==========================================
PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
June 14,
2007 * Issue 7.24
PassPorter.com - http://www.passporter.com
==========================================
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
==========================================
In This
Newsletter:
==========================================
From the
Authors: Golden News
Travel Feature: The Smoky Mountains: Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
Disney
Feature: Keys To The Kingdom
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips:
Bag It, Stick It, Drill It
Captain's Corner:
Golden Trophy (Part 2)
Q&A: Will my son need a passport for his honeymoon?
Our Sponsors: We Recommend...
====================================================
FROM
THE AUTHORS: Golden News
====================================================
Hi,
{{user("firstname")}}!
PASSPORTER'S CLUB
UPDATE
* Over 750 vacationers are now enjoying access to all our e-books
and e-worksheets -- thank you for your continued support!
* TWO new
e-worksheets -- House and Pet Sitter Instructions and Daily Park and
Reservations Coordinator -- are available for download in the Club. We now have
35 e-worksheets in our library.
* New Passholder Perk Coming Soon!: Super
Sized Photos! We are testing the possibility of sharing our massive photo
collection online -- and allowing Club Passholders the ability to see the
photos super-sized (up to 25 times larger, or at a resolution of up to 2000
pixels). For more details and to see 150 super-sized, original images of Fort
Wilderness, visit The Parlor
* More details at http://www.passporter.com/club
Peer
reviewer and friend Bruce Metcalf has nearly finished his live trip report of
his trans-Atlantic crossing and first Mediterranean itinerary cruises on the
Disney Magic. To read his live reports, visit http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/127931-25-days-disney-magic-europe.html
Meet us in person: Will you be at July's sold-out MagicMeets event in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania? We sure will! We'll be on hand to meet, greet, and
maybe put on a presentation or two.
In
this issue, Michelle Clark continues her article on the Great Smoky Mountains area, and return Guest Contributor Laura Clarkson shares her experience with the Keys to the Kingdom
Backstage Tour. Finally, Jack Skatt stumped everyone last week but he was kind enough to provide an extra clue.
Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Publishers and
Authors
P.S. Jack says to peek at http://www.passporter.com/news/trophyhint.jpg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DID YOU
KNOW?
MouseFanTravel.com has special rates & FREE extras for MouseFest 2007!
~Walt
Disney World®
Resort -- 4 nights ~
Dec 6-10, 2007 - MouseFest - from $152
Includes IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
VIP Dessert Party for 2 - FREE!
If this doesn't quite fit your needs
Ask us about customizing your stay!
Visit us at http://www.mousefantravel.com/mft/index.php
*Per person/dbl occupancy, subject to availability - CST207807440
Click
for full details - As to Disney artwork: ©Disney
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - -
========================================================
TRAVEL
FEATURE: The Great Smoky Mountains: Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
========================================================
by
Michelle Clark, PassPorter Guest Contributor
No trip to
the Smokies is complete without a visit to
There are
plenty of lodging options in Gatlinburg ranging from hotels/motels, condos, bed
& breakfasts, and cabins and chalets. Many of the hotels and motels in
downtown Gatlinburg are established, family owned facilities but most of the
well known chains have properties in town. We prefer the Hampton Inn as it is
located near many attractions, shopping, and dining. Most of the hotels in the
area offer some type of deluxe continental breakfast which can save money on
food. There are many time shares in the Gatlinburg area, so if you own a time
share you may have Gatlinburg properties in your network. If you are traveling
with a larger party you may be more comfortable renting a cabin. Location should
be the major factor in choosing your lodging. The easiest way to get to the
various attractions in Gatlinburg is walking, so you location is key.
So, what’s
there to do in Gatlinburg? What’s not
offered may be a better question! Gatlinburg offers a wide variety of
attractions ranging from mini golf to haunted houses to a world class aquarium.
Ripley’s, best known for their “Believe It or Not” Museums, operates six
attractions in Gatlinburg: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ripley’s Believe
It or Not Museum, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ripley’s Moving Theater, Davy
Crockett Mini Golf, and
Besides the
usual “tourist traps”, Gatlinburg has several unique, established attractions.
Ober Gatlinburg, located above the town, is a ski resort and amusement park.
You can ride the sky lift or aerial tramway to access Ober Gatlinburg. Non
skiers can skate in its large indoor rink or enjoy go-karts, mini golf, or
shopping. But the crown jewel of Gatlinburg attractions has to be the Aquarium
of the Smokies. This 1.4 million gallon aquarium features over 10,000
difference sea creatures in a variety of settings including a tropical
rainforest, ocean realm, and coral reef. The shark lagoon is enclosed in an
underwater tunnel with a slow moving sidewalk so you can ride while you take in
the 4 different species of sharks in the lagoon. If you plan a morning trip to
the aquarium you can watch a diver clean the lagoon by hand while two other
divers ward off the curious sharks! The coral reef tank has daily dive shows
where you can watch divers interact with over 1,000 fish. You can get “up close
and personal” with stingray and horseshoe crabs at
If your
favorite activity involves a Visa card, don’t worry–there’s plenty of shopping
available in Gatlinburg. Over 450 shops located along the Parkway in roadside
stores and malls offer every kind of souvenir imaginable, from Dixie Outfitter
T-shirts to grandfather clocks to Crocs.
All this activity will surely build up an appetite, and Gatlinburg offers a variety of dining options. Pancakes are a local favorite, so you will find a number of pancake houses that serve all day. The Peddler is a locally owned steak house with a unique twist: the “peddler” will push a meat cart to your table so you can choose your specific cut of meat. The restaurant was built around the original cabin of one of Gatlinburg’s first settlers and is located on the river. Get there early and request a table next to the river for enchanting views.
Familiar chain restaurants in Gatlinburg include the Hard Rock Café, Texas Roadhouse, TGIFriday’s, and fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Subway, and Burger King. Just want a snack? You’ve come to the right place. Walk along the parkway (or “the strip” as it is often referred to) and you can find fudge, funnel cakes, ice cream, frozen lemonade, and many other treats that will ruin your diet! We like to visit Fanny Farkle’s for an original Ogle Dog (a hand dipped corn dog) or grilled sausage dogs. Visit the Old Smoky Mountain Candy Kitchen and watch them make taffy at the front window.
Most travelers combine their Gatlinburg vacation with a visit to Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is located about 6 miles north of the Gatlinburg strip. Like Gatlinburg, the major attractions, dining, shopping, and lodging are all located on or just off Highway 441 or the Parkway. Pigeon Forge is probably best known as the home of Dolly Parton and Dollywood, but there’s much more to do here than visit Dolly’s theme park. The attractions in Pigeon Forge are similar to what you find in neighboring Gatlinburg. The difference is that Pigeon Forge is much more spread out–you don’t walk to attractions in Pigeon Forge, and there is plenty of parking.
The
majority of the attractions at Pigeon Forge are larger and outdoors, so there
are more go-kart and mini-golf type attractions. You will find a wider variety
of hotels/motels at Pigeon Forge, and generally the rates are cheaper here than
at Gatlinburg. Common amenities at Pigeon Forge motels include free breakfast
and high speed internet. Many properties have outdoor pools with slides. The
newer lodging facilities are located north on Highway 441 towards Sevierville.
Pigeon Forge is a shopper’s dream! Besides the standard souvenir shops, Pigeon Forge is home to several large outlet malls including Belz and Pigeon Forge Factory Outlets. Neighboring Sevierville has the Tanger Outlets. It’s so close to Pigeon Forge that you won’t realize you left one town and entered another. The Christmas Place is a unique shop which consists of 30,000 square feet of Christmas merchandise.
A few local favorites include The Old Mill Restaurant and the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. The Old Mill is located at a historic 1800's gristmill with a large water wheel on the Little Pigeon River. The restaurant serves classic southern cooking such as country fried steak or chicken and dumplings. Homemade pies and desserts complete the experience. You can purchase cornmeal, grits, or pancake mixes ground onsite as well as homemade jams and jellies in the Old Mill General Store. The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant is located at The Apple Barn, which has sold apples, cider, apple butter, and many other products for over 20 years. If its apple related, chances are they have it at The Apple Barn. The Apple Barn has expanded to include a Christmas shop, a winery, and a candy factory. Home made ice cream is available at the creamery where you’ll find some of the most delicious and unique flavors of ice cream (yes they give out free samples!). The restaurant also serves southern cuisine but is most famous for their delicious apple fritters. Be sure to get a sackful to take home with you after your visit to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area!
Here are some helpful sites
when planning a trip the Smokies:
National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Gatlinburg
Chamber of Commerce
http://www.gatlinburg.com
Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
http://www.mypigeonforge.com
About
the Author: Michelle Clark is a confessed theme park junkie and the mother of
three teens who share in her thrill ride obsession. She is also a Co-Guide on the PassPorter Message Boards.
- - - - - - -
- -
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. Also check out our Article Collection at
http://www.passporter.com/articles for more great information!
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Did You Know?
Great Cruise Rates are available at MouseEarVacations.com!
Disney Cruise Line Special Offer
December 30, 2007 - 4 night Land / 3 night Cruise
Save up to $1056*
per cabin compared
to current Disney pricing.
Other dates available at: http://www.mouseearvacations.com/mevdclspecials.php?cpe=Y3A9RW1haWxlcisxJTJGMSUyRjA3JnM9UGFzc1BvcnRlcg%3D%3D
Visit us here to get a quote for December 30, 2007: http://www.mouseearvacations.com/dclquote.php?id=4nl3ns&dates=2007-12-30&cpe=Y3A9RW1haWxlcisxJTJGMSUyRjA3JnM9UGFzc1BvcnRlcg%3D%3D
*Savings based on double occupancy. Ships' Registry: The
Bahamas
CST2058090-40 www.MouseEarVacations.com 800-886-8601
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
========================================================
DISNEY
FEATURE: Keys to the Kingdom: A Behind the Scenes Tour
========================================================
by
Laura Clarkson, PassPorter Guest Contributor
(Warning!
This article discusses activities that take place "Backstage" at Walt
Disney World. If you think this will spoil your enjoyment or that of
your children, please DO NOT read!)
On our most recent trip to the
World, my husband and I decided to take the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I was
very interested to see the backstage areas of the Our tour was booked for After introductions had been made
and ear pieces fiddled with, we set off, stopping first to look at windows and
buildings on We got to see the Spectromagic
floats and the ones for the daytime parade.
There are three classes of float, and they are checked every day for
defective lamps. Abby told us how float drivers are required to have been
characters previously so that they understand the constraints these people are
under. She also told us the height requirements of characters, and I was very
disappointed to hear that I wasn’t tall enough to be a princess. I was somewhat
cheered to hear that I was exactly Winnie the Pooh height though!
When everyone had arrived for the tour, we met our guide, Abby, who was very
friendly and informative. We had to introduce ourselves to the group by telling
them our name, where we were from and our favorite character which was a nice ice breaker.
As we stood at the hub, Abby pointed out that the pathway leading off to the
left was smaller and the one on the right wider, the reasoning being that as
more people are right handed than left, they are more likely to choose the path
on the right.
Next we head over to Adventureland and sit in the shade while Abby tells us
about Walt’s life and the company’s history. Even though we knew some of the
background, it was lovely to listen to these stories being told.
We walked over to Frontierland and were told the Disney legend of how the
McDonald's cart ended up where it did. It was then time to go “backstage”. I was
jumping up and down excited by this point!
We were shown the yellow line on the ground behind which Cast Members cannot be
seen by guests, and then went properly backstage. We saw Woody and Bulls-eye
getting into their costumes for the Woody’s Roundup show, and some other Cast
Members dressed up for the show. They were very patient with us all trooping
past.
We were shown the water tanks for
We went back “on stage” and had a look at the Liberty Bell, and were told that
it is an exact replica of the original bell. We also had a look round the Hall
of Presidents, and Abby told us how the man who makes the busts is 75 years old
and still working for the company.
We went for our lunch at the Columbia Harbour House next and inside the place
name cards found our very special Keys which are only given to people on this
tour.
After lunch, we went on the
After disembarking our Doom Buggies, we headed back to
This was the end of the tour, so we stepped blinking back into the sunshine,
having experienced a glimpse of where magic truly is made every day.
About the
Author: Laura Clarkson lives in
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. Also check out
our Article Collection at http://www.passporter.com/articles
for more great information!
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DID YOU KNOW?
ALL STAR Vacation Homes - Experience the ALL STAR Difference
Choose
from more than 150 homes within 4 miles of Disney World. Special for PassPorter News
Readers:
http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/passporter_walt_disney_world.asp?ovchn=AD&ovcpn=PassPorter+eNewsletter&ovcrn=June+14&ovtac=EMAIL
Game Rooms,
Home Theatres, Multiple Master Bedrooms, Computers, Kitchens and More.
All for the same price or less than staying in a hotel!
PLUS free
heated pool & Disney ticket specials with every reservation!!
- - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
==========================================
UPDATES:
What's New and Changed
==========================================
Here's
a few relevant news items:
Disneyland's new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage opened to the public on Monday, June 11, 2007. Long lines (up to 4 hours!) are being reported.
The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World is now closed for an extensive rehab. In addition to a general refurbishment of existing effects, it is rumored that the Mansion may be receiving some "redecorating" as well. The attraction is scheduled to re-open on September 13, 2007 just in time for the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on September 14.
A new handheld assistive device is now available at all four Walt Disney World theme parks. The device (about the size of a PDA) which currently provides captioning for attractions and shows, uses similar technology to Pal Mickey and senses it's location from transmitters located throughout the parks. The device is available for free to all park guests (a refundable $100 deposit is required).
Our thanks to AllEars.net and MousePlanet.com
from which we get some of our news leads.
>Things To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at
news@passporter.com
==========================================
DISNEY
TIPS FROM FELLOW READERS
==========================================
Our
readers are a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip
contest:
BAG IT
"I always line the bottom of my suitcase with a garbage bag when
packing. I place everything inside then wrap another around the top.
This keeps everything dry and they double as laundry bags on the way
home. This tip was learned as we packed (and lost) clothing during
Isabel in 2003!"
-- contributed by Brandy D.
STICK IT
"At just about any drug or dollar store, you can find the small suction
cups with a hook attached. We use these in the shower to hang up
anything that gets wet and needs to drip dry (bathing suits, socks,
etc). They stick nice and firmly to the walls."
-- contributed by Marty W.
DRILL IT
"I have two young boys who don't drink pop. Every time we've stopped at
a fast food restaurant they would never finish their milk and would
want to drink it in the car. We almost always had a spill. My
husband decided that since most milk was now in plastic jugs with screw
on lids that he would save the lids and drill a hole the size of the
straw in the middle. This way the cap can go back on the milk and they
can still drink from it safely. I wash mine after each use and store it
in a ziplock bag in the car."
--
contributed by Janet M.
>Notes: Send us your tips! You may see
them in this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter! Visit:
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/tipsandstories.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
==========================================
CAPTAIN'S
CORNER: Treasure Hunting Game
==========================================
Play
our fun and quirky treasure hunting game, hosted by Captain Jack Skatt from our
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.
No one guessed the correct answer for last week's clue!
Here
is this week's journal entry:
"Frustrated by my attempts to secure a trophy for my
friends Jennifer and Dave (in honor of the recent award won by
PassPorter Disneyland), I walked to a nearby book and coffee shop. I
can see the idol from where I am sitting. Perhaps some Java will
inspire me to discover a way to "borrow" the idol for a while..."
Photo: http://www.passporter.com/news/trophy.jpg
Where will you find this golden trophy 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!
There were no winners this past week. Who will be the
first to identify the location of the trophy shown above? To view the original clue, see last week's newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news060707b.htm#captain
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 Jack Skatt. Get more details on "PassPorter's
Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" book at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710269.aspx
====================================
Q & A WITH
JENNIFER & DAVE
====================================
luvnwdwgal asks: "My
son will be getting married in November and they are going on a cruise
to the Bahamas for their honeymoon. Will they need passports?"
Dave and Jennifer answer: "If they are catching the boat in other than a US port (meaning they have to fly
back into the country afterwards), then they need a passport. If they are
leaving and returning from a US cruise port before the end of 2007, then they
don't need a passport, but as has been noted, it's still a very good idea
to have it. By the next time they travel outside the US, it'll definitely be a
requirement, and if their plans change and they must fly back into the States
during this trip, it'll be needed.
Note that the latest waiver of the
requirement (for people flying) only applies to people who have already applied
for a passport. Nothing has changed for those who don't apply."
Have a
question? Post questions 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?
===================================
PassPorter News
is published weekly and we're always on the lookout for good quality Disney and
travel articles! We seek 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.
===================================
OUR
SPONSORS: We Recommend...
===================================
PassPorter
only accepts advertising from services of the highest quality -- we recommend
these companies because we use them ourselves. Please support our sponsors and,
in turn, support this newsletter! This week's sponsors are (in order of
appearance):
Mouse Fan Travel -- Magic Your Way with FREE Dining Specials
MouseEarVacations.com -- Disney Cruise Line special offers
ALL STAR Vacation Homes -- Choose from over 150 homes within 4 miles of Walt Disney World
Thank you, sponsors!
====================================
PassPorter
News is only sent to those who have subscribed to it through our Web site or at
the time of an order,
registration, survey, or contest.
If this
newsletter was forwarded to you by a thoughtful
friend, please join us! You
can subscribe at:
http://www.passporter.com/news.htm
Please ask your questions and help each other in our
Message
Board Community:
http://www.passporterboards.com
Copyright (c) 2007 - MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter Travel Press, PO
Box 3880, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
_
