Hello Everyone!

Birthdays, baseball, banged heads and broken bones! (Don’t even ask!) Another busy month is over for our household! Thank Goodness! If possible, I’d like a little less excitement for the month of May…but it never slows down around here! On the Disney front, there have been some exciting news announcements and additions at Disney World this month – and that’s always better than the cutbacks and negative changes we’ve been seeing lately!

But before we get to the news, I have a couple of housekeeping items. First, just a quick reminder to anybody traveling to Disney World in August. Your 90 day window is quickly approaching! Prepare to make all of your dining reservations and set your alarm for 7:00 am eastern time on your reservation day! For those going before then, hopefully you have already made all of your desired reservations.

I have recently created a Facebook page for Plan-a-magical-Vacation.com. I’m not really sure what I’ll be using it for – haven’t figured it all out yet! But if you’d like to become a fan, leave a note, or even start a discussion, go to Plan a Magical Vacation on Facebook.

If you are in the early stages of planning your trip, or don’t even know where to begin, I suggest you start with the Disney Vacation Plan Step by Step Guide.

I also want to extend a thank you to all those who made a donation to the website this month – they are much appreciated. Remember, your donations help defray the costs associated with creating and maintaining the site. See the Chip In section to donate or to learn more. Thanks again.

If you are a new subscriber to the Scoop and have some extra time, you can catch up on old issues.

This month I have had many requests for the Disney planning spreadsheet files. This thing is spreading like wildfire! Since posting the files in a new location on an external web host, they have now been downloaded over 7800 times!

I wanted to make navigating the Disney Scoop newsletter a little easier – it seems each month’s issue is longer than the last. So I’ve decided to add an interactive table of contents. Here it is for this issue:

In this month's Disney Scoop

• Disney World News
  • 2009 Holiday Party Tickets go on sale May 1
  • Changes to Extra Magic Hours
  • Disney World DVDs
  • Join the Pirate’s League!
  • “Green” Merchandise at Disney World
  • Discounted Tickets
  • Give the Gift of Disney Stock
  • Find the Cheapest Airfare
• Disney World Discounts and Specials
• Tip of the Month
• What’s New on the Site

As always, if you have any feedback or questions, please send me a note.

Changes to Extra Magic Hours
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Changes have been made to the morning Extra Magic Hours (EMH) for the Magic Kingdom. On April 23, 2009, the EMH attraction list has been modified. Please see the Extra Magic Hours page for the updated list.

Disney World DVDs
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I came across these DVDs last month and thought it was worth repeating. You can get DVDs of all of Disney World at a bargain price. Check it out and let me know what you think.. The reports I’ve received so far have been positive.

Join the Pirate’s League!
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On June 29, 2009 the Pirate’s League will open in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom. This will be a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique-like experience primarily aimed at boys, but I’m sure there are lots of interested Pirate Princesses as well. Pirate guests can chose from three packages:

First Mate Package: ($49.95 plus tax)

Includes bandanna, choice of facial effects (scar, tattoo, fake teeth, earring or eye patch), a sword and sheath, a pirate coin necklace, one 5x7 photo and a personalized pirate oath.

Empress Package: ($49.95 plus tax)

Includes bandanna, shimmering makeup (face gem, tattoo, nail polish, earring or an eye patch), a sword and sheath, a pirate coin necklace, one 5x7 photo and a personalized pirate oath.

Captain's Package: ($124.95 plus tax)

Includes choice of costume or outfit, choice of facial effects (scar, tattoo, fake teeth, earring or an eye patch), a sword and sheath, a pirate coin necklace; three 5x7 photos and a personalized pirate oath.

Beginning May 11, you can make reservations by calling 407-WDW-CREW.

“Green” Merchandise at Disney World
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Disney World shopping has gone “Green”! Environmentally-friendly merchandise can now be found on the shelves of shops across the entire Disney World property.

There are many new products made from a variety of materials. Rubber tires, denim, and currency have been recycled and turned into stationery, notebooks, and pencils. There are T-shirts made from organic cotton, which is cultivated without using any chemicals or pesticides, and jewelry made from bamboo and coconuts. Organic cotton and ‘green’ inks and dyes are also present in new plush toys and gifts. Even misprinted Disney candy bar wrappers are being reused to make purses!

The neatest idea (besides the purse made from candy bar wrappers!) is that the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund pins come on a paper-card that has been embedded with wildflower seeds. The entire card can be planted in the soil. How cool is that!

Discounted Tickets
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If you are not using a Disney vacation package, you can either purchase your park tickets directly from Disney at the gate, or you can get discounted Disney World tickets from an outside vendor.

These vendors buy tickets in bulk and pass the savings on to you – the consumer! I recommend buying your Disney tickets or tickets for other Orlando attractions from Maple Leaf Tickets. In addition to Disney tickets, they also offer discounts on many Orlando area shows, attractions, dinner shows, and theme parks.

They offer competitive pricing paired with over twenty years of industry experience. They’ll even deliver your tickets to your resort hotel or directly to your home before your vacation!

More Info:

• Tickets and Packages Overview
  
• Magic Your Way Tickets Overview
  
• Annual Pass Overview
  
• Florida Resident Tickets
  
• 2009 Disney Ticket Prices
  
• Discounted Tickets for Disney and Other Area Attractions
  

Give the Gift of Disney Stock
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I’ve always heard about the deal where you can give (or get!) a share of Disney Stock as a gift. I just thought I would pass along the idea to all of you. Now is a great time to buy stock – considering the state of the markets today. So, check it out. You can even buy a Framed Share of Walt Disney Stock through the My First Stock Program – that would make a really unique gift for a baby shower or a graduation, or even a birthday or Valentine’s Day!

Find the Cheapest Airfare
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If you are looking to find the best price you have got to check out Kayak.com. If you have ever booked your own airfare, you know what a pain it is to manually check all the different airlines for the best deal. Kayak is a travel tool that searches 140+ travel sites all at once and finds the cheapest fares for you – for flights, hotels, and even rental cars. After you get all of the results for your desired travel dates, you can then compare the results from all of the sites together – and there are many ways to filter and sort the results – all done instantly! Hotels searches are also offered, so check it out if you are planning to stay offsite in an Orlando area hotel. You can even buy direct from the airlines or agencies - Kayak is not a travel agent. And of course, Kayak is free!

FREE Disney Dining Plan for General Public!

• When you purchase one of these 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way hotel and theme park ticket packages, your family will enjoy the Disney Dining Plan, Free.

• Valid for stays most nights 8/16/09 to 10/03/09.

• Booking Dates: Book by June 21, 2009

• Booking Codes:
  • RYH: Vacation Package with Basic Dining Plan

FREE DINING for Disney VISA card holders!

• Purchase a minimum three (3) night stay at a select Walt Disney World Resort Hotel in conjunction with a Magic Your Way ticket and receive the Disney Dining Plan absolutely FREE! You may also upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan at a discounted rate, or add the Wine & Dine Add-On at regular rates.

• Booking Dates : Disney Visa Holders: Book by June 21, 2009

• Travel Dates : August 16, 2009 – October 3, 2009

• Booking Codes:
  • RYI: Vacation Package with Basic Dining Plan
  • EEV: Vacation Package with Deluxe Dining Plan
  • UXQ: Vacation Package with Deluxe Dining Plan with Wine and Dine Plan

• Important Notes:
  • This offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions.
  • The FREE DINING "Special Offer" Walt Disney World Resort Room Rates are not applicable to any nights after October 3, 2009.
  • This "Special Offer" Magic Your Way Package plus Dining is valid for stays a minimum of three (3) nights and a maximum of fourteen (14) nights at any Walt Disney World Resort.
  • The same package must be purchased for all Guests in the party.
  • Meals for guests ages 3-9 may not be used by persons ages 10 and up.
  • Guests ages 3-9 must order from the children’s menu where applicable.
  • Certain dining locations require the redemption of two Table Service meals per guest.
  • Applicable gratuities are not included.
  • This offer is not applicable to "Room Only" reservations.
  • The number of rooms available is limited.