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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
May 10, 2006 * Issue 6.17
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: Disneyland Guidebook
On Its Way
Travel Feature: Hawaii
Disney Feature: Lunch With A Disney
Imagineer
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Shuttle Shuffle, Pass Out
PassPorters, Park Prep
Captain's Corner: Water-Breathing
Dragon
Q&A: How do frequent Disney
visitors keep trips 'new and different?
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FROM THE AUTHORS: Disneyland
Guidebook On Its Way
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We're pleased to report that our
shipment of brand new Disneyland guidebooks has made it across the Pacific.
Alas, U.S. Customs stopped it for a spot check (maybe some of the Customs
employees wanted to go to Disneyland?) and it isn't expected to arrive at our
distributor's warehouse until Monday, May 15. Our warehouse here in Michigan
should receive them a few days later. So we're a tad behind schedule now thanks
to Customs, but not overly late. To be safe, we expect to begin shipping the
Disneyland guidebook pre-orders the week of Monday, May 22. If you have a trip
coming up for which you'll need a copy sooner, please make sure we know so we
can either get a copy out to you at our earliest opportunity or modify your
order -- you can e-mail orders@passporter.com or call us at toll-free
877-929-3273.
In other news, we'll be at Book Expo
America, the big book conference being held in Washington D.C. this year.
Should anyone out there in PassPorter-land happen to be attending, please visit
us at booth 2668 (sorry, the event is not open to the general public). Amongst
all the book meetings and schmoozing are two awards ceremonies to attend --
"PassPorter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs" is a finalist
for both the Benjamin Franklin Award and the ForeWord Magazine Book of the
Year.
Speaking of books, we're trying to
decide whether to publish a "PassPorter's New York City" or a
"PassPorter's Hawaii" in 2008. If you'd like to cast your vote (which
we promise to factor into our decision), please take a moment to participate in
our NYC or Hawaii Poll page at http://www.passporterboards.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1227026&an=UBB2&page=0#1227026
In other news, the 2-For-1 special on
"PassPorter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs" guidebook
ends May 15. If you order a copy from us before May 15, will receive a FREE
copy of "PassPorter's Disney 500: Fast Tips for Walt Disney World
Trips" e-book. You'll be able to download the e-book immediately after
placing your order. This is a $4.95 value and chock full of great Disney trips
for your vacation. Order at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710188.aspx
In this edition of the newsletter,
Michelle Mangio takes us on an escape to Hawaii (a-looooo-ha!). PassPorter
Message Board Guide Sue Kulick gives us a glimpse into the Lunch With A Disney
Imagineer program at Disney-MGM Studios. 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 Land/Sea Combo Deal
You asked for it, you got it! Here's a combo deal
for those of you lucky enough to be doing both Walt Disney World and the Disney
Cruise Line (or just dreaming of it). Getting the deal is simple -- just add
both a cruise guide (paperback, refill kit, or deluxe kit) AND a Walt Disney
World guide (spiral, refill kit, or deluxe kit) to your shopping cart in our
online store. At checkout, enter this code: DCLWDW, and you'll get 25% off the
list price of BOTH books.
Please note that this offer cannot be combined with
other coupons, discounts, or offers. Please also note that the discount is not
valid on just the looseleaf text sets of either the cruise guide or the Walt
Disney World guide.
Order today and save at:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/combodeal.aspx
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TRAVEL FEATURE: I Dream
of Hawaii
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by Michelle R. Mangio, Guest
Contributor and Owner of Magical Escapes
When it comes to planning a vacation,
most people desire to experience something exotic, without the hassles of
flying to a foreign country where one has to worry about what languages are
spoken, what side of the road to drive on, and different currency. It is for
that reason that Hawaii has remained one of the most desired destinations of
Americans, consistently ranking in the top 10 of surveys.
Hawaii combines the best of both
worlds: the lure of something new and exotic (lush rainforests, gorgeous
waterfalls, Polynesian culture and experiences), with the familiarity of home
(its still within the United States).
Visitors to Walt Disney World can get a
glimpse of this unique experience with a stay at the Polynesian Resort,
offering theming, dining, and influences straight from Hawaii. And now Disney
has offered another way to experience this wonderful destination: through the
new Disney Adventures program, giving you and your family a magical vacation on
two Hawaiian Islands (either Oahu and the Big Island, or Oahu and Kauai),
liberally sprinkled with the service and pixie dust that Disney is known for.
Oahu is the island most people think of
when they think of Hawaii, though it is perhaps more well-known for one of its
regions: Waikiki. This famous beach and city attracts travelers to take a
stroll along the stretches of soft white sand, or to partake of the great food
and lively entertainment in the city, from night clubs to Polynesian luaus.
Most hotels have great kids (and
family) programs, and there are plenty of activities to participate in
throughout the island. The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, for example, is located in
Pearl Harbor (a short distance away), commemorating the lives lost during the
bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Do you love animals? The Honolulu Zoo,
the Waikiki Aquarium, and the Sea Life Park all give you the opportunity for up
close encounters with many animals, including dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays,
sharks, and moray eels. Or explore the 4,000 acres of Kualoa Ranch by horse,
ATV, helicopter, Jet Ski, or kayak. Explore sunken ships, airliners, and coral
reefs by submarine, or ride the slides at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. See
Pearl Harbor by catamaran either by day, or as the sunsets or take off into
the interior on a nature hike or 4x4 safari tour.
On the "Big Island" of
Hawaii, even more adventure awaits, for here is the most amazing contrast of
the Hawaiian Islands: lush tropical vegetation interspersed with glowing lava
fields. A view of the red-hot lava by night is not to be missed! But theres
more than just Volcanoes National Park (where you can witness the island
growing as the lava slowly flows out into the sea and cools) visit the
desert-like conditions along the Kona coast (and taste its fine coffee!) and
then hop on over to Hilo, the rainiest city in America. If you are visiting
during the winter, be sure to take a whale watch tour and see the great Humpback
whales up close. Swim with the dolphins or learn Hawaiis favorite pastime,
surfing!
And then there is Kauai. When people
imagine what Hawaii is like, Kauai is what they are dreaming of; lush, tropical
and wild, majestic green mountains with flowing waterfalls streaming down its
side. The most amazing way to see Kauai is by helicopter. Soar over the Waimea
Canyon, and visit the lush rainforests, some of which can only be reached by
helicopter. For hikers this island is paradise, though you can also explore it
by guided tour or renting mountain bikes to explore on your own.
A wealth of programs and activities can
be found to enrich your experience, teaching you everything from surfing to
coconut frond weaving, and exploring everything from tide pools to historic
sites. On Saturdays, be sure to check out the Starlight Planetarium Program at
the Kauai Children's Discovery Museum in Kapaa, which demonstrates how the
ancient Polynesian voyagers used the stars, winds, and currents to reach these
islands by canoe. Or just enjoy one of the many gorgeous beaches.
Maui can argue that it is more famous
than Oahu, at least among honeymooners. Here romance reigns, with gorgeous
stretches of beach (some of the best beaches in the entire country) ranging
from soft white to rich black sand, bamboo forests and lush scenery, an ancient
volcano, and beautiful waterfalls.
Dont forget to visit the Maui Ocean
Center, featuring a 750,000-gallon, open-ocean tank with a walk-through acrylic
tube. Scout for rare birds on a walk through a bamboo forest, or explore the
ocean floor on a glass-bottom boat. Hike up Haleakala to view the sunset or
sunrise, or take a relaxing catamaran cruise on the ocean. Relax and enjoy this
magical island.
Tiny Lanai is often referred to as the
most exclusive island in Hawaii; less visited than the Big Three (Oahu, Maui,
and the Big Island). Visitors to Lanai can often find stretches of sand all to
themselves. With only 3,000 people living on the island, youll feel as if
youve found a secluded tropical hideaway where you can escape from hectic,
everyday life. This is where people come to relax, enjoy the beautiful scenery,
and be pampered. Arguably the best golf courses in Hawaii can be found here.
But if youre not into golf or into pampering and spa treatments there is
plenty more to do; snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and deep-sea fishing.
Swim in the warm waters, where you might find spinner dolphins frolicking
alongside you. Or explore glorious Hulopoe Bay by scuba or snorkel, which is
prized for its vivid tropical reef fish. Then take a thrilling 4x4 excursion
into remote Keahikawelo or along the sands of Kaiolohia Bay to marvel at the
rusting Liberty Ship grounded just offshore. Or just spend some time lying in
the sun, enjoying the best Lanai has to offer - turquoise waters, lush tropical
vegetation, beautiful beaches, and plenty of sunshine.
But if you really want to escape from
it all, Molokai is the island for you. The most noise you might hear is the
tropical birds calling out to you from the trees, or the sounds from the bakery
in Kaunakakai when folks line up for delicious cinnamon buns and freshly baked
rolls. While relaxation is the middle name of Molokai, there is still plenty
to see and do, for here is a true natures playground for you to indulge in.
Enjoy a truly unique experience as you take a mule ride down a cliff to
Kalaupapa National Historical Park, the isolated, historic settlement of those
afflicted with Hansens Disease. Enjoy a bicycle tour of the island, or partake
in an intimate hike into the interior. Explore the many natural tide pools
along the shore. But whatever you do, dont miss Molokais most stunning
attraction, the worlds tallest sea cliffs, plunging an astounding 3,000 feet
to meet the crashing surf. You can experience it in a myriad number of ways; by
sightseeing boat, hike, bike, horseback ride, or a thrilling mule train trip
down the steep cliffs.
Hawaii is truly a dream destination.
Nowhere else in the U.S. can you find a place so full of natural beauty and
lush tropical vegetation, surrounded by turquoise waters filled with brightly
colored fish and coral reefs. Here green mountains peak out of fern leaf
rainforests, revealing gorgeous waterfalls tumbling down their sides. Stretches
of white and black sand beaches invite sun bathers to watch as surfers ride the
waves, or dolphins and humpback whales frolic in the ocean.
Here, too, you will find friendly
people, and be enriched by the amazing Polynesian culture; from arts and crafts
(such as frond weaving and floral leis), to dance (the hula), to delicious
cuisine, and immersion in a culture so different and yet familiar.
Hawaii is more than just a dream: its
very much a reality, and a destination thats within our own backyard.
Accommodations range from simple hotels to villas to luxurious suites, and can
accommodate all budgets. So the next time you are planning a dream vacation,
make this a dream come true, and visit Hawaii.
About the Author: Michelle is the Owner
of Magical Escapes, a full service travel agency. She is also a Certified
Hawaii Destination Specialist.
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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: Lunch
With A Disney Imagineer
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by Sue Kulick, Guest Contributor and
PassPorter Message Board Guide
In our quest to build the perfect
Disney vacation, my husband Steve and I have decided to do a different theme
park tour or experience each trip. This past March, we chose Lunch with an
Imagineer at the Brown Derby at Disney-MGM Studios. What a great choice that
turned out to be!
We arrived at the Brown Derby at 11:20
am for an 11:30 am lunch. Disney Dining suggests arriving 15 minutes early, but
we hadnt anticipated the heavier-than-usual March crowds and we were running a
little behind schedule. Not to worry - we received badges engraved with our
names and Disney Dining with an Imagineer. As a pin collector, my first
thought was How cool is this? Soon Mike, the manager of the Brown Derby, came
out to the lobby and gathered us into a group. We were dining with a family of
four, and the first thing I noticed about them was that the father was carrying
a deluxe edition of PassPorter! Mike then asked us if anyone was from the press
or the Internet. I fessed up and said that I was a moderator on an Internet
message board. He asked that anything said at lunch remained strictly confidential,
which was fine with me and totally made sense! One thing Mike told us which I
found fascinating was that this Brown Derby was the last remaining real life
Brown Derby. When it was designed in I believe he said 1986, the Imagineers had
to work from pictures and mementos of the original Hollywood Brown Derby,
because they had no prototype to copy from. Its nice to see Walt Disney World
carrying on a little piece of old-time Hollywood tradition!
We were then led into The Bamboo
Room," a small private room with a table set especially for us. Our
Imagineer, Alex, was waiting for us. We introduced ourselves, and sat down to
have a fantastic lunch! Our drink orders were taken. Soft drinks are included
in the price of the lunch, and alcoholic beverages are available for additional
charge. We were then given menus and told that our meal came with soup, an
individual Cobb salad, and a choice of one of the three entres. Best of all,
the menus were personalized! They were a scrapbookers delight! Steve and I ordered
the Thai noodle bowl with chicken; the other choices were steak and salmon. The
soup was the Brown Derbys famous Mulligatawny soup, which was awesome,
followed by the salad, and then by the entre. The chicken was so tender you
didnt even need a knife, and it had a wonderful flavor to it. Dessert was the
vanilla crme brule, which was to die for!
And the conversation! Of course, I
cant go into details, but lets just say that Alex is a very knowledgeable and
personable Imagineer. He had been extensively involved with the creation of
Disneys Animal Kingdom, and graciously answered our many questions. Our lunch
lasted over two hours, and I could have sat there for another two hours. After
leaving, I though of about 20 more things I would have liked to have asked him!
The lunch ended with each family
receiving a beautiful autographed plate. The Brown Derby was also willing to
hold these until we were ready to go back to our resort, which was much nicer
than having to carry them around the park. As we were leaving the restaurant,
we were chatting with the family we were seated with, and it turned out that
this lunch was a surprise for their two children. Their son was interested in
engineering and design, and by the end of the lunch, their daughter also
thought that Imagineering was a great career choice.
The cost of the meal was $60.99, plus
tax and an 18% gratuity, per person. There are no discounts available for this
meal.
Lunch with an Imagineer is held Monday,
Wednesday and Friday. You can make your Advanced Dining Reservations 30 days in
advance, and I called Disney Dining exactly 30 days out to make sure I got the
seating I wanted. You will need a credit card to hold your reservation, and
there is a 48 hour cancellation policy. When you reserve, the name you give for
the reservation will be the name that is on your name badge.
The cast member who booked my
reservation told me I was in for a very special meal. She was SO right!!
About the Author: Sue Kulick is a DVC
member, a PassPorter Message Board Guide, and a Disney Fanatic! She has been to
Walt Disney World 14 times, including two Disney cruises, and is looking
forward to her next trip in October 2006.
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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:
A change to the June 2 - 4 Star Wars
Weekend has been announced. Orli Shoshan, who played Jedi Master Shaak Ti in
Attack Of The Clones and Revenge Of The Sith, will replace Bonnie Piesse. He
will join Jay Laga'aia, Captain Typho from the same movies.
This year's Summer Music Series at
Epcot will feature a line-up of "tribute bands." Concerts are held at
the America Gardens Theatre.
June 12 - 18: Transit Authority (A
Chicago tribute band)
June 19 - July 1: Hotel California (An
Eagles tribute band)
July 3 - 13: Bruce In The USA (A Bruce
Springsteen tribute band)
July 31 - August 6: Parrots of the
Caribbean (A Jimmy Buffett tribute band)
August 7 - 13: Transit Authority
Beginning this month, Disney is
offering the new Disney Gift Card. Unlike the old Walt Disney World Shopping
& Dining Card, which could only be used at select food and merchandise
locations at Walt Disney World, this card can be used at the Walt Disney World
Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Store locations in the
U.S. and http://www.disneyshopping.com .
The new Gift Cards are available in any amount between $5 and $1500. The Gift
Card may NOT be used at McDonald's, the Rainforest Cafes, Jellyrolls, or the
Richard Petty Driving Experience. Some carts and outdoor vendors may also not
be equipped to accept the card.
Our thanks to AllEarsNet.com from which we get some
of our news leads.
>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:
SHUTTLE SHUFFLE
"We have been on two Disney
Cruises, both times renting from Budget and driving to Port Canaveral. Although
their shuttles are pretty speedy, they can only do so much with the many
families and their luggage all trying to get to the ship at the same time. So,
for our second cruise I dropped my family off at the port and THEN returned the
rental car. It was much easier getting a seat in the shuttle van for one person
without luggage as compared to three with luggage!" -- contributed by
Susan B.
PASS OUT PASSPORTERS
"When planning a trip to Disney
with more than one family, order PassPorters for each family. It was the best
thing we ever did when planning our 'Four Family Fun Fest!'" --
contributed by Nancy Kavaky (njkavaky@...)
PARK PREP
"Be prepared if you will be
arriving at your resort before check-in time (3 pm). In case your room is not
ready, be sure to have your sunscreen, sunglasses, and the right clothes and
shoes easily accessible to go straight to the parks." -- contributed by
Fran Skall (mommaskall@...)
>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? For Walt
Disney World fans, we've collected 500 of the best tips submitted by readers
over the past six years. All have been edited for accuracy and categorized. For
details, visit the PassPorter Disney 500 info page at http://www.passporter.com/wdw/disney500.asp
>>For Disney Cruise Line fans, we
have an e-book with 250 cruiser tips, as well as a special cruise line
comparison section and seven customized packing lists. For information, visit
the Disney Cruise Clues info page at
http://www.passporter.com/dcl/cruiseclues.asp
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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 new 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.
Here is this week's treasure from Captain Skatt's
Journal:
"After emerging from the other
side of the Mayan Big Mouth Statue (no snakes, thankfully), I set about in
search of another statue with a famous mouth. This time I hunted for a rock
dragon that breathed water rather than fire. The trail led me past strangely
carved totem poles and into an odd little camp. A bubbling brook in this camp
misled me for a time, but soon enough I found the fearsome dragon in the water
near... (rest of text obscured by water stains)
Where is the rock dragon that
"breathes" water in Walt Disney World?
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!
Congratulations to Tina Laliberte who
was the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Tina correctly identified the
"Mayan Big Mouth Statue" as being located in The Dig Site (Explorer's
Playground) at Coronado Springs Resort. To view the original clues, see the
last newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news050306.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. PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" is
now available! You can 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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hminneman8 asks: "My husband and I
are heading to Orlando for the fourth time in four years and actually the
second time in six months. We're probably going to have a two-day park hopper
pass and we'll probably spend one day at Sea World. As a result my husband is
complaining that we've 'been there done that' so I'm trying to find a way to
balance the traditional Disney experience for the friends going with us (who
haven't been there much) and my husband who is afraid of being bored on
vacation. So I was wondering, what do frequent Walt Disney World visitors do to
keep each trip new and different? Also what are your favorite 'off the beaten
path' recommendations, things that you might not think of for a Disney
vacation?"
Jennifer and Dave answer: "Five
visits in four years doesn't seem like a heck of a lot to me. If your husband
isn't in love with the experience (and he's certainly had enough time to judge
for himself), then your brief visit becomes a mass of compromise. During a
longer visit there's enough time that everybody can compromise for someone
else's pleasure and still get much of what they want out of the vacation, but
with the time you've got it'll be very hard to compromise to suit everyone and
actually get anything accomplished.
One day's not a lot of time to cover
the World, and if you try to take your friends "off the beaten track"
before they can really experience the beaten track... since off the beaten
track usually means spending money beyond regular ticket prices, why put them
to that expense because you have one (potentially) bored member of your party?
If there's any chance your husband is a
golfer, why not send him on his way for part of the day while the rest of you
do a park? Five courses, lessons... If not regular golf, then mini golf, or one
of the water parks, or lazing about by the resort pool? If you're buying
single-day admission, ask him if he'd feel better saving the money on his
ticket and meeting up with you and your friends for dinner somewhere outside
the park?
I know there's a tendency to want to
spend every moment together when you're on vacation, but sometimes that isn't
the route to happiness. Suggest this plan, and let your husband decide whether
togetherness is more important."
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?
===================================
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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PassPorter News is only sent to those who have
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If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a
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Please ask your questions and help each other in
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Copyright (c) 2006 - MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter
Travel Press, PO Box 3880, Ann Arbor, MI
48106