Whether it's Disneyland or the Disney World, in California or Florida, there's a mouse or two involved. And as long as Disney is still celebrating its 50th anniversary, there are deals. And because these destinations are so popular, too, there is no shortage of incentives, packages, specials, and other promotions. We've listed many airline-related deals here, along with lodging specials, in support of the idea that more choices are better than fewer -- hopefully, you can comparison shop for deals, depending on where you live.
As usual, we recommend checking out the insider, tip-friendly site Mousesavers (www.mousesavers.com) for updates on park information, an unbiased look at the Magic Kingdoms, and useful insights about accommodations, getting around, and eating out without losing all your money. The site also posts various discounts and special codes that can help while booking at Disney's resort hotels.
Currently, one exclusive offer for Mousesavers readers is for the Hilton Anaheim. Receive a $50 credit toward tickets at Disneyland, plus kids eat breakfast free and lunch and dinner for 99ยข. The credit is good toward the purchase of any Disneyland multi-day ticket and a two-night stay is required. Read carefully, as there are specific instructions and a code to input while booking.
Jet Blue (tel. 800/JET-BLUE; www.jetblue.com) is running its popular "Super Fly Fares" sale, which ought to help you if you live near a Jet Blue hub that flies to either California or Orlando. Sample fares from New York to Orlando start from $84 one way, good for travel through June 21 (with some blackout dates). Fare much be booked by April 28, 11:59 PM MST. You can also fly to and from Las Vegas to Long Beach, CA, from a mere $49 one way (for travel through June 21), and from Washington, D.C. or Boston to Long Beach, CA, from $149 one-way, for travel through May 24. Jet Blue also flies between Salt Lake City and Long Beach, from $89 each way. The same April 28 booking deadline applies for all these fares.
Disneyland
The site for Disneyland in Anaheim, California (http://disneyland.disney.go.com), is a good place to start for general information about the park, special events, directions and, of course, tickets and reservations. There are new special effects on Disneyland's Space Mountain ride at the main park, and there is a new Monster's Inc. attraction at Disneyland's California Adventure Park, suitable for little ones.
American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com) is offering two nights at a Disneyland Paradise Pier from $200 per person, based on double occupancy and mid-week arrival, excluding airfare. The price advertised is good for travel April 29-June 29; rates go up to $290 for June 30-September 2 and to $312 for November 22-25 and December 22-January 2, 2007. American is also running some specials on Anaheim hotels and hotels near Disney, such as the Clarion Hotel Anaheim, priced at $90 for two nights, per person, for stays April 29-June 22 for a standard room.
Alaska Air (tel. 800/468-2248; www.alaskaair.com) has a handful of specials for Southern California, and the majority of them are Disney related and many of them carry an April 30 booking deadline. Save 20 percent on the Disneyland Hotel for stays June 1-29 and travel must be completed by June 29, and save 15 percent at Disney Paradise Pier Hotel or the Grand Californian Hotel; same dates apply. Additionally, they're offering a fourth night free at the Anaheim Fairfield Inn, located across the street from Disneyland. Book four nights for stays May 7 through June 25; travel must be completed by June 29. For all the aforementioned deals, some blackout dates apply.
Expedia (tel. 800/EXPEDIA; www.expedia.com) is offering some deals to Anaheim, including air plus three nights' stay at the Hilton Anaheim from $552 for a Seattle-Anaheim route, for travel through June 15. The Hilton is one block from Disney parks and adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center.
Orbitz (tel. 800/504-3248; www.orbitz.com) is offering a few packages including airfare to several properties in Anaheim, including the Best Western Anaheim Inn, priced from $79 per night for late May check-in; the price reflects an Orbitz special offer of ten percent off for three or more nights. The Anaheim Inn is located across from the main entrance to Disneyland Park and its California Adventure Park. Deals that include airfare start from $287 for airfare from San Francisco to Santa Ana.
United Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com) is offering a special from $614 per person for Disney's Paradise Pier hotel for three nights hotel and a three-day resort Park Hopper bonus ticket and one early admission, per person. The price quoted reflects a San Francisco departure. Granted, this price is higher than the Orbitz deal quoted, but you're paying to be on the premises of the park and ticket costs are built into the deal. The deal is valid for travel June 5-26.
Walt Disney World
New at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com), is the Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, open at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's a high-altitude, high-speed train adventure ride. Through the Disney World site, you can also, get this, subscribe to a podcast about Everest, or Walt Disney Resort Plugged In: which features behind-the-scenes tours of the resort and interviews.
Air Tran (tel. 800/AIR-TRAN; www.airtran.com) is running a big fare sale good for travel in spring, summer and even fall, as long as you book by May 4. Travel on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdays, through October 4. Sample one-way fares that start or end in Orlando include Las Vegas and Los Angeles from $159; Chicago, Boston and New York from $99; and go even lower for White Plains ($69) and Baltimore ($79).
Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/468-2248; www.alaskaair.com) is offering an "Orlando Magic Your Way" special for flights from $834 from Seattle or Portland, or Spokane or Boise, based on double occupancy. Book your package through June 4 and each person in the party will receive a free dining plan, which includes one table-service or buffet service meal, one counter service and one snack for each night you stay at a Walt Disney World resort. You must travel August 13-September 30. The deal includes round-trip airfare and hotel transfers, six nights lodging at select WDW resort, a seven-day Magic Your Way ticket, and 1,500 bonus miles for each person when you book the package through the site.
Continental Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/301-3800; www.covacations.com) is offering a bunch of savings in conjunction with Expedition Everest, for travel August 13-September 30 if you book by June 4. When you book a Magic Your Way package for three nights or longer, you'll receive complimentary dining per person per night. You can choose from Disney's resorts classified as value, moderate, deluxe or "resorts with more."
Expedia (tel. 800/EXPEDIA; www.expedia.com) is running a "Save Big with Disney Dining" special, with prices based on New York -- Orlando flights. If you book three nights or more at one of Disney World's resorts, and add a Disney's Magic Your Way ticket (with Park Hopper option), you'll receive Disney Dining Plan free. It includes one table service meal, one counter service meal and one snack per person, per day. For three nights and two tickets, plus airfare at the Pop Century Resort, it's priced from $561. Or, even less costly (minus the dining and ticket incentives) is the Best Western Lakeside, located two miles from Disney but offered from $316 for a three-night air and hotel package, based on travel in early May from New York to Orlando.
If you want to see Disney but you're also interested in the Universal theme parks nearby, Orbitz (tel. 800/504-3248; www.orbitz.com) is offering a "Stay Four Nights or more and Receive Four Free Tickets." If you book a room at an onsite Universal Resort for four nights or more, you'll get free theme park tickets for two adults and two kids (ages 3-9). The offer is good for stays April 23-December 21 but only if you book by April 30. Sample packages include Universal's Royal Pacific Resort, priced from $754 for flight and four nights, for travel from Dallas/Ft.Worth to Orlando for mid-June travel.
In conjunction with Disney's 50th Anniversary Celebration, United Airlines Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com) is offering a special that covers round-trip airfare, three nights' hotel accommodations, and a three-day Magic Your Way Base ticket, good for Monday departures April 24 -- July 3 to Disney World. The lowest advertised rate is based on Washington, D.C., Newark or New York City departure, priced from $549 for a standard room at Disney's Pop Century Resort. You can go as fancy as a garden room, however, at Disney's Polynesian Resort, priced from $994. The price also includes Disney's magical express service. Other cities are included for additional fees.
