Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
July 29, 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 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 - FREE Dining Offer at Walt Disney World, Room discounts at Walt Disney World, Disney venue discount for Florida residents, Orlando theme park season pass changed for Floridians, Disneyland Paris specials, Big cruise deal, and super Branson promotion
News from around the "World":
* Beth warns about dealing with hotels with financial problems
* Beth writes about the great deals to be had now in cruising
* Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary to Open Aug. 4
* Dining is Part of the Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
* Whole-Wheat Greek Pizza Recipe From the Swan and Dolphin Resort
* Disney’s "Alice in Wonderland" exhibit to wander the globe
* 3 different Disney on Ice shows to play in September in Florida
* List of narrators for Candlelight Processional at Epcot
* Disney to change marketing of Richard Petty Driving Experience
* Images of Disney canoe races at the Magic Kingdom
* Disney's Fairy Godmother isn't her usual dizzy self
* Disney's test of centralized FastPass at Animal Kingdom
* 16 Walt Disney World vacations to be given away as prizes
* Images of Disney canoe races at the Magic Kingdom
* CityWalk Calendar And Venue Entertainment – August 2009
* 50 things to do in Orlando and Central Florida with your kids
* 10 secrets airlines don't want you to know
* Some airlines could start charging according to your weight
* Universal's Rockit: Is it ready to rip yet?
* Eateries, store could go on Disneyland-area RV park site
* Disneyland Hometown to Build Eco-Friendly Rail Station
* Celebrity kids’ store opens in Downtown Disneyland
* Disneyland's Club 33 Wait List Even Longer Than You Thought
* Las Vegas Circus Circus Fact Sheet
* Tabuchi joins the Thousand Hills "Hole in One Club" in Branson
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
# Get FREE Dining with this offer!
# Save 35% at Disney moderate resorts! Other resorts discounted, too!
# Florida residents can buy one ticket at regular price and save $58 on the 2nd ticket at this popular Disney venue!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Due to the economic slowdown, this theme park has eliminated the blackout dates of the last 12 days of December for its season pass for Florida residents!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
# 4 day/3 night package for the price of a 3 day/2 night
# Kids Under 12 Stay, Play and Travel Free
# Kids Under 7 Stay and Play Free
# Save 30% at Davy Crockett Ranch
--------------------------------
BIG CRUISE DEAL
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "Been dreaming of trying out one of those new ships with the surfing and ice skating? Thought it would be way too expensive for your family? Think again! We have a bunch of 7-night departure dates between September 12 and December 13 that start at just $1799 for a family of four! Affordable Disney members should email me for details before all the space at this great rate sells out!"
--------------------------------
BRANSON, MO
This resort has formed partnerships with the Mansion Theater, The Oak Ridge Boys Theater, and The Branson Titanic Museum. Stay two or more nights in two bedroom or larger golf condos, Branson log cabins, and lake condos and receive more than $300 in tickets to theaters, FREE food and drink at restaurants, FREE admissions and gifts.
=================================================
Below are just some of the deals drawn from over 70 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:
* FREE air and tickets to Walt Disney World
* Save 35% on Walt Disney World hotel rooms
* Cirque du Soleil discount for residents of this state
* BIG Downtown Disney Resort Hotel discount
* Marriott summer deal
* FREE night in Mexico
* Universal Orlando Resorts half off strategy
* American Idol Experience options
* Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
* Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
* Adventures by Disney London and Paris vacation
* Orlando resort vacation package for dog owners
* Disneyland ticket deal for locals
* Disneyland Paris vacation package discount
* Luxury cruise discount exclusively for police and firefighters
* New parties for Walt Disney World Resort guests
* SeaWorld Partner Hotel Special
* Disneyland California ticket sale
* CityPass discount for Affordable Disney members
* FREE night at Disney Deluxe Resort
* Disney Cruise Line discounts for Floridians and the military
* Non-Disney theme park/cruise vacation packages
* New source for discounted Disney Villas
* SeaWorld San Diego ticket deal
* Walt Disney World discounts for passholders and Floridians
* Las Vegas room discounts
* Universal hotel discounts
* Disneyland California hotel special
* Universal Orlando discounted vacation packages
* SeaWorld Discovery Cove discounts
* Orlando Theme Park Package
* Room discounts and FREE tickets for the military
* Room discounts and Package with Dining for Annual Passholders
* 2 Days for the Price of 1 at Universal Hollywood
* Annual Pass deal for Floridians at this non-Disney theme park
* Downtown Disney Resort Hotel discount
* 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
* 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
* Super Branson promotion
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
Dining is Part of the Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Whole-Wheat Greek Pizza Recipe From the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Disney’s "Alice in Wonderland" exhibit gets ready to wander the globe
Three different Disney on Ice shows slated for September in Florida
Just-released list of narrators for this year's Candlelight Processional at Epcot
Disney to shift gears marketing Richard Petty Driving Experience
Disney's Fairy Godmother isn't her usual dizzy self
Disney's test of centralized FastPass distribution at Animal Kingdom
16 Walt Disney World vacations to be given away as prizes in Hanes Comfort Sweepstakes Sweeps ends September 30, 2009.
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
CityWalk Calendar And Venue Entertainment – August 2009
50 things to do in Orlando and Central Florida with your kids before they grow up
Images of Disney canoe races at the Magic Kingdom
10 secrets airlines don't want you to know
Some airline-industry analysts predict that the cost of flying eventually could depend on your weight.
Universal's Rockit: Is it ready to rip yet?
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Eateries, store could go on Disney-area RV park site
Disneyland Hometown to Build Eco-Friendly Rail Station
Celebrity kids’ store opens in Downtown Disney
Disneyland's Club 33 Wait List Even Longer Than You Thought
Disneyland Resort Calendar
--------------------------------
BRANSON, MO
Shoji Tabuchi joins the Thousand Hills "Hole in One Club" for the second time.
--------------------------------
LAS VEGAS
Circus Circus Fact Sheet
This Week in Las Vegas
--------------------------------
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 addres
=================================================
Bay Lake Tower Scheduled to Open Aug. 4, Bringing Disney Vacation Club Conveniences to Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Building on Tradition
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Nearly 38 years after Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened its doors, its modern Disney Vacation Club addition, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is scheduled to welcome guests on Aug. 4. This will be the seventh Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property at Walt Disney World Resort.
All 15 stories of the ultra-sleek design continue the original building’s iconic style, which opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park Oct. 1, 1971. Bay Lake Tower complements and pays homage to Disney’s Contemporary Resort while also offering a variety of new amenities and conveniences - kitchenettes or full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, and other homelike amenities. In addition, most of the 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas in the crescent-shaped tower offer spectacular views of Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom.
Bay Lake Tower, like all DVC resorts, blends Disney magic with elegant design and premier accommodations. DVC members - and, based on availability, overnight Walt Disney World guests staying at Bay Lake Tower - can choose from a number of recreation activities and facilities, including a children’s interactive water play area, Bay Cove Pool, a barbeque pavilion, a Community Hall and two nearby tennis courts.
For easy access to Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s restaurants, merchandise shops and the monorail, the Sky Way Bridge takes members and guests from the fifth floor of Bay Lake Tower directly to the fourth floor Grand Canyon Concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
The opening of Bay Lake Tower is an exciting chapter in the history of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
"Our resort motto is ‘Where Tradition Touches Today,’ and the marriage of our iconic resort with this elegant new Disney Vacation Club offering is a perfect example," said Thea Sargent, general manager of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. "Plus, with all of the enhancements we have made to the resort over the last few years - from costumes and landscaping to restaurants and merchandise locations - we offer our overnight guests and DVC members an unparalleled ‘contemporary’ resort experience. I think this kind of evolution is exactly what Walt Disney envisioned for our resort."
Bay Lake Tower is the third Disney Vacation Club offering to open at Walt Disney World Resort this year, following the first phase of Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
"What excites me most about this tremendous growth is that we’re not only creating new accommodations but new experiences for our Disney Vacation Club members as well as our resort guests," said DVC President Jim Lewis. "Each of the projects we’ve undertaken at Disney Vacation Club is unlike anything previously available in our resort portfolio, and Bay Lake Tower proudly builds on that tradition."
=================================================
Orlando-area hotels reel from year of bad news
Beth, our travel agent, gives her take on the above story:
"Hotels with such low occupancy rates will offer great deals in order to get people into their rooms. Making something is better than nothing at all! Buyers need to be aware, though, that hotels in serious financial difficulty may accept the reservation today and close their doors tomorrow - taking deposits with them and ruining vacation plans. I'd hesitate to book a struggling hotel this month or next for a stay over November or December.
The good news is that there are plenty of deals to be had for individuals, and hotels are willing to negotiate big-time for group business. The concessions I've been getting for meetings and conferences is amazing.
Notice that Disney resorts are left out of the numbers in the article. Disney will not release their numbers. If you're familiar with their pricing and discounting practices, though, you don't need the numbers to see what's going on. They've sent out hoards of PIN codes offering free dining for stays in Oct-Nov-Dec. They've never done that before. The big indicator will be what they offer as the promotion to the general public for that time period. We should know that in the next couple weeks. If we're lucky they will do free dining for everyone. And that, folks, is worth pulling the kids out of school for a few days. (Have them spend extra time at Epcot to make up for it.)
In fact, this is a great year for doing any kind of travel. I know everyone’s worried about their job, their health insurance, the cost of gas, and so on, but for those that are really doing OK at this point, doing a family reunion cruise, celebrating Grandma’s 90th birthday at Disney World, taking a second honeymoon in the islands, or teaching Junior about Athens and Rome first-hand is more of a bargain this year than you’re likely to see for a very long time (if ever again).
So don’t just assume that you can’t afford that vacation of your dreams. It doesn’t hurt to check it out, and I’m more than happy to give quotes to people that are 'just curious' about what a trip might cost."
=================================================
Beth, our travel agent, writes about the great deals to be had now in cruising:
"OK, I know I’ve been harping on the value of cruising lately and I apologize… except that I wouldn’t be a very good travel agent if I didn’t go out of my way to make sure clients know that this is a great year for discovering this all-inclusive vacation option. Of course, if you’re already a cruise fan you know what I mean, but statistics show that the majority of you have yet to set foot on a cruise ship. NOW is the time to fix that problem because pricing has never been more amazing.
Case in point… One great line is based in Italy. They don’t do much advertising here because they generally have no more than one ship cruising from a US port, but this is a line worth paying attention to. They christened a new ship just last year, and it's making her debut in the Caribbean this Fall with two 5-night cruises from Ft. Lauderdale that start at just $399 p/p – and kids 17 and under SAIL FREE! And get this… the 7-night Christmas cruise which departs Ft. Lauderdale December 20 starts at just $699 and, again, KIDS SAIL FREE! Seriously - for Christmas! That’s just unheard of on a holiday cruise.
If you’re still hesitating because you’re worried about being bored, getting seasick, feeling too regimented, etc. then email me. What you’re imagining is the way cruising used to be; it’s changed. There’s something for every age group, and you can do as much or as little as you care to. Cruising really is the perfect vacation when you need a break from Disney.
Please don’t let the opportunity of discovering cruising at such great prices slip away. I’d be happy to get you no obligation quotes, talk to you about doing groups or family reunions, or put space on a courtesy hold for you. Deposits are fully refundable until the final payment date (usually 60 days prior to sailing). So dig out your sense of adventure and try something new… TAKE A CRUISE!"
Affordable Disney members should log in for the cruise line's website URL and Beth's contact info.
=================================================
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
By the same author: "Achieving Weight Loss through the Prayers of the Divine Office of the Virgin Mary." True peace with food can only come from establishing a close relationship with God. Click here to download your FREE copy.
--------------------------------
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 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.
=============================================
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
July 29, 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 - FREE Dining Offer at Walt Disney World, Room discounts at Walt Disney World, Disney venue discount for Florida residents, Orlando theme park season pass changed for Floridians, Disneyland Paris specials, Big cruise deal, and super Branson promotion
News from around the "World":
* Beth warns about dealing with hotels with financial problems
* Beth writes about the great deals to be had now in cruising
* Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary to Open Aug. 4
* Dining is Part of the Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
* Whole-Wheat Greek Pizza Recipe From the Swan and Dolphin Resort
* Disney’s "Alice in Wonderland" exhibit to wander the globe
* 3 different Disney on Ice shows to play in September in Florida
* List of narrators for Candlelight Processional at Epcot
* Disney to change marketing of Richard Petty Driving Experience
* Images of Disney canoe races at the Magic Kingdom
* Disney's Fairy Godmother isn't her usual dizzy self
* Disney's test of centralized FastPass at Animal Kingdom
* 16 Walt Disney World vacations to be given away as prizes
* Images of Disney canoe races at the Magic Kingdom
* CityWalk Calendar And Venue Entertainment – August 2009
* 50 things to do in Orlando and Central Florida with your kids
* 10 secrets airlines don't want you to know
* Some airlines could start charging according to your weight
* Universal's Rockit: Is it ready to rip yet?
* Eateries, store could go on Disneyland-area RV park site
* Disneyland Hometown to Build Eco-Friendly Rail Station
* Celebrity kids’ store opens in Downtown Disneyland
* Disneyland's Club 33 Wait List Even Longer Than You Thought
* Las Vegas Circus Circus Fact Sheet
* Tabuchi joins the Thousand Hills "Hole in One Club" in Branson
=================================================
NEW THIS WEEK
WALT DISNEY WORLD
# Get FREE Dining with this offer!
# Save 35% at Disney moderate resorts! Other resorts discounted, too!
# Florida residents can buy one ticket at regular price and save $58 on the 2nd ticket at this popular Disney venue!
--------------------------------
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Due to the economic slowdown, this theme park has eliminated the blackout dates of the last 12 days of December for its season pass for Florida residents!
--------------------------------
DISNEYLAND PARIS
# 4 day/3 night package for the price of a 3 day/2 night
# Kids Under 12 Stay, Play and Travel Free
# Kids Under 7 Stay and Play Free
# Save 30% at Davy Crockett Ranch
--------------------------------
BIG CRUISE DEAL
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "Been dreaming of trying out one of those new ships with the surfing and ice skating? Thought it would be way too expensive for your family? Think again! We have a bunch of 7-night departure dates between September 12 and December 13 that start at just $1799 for a family of four! Affordable Disney members should email me for details before all the space at this great rate sells out!"
--------------------------------
BRANSON, MO
This resort has formed partnerships with the Mansion Theater, The Oak Ridge Boys Theater, and The Branson Titanic Museum. Stay two or more nights in two bedroom or larger golf condos, Branson log cabins, and lake condos and receive more than $300 in tickets to theaters, FREE food and drink at restaurants, FREE admissions and gifts.
=================================================
Below are just some of the deals drawn from over 70 pages of current specials posted at our password-protected members-only site:
* FREE air and tickets to Walt Disney World
* Save 35% on Walt Disney World hotel rooms
* Cirque du Soleil discount for residents of this state
* BIG Downtown Disney Resort Hotel discount
* Marriott summer deal
* FREE night in Mexico
* Universal Orlando Resorts half off strategy
* American Idol Experience options
* Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
* Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
* Adventures by Disney London and Paris vacation
* Orlando resort vacation package for dog owners
* Disneyland ticket deal for locals
* Disneyland Paris vacation package discount
* Luxury cruise discount exclusively for police and firefighters
* New parties for Walt Disney World Resort guests
* SeaWorld Partner Hotel Special
* Disneyland California ticket sale
* CityPass discount for Affordable Disney members
* FREE night at Disney Deluxe Resort
* Disney Cruise Line discounts for Floridians and the military
* Non-Disney theme park/cruise vacation packages
* New source for discounted Disney Villas
* SeaWorld San Diego ticket deal
* Walt Disney World discounts for passholders and Floridians
* Las Vegas room discounts
* Universal hotel discounts
* Disneyland California hotel special
* Universal Orlando discounted vacation packages
* SeaWorld Discovery Cove discounts
* Orlando Theme Park Package
* Room discounts and FREE tickets for the military
* Room discounts and Package with Dining for Annual Passholders
* 2 Days for the Price of 1 at Universal Hollywood
* Annual Pass deal for Floridians at this non-Disney theme park
* Downtown Disney Resort Hotel discount
* 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
* 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
* Super Branson promotion
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
Dining is Part of the Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Whole-Wheat Greek Pizza Recipe From the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Disney’s "Alice in Wonderland" exhibit gets ready to wander the globe
Three different Disney on Ice shows slated for September in Florida
Just-released list of narrators for this year's Candlelight Processional at Epcot
Disney to shift gears marketing Richard Petty Driving Experience
Disney's Fairy Godmother isn't her usual dizzy self
Disney's test of centralized FastPass distribution at Animal Kingdom
16 Walt Disney World vacations to be given away as prizes in Hanes Comfort Sweepstakes Sweeps ends September 30, 2009.
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
CityWalk Calendar And Venue Entertainment – August 2009
50 things to do in Orlando and Central Florida with your kids before they grow up
Images of Disney canoe races at the Magic Kingdom
10 secrets airlines don't want you to know
Some airline-industry analysts predict that the cost of flying eventually could depend on your weight.
Universal's Rockit: Is it ready to rip yet?
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Eateries, store could go on Disney-area RV park site
Disneyland Hometown to Build Eco-Friendly Rail Station
Celebrity kids’ store opens in Downtown Disney
Disneyland's Club 33 Wait List Even Longer Than You Thought
Disneyland Resort Calendar
--------------------------------
BRANSON, MO
Shoji Tabuchi joins the Thousand Hills "Hole in One Club" for the second time.
--------------------------------
LAS VEGAS
Circus Circus Fact Sheet
This Week in Las Vegas
--------------------------------
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 addres
=================================================
Bay Lake Tower Scheduled to Open Aug. 4, Bringing Disney Vacation Club Conveniences to Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Building on Tradition
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Nearly 38 years after Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened its doors, its modern Disney Vacation Club addition, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is scheduled to welcome guests on Aug. 4. This will be the seventh Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property at Walt Disney World Resort.
All 15 stories of the ultra-sleek design continue the original building’s iconic style, which opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park Oct. 1, 1971. Bay Lake Tower complements and pays homage to Disney’s Contemporary Resort while also offering a variety of new amenities and conveniences - kitchenettes or full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, and other homelike amenities. In addition, most of the 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas in the crescent-shaped tower offer spectacular views of Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom.
Bay Lake Tower, like all DVC resorts, blends Disney magic with elegant design and premier accommodations. DVC members - and, based on availability, overnight Walt Disney World guests staying at Bay Lake Tower - can choose from a number of recreation activities and facilities, including a children’s interactive water play area, Bay Cove Pool, a barbeque pavilion, a Community Hall and two nearby tennis courts.
For easy access to Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s restaurants, merchandise shops and the monorail, the Sky Way Bridge takes members and guests from the fifth floor of Bay Lake Tower directly to the fourth floor Grand Canyon Concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
The opening of Bay Lake Tower is an exciting chapter in the history of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
"Our resort motto is ‘Where Tradition Touches Today,’ and the marriage of our iconic resort with this elegant new Disney Vacation Club offering is a perfect example," said Thea Sargent, general manager of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. "Plus, with all of the enhancements we have made to the resort over the last few years - from costumes and landscaping to restaurants and merchandise locations - we offer our overnight guests and DVC members an unparalleled ‘contemporary’ resort experience. I think this kind of evolution is exactly what Walt Disney envisioned for our resort."
Bay Lake Tower is the third Disney Vacation Club offering to open at Walt Disney World Resort this year, following the first phase of Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
"What excites me most about this tremendous growth is that we’re not only creating new accommodations but new experiences for our Disney Vacation Club members as well as our resort guests," said DVC President Jim Lewis. "Each of the projects we’ve undertaken at Disney Vacation Club is unlike anything previously available in our resort portfolio, and Bay Lake Tower proudly builds on that tradition."
=================================================
Orlando-area hotels reel from year of bad news
Beth, our travel agent, gives her take on the above story:
"Hotels with such low occupancy rates will offer great deals in order to get people into their rooms. Making something is better than nothing at all! Buyers need to be aware, though, that hotels in serious financial difficulty may accept the reservation today and close their doors tomorrow - taking deposits with them and ruining vacation plans. I'd hesitate to book a struggling hotel this month or next for a stay over November or December.
The good news is that there are plenty of deals to be had for individuals, and hotels are willing to negotiate big-time for group business. The concessions I've been getting for meetings and conferences is amazing.
Notice that Disney resorts are left out of the numbers in the article. Disney will not release their numbers. If you're familiar with their pricing and discounting practices, though, you don't need the numbers to see what's going on. They've sent out hoards of PIN codes offering free dining for stays in Oct-Nov-Dec. They've never done that before. The big indicator will be what they offer as the promotion to the general public for that time period. We should know that in the next couple weeks. If we're lucky they will do free dining for everyone. And that, folks, is worth pulling the kids out of school for a few days. (Have them spend extra time at Epcot to make up for it.)
In fact, this is a great year for doing any kind of travel. I know everyone’s worried about their job, their health insurance, the cost of gas, and so on, but for those that are really doing OK at this point, doing a family reunion cruise, celebrating Grandma’s 90th birthday at Disney World, taking a second honeymoon in the islands, or teaching Junior about Athens and Rome first-hand is more of a bargain this year than you’re likely to see for a very long time (if ever again).
So don’t just assume that you can’t afford that vacation of your dreams. It doesn’t hurt to check it out, and I’m more than happy to give quotes to people that are 'just curious' about what a trip might cost."
=================================================
Beth, our travel agent, writes about the great deals to be had now in cruising:
"OK, I know I’ve been harping on the value of cruising lately and I apologize… except that I wouldn’t be a very good travel agent if I didn’t go out of my way to make sure clients know that this is a great year for discovering this all-inclusive vacation option. Of course, if you’re already a cruise fan you know what I mean, but statistics show that the majority of you have yet to set foot on a cruise ship. NOW is the time to fix that problem because pricing has never been more amazing.
Case in point… One great line is based in Italy. They don’t do much advertising here because they generally have no more than one ship cruising from a US port, but this is a line worth paying attention to. They christened a new ship just last year, and it's making her debut in the Caribbean this Fall with two 5-night cruises from Ft. Lauderdale that start at just $399 p/p – and kids 17 and under SAIL FREE! And get this… the 7-night Christmas cruise which departs Ft. Lauderdale December 20 starts at just $699 and, again, KIDS SAIL FREE! Seriously - for Christmas! That’s just unheard of on a holiday cruise.
If you’re still hesitating because you’re worried about being bored, getting seasick, feeling too regimented, etc. then email me. What you’re imagining is the way cruising used to be; it’s changed. There’s something for every age group, and you can do as much or as little as you care to. Cruising really is the perfect vacation when you need a break from Disney.
Please don’t let the opportunity of discovering cruising at such great prices slip away. I’d be happy to get you no obligation quotes, talk to you about doing groups or family reunions, or put space on a courtesy hold for you. Deposits are fully refundable until the final payment date (usually 60 days prior to sailing). So dig out your sense of adventure and try something new… TAKE A CRUISE!"
Affordable Disney members should log in for the cruise line's website URL and Beth's contact info.
=================================================
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
By the same author: "Achieving Weight Loss through the Prayers of the Divine Office of the Virgin Mary." True peace with food can only come from establishing a close relationship with God. Click here to download your FREE copy.
--------------------------------
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 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.
=============================================
See You Real Soon!
John
AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
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posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 5:52 AM
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