Important News about the "Water Park Fun & More" ticket option

The Water Park Fun & More Option would make a great addition to your Magic Your Way Ticket! But we wanted to make sure you were aware of some news that will impact the use of that option.

By September 28, 2008, all of the nightclubs on Pleasure Island will be closed. So as of that date, the Water Park Fun & More Option will no longer include the choice of admission to those clubs.

Instead...you can choose to use a visit to enjoy once round of golf at Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course - a relaxed, nine-hole walking course designed for the entire family! Tee times are required and subject to availability. To make a tee time, visit disneyworldgolf.com.

And remember, the Water Park Fun & More Option still gives you a certain number of visits to your choice of:

• Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
• Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
• DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park OR
• Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex

Announced Today - New Disney World October-December Discounted Special

You can now get a specially priced packages at selected Walt Disney World resorts for select dates in the fall...This package is available most nights between

• 9/28/08-11/25/08,
• 11/29/08-12/3/08 and
• 12/13/08-12/23/08.
  

The room rate is discounted. The dining plans and wine plans can be added on at regular prices.

Example prices that you may see advertised in the press (for example $1168 for a family of four as shown in the banner ad above) would be for 5 nights/6 days in a Disney Value resort in "Value" season.

As this special includes dates in "Value", "Regular" and "Holiday" seasons, the actual rates for your package for your dates could vary hugely... (i.e. most packages will be considerably higher than the advertised price...)

As with all of these types of Disney offers, space is an issue (some room types are already sold out on certain dates and will not be available) and the number of rooms on the special is limited. It is not a "blanket" rate. So it is in your interests to try to book early for this promotion.

There are many different variations of this offer - essentially all "Magic Your Way" packages, with or without dining, are included.

You must book by 9/24/08 but don't wait! The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. No group rates or other discounts apply. 3 night minimum stay is required. Contact me by email or by phone at 613-594-5633, to start the process...

As always, today I will be trying to change over all of my "already-booked" clients travelling at these times to take advantage of these new rates, if available... just one of the many advantages of choosing to book your Disney vacation with a Disney Specialist at Let's Take the Kids Travel...

More details about 2009 packages - there is a NEW dining plan option - it looks good too...

Hello again,

As I posted yesterday, the 2009 packages for Disney World are now available to book. There have been some changes, and I will post them as I work out what's what.

For now, here is some detail about the newest dining plan.

Quick Service Dining Plan
For each PACKAGE NIGHT, clients with this package will receive:

2 Quick Service Meals	One entrée OR one complete Combo Meal One dessert (Lunch or Dinner) or one juice (Breakfast) One single serving non-alcoholic beverage
2 Snacks	Choose from: - Frozen ice-cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar - Box of popcorn - Single serving grab bag of Frito-Lay's chips - One 20oz bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water - Single piece whole fruit - Medium fountain soft drink or apple juice
Resort Refillable Drink Mug	1 per person, per package.

• We can see this being really popular, as families with small children especially may not want the hassle of doing the whole sit-down restaurant thing. Now there is an alternative...
• Also, as you can't pre-book quick service meals, this is a dining plan option that will suit those clients that really don't want to have to plan so far in advance. (There is no doubt that you DO need to plan and pre-book your sit-down meals on the regular dining plan, and this means that you really need to plan even which park you will be visiting on what day, sometimes months in advance). With this plan - there's just no need to do that. You can "wing-it" if you want. (Now, honestly, I would still advocate planning your trip to avoid the feeling of being a headless chicken due to the overwhelming amount of stuff at Disney, but you don't have to...)
• Also, of course it will be less expensive than the existing dining plans. Just how much it will cost, I am not sure right now. I'll post when I can find out...

Walt Disney World package rates now available for 2009

As suspected, the long-awaited 2009 Disney World vacation packages are now available to book. Those clients that are waiting for me to get on with changing over their "room only" bookings, I am doing that as I type this...

As for the rest of you - what are you waiting for?!!! Contact me to book your Disney vacation!

ONE IMPORTANT CHANGE IN BOOKING PROCEDURE...
We can now only "hold" a booking for ONE week, not TWO (as in previous years). A significant change...

Adventures by Disney Announces 2009 Vacation Itineraries

Adventures by Disney continues to get bigger and better. For 2009 there are even more itineraries (8 more than last year) and they, as always look truly fantastic. This is a long post - (my "read more" link thingy has broken and I can't truncate my posts any more for some reason) as ALL 23 ITINERARIES are described there...

What is it to truly be an adventurer? To travel above and beyond, and see what most ordinary tourists will never see. Now your Clients can share a world filled with wonder, enchantment and remarkable adventures with eight brand new Adventures by Disney vacations in 2009 – a total of 23 exciting itineraries to some of the world’s most spectacular destinations! From exploring the Galapagos Islands with a naturalist to hiking with huskies through the European Alps, your Clients will be there as the world’s authentic wonders come to life.

As a special thank you, past Adventures by Disney Guests are eligible to receive a $100 credit per person when booking a 2009 season Adventures by Disney vacation by Nov. 30, 2008.

NEW TRIPS

• South Africa – Safari to South Africa – Cape Town, The Garden Route and Kapama Game Reserve
  Imagine riding with your family in a safari jeep as a skilled tracker leads you through one of the most stunning and diverse game reserves in all of Africa, or learning age-old survival secrets of the wild on a ranger-lead Bushwalk. Exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, with bustling markets, a lively waterfront and sumptuous food. Discovering beautiful Boulders Beach, then meeting African penguins in their natural habitat. And concluding your grand adventure at a Boma, a torchlit barbecue feast and show that is, like everything else on this trip, one of the most extraordinary experiences on the planet.
• Northern California – Golden Path to Yosemite – Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and Yosemite
  Blaze an adventurous trail through the land of legendary gold and natural glory. Soar to the top of Squaw Peak and behold Tahoe’s aquamarine jewel among the mountains. Float along the idyllic Truckee River and swim in a setting more beautiful than any painting. And make the Yosemite Valley your family’s incredible backyard as you hike and ride through its unspoiled majesty. Then spring from the wilderness to explore San Francisco’s hilly charm by bike and private trolley – on your unbelievable expedition from the gold-streaked Sierras to the famed Golden Gate.
• Alaska – Taming the Last Frontier – Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Kenai Peninsula
  Get ready for untamed, unspoiled, unbelievable family adventures in the foothills of our country’s highest peak: mighty Mt. McKinley. Come frolic with the sled dogs of the legendary Iditarod. Explore deep icy fjords and jet boat along a pristine river in search of wildlife that’s still completely wild. Learn how to track majestic wolves through their forest empires. And float among the iceberg remains of calving glaciers that have existed for centuries. You’ll discover this distant wilderness with its native people, making new friends and memories in the land of the midnight sun.
• Northeast U.S. – Beantown & The Big Apple – Boston, Newport, and New York City
  Embark on a traveler’s tale from the revolutionary streets of Boston to the electrifying avenues of New York City. You’ll explore New England’s coastal wonders as you breeze through Boston on a duck boat. Take in Newport’s mansions from a seafaring schooner. Relive one of the original American stories in the halls of Ellis Island. And break into show biz on Broadway. From the Green Monster in Fenway Park to biking around Central Park – you’ll uncover ingredients of our melting pot nation and add a new chapter to your family history.
• U.S./ Southwest Canada – Rocky Trails & Mountie Tales – Glacier National Park and Banff National Park
  Come raft mighty rivers, hike flower-filled meadows, and ride horses on trails through the clouds in the unspoiled Northern Rockies. Imagine your family surrounded by the snow-capped peaks, towering forests and impossibly blue lakes of two immense national parks in two countries. You’ll sleep high in the sky, between glacial lakes and ancient limestone – with tribal tales of when the world was young still dancing in your mind. And after canoeing, hiking and biking in land roamed by Lewis and Clark and beyond, you’ll never want to come down to earth again.
• Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands – Gateway to the Galapagos – Quito, Otavalo Valley and The Galapagos Islands
  There are some places in the world that have a story all their own. Standing on the equator in sight of a snow-capped volcano. Living an authentic Andean life on a 400-year-old hacienda. Stargazing from your shipboard home in the middle of the South Pacific. Hiking and snorkeling with wild creatures so rare, they only exist one place in the world. From high Andean fields to the Galapagos Islands’ clear blue depths, you’ll live the stories of these magical places – collecting vivid family memories with every step.
• European Alps – Alpine Magic – Stresa, Zermatt and Lake Lucerne
  Experience an Alpine adventure that puts the “great” in great-big-beautiful outdoors. Get out there as you cruise past the cascading towns of Italy’s lakes. And shape pasta the traditional way at a Como cooking school. Then zigzag through mountains, dotted with chalets, to the incredible Swiss Alps. You’ll soar past distant peaks on thrilling ziplines, bike the scenic paths of a lofty village, even hike grassy trails with faithful huskies. All from well-appointed hotels in an Alpine playground of lakes, mountains and glaciers – ready for your family to come out and play.
• Italy – Bella Italia – Sorrento and Florence
  The Italian roads less traveled are an adventure all their own – from the silent mysteries of Pompeii to Pisa’s eternally Leaning Tower. Cruise the sparkling Mediterranean Sea as you explore Amalfi’s dramatic coast by boat. Craft your own Sorrento pizza from fresh ingredients in a farmhouse kitchen. And peddle through paradise along Tuscan walls that have survived since the Renaissance. You’ll taste fresh limon cello, discover Florentine treasures and swim in the azure waters off Capri – sharing more of Italy with your family than many see in a lifetime.

NEW SIGNATURE TRIPS

For select departure dates to South Africa and Northern California, Adventures by Disney is pleased to offer brand new Signature Trips which feature additional special elements for an even more extraordinary vacation experience.

• South Africa – Safari to South Africa – Cape Town, The Garden Route and Kapama Game Reserve
  Imagine riding with your family in a safari jeep as a skilled tracker leads you through one of the most stunning and diverse game reserves in all of Africa, or learning age-old survival secrets of the wild on a ranger-lead Bushwalk. Exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, with bustling markets, a lively waterfront and sumptuous food. Discovering beautiful Boulders Beach, then meeting African penguins in their natural habitat. And concluding your grand adventure at a Boma, a torchlit barbecue feast and show that is, like everything else on this trip, one of the most extraordinary experiences on the planet.

Special Signature Features:

• VIP meet & greet at aircraft and luxury sedan transfer
• Upgraded accommodations to the five-star Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town’s lively Waterfront area
• Upgraded accommodations to the five-star Main Lodge in Kapama Game Reserve
• Exclusive VIP gift in-room amenity
• VIP memento gift from the Gold of Africa Museum’s exquisite gift shop
• Special entertainment from the Township Boys Choir in addition to the Cape Minstrels at the Castle of Good
• Hope exclusive dinner
• Exclusive “African Skies” themed dinner with dance entertainment
• Exclusive “Sundowner” dinner experience at the Knysna Elephant Park
• Exclusive Catch & Release Fishing for Junior Adventurers at Kapama Game Reserve
• All included dinners feature complimentary wine and beer

• Northern California – Golden Path to Yosemite – San Francisco and Yosemite
  Blaze an adventurous trail through the land of legendary gold and natural glory. Soar to the top of Squaw Peak and behold Tahoe’s aquamarine jewel among the mountains. Float along the idyllic Truckee River and swim in a setting more beautiful than any painting. And make the Yosemite Valley your family’s incredible backyard as you hike and ride through its unspoiled majesty. Then spring from the wilderness to explore San Francisco’s hilly charm by bike and private trolley – on your unbelievable expedition from the gold-streaked Sierras to the famed Golden Gate.

Special Signature Features:

• Upgraded accommodations to the five-star St. Regis hotel in San Francisco
• Upgraded accommodations to the magnificent Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite
• Exclusive rock climbing class at the Yosemite Mountaineering School
• Exclusive professionally guided camera walk of Yosemite Valley
• Exclusive VIP gifts in-room amenity
• All included dinners feature complimentary wine and beer

RETURNING TRIPS

• New Name! Spain – Treasures of Spain – Barcelona, Seville, Madrid
  Discover family adventures more dazzling than Spanish gold –exploring the lavish private rooms and soaring towers of a Spanish alcazar. Gazing at the intricate carvings of an Gaudi’s unfinished architectural masterpiece. And savoring a sea of tiny tapas plates overflowing with flavor. From the Flamenco’s whirling colors to Andalucia’s welcoming farms – you’ll uncover Spanish treasures that many people never find and memories that never lose their luster.
• New Name! Czech Republic & Austria – Storybook Kingdoms – Prague, Salzburg, Vienna
  Follow the kings and queens of old for a storybook adventure through their fabled castles and kingdoms. Learn the secrets of the strings at a colorful marionette show. Then hang on the sweet notes of a young prodigy’s violin serenade. You’ll unlock the whimsical trick fountains of a country palace, fly along the wooden chutes of a former salt mine and even dine among the animals at the world’s oldest zoo. It’s the stuff royal legends are made of and this time the imperial family is yours.
• China – Enchanted China - Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai, Hong Kong
  Remote and remarkable, exotic and enchanting, China – one of the world’s most enigmatic destinations, is waiting to share her secrets with you. Explore ancient mysteries and modern splendors in the profound Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Make friends with giant pandas at Chengdu Research Base, then cruise the otherworldly beauty of Guilin’s gumdrop mountains aboard your exclusive private boat. From defending against foreign invaders atop the Great Wall to catching flying acrobats in Shanghai to VIP treatment at Hong Kong Disneyland, this is a chance for your family to discover not just another country, but another world.
• Australia – Discovery Down Under – N. Queensland, Ayers Rock, Sydney
  Plunge into the largest coral reef system on earth, where schools of color explode from every hollow. Ride camels through the desert to watch the sun set on Ayers Rock, the island mountain. And feel the rush of adrenaline as you zoom around famed Sydney Harbour on a high-speed boat. From a candlelight dinner above a croc-filled river to Jackaroo high jinks at an outback sheep station, you’ll explore the land of Oz from ocean to desert, rainforest to reef – with family adventures you’ve got to hike, bike and swim to believe.
• Peru – Sacred Valleys and Incan Cities – Lima, Sacred Valley, Cusco
  Live the legends of the Inca among the patchwork green, red and gold fields where their descendents still thrive. You’ll dance in the hilltops with colorfully costumed friends. Raft a twisting river in the shadow of surreal peaks. Enjoy a Peruvian feast cooked by mother earth herself. And wind through Andean mountains, discovering impossible stone creations like Machu Picchu – the mysterious city in the clouds. Let weavers, artists, even wooly llamas share Peru’s secrets with your family, on sky-high adventures around the unforgettable Sacred Valley.
• Southern California – Backstage Magic - Hollywood, Disneyland
  Go where the magic happens – to places few will ever see, places your family will never forget. The El Capitan Theatre, The Jim Henson Company Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering – places where sketched-out dreams become vivid reality for your family to experience firsthand. Then live the magic as you explore every whimsical corner of the Happiest Place on Earth – transforming a trip to the park into a VIP experience far beyond imagination.
• Costa Rica – Path to Pura Vida – San Jose, Arenal, Manuel Antonio
  Pura Vida. The Pure Life. A life dedicated to nature’s beauty and harmony. Where you’ll fly high over rainforests, soak in secluded thermal springs, and conquer whitewater rapids with your family. It’s a life filled with fiery dances, fresh-picked pineapples, and volcanic light and sound shows. Where butterfly families gather by the thousands and Adventure Guides find the most secluded rainforest trails. And where natural adventures become the colorful family memories you keep for a lifetime.
• Ireland – The Emerald Isle – Dublin, Killarney, Shannon
  Watching foamy waves crash from high atop the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, you’ll realize why Irish eyes are always smiling. Let us wrap you in old-world charm as you ride jaunting carts to a country manor, listen to ancient tales in Celtic brogue and spend a few cozy nights in an ivy-covered castle. From sheep herding in Shannon to jig lessons in Killarney to cathedral tours in Dublin – Ireland’s earthy warmth and lively melodies are sure to add a spring to your step for years to come.
• England, France – Cities of Knights and Lights – London, Paris
  Ladies and gentlemen, mesdames et messieurs, welcome and bienvenue to a tale of two famous cities. Let London charm you with storytelling beefeaters, proper English high tea, a jolly good spin on a double-decker bus and a special West End theatre experience that’ll have you roaring for more. Then say “bonjour” to Paris as you explore gargoyle-guarded cathedrals, bike the très elegant gardens, dine in the Eiffel Tower and find inspiration among the world’s greatest masterpieces. Two wonderfully different capitals for one unforgettable family adventure.
• Italy – Viva Italia – Rome, Tuscany, Venice
  From Trevi Fountain wishes in Rome to masquerade balls in Venice, no taste of Italy would be complete without a dash of local flavor. Explore the Eternal City’s ancient wonders as Rome reveals its mythic tales. Learn to shape your own pasta in the rustic kitchen of a Tuscan chef. Experience Michelangelo’s David and fall for Florence’s Renaissance charm. Then glide by gondola along Venice’s famed canals. You’ll dine al fresco in Tuscany, spend nights in an Italian villa and become part of the famiglia on an adventure worth savoring.
• Germany – Once Upon a Fairy Tale – Heidelberg, Trendelberg, Rothenburg, Munich
  Journey through the land that inspired so many beloved Disney stories – a land where magic still lives. Let Sleeping Beauty show you around her charmed castle gardens and towers. Learn to wield a bow and arrow just like the knights of old. Walk mysterious cobblestone streets lit by a night watchman’s lantern. And travel to the place where the teddy bear was born. With so many colorful characters to meet and so many enchanted places to explore– Germany is just the setting for your very own family fairytale.
• France – Flavors of France – Aix-en-Provence, Paris
  Treat your senses to the best of France, from the rippling lavender fields of Provence to the bustling sidewalk cafés of Paris. Discover Provençal pleasures with your family as you kayak the waters under an ancient aqueduct, sample the sun-kissed wines of a country vineyard, and sail through the wind on a mountain crest bike ride. Then it’s off to Paris by bullet train to indulge in the avant-garde – from the heights of the Eiffel Tower to the shops of the Champs Elysées – before bidding adieu to your delectable French adventure.
• American Southwest – Southwest Splendors - Sedona, Grand Canyon, Moab
  The Southwestern stage is set for your family adventure. Get ready to raft the majestic Colorado River. Tear through Red Rocks in an off-roading 4x4. And discover parts of the Grand Canyon most will never see. The desert will speak to you through naturalists, Navajos, cowboys, even native creatures. And as day becomes star-dusted night, you’ll gather ‘round the campfire to share memories from your very own tall tale.
• Mid Atlantic States – Spirit of America - Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Williamsburg
  Hear ye! Hear ye! Come one and all to the legendary cities where our nation was born. Pedal past larger-than-life monuments that voice our country’s heroic tales. Walk in the footsteps of our forefathers, and even meet a few of them. Gather where Revolutionary plans were once laid, savoring authentic dishes from 1776. And travel back in time to live the colonial life, just as it was hundreds of years ago. You’ll eat, sleep and play in places steeped in national nostalgia – and experience a family adventure you won’t find in any book.
• Wyoming – Quest for West – Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
  Grab the reins and see the world from a saddle as you get to know the true American West. Find your frontier spirit with horseback riding, roping and fly-fishing beneath wide-open skies at an authentic dude ranch. Raft the writhing Snake River, and explore the whimsical sights and Western charm of Jackson Hole. Then discover the soul of Yellowstone as you hike among its cascading rivers and iron-streaked canyons to watch Old Faithful burst from the earth. Come explore Wyoming – and realize that home on the range is just where your family belongs.

Disney World Packages due out next week!

We are expecting the Disney World package rates (Disney hotels, Magic Your Way Passes and/or dining plans etc) to be released early next week.

So if you have been impatiently waiting to book your Disney vacation - just a few more sleeps and you'll be able to! Whoo hoo!

I am willing to give you the benefit of my experience, if you need it... you can call me at 613-594-5633...

(I'm the one on the right as you look at the photo...)

Ottawa residents - Wonderful prices on charter airfares from Ottawa this winter...

Sunwing Airlines are a charter outfit that have been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. They are offering more and more destinations from more and more cities. And they just announced Ottawa-Orlando flights starting on the 11th December 2008.

The flights are Thursday to Thursday, so may not be suitable for everyone, but the price sure is nice. For their first departure in December, their price (including tax and service fee) is around $350!! Compare that with other airlines! We haven't seen that price from Ottawa except for extraordinary short seat sales, for years!

Now, I doubt if all their flights are going to be available at this kind of price, for all their dates, but it is sure worth us checking for you (if you can fly Thursday to Thursday). At that rate, you don't even need to think about saving money by driving to Syracuse...

As the beginning of December is a good time to travel to Disney for a number of other reasons, (Christmas decorations are up, crowds are light, possibility of discounted package rates from Disney etc) then maybe "Let's Take the Kids Travel" will put 100 families on that plane! A worthy goal. Sign up to be first!! Contact me now!

Rumours of a new fall discount special...

While I can't be certain until announced, it appears that Disney are considering a discounted Magic-Your-Way package promotion for travel this fall (one of their traditionally "slower" times made perhaps a bit worse by the economic slowdown in the States). They put on a similar discounted rate last year, so it seems likely that something will be coming on-line shortly.

Of course the Canadian economy is still doing well and as our dollar continues to hover around par with the US dollar, it's a great time for Canadians to get a real "bang for your buck".

As always, clients of "Let's Take the Kids Travel" will be automatically upgraded (or strictly-speaking "down-graded" at least in price!!) if any such offer is announced as long as it is available for your dates/resort. If necessary I will contact you in case you may wish to consider changing resort to take advantage of the offer.

For any other Disney bargain hunters around, keep checking back with this blog to see if you can take advantage of any of Disney's specials.

As a possible double whammy, if you can travel at the beginning of December, please check out my next post...

There hasn't been much to say lately, but hold on to your hats - there a lot coming as soon as I can type it up!!!