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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and
Tips
February
1, 2006 * Issue 6.3
PassPorter.com -
http://www.passporter.com
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Welcome
to PassPorter News, an online newsletter
about
PassPorter travel guidebooks, the
Walt
Disney World Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.
PassPorter
News is available by free subscription
to
all readers and friends of our labor of love --
PassPorter
Travel Guidebooks.
Learn
all about them:
http://www.passporter.com/aboutpassporter.htm
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In
This Newsletter:
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From the Authors: New Books Happy Dance!
Travel Feature: Washington D.C.
Disney Feature: Travels with Nonny - Walt Disney
World with your Grandchildren
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Clap for Clips, Mini-Meals, Bring
Binoculars
Captain's Corner: The River in a Circle
Q&A: How do you schedule your meal times?
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FROM
THE EDITOR: New Books Happy Dance
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Hi,
{{user("firstname")}}!
We
have happy news about three of our books:
1.
Disneyland
To
our readers who have been waiting patiently for our Disneyland guide, we are AT
LAST announcing an official release date and making the new guide available for
pre-order. We anticipate shipping pre-orders around May 15,
2006 -- bookstores will get their copies 2-3 weeks later. To learn more about
the upcoming guidebook, visit http://www.passporter.com/dl/guidebook.htm . When you're ready to pre-order, visit http://www.passporterstore.com/store/disneyland.aspx which you can reserve a spiral edition, deluxe
starter kit, refill kit, or looseleaf text.
As
a special gift to everyone who has waited for us to complete our lengthy
research on this guidebook, we're offering the first
three chapters of the Disneyland guide in an immediate download, free to
anyone who pre-orders through us! The first three chapters are essential for
trip planning, making it easy for Disneyland-bound travelers to the travel and
hotel information they need now. To get the first three chapters now, simply
place a pre-order and download once your order is confirmed.
2.
Treasure Hunts
Another
brand-new book, "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World,"
has also just become available for pre-order at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710269.aspx . This smaller format book adds an extra dimension
of fun to your Walt Disney World visit with treasure hunts! There are more than
100 treasure hunts in this book, leading you to the many hidden gems in the
theme parks, water parks, and resort hotels hidden there by Disney's Imagineers
and cast members. The hunts are suitable for all ages and treasure-seeking
abilities, from children and first-time visitors to eagle-eyed park veterans.
Clues are presented in the form of questions and are ranked by difficulty
level, with a challenge for everyone. For more details, visit our Treasure Hunts page.
3.
Disney Cruise Line
To
make way for our fourth edition of our Disney Cruise Line guide (pre-orders
will open soon), we're having a 50% off sale on our current edition of
PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. Just use coupon code sailaway to get 50% off the third edition paperback. This offer is good for the second printing of the
third edition guidebook, which was updated recently to include information on
the Pirates in the Caribbean theme night, advance reservations for Palo, kids
clubs, Vista Spa, and shore excursions, and more! You can also use the coupon
code sailaway2 to get 50% off the deluxe refill kit. (Sorry, no discounts available on the deluxe
starter kit as they are almost all gone.) Offer expires March 1, 2006 and
quantities are limited. Order at the Disney Cruise Guide page at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/dcl2005.aspx .
Whew,
that's enough for now! But do watch for news about our new cruise guide in the
next edition of this newsletter.
In
this edition of the newsletter, PassPorter Message Board Guide and frequent
newsletter contributor Cheryl Pendry shares her recommendations for a visit to
Washington D.C. Then, first-time contributor Jane Buie shares her tips for
visiting Walt Disney World with grandchildren. Finally, Captain Jack Skatt returns with a new clue for a stumper of a question. Enjoy!
Jennifer
and Dave
PassPorter
Authors
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DID
YOU KNOW?
PassPorter
2006 Garners Great Reviews!
The
new 2006 edition of our PassPorter Walt Disney World guidebook now features a full-color interior along with the
most up-to-date text, new TeenTips and ToddlerTips, and new photos and magical
memories. We've already heard back from folks who received their new books --
here are a few of our favorite coments:
"I
just wanted to let you know how much I love the new Passporter! Thanks for
adding the toddler tips! I have a 2 year old and 9 month old. This is a great
feature. Thanks for including pictures of yourselves as well. It keeps it
"real" in my opinion." -- Andria
"I
love the pockets and your personal experiences and advice about making the trip
the best experience possible. Thank you so much for this wonderful tool."
-- Bari
"I
love the color, the pictures, and the new magical memories. The tips on the
rides have given us great guidelines." -- Lisa
ŅEverything!
I am a planner and this book really helped me plan my first ever Disney trip in
2004. We are going back and I don't need to plan as much, but the book is a
must! I loved the map, the meal worksheet, the priorty seating worksheet.Ó --
Jennifer
Learn
more and order today at:
Shop
at http://www.passporterstore.com/store
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TRAVEL
FEATURE: Washington D.C.: Monumental Moments
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by
Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Message Board Guide and Guest Contributor
Certain
cities are known for certain things. Los Angeles means movies to most people,
New York City is known for its fast pace of life and its shops, while BostonÕs
the place to head to for Colonial history. ItÕs the same thing with Washington D.C..
Think of the city and the chances are that certain things will come to mind.
Politics perhaps Š after all, itÕs home to the White House and the Capitol, as
well as much of the federal government. Maybe it makes you think of museums,
with the Smithsonian specials lining the Mall. For me though, D.C. is all that
and much more.
Whenever
I think of the city, I think monuments. There surely canÕt be another city in
the world that can boast so many memorials, some to former Presidents, others
remembering those who gave their lives in war. ItÕs a collection that seems to
grow every time we visit D.C. and best of all; itÕs a collection that can be
visited either on foot or by Tour Mobile which is
authorized by the National Park Service.
The
best starting point on the tour, appropriately enough, is the memorial to
AmericaÕs first President. Completed in 1885, the Washington Monument is the
simplest looking in the city, an obelisk built of marble, granite and
sandstone, but building it wasnÕt a simple task. Started in 1848, the money ran
out and construction was halted only one third of the way up. The centenary of
the Declaration of Independence brought additional funds and allowed work to
resume more than 20 years later.
Since
its completion, the Washington Monument has undergone several restorations, the
most recent a major two year program of repairs and cleaning in the late
1990Õs, which saw the Monument encased in specially designed scaffolding.
Although it made for some unique photos at the time, I prefer the refurbished
Monument, which now looks far cleaner than it did a decade ago.
The
improvements made during that refurbishment arenÕt just external. The elevator
on the way down now slows at points and the lights inside dim, so that you can
see a selection of the commemorative stones in the exterior wall, which were
donated by individuals, states and nations during the monumentÕs construction.
Of course, thatÕs not the only reason to visit the Washington Monument. ItÕs
superbly placed in the center of the capital, offering stunning views to all
four sides, with the Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Lincoln to the west,
the White House to the north and the Capitol and Mall to the east. Be sure to
bring your camera and video camera and plenty of film or digital storage.
YouÕll always take more photos here than you think.
Once
at the top of the Monument, you can stay as long as you like, but getting there
can be a challenge. Same-day tickets are available free of charge from the
ticket kiosk at 15th Street and although thereÕs little problem with walking up
and being handed a ticket out of season, peak time visitors might want to
reserve their tickets for a $1.50 service charge and $0.50 shipping charge. For
more information, visit www.nps.gov/wamo
From
here, youÕve got two options to tour the rest of D.C.Õs main monuments. Either
buy a ticket for Tourmobile, which allows free all day re-boarding, or the
other option is to put your best foot forward and walk. ItÕs not a walk for the
faint-hearted however and appearances can be deceptive. Memorials have a habit
of looking closer than they are, trust me, I speak from bitter experience about
that!
Heading
west from the Washington Monument, you quickly come across the newest addition
to the collection. With a pool and fountains in its center, the World War II
Memorial, opened in 2004, has two pavilions at each end, one representing the
Atlantic and other the Pacific, symbolizing how the war was fought across both
oceans. Four thousand gold stars in the middle commemorate the 400,000
Americans who died in the war, while sculptures at each side of the entrance
recall scenes of America at war.
In
the walk down to the Lincoln Memorial, there are more tributes to those who
have lost their lives in combat over the years, in the shape of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial, two long triangular black walls, covered with the names of
those gave their life in this conflict. This is perhaps the simplest of
WashingtonÕs war memorials, but one of the most striking, with families often
leaving flowers by the names of their loved ones.
The
Korean War Veterans Memorial is nearby and depicts 19 soldiers on patrol, with
a black granite wall to the south, etched with the images of more than 2,000
veterans. Although all of D.C.Õs monuments are lit up at night and all well
worth a visit, it is this one that sticks most in my mind. The statues appear
as if they are coming out of nowhere as you walk up to the memorial and thatÕs
perhaps exactly the idea this was meant to convey.
In
between these two war memorials is the Lincoln Memorial, surely one of D.C.Õs
best known spots, thanks to its many cinematic appearances. Before this was
built, the whole area was a very different site, with the swampy area around
the building drained when work started in 1914. Overlooking the Reflecting Pool
and facing toward the Washington Monument and the Capitol, thereÕs nowhere
better to sit down and rest from all that walking than on the steps of this
grand memorial. Inside, the impressive 19 foot marble statue of Lincoln watches
over the city, surrounded by 36 columns, the number of states during LincolnÕs
Presidency.
Head
south-east from here and youÕll find the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on
the banks of the Tidal Basin. The most recent Presidential tribute, this
open-air memorial takes you through four distinct rooms, each representing one
of the PresidentÕs terms of office. Each room has granite ŅwallsÓ with
quotations from FDR inscribed in them and a theme throughout all the rooms is
water, sometimes in quiet pools and other times cascading. ItÕs quite a sight
to see it frozen over in winter, making the whole place eerily quiet.
Continuing
southwards around the Tidal Basin, you find another of the Presidential
monuments, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. This is the furthest out of the main
city and itÕs a quite a walk to get here, but itÕs well worth a visit,
particularly in the springtime, when the Japanese cherry trees are in full
bloom around the Tidal Basin.
A
walk, or bus, back to the starting point at the Washington Monument will take
you past the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, another place to stop and remember the terrible
events of years gone by.
Now
where else in the world can you travel back over 300 years in time, stopping at
so many different places to remember steps along that journey? ThatÕs why D.C.
is all about memorials and monuments for me and may that never change.
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Did
you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail us at news@passporter.com or
visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss your travel plans.
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DISNEY
FEATURE: Travels with ŅNonnyÓ Š Walt Disney World With Your Grandchildren
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by
Jane Buie, Guest Contributor
I
sit at my desk with fingers poised, reluctant to strike the first key, hesitant
to touch the mouse. I know that when I begin, the photos will stop and my memories
will be on hold. The invention of the digital camera is in sync with my
evolution as a grandma, ŅNonnyÓ as they call me. Through my screensaver
memories of previous Disney trips pass by, and I am mesmerized.
ThereÕs
a picture of my oldest granddaughter, Caylie, when she first met Minnie Mouse.
Another photo of Caylie, now almost 5, is from our recent trip, 6 weeks ago.
SheÕs coming around Big Thunder Mountain, holding up her arms, and laughing
hysterically. Other photos pass. There's Colton, almost 2, as he reaches for
the hook on the end of the Captain's arm. I see my youngest granddaughter,
Bella, who recently made her first trip to Disney World at 6 months. SheÕs
laughing at Baloo just outside the shops on Main Street. Such wonderful memories
bring me to my grandchildren each time I sit down to check e-mail or conduct
online business.
I
know there are grandparents who aren't sure they can manage a trip to Disney
World. Can I handle my grandchildren? Do we know each other well enough to get
along? Will they respect my authority? If the answer is yes, then start
planning.
Where
in the World do we stay? A travel agent can be helpful but you can also call
Disney reservations yourself to schedule a room or a package, including
tickets. We stay on Disney property, just for the convenience. Usually,
one or both of my daughters will accompany us, since my sweet husband feels he
must stay behind and tend the home fires.
We
keep active annual passes because we visit Walt Disney World several times each
year. Caylie is old enough to have her own pass, which makes her quite happy.
Travel from Houston is 1,000 miles one-way. We usually travel by automobile and
it helps that my Suburban has a built-in video/TV. We depart Houston early, usually
around 3 AM, fully stocked with snacks, water, portable lap trays, and videos.
The children will sleep, giving us 4 or 5 hours of uninterrupted driving. ItÕs
more sensible to trade drivers, making the trip in one day. The children are
restless and, if we stop for the night, they find it hard to return to their
car seats the next day. Amazingly, we can make this drive in about 17
hours.
Alternatively,
airplane travel is great. It saves time and wear on the children and
grandparents. However, you must make certain that your little ones are
flight-worthy. ThereÕs nothing like trying to control an 18-month-old who wants
to get down and run. Disney's Magical Express shuttle is wonderful from the
Orlando airport to the hotels. ItÕs available only if youÕre staying at a
Disney resort. It's reliable, free, and efficient, helping us cope with
strollers, luggage, and wayward children.
Disney
offers many hotel choices, but speaking as a Nonny and Disney veteran, thereÕs
nothing like convenience and proximity. The three hotels on the Magic Kingdom
monorail line are simply the best. Most of the recent articles that I have read
are about economizing, making the most of your money during your visit.
However, beyond saving money is another important factor - saving your sanity.
Of these three deluxe hotels, the Contemporary is the most reasonably priced,
followed by the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian. Ask for discounts with an
annual pass, AAA membership, or others. ItÕs well worth the money. Consider
this; youÕre in the Magic Kingdom and your three-year-old grandson is having a
meltdown. Its nap time and the bus back to your resort will take at least
an hour. You fold the stroller, try to find a seat, and make several stops
before you reach your hotel. You must control your temper while your
grandson continues to lose his. Conversely, staying on the monorail line, you
can be in air conditioned comfort, shoes off, kicked back in 15 minutes, and, you needn't
fold the stroller! After resting, you can quickly return, sanity restored, for
the Spectromagic Parade and Wishes.
Having
stayed in most hotels on property, I find the Polynesian is simply the best,
hands down. The grandchildren love the volcano pool and they enjoy the bold
bunnies along the beautiful walkways. From the Poly, you can walk to the Epcot
monorail and Magic Kingdom ferry boat, or quickly catch the Magic Kingdom
monorail. If you arenÕt hurried, the launch to Magic Kingdom will take you
across the lagoon for a different view of Disney property. The Poly is
undergoing renovations and the new rooms are marvelous. The best-kept secret is
that the rooms there are big, especially in the three newer buildings (long
houses). We love Tokelau and Tahiti but have a new favorite, Rapa Nui. A
parking lot is just outside the long house, unlike the other long houses that
you access from the main parking lot. You can drive your vehicle up to the
front door to unload your luggage, saving you the cost of a bellman! Rapa Nui
is one of the long houses that has already been remodeled. Also, if it's
early enough in the day, you can request a certain building and floor when you
check in. We havenÕt been disappointed yet.
Entry
into the parks has been eased by carrying a clear backpack. Everything is
visible, making it a quick trip through security. We bring snacks, hand
sanitizer, and filtered water bottles. I carry a portable three-legged stool to
sit on for parades, giving my old knees a rest. Add a digital camera and extra
batteries, and we are set. At night we throw in sweaters for the children. With
the baby, a second clear backpack is her diaper bag. Everything is accessible
and the security guards love it! They have even held up one of our backpacks
and yelled for the crowd to look and take note. Embarrassing but flattering!
We
take strollers for each child. Even though Caylie is grown up (in her own
mind), she will collapse into her seat as we walk. It's easy to store things
underneath and most strollers now fold to a very tight package for airplanes or
buses. Luckily there's no need to collapse them on the monorail. We frequently
ask Colton, the toddler, to push his own stroller, letting him work off excess
energy. Strollers can be rented at each park, so take heart if you don't have
one available for travel. And, if you get tired,
strollers make a convenient place to lean as you walk.
Our
favorite parks are Magic Kingdom and Epcot. They seem to have the most
favorable "fun to walking ratio." No matter what parks you choose, be
prepared for a Disney meltdown. It happens to most ages and will probably
strike your grandchild, too. This is translated as a fully blown tantrum
stemming from nothing and usually occurring on the second or third day. I
attribute it to over-stimulation. The meltdown will pass and, if you're lucky,
it's a good time to go back to the room for a nap. It's helpful if you can
schedule some down time; a walk around the hotel, a swim, or just TV time. It
offsets the excitement that makes children so "goofy." Have fun and
enjoy. ThatÕs what grandparenting is all about!
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Did
you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail us at news@passporter.com or
visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss your holiday plans.
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UPDATES:
What's New and Changed
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Here's
a few of the new developments at Disney:
The
Walt Disney Company has agreed to acquire Pixar Animation Studios, the studio
responsible for such hits as "Toy Story" and "The
Incredibles." The deal is expected to be complete this summer.
World
of Disney in Downtown Disney will celebrate it's 10th
anniversary with the opening of three new sections -- the Bibbiddi Bobbiddi
Boutique, which opens on April 5, is where your child can feel like a Princess
while having her hair or make-up done. From there, she can proceed to the
Princess Room for all the latest in Princess fashions. In more
of an adventurous mood? Then head over to the Adventure Room to create your
own pirate hat, explore cowboy, pirate and space gear or try your hand at a
video game.
Tarzan
Rocks at Theatre in the Wild (Disney's Animal Kingdom)
held is final performance last week and is now closed. The theatre will be
getting a makeover (including air conditioning) and is expected to re-open in
October, possibly with a show based on the "Finding Nemo" movie.
>Things
To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at
news@passporter.com
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DISNEY
TIPS FROM FELLOW READERS
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Our
readers are a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip
contest:
CLAP
FOR CLIPS
"Small
but useful items to bring are medium or large binder clips! They are great for
closing up snack bags, which get stale quickly in the Florida humidity. They
are also great for corralling bills/papers, hanging up towels or clothes to
dry, holding a blanket closed over a stroller etc. They are much sturdier and
more secure than any of the other bag fasteners I have seen, and probably have
many more uses, if you put your mind to it!"
--
contributed by Colleen Trapp-Warner (cgwarner@...)
MINI-MEALS
"Split
meals! My husband and I would agree on eating the same thing and we would split
it. We would then be able to walk around the park without feeling so
full. Smaller meals work out great, and it ends up saving you money!"
--
contributed by Jennifer
BRING
BINOCULARS
"If
you have some lightweight binoculars, bring them along! You can use them
to look at the parades, fireworks, characters, and use them to "look
around" your resor, especially if you stay at or visit Disney's Animal
Kingdom Lodge."
--
contributed by Leanne P.
>Notes:
Send us your tips! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of
PassPorter! Visit:
http://www.passporter.com/customs/contest.htm
Want
more Disney tips? We've collected 500 of the tips submitted by readers over the
past six years -- most have never been published before. All have been edited
for accuracy and categorized. The "Disney 500" are available in
e-book form for immediate download. For details, visit http://www.passporter.com/wdw/disney500.htm .
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CAPTAINÕS
CORNER: Treasure Hunting Game
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Play
our fun and quirky treasure hunting game, hosted by Captain Jack Skatt from our
upcoming book, "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney
World."
The
Captain makes a study of the delightful details -- sometimes hidden, sometimes
in plain sight but often overlooked -- at Walt Disney World and aboard the
Disney Cruise Line. Using notes from his journals, he will lead you to this
"treasure" at Disney with clues, questions, photos, or riddles. Your
challenge is to discover the answer by searching your memory, visiting Disney,
or even just looking really hard on the Internet. If you think you've found the
answer, e-mail it to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the first person to correctly
submit the FULL answer will receive a free PassPorter enamel pin or PassPorter
name badge pin.
It
seems the Captain has stumped you for the first time! No one got the correct
answer to last week's treasure hunt question. Here is another clue...
Here
is this week's treasure from Captain Skatt's Journal:
"My
latest adventure was to Mt. Everest -- truly a sight to behold as it rises in
the distance! But I digress. My journey began when I enlisted the services of
my dear friend Manesha Gurung, properietor of Kali River Expeditions. Bless his
soul, he obtained a sturdy raft for me and 11 other lucky adventurers.
Together, we hurtled down the turbulent waters of the ............ River.
(river name obscured by water spray)
So,
what is the name of the river?
Congratulations
to Cindy Lamb who was the winner of last newsletter's treasure hunt game last
week! Cindy correctly identified the first rule of behavior on the Kilimanjaro
Safari as "The Animals have the right of way." To view the original
clues, see the last newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news011906.htm .
Send
your full answer to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the winner will be notified by e-mail and
announced in the next newsletter, along with the correct answer!
If you enjoy treasure hunts, we've got an entire book with over 100
distinct treasure hunts and over 1500 questions, complete with clues and
contributions from Captain Skatt. We will release the book --
"PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" -- in April 2006.
You can pre-order the new book today at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710269.aspx
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Q
& A WITH JENNIFER & DAVE
====================================
MontiMouse
asks: "We are planning our first Disney cruise for 2007 and I don't know
if I should book the trip myself online or use a travel agent. Anyone have
recommendations or can recommend a travel agent?"
Jennifer
and Dave answer: "If you book at the Disney Cruise Line site, you'll get
whatever the current price is. Usually, that will be the same prices that
travel agents can offer. However, agencies sometimes reserve a block of
staterooms at early booking savings, then offer those savings later, when
Disney's prices have gone up. If you're looking at 2007 pricing, you probably
won't find a lot of special deals yet - they tend to appear later, as
reservations become more scarce. If the agency doesn't have a special deal like
that to offer, the rates will be the same as Disney's current pricing.
A
good agent can enhance your vacation, at no extra cost. I suggest if you want
to work with an agent, go with a Disney Specialist agent who at the least has
attended the College of Disney Knowledge, and preferably has cruised with
Disney several times. You can learn about a bunch of such agents and agencies
from folks here on the PassPorter message boards. Personally, we've always had
very good experiences with MouseEarVacations, which advertises here. AAA is the
single biggest seller of Disney vacations (outside of Disney itself). The
quality (and education) of the individual agent you work with at AAA will vary,
but AAA sometimes comes up with deals nobody else can offer.
Some
folks will tell you to look for "Earmarking" as a way of selecting an
agent. Note, however, that "Earmarking" is a designation bestowed by
Disney that is based on the dollar value of the bookings made by the agency. A
large, reputable agency can achieve this distinction without a lot of
difficulty, but there are also small agencies who have all the expertise and
reputation, but are simply too small to sell the amount of vacations needed to
be Earmarked.Ó
Have
a question? Post it at http://www.passporterboards.com -- and if you're lucky, you may find
that folks have already asked and answered the same question that's on your
mind!
===================================
WANT
TO GET PUBLISHED?
===================================
Big
News! PassPorter News will be going weekly beginning early this year. This
means we need more articles than ever! We're on the lookout for guest
columnists to contribute articles to this newsletter. No professional writing
experience necessary, just a desire to share your experience with others! Not
only is this a great way to give something back to the PassPorter community,
but you get to see your name in "print" and receive a $25 gift
certificate.
====================================
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(c) 2006 - MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter Travel Press, PO Box 3880, Ann Arbor,
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