Want To Live At Disney? For 1.5 Million You Can!

How many times have you said to yourself, "If only I could live here in Walt Disney World..." Well, now you can. The Walt Disney Co. is building a gated community on property at the Resort. The prices will range from $1.5 million to $8 million. 30 of the properties will be available for purchase this year at the 980 acre Golden oak resort community. The goal is to sell approximately 450 homes, each ranging from between 1/4 of and acre to 3/4 of an acre.
In the development, there will also be a Four Season Hotel, clubhouse, a concierge and access to Disney's facilities. About half the acreage will be used as a "conservation area."

While this may seem like a dream for most people, the housing market in Florida has dropped considerably. The state had the nation's third-highest foreclosure rate as of May, and the average price of homes dipped more than 43%.

The Walt Disney Co. says that they hope to have the first homes constructed by next year.

Disney announces new resort: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

Disney has announced that they will soon open a new 2,000 room resort themed around the history of Disney Animation. Disney’s “Art of Animation” resort will open by the end of 2012 and will feature 1120 family suites as well as 864 standard rooms all themed around such Disney animated classics as “Finding Nemo”, “Cars” and “The Lion King”. The location of the new resort will be adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

The resort will fall into the “value” range (similar to the All Star and Pop Century resorts), but this marks the first time Disney will open a hotel that features mostly family suites. While it may be a ‘value’ resort, it should be noted that the current ‘family suites’ available at Disney’s All Star Music routinely command an average nightly rate that is usually more than double the cost of a standard room. A room at Disney’s All Star Music during value season is listed at $82 per night, where a family suite is getting $190. Depending on the popularity of these new suites, the availability of 1120 new ones could drive the price down – but it could also drive the price up. This remains to be seen.

Even though some of the structure of the resort was built years ago (when it was presumed it would be an expansion to Pop Century), this will still add hundreds of construction jobs to the Orlando economy at a time when they are sorely needed. This marks the 26th resort built at Walt Disney World.

Grand Opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

ORLANDO - Universal Orlando Resort opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (sort of, you can't get in until Friday morning) this evening with a celebrity-filled ceremony in the Islands of Adventure theme park.

Author J.K. Rowling was there, though she ducked the media in favor of greeting some of the invited children. I did pick her out of the crowd at the ceremony, though she deftly managed to keep folks between her and anyone with a professional-quality camera, preventing me from getting a clear picture to show you.

Nevertheless... Warrick Davis, Professor Flitwick from the Harry Potter films, started the program by conducting Universal Orlando's "Frog Choir," before the spotlight moved to Universal and Warner Bros studio executives.

Several readers tweeted and messaged me that the sound cut out on the speeches during the live webcast, but no matter. You didn't miss much, as Tom Williams and Ron Meyer of Universal and Barry Meyer of Warner Bros took turns congratulation each other, as well as the Universal Creative team and Harry Potter artistic director Alan Gilmore and production designer Stuart Craig for their work on the project, all to polite applause.

The invited crowd roared more loudly, though, in welcoming conductor and Academy Award-winning composer John Williams to the stage with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Williams led the musicians in two numbers from his Harry Potter scores.

Then, the Knight Bus interrupted with a honk, delivering film actors Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) to the stage. But where's Harry?

A Ford Anglia then drove up, and out hopped Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe. Radcliffe addressed the crowd, urging them to wave the souvenir wands they'd been given toward Hogwarts Castle, while casting a "Lumos" spell.

The first two attempts elicited little more than a flicker, but on the third - "Lumos Maximus!" - the previously darkened castle glistened with light as fireworks then exploded behind it.

After the finale of the Thinkwell-produced ceremony, many of the invited guests crowded the Forbidden Journey queue, while the Orlando Phil serenaded those who remained behind to nosh on fish n' chips, Scotch Eggs, haddock, salmon, roast beef, Cauldon Cakes, Treacle Fudge, life-sized Chocolate Frogs, and, of course, Butterbeer.

By the way, having tried it now, I'm convinced that this liquid crack is part of Universal's diabolical plan to force return visits to the Wizarding World: I could develop a ruthless addiction to this stuff.

Check in tomorrow for a video report from inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, along with my review of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

10 Money-Saving Travel & Vacation Tips

The American vacation is becoming more and more expensive. Here are ten common sense tips to help you save money on your next vacation.

• Rent a car. What sounds expensive can actually often save you money. Consider renting a car instead of using the airport shuttle. Many times the cost of the shuttle is more than that of a modest car rental – and you have the flexibility of having available transportation. Also, if you are driving to your destination, renting a car instead of using your own vehicle is often cheaper than the extra wear and tear on your own car. Take advantage of coupons to upgrade to a larger, and more comfortable, vehicle.

  
  

• Eat breakfast where kids eat free and split meals. This can mean an enormous saving for a family of four or larger. Children are many times too excited or tired to eat much at a time. Restaurants that are kid friendly are more than happy to accommodate special requests for extra plates.

  
  

• Eat lunch in your room. You'll be surprised how good a peanut butter sandwich, chips, and fresh fruit tastes away from home, and everyone gets a needed break from the heat and crowds of tourist destinations.

  
  

• Take advantage of coupons. Whether it is for lodging, food, or attractions – coupons SAVE money! Find them everywhere... online, in local newspapers, at convenience stores, motels, etc. Always read the fine print carefully for terms of the coupon.

  
  

• Bring your own stroller. This can save $12 to $15 a day at some of the attractions.

  
  

• Bring along individual refillable water bottles. These can be refilled at the hotel and at attraction water fountains. A family of four could easily spend $20 or more a day buying water.

  
  

• Take advantage of multi-day passes at the attractions. This is especially a good deal when they can be used anytime.

  
  

• Make your own reservations. Many hotels and airlines offer additional discounts and specials for booking online.

  
  

• Give each child a set amount to spend. You can tame the "gimmes", and your pocketbook at the same time, by giving children a pre-set spending limit for souvenirs. Also, invest in an autograph book (about $6 at most attractions) and watch the fun as the children collect the "autographs" of their favorite characters. My girls still cherish their "Barbie" autograph obtained at Epcot several years ago.

  
  

• Spend the day away from the attractions. You're paying for that hotel swimming pool... use it! Spend the day at the beach or a nearby museum. The shopping areas near the major attractions (like Downtown Disney) have children's play areas, providing an inexpensive day of fun for the little ones.