Thursday, February 24, 2011

AffordableDisney.Com Blog

February 24, 2011
Celebrating 14 Years of Disney Discounts!
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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.

Now on with the show...

NEW DEALS AROUND THE WORLD:

Affordable Vacations:

Turkey 6-City Package w/Air, Save $400!
Tahiti Vacation w/Air, Save $500!

Affordable Resorts:

Poconos Casino Resort incl. $65 Credit!
Cabo Villa, Save $1100!
Williamsburg Condo at, 60% Off!
LA w/View of Hollywood Sign, 50% Off!
Caribbean Resort at Half Off!
Vancouver Hotel, 45% Off!
Spa Getaway at Lake Las Vegas, Save $230!

Affordable Cruises: Greece & Dubai Cruise w/Balcony and $1000 Credit & Air!

Affordable Airfare: Scandinavia and Philadelphia to San Diego!

Entertainment Deals:

Philly 5-Course Dinner, $40 Off!
6 New Broadway Shows, up to 45% Off!
Las Vegas 'Le Rêve,' $33 Off!
George Burns' Life in New Jersey, 40% Off!
Human 'Bodies' Exhibit in NYC, $15 Off!

NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD":

Disney Cruise Line lowers height requirement for Disney Dream’s AquaDuck

Fun Facts Bloom Across 305 Acres of 18th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Mickey FASTPASS: Guests Will Be Able To Determine a Time To Meet Mickey Mouse Beginning This Spring at Magic Kingdom See press release below.

It's an odd lot at I-Drive Ripley's Believe It or Not

SeaWorld prepares to put trainers back in water with killer whales
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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
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Magic Kingdom Guests Will Be Able To Determine a Time To Meet with Mickey Mouse Beginning Later This Spring

Magic Kingdom officials have a hunch a really "hot ticket" in their realm this summer is going to be something other than a ride, a snack or a show. Rather, it's a first-ever opportunity to nail down a time to meet with Mickey Mouse.

When meet-and-greets with Mickey move into a permanent new location in Town Square later this spring, Magic Kingdom guests will be able to obtain a Disney's FASTPASS ticket specifying a one-hour window when they can return to see the popular character for hugs, photos and autographs -- without waiting in the standby queue. It will mark the first time the complimentary, computerized service has been available for a character meet-and-greet at any Disney Park.

Since spending time with Disney characters is at the top of the "must-do list" of many guests, the FASTPASS ticket will allow them to experience their Mickey Mouse meet-and-greets more conveniently. As a result, guests will be able to devote more time enjoying other Magic Kingdom experiences with family and friends.

The new meet-and-greet location, Town Square Theater, will be located inside the current Exposition Hall area just inside the park entrance. Imagineers already are working to completely transform the space for the new experience. "This isn't just remodeling Expo Hall; it is completely re-imagining this entire venue as a beautiful Victorian-era theater and the new home for Mickey Mouse," Jon Georges, WDI Director, Senior Show Producer, said.

"Mickey and Main Street, U.S.A. are great examples of pure Americana that complement each other very well," Concept Designer Jason Grandt said. "We drew a lot of inspiration from classic Mickey animated shorts such as The Nifty Nineties and Mickey's Grand Opera. Many of the scenes in these shorts look like they take place right on Main Street."

Guests arrive at a building befitting Mickey Mouse's stardom -- with a grand-Victorian-theater elevation, including a marquee that glistens with gold-leaf trim and sparkles with lights. Inside, there's a mosaic floor, lush curtains with gold rope tie-backs and polished-brass chandeliers. Imagineers are creating new elements and surprises for Magic Kingdom guests, including an interactive queue -- with an extra touch of Disney magic -- and highly themed retail shops.

The queue takes guests "backstage," where Mickey is waiting to greet them in a rehearsal-room environment amid posters, steamer trunks and stage props.

In addition, during the New Fantasyland construction, royalty will be visiting as the Disney Princesses will be in Town Square Theater to meet and greet their loyal subjects.

Currently, guests can visit with Mickey Mouse in Tomorrowland, in a location to the right of Space Mountain. Meet-and-greet experiences with the Disney Princesses are currently at Adventureland Verandah. (Press Release, 02/22/11)
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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.

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LET US PRAY...

As many of you know, I am an author of Catholic prayer books. One of the best ways to know Jesus more intimately and show our love for Him is through prayer. Prayer keeps us focused on the spiritual life and opens a channel for grace so He can make His presence known to us.

Today's prayer:

Gospel reading for February 24, 2011:

"And whoever will have scandalized one of these little ones who believe in me: it would be better for him if a great millstone were placed around his neck and he were thrown into the sea."

Eternal Father, may we always serve as an example of holiness and virtue to those we meet every day. May we do this not only because we fear the fires of hell and the loss of heaven, but because our sins offend You who are all good and deserving of all our love. Amen.

For those who have questions or wish to share their thoughts with me, send your comments to: johngross@affordabledisney.com. Please put "Let us pray" in the subject line so I won't mistake you for spam.

For further help in forming your prayer life, see my prayer books below that I've written and compiled and posted on the 'Net for FREE. God bless.

"The Divine Word + Sacred Art Rosary: Praying the Rosary with Sacred Scripture and Art." Bible-based meditations for each bead of the rosary. Each Mystery is illustrated with beautiful art masterpieces inspired by God. Click here to read the book for FREE.

"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)
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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.
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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 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.
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Copyright © 1999 - 2011 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.