By Peter Covino

Entertainment Editor

Disney and spending money go hand-in-hand, but you can actually save money and help the United Way of Central Florida at the upcoming Benefit Sale at Downtown Disney.

Hosted and sponsored by the Walt Disney World Resort, the Benefit Sale will be held for four hours Saturday, Nov. 6, from 5:30-9:30 a.m.

The sale will feature major discounts of up to 50 to 75 percent on select items at Downtown Disney locations. And for collectors, the event will also feature some one-of-a-kind and limited edition merchandise.

“The Benefit Sale is a great way for residents to kick-start their holiday shopping while helping their friends, family and neighbors in need,” said Robert Brown, HFUW President/CEO.  “We all know someone who’s been tremendously impacted by today’s economy.  United Way and our partner agencies are doing everything that we can to help

residents who are in dire need. Your contribution

by purchasing a voucher

to The Benefit Sale will have a tremendous, lasting affect for so many people right here in our own

community.”

Access to the sale is limited. A special voucher will be required for entry and can be purchased in advance for $5 from HFUW or from local participating nonprofit agencies. Only shoppers with vouchers will receive wristbands to gain access to The Benefit Sale. Wristbands will be required for admission to the Downtown Disney merchandise locations during the hours of The Benefit Sale. Vouchers and wristbands are not required for children ages 12 and under.

All of the proceeds from the sale of vouchers will go directly to HFUW and the 94 health and human service programs it supports through nearly 50 social services agencies throughout Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

In addition to helping Central Floridians in need, residents can enjoy great discounts for early birds.  The sale also will feature door buster specials, surprise markdowns and more from Downtown Disney area merchandise locations.

Also, special boutiques from Epcot will be offering several unique assortments in a rare opportunity to shop from outside the park. Beauty specialists from Dior, Pucci, Acqua di Parma, Guerlain and Givenchy will be on hand with special offers on the latest cosmetics and fragrances.

Some of the special items at the sale include a one-of-a-kind 9-inch Vinylmation Rocketeer figure; a 3-inch Vinylmation passholder exclusive Orange Bird; and Urban Series 5 3-inch Vinylmation Mystery Pin Set (limited edition of 1,000);

Discounts include 50 percent off 2010 dated product from Walt Disney World; 40 percent off board games; 20 percent off pin trader starter kits. Shoppers should also be on the look out for door busters including value T-shirts, Sealy sleep products, packable jackets and 75 percent off select items.

Several Downtown Disney restaurants are offering discounts throughout the event as well including Earl of Sandwich (20 percent off all food items); Ghiradelli Chocolate (free small coffee or hot chocolate with purchase of a chocolate croissant); Joffrey's Chocolate & Tea Company (medium coffee and pastry $4); Haagen-Dazs (15 percent off); Wetzel's Pretzels (buy one pretzel, get one of equal value free).

Other specials include $10 off any sweatshirt of jacket at House of Blues; $10 off all hats, $15 off all T-shirts at Planet Hollywood; two specialty gift sets for $20 at Lefty's; 10 percent off all merchandise at T-Rex; 10 percent off all merchandise at Rainforest Cafe; receive a free water bottle with a $30 purchase at littlemissmatched.

A preview of many other special promotions, product launches and discounts from Walt Disney World Resort will be updated throughout October and can be viewed in advance at www.thebenefitsale.com.

To purchase vouchers for The Benefit Sale or for more information about Heart of Florida United Way, visit www.hfuw.org or www.the benefitsale.com.