April 01, 2010
Hello Everyone!
Well, well, well, it has been a busy month in the Disney news and announcements arena. Seems like all of the news this month has to do with Special Events going on at Disney World. It all sounds like fun!
However, there is one teeny tiny bit of non-Disney news I'd like to share (if you haven’t already heard). The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal is scheduled to open on June 18th!! Wow this looks so amazing! If you need Universal tickets, check out Maple Leaf – they always have a good discount. (They sell discounted Disney tickets too.)
I wish you all a Happy Easter and hope the Bunny treats you good!! Save some M&M’s for me…
Before I go any further, I’d like to take this time to send out a reminder to those traveling to Disney World in September. Your 180 day window is now open. For those going in October 2010, your 180 day point is quickly approaching! Get ready to make all of your dining reservations and set your alarm for 7:00 am eastern time on your reservation day! Or you can use the online system at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/. For those going before then, hopefully you have already made all of your desired reservations.
Once again, I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to all those who made a donation to the website this month, especially Michael and family from Maryland. If you have found our website to be helpful in planning your trip, please consider making a contribution. 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.
Lastly, if you haven’t already, I suggest that you check out the Disney vacation planning spreadsheet. It is a simple spreadsheet that makes planning out your Disney days super easy! Read more about the spreadsheet.
In this month's Disney Scoop
- Disney World News
- Flower and Garden Festival
- Wishes Dessert Party has started again
- Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests announced
- 2010 Food and Wine Festival Dates announced
- Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Schedule
- Start or expand your Disney DVD collection
- ** Start your own web business! **
- Discounted Tickets
- Give the Gift of Disney Stock
- 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.
Flower and Garden Festival
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The 2010 International Flower and Garden Festival at Disney World’s Epcot will take place from March 3rd to May 16th.
Read more about the Flower and Garden Festival
Wishes Dessert Party has started again
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As of March 28th, 2010, the Wishes Dessert Party is again being offered.
Read more about the Wishes Dessert Party
Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests announced
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The 2010 Star Wars Weekends are as follows:
- May 21,22,23
- May 28,29,30
- June 4,5,6
- June 11,12,13
The Celebrity guest stars have also been announced. Read more about the Star Wars Weekends
2010 Food and Wine Festival Dates announced
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The 2010 International Food and Wine Festival at Disney World’s Epcot will take place from October 1st to November 14th.
Read more about the Food and Wine Festival
Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Schedule
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The 2010 Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Disney World’s Epcot will take place from June 12th to July 31st.
Read more about the Sounds like Summer Concert series and see the schedule of performers.
Start or expand your Disney DVD collection
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Looking for a quick and easy way to expand your Disney DVD library? A great way to do that is to join the Disney Movie Club. Right now, you can get 4 Disney Movies for $1.99 Each, plus FREE SHIPPING!
Disney DVDs are a wonderful way to bring the magic home - and a nice way to pass a lazy summer day!
Start Your Own Web Business!
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During the past few months, 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
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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 |
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Quick Service Dining Coupon Deal
Now through April 17th, 2010, when you dine at a quick service location you will receive a coupon for 20% off at participating Walt Disney World merchandise locations.
There is a little catch though. You must purchase your merchandise between 9:00 am and 12 pm in order to receive the discount.
Here are the participating locations:
- The Emporium and Mickey's Star Traders in the Magic Kingdom
- Mouse Gear at Epcot
- Mickey's of Hollywood and Keystone Clothiers at Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Island Mercantile at Disney's Animal Kingdom
- World of Disney Store at Downtown Disney
Kids Eat and Play Free!
Valid for stays most nights 03/14/10 – 8/14/10.
Purchase a 4-night/5-day Magic Your Way package with the Quick Service Dining Plan and kids ages 3-9 will receive 5 day park tickets and the Quick Service plan for free!
- Child must stay in room with adult.
- Maximum of four guests per room.
- Up to 3 free children in room with one paying adult.
- Blackout dates may apply.
- This discount is available for most nights from 3/14/10 to 8/14/10.
- You must book by 4/24/10.
- All discounts are subject to availability
More Info:
- Disney Resorts
- Disney Resort Room Size Comparison
- Disney Resorts Dining
- Disney Resorts Maps
- Disney Ticket and Package Overview
| eTicket
With versions for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, eTicket
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- September 2010 Park Hours have been added.
- Magic Kingdom Hours
- EPCOT Hours
- Disney Hollywood Studios Hours
- Animal Kingdom Hours
- Blizzard Beach Hours
- Typhoon Lagoon Hours
- Flower and Garden Festival
- Food and Wine Festival
- Sounds Like Summer Concert Series
- Wishes Dessert Party
To stay up-to-date with the recent additions, please visit our What’s New page. If you have a Disney or vacation-related idea that you wish to share with all of us, or if there is some topic you would like more info about, please contact me!
If you like this newsletter, please feel free to forward it to a friend. Also, please share your thoughts or suggestions with me. I always appreciate feedback and I am very interested in making each and every newsletter edition as helpful and meaningful for you as possible. If a friend did forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting The Disney Scoop.Be sure to visit us again to Plan a Magical Vacation!