
Vacation package with accommodations, tickets, FREE Parking and more from $92 per person, per day!
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
7 new discounted cruises for 2009 from $299!
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OUTSIDE DISNEYLAND PARIS
Enjoy luxury hotels located in Le Faubourg, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs Elysees!
"I Love Chocolate" offer: 3-night stay for the price of 2. Book a three-night stay until January 31, 2009 and enjoy:
* exquisite accommodations
* delicious breakfast
* French hot chocolate with gourmet treats
* chocolate three-course dinner
* chocolate surprise in your rooms
"Air of Romance" offer: Valid for stays between November 12, 2008 and February 28, 2009. Includes:
* breakfast in your room
* bouquet of red roses
* bottle of champagne
* Late check-out
Plus! A gift certificate to spend at the hotel restaurants, bars or spa.
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BALCONY BONANZA CRUISE
Get a balcony for the price of an oceanview stateroom. Save up to $1,000 per cabin! Book through December 15, 2008 for 2009 summer sailings to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean. Plus! Get a free upgrade to oceanview stateroom. Plus! Alaska and Europe cruisetours include a $200 onboard credit per stateroom.
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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 $25
>> 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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Goofy Birthday Parties: Birthday parties can be booked at Goofy’s Candy Co. at Downtown Disney Marketplace beginning Dec. 1, 2008. Call 407-WDW-BDAY for reservations. (Source: Disney email blast, 11/18/08)
Club Libby Lu at Downtown Disney to close
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Manta on demand: more details about SeaWorld coaster under construction
Some car renters find $1-a-day bargains
Holidays at the Theme Parks
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
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DISNEYLAND HONG KONG
Heart Warming Christmas Stories to Magically Unfold during Hong Kong Disneyland's Sparkling Royal Kingdom
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
USA TODAY exclusive: Disney Cruise Line plans 3-D theaters
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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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Beth, our travel agent, writes about her recent cruise aboard the Ruby Princess:
"If you've been reading this newsletter for awhile then you know I'm a big-time cruise addict. I would be perfectly content living on a ship permanently. (Actually, I did live and work on one for five years after college.) It's also no secret that sometimes travel agents are offered great deals in order to get them to come take a look and, hopefully, follow the trip by telling all their clients how great it was. Well, when Princess Cruise Line sent me an invitation about six weeks ago to spend two nights onboard the brand new Ruby Princess for FREE I jumped at the chance.
Just as Princess knows how to take care of their passengers, they know how to take care of their travel agents. My guest and I were given a gorgeous balcony cabin, treated to an open bar for both days, and even had the cost of our gratuities and parking taken care of. You can visit Princess.com to see a video of the christening ceremony that took place that evening. It was hosted by a variety of celebrities and dignitaries including Gavin MacLeod (Capt. Stubing of Love Boat fame) and the ship's godparents, Trista and Ryan Sutter (from The Bachelorette) who had the honor of pushing the button that sent the traditional bottle of champagne crashing onto the ship's hull. In this case, it actually crashed into a wall, but it was still impressive. The entire area was doused in red lighting and filled with red roses. We'd all been asked to wear red formal attire so the overall effect was stunning.
Following the ceremony we spent the evening dining, exploring the ship, watching movies on deck (Movies Under the Stars originated with the Princess line), and attending shows. Nearly everyone was dressed to the nines so it was very reminiscent of the cruising days of old. (These days, most people don't go all out even on the designated formal night, but I think they felt obligated in this instance.) The ship departed Ft. Lauderdale's Port Everglades very late, but we spent all of day number two at sea, giving us a chance to check out the casino and shops and, of course, eat more. The evening's entertainment started with an ABBA tribute band (really good if you like ABBA) and then a late night rock concert starring the ship's musicians which was outstanding. The entertainment on this short cruise exceeded any I've seen on board before.
The food was, as always with Princess, excellent. We did both lunch and breakfast at the buffet and enjoyed both. We had our other lunch and the first dinner in the dining room... again, excellent food and really great service (especially considering we were their first passengers). Princess continues to have the best pizza at sea. Dinner two was late night at the bistro (back area of the buffet) and they did a nice job with offering variety. The specialty restaurants were closed for our short trip, but they're always worth the extra charge. We didn't try any of the poolside burgers this time or the ice cream, but I admit to being a little disappointed in the gelato from the piazza. We also tried afternoon tea in the dining room and found that, while it was fine, we missed the phenomenal scones we've had on Princess ships before. By the way, I'm in search of a great scone recipe so please write me if you have one. :)
The most notable thing was the ship herself. It was the first time we'd been on one that new... not a dent or a scratch anywhere! Every piece of flatware was like a mirror, every sheet and towel pristine, and the teak decks and furniture have yet to be faded by the sun. It's sort of like riding in a brand new car - but a LOT bigger. Princess ships built in the last ten years have all followed the same basic layout and the public areas all have the same names, so if you like one of their ships you'll not only like the others, but also quickly find your way around. The newer ones do have differences, though - most notably, the adults-only solarium which is sort of like an extension of the spa, and the piazza at the base of the atrium which features specialty coffees and combination deli/bistro/bakery fare throughout the day. (Older ships are being retrofitted with these elements.) The children and teen areas are also great on Princess ships... Plenty for kids of all ages to do both with and without their parents.
Princess is currently offering a great deal on cruise upgrades for next year, and (as you might guess) there are some wonderful prices to be found right now. Deposits are usually minimal and are fully refundable until your final payment date so it's worth taking advantage of the bargains. You can always cancel later if you change your mind. Please drop me a note if you have any cruising questions." (Affordable Disney members should log in for Beth's contact info.)
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How Beth saved a family $3000!
"I figured out a LONG time ago that just because Disney's promotional offers state that certain dates or resorts are excluded doesn't mean that they really are. My personal opinion is that they deem those resorts and/or dates to have very limited availability so they aren't willing to release much discount space - but they will release SOME space, and it will go to those that ignore the promotion's stated rules and try anyway.
For the current deal, the dates of April 5-18 are specifically not included. They make that really obvious on their website. I had about a dozen reservations falling into that period and I promptly told them all that the promotion didn't apply to them. And at first, it didn't. But today I got every single one of them changed over to the deal. Every one! In one case, a family with two rooms saved about $3000!
Of course, when I called Disney to ask if they could just change the pricing code they told me no, it was not available for those dates. So I rebooked the reservations through the agent site and then called in to have them transfer the deposits over. The people all ended up with new reservation numbers, and they had to reconfirm their flight information and their special requests and celebrations for me, but given the amount of money they were saving I'm pretty sure no one minded. :)"
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Disney Cruise Line Premieres First-Ever 3-D Cinematic Experience at Sea
CELEBRATION, Fla. - Disney Cruise Line is revolutionizing movie entertainment at sea with the debut of Disney Digital 3-D, a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience premiering exclusively onboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder.
Guests will delight as first-run Disney films leap off the silver screen and take on a whole new dimension thanks to Disney Digital 3-D technology being added to both the Walt Disney Theatre and Buena Vista Theatre. Disney Cruise Line is the first cruise line to introduce 3-D entertainment onboard its ships. Disney Digital 3-D will premiere onboard the Disney Wonder during the Nov. 20 sailing and on the Disney Magic during the Dec. 6 sailing.
Leveraging this new technology, Disney Cruise Line will take 3-D into uncharted waters in early 2009 with the debut of an exciting new cinematic experience that combines full length Disney Digital 3-D films with in-theatre effects. Tridimensional images will combine with lasers, fog, streamers, and special lighting effects to create an immersive movie-going experience like no other at sea. During these once-a-cruise special engagements, guests will feel the rush of being part of hottest show in town as in-theatre effects enhance 3-D films featuring popular Disney popstars in concert.
"With Disney Digital 3-D we can provide extraordinary cinematic experiences for our guests that no other cruise line can offer," said Tom McAlpin, president of Disney Cruise Line. "Innovation and high-quality family entertainment are Disney Cruise Line hallmarks, and the addition of Disney Digital 3-D perfectly complements our industry-leading collection of entertainment options already onboard our ships."
Disney Cruise Line will celebrate the debut of Disney Digital 3-D by hosting a special screening event for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated feature, "Bolt," onboard the Nov. 20 three-night Disney Wonder cruise. As the calendar turns from Nov. 20 to Nov. 21, guests will be invited to a special midnight screening of "Bolt" at the Walt Disney Theatre - complete with meet-and-greet opportunities with lovable walk-around characters from the film.
The film features super-dog Bolt (voice of John Travolta), whose every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue - at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet - a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, Penny (voice of Miley Cyrus). Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and the help of two unlikely traveling companions - a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voice of Susie Essman) and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino (voice of Mark Walton) - Bolt discovers he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.
"Disney Cruise Line picked the perfect time to introduce Disney Digital 3-D to its guests," said Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group. " ‘Bolt’ kicks off an extraordinary lineup of 3-D movies debuting over the course of the next year, including ‘Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,’ Disney*Pixar’s ‘Up,’ ‘G-Force,’ Disney*Pixar’s ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol.’ The 3-D immersive experience is better than ever."
Disney Digital 3-D is the latest enhancement to join the robust menu of premium guest experiences and amenities included with a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Dazzling Broadway-style musical spectaculars, over-the-top deck parties with the only fireworks display at sea, a unique rotational dining concept, first-run movie releases and fantastic kids programming are just some of the advantages of cruising with Disney.
A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line delivers a cruise experience that every member of the family feels was created for their own individual vacation wants and needs. Departing from Port Canaveral, Fla., Disney Cruise Line offers three-, four- and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Land/sea vacation packages that include a stay at Walt Disney World Resort are also available. (Source: Press Release, 11/17/08)
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Save on Disney Toys
Kohl's 50% off Disney Toys Promotion: Use promo code HOLIDAY20 at checkout. Free Standard Shipping with $75 or more purchase now through November 20, 2008. 20% off purchase of $100 or more now through November 19, 2008. 50% off sale prices now through November 19, 2008.
BTW, Bon-Ton is running a super value sale on name brand cookware. I bought a $100 Circulon paella pan for $18.98 + tax! If you have a store near you, you may want to check out this special while supplies last.
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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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Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
November 19, 2008
Copyright © 1999 - 2009 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 - November membership drive, new Disney sweepstakes, scooter rental discount, Adventures by Disney discount, Disneyland California ticket discount/vacation package, Disney cruise line discounts, Disney Good Neighbor hotel & suites special, Florida Pool Homes special, packages for hotels near Disneyland Paris, dining certificate sale, and balcony bonanza cruise
* News from around the "World" - Disney Cruise Line plans 3-D theaters
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about her recent cruise aboard the Ruby Princess
* How Beth saved a family $3,000!
* Disney Cruise Line Premieres First-Ever 3-D Cinematic Experience at Sea
* Half off Disney toy promotion
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
Save BIG With our November Membership Drive!
* 2 years for the price of one!
* Free gift membership!
* Free lifetime upgrade for the military!
Hurry! This special offer ends November 21, 2008.
Visit our website for details.
--------------------------------
WALT DISNEY WORLD
8 new sweeps added this week to win a Disney / Florida vacation! That makes 51 active sweepstakes and contests to win a Walt Disney World / Florida / Disneyland / Southern California vacation!
Discounted Scooter Rental: Beth's clients can rent any Standard Scooter delivered between now and December 31, 2008 at the discounted rate of $25.00 a day! Beth writes: "I would say about half of all the clients I talk with about renting scooters and chairs end up adding one from this company to their reservation and - so far - they've all been happy. In fact, I even had one once that got a scooter with a battery that wouldn't hold a charge. Not only did the company run right over with a replacement, but they also refunded half her money for her troubles... and this was about 24 hours into a 10-day stay! Really good people to work with."
Adventures by Disney early booking discount: Save up to $500 per person!
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Beth highly recommends this Hotel and Suites. An Official Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel. One of the closest hotels in Kissimmee to Walt Disney World and all the other Orlando and Kissimmee attractions. Pet friendly. Free shuttle to the parks. Full service restaurant and food court.
# Breakfast Special: Add $13 per day (save $25!) and enjoy a breakfast buffet for two adults. Tax and beverage included. (Kids 12 and under always get free breakfast - limit 2 children per room).
# Special Military Rate: From $45 per night!
# Seniors save with their Senior Fun Club.
# Single Parent Package: Kids enjoy:
* FREE ice cream
* FREE breakfast
* FREE play at Dungeon Castle Video Arcade
# Florida Pool Homes: Private vacation homes 5 miles from Walt Disney World. 3-bedroom home (sleeps 8): $135/night; 5-bedroom home (sleeps 12): $175/night. For stays through January 31, 2009. Both homes have screened private pools and are completely equipped with bedding, towels, and cooking utensils. Book by 11/30/08 and receive FREE Pool Heat (regularly $30 per day).
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DINING CERTIFICATES
Discounts at Restaurants near Disney: This dining resource offers money saving dining certificates to restaurants in Orlando, near Walt Disney World, in Anaheim, near Disneyland California, and all across the US. Get $25 certificates for only $2! Expires 11/20/08.
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Park Hopper ticket at the kid’s price!
Vacation package with accommodations, tickets, FREE Parking and more from $92 per person, per day!
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
7 new discounted cruises for 2009 from $299!
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OUTSIDE DISNEYLAND PARIS
Enjoy luxury hotels located in Le Faubourg, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs Elysees!
"I Love Chocolate" offer: 3-night stay for the price of 2. Book a three-night stay until January 31, 2009 and enjoy:
* exquisite accommodations
* delicious breakfast
* French hot chocolate with gourmet treats
* chocolate three-course dinner
* chocolate surprise in your rooms
"Air of Romance" offer: Valid for stays between November 12, 2008 and February 28, 2009. Includes:
* breakfast in your room
* bouquet of red roses
* bottle of champagne
* Late check-out
Plus! A gift certificate to spend at the hotel restaurants, bars or spa.
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BALCONY BONANZA CRUISE
Get a balcony for the price of an oceanview stateroom. Save up to $1,000 per cabin! Book through December 15, 2008 for 2009 summer sailings to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean. Plus! Get a free upgrade to oceanview stateroom. Plus! Alaska and Europe cruisetours include a $200 onboard credit per stateroom.
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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 $25
>> 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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Goofy Birthday Parties: Birthday parties can be booked at Goofy’s Candy Co. at Downtown Disney Marketplace beginning Dec. 1, 2008. Call 407-WDW-BDAY for reservations. (Source: Disney email blast, 11/18/08)
Club Libby Lu at Downtown Disney to close
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Manta on demand: more details about SeaWorld coaster under construction
Some car renters find $1-a-day bargains
Holidays at the Theme Parks
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
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DISNEYLAND HONG KONG
Heart Warming Christmas Stories to Magically Unfold during Hong Kong Disneyland's Sparkling Royal Kingdom
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE
USA TODAY exclusive: Disney Cruise Line plans 3-D theaters
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
Beth, our travel agent, writes about her recent cruise aboard the Ruby Princess:
"If you've been reading this newsletter for awhile then you know I'm a big-time cruise addict. I would be perfectly content living on a ship permanently. (Actually, I did live and work on one for five years after college.) It's also no secret that sometimes travel agents are offered great deals in order to get them to come take a look and, hopefully, follow the trip by telling all their clients how great it was. Well, when Princess Cruise Line sent me an invitation about six weeks ago to spend two nights onboard the brand new Ruby Princess for FREE I jumped at the chance.
Just as Princess knows how to take care of their passengers, they know how to take care of their travel agents. My guest and I were given a gorgeous balcony cabin, treated to an open bar for both days, and even had the cost of our gratuities and parking taken care of. You can visit Princess.com to see a video of the christening ceremony that took place that evening. It was hosted by a variety of celebrities and dignitaries including Gavin MacLeod (Capt. Stubing of Love Boat fame) and the ship's godparents, Trista and Ryan Sutter (from The Bachelorette) who had the honor of pushing the button that sent the traditional bottle of champagne crashing onto the ship's hull. In this case, it actually crashed into a wall, but it was still impressive. The entire area was doused in red lighting and filled with red roses. We'd all been asked to wear red formal attire so the overall effect was stunning.
Following the ceremony we spent the evening dining, exploring the ship, watching movies on deck (Movies Under the Stars originated with the Princess line), and attending shows. Nearly everyone was dressed to the nines so it was very reminiscent of the cruising days of old. (These days, most people don't go all out even on the designated formal night, but I think they felt obligated in this instance.) The ship departed Ft. Lauderdale's Port Everglades very late, but we spent all of day number two at sea, giving us a chance to check out the casino and shops and, of course, eat more. The evening's entertainment started with an ABBA tribute band (really good if you like ABBA) and then a late night rock concert starring the ship's musicians which was outstanding. The entertainment on this short cruise exceeded any I've seen on board before.
The food was, as always with Princess, excellent. We did both lunch and breakfast at the buffet and enjoyed both. We had our other lunch and the first dinner in the dining room... again, excellent food and really great service (especially considering we were their first passengers). Princess continues to have the best pizza at sea. Dinner two was late night at the bistro (back area of the buffet) and they did a nice job with offering variety. The specialty restaurants were closed for our short trip, but they're always worth the extra charge. We didn't try any of the poolside burgers this time or the ice cream, but I admit to being a little disappointed in the gelato from the piazza. We also tried afternoon tea in the dining room and found that, while it was fine, we missed the phenomenal scones we've had on Princess ships before. By the way, I'm in search of a great scone recipe so please write me if you have one. :)
The most notable thing was the ship herself. It was the first time we'd been on one that new... not a dent or a scratch anywhere! Every piece of flatware was like a mirror, every sheet and towel pristine, and the teak decks and furniture have yet to be faded by the sun. It's sort of like riding in a brand new car - but a LOT bigger. Princess ships built in the last ten years have all followed the same basic layout and the public areas all have the same names, so if you like one of their ships you'll not only like the others, but also quickly find your way around. The newer ones do have differences, though - most notably, the adults-only solarium which is sort of like an extension of the spa, and the piazza at the base of the atrium which features specialty coffees and combination deli/bistro/bakery fare throughout the day. (Older ships are being retrofitted with these elements.) The children and teen areas are also great on Princess ships... Plenty for kids of all ages to do both with and without their parents.
Princess is currently offering a great deal on cruise upgrades for next year, and (as you might guess) there are some wonderful prices to be found right now. Deposits are usually minimal and are fully refundable until your final payment date so it's worth taking advantage of the bargains. You can always cancel later if you change your mind. Please drop me a note if you have any cruising questions." (Affordable Disney members should log in for Beth's contact info.)
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How Beth saved a family $3000!
"I figured out a LONG time ago that just because Disney's promotional offers state that certain dates or resorts are excluded doesn't mean that they really are. My personal opinion is that they deem those resorts and/or dates to have very limited availability so they aren't willing to release much discount space - but they will release SOME space, and it will go to those that ignore the promotion's stated rules and try anyway.
For the current deal, the dates of April 5-18 are specifically not included. They make that really obvious on their website. I had about a dozen reservations falling into that period and I promptly told them all that the promotion didn't apply to them. And at first, it didn't. But today I got every single one of them changed over to the deal. Every one! In one case, a family with two rooms saved about $3000!
Of course, when I called Disney to ask if they could just change the pricing code they told me no, it was not available for those dates. So I rebooked the reservations through the agent site and then called in to have them transfer the deposits over. The people all ended up with new reservation numbers, and they had to reconfirm their flight information and their special requests and celebrations for me, but given the amount of money they were saving I'm pretty sure no one minded. :)"
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Disney Cruise Line Premieres First-Ever 3-D Cinematic Experience at Sea
CELEBRATION, Fla. - Disney Cruise Line is revolutionizing movie entertainment at sea with the debut of Disney Digital 3-D, a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience premiering exclusively onboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder.
Guests will delight as first-run Disney films leap off the silver screen and take on a whole new dimension thanks to Disney Digital 3-D technology being added to both the Walt Disney Theatre and Buena Vista Theatre. Disney Cruise Line is the first cruise line to introduce 3-D entertainment onboard its ships. Disney Digital 3-D will premiere onboard the Disney Wonder during the Nov. 20 sailing and on the Disney Magic during the Dec. 6 sailing.
Leveraging this new technology, Disney Cruise Line will take 3-D into uncharted waters in early 2009 with the debut of an exciting new cinematic experience that combines full length Disney Digital 3-D films with in-theatre effects. Tridimensional images will combine with lasers, fog, streamers, and special lighting effects to create an immersive movie-going experience like no other at sea. During these once-a-cruise special engagements, guests will feel the rush of being part of hottest show in town as in-theatre effects enhance 3-D films featuring popular Disney popstars in concert.
"With Disney Digital 3-D we can provide extraordinary cinematic experiences for our guests that no other cruise line can offer," said Tom McAlpin, president of Disney Cruise Line. "Innovation and high-quality family entertainment are Disney Cruise Line hallmarks, and the addition of Disney Digital 3-D perfectly complements our industry-leading collection of entertainment options already onboard our ships."
Disney Cruise Line will celebrate the debut of Disney Digital 3-D by hosting a special screening event for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated feature, "Bolt," onboard the Nov. 20 three-night Disney Wonder cruise. As the calendar turns from Nov. 20 to Nov. 21, guests will be invited to a special midnight screening of "Bolt" at the Walt Disney Theatre - complete with meet-and-greet opportunities with lovable walk-around characters from the film.
The film features super-dog Bolt (voice of John Travolta), whose every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue - at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet - a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, Penny (voice of Miley Cyrus). Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and the help of two unlikely traveling companions - a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voice of Susie Essman) and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino (voice of Mark Walton) - Bolt discovers he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.
"Disney Cruise Line picked the perfect time to introduce Disney Digital 3-D to its guests," said Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group. " ‘Bolt’ kicks off an extraordinary lineup of 3-D movies debuting over the course of the next year, including ‘Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,’ Disney*Pixar’s ‘Up,’ ‘G-Force,’ Disney*Pixar’s ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol.’ The 3-D immersive experience is better than ever."
Disney Digital 3-D is the latest enhancement to join the robust menu of premium guest experiences and amenities included with a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Dazzling Broadway-style musical spectaculars, over-the-top deck parties with the only fireworks display at sea, a unique rotational dining concept, first-run movie releases and fantastic kids programming are just some of the advantages of cruising with Disney.
A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line delivers a cruise experience that every member of the family feels was created for their own individual vacation wants and needs. Departing from Port Canaveral, Fla., Disney Cruise Line offers three-, four- and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Land/sea vacation packages that include a stay at Walt Disney World Resort are also available. (Source: Press Release, 11/17/08)
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Save on Disney Toys
Kohl's 50% off Disney Toys Promotion: Use promo code HOLIDAY20 at checkout. Free Standard Shipping with $75 or more purchase now through November 20, 2008. 20% off purchase of $100 or more now through November 19, 2008. 50% off sale prices now through November 19, 2008.
BTW, Bon-Ton is running a super value sale on name brand cookware. I bought a $100 Circulon paella pan for $18.98 + tax! If you have a store near you, you may want to check out this special while supplies last.
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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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posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 6:51 AM
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