Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
Updates From Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
November 4, 2009
Copyright © 1999 - 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!
2010 Pre-Publication Promotion For Newsletter Subscribers Only!
To promote the upcoming online publication of the 14th edition of our book, "Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation," we are making a special holiday offer to our newsletter subscribers only:
Become a Basic or Lifetime Member and we'll send the same membership for FREE to a friend or loved one with your holiday wishes for a fun and affordable Walt Disney World vacation!
A FREE Affordable Disney membership for that special someone or family might be the perfect gift this year! You have one less gift to buy and the recipient can look forward to finally being able to take that vacation she thought she couldn't afford.
Visit our website to learn more about how much an Affordable Disney membership can save you. Enter code: "Free Membership" in the comment box when you order. Also enter the recipient's name and email address. If you don't have it on hand, you can send it to us any time at johngross@affordabledisney.com.
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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 - Beth set to book 2011 Disney cruises and Florida theme park specials
News from around the "World":
* This day in Disney history
* Character Dining returns to Magic Kingdom's Liberty Tree Tavern
* Girl Injured At Disney Resort
* 'Roger Rabbit' Writers Working On Sequel
* 17th Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Shifts Dates
* Explore the Disney Dream
* Princess Tiana hits Disney World, puts on a show
* Buzz Lightyear Mission Patch Design Challenge Contest
* A Kansas Citian Visits the Walt Disney Family Museum
* Disney's Haunted Holidays site
* Zemeckis discusses "Disney's a Christmas Carol"
* Disney Dream: Details about Disney Cruise Line’s new ship
* Disney iPhone app makes photos the key to content
* Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar
* Aloha Friday at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando
* Central Florida Roller Coaster Guide
* Waldorf Astoria Golf Club opens near Disney
* World's largest cruise ship sets sail for Fort Lauderdale
* SeaWorld joins Disney and Universal by raising ticket prices
* US Airways bookings must now comply with Secure Flight
* Getting on a plane without ID
* Midwest to add non-stop from Orlando to Omaha in early 2010
* Disneyland switches fireworks shows
* New show, characters coming to Disneyland
* Disney Wants to Build Production Studio Outside LA
* Disneyland Resort Calendar
* This week at Disneyland Paris
* What's new at Disneyland Tokyo
* This week in Las Vegas
* Branson Calendar of Events
* Creativity and Innovation Take the Helm Aboard Disney Dream
* New Holiday Concert Series At Universal Orlando Resort
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NEW THIS WEEK
DISNEY CRUISE LINE TIME SENSITIVE!
Bookings for 2011 sailings on the new Disney Dream open to the general public on Nov. 9, 2009!
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "We got very little heads-up on this and I’m concerned that people will miss out simply because they didn’t know. I will have up to four assistants working with me on the 9th, depending on how long of a request list I get. NOTE that I don’t need any money to make the reservation. Just legal names, dates of birth, address, phone number, and preferred sailing date(s) and cabin type. We can get additional information later if they decide to keep the offer."
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FLORIDA THEME PARK SPECIAL
Florida residents can enjoy these popular theme parks for a year for less than the cost of a single day’s admission!
Plus! Everyone can purchase vacation packages with FREE nights and FREE theme park tickets! Cost for a family of four: $34 per person, per day!
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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:
* FREE Disney Cruise with purchase of this package
* FREE nights and FREE tickets at Walt Disney World
* Give a Day, Get a Disney Day promotion
* BIG Downtown Disney Resort Hotel discount
* FREE night at a Walt Disney World luxury resort
* Florida Resident Discounts Galore! Too many to list here!
* Disneyland Vacation Club special
* Universal Orlando Resorts half off strategy
* American Idol Experience options
* Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
* 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
* 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
* 2 Days for the Price of 1 at Universal Hollywood
* Downtown Disney Resort Hotel discount
* Universal Blue Man Group discount
* Disneyland Annual Passes on a monthly payment plan
* Kids stay and play FREE at Disneyland Paris
* 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
Basic Member
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
This Day in Disney History
Character Dining is back at the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Tree Tavern Jan. 3, 2010 through Feb. 15, 2010. The Crystal Palace will be closed for refurbishing during the same period. (Source: Disney email blast, 11/03/09)
Girl Injured At Disney Resort
Exclusive: 'Roger Rabbit' Writers Working On Sequel, Robert Zemeckis Says
17th Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Shifts Dates Earlier Than Ever – March 3-May 16, 2010
Explore the Disney Dream
Princess Tiana hits Disney World, puts on a show - with video
Buzz Lightyear Mission Patch Design Challenge Contest - ends November 6.
The Mouse from Marceline: A Kansas Citian Visits the Walt Disney Family Museum
The kids can have some fun at Disney's Haunted Holidays site.
Robert Zemeckis gives the close-up its close-up in "Disney's a Christmas Carol"
Disney Dream: Details revealed about Disney Cruise Line’s new ship
Disney iPhone app makes photos the key to content
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD
Aloha Friday at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando set for Friday, November 20
Central Florida Roller Coaster Guide - this interactive guide is really neat!
Waldorf Astoria Golf Club opens near Disney
World's largest cruise ship sets sail for Fort Lauderdale
SeaWorld joins Disney and Universal by raising ticket prices
US Airways bookings must now comply with the Federal program, Secure Flight. See TSA's website for the information they need. Other airlines are bound to follow.
Getting on a plane without ID
Midwest to add non-stop from Orlando to Omaha in early 2010
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland switches fireworks shows
New show, characters coming to Disneyland
Disney Wants to Build Production Studio Outside LA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
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DISNEYLAND PARIS
This week at Disneyland Paris
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DISNEYLAND TOKYO
What's new at Tokyo Disneyland
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BRANSON, MO
Branson Calendar of Events
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LAS VEGAS
This Week in Las Vegas
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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.
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Creativity and Innovation Take the Helm Aboard Disney Dream
New Disney Cruise Ship Setting Sail in 2011
A first-of-its kind water coaster that sends guests racing above the upper decks of the ship. An animated turtle that engages children in conversation about life in the ocean. A sophisticated lounge where the sun sets over the skyline of a different world-famous city each night. When the Disney Dream debuts in early 2011, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet will bring to life these innovations and more.
The Disney Dream will take family cruising to all-new heights, embracing the spirit of innovation, magical family entertainment and immersive experiences that have made Disney Cruise Line the preeminent cruise of choice for families since 1998.
Disney Cruise Line revolutionized the cruise industry with purpose-built ships designed just for families. With the Disney Dream setting sail on Jan. 26, 2011, preparations are underway to expand the one-of-a-kind family experience, utilizing technology to enhance the world-class entertainment and legendary guest services onboard. From stem to stern, the Disney Dream will offer a cruise experience that caters to the preferences of the whole family.
"For more than a decade, passengers have filled their passports with memories sailing around the world with Disney Cruise Line," said Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. "With the Disney Dream joining our fleet, we’ll be able to take families to even more places they never imagined they could visit - in true Disney style."
The Disney Dream features a remarkable interior design which provides guests with a warm and welcoming feel throughout. The ship’s design offers guests a perfect blend of elegant Art Deco style and fun-filled Disney whimsy to create one of the most spectacular ships afloat. Distinctly Disney guest features aboard the Disney Dream include:
AquaDuck Water Coaster. . .
Disney Cruise Line debuts a cruise-industry first: a shipboard water coaster … AquaDuck! Guests aboard the Disney Dream will get swept away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids - all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.
* AquaDuck stretches 765 feet in length - more than two and a half times the length of a football field - and spans four decks in height.
* Guests slide 13 feet over the side of the ship in a translucent "swing out" loop allowing them to look down on the ocean 150 feet below.
* Guests experience coaster-like thrills as high-powered water jets push them upwards and forwards at 20 feet per second.
* AquaDuck continues through the forward funnel, encounters a 335 foot stretch of river rapids and splashes down to an end on Deck 12.
A Virtual Porthole for Inside Staterooms. . .
Disney Cruise Line introduces another stateroom innovation with all inside staterooms on the Disney Dream featuring a Virtual Porthole that provides guests with a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Virtual Porthole.
As guests observe the impressive outside views, they may glimpse a magical surprise: animated characters such as Peach the starfish from the Disney/Pixar hit film "Finding Nemo," or Mickey Mouse may pop by the Virtual Porthole.
A Magical Oasis for Children. . .
Only on a Disney Cruise Line ship can children become immersed in their favorite Disney stories with the help of caring counselors, beloved Disney characters and a sprinkling of pixie dust. The celebration of children’s creativity rises to a new level on the Disney Dream with nearly an entire deck of youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and unlock the imagination of children. There are two main spaces for children ages three to 10:
At Disney’s Oceaneer Club, children can:
* Play among larger-than-life characters from Disney/Pixar’s "Toy Story" in Andy’s Room
* Explore the Laugh Floor with lovable monsters Mike and Sully from "Monsters, Inc."
* Dive under the sea with Nemo and friends or visit Tinker Bell’s fairy forest
At Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, children feel as though they are embarking on a great seafaring adventure in a room filled with maps, maritime instruments and swashbuckling artifacts. Here, children can try their hand at animation, become a pop star or navigate ships through digital seas.
Both venues offer magical interactions with the animated characters such as Crush, the sea turtle from the Disney/Pixar motion picture "Finding Nemo" and Stitch, the mischievous alien from "Lilo and Stitch." The characters chat, play and joke with children in live, unrehearsed conversations from their digital undersea and intergalactic environments via 103-inch plasma screens.
Chill-Out Zones for Tweens and Teens. . .
Located inside the forward funnel is Edge - the lounge just for tweens (ages 11 to 13). This tween pad is filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology.
Teens have their own exclusive club aboard the Disney Dream with Vibe - a trendy and inviting indoor/outdoor space created especially for guests ages 14 to 17. A "teen-only" swipe card provides access to the nearly 9,000-square-foot club.
Teens can create and edit videos, play computer games, access the onboard social media application or try their hand at spinning and mixing dance tracks. Teens have their own private outdoor deck area with chaise lounges for sunbathing, two wading pools, misters and pop jets for cooling off, and deck games such as ping-pong and foosball.
Personal Touches with Rotational Dining. . .
Disney Cruise Line continues its innovative rotational dining concept onboard the Disney Dream with elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches, and world-class cuisine to create a magical dining experience. Throughout the cruise, guests "rotate" through three different restaurants for dinner - with their servers accompanying them, providing guests with friendly, familiar, personalized service each night. The rotational dining restaurants include:
* Animator’s Palate, a signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant that brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room for a unique experience that will captivate the entire family.
* Royal Palace, an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films "Cinderella," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Sleeping Beauty."
* Enchanted Garden, a whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles and featuring a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night.
Just for Adults. . .
On the Disney Dream, while children are having the time of their lives in the elaborately themed youth areas, adults can look forward to incomparable indulgences and relaxation with exclusive areas and offerings designed exclusively for them.
* Adults can escape into The District, a nighttime entertainment area on the Disney Dream with five unique venues. This playground for grownups features sophisticated lounges, each with its own unique design, look, feel, and palate-pleasing delights.
* Senses Spa & Salon offers adult tranquility with 17 private treatment rooms, lavish spa villas with indoor treatment rooms and private outdoor verandahs, and Rainforest, a special section of the spa offering the benefits of steam, heat and hydrotherapy to relax the mind and body.
* At Palo, adult guests find epicurean excellence and an unforgettable dinner experience at sea. Every seat offers beautiful ocean vistas while a pianist softly serenades guests in an intimate restaurant setting.
The Disney Dream is scheduled to depart on its maiden voyage Jan. 26, 2011, and will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer months, the ship will alternate four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay. Guests can book their Disney Dream cruise beginning Nov. 9, 2009. (Source: Press Release, 10/29/09)
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New Holiday Concert Series At Universal Orlando Resort
Combines With Grinchmas, Macy’S Holiday Parade To Create More Holiday Entertainment Than Ever
Concert Series Features Mannheim Steamroller, Chris Isaak, Natalie Cole
Holidays Begin Dec. 5 and Run Through Jan. 1
ORLANDO, Fla. - Universal Orlando Resort brings music home for the holidays this year as it kicks off a brand-new holiday concert series featuring Christmas-music mega-sensation Mannheim Steamroller and chart-topping artists Natalie Cole and Chris Isaak.
The concerts are an entirely new way to experience the holidays at Universal - and add to the already beloved Grinchmas celebration at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios.
"Music is a powerful part of the holidays - and we are creating a great, new way for families to enjoy the holidays together," said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando Resort. "Whether it’s an exciting parade, a heart-warming Grinchmas show or a joyful concert - there will be something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season."
Holiday celebrations at Universal Orlando Resort begin Dec. 5 and run through Jan. 1. Mannheim Steamroller - the iconic holiday music masters who have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide - performs at Universal Studios on Dec. 5. Chris Isaak performs on Dec. 12 and Natalie Cole performs on Dec. 19. Each concert begins after that night’s Macy’s Holiday Parade. Natalie Cole and Chris Isaak will perform a mix of holiday classics along with their most popular hits.
The performances will take place at the new Music Plaza - a brand-new, state-of-the-art, outdoor permanent concert venue located in the heart of the Universal Studios theme park.
The Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios features the world-renowned balloons and floats from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. In addition to the parade, Universal Studios guests can enjoy performances by marching bands from across the country, a nightly Christmas tree lighting, and specially themed holiday shows including The Blues Brothers, Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone and Barney.
At Islands of Adventure, the popular Dr. Seuss book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is brought to life in Grinchmas, a live stage show featuring an original recorded musical score by Mannheim Steamroller. During the show, six songs are performed by a live cast, including The Grinch and The Whos from Whoville. As a part of the Grinchmas celebration, guests will also have the opportunity to meet The Grinch.
The celebration continues at the three on-site hotels at Universal Orlando– Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort - all of which will glisten with holiday decorations. Hotel guests will be immersed in the spirit of the season with tree-lighting ceremonies, special musical performances, holiday "dive-in" movie presentations and holiday dining events. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel kicks off the season on Friday, November 27 with 'Holiday Harbor Nights', a wine tasting, food and jazz celebration on the piazza. Hard Rock Hotel welcomes Santa to the Kitchen restaurant on Fridays in December and Loews Royal Pacific Resort rings in the new year with ALOHA 2010, a New Year's Eve celebration.
Guests can also enjoy the holiday cheer at CityWalk with decorations, live music on the plaza stage and strolling entertainment on select dates throughout the event. (Source: Press Release, 10/30/09)
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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 read the book for FREE.
"Rosary Meditations: A Bouquet of Roses for Our Lady." Shows the beginner and the highly experienced how to meditate while praying the rosary. Click here to read the book for FREE.
Be sure to check out Father Ron Camarda's "Tear in the Desert." It's one of the most spiritual books I have ever read! Christian Peshken, producer and director, is planning to make a film based on the book.
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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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