AffordableDisney.Com Blog
December 21, 2010
Celebrating 14 Years of Disney Discounts!
Copyright © 1997 - 2011
=================================================
Subscribe to AffordableDisney.Com's blog!
=================================================
Hi Everyone!
Dread the hassle of booking your own vacation? Not sure you will get the best possible price?
Beth, our full service Florida travel agent, handles all of our members' reservations. She is familiar with all of our deals and she will continue to monitor your reservations to make sure you are getting the best possible deal. If she finds a better deal, she will switch your reservation to the new deal without any intervention from you! Now that's peace of mind! Click here to learn more about why so many Disney vacationers have become Affordable Disney members over the years.
REMEMBER: 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.
NOTE: Be sure to join before the price increase takes place January 2, 2011!
Now on with the show...
WALT DISNEY WORLD
An official Walt Disney World Resort with rates starting at $74 (regularly $159)! Book by December 22, 2010.
--------------------------------
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD":
Waikolohe Stream: Journey Along ‘Mischievous Waters’ Will Be an Aulani Highlight
Families can ring in new year at DisneyQuest party
Take a tour of the Disney Dream
10 things to do at Disneyland Resort in rain
How to make the hours fly by while you're waiting at the airport
=================================================
Giant Ships… Are the Worth the Extra Cost?
Beth, our travel agent, writes:
"I recently had a very unique opportunity to compare two ships from the same company back to back. They were Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Liberty is a member of the Freedom class of ships, previously the largest passenger ships afloat until the Oasis class (to which Allure belongs) debuted last December.
I’ve looked at the deck plans of these classes dozens of times, and booked hundreds of passengers on them. Still, in my head, I was sort of thinking that sailing on them would be very similar. Granted, the Oasis class ships have more bells and whistles, and the interior promenade concept has been expanded to include an outdoor area as well, but I somehow thought more would just be, well, more of the same. I was wrong.
I'll admit I boarded Allure all ready to come away saying she was great, but probably not worth the extra bucks unless the price truly wasn't going to affect your budget much. I don't feel that way anymore, and here’s why.
The Freedom class ships are very similar to the Voyager class ships, and I like both classes very much. About the only thing you'll pick up on Freedom class that Voyager class doesn’t provide is a FlowRider (surfing) which is cool, to be sure, but I wouldn’t let that one thing dictate which ship to choose. I say, whichever one has the right itinerary on the dates you need and has an attractive price is the right one, regardless of whether it’s a Voyage or a Freedom class. If it turns out it’s a Freedom class, great; start working on your balance if you want to try out the surfing.
Oasis-class ships are a whole different world. The standard cabins are about the same, but everywhere you turn there are a zillion upgrades and new ideas made into reality. For instance, there are interior balcony cabins. Some look over the Central Park area while others look over the Boardwalk area (and its carousel). If you're lucky, your Boardwalk balcony will also give you a great view of the Aqua Theatre. Aside from pretty fountain shows, the water shows they do there are totally amazing. We didn't get to see the Broadway musical (Chicago on Allure, Hairspray on Oasis), but we did get to see the new aerial show, Blue Planet. I really can't believe that they can pull that stuff off on a moving ship! Of course, I'm still in awe of the ice skating shows that all three ship classes offer.
We were one of three couples lounging in comfy chairs under the stars one evening in Central Park listening to a violin and classical guitar duo who were fabulous. That giant ship and all those people on board and there were SIX of us all alone in that gorgeous setting! We never searched for a table in the buffet area even once (not true on Liberty), and my boyfriend is now a zip-line addict after twice making the short-but-high slide 9 decks above the Boardwalk area.
The food wasn't the best we've had at sea, but it was B+ or better the whole time, and most of the service (in the dining room and elsewhere) was an A- or better. The children’s areas are amazing, and sure to thrill kids from tots to teens with no trouble at all. And for the adults, dancing, alternative dining, comedy clubs, casino, the spa..… no shortage of activities, from low energy to very high energy.
And here’s the best news… In the last few weeks I’ve seen pricing on the two Oasis-class ships starting around $799 per person for a 7-night cruise. OK, so that’s an inside cabin rather than a posh, 2-story sky loft suite, but who cares? This is one of those cases where it’s all about the ship, not the itinerary or the cabin.
In short, two thumbs up on Liberty of the Seas, three thumbs up on Allure of the Seas. (Am I allowed to do that?) If you've got kids, especially teenagers, if you love big ships or high-energy vacations, if you love being amazed at what architects and engineers can pull off then these ships are for you. Just want to hang at the pool and eat well? they'll work out for you, too. Who should avoid them? Those that prefer traditional cruising and/or smaller intimate ship settings, and perhaps those that are overwhelmed by vast areas of unfamiliar space."
=================================================
Kennedy Space Center Holiday Gift
Save $5 on admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with this coupon! Coupon is valid for up to six people on one transaction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Ticket Plaza or online at KennedySpaceCenter.com. Valid through 01/03/11.
=================================================
AffordableDisney.Com Members and their families enjoy 24/7/365 access to a veritable Treasure Trove of Disney inside information, including:
* Our online 196-page travel guide, Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation
* Over 1,000 pages of Disney information including coupons, deals, discounts and specials at Walt Disney World, Florida, Disneyland, California, Disneyland Paris, cruises, and other venues in Florida and around the world!
* Customized tours for adults, children and romantic couples!
* Florida Travel agent specializing in Disney travel who is familiar with all our deals and can book affordable vacations for you at Walt Disney World and any where else in the world!
* Authorized Disney Discount Ticket Agent with the best deals on all your Florida vacation needs with an exclusive discount for Affordable Disney Members! Over 25 years in business in Florida!
In addition to the DEALS, DISCOUNTS AND SPECIALS posted at our password-protected members-only site, we also publish many inside tips:
* How can you get a FREE Disney Cruise?
* What dining program should Floridians choose at Disney World?
* Which theme park offers All You Can Eat and Drink?
* How to locate cheap rental homes and condos all over the world?
* How to get FREE 411 service on your cell phone?
* What's the secret of timeshare deals?
* Where can you eat cheap in Hawaii?
* What's the story with FREE companion air tickets?
* How to get Minnie and Mickey Mouse Voicemails at Disney World?
* How do you find out where the toilets are any where in the USA?
* How do you find hotels that accommodate 6-8 people?
* How much does a plane ticket really cost?
* How do I order flowers at Walt Disney World?
* Where are the cheapest gas stations?
* How do I buy gifts for someone visiting Disneyland or WDW?
* How do you book Disney rooms for sold-out nights?
* Where can I rent wheelchairs, ECVs and strollers?
And many more!
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
=================================================
Our AffordableDisney.Com Newsletter contains deal alerts, the latest news about Disney and other Florida attractions, and comments from Beth, our travel agent, and subscribers.
To subscribe, send a blank email to:
subscribe-956607225@ezinedirector.net
To read current and past issues of our newsletter, see:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/archive.html
Be sure to add our email address -
johngross@affordabledisney.com - to your safe list so your
email program's spam filter cannot block our newsletter!
=================================================
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
A World on Its Knees: Click here for a FREE book of prayers for the people of Haiti and those who are caring for them.
By the same author:
"Beads of Salvation: Praying the Rosary to Reach Heaven." Rosary prayers drawn from the writings of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori. Click here to read the book for FREE.
"Rosary Poetry: Poems on the Life of Jesus Christ." Twenty poems relating to the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Click here to read the book for FREE.
"100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America." The Virgin Mary, Our Lady of America, encourages us to seek Her as our model of purity. The prayers in this book petition God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the great Saints for the grace we need to lead pure and holy lives. Click here to read the book for FREE.
"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!
"To me, today at age 61, all prayer by the humble or highly placed has one thing in common: supplication for strength and inspiration to carry on the best impulses which should bind us together for a better world. Without such inspiration we would rapidly deteriorate and finally perish." Walt Disney (Source: startedbyamouse.com)
--------------------------------
Secrets to an Affordable WDW Vacation: "Save up to 40% on your Walt Disney World vacation. Save on Disney hotels, dining, tickets, cruises, honeymoons and souvenirs!" Click here for details.
--------------------------------
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.
=============================================
See You Real Soon!
John
AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information contained in our newsletter. Always check to be sure. The views and opinions expressed by others in our newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com.
=============================================
Copyright © 1999 - 2011 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
Celebrating 14 Years of Disney Discounts!
Copyright © 1997 - 2011
=================================================
Subscribe to AffordableDisney.Com's blog! =================================================
Hi Everyone!
Dread the hassle of booking your own vacation? Not sure you will get the best possible price?
Beth, our full service Florida travel agent, handles all of our members' reservations. She is familiar with all of our deals and she will continue to monitor your reservations to make sure you are getting the best possible deal. If she finds a better deal, she will switch your reservation to the new deal without any intervention from you! Now that's peace of mind! Click here to learn more about why so many Disney vacationers have become Affordable Disney members over the years.
REMEMBER: 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.
NOTE: Be sure to join before the price increase takes place January 2, 2011!
Now on with the show...
WALT DISNEY WORLD
An official Walt Disney World Resort with rates starting at $74 (regularly $159)! Book by December 22, 2010.
--------------------------------
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD":
Waikolohe Stream: Journey Along ‘Mischievous Waters’ Will Be an Aulani Highlight
Families can ring in new year at DisneyQuest party
Take a tour of the Disney Dream
10 things to do at Disneyland Resort in rain
How to make the hours fly by while you're waiting at the airport
=================================================
Giant Ships… Are the Worth the Extra Cost?
Beth, our travel agent, writes:
"I recently had a very unique opportunity to compare two ships from the same company back to back. They were Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Liberty is a member of the Freedom class of ships, previously the largest passenger ships afloat until the Oasis class (to which Allure belongs) debuted last December.
I’ve looked at the deck plans of these classes dozens of times, and booked hundreds of passengers on them. Still, in my head, I was sort of thinking that sailing on them would be very similar. Granted, the Oasis class ships have more bells and whistles, and the interior promenade concept has been expanded to include an outdoor area as well, but I somehow thought more would just be, well, more of the same. I was wrong.
I'll admit I boarded Allure all ready to come away saying she was great, but probably not worth the extra bucks unless the price truly wasn't going to affect your budget much. I don't feel that way anymore, and here’s why.
The Freedom class ships are very similar to the Voyager class ships, and I like both classes very much. About the only thing you'll pick up on Freedom class that Voyager class doesn’t provide is a FlowRider (surfing) which is cool, to be sure, but I wouldn’t let that one thing dictate which ship to choose. I say, whichever one has the right itinerary on the dates you need and has an attractive price is the right one, regardless of whether it’s a Voyage or a Freedom class. If it turns out it’s a Freedom class, great; start working on your balance if you want to try out the surfing.
Oasis-class ships are a whole different world. The standard cabins are about the same, but everywhere you turn there are a zillion upgrades and new ideas made into reality. For instance, there are interior balcony cabins. Some look over the Central Park area while others look over the Boardwalk area (and its carousel). If you're lucky, your Boardwalk balcony will also give you a great view of the Aqua Theatre. Aside from pretty fountain shows, the water shows they do there are totally amazing. We didn't get to see the Broadway musical (Chicago on Allure, Hairspray on Oasis), but we did get to see the new aerial show, Blue Planet. I really can't believe that they can pull that stuff off on a moving ship! Of course, I'm still in awe of the ice skating shows that all three ship classes offer.
We were one of three couples lounging in comfy chairs under the stars one evening in Central Park listening to a violin and classical guitar duo who were fabulous. That giant ship and all those people on board and there were SIX of us all alone in that gorgeous setting! We never searched for a table in the buffet area even once (not true on Liberty), and my boyfriend is now a zip-line addict after twice making the short-but-high slide 9 decks above the Boardwalk area.
The food wasn't the best we've had at sea, but it was B+ or better the whole time, and most of the service (in the dining room and elsewhere) was an A- or better. The children’s areas are amazing, and sure to thrill kids from tots to teens with no trouble at all. And for the adults, dancing, alternative dining, comedy clubs, casino, the spa..… no shortage of activities, from low energy to very high energy.
And here’s the best news… In the last few weeks I’ve seen pricing on the two Oasis-class ships starting around $799 per person for a 7-night cruise. OK, so that’s an inside cabin rather than a posh, 2-story sky loft suite, but who cares? This is one of those cases where it’s all about the ship, not the itinerary or the cabin.
In short, two thumbs up on Liberty of the Seas, three thumbs up on Allure of the Seas. (Am I allowed to do that?) If you've got kids, especially teenagers, if you love big ships or high-energy vacations, if you love being amazed at what architects and engineers can pull off then these ships are for you. Just want to hang at the pool and eat well? they'll work out for you, too. Who should avoid them? Those that prefer traditional cruising and/or smaller intimate ship settings, and perhaps those that are overwhelmed by vast areas of unfamiliar space."
=================================================
Kennedy Space Center Holiday Gift
Save $5 on admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with this coupon! Coupon is valid for up to six people on one transaction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Ticket Plaza or online at KennedySpaceCenter.com. Valid through 01/03/11.
=================================================
AffordableDisney.Com Members and their families enjoy 24/7/365 access to a veritable Treasure Trove of Disney inside information, including:
* Our online 196-page travel guide, Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation
* Over 1,000 pages of Disney information including coupons, deals, discounts and specials at Walt Disney World, Florida, Disneyland, California, Disneyland Paris, cruises, and other venues in Florida and around the world!
* Customized tours for adults, children and romantic couples!
* Florida Travel agent specializing in Disney travel who is familiar with all our deals and can book affordable vacations for you at Walt Disney World and any where else in the world!
* Authorized Disney Discount Ticket Agent with the best deals on all your Florida vacation needs with an exclusive discount for Affordable Disney Members! Over 25 years in business in Florida!
In addition to the DEALS, DISCOUNTS AND SPECIALS posted at our password-protected members-only site, we also publish many inside tips:
* How can you get a FREE Disney Cruise?
* What dining program should Floridians choose at Disney World?
* Which theme park offers All You Can Eat and Drink?
* How to locate cheap rental homes and condos all over the world?
* How to get FREE 411 service on your cell phone?
* What's the secret of timeshare deals?
* Where can you eat cheap in Hawaii?
* What's the story with FREE companion air tickets?
* How to get Minnie and Mickey Mouse Voicemails at Disney World?
* How do you find out where the toilets are any where in the USA?
* How do you find hotels that accommodate 6-8 people?
* How much does a plane ticket really cost?
* How do I order flowers at Walt Disney World?
* Where are the cheapest gas stations?
* How do I buy gifts for someone visiting Disneyland or WDW?
* How do you book Disney rooms for sold-out nights?
* Where can I rent wheelchairs, ECVs and strollers?
And many more!
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
=================================================
Our AffordableDisney.Com Newsletter contains deal alerts, the latest news about Disney and other Florida attractions, and comments from Beth, our travel agent, and subscribers.
To subscribe, send a blank email to:
subscribe-956607225@ezinedirector.net
To read current and past issues of our newsletter, see:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/archive.html
Be sure to add our email address -
johngross@affordabledisney.com - to your safe list so your
email program's spam filter cannot block our newsletter!
=================================================
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
A World on Its Knees: Click here for a FREE book of prayers for the people of Haiti and those who are caring for them.
By the same author:
"Beads of Salvation: Praying the Rosary to Reach Heaven." Rosary prayers drawn from the writings of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori. Click here to read the book for FREE.
"Rosary Poetry: Poems on the Life of Jesus Christ." Twenty poems relating to the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Click here to read the book for FREE.
"100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America." The Virgin Mary, Our Lady of America, encourages us to seek Her as our model of purity. The prayers in this book petition God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the great Saints for the grace we need to lead pure and holy lives. Click here to read the book for FREE.
"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!
"To me, today at age 61, all prayer by the humble or highly placed has one thing in common: supplication for strength and inspiration to carry on the best impulses which should bind us together for a better world. Without such inspiration we would rapidly deteriorate and finally perish." Walt Disney (Source: startedbyamouse.com)
--------------------------------
Secrets to an Affordable WDW Vacation: "Save up to 40% on your Walt Disney World vacation. Save on Disney hotels, dining, tickets, cruises, honeymoons and souvenirs!" Click here for details.
--------------------------------
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.
=============================================
See You Real Soon!
John
AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information contained in our newsletter. Always check to be sure. The views and opinions expressed by others in our newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com.
=============================================
Copyright © 1999 - 2011 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 4:27 AM
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