Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
December 3, 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 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 - new Disney sweepstakes, Disney cruise discounts, two Disneyland California vacation packages, Disneyland Paris vacation package, Universal Orlando vacation package, Universal Orlando hotel deal, Universal Hollywood vacation package, Nickelodeon Family Cruise, and jazz cruise
* News from around the "World" - Indy and Nova Era come to Walt Disney World
* Some observations from our Thanksgiving vacation at Walt Disney World
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about a disturbing new policy regarding Walt Disney World reservations
* Money Saving Tip: FREE Disney Show Tickets
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
6 new sweeps added this week to win a Disney / Florida vacation! That makes 50 active sweepstakes and contests to win a Walt Disney World / Florida / Disneyland / Southern California vacation!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
# Kids Fly FREE with this vacation package! Plus! Get your adult tickets at the child's price! Rates from $75 per person, per day!
# Get a free $150 Disney Gift Card with this Disneyland Resort Hotel package!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
25 new Disney cruise discounts starting at $299!
-------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
Kids under 12 stay and play FREE! Kids under 12 receive free hotel accommodation and free admission to both parks!
-------------------------------
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Vacation package includes:
* 3 - Night hotel accommodations
* Unlimited Admission to BOTH Universal parks for a week
* From $211 per adult for partner hotel
* On-site at Universal Orlando hotel from $471 per adult
* No waiting in line for Universal onsite hotel guests
UNIVERSAL HOTEL SPECIAL
Save up to 30% at the Hotels at Universal. Rates from $150 per night. Includes the holidays!
--------------------------------
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
Vacation package includes:
* 2-Night hotel accommodations to a partner hotel
* Unlimited Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood
* FREE shuttle from hotel to Universal Studios Hollywood
* 1 souvenir photograph
* $230 per adult
--------------------------------
NICKELODEON FAMILY CRUISE
There will be two Nick-themed cruises in 2009, one from the east coast and one from the west coast. Sail with your favorite Nick characters!
=================================================
2009 SMOOTH MUSIC CRUISE
Incredible New Pricing + Buy One, Get One Specials. Save up up to $1,000 per cabin! Plus! Get one additional cabin FREE! Departing Miami January 31, 2009. Features some of the biggest names in the contemporary jazz and R&B genres.
=================================================
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 30% on a 2009 vacation with this promotion if you're at Walt Disney World right now!
>> FREE Customized Park Maps for Walt Disney World!
>> Deals for the military, teachers, government workers, nurses, Florida residents!
>> Receive a 5th Day FREE when you purchase a Walt Disney World 4-Day Magic Your Way Base or Hopper ticket with 14 day Expiration!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Book your Tee Times at this site where rates start at $69
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for less than $25
>> 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 $299!
>> Onboard credits!
>> Discounts for Florida residents and the military - rates too low to publish!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> Local Newspaper promotions that apply to everyone in the USA!
>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!
>> Kids under 7 stay and play FREE!
--------------------------------
VEGAS
>> Specials at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Mirage, Treasure Island and Venetian. Low rates - sometimes as low as $79 per night - dining discounts, show tickets, FREE room upgrades, FREE spa admission, and FREE play money are not uncommon.
--------------------------------
If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here. Members can use the following URLs to log in:
Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
Disney’s Wide World of Sports Unveils 12th Edition of Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Champion Stadium
Rosemary Roasted Poussin with Porcini Cream Sauce and
Root Vegetable Mash recipe from The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Nova Era, the classical Italian ensemble that used to play at Epcot's Italian Pavilion, is playing at Downtown Disney select dates November 21 - December 24, 2008! Click here for their calendar. We love Nova Era!
Our automotive editor takes on Disney's latest wild ride
Expensive rush: Indy comes to Disney Speedway
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Deal reached for Cypress Gardens passholders unhappy park is closing
Megabus gives away 100,000 free tickets Get your FREE ticket to 29 cities!
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
"The interior of Sleeping Beauty Castle at the Disneyland® Resort is now open... This beautiful walkthrough offers a 'reawakened' version of its classic presentation kissed with vibrant scenes of Aurora, her charming prince, the evil Maleficent and other characters from the beloved film." (Source: Disney email blast, 12/02/08)
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
OUTSIDE DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Legoland's own small world
The recently upgraded park offers a gentle intro for younger children. But bring your plastic -- costs stack up fast
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Disney Cruise Line eliminates fuel surcharges
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
A Disturbing New Disney Policy
Beth, our travel agent, writes: Disney reservationists have long harped on the concept that if you don't 'hold' what you quote then it might not be there when you call back. Therefore, it's always been a good idea to jump on a new promotion and hold dates which you know will encompass your actual travel dates. Once the resort is confirmed for, say, a 10-day period you can then check airfares, the kids' school schedule, your own work schedule, etc. After you've got all those details worked out, it's never been a problem to put a call into Disney at that point and drop the dates you don't need... shortening your reservation to maybe five or seven nights.
This procedure rewards those that plan ahead as well as those that jump on promotional offers quickly, and it gives them a chance to secure the space they want while making all the related plans. It also ensures that nights you find unnecessary will be quickly released back into inventory since no one likes to sit on a reservation with a bigger price tag than necessary. It would seem a good system for all concerned.
This week, however, Disney held meetings with the reservations staff and instructed them that, effective immediately, they are not to shorten reservations without first checking to see if the resort, room type and promotion is available for NEW bookings. If not, then you are not permitted to shorten your stay. In other words, if you have a free dining offer confirmed for 10 nights and want to shorten it to nine nights to get better airfare you can only do it if your resort and room type and free dining offer are available at the moment you're trying to make the change. It doesn't matter that it may have been available for those nine nights when you first made the reservation. If it's not there now, you're out of luck. You will need to change your resort or room type (or both) to get the deal - if it's still available at all for your new dates - or come for the full 10 nights you originally booked.
I contend that this is a VERY bad policy change for a number of reasons. I believe that it will, first and foremost, encourage people to make two and three and four bookings (or more) to cover all possibilities so that they're pretty certain they've got their bases covered before starting their airfare research and such. (Remember that deposits aren't due for seven days and reservations can be cancelled without penalty for at least awhile in most cases, if not for months.) I also believe that, because Disney currently requires a phone call to cancel a reservation, and that phone call could take a half hour or more if the hold time is long, people will simply not cancel the reservations they don't want. Nothing bad will happen; they will expire in a week for nonpayment of deposit. In the meantime, though, the space will not be available for anyone else to book. One family could conceivably have five rooms or more at the same resort tied up for a full week when they've already deposited on the one they want to keep! If Disney thinks they have a problem now with people holding space they don't plan to use, wait until they see what happens when this change gets out!
Why are they doing this? Well, I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that their computer system favors longer stays as space becomes harder to get. For instance, if you want to stay at the Polynesian for three nights you might be told it's not available, but if you ask about a seven night stay (which encompasses those original three nights) then it's suddenly available. That technique has long been one of the strongest tricks in my arsenal. I just book the seven nights and then call in to shorten the reservation. It's never been a problem to do that. Apparently, though, this type of thing tends to fill the resorts over the weekends and leave them less than full during the weekdays. I'm sure the thinking is that, by stopping this technique of getting shorter stays, the space will be preserved for those who want to stay longer and haven't gotten around to booking yet.
Unfortunately, the policy change also penalizes people who want to shorten their stay for other (very legitimate) reasons. And this, in turn, will increase the number of people canceling their reservations completely (and doing so with a very bitter taste in their mouths). For instance, I currently have a family that booked the winter 'buy 4 nights, get up to 3 free' deal. They didn't plan the trip; it's just an 'extra' vacation because the deal is so good. But it turns out their teenage son needs to take SATs on the morning they'd planned to come down. I was told yesterday that I cannot shorten their stay unless I upgrade them from their value resort to the Beach Club, all that's left to book with this promotion for the six nights. Shortening the stay by a night will cost them nearly $1500. If I can't find someone to override this policy change for them they will simply not come.
I write this in order to keep you informed as well as to blow off some steam. (Sorry for that!) Also, to suggest that you might want to drop the Disney folks a note to let them know what a bad idea this change is. This is a time when Disney should be softening policies in order to get more business!"
Use this feedback form.
=================================================
Back From Walt Disney World
Donna, I and our son, Paul, just returned from 5 nights at Walt Disney World. Some observations...
Weather was very nice compared to the 25's back home: 70 during the day and 45-50 at night.
Like last year, Disney had still not finished decorating for Christmas. We stopped by Port Orleans Riverside and they had no Christmas decorations.
Looks like Disney is cutting corners to keep their dining plan profitable. Food options were similar everywhere we looked. The quality has sure slipped over the past two years, although you can still find some winners if you know where to look. We don't eat at full-service restaurants, so let's hope that their meals are still worth the price.
The pizza served at All Star Music food court is inedible. I watched them put a frozen pizza in the oven where it ran on a track and came out the other end in 10 minutes. The worst pizza we ever ate. Much worse than any frozen pizza at your supermarket.
The burgers at ABC Commissary in Hollywood Studios had no flavor. Tasted like the beef patties were boiled. They only came as double cheeseburgers.
Ice cream cookie sandwiches at Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom are still as wonderful as ever! Their carrot cake was excellent as well.
The burgers at Electric Umbrella in Epcot's Future World are still very tasty.
Turkey leg lovers could buy them at all the parks. Ours at the Animal Kingdom was big and tasty!
The plato combinacion - quesadilla, taco and burrito - at La Cantina at Epcot's Mexican Pavilion was delicious and afforded us a nice view of Illuminations as we ate.
We only ate once at Coronado Springs food court. Their taco salad this year had no salad. Their quesadilla was not filling for $15. The grilled chicken with fries was burnt and the breast was almost too dry to eat. With sodas the bill came to almost $60. Way too much money for that kind of food.
We had two vouchers for $15 each at Planet Hollywood included in our Disney reservation documents since we had two rooms. They refused to accept both vouchers unless Paul ate at a separate table! So we left and they lost the $75 we would have spent had they accepted the vouchers.
Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney served delicious sandwiches at a fair price - less than we usually pay at Panera. Paul and I ordered the holiday sandwich with turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and mayo. Delicious! Donna's Italian sandwich and tomato soup hit the spot.
Ghirardelli still serves the best chocolate. You have to try their chocolate brownie for $2.50. Incredible.
Fish and chips at Cookes at Disney's West Side was tasty, but they served one large piece of fish, making it hard for us to share.
Nova Era, the classical Italian ensemble that used to play at Epcot, were playing near Fulton's Crab House. They played four shows a night. The cello player said his hands were sometimes too cold to play! Their music was beautiful.
Not much going on at Pleasure Island since the clubs closed.
Narnia at Disney's Hollywood Studios was a waste of time. They basically showed scenes of the movie and some props.
Surprisingly, the Stunt Show at the Studios was very entertaining. The bleachers are steep, so those with knee problems can take the elevator. A castmember will guide you and unlock the elevator for you. Be aware that there were no handrails as you enter the bleachers from the elevator.
Toy Story Mania at the Studios: We heard Mr. Potato Head's carnival spiel so many times as we snaked our way through the pre-show that I was looking for the electric plug to turn him off! The ride was mildly amusing, but what was Disney thinking of using guns with a pull string cord?
StormStruck at Epcot's Innoventions was a waste of time. The 3-D glasses make sure you see the logos of the company sponsors up close!
Despite the addition of Judy Dench's narration at Epcot's Spaceship Earth and some computer scenes, the attraction hasn't changed much.
Mass at Mary, Queen of Universe was wonderful as usual. You have to see this church near the Orlando Premium Outlets.
Beth, our travel agent, booked our vacation again for us. It doesn't get easier than that. Thanks again, Beth!
=================================================
MONEY SAVING TIP
FREE Disney Show Tickets: Buy an adult ticket between December 1 and 12 and get a FREE ticket for a child 18 and under. Valid for all shows (The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins) January 6 - March 13, 2009. (Source: broadwayworld.com)
=================================================
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Affordable Disney Books
Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price. 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
December 3, 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 - new Disney sweepstakes, Disney cruise discounts, two Disneyland California vacation packages, Disneyland Paris vacation package, Universal Orlando vacation package, Universal Orlando hotel deal, Universal Hollywood vacation package, Nickelodeon Family Cruise, and jazz cruise
* News from around the "World" - Indy and Nova Era come to Walt Disney World
* Some observations from our Thanksgiving vacation at Walt Disney World
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about a disturbing new policy regarding Walt Disney World reservations
* Money Saving Tip: FREE Disney Show Tickets
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
6 new sweeps added this week to win a Disney / Florida vacation! That makes 50 active sweepstakes and contests to win a Walt Disney World / Florida / Disneyland / Southern California vacation!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
# Kids Fly FREE with this vacation package! Plus! Get your adult tickets at the child's price! Rates from $75 per person, per day!
# Get a free $150 Disney Gift Card with this Disneyland Resort Hotel package!
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
25 new Disney cruise discounts starting at $299!
-------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
Kids under 12 stay and play FREE! Kids under 12 receive free hotel accommodation and free admission to both parks!
-------------------------------
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Vacation package includes:
* 3 - Night hotel accommodations
* Unlimited Admission to BOTH Universal parks for a week
* From $211 per adult for partner hotel
* On-site at Universal Orlando hotel from $471 per adult
* No waiting in line for Universal onsite hotel guests
UNIVERSAL HOTEL SPECIAL
Save up to 30% at the Hotels at Universal. Rates from $150 per night. Includes the holidays!
--------------------------------
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
Vacation package includes:
* 2-Night hotel accommodations to a partner hotel
* Unlimited Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood
* FREE shuttle from hotel to Universal Studios Hollywood
* 1 souvenir photograph
* $230 per adult
--------------------------------
NICKELODEON FAMILY CRUISE
There will be two Nick-themed cruises in 2009, one from the east coast and one from the west coast. Sail with your favorite Nick characters!
=================================================
2009 SMOOTH MUSIC CRUISE
Incredible New Pricing + Buy One, Get One Specials. Save up up to $1,000 per cabin! Plus! Get one additional cabin FREE! Departing Miami January 31, 2009. Features some of the biggest names in the contemporary jazz and R&B genres.
=================================================
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 30% on a 2009 vacation with this promotion if you're at Walt Disney World right now!
>> FREE Customized Park Maps for Walt Disney World!
>> Deals for the military, teachers, government workers, nurses, Florida residents!
>> Receive a 5th Day FREE when you purchase a Walt Disney World 4-Day Magic Your Way Base or Hopper ticket with 14 day Expiration!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
>> Book your Tee Times at this site where rates start at $69
>> All you can eat at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for less than $25
>> 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 $299!
>> Onboard credits!
>> Discounts for Florida residents and the military - rates too low to publish!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
>> Local Newspaper promotions that apply to everyone in the USA!
>> Save up to $40.00 per ticket to Disneyland California!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
>> Discover the secret to getting FREE admission!
>> Kids under 7 stay and play FREE!
--------------------------------
VEGAS
>> Specials at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Mirage, Treasure Island and Venetian. Low rates - sometimes as low as $79 per night - dining discounts, show tickets, FREE room upgrades, FREE spa admission, and FREE play money are not uncommon.
--------------------------------
If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here. Members can use the following URLs to log in:
Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
Disney’s Wide World of Sports Unveils 12th Edition of Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Champion Stadium
Rosemary Roasted Poussin with Porcini Cream Sauce and
Root Vegetable Mash recipe from The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Nova Era, the classical Italian ensemble that used to play at Epcot's Italian Pavilion, is playing at Downtown Disney select dates November 21 - December 24, 2008! Click here for their calendar. We love Nova Era!
Our automotive editor takes on Disney's latest wild ride
Expensive rush: Indy comes to Disney Speedway
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Deal reached for Cypress Gardens passholders unhappy park is closing
Megabus gives away 100,000 free tickets Get your FREE ticket to 29 cities!
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
"The interior of Sleeping Beauty Castle at the Disneyland® Resort is now open... This beautiful walkthrough offers a 'reawakened' version of its classic presentation kissed with vibrant scenes of Aurora, her charming prince, the evil Maleficent and other characters from the beloved film." (Source: Disney email blast, 12/02/08)
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
OUTSIDE DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Legoland's own small world
The recently upgraded park offers a gentle intro for younger children. But bring your plastic -- costs stack up fast
--------------------------------
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Disney Cruise Line eliminates fuel surcharges
--------------------------------
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.
=================================================
A Disturbing New Disney Policy
Beth, our travel agent, writes: Disney reservationists have long harped on the concept that if you don't 'hold' what you quote then it might not be there when you call back. Therefore, it's always been a good idea to jump on a new promotion and hold dates which you know will encompass your actual travel dates. Once the resort is confirmed for, say, a 10-day period you can then check airfares, the kids' school schedule, your own work schedule, etc. After you've got all those details worked out, it's never been a problem to put a call into Disney at that point and drop the dates you don't need... shortening your reservation to maybe five or seven nights.
This procedure rewards those that plan ahead as well as those that jump on promotional offers quickly, and it gives them a chance to secure the space they want while making all the related plans. It also ensures that nights you find unnecessary will be quickly released back into inventory since no one likes to sit on a reservation with a bigger price tag than necessary. It would seem a good system for all concerned.
This week, however, Disney held meetings with the reservations staff and instructed them that, effective immediately, they are not to shorten reservations without first checking to see if the resort, room type and promotion is available for NEW bookings. If not, then you are not permitted to shorten your stay. In other words, if you have a free dining offer confirmed for 10 nights and want to shorten it to nine nights to get better airfare you can only do it if your resort and room type and free dining offer are available at the moment you're trying to make the change. It doesn't matter that it may have been available for those nine nights when you first made the reservation. If it's not there now, you're out of luck. You will need to change your resort or room type (or both) to get the deal - if it's still available at all for your new dates - or come for the full 10 nights you originally booked.
I contend that this is a VERY bad policy change for a number of reasons. I believe that it will, first and foremost, encourage people to make two and three and four bookings (or more) to cover all possibilities so that they're pretty certain they've got their bases covered before starting their airfare research and such. (Remember that deposits aren't due for seven days and reservations can be cancelled without penalty for at least awhile in most cases, if not for months.) I also believe that, because Disney currently requires a phone call to cancel a reservation, and that phone call could take a half hour or more if the hold time is long, people will simply not cancel the reservations they don't want. Nothing bad will happen; they will expire in a week for nonpayment of deposit. In the meantime, though, the space will not be available for anyone else to book. One family could conceivably have five rooms or more at the same resort tied up for a full week when they've already deposited on the one they want to keep! If Disney thinks they have a problem now with people holding space they don't plan to use, wait until they see what happens when this change gets out!
Why are they doing this? Well, I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that their computer system favors longer stays as space becomes harder to get. For instance, if you want to stay at the Polynesian for three nights you might be told it's not available, but if you ask about a seven night stay (which encompasses those original three nights) then it's suddenly available. That technique has long been one of the strongest tricks in my arsenal. I just book the seven nights and then call in to shorten the reservation. It's never been a problem to do that. Apparently, though, this type of thing tends to fill the resorts over the weekends and leave them less than full during the weekdays. I'm sure the thinking is that, by stopping this technique of getting shorter stays, the space will be preserved for those who want to stay longer and haven't gotten around to booking yet.
Unfortunately, the policy change also penalizes people who want to shorten their stay for other (very legitimate) reasons. And this, in turn, will increase the number of people canceling their reservations completely (and doing so with a very bitter taste in their mouths). For instance, I currently have a family that booked the winter 'buy 4 nights, get up to 3 free' deal. They didn't plan the trip; it's just an 'extra' vacation because the deal is so good. But it turns out their teenage son needs to take SATs on the morning they'd planned to come down. I was told yesterday that I cannot shorten their stay unless I upgrade them from their value resort to the Beach Club, all that's left to book with this promotion for the six nights. Shortening the stay by a night will cost them nearly $1500. If I can't find someone to override this policy change for them they will simply not come.
I write this in order to keep you informed as well as to blow off some steam. (Sorry for that!) Also, to suggest that you might want to drop the Disney folks a note to let them know what a bad idea this change is. This is a time when Disney should be softening policies in order to get more business!"
Use this feedback form.
=================================================
Back From Walt Disney World
Donna, I and our son, Paul, just returned from 5 nights at Walt Disney World. Some observations...
Weather was very nice compared to the 25's back home: 70 during the day and 45-50 at night.
Like last year, Disney had still not finished decorating for Christmas. We stopped by Port Orleans Riverside and they had no Christmas decorations.
Looks like Disney is cutting corners to keep their dining plan profitable. Food options were similar everywhere we looked. The quality has sure slipped over the past two years, although you can still find some winners if you know where to look. We don't eat at full-service restaurants, so let's hope that their meals are still worth the price.
The pizza served at All Star Music food court is inedible. I watched them put a frozen pizza in the oven where it ran on a track and came out the other end in 10 minutes. The worst pizza we ever ate. Much worse than any frozen pizza at your supermarket.
The burgers at ABC Commissary in Hollywood Studios had no flavor. Tasted like the beef patties were boiled. They only came as double cheeseburgers.
Ice cream cookie sandwiches at Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom are still as wonderful as ever! Their carrot cake was excellent as well.
The burgers at Electric Umbrella in Epcot's Future World are still very tasty.
Turkey leg lovers could buy them at all the parks. Ours at the Animal Kingdom was big and tasty!
The plato combinacion - quesadilla, taco and burrito - at La Cantina at Epcot's Mexican Pavilion was delicious and afforded us a nice view of Illuminations as we ate.
We only ate once at Coronado Springs food court. Their taco salad this year had no salad. Their quesadilla was not filling for $15. The grilled chicken with fries was burnt and the breast was almost too dry to eat. With sodas the bill came to almost $60. Way too much money for that kind of food.
We had two vouchers for $15 each at Planet Hollywood included in our Disney reservation documents since we had two rooms. They refused to accept both vouchers unless Paul ate at a separate table! So we left and they lost the $75 we would have spent had they accepted the vouchers.
Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney served delicious sandwiches at a fair price - less than we usually pay at Panera. Paul and I ordered the holiday sandwich with turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and mayo. Delicious! Donna's Italian sandwich and tomato soup hit the spot.
Ghirardelli still serves the best chocolate. You have to try their chocolate brownie for $2.50. Incredible.
Fish and chips at Cookes at Disney's West Side was tasty, but they served one large piece of fish, making it hard for us to share.
Nova Era, the classical Italian ensemble that used to play at Epcot, were playing near Fulton's Crab House. They played four shows a night. The cello player said his hands were sometimes too cold to play! Their music was beautiful.
Not much going on at Pleasure Island since the clubs closed.
Narnia at Disney's Hollywood Studios was a waste of time. They basically showed scenes of the movie and some props.
Surprisingly, the Stunt Show at the Studios was very entertaining. The bleachers are steep, so those with knee problems can take the elevator. A castmember will guide you and unlock the elevator for you. Be aware that there were no handrails as you enter the bleachers from the elevator.
Toy Story Mania at the Studios: We heard Mr. Potato Head's carnival spiel so many times as we snaked our way through the pre-show that I was looking for the electric plug to turn him off! The ride was mildly amusing, but what was Disney thinking of using guns with a pull string cord?
StormStruck at Epcot's Innoventions was a waste of time. The 3-D glasses make sure you see the logos of the company sponsors up close!
Despite the addition of Judy Dench's narration at Epcot's Spaceship Earth and some computer scenes, the attraction hasn't changed much.
Mass at Mary, Queen of Universe was wonderful as usual. You have to see this church near the Orlando Premium Outlets.
Beth, our travel agent, booked our vacation again for us. It doesn't get easier than that. Thanks again, Beth!
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MONEY SAVING TIP
FREE Disney Show Tickets: Buy an adult ticket between December 1 and 12 and get a FREE ticket for a child 18 and under. Valid for all shows (The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins) January 6 - March 13, 2009. (Source: broadwayworld.com)
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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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posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 7:04 AM
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