Hello Everyone!

Well, as the school year winds down, many of you will be planning a Disney trip or actually heading there in the next couple of months. I have just two things to remind you about visiting Disney World in the summertime. First, wear sunscreen! The Florida sun is brutal! Second, drink lots (and lots) of water. If you are flying down, you may even want to consider having water delivered to your resort. For more about these topics, see my Weather Tips or Having Water Delivered to Disney Tips.

Before we get to the news, I do have a couple of housekeeping items. First, just a quick reminder to anybody traveling to Disney World in September. 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 still haven’t figured it all out yet – and honestly I’m not really sure what I’ll be using it for! 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.

Once again, I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to all those who made a donation to the website this month – they are very 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.

If you haven’t already, I suggest that you download the Disney planning spreadsheet files. It is a simple spreadsheet that makes planning out your Disney days super easy! Awhile ago I moved the files, and since posting the files in this new location, on an external web host, they have now been downloaded over 8500 times!

Last month I added the interactive table of contents to the Disney Scoop to make navigating a little easier. So, here it is for this issue:

In this month's Disney Scoop

• Disney World News
  • Park Merchandise now available for order!
  • Hall of Presidents to re-open
  • Seasonal / Holiday Dining Prices in effect
  • Join the Pirate’s League!
  • ** Start your own web business! **
  • 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.

Here is the Press Release regarding this topic:

GLENDALE, Calif., May 19, 2009 -- Ever admired a pair of customized Mickey Mouse ears or a Disney Princess castle toy while on a Disney vacation, and later regretted not buying it once you returned home? Or wished you could travel to Disneyland wearing a Disneyland t-shirt en route? Now, for the first time ever, you can purchase select merchandise from Disney's domestic theme parks and resorts outside of the parks and online only at DisneyStore.com and/or DisneyParks.com/store.

Formerly known as DisneyShopping.com , DisneyStore.com launches today as the official online retail destination for the most comprehensive offering of Disney merchandise designed to complement the Disney entertainment and vacation experience. Guests can now purchase a piece of Disney magic any time, at their convenience.

"We are delighted to be able to offer this great experience and convenience to our loyal guests who can now go to DisneyStore.com and purchase that forgotten item, one that was too large to carry or one that will make their Disney vacation all that more magical, like autograph books, which are great to have in advance," said Edward Kummer, senior vice president of Disney Global E-Commerce.

"Many of these products are among the most frequently asked for by our guests and now they are available to them at the click of a mouse." Online shoppers can choose from more than 100 top-selling products previously available only at domestic Disney theme parks, including customizable novelty ear hats, birthday gifts, exclusive art, collectibles, toys and plush items. The product selection will continue to expand throughout the year with special Disney theme park items just in time for the holiday shopping season.

In addition, DisneyStore.com will expand its online selection of merchandise from Disney Store retail locations across North America, offering a variety of popular seasonal and gift items throughout the year, plus apparel, costumes and playthings for infants, toddlers, kids and adults.

The new Create-Your-Own merchandise shop at DisneyStore.com offers a fun way for guests to express themselves by personalizing merchandise with their favorite Disney characters and their own names. Shoppers can create and customize apparel, bags, watches, blankets, home decor items and more- guests can even order Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella or Tinker Bell character art images and messages artfully displayed on fresh roses.

DisneyStore.com will also offer an expansive line-up of licensed merchandise from Disney Consumer Products, including electronics, movies, books, home decor, toys and apparel, vintage items, jewelry and more.

Hall of Presidents to re-open
(back to Table of Contents)

The Hall of Presidents at Disney’s Magic Kingdom is scheduled to reopen in July 2009. The attraction will feature an audio-animatronic version of President Barack Obama, who will join the previous 43 presidents of the United States. Disney Imagineers have also updated many of the show’s elements.

Seasonal / Holiday Dining Prices in effect
(back to Table of Contents)

During Holiday or some Seasonal time periods, certain Disney World restaurants impose a price increase. For more information or to see if this affects your dining plans, see the Holiday Dining page.

Join the Pirate’s League!
(back to Table of Contents)

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.

You can make reservations by calling 407-WDW-CREW.

Start Your Own Web Business!
(back to Table of Contents)

During the past month, I’ve had numerous people inquire about my website – like how I started it, how income is generated, and what’s all involved in getting a site up-and-running. I thought I would share a couple of things with all of you about this topic.

In this time of economic upheaval, an internet business is a great alternative or replacement for a traditional office job. Think about it. You get to share your thoughts and opinions on a topic near and dear to your heart – and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home – even in your pajamas if you wish!

What about you? Do you have something that you are passionate about? Are you looking for a way to make some extra money each month? Are you a student, a retiree or maybe a stay-at-home mom who needs a creative outlet?

Why not start a website? I know it sounds intimidating, but hear me out. I knew NOTHING about website building when I started… so I really needed a “Website-Builder-for-Dummies” kind of thing – and guess what? I found it. It is called Site Build It! It is a wonderful service that does all of the behind-the-scenes work for you – leaving you to focus solely on the content of your website.

Discounted Tickets
(back to Table of Contents)

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
(back to Table of Contents)

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
(back to Table of Contents)

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.