Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
February 25, 2009
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 - Disney's Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary now booking and on sale(!), new Disney/Florida sweepstakes, Walt Disney World discounts for annual passholders and Florida residents, discounts for military and Florida and Georgia residents at theme parks outside Disney, and Las Vegas room discounts and FREE nights
* News from around the "World" - Disney announces schedule for its 16th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about changes to Disney's Magical Express delivery service, a new Disney celebration online planner, and new character and buffet dining surcharges
* Kids Explore Flower Festival Fun at Epcot
* Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival Celebrates Flavors of the World in 2009
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
# Here's your chance to book new deluxe accommodations at Walt Disney World on sale!
Beth, our travel agent, is already booking Bay Lake Tower - that's the new addition to the Contemporary that is supposed to open in August - under Disney's current deal! She writes: "So not only can you book the place now, you can even get it on the promo offer. I find that really hard to believe!"
# 2 new sweeps added this week to win a Disney / Florida vacation! That makes 31 active sweepstakes and contests to win a Walt Disney World / Florida / Disneyland / Southern California vacation!
# New Annual Passholder Discounts!
# New Ticket Special for Florida Residents!
# Walt Disney World Room Discounts for Florida Residents!
-------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
# Residents of Florida and Georgia save BIG at these theme parks!
# FREE tickets for the military to this theme park!
# 2 Days for the Price of 1 at this theme park!
-------------------------------
STILL TIME TO BOOK THIS LUXURY CRUISE
Beth, our travel agent, has an AWESOME deal on space on the December 17 sailing of this brand new cruise ship!
She writes: "You rarely see short cruises with this line (especially in the Caribbean) and the pricing is great for a pre-holiday cruise. I was on that ship in November and can say with first-hand experience that she's really gorgeous."
She has minisuites, balconies, a few ocean view cabins, and some inside cabins. Most will accommodate three people and a few may hold four.
Must book before March 15! (Members should log in to access the file I've posted for prices and more details.)
-------------------------------
VEGAS
# Save on advance reservations at this Luxury Resort & Casino:
* Advance Reservations Made 30 Days Prior To Check-In Receive: 15% Off
* Advance Reservations Made 31-60 Days Prior To Check-In Receive: 20% Off
* Advance Reservations Made More Than 60 Days Prior To Check-In Receive: 25% Off
# Get up to two nights FREE accommodations at this Luxury Resort & Casino!
=================================================
Below are just some of the deals drawn from over 50 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:
* A week at Walt Disney World from $1375 for a family of four
* Awesome deal on 3-Day luxury cruises in December
* Disney Cruise Line sale
* Disneyland California package deal
* Disneyland Paris special
* Universal hotel discounts
* Spring Training package
* Disneyland California hotel special
* Universal Orlando discounted vacation packages
* SeaWorld Discovery Cove discounts
* FREE nights AND tickets at these hotels near Disney
* Orlando Theme Park Package with hotel and tickets to 3 parks
* Luxury Cruise Special: Kids sail from $99 and $250 to spend
* Disney World: $1375 for a family of four for 7 nights
* Advance Purchase Rates at this Orlando Luxury Resort Hotel
* Free Disneyland Gift Card valued up to $150
* 100 free upgrades in hotels all over the world
* 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
* Walt Disney World vacation package that discounts everything
* Kids sail FREE on Disney cruise line
* Kids stay and play FREE at Disneyland Paris
* 34 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
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
Great American Gardeners Plant New Ideas for Guests At 16th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Fun Facts Flourish across Landscape of 16th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
11 Hit Makers of 1960s and ’70s Bring Groovy Vibes to Epcot During 2009 Flower Power Concerts
Walt Disney Restructures Theme Parks, Cuts Jobs
Disney Makes Fan Experience a Whole New Ballgame During Braves Spring Training Season
Waldorf Chicken Salad Recipe From the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Disney plans layoffs, streamlining as economy eats into revenue
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Seaworld Leads Rescue Efforts Of Wayward Dolphin
Viva La Música Spices Up Seaworld Orlando And Busch Gardens Tampa With Latin Flavor
The World of Coraline at Universal Experience in the Park
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Disney Cruise Line to return to Europe in 2010
=================================================
DISNEYLAND PARIS
New Sleeping Beauty Castle decorations revealed
Mickey’s Magical Party website goes live
Lion King GONE, Tarzan Encounter Cancelled
--------------------------------
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:
"Starting March 30 Magical Express will no longer provide luggage delivery service for arrivals to MCO between 10 pm and 5 am. Guests will pick up their luggage at baggage claim and take it with them on the DME bus. The change does not effect guests arriving between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. (This is a good change because it alleviates waiting around for your luggage late at night.)
Disney's announced a new service to tie in with their year-long What Will You Celebrate? promotion. You can access the celebration planner online at disneyparks.com. Once you choose Disneyland or Walt Disney World you select your type of celebration. Then you're presented with a list of suitable activities and gifts available for purchase. When you've picked one or more, you call the planning line and place your order. You do NOT have to be the one traveling in order to buy a gift for someone, making it a fun way to surprise someone when you're not going to be there yourself. To purchase the gift call 407-WDW-GIFT for Florida vacations, 714-781-GIFT for California vacations. You'll need to know what name the resort reservation is under and when they're going in order for the gift planner to pull the reservation. (This service is only available for those staying in Disney-owned resorts.)
NOTE that there will be a 'holiday' surcharge on buffet and character meals from April 5 - April 18 and May 24 - July 11. I know what you're thinking.... Since when is the whole month of June a holiday?? Well, you know Disney... Always making up their own rules! The holiday charges are several dollars more per person, but those with dining plans are not affected. A little more bang for your dining plan buck, I guess."
=================================================
Kids Explore Flower Festival Fun at Epcot
Pirates, Pixies and Petals, Oh My!
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Imaginations will take flight and set sail as children explore new, vibrant gardens and adventurous activities at the 16thannual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, presented by Disneynature, March 18-May 31, 2009, at Walt Disney World Resort. The park’s bountiful garden of fun also will bloom with themed playgrounds, immersive scavenger hunts, a special Fairy & Princess Procession and floral vignettes budding with beloved Disney character topiaries.
To welcome families into the festival, a royal topiary court invites guests to celebrate Cinderella’s coronation day as a special “Cinderellabration” at the Epcot entrance. The signature topiary display, showcasing Cinderella’s royal moment, is designed in honor of Disney Parks’ new “What Will You Celebrate?” vacation initiative.
Throughout the rest of the theme park, families will enjoy the cascades of color at every turn, strolling through floral scenes made famous in Disney animated films, including “The Lion King” and the upcoming “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.”
Little ones can get moving – literally – in a special garden-themed playground featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy. The Let’s Get Moving play area encourages kids to climb and explore. And there will be plenty of “pixie power” in a Pixie Hollow-themed play area, with everyone’s favorite fairy, Tinker Bell, featured in a playful garden. For the little pirates of the family, another themed adventure area will feature Peter Pan and Captain Hook.
Aladdin and Lady and the Tramp will join other cherished characters making topiary appearances throughout Epcot, which is veiled with 30 million blooms of sweeping floral beds and exhibits.
Other family-friendly exhibits include Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden – a distinctive garden filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies. And guests can learn how to create their own environmentally safe garden, including information about low-water-use, native plants and recycling, while kids enjoy a playground at the Green Garden exhibit.
Entertainment is available for the whole family throughout the festival. The Flower Power concert series, which stars pop hit-makers of the 1960s and '70s, will have guests be-bopping and grooving to classic tunes at the America Gardens Theatre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Some of the other activities sure to keep the “little gardeners” entertained at the 16thannual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival include:
* Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden (adjacent to Mouse Gear in Future World), with special hands-on activities for children, a play structure and colorful topiaries of Tinker Bell and her friends; daily Fairy & Princess Processional at 2 p.m. where kids can come dressed up and show off their costumes; they can also get their face painted with their favorite fairy, flower or insect; plus, meet the director and producer of the upcoming fall release "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure" March 21 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
* Pirates Adventure Zone (adjacent to the Germany Pavilion in World Showcase), an interactive play space designed for exploration and adventure greeted by Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Croc topiaries.
* Let’s Get Moving (adjacent to the Imagination! pavilion in Future World), a recreational garden where children can climb and explore, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy topiaries demonstrating their favorite outdoor activities. Here, kids can climb aboard EVOS and Weevos Playsystems.
* Green Garden (adjacent to the Morocco pavilion in World Showcase), a unique garden, which includes a playground, where guests can learn how to create an environmentally friendly, low-input garden of their own.
* Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden (adjacent to Mouse Gear in Future World), where hundreds of butterflies inhabit a screened-in gazebo lush with foliage and color.
* Character Topiary Scavenger Hunt (behind Spaceship Earth in Future World), a family-oriented challenge to locate favorite Disney character topiaries throughout Epcot.
* Earth Station (Test Track Walkway, adjacent to the butterfly garden), where kids can discover fun activities and how to positively impact Earth.
Most festival activities are included in regular admission to Epcot. For more information and schedules, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit www.disneyworld.com/flower. (Source: Press Release, 02/24/09)
=================================================
Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival Celebrates Flavors of the World in 2009
Tickets for Premier Events [Went] On Sale Feb. 24;
Hundreds of Culinary and Tasting Experiences Are Complimentary
Disney's California Food and Wine Festival will celebrate the international cultures, people, food and traditions that have made California one of the most diverse culinary destinations in the world. With a theme of "World Celebration," the Festival expands to six weeks in 2009 - April 24 through June 7 - featuring daily complimentary demonstrations and premier ticketed events at Disney’s California Adventure park and throughout the Resort.
Tickets for the premier events - which include unique opportunities to go "Behind the Scenes With …”." celebrity chefs and winemakers - [went] on sale Tuesday, Feb. 24, at www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.
More than 600 complimentary experiences will be available at the fourth annual Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival, including culinary demonstrations, children’s programs and wine and spirits seminars. In addition, food and wine aficionados will get tips from Disneyland Resort chefs, mingle with noted winemakers and celebrate at the spectacular ticketed events, including the gala Festival finale "Taste Food-Wine-Life."
"The 2009 Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival will take guests on a delicious journey around the globe," said Gary Maggetti, director of food and beverage for Disneyland Resort theme parks. "We invite guests to celebrate their favorite foods and wines with our great variety of events, and to explore new tastes and flavors with our outstanding chefs and wine experts."
Food & Wine Festival events held in Disney's California Adventure require park admission, which is not included in the event price. Some events may require an additional fee and pre-registration.
Featured celebrity chefs, including Guy Fieri of the Food Network, along with nearly 100 Disneyland Resort chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations that showcase their talents and an international mix of delectable dishes. Guests will collect cooking tips while they watch the pros in action, discovering new twists on timeless classics and sampling the festival cuisine. Guests will also taste delicious festival-inspired dishes at the Wine Country Trattoria, Pacific Wharf Café, Farmer’s Market and other eateries inside Disney’s California Adventure park.
New Events for 2009
Guests will enjoy several new signature events this year.
• Behind the Scenes With….. - Unique opportunities to share food, wine and conversation with cooking personalities from popular television programs and celebrity winemakers. The stars include Guy Fieri ("Guy’s Big Bite"), Keegan Geerhard ("Food Network Challenge"), Tommy Lasorda (Lasorda Wines), and John and Nancy Lasseter (Lasseter Family Winery). The evenings begin with tasty appetizers and exquisite wines, followed by question-and-answer sessions hosted by Chef Jamie Gwen.
• Sweet Sundays – The sweetest of all events features a light buffet breakfast and sparkling wine at the Golden Vine Winery at Disney’s California Adventure. Guests will see demonstrations and taste three signature desserts created by acclaimed pastry chefs, including chefs from Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. in San Diego and Cake Monkey Bakery in Los Angeles.
• Festival Wine Walks - Guests will explore wines of the world, or a single region, when they purchase a tasting passport and select up to four tastes of spectacular wines. A tasting tour that features craft brews will also be available. Delicious wine country tapas that complement the beer and wine will be available at The Lounge at the Golden Vine Winery.
• World Celebration Dinners - Disneyland Resort chefs will create an elegant menu that blends the food, wine and celebrations of regions around the world. France, Japan, Korea, Italy and Spain will be featured.
• Master Sommelier Michael Jordan, of the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant, will add a new class to his "Introduction to Wine Tasting." The "Advanced Wine Class" includes three two-hour sessions that take guests to the next level in their knowledge of wine regions, varietals, growing and harvesting style. Both entertaining classes will offer training as well as a blind tasting to test the participants’ skills.
Popular Returning Events
Events returning for 2009 feature Disneyland Resort chefs and premier winemakers.
• Winemaker Dinners - Disneyland Resort chefs will partner with premier California winemakers to prepare outstanding culinary delights at six exclusive "Winemaker Dinners," on selected Friday nights. Each Festival meal will be paired with award-winning vintages and served at Steakhouse 55, inside the Disneyland Hotel.
• Napa Rose Cooking School - Disney Executive Chef Andrew Sutton will once again lead this hands-on course that sells out quickly. Each class will create and enjoy a themed meal paired with wines and each class member will go home with an official chef’s coat to commemorate the experience. This amazing opportunity takes place in the show kitchen of the renowned Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Guests must be at least 18 years of age and advance reservations are required.
• Festival Wine Receptions – Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful sunset and weekend evening under the stars, on the patio of the Golden Vine Winery inside Disney’s California Adventure park. While sampling from a variety of selected wines and enjoying hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, guests will meet fellow wine enthusiasts, make new friends and discover new favorite wines.
For more details and pricing information, visit www.disneyland.com/foodandwine (Source: Press Release, 02/23/09)
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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.
--------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------
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.
=============================================
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
February 25, 2009
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 - Disney's Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary now booking and on sale(!), new Disney/Florida sweepstakes, Walt Disney World discounts for annual passholders and Florida residents, discounts for military and Florida and Georgia residents at theme parks outside Disney, and Las Vegas room discounts and FREE nights
* News from around the "World" - Disney announces schedule for its 16th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
* Beth, our travel agent, writes about changes to Disney's Magical Express delivery service, a new Disney celebration online planner, and new character and buffet dining surcharges
* Kids Explore Flower Festival Fun at Epcot
* Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival Celebrates Flavors of the World in 2009
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
# Here's your chance to book new deluxe accommodations at Walt Disney World on sale!
Beth, our travel agent, is already booking Bay Lake Tower - that's the new addition to the Contemporary that is supposed to open in August - under Disney's current deal! She writes: "So not only can you book the place now, you can even get it on the promo offer. I find that really hard to believe!"
# 2 new sweeps added this week to win a Disney / Florida vacation! That makes 31 active sweepstakes and contests to win a Walt Disney World / Florida / Disneyland / Southern California vacation!
# New Annual Passholder Discounts!
# New Ticket Special for Florida Residents!
# Walt Disney World Room Discounts for Florida Residents!
-------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
# Residents of Florida and Georgia save BIG at these theme parks!
# FREE tickets for the military to this theme park!
# 2 Days for the Price of 1 at this theme park!
-------------------------------
STILL TIME TO BOOK THIS LUXURY CRUISE
Beth, our travel agent, has an AWESOME deal on space on the December 17 sailing of this brand new cruise ship!
She writes: "You rarely see short cruises with this line (especially in the Caribbean) and the pricing is great for a pre-holiday cruise. I was on that ship in November and can say with first-hand experience that she's really gorgeous."
She has minisuites, balconies, a few ocean view cabins, and some inside cabins. Most will accommodate three people and a few may hold four.
Must book before March 15! (Members should log in to access the file I've posted for prices and more details.)
-------------------------------
VEGAS
# Save on advance reservations at this Luxury Resort & Casino:
* Advance Reservations Made 30 Days Prior To Check-In Receive: 15% Off
* Advance Reservations Made 31-60 Days Prior To Check-In Receive: 20% Off
* Advance Reservations Made More Than 60 Days Prior To Check-In Receive: 25% Off
# Get up to two nights FREE accommodations at this Luxury Resort & Casino!
=================================================
Below are just some of the deals drawn from over 50 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:
* A week at Walt Disney World from $1375 for a family of four
* Awesome deal on 3-Day luxury cruises in December
* Disney Cruise Line sale
* Disneyland California package deal
* Disneyland Paris special
* Universal hotel discounts
* Spring Training package
* Disneyland California hotel special
* Universal Orlando discounted vacation packages
* SeaWorld Discovery Cove discounts
* FREE nights AND tickets at these hotels near Disney
* Orlando Theme Park Package with hotel and tickets to 3 parks
* Luxury Cruise Special: Kids sail from $99 and $250 to spend
* Disney World: $1375 for a family of four for 7 nights
* Advance Purchase Rates at this Orlando Luxury Resort Hotel
* Free Disneyland Gift Card valued up to $150
* 100 free upgrades in hotels all over the world
* 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
* Walt Disney World vacation package that discounts everything
* Kids sail FREE on Disney cruise line
* Kids stay and play FREE at Disneyland Paris
* 34 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
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
Great American Gardeners Plant New Ideas for Guests At 16th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Fun Facts Flourish across Landscape of 16th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
11 Hit Makers of 1960s and ’70s Bring Groovy Vibes to Epcot During 2009 Flower Power Concerts
Walt Disney Restructures Theme Parks, Cuts Jobs
Disney Makes Fan Experience a Whole New Ballgame During Braves Spring Training Season
Waldorf Chicken Salad Recipe From the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Disney plans layoffs, streamlining as economy eats into revenue
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Seaworld Leads Rescue Efforts Of Wayward Dolphin
Viva La Música Spices Up Seaworld Orlando And Busch Gardens Tampa With Latin Flavor
The World of Coraline at Universal Experience in the Park
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Disney Cruise Line to return to Europe in 2010
=================================================
DISNEYLAND PARIS
New Sleeping Beauty Castle decorations revealed
Mickey’s Magical Party website goes live
Lion King GONE, Tarzan Encounter Cancelled
--------------------------------
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:
"Starting March 30 Magical Express will no longer provide luggage delivery service for arrivals to MCO between 10 pm and 5 am. Guests will pick up their luggage at baggage claim and take it with them on the DME bus. The change does not effect guests arriving between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. (This is a good change because it alleviates waiting around for your luggage late at night.)
Disney's announced a new service to tie in with their year-long What Will You Celebrate? promotion. You can access the celebration planner online at disneyparks.com. Once you choose Disneyland or Walt Disney World you select your type of celebration. Then you're presented with a list of suitable activities and gifts available for purchase. When you've picked one or more, you call the planning line and place your order. You do NOT have to be the one traveling in order to buy a gift for someone, making it a fun way to surprise someone when you're not going to be there yourself. To purchase the gift call 407-WDW-GIFT for Florida vacations, 714-781-GIFT for California vacations. You'll need to know what name the resort reservation is under and when they're going in order for the gift planner to pull the reservation. (This service is only available for those staying in Disney-owned resorts.)
NOTE that there will be a 'holiday' surcharge on buffet and character meals from April 5 - April 18 and May 24 - July 11. I know what you're thinking.... Since when is the whole month of June a holiday?? Well, you know Disney... Always making up their own rules! The holiday charges are several dollars more per person, but those with dining plans are not affected. A little more bang for your dining plan buck, I guess."
=================================================
Kids Explore Flower Festival Fun at Epcot
Pirates, Pixies and Petals, Oh My!
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Imaginations will take flight and set sail as children explore new, vibrant gardens and adventurous activities at the 16thannual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, presented by Disneynature, March 18-May 31, 2009, at Walt Disney World Resort. The park’s bountiful garden of fun also will bloom with themed playgrounds, immersive scavenger hunts, a special Fairy & Princess Procession and floral vignettes budding with beloved Disney character topiaries.
To welcome families into the festival, a royal topiary court invites guests to celebrate Cinderella’s coronation day as a special “Cinderellabration” at the Epcot entrance. The signature topiary display, showcasing Cinderella’s royal moment, is designed in honor of Disney Parks’ new “What Will You Celebrate?” vacation initiative.
Throughout the rest of the theme park, families will enjoy the cascades of color at every turn, strolling through floral scenes made famous in Disney animated films, including “The Lion King” and the upcoming “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.”
Little ones can get moving – literally – in a special garden-themed playground featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy. The Let’s Get Moving play area encourages kids to climb and explore. And there will be plenty of “pixie power” in a Pixie Hollow-themed play area, with everyone’s favorite fairy, Tinker Bell, featured in a playful garden. For the little pirates of the family, another themed adventure area will feature Peter Pan and Captain Hook.
Aladdin and Lady and the Tramp will join other cherished characters making topiary appearances throughout Epcot, which is veiled with 30 million blooms of sweeping floral beds and exhibits.
Other family-friendly exhibits include Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden – a distinctive garden filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies. And guests can learn how to create their own environmentally safe garden, including information about low-water-use, native plants and recycling, while kids enjoy a playground at the Green Garden exhibit.
Entertainment is available for the whole family throughout the festival. The Flower Power concert series, which stars pop hit-makers of the 1960s and '70s, will have guests be-bopping and grooving to classic tunes at the America Gardens Theatre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Some of the other activities sure to keep the “little gardeners” entertained at the 16thannual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival include:
* Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden (adjacent to Mouse Gear in Future World), with special hands-on activities for children, a play structure and colorful topiaries of Tinker Bell and her friends; daily Fairy & Princess Processional at 2 p.m. where kids can come dressed up and show off their costumes; they can also get their face painted with their favorite fairy, flower or insect; plus, meet the director and producer of the upcoming fall release "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure" March 21 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
* Pirates Adventure Zone (adjacent to the Germany Pavilion in World Showcase), an interactive play space designed for exploration and adventure greeted by Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Croc topiaries.
* Let’s Get Moving (adjacent to the Imagination! pavilion in Future World), a recreational garden where children can climb and explore, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy topiaries demonstrating their favorite outdoor activities. Here, kids can climb aboard EVOS and Weevos Playsystems.
* Green Garden (adjacent to the Morocco pavilion in World Showcase), a unique garden, which includes a playground, where guests can learn how to create an environmentally friendly, low-input garden of their own.
* Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden (adjacent to Mouse Gear in Future World), where hundreds of butterflies inhabit a screened-in gazebo lush with foliage and color.
* Character Topiary Scavenger Hunt (behind Spaceship Earth in Future World), a family-oriented challenge to locate favorite Disney character topiaries throughout Epcot.
* Earth Station (Test Track Walkway, adjacent to the butterfly garden), where kids can discover fun activities and how to positively impact Earth.
Most festival activities are included in regular admission to Epcot. For more information and schedules, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit www.disneyworld.com/flower. (Source: Press Release, 02/24/09)
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Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival Celebrates Flavors of the World in 2009
Tickets for Premier Events [Went] On Sale Feb. 24;
Hundreds of Culinary and Tasting Experiences Are Complimentary
Disney's California Food and Wine Festival will celebrate the international cultures, people, food and traditions that have made California one of the most diverse culinary destinations in the world. With a theme of "World Celebration," the Festival expands to six weeks in 2009 - April 24 through June 7 - featuring daily complimentary demonstrations and premier ticketed events at Disney’s California Adventure park and throughout the Resort.
Tickets for the premier events - which include unique opportunities to go "Behind the Scenes With …”." celebrity chefs and winemakers - [went] on sale Tuesday, Feb. 24, at www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.
More than 600 complimentary experiences will be available at the fourth annual Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival, including culinary demonstrations, children’s programs and wine and spirits seminars. In addition, food and wine aficionados will get tips from Disneyland Resort chefs, mingle with noted winemakers and celebrate at the spectacular ticketed events, including the gala Festival finale "Taste Food-Wine-Life."
"The 2009 Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival will take guests on a delicious journey around the globe," said Gary Maggetti, director of food and beverage for Disneyland Resort theme parks. "We invite guests to celebrate their favorite foods and wines with our great variety of events, and to explore new tastes and flavors with our outstanding chefs and wine experts."
Food & Wine Festival events held in Disney's California Adventure require park admission, which is not included in the event price. Some events may require an additional fee and pre-registration.
Featured celebrity chefs, including Guy Fieri of the Food Network, along with nearly 100 Disneyland Resort chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations that showcase their talents and an international mix of delectable dishes. Guests will collect cooking tips while they watch the pros in action, discovering new twists on timeless classics and sampling the festival cuisine. Guests will also taste delicious festival-inspired dishes at the Wine Country Trattoria, Pacific Wharf Café, Farmer’s Market and other eateries inside Disney’s California Adventure park.
New Events for 2009
Guests will enjoy several new signature events this year.
• Behind the Scenes With….. - Unique opportunities to share food, wine and conversation with cooking personalities from popular television programs and celebrity winemakers. The stars include Guy Fieri ("Guy’s Big Bite"), Keegan Geerhard ("Food Network Challenge"), Tommy Lasorda (Lasorda Wines), and John and Nancy Lasseter (Lasseter Family Winery). The evenings begin with tasty appetizers and exquisite wines, followed by question-and-answer sessions hosted by Chef Jamie Gwen.
• Sweet Sundays – The sweetest of all events features a light buffet breakfast and sparkling wine at the Golden Vine Winery at Disney’s California Adventure. Guests will see demonstrations and taste three signature desserts created by acclaimed pastry chefs, including chefs from Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. in San Diego and Cake Monkey Bakery in Los Angeles.
• Festival Wine Walks - Guests will explore wines of the world, or a single region, when they purchase a tasting passport and select up to four tastes of spectacular wines. A tasting tour that features craft brews will also be available. Delicious wine country tapas that complement the beer and wine will be available at The Lounge at the Golden Vine Winery.
• World Celebration Dinners - Disneyland Resort chefs will create an elegant menu that blends the food, wine and celebrations of regions around the world. France, Japan, Korea, Italy and Spain will be featured.
• Master Sommelier Michael Jordan, of the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant, will add a new class to his "Introduction to Wine Tasting." The "Advanced Wine Class" includes three two-hour sessions that take guests to the next level in their knowledge of wine regions, varietals, growing and harvesting style. Both entertaining classes will offer training as well as a blind tasting to test the participants’ skills.
Popular Returning Events
Events returning for 2009 feature Disneyland Resort chefs and premier winemakers.
• Winemaker Dinners - Disneyland Resort chefs will partner with premier California winemakers to prepare outstanding culinary delights at six exclusive "Winemaker Dinners," on selected Friday nights. Each Festival meal will be paired with award-winning vintages and served at Steakhouse 55, inside the Disneyland Hotel.
• Napa Rose Cooking School - Disney Executive Chef Andrew Sutton will once again lead this hands-on course that sells out quickly. Each class will create and enjoy a themed meal paired with wines and each class member will go home with an official chef’s coat to commemorate the experience. This amazing opportunity takes place in the show kitchen of the renowned Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Guests must be at least 18 years of age and advance reservations are required.
• Festival Wine Receptions – Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful sunset and weekend evening under the stars, on the patio of the Golden Vine Winery inside Disney’s California Adventure park. While sampling from a variety of selected wines and enjoying hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, guests will meet fellow wine enthusiasts, make new friends and discover new favorite wines.
For more details and pricing information, visit www.disneyland.com/foodandwine (Source: Press Release, 02/23/09)
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John
AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
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posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 6:12 AM
