Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
May 20, 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 - Annual Passholder money saving tip at Disney water parks, kids vacation FREE, Room discounts at Disneyland California Resort for Annual Passholders, and Eastern Caribbean Cruise promotion

* News from around the "World" - Disney Buys Land for Future Resort Hotel at National Harbor in Prince George's County MD

* Beth, our travel agent, addresses the complaints made last week in a letter received by a National Geographic writer
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NEW THIS WEEK

WALT DISNEY WORLD

A strategy that enables Theme Park Annual Passholders to save on Disney water park tickets!

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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

New Annual Passholder rates at the Disneyland Resort Hotels! Beth handles reservations for Annual Passholders, too.

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KIDS VACATION FREE IN ORLANDO

Kids (ages 3-9) get FREE theme park admission! Plus, save up to 30% room rates! Plus! Kids Eat Free at Lunch & Dinner! Save up to $838 on a 7-night vacation for a family of four!

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7-NIGHT EASTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE

From $579! Plus. Save $50 per person plus get $100 onboard spending money when you reserve a balcony-category stateroom, or $150 for a deluxe-category stateroom or higher.

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Below are just some of the deals drawn from over 70 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:

* Walt Disney World on $58 per day
* Walt Disney World room discount
* Universal Orlando Resorts half off strategy
* Disneyland California room discount
* Alaska cruise special
* Ireland on a budget
* Cruise with cash back
* Disneyland Paris vacation package discount
* Luxury cruise discount exclusively for police and firefighters
* Bahamas vacation packages
* New parties for Walt Disney World Resort guests
* Disney Caribbean Cruise sale
* Kids fly FREE to this California Theme Park
* $3 a day rental car deal
* SeaWorld Partner Hotel Special
* Bahamas Resort Special
* Antigua, Cancun, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Punta Cana packages
* Disneyland California ticket sale
* Disney Cruise Line discounts for Floridians and the military
* FREE night at Disney Deluxe Resort
* CityPass discount for Affordable Disney members
* Non-Disney theme park/cruise vacation packages
* BIG room discount at the Las Vegas Mirage Casino & Resort
* Orlando theme park vacation package
* California theme park promotion
* Legoland San Diego special
* Caribbean cruise deals
* Disney Cruise Line sale
* Disneyland California package deal
* Universal hotel discounts
* Disneyland California hotel special
* Universal Orlando discounted vacation packages
* SeaWorld Discovery Cove discounts
* Luxury Cruise promotion
* WDW luxury resort deal for residents of this northeast state
* 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
* Kids stay and play FREE at Disneyland Paris
* 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 special 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

Disney's THE LION KING Celebrates Las Vegas Premiere at Mandalay Bay

Disney Buys Land for Future Resort Hotel at National Harbor in Prince George's County MD

Disney Vacation Club Resorts Offer New Themed Adventures Just in Time for Summer Travel

Disney Planner Fall 2009: Ambience of a Long-Ago Time, Tastes of a Faraway Place are Here and Now for Disney Guests

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort -- Fact Sheet

Guests Discovering Disney Vacation Club – The ‘Best-Kept Disney Secret’

The Disney Store online is now selling merchandise from the theme parks!

Star Wars Weekends 2009 - Fact Sheet

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa --Fact Sheet

Disney Vacation Club Properties

Disney to use Xtreme (Fishing) Glove

Coming UP: New movie characters at Disney's Hollywood Studios

See Disney's First Poster for Disney's A Christmas Carol

Pixar raises the animation bar with buoyant "Up"

Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

Don't Miss Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando's May 'Velvet Sessions' featuring Naked Eyes
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Disney guests get wine Adventure

Disneyland Resort Calendar
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DISNEYLAND TOKYO

OLC to develop Disney-themed attractions
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NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain newspapers require a free registration to view their articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than one line, copy and paste all lines.
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Beth, our travel agent, writes:

"In last week's Affordable Disney newsletter there was a link to a letter written to the National Geographic Traveler ombudsman. The writer of the letter apparently listed numerous complaints about his Disney World vacation, and (thankfully) the ombudsman only printed some of them. I thought perhaps I should address some of these issues in an attempt to save Disney from getting even more letters like this one.

First, Grand Gatherings are groups of 8 or more people (ages 3+) traveling together. Contrary to what the writer stated, everyone is NOT on the same reservation. They are simply cross-referenced. Disney does their best to keep the group's rooms together, but there is no guarantee. This group had one room down the hall from the rest. I'd say Disney did a good job! The family down the hall could have checked with the front desk each morning to see if maybe they could move closer, but that seems like a lot of hassle over a minor issue if you ask me. This was certainly not cause for getting feathers ruffled.

Next, the writer stated that they initially couldn't get into the Magic Kingdom because their 'travel agent had ordered the wrong tickets.' Not possible. ALL Disney World park tickets would have gotten them into the Magic Kingdom. My guess is that they went to a different park first and then tried to enter the MK later that day. If they didn't have park hopping on the tickets, they wouldn't have been able to get in there (or anywhere else other than the first park they went to). Is lack of the hopping option the agent's fault? Perhaps. If the client stated they wanted hopping and the agent didn't put it on then yes, it was. If the client didn't ask for the option, then no - although I personally always point out to people that without hopping that they won't be able to visit more than one park a day. At least I know they're making an informed decision. Maybe both the client and the agent were naive about hopping so neither thought about it... a good reason to use an agent that specializes in Disney! Also, always look over the confirmation carefully prior to traveling; you may catch something and be able to get it fixed before you get there.

Then the writer gripes about the monorail breaking down. As the ombudsman points out, it happens. Folks, the monorail is 30 years old. It's amazing it doesn't break down more often. When it does, chalk it up to an unscheduled adventure. You'll eventually get to your destination, and if you've missed a dining reservation because of the delay they'll do their best to get you in as soon as possible.

Another complaint: the Keys to the Kingdom didn't always work. Again, it happens. The technology isn't perfect. It's a glitch you'd rather not deal with, and for-sure not several times, but you're on vacation so roll with the punches and laugh it off. There's humor in nearly every situation if you look hard enough.

Still another disappointment: lines at Soarin' and a 5-hour delay on the return time for its FastPass. I loved the ombudsman's reply that they should have gone early in the morning or traveled in the off season. If neither of those is possible, though, you have to expect that the most popular attractions will be crowded. FastPass is a real blessing in that you no longer HAVE to stand in line if you don't want to. Surely the group could have found something to do at Epcot for five hours; I doubt Soarin' was their sole reason for visiting the park. Keep in mind that the earlier in the day you grab a FastPass, the sooner your return time will be. By mid-to-late morning the return times could be many hours later... and when it's REALLY busy all the FastPasses for the day are taken before lunch time! If lines aren't your thing then, as the ombudsman says, go early or avoid peak season.

And finally, there's the gripe about the dining plan system. The writer says that the dining plan was new. It's been around for several years now, so perhaps what the writer experienced is no longer a problem. The dining plans did have a few bugs to work out at first. These days, aside from having a hard time getting reservations, the one and only complaint I hear with any consistency is that groups of 6 or more have an 18% gratuity *automatically* charged back to their rooms. I can't change that, but I do try to make a point of telling groups that's the case. It's also stated in the dining brochures, and it's printed on many of the menus. I doubt you'll run into any execution problems when dealing with the plans... The cast members are now very comfortable with how it all works.

My last comment would be regarding complaints in general. Attitude is everything, while on vacation just as in life in general. When you're looking for problems, you can find them. If you're determined to be unhappy, you will be. Conversely, if you choose to see your glass as half full, problems are no more than minor inconveniences at worst. If you have a bothersome issue, don't wait until you get home to try and do something about it. Discuss it with the front desk or a park/restaurant employee, as the case may be. If that doesn't get you anywhere, ask to speak with a manager. If you still don't get anywhere, call your travel agent. If you have a legitimate complaint, everyone will do their very best to fix the problem. Understand that correcting the situation (and an apology) are all you're due. Don't expect to be bumped up to a suite at the Grand Floridian or be given dinner in the castle for your troubles. I'm not saying things like that don't happen, but it's rare... and writing a lengthy, nasty letter when you get home in the hopes of getting something free is just plain wrong."
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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 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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