Another short sweet Westjet sale...

Today only!
Westjet are advertising Orlando flights "from" $109 each way plus tax... again.

Why not check out your dates, and see if you can find space at this great rate. Couple it with a nice strong Canadian dollar, and an ongoing Disney World special and you could find a really nice price for a Disney World vacation...

If you need someone to help plan and book everything - you can contact me!

Cheers!

A busy day of saving my clients' money...

I believe that I have now researched all of my clients that potentially could benefit from the new Disney special announced the day before yesterday - see previous post.

I was able to swap over every one of the files that I worked on today!! Guests saved, on average, nearly $100 per person. It took a long time to do, so I have not contacted most of my clients yet - indeed it make take a few days to get around to everyone - so in the meantime, if you are one of my clients and you think you qualify for the special, drop me an email and see if I got it for you...

If you have already paid in full, you will see a refund from Disney. If you have not yet paid your final balance, the final amount will be reduced.

Have a magical weekend!

A Disney World Offer So Good You'll Have to Take It For A Spin!

Just announced... Free Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More ticket upgrades when you purchase this 5-night / 6-day package including Theme Park Tickets. Now you can come live out more Disney dreams because The Year of a Million Dreams celebration is continuing for one final year. And with this special package you can do it all with FREE upgrades to the Park Hopper Option and Water Park Fun & More Option. Enjoy enchanting new entertainment, fantastic new attractions and the dream-making magic Disney Cast Members create for Guests every day. It’s the best way to experience all the magic the world has to offer. Select Disney Value Resort hotels in a standard room. Available for stays most Sundays through Thursday nights 3/30/08 – 4/6/08, 4/10/08-4/20/08 and 4/27/08-5/21/08. Hurry! You must book by March 21, 2008! *The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Water Parks subject to seasonal and weather closures. ©Disney (Source Disneytravelagents.ca)

Westjet Vacations - Parents Fly Free!

Yes, it does say "parents", just for a change!

For selected dates, every child taking their parent to Disney will get a free ticket for their parent. So two kids can get 2 free parents. Taxes are additional, of course, as well as the accommodation, passes and all the rest of the goodies. Still, it should be several hundred dollars in savings.

Travel dates are advertised as being from March 30th through May 21st, though this may be a little misleading, as the only dates that they outline in the detailed web page (linked below) are in April... if I can clarify that later, I will.

For full details of the new special please please click - "Parents Fly Free Special"

So what's the use of having a blog if you don't actually blog?!!

Yes...

Well I knew that I had not been adding posts much lately, but I didn't realise that it was nearly 3 months since the last one!!

For many of my clients you will know that the months of December and January are our busiest months of the year at the office. Those same clients will hopefully understand that blogging was not my priority at this time!

Plus, there have not been any "specials" as such to tell you about for Disney World in the last 3 months - I would have made sure that I added that to the blog.

Today, though Westjet Vacations introduced a special on their flight-inclusive packages.

There are also various items if Disney-travel news that I will be catching up with, as I can - such as the new cruise destinations for the Disney cruises, Pirate and Princess parties back at Walt Disney World, some operational updates on various Disney World hotels etc.

Hopefully I will be a bit more visible online in the near future!

Happy New Year! Ha ha!

Mickey set to make house calls

Families booking a Walt Disney Parks and Resorts vacation between now and Dec. 23 will get a personal call from Mickey Mouse announcing the good news on Christmas Day. Parents can plan their trips and have Mickey Mouse call their house and give the “magical surprise” to their kids on Dec. 25. They can also select the greeting that Mickey gives their families -- either “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.”

“Many families purchase Walt Disney World vacations as Christmas gifts for their kids,” said Walt Disney World president Meg Crofton. “The call from Mickey is a creative, personalized way to bring magic into homes on Christmas morning and to get kids excited about their incredible gift.” www.disneyworld.com/holidaycall

Last year a number of our clients got calls from Mickey Mouse at Christmas, and they really enjoyed receiving them. Last year there wasn't a restriction based on "booking date" - anyone travelling in Jan or Feb could get the call - maybe Disney will add that option a bit later, for those of you that have already booked...

Disney Special still on, and extended to March!

The specials that I posted about last time, still apply, see below, subject to availability (book by Dec 15th) and there are some new dates to take advantage of. Travel dates now extend to March 15th - which even includes Ontario March Break! However, flights are pretty expensive now for that time, so what you save on the special, you'll more than spend on the airfare...

New Disney Special - FREE upgraded tickets

Hi again,
At the end of last week Disney announced another new special for travel in January and February 2008.

For package vacations - meaning Disney resort and tickets purchased together - (though availability is limited, and is not at all room types at all resorts) you can pay for a "Base Ticket" and get an automatic upgrade to include the "Park Hopper" and "Water Park Fun and More". This is a value of almost $100 per person.

This special is available with or without any of the dining plans.

There is a Canadian version of this special, (call me and mention "ZWD" or "ZWE", "ZWF", "ZWG" or "ZWI"), but there is also an American version (for bookings made by Visa) and likely will also be an other special code (not needing to be paid by Visa) announced next week. All of these offers are sharing the same inventory of space, so if you are interested, you need to move quickly as the space will likely sell out shortly.

Travel dates are 1st-17th of January and 20th January - 13th February. Travel must be booked by Dec 15th.

Incidentally, I was able to find space on this special for almost all of my booked clients that were eligible, and they have already been swapped over to it; and all have saved significantly...

Disney World Fall Special - last few days

Just a reminder that Disney World has a discounted room special for travel from 21st October to December 23rd, that is still on until October 20th (or if booking with our travel agency, October 19th).

The rates save approx 10-15% the room portion of the package, so are a reasonable, if not stellar saving. However, availability is very limited, and there are blackout dates around US Thanksgiving.

Disney's Oct to Dec "Holiday" special

Oops, I am a few days late posting this one. Sorry...
(I'm not sure exactly why I am so very busy these days, but it must have something to do with the 3 wedding groups that I am working on... I am a few days behind with a lot of things, including updating this blog!)

It's not the greatest special that has ever been seen - it is a reduced room rate as part of a package - but it is still better than nothing. Click here to see a flyer.

You must pay with a Visa card to get the rate. As with many of Disney's fall specials, availability is very limited. This is by no means a "blanket" discount across all resorts and dates. It could more accurately be described as a "mopping-up" special, trying to sell off some unused days during the quieter months in the fall.

Check in dates are:

• 30th September 2007-19th November 2007,
  
• 24th November 2007-28th November 2007 and
  
• 8th December 2007-23rd December 2007.
  

The package must include at least a minimum stay of 3 nights and at least a 1-Day Magic Your Way ticket, and the discount may be applied to a "Magic Your Way Package" or a "Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining".

It must be booked by the 26th September 2007.

Disney's New Deluxe Dining Plan

For those that thought that 'Disney's Dining Plan" was too limited, but know the Premium or Platinum Packages are, shall we say, rather expensive, you may be interested in the new "Deluxe Dining Plan".

• $69.99/adult (US) and $19.99/child per night (US).
  
• Each guest will receive 3 meals and 2 snacks per night .
• You can choose from table service or counter service for each meal (so you might as well eat all table service meals - if you are organized enough to make that many reservations, and if you can eat that much food!!).
• The table service meals include appetizer (yes, really! - this was just removed from the standard dining plan - see my previous post), entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage.
• "Signature Restaurants and Dinner Shows" still count as 2 table service meals with this plan.
• There is one other extra - a souvenir refillable mug per person, which can be used at your resort.
  

Another Change

Walt Disney World 2008 Package Changes continued...

Also starting in 2008, season changes/nightly rates will be handled differently. In a move that is arguably "fairer", and relatively "price-neutral", you will now pay the going rate for rooms based on the season (and the day of the week, with weekends being higher), not just the date that you check in.

In the past, if you checked in on the last day of value season, you would get the value season price all the way through your stay, even if the second day onwards was peak season (as you were able to do for Christmas...) Or if you were unlucky enough to have to check in on the last day of peak season, you would be paying peak rate for the duration of your stay, even if the next day the price went back to value season.

Starting in 2008, if you have a season change on the second day, you will pay the going rate for the first night and a different rate for the the next 6 (or two different rates, weekday and weekend). The price will not be "broken down" for you - it will still be a "package" price - but it will have been calculated in a different way in the background.

All this means that some of the "jumping through hoops" that we used to have to do for clients will be eliminated, but it also means that you will not be able to snag those sneaky good deals for travel near Christmas as of 2008.

Once again, the rest of 2007 is unaffected.

Disney Dining Plan - Now "Value-Reduced"!!

We have been a little bit dismayed to learn of some changes to the Disney dining plan - for 2008 - which may help to slow down the run-away usage of this super-popular dining plan...

Specifically, the "table-service" meal dining plan:

• is $1 cheaper than in 2007 - (yay!)... but...
  
• no longer includes an appetizer (apparently people complained that there was "just too much food"!!), and no longer includes gratuities (apparently many people were tipping as well, even though gratuities were included before...)
• So now they are charging essentially the same amount of money for less food and people have to tip on top. To our eyes, that's no improvement...

As far as we know, there is no change to the counter-service meal or the snack.

The dining plan is still better value than buying the same food "off-plan", but for some families the dining plan was "borderline" value before (if you don't need to have a proper "sit-down" dinner every day, for example, or if your kids are 10 or 11 and would prefer the food on a kids menu still). This latest change may end up taking the Dining Plan right off the menu for those people... It will be something to think about, certainly.

Dedicated Disney-watchers will note that this is the only "bad news" that I have posted on this blog. Generally-speaking I am very supportive of the Disney World product and experience as I believe it is one of the best travel experiences that many families will ever have, and is very good value for the fun that you will have. This is the first material change to a package that I can remember Disney introducing, which I think is a clear reduction in value. Hopefully Disney will forgive my negative comments... Or, better still will re-think the change!!!

Please Note: coverage for the rest of 2007 is unchanged

Walt Disney World ticket prices increase

As of Sunday, August 5 single-day tickets went from $71.36 to $75.62 (including tax). All multi-day tickets increased in price. Click here to see a chart of the new prices.

The following additional changes apply:

• No more advance purchase discounts on 4-Day and longer tickets. This makes the increase on 4-Day and longer tickets even bigger.
• The "No Expiration" add-on has increased in price by $5 plus tax. The Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More add-ons cost the same.
• When purchasing your tickets directly from Disney, the number of Water Park admissions included in the Water Park Fun & More add-on is now tied to the number of days on the ticket, for tickets of 2 days or more. So a 2-Day Ticket with Water Park Fun & More will include 2 Water Park admissions; a 5-Day Ticket with Water Park Fun & More will include 5 Water Park admissions, etc. For some tickets this means fewer water park admissions than before; for others it means more.
  

Source: Mousesavers.com

Disney Packages for 2008 now available

Finally - we have been waiting for this for a while - we are able to price and book Disney World packages for 2008. So bring me your uninspired, your bored, your befuddled masses, longing to be Disneyfied...!

I'm back! and WestJet has a US seat sale...

I am back in the office after my paternal leave.

One of the first things catching my attention when catching up with my emails was notice of a new seat sale with Westjet. But it's not going on for long...

Book by July 10, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
Travel until September 5, 2007.
Flights may not operate on certain days.

Orlando flights are available from $169 each way plus all the taxes etc. which actually isn't all that spectacular! But it's not bad, either...

A new arrival

Some of you may know that I am on paternity leave right now (though still, strangely, working every day for the travel agency!....) as my wife gave birth to our 3rd child in the early hours of last Monday morning - 11th June.

We named him Orlando.

And because this is my Disney news blog, and I am a Disney Specialist, and because there are a number of potential possible Disney links to that particular name!, I wish to explain our choice...

1. He is not named after the location of Disney World! (Nice though that city may be...)
2. He was not even conceived there, (though we calculate that he has been there in utero. He must have been about as big as a pin-head, so likely does not remember it much!)
3. He is not named after Orlando Bloom, star of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean movies. (Nice-looking though my wife may find him...)

So why "Orlando"?

1. The name has been in both sides of our families for several generations.
2. My wife who is part-Venezuelan wanted a Spanish-sounding name to offset my English-sounding last name (Robinson).
3. We both like the name, it's a little unusual and we felt that somehow, it suited our son...

So there you have it. Much more information than you could possibly have wanted!

Two Disney offers expire soon

Hello Disney fans!

This post is really a reminder that two of Disney's travel specials come to a close within 3 weeks or so... If you are thinking of getting away, Disney style, maybe you should consider these.

"Adventures by Disney" - kids travel for free - on selected tours. Check out my original posts for details, a large pdf flyer and a link to the "Adventures by Disney" website... must book by June 30th...

And don't forget the FREE dining offer - still going on for travel 26th August through 22nd Sept. My original post has the details. This very popular offer can save a family of 4 as much as $1100 US for a week! Well worth it, even if otherwise you would not have considered the dining plan.

"Last Minute" Disney Cruise Specials for the Mediterranean - imagine that!

Disney Cruise Line (which almost never have any "last-minute" specials) are offering some of the remaining cabins on their new 10, 11 and 12 night Mediterranean sailings, at a generous discount.

"Embark on a family vacation thousands of years in the making. These first-ever Mediterranean sailings will allow the entire family to experience the timeless allure of historic Europe - expertly planned and hassle free - as only Disney Cruise Line® can provide."

Ports of call are Barcelona, Palermo, Naples, Olbia, Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Marseilles and Villefranche.

This year there are direct charter flights from Toronto & Montreal to Barcelona, which match well with some of these cruises, potentially giving three "pre-nights" and 1 "post night" in Barcelona for the 10 night cruises mentioned below.

• 10-Night Cruise Departing June 6 and June 27, 2007 and 11-Night Cruise Departing June 16, 2007: Category 12 - $1,299 per person, 1st/2nd guest
• 11-Night Cruise Departing July 7, 2007: Category 12 - $1,399 per person, 1st/2nd guest
• 10-Night Cruise Departing July 18, 2007 and 11-Night Cruise Departing July 28, 2007: Category 12 - $1,599 per person, 1st/2nd guest

Rate valid for stateroom Category 12. Third and fourth guest rates available upon request. Government taxes and fees and excursions are not included. See Disney Cruise Line® brochure for details and applicable terms and conditions. Other discounts do not apply. Rates in U.S. dollars.

Sounds of Summer Free Concerts at Epcot...

Dance to classic hits under the skies of the open-air America Gardens Theater at Epcot®. This summer concert series features a lineup of rockin' bands covering timeless tunes from Elton John, ABBA, The Eagles, Billy Joel, and Chicago. Get the family together and groove to the songs you all know and love! Three shows nightly at 5:45pm, 7:00pm and 8:00pm.

EVENT DATES:
June 11 - August 12, 2007

EVENT TICKETS:
Admission to Epcot® required.

2007 ENTERTAINMENT:
Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute June 11-17
Stayin' Alive - A Tribute to the Bee Gees June 18 - 24
Kevin White's Tribute to Garth Brooks June 25 - July 01
Respect - A Tribute to the Queen of Soul - Aretha Franklin July 02 - 08
Bjorn Again - A Tribute to ABBA July 09 - 17
Hotel California - A Salute to the Eagles July 18 - 24
52nd Street - A Tribute to Billy Joel July 25 - 29
Captain Fantastic - The Magic of Elton John July 30 - August 05
Transit Authority - A Tribute to Chicago August 06 - 12

Entertainment subject to change without notice. Included with Epcot® admission.

Source - DisneyTravelAgents.ca

Walt Disney World Resort goes SMOKE FREE

Walt Disney World® Resort Senior Vice President for Operations Erin Wallace announced today, all Disney-owned and operated hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort will become smoke-free by June 1, 2007. The policy also applies to all Disney Vacation Club Resorts. With more than 20 Disney owned and operated resorts on property, this represents the largest single site resort complex to institute this type of smoking policy change.

“We make adjustments to our operations based on Guest demand,” Wallace said. “This policy complements our efforts to provide our Guests with the healthy living options they are requesting.”

During the last five years Guest demand for smoking rooms at the Walt Disney World Resort has been declining steadily. Currently, less than 3.5 percent of Walt Disney World’s 24,000 resort rooms are smoking optional. This transition allows us to better accommodate the increasing number of Guests requesting smoke-free rooms. This trend is not specific to the Walt Disney World Resort. According to the American Automobile Association, more travelers are requesting smoke-free environments.

With more than 50 million members, AAA represents North America's largest traveler group and increasingly our members, like many Americans, are demanding smoke free accommodations." said Sandra Hughes, VP of Travel for AAA. "Hotels are responding by going beyond the traditional standard of smoking and non-smoking rooms, and are going smoke-free throughout their properties.

The new policy applies to all Guest rooms, patios and balconies and designates outdoor smoking areas at all resorts affected by the change. Smoking is currently prohibited in all lobbies, common areas, restaurants and convention spaces. Additionally, in January 2000 the Walt Disney World Resort Theme and Water Parks became smoke-free with smoking allowed in designated smoking areas only.

Have you looked at our exchange rate lately?

$1 USD = $1.12 CAD

If you are Canadian, check out that rate! Then add that to the special that Disney still has going - see earlier post - this could be a really good time to consider a Disney Vacation!

Little One Travel Time - perfect for the under-7's in your family

"Little Ones Travel Time" is back for 2007! Last year for a limited set of dates in the late summer, Disney put on some special shows aimed at the very youngest kiddies in the family - those 6 and under - who are arguably the only children that don't get the full Disney World experience, being too young or small for some of the rides and experiences.

This was something unique - and just for them.

Well, it's back again, and this year the "season" is much longer.

"From August 26 through October 28, Walt Disney World® Resort will host Little Ones Travel Time. During this special travel time, youngsters can dance and sing along with Playhouse Disney in Concert featuring their Disney Channel favorites including: The Doodlebops, Johnny & the Sprites, Dan Zanes and more, all scheduled to perform on select days. This line-up is sure to surprise and delight the little ones!"

2007 ENTERTAINMENT:
Admission is included with valid Theme Park ticket.

Note: Performers have not yet been confirmed for the following dates: September 20 – 23; September 27 – 30 and October 4 – 7. All Playhouse Disney in Concert performers, dates, and times are subject to change without notice.

Imagination Movers
August 30 – September 2, 2007
This New Orleans-based music group is a rising star in the kid’s music category with their high-energy, interactive rock/hip-hop concerts. Their funky, catchy songs have produced new Imagination Movers fans across the country, affectionately known as "Gearheads."
Times: TBD
Venue: TBD

The Doodlebops
September 6 – 9, 2007
Come center stage with Deedee, Rooney, and Moe Doodle and rock-along with the Doodlebops. This candy-colored trio will get kids out of their seats and off their feet as they rock and bop to their favorite songs from this hit rockin’ band.
Times: TBD
Venue: TBD

“Playhouse Disney Live On Tour”
September 13 – 16, 2007
Disney Family Live Entertainment presents “Playhouse Disney Live On Tour” featuring Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and more. It’s a whole new way to experience Disney Magic with the entire family!
Times: TBD
Venue: TBD

Imagination Movers
October 11 – 14, 2007
This New Orleans-based music group is a rising star in the kid’s music category with their high-energy, interactive rock/hip-hop concerts. Their funky, catchy songs have produced new Imagination Movers fans across the country, affectionately known as "Gearheads."
Times: TBD
Venue: TBD

Johnny & the Sprites
October 18 – 21, 2007
Little Ones will delight in learning about music, making friends, and finding the magic within themselves.
Times: TBD
Venue: TBD

Dan Zanes and Friends
October 25 – 28, 2007
Dan Zanes’ folksy rock songs are sure to get the little ones singing and dancing, and the grownups will have just as much fun as their toddlers!
Times: TBD
Venue: TBD

Disney's Pirate and Princess Party Returns

Beginning this summer, Disney's Pirate and Princess Party will return to the Magic Kingdom® Park on select nights in August and September. You will be sure to "treasure" this special event forever!

Become a pirate or a princess in a place where Dreams come true! Grab your adventure map and treasure pouch as you embark on a quest through Magic Kingdom® Park for chocolate doubloons and royal beads. Immerse yourself in Pirate Coves and Princess Courts. Be dazzled by the new Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade. Experience the Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks spectacular. If you wish, you can even come to the party dressed in your favorite pirate or princess costume*!

All of this, plus use of some of the most popular Magic Kingdom® attractions, will provide you with a night of adventure to remember and "treasure" forever.

SUMMER 2007 DATES & TIMES:
August 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31 and September 3, 2007
7:00 pm – 12:00 am

SUMMER 2007 TICKETS:
Event participation is not included with regular Theme Park admission. A separate ticket is required. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale by June 1, 2007.

ENTERTAINMENT: (subject to change)
Pirate Coves and Princess Courts
Beads and chocolate treasure giveaways
Immersive activities including pirate lessons and themed dance party
Character meet and greets
Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade
Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks spectacular
Dream Along With Mickey castle stage show
Some of the most popular Magic Kingdom® attractions
*Please choose costumes that are not obstructive or offensive.
Tickets are valid only during specific dates and hours.
Entertainment is subject to change without notice.

Winter 2008 Dates and Event details TO BE DETERMINED

(Source - disneytravelagents.ca)

WestJet VERY special Orlando fares from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto

Yes!
Another short, sweet Florida seat sale from WestJet!

Check out these deals on non-stop flights to Florida.

Ottawa to Orlando and Tampa.

Montreal to Orlando and Tampa.

Toronto to West Palm Beach.

Book by April 24, 2007 for travel until May 13, 2007.