Friday Disney Savings Round-Up for 3/26/10

Our weekly round-up of promotions and savings includes some specials from last week that are still valid, plus some new ones as well.

DisneyStore.com Savings

This first savings may be one that “keeps on giving” for years to come. I am a big fan of the Disney Rewards Visa card, because accruing my Rewards over the course of a year often adds up to literally eating for free on our Disney vacation. Even if you don’t plan to visit Walt Disney World every year, if you (and your children) like Disney merchandise, Disney movies, or Disney productions, you will love having Disney Rewards! Click on the link below for a special promotion on the Disney Rewards Visa.

Save $25 when you become a Disney Rewards Visa Cardmember at DisneyStore.com

DisneyStore.com Spring Sale has arrived! Shop now for savings up to 50%!

Special promotions that are still valid:

Buy One Easter Plush Toy, Get One Free at DisneyStore.com

Ship your entire order for only $5 when you spend $89 or more at DisneyStore.com. Use code SHIPTODAY

Find amazing deals on great Disney toys, clothes and more in the Outlet at DisneyStore.com.

Hotels.com Savings

Easter Sale: Save up to 30%! – Expires 4/5/10

Expedia.com Savings

New promotions this week:

Last Minute Easter Travel Savings: Hotels from $32! – Expires 4/1/10/10

Expedia Spring Sale: Find FREE Nights at Over 3,000 Hotels. – Expires 4/13/10/10

Alamo: $25 Off Your Weekly Rentals when you book on Expedia! – Expires 4/30/10

Special promotions that are still valid:

Universal Orlando® Resort: Stay a week, save at least 30% plus get exclusive theme park benefits. – Expires 4/30/10

U-Save Car Rentals: 10% off compact or midsize cars when you book on Expedia! – Expires 5/31/10

Lastly, don’t forget that the last day to book one of the current official Disney World promotions for room discounts or the Disney gift card is tomorrow, March 27.

That’s it for this week.  Have a magical day!

Why Visit Disney World? It is All About the Magic…

Today’s post is going to be a little different.100_1402

Maybe it’s the arrival (finally!) of Spring and I have Spring Fever. Or maybe it’s that I have shared a lot of information with you over the past weeks, and I want to take a bit of a break….

Whatever the reason, today I want to talk about “Why”…..as in, “Why” visit Walt Disney World?

I actually get asked this ALL the time. Usually as in, “Why? Don’t you get tired of it?”….or “Why? Weren’t you just there?”

Nope, don’t get tired of it, and yup we’re going back. Again.

Why?

Why do we love Disney World so much that we go back multiple times, so much that I have spent literally thousands of hours scouring the internet and reading books to find ways to save money so that we could have an affordable Disney vacation and go back repeatedly?

If you are reading this and are a Disneyphile (is that a word?) then you already understand.

But since The Affordable Mouse is all about helping folks plan their first trip to Walt Disney World, then you are probably wondering yourself…..

“Why is all of this worth it? What is it about Walt Disney World that makes people go through all of this? It’s just a theme park…”

🙂

Would you believe me if I said it’s all about the magic. Seriously!

Let me tell you about that magic…….

It’s the magic of seeing a young child completely and totally believe in dreams, and fairies, and pixie dust, and knowing, just KNOWING, that if you wish hard enough, your wish will come true. And the magic of seeing those wishes and dreams reflected in their face when they see a castle up close, and dance with a princess, and see a fairy fly.

The magic of seeing an older child or teenager forget for a few days that they are supposed to be “cool” and instead let their inner kid out, wear a Mickey Ears hat, and scream like crazy on Tower of Terror….right next to their parents who they are actually enjoying spending time with.

The magic of a young adult couple who are so in love that they believe that fairy tales do come true and decide that there is no better place on earth to get engaged, or married, than that place where princesses live happily ever after with their prince charmings.

The magic of families gathering, with multiple generations, to share in the joy of being together, with no worries, no cares, just love, and laughter.

The magic of tearing up when you hear a song that you heard as a child because it reminds you of a time when all was innocent, and simple, and true.

Walt Disney World does not create the magic, contrary to what many think. It just creates a place where people create the magic for themselves. Oh yes, the cynics will say (and with some justification perhaps) that it is just one big show that is set up to get people to spend lots of money.

Well, yes, you can look at it that way. But to me, I don’t see Disney World as a show so much as a stage…albeit an extremely elaborate one….that puts all the pieces in place, for the show to take place. The show…the magic….happens when the players…the guests…play their parts.

We come, we play, we laugh, we share, we pretend for a few days that there are no worries, no cares, no problems that can’t be solved. In other words, we create magic.

THAT is why we go back.

Don’t get me wrong, the wonderful theming, the attention to detail, the food, the shows, the attractions, and the customer service….they’re all pretty great and really help to make for a fantastic vacation.

But you can find all these things in other locations, and enjoy them tremendously. It doesn’t keep you coming back again and again and again though.

What keeps you coming back is the magic.

I hope you have a magical day! 🙂

Special Note:

This post is part of the Disney Blog Carnival where you can find a variety of wonderful and interesting Disney articles.  Please be sure to visit the Carnival and enjoy reading!

Disney Fun From Around the “World”: Week of March 15, 2010

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There are a number of really interesting Disney-related websites around the internet, each with it’s own “flavor”, it’s own specialty, and it’s own personality. It can be interesting to read them and I learn a great deal! 🙂

So I thought it would be fun to share with you each week, a few of the most interesting and helpful posts I came across this past week. Please head on over to check out these great folks, you’ll be so glad you did!

Great post about figuring out the kind of Disney World park pass you need:

Do You Need a Park-Hopper Pass? posted by Chris from Everything Walt Disney World


And a couple of great (and mouthwatering) posts about some of my favorite places to eat:

Breakfast at The Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom posted by Amanda Tinney from Disney Every Day

Anytime is a good time for Chef Mickey’s posted by Chip from Chip and Co.

And be sure to check out this great site I found this week, if you, or someone you know, is planning a trip to Disney World with a special-needs child:  Mouse-Aid.com

Friday Disney Savings Round-Up for 3/19/10

A number of promotions and savings programs come across my computer every week. Since the goal of The Affordable Mouse is to help you save money,  I have decided to devote my Friday blog posts to sharing them with you. Hopefully you will find them helpful in planning your affordable Disney vacation…or any kind of planning you are doing. 🙂

Disney Store Savings

Buy One Easter Plush Toy, Get One Free at DisneyStore.com

Ship your entire order for only $5 when you spend $89 or more at DisneyStore.com. Use code SHIPTODAY

Find amazing deals on great Disney toys, clothes and more in the Outlet at DisneyStore.com.

Get $10 off purchases of $50 or more at DisneyStore.com with Promo Code: DISNEY10

Hotels.com Savings

Easter Sale: Save up to 30%! – Expires 4/5/10

Expedia.com Savings

Universal Orlando® Resort: Stay a week, save at least 30% plus get exclusive theme park benefits. – Expires 4/30/10

U-Save Car Rentals: 10% off compact or midsize cars when you book on Expedia! – Expires 5/31/10

Lastly, don’t forget that if you are interested in booking one of the current official Disney World promotions for room discounts or the Disney gift card, you must book by March 27.

That’s all for this week. Have a magical day!