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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
March 8, 2006 * Issue 6.8
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 Disney Cruise
Guide
Travel Feature: Oxford, City of Spires
Disney Feature: Walt Disney World: Not
Just For Kids
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Take A Break, Take An Alternate
Route, Pass The Magic On
Captain's Corner: A Spot of Tea
Q&A: Will Disney know if I have too
many people in our room?
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FROM THE AUTHORS: New Disney Cruise
Guide
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The new, fourth edition of "PassPorter's
Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and its Ports of Call" is now
available for pre-order! We expect to release the new book during the first
week of April, just a few weeks from now. You can read more about the new book
and place a pre-order at: http://www.passporterstore.com/store/dcl.aspx
On Sunday morning at 6:30 am, March
12th, Deb Wills and Debra Martin Koma will appear on WJZ TV's public affairs
show "On Time" hosted by Kai Jackson. Channel 13 is a Baltimore
Maryland CBS affiliate station. Deb and Deb will discuss their book, PassPorter's
Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs ( http://www.passporter.com/wdw/specialneeds/guidebook.htm )
We're headed to Florida next week for
much-need week of relaxation! We'll be staying at an All-Star Vacation Home and
plan to report back on it upon our return. There was a time when we couldn't go
on the road without taking the office with us, but thanks to Sara, our intrepid
newsletter editor, you'll see a new edition of this newsletter next week, and
Nikki, our amazing office and research assistant, will keep business operations
humming at full tilt. My, how our enterprise has grown! Still, we ask that you
please be patient with all of us on e-mail and other matters while we're away.
In this edition of the newsletter,
frequent columnist Cheryl Pendry is back with a three-part article on the charm
of university towns with an article on Oxford, England. First-time columnist
Tacey Atkinson offers a delightful article about visiting Walt Disney World
without kids. Finally, Captain Jack Skatt returns with a new treasure hunting
game. Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors
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DID YOU KNOW?
PassPorter 2006 Š Our Best Yet!
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. This edition is proving so popular that we've had
to go back for a reprint of more books already! We're not out of stock quite
yet, and our new shipment of books arrives soon.
Learn more and order today at:
Shop at
http://www.passporterstore.com/store
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TRAVEL FEATURE: Oxford: City of Spires
(Part 1 of 3)
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by Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Message
Board Guide and Guest Contributor
Universities have been part of peopleÕs
lives for nearly 3,000 years and perhaps itÕs for exactly that reason that
theyÕve become much more than just places to learn. These days, the most
exclusive universities in the world are also tourist destinations Š the likes
of Harvard in Boston and Oxford and Cambridge in the United Kingdom are perhaps
three of the most famous education names in the world.
Over the next few months, IÕll be
taking a look at each university in turn, comparing and contrasting them and
looking at what to visit if you happen to be in one of the cities thatÕs home
to these great institutions.
Of the three, the first to be
established was Oxford, which can trace its educational beginnings back to the
late 11th century, although no-one seems sure of the exact date the University
was founded. Consisting of 39 colleges, each one is a hall of residence, but is
also responsible for teaching its students. Of these, the vast majority are
open to visitors, although groups need to book in advance and visitors hours do
vary from college to college. ItÕs
always best to check ahead and the Oxford University web site can help out with
answers to most questions.
Having had friends whoÕve attended
Oxford, itÕs fascinating to wander around some of the lesser known colleges.
The students often outnumber the visitors, giving you an interesting insight
into student life. If you visit early on a Saturday or Sunday morning, you may
spot one or two students suffering the after effects of the night before!
Unfortunately, when most people visit,
the students arenÕt there. Universities arenÕt known for lengthy terms and this
applies even more so to Oxford and Cambridge, which have even shorter ones,
although students tell me they work exceptionally hard when they are there.
Holidays include a six week period around both Easter and Christmas, with the
summer holidays beginning in mid June and lasting until early October. ItÕs
worth remembering that many exams are held between mid May and mid June, which
may affect your visit.
Even when the students arenÕt around,
the place will still be busy Š Oxford is a popular destination for both
visitors from abroad and within the UK.
ItÕs only an hour from London on the train and it doesnÕt take much
longer to drive there, although driving is something you wonÕt want to do when
you get to Oxford. Not only are
many streets in the city closed to traffic Š which makes it a very pleasant
place to walk around Š but parking prices are astronomical. The only realistic
option is the Park and Ride bus services from outside the city center.
Once you arrive, where should you
start? Perhaps the best way to get oriented is to head upwards. Sadly the
Radcliffe Camera, with its dramatic circular dome that can be seen in any
aerial shot of Oxford, is no longer open to the public, a real shame, as the
views from here were spectacular. The only way these days to see why Oxford is
called the Ņcity of dreaming spiresÓ is to head up the 99 steps at Carfax
Tower, which dates back to the 14th century. Originally this was attached to
St. MartinÕs Church, but the church was demolished more than 100 years ago to
try and improve traffic problems in the city center. Needless to say the
traffic problems remain, while the church is long gone.
The most spectacular of the University
colleges is undoubtedly Christ Church, helped by its setting amongst beautiful
gardens, which burst with color in the spring and summer. Not only is it
OxfordÕs largest college, but it boasts the cityÕs cathedral and itÕs also a
famous movie star, having portrayed parts of Hogwarts Academy in the Harry
Potter films.
But perhaps it's Christ Church's link
to a childrenÕs classic immortalized in Disney animation for which the college
is most famous. Lewis Carroll studied mathematics at Christ Church. While
there, he met Alice Š the young daughter of the Head of the College. He went on
to use her and Christ Church as inspiration for many of AliceÕs Adventures in
Wonderland.
Most of OxfordÕs colleges boast one of
the cityÕs famous spires, many with stunning courtyards. You could easily spend
a day or two visiting every one thatÕs open to the public. If your time is
short and you need to be more selective, then take a short walk from Christ
Church to Corpus Christi, which overlooks the same gardens and meadows that
make Christ Church so picturesque. Founded in 1517, itÕs among OxfordÕs oldest
colleges and one of the smallest, with just 300 students. The courtyard here
has a unique addition, the Turnbull Sundial which, as well as being a calendar,
also tells the dates of the Oxford University terms.
Head up to the High Street of the city
and youÕll soon come across Brasenose, one of the closest colleges to the
beautiful Radcliffe Camera. Here, itÕs worth looking out for the large ŅBrazen
NoseÓ door knocker above the gate. Another one hangs in the hall Š safely
recovered after going missing for more than 500 years in a student prank!
Nearby is Hertford College with its own
Bridge of Sighs, but unlike the one in Venice, this one is built over a road.
And here is also where youÕll find the Bodleian Library, a lovely domed
building thatÕs home to around four and a half million books. But the unique
difference to most libraries in the world is that you canÕt borrow any of them.
They all have to be read on the premises.
Nearby New College is a contradiction
in terms. Founded in 1379, it gained its name when it was built, 200 years
after the University was founded. Its gardens are bordered by the old city
walls and every three years, the Mayor, Sheriff and councillors of Oxford have
to march in procession to inspect the walls, following an agreement made 600
years ago that they would keep them in good order.
Continuing along High Street towards
the River Cherwell, another not to be missed Oxford University college is
Magdalen. Set in 100 acres of grounds alongside the River Cherwell, you can
enjoy a beautiful riverside walk.
As youÕd expect, Oxford is also home to
a range of museums, including the Ashmolean, the oldest public museum in the
world, which houses the UniversityÕs collection of art and antiques. With
museums of Natural History and Science, you can certainly learn a lot here, but
if you want to learn about Oxford itself, the best place to go is the Oxford
Story, a "dark ride" exploring how the University began and recalling
the people whoÕve shaped the city over the years.
And there have been plenty of movers
and shapers in those many centuries. The list of former students at Oxford
reads like a whoÕs who, with four British and eight foreign Kings educated
here, 25 British Prime Ministers and almost 30 foreign presidents and prime
ministers. TheyÕve even had a role in teaching seven saints and one pope! In
recent years, famous names have included actors Dudley Moore, Richard Burton
and Hugh Grant and from the writing world, Lewis Carroll and Oscar Wilde.
Surely nothing can better the beauty
and fame of Oxford? ThatÕs debatable, as youÕll see when we come to look at its
bitter rival Cambridge and AmericaÕs oldest university, Harvard.
Cheryl is a PassPorter message board
guide and lives in England. She loves to travel and enjoys exploring her own
country, the rest of Europe and America. A frequent visitor to both Oxford and
Cambridge, she also took a trip to Boston in 2005, where she was able to
explore Harvard. Cheryl will continue her series on university towns in April
with Cambridge.
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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 Disney travel plans.
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DISNEY FEATURE: Walt Disney World: Not
Just For Kids
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by Tacey Atkinson, Guest Contributor
You have to have children to enjoy Walt
Disney World, right? Horsefeathers! I am here to dispel that myth. There are
some of us who either have no children or whose children are grown up, and we
still love Disney as much as those experiencing it through the eyes of a 4 year
old. There are so many things for adults to enjoy!
LetÕs start with the resorts. Because
we are adults, do we have to stay at the Deluxe resorts with spas and the
works? I donÕt think so at all. I love to stay at DisneyÕs Pop Century Resort.
It gives me a fix of nostalgia while being modern and funky at the same time.
It has the whimsy of DisneyÕs All-Star Resorts with the adult feel of DisneyÕs
Coronado Springs Resort. I love to stroll through the lobby, looking at the
things that I grew up with. ItÕs a fun, friendly atmosphere and I love it!
Now, letÕs head off to Downtown Disney.
Here I would highly recommend the Downtown Disney West Side. The place I never
miss on our annual trip is The House of Blues Gospel Brunch. This is the best food
on property for an all you can eat breakfast buffet, in my humble opinion.
There is something for everyone - a fruit selection, salad bar and the omelet
station which has the most delectable fixings I have ever experienced. The
performance is second to none. I mean where else can you get a rousing choir
that gets you clapping and foot stomping during an incredible breakfast? I
highly recommend this to all my friends.
We are good and full, so letÕs head off
to DisneyÕs Animal Kingdom for a performance that in my opinion is even better
than Cirque De SoleilÕs La Nouba at Downtown Disney. I am speaking about the
Festival of the Lion King. This is well choreographed, supremely acted and
sung, and the way the cast involves the audience makes sure young and old have
a great time. It is funny, heart-warming and visually satisfying. I have seen
The Lion King on Broadway and I still prefer the Animal Kingdom version. If you
are looking for a fun, relaxing, indoor spectacular, this is the place to be.
Now that weÕve seen a great show and
brunch has been over for some time, letÕs head over to DisneyÕs Grand Floridian
Resort & Spa for afternoon tea. Now while there are teas for the little
ones such as the Wonderland Tea Party, it is not necessary to exclude yourself
from the decadence of high tea in such plush surroundings. The Garden View Tea
offers a huge assortment of teas, pastries and other treats. Anyone seeking a
respite from the hustle and bustle that tends to be a Disney vacation really
should give this a try. What a great place for a quiet recharge!
Once your tea is done, grab the
monorail from the Grand Floridian to DisneyÕs Polynesian Resort, where I feel
as though I've been whisked away to a Polynesian island. The atmosphere is so
tropical and lush. I love to sit by the shore of Seven Seas Lagoon and people
watch, and if you are feeling adventurous, rent yourself a boat and float in
the middle of the lake to enjoy the peace and privacy of it all.
Now that we are all recharged, letÕs
head off to Disney-MGM Studios. We're here to test our brains and enjoy the
same adrenaline rush we get while sitting at home watching Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire. (DisneyÕs version is called Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Š Play
It!) Be sure to arrive at least a half hour before the show is set to start and
you might just get picked to sit in the floor seats. If that doesnÕt happen
though, fear not! The great thing about the Disney version is that everyone
gets to play along, and anyone can earn their way into the hot seat. Just be
fast on those buttons, because everyone else wants a chance to win their family
a Disney Cruise! We had so much fun when we went. There were even couples that
had gone to every show for two days to try to win. It is just as exhilarating
as it looks on TV.
ItÕs getting dark, so letÕs head off to
todayÕs final destination before heading back to our resort. WeÕre going to
Epcot for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, the best fireworks show I have
seen in a long time. The music, the barges, the torches around the lake;
everything just sets the mood to make it the perfect end to a Disney day. On a
side note, I do suggest that you test which way the wind is blowing because if
itÕs blowing toward you and you are near the waters edge, you may be covered in
smoke. So always go to the opposite side of the lake then the direction that
the wind is blowing.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this
small glimpse into why Disney isnÕt just for kids. There is nowhere else in the
world I can ever imagine going for vacation. So the next time your friends say,
ŅDisney World? ThatÕs a place for kids!Ó you can reply "HORSEFEATHERS!Ó
Tacey is a huge Disney fan - so much so
that her friends call her "Snow," in tribute to her favorite
princess. She makes an annual trek to Walt Disney World and can't wait to
attend her first MouseFest this December.
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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:
Hong Kong Disneyland has announced
three new attractions set to open in Tomorrowland this summer -- Autopia, a new
car ride with an old, familiar name, will feature electric vehicles instead of
gas powered vehicles; Stitch Encounter will be a "theater" experience
featuring everyone's favorite alien; and UFO Cool Zone helps chill sun-drenched
brows with a water-squirting robot.
The dates for the Nights of Joy
concerts, featuring Contemporary Christian musical artists at the Magic
Kingdom, have been announced. September 8, 2006 performers will include
MercyMe, Casting Crowns, BarlowGirl, Rebecca St. James, David Crowder Band,
Building 429, Todd Agnew, Matthew West and Vicky Beeching. September 9, 2006
performers will include Kirk Franklin, tobyMac, BarlowGirl, Jeremy Camp, Smokie
Norful, Hawk Nelson, ZOEgirl, and Tonex.
>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:
TAKE A BREAK
"When visiting the Magic Kingdom,
take a break in the afternoon and take the monorail or boat ride over to the
Polynesian Resort. The landscaping is beautiful (very tropical) and the kids
might even see a lizard scooting by. The hotel is a great place to cool down,
grab a snack, shop for Disney bargains, or have a great lunch at the
restaurants (usually less crowded and quieter then the parks). The adults can
have a cocktail and the kids get excited over the non-alcoholic fruit drinks
made up to look like Mom's and Dad's. "
-- contributed by Patricia J.
(caj56@...)
TAKE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE
"When traveling to Disney by car,
don't forget that the trip can be an adventure too. By using an online mapping
program like http://www.randmcnally.com or http://www.mapquest.com, we can find
several routes from our home to Orlando or Port Canaveral that have driving
times of within an hour of each other. By changing our route we get to
experience new towns, restaurants and sites along the way."
-- contributed by Paul B. (dpbrabban@)
PASS THE MAGIC ON
"My favorite tip is always grab
brochures, coupons, maps, and other information when visiting Disney or taking
a Disney Cruise. Pass all this helpful information on to a friend or family
member who is planning their vacation."
-- contributed by Kenneth D.
>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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CAPTAIN'S 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 ascent to Everest on the
Anandapur Rail Service train was an exciting adventure! I finally have proof
that the Yeti does indeed exist -- he appeared before me during the journey and
I will not forget his fearsome sight for as long as I live. Luckily, we escaped
his wrath by spiraling through a foggy mountain pass and plummeting down a
steep cliff. I was never so relieved to be finished with a journey! My seatmate
tells me I kissed the pavement when I disembarked from the train, but I
honestly don't remember. I do recall an intense need for a spot of tea, which I
was delighted to be able to satisfy immediately at a little shop nearby. The
shop was named, appropriately enough, the ... " (rest of text obscured by
tea stains and biscuit crumbs)
So what is the name of the eatery that
sells tea near Expedition Everest?
Congratulations to Terri who was the
winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Terri correctly identified the number
of passengers that the Anandapur Rail Service train holds as 34. To view the
original clues, see the last newsletter at
http://www.passporter.com/news/news/030106.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
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Linus asks: "Does someone check on
how many people you actually have in your room? What happens if you book a room
that says 4 and you really have 5?"
Jennifer and Dave answer: "When
folks ask this question on the message boards, it's likely someone will say
they got away with it, or heard that someone got away with it. It's not likely
anyone will admit to getting caught - it doesn't mean it doesn't happen - it
just means they don't want to talk about it.
If you do get caught, the first option
is that you'll be required to book an extra room. Second option is to leave. If
there are no vacancies, second option becomes first option. Not a great way to
have a magical vacation. Disney can't charge you for an extra person, because
the legal room occupancy is marked on the door and if they allow you to exceed
it, they're in violation.
Sometimes housekeeping will turn a
blind eye, sometimes they'll report you. If security staff is the first to
catch wind of it, you won't be getting any breaks. Considering the layout of
the Value and Moderate resorts (all room entrances are open to the outside),
it's pretty easy for staff to observe how many people are coming and
going."
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!
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WANT TO GET PUBLISHED?
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Big News! PassPorter News is now
published weekly. This means we need more articles than ever! We're on the
lookout for guest columnists who want 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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