Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
January 30, 2009
Copyright © 1999 - 2009 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!

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Now on with the show...

In this blog...

* Deals and specials -

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NEW THIS WEEK

WALT DISNEY WORLD

3 new sweeps added this week to win a Disney / Florida vacation! That makes 42 active sweepstakes and contests to win a Walt Disney World / Florida / Disneyland / Southern California vacation!

Walt Disney World: $1375 for a family of four or $50 per person, per day for a 7-night package!

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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

Advance Purchase Rates at this Orlando Resort: Enjoy a sunny winter escape with 6 pools, 106' waterslide, resort activities, 10 restaurants/lounges, on-site golf & spa. Just 1.5 miles to Disney and 5.5 miles to SeaWorld®, Discovery Cove® and AquaticaTM!

This special includes:

* Rates from $199 Presidents' Day and Valentine's Day weekend (2/13/09 - 2/15/09)
* Rates from $249 Spring Break (3/1/09 - 3/31/09)
* Rates from $199 Spring Break and Easter (4/1/09 - 4/23/09)
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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:

* Hotel & Suites Birthday Special: get the 4th night FREE
* Free Disneyland Gift Card valued up to $150
* 100 free upgrades in hotels all over the world
* Save 30% on villas aboard luxury cruise line
* Massive cruise sale with FREE air
* AMTRAK special for Florida Residents
* Walt Disney World 3 nights FREE
* Room discounts, FREE tickets and Package for military
* Room discounts and Package with Dining for Annual Passholders
* 2 Days for the Price of 1 at Universal Hollywood
* Unlimited visits throughout 2009 for $65 at SeaWorld San Diego
* Annual Pass deal for Florida Residents at Busch Gardens
* BIG Amtrak sale
* Downtown Disney Resort Hotel discount
* SeaWorld Hotel suite sale
* Kids eat FREE at Universal hotels
* Universal Blue Man Group discount
* Disneyland Annual Passes on a monthly payment plan
* Disneyland 4th night FREE
* FREE dining certificate give-away
* Walt Disney World vacation package that discounts everything
* Kids sail FREE on Disney cruise line
* Disneyland Paris room discount
* 40 WDW / Florida / Disneyland / S. California sweepstakes
* Disneyland California package with $150 Disney gift card
* Universal Hollywood All You Can Eat Pass
* Save 50% at these deluxe Walt Disney World resorts
* 2010 Disney cruises now booking
* Get a FREE ticket to the Walt Disney World theme parks in 2009
* Nickelodeon Family Cruise
* Kids eat FREE membership card
* Disney cruise early booking discounts
* Vegas Resort & Casino special
* Disney hotel room and cruise line specials for Floridians

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

Florida State Completes Stellar Field for 2009 Old Spice Classic at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex

Why Stay at a Walt Disney World Owned/Operated Hotel? Benefits Can Begin Before Guest Arrives … and Continue 24/7

Health Canada recalls Disney lipstick, lip gloss

Disney's Hollywood Studios tunes up for Idol debut

Photos: American Idol Experience at Disney Hollywood Studios

Danskin Women's Triathlon at Disney: Race and registration dates confirmed

Live the spy life with Kim Possible at Epcot

Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

Universal Orlando lays off 70 employees
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Boy badly hurt in 2000 Roger Rabbit accident dies

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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We received an email from Jeff Smith of the Indy Racing Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway:

"John,

Good afternoon! Snow is on your way to Pennsylvania. We are getting it pretty good in Indianapolis right now!

The Indy Racing Experience is a new racing attraction in Orlando and we actually share the Walt Disney World Speedway with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. I noticed that you all had information listed on the RPDE and was wondering how we could be included on your site as an Orlando attraction. Our website is www.indyracingexperience.com, and I can provide you with any information you might need.

Thank you.

Jeff Smith
INDY RACING EXPERIENCE"

Here is the message Jeff wanted us to pass along:

"The Indy Racing Experience is now operating daily at the Walt Disney World® Speedway and now you have a place to ride or drive in an IndyCar Series car throughout the year!

Race fans can take a 3-lap ride around the 1-mile tri-oval in our 2-seater piloted by an Indy Racing League driver at a rate of $109/tax. Or they can get behind the wheel of an actual IndyCar that participated in the Indianapolis 500 and take on the 8-lap driving experience for $399/tax.

The Indy Racing Experience is open more than 350 days a year and operates daily from 4 p.m. to dusk. For more information call (888) 357-5002 or visit us at indyracingexperience.com."

Jeff wrote us back:

Thanks so much for the addition and please let us know the next time you are in Orlando! Take care!"
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‘The American Idol Experience’ Brings Pop Culture Phenomenon to Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – With all the thrills and suspense that have made it a television and pop culture phenomenon, “American Idol” comes to Walt Disney World Resort in a groundbreaking new attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.

“The American Idol Experience” captures the energy and excitement of the TV series, with some Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests auditioning to take the spotlight onstage, while their fellow guests cheer them on from the audience and vote for their favorite singer with instant results.

The attraction – grand opening Feb. 14, 2009 – was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and 19 TV Ltd. It is based on the smash-hit television show “American Idol” – produced by 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) – and is designed to immerse park guests in the authentic feel of a live television production.

“Disney parks are all about making dreams come true, and that’s exactly what will happen at ‘The American Idol Experience,’ ” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Whether they are onstage singing or in the audience cheering on their favorite performer, our guests will feel immersed in a world of instant stardom.”

Each show takes place in a 1,000 seat, indoor theater that features the twirling neon signs and a multi-layered backdrop inspired by the actual “American Idol” set in California. Building on its hallmark of attention to detail, Walt Disney Imagineering worked with the Hollywood set designer who designed the actual TV show set for “American Idol.” The newly designed venue is the most technologically advanced theater found at Walt Disney World Resort.

Designed to reflect the best and brightest elements of the TV show, “The American Idol Experience” includes an audition process open to Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests 14 and older (audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early). These guests perform live in front of a Disney’s Hollywood Studios casting director for the opportunity to be cast in one of the preliminary theme park shows that same day.

If shown to have that special “star quality” during the multi-step audition process, it’s on to performance training, hair and make-up. Then, the lights come up and it’s showtime for the singers as they try to impress an audience of theme park guests, plus a panel of three expert judges.

Fellow park guests will be able to enjoy the performances just like at a live television taping. Then, audience members vote for their favorite performance using the armrest touchpads, with their votes tallied to determine the top singer.

Performers with the highest votes during the preliminary shows will return for a high-energy, grand finale show that same evening. After their encore performances, the big moment arrives. It’s a super-charged, eye-popping scene as audience votes are tallied, the other performers drop off, music builds and the spotlight shines down, amid a blizzard of confetti, on the day’s top singer. In addition to their new-found theme park fame, the top vote-getter will receive “The American Idol Experience” Dream Ticket, which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition to a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show. And every member of the audience can take a bow, too, because they had a role in deciding that day’s star.

“The American Idol Experience” is the newest attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The showbiz-inspired theme park immerses guests in the glamour of show business with thrilling attractions, Broadway-style shows, world-class atmosphere entertainment and interactive film, music, television and radio production facilities. (Source: Press Release, 01/28/09)
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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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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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