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 In
This Newsletter
From the Authors:
Great Start to the New Year
Travel Feature:
Rome
Disney Feature: WDW
- Without Breaking The Bank
Updates: What's
New and Changed
Tips: Fret
Not, Avoid Packing Panic, No Drip Dry
Captain's Corner: The
First Rule - Second Clue
Q&A: How
do they choose Grand Marshals for the parades?
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Updates:
What's
New and Changed
Here's a few of the new developments at Disney·
The Walt Disney World Annual Passholders Best Rate Program has
been discontinued. AP discount codes are once again available for check-in
dates through 4/13/06. Rooms can be booked online by going to http://www.disneyworld.com
and clicking on the Passholder link or by calling 407-560-PASS (7277).
In addition to the increase in theme park admission
prices, Walt Disney World increased ticket prices for the water parks and
DisneyQuest. Beginning Sunday, January 15, 2006 a 1-day ticket to DisneyQuest,
Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon are $35 for ages 10 and up and $29
for ages 3-9 (not including sales tax).
Walt Disney World now offers official weekly podcasts
featuring the "Happiest Celebration On Earth." Interviews with celebrities
and Imagineers will be forthcoming and can be downloaded at
disneyworld.com/podcast
or through the iTunes Podcast directory.
At Disneyland, Goofy's Bounce House in Mickey's Toontown is closed -- there's no official word on what will
replace it, but rumor is that it will be a toddler playground similiar to Pooh's Playful Spot at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
>Things To Do: Hear some news?
Send it to us at
news@passporter.com
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Disney
Tips:
From Fellow Readers
Our readers deliver a wealth of information! Here
are the winners in this month's tip contest:
FRET NOT
"Know you can't see everything in one visit. It's better to enjoy what you can do than fretting over what you just can't
get to."
-- contributed by Vicki K.
AVOID PACKING PANIC
"Don't stress about packing every little thing. On our last trip I tried to incorporate every tip I'd ever read into our packing
and it ended up being a waste. There is a Wal-Mart about 10-15 minutes
from Disney for anything you may need after you get there."
-- contributed by Jeanna R. (jkrz40@...)
NO DRIP DRY
"With four small children, all of whom love water in
ANY form, keeping dry and wet things separate but accessible is a part
of every Disney vacation! We ALWAYS carry various sizes of resealable bags
with us. The small bags can hold lip balm, medication bottles, band aids,
etc.; the mid-size are perfect for guide books, maps, etc.; and the large
size can carry DRY t-shirts that we exchange with our wet ones after a
water ride. Our children are much happier in a dry shirt on a cool evening
at Fantasmic than sitting and shivering in a damp one."
-- contributed by Jane Peters (bjresmom@...)
>Notes: Send
us your tips ! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of
PassPorter!
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 the PassPorter
Store.
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Captain's
Corner:
Treasure Hunting Game
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:
"I went on safari again today with great success. I photographed two bongos in the bushes,
as well as a family of hippos in the pond. At one point our safari jeep stopped to allow a particular graceful
giraffe to stroll across the road and I snapped several stunning shots. Luckily for me (and the giraffe), our safari driver
understood those all important rules of behavior, especially that crucial first one that states ... (text obscured by giraffe drool)
So, again, what is the first rule of behavior on the Kilimanjaro
Safaris?
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!
To view the original clues, see
the
last newsletter.
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 expect to release the
book -- "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" -- in early
2006. Watch this space or http://www.passporter.com
for more information!
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Q
& A:
With Jennifer and Dave
figmentintime asks: "I am planning a trip for some
family members. They asked how one got to be a Parade Grand Marshal at
the Magic Kingdom. I was under the impression that it was just being in the right
place at the right time, and the odds were not good. But my father-in-law
insists that you can request this. Is this possible?"
Jennifer and Dave answer: "The only people who have
a chance of requesting (and having the request filled) are "official" VIPs.
For just plain folk, it's right place, right time. There's a cast member with the
job of scanning the crowd and making the selection.
It works this way for Disney's Animal Kingdom parade,
too, but with so many more guests riding in the parade, the odds are better
for being selected. I don't know if procedure has changed, but it used
to be that the AK parade guests were selected from folks hanging out in
Harambe Village near the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris during the hour
before the parade. "
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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Future
Newsletters:
Want
To See Your Name in Print?
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.
For details and our article submission guidelines,
please e-mail news@passporter.com.
Articles about Disney and general travel are welcomed!
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Great Start to the New Year!
Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
We are really excited here at PassPorter! Ah, where to begin?
First, the
first edition of PassPorter Disneyland
and Southern California Attractions is in the final stages of peer review
and proofreading, and those reviewers (including MousePlanet's Lani Teshima,
Rebekah Moseley from LaughingPlace.com, Michelle Smith, "The Fabulous Disney
Babe," Bruce "Zazu" Metcalf, and a dozen other Disney experts)
are doing a fabulous job. We're just weeks away from being able to send
the book off to our printer in Hong Kong, and we're feeling really, really good
about the way the book has come together. Next, we're being bowled-over by the
sales of PassPorter
Walt Disney World 2006. Thanks in part to the efforts of our wonderful new
distributor, Publishers Group West, and in part to the earlier release date for
the book (timing is everything), sales are already way ahead of last year's
edition. So good, that we've already ordered a second printing from those folks
over in Hong Kong (we are keeping them very busy this year!). Recently, PassPorter was the
sixth bestselling travel book nationwide at a large bookstore chain, and it's consistently
among the top 1,000 books of any kind at Amazon.com.
We're also
working on the fourth edition of
PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. If you've taken Disney
shore excursions you can do us a great service -- take our
Shore Excursion Survey
as soon as you can! Move fast, we want to have that book in the stores by March!
What else, what else? Book updates! We've just finished the latest round
of revisions to our free,
online book updates.
Included is the first update list for
PassPorter Walt
Disney World 2006, which features a downloadable PDF replacement of pages
116 and 117, fully revised to cover Disney's recent park pass rate hikes.
Generally, guidebooks in their eighth edition don't garner a lot of reviews, but
fellow Disney author Kevin Yee posted a very nice (and unexpected) review of
PassPorter Walt Disney World 2006 at
MiceAge.com. Thanks,
Kevin! Kevin's got a new book coming out soon, too --
101 Things You Didn't Know
About Walt Disney World. You can read all about it over at Amazon.com. And
speaking of reviews,
PassPorter's Walt
Disney World for Your Special Needs recently received yet another glowing
review (authors Deb Wills and Deb Koma did do a fantastic job), this time from
http://www.linkup-parents.com.
Altogether, the joint is jumpin'
here at PassPorter headquarters. Maybe that's why temperatures have been above
normal here in Michigan these past few weeks. ;-) In this edition of the newsletter, PassPorter Message Board Guide
and frequent newsletter contributor Cheryl Pendry shares her recommendations for
a visit to the Eternal City, Rome. Then, first-time
contributor Erin Broemel shares her tips for visiting Walt Disney World
without breaking the bank. 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've received their new books -- here are a few of our
favorite comments:
"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 a 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
Everything! 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. -- Jennifer
Learn more and order today at:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store |
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Travel
Feature:
Rome: A Tale of Two Cities
by Cheryl Pendry,
PassPorter Message Board Guide and Guest Contributor
Think of places
to visit in Europe and usually England is up there, followed by France
with its romantic capital, but Italy is usually somewhere in the mix as
well. PassPorter Guide and regular newsletter contributor Cheryl Pendry
explores one of the country’s biggest tourist draws…
Home to the Roman
Empire more than two thousand years ago, Italy is a country that’s today
well known not just for its history, but also its art, architecture, designer
fashion and even its soccer. At the southern end of Europe, it enjoys scorching
heat in the summer, but cold and sometimes damp weather in the winter months.
Turn to any
brochure or website about the country and you’ll quickly discover that
one of the most popular destinations is Italy's capital, Rome.
To me, Rome
is very much a city of two halves – both dominated by the past, with one
centered on the city’s history and the other inspired by spirituality.
The first stop
for many visitors to this city is the Coliseum, which in its heyday nearly
2,000 years earlier would have seated 50,000 spectators, all eagerly awaiting
the next gladiatorial combat. Despite all the films you may have seen on
this subject, nothing prepares you for going into what remains of the Coliseum.
A modern floor allows you to stand where the gladiators would have battled
for their lives all those years ago and a quick look around brings home
just how many people would have been there awaiting the outcome. From this
point of view, you can also see the underground vaults and tunnels used
to house the animals and slaves. It’s impossible not to stand there and
hear the cries of the crowd and also wonder in awe at how much of this
structure still stands all these thousands of years later. It’s a testament
to the work of Roman builders.
It’s not the
only remnant from the Roman Empire. Next door is the Forum, full
of remains of temples, lining a processional route that was once used
by victorious generals. Dating as far back as 500 BC, it’s easy to
imagine how impressive this road once was. To the south of these remains
lies Circus Maximus, now a grassy area, but once used for chariot races
and animal fights.
A little further
into the modern city is the Pantheon, a place of worship for nearly 2,000
years, now surrounded by cafés with their outside tables. Be sure
to visit this on a dry day. In the center of the Pantheon's dome is a circle
that’s open to elements, meaning on a rainy day, you will get wet. When
the sun streams in through it, it is truly beautiful.
Staying with
the Roman theme, a worthwhile trip outside of the city is to the Baths
of Caracalla, which would have contained hot, warm and cold baths and shows
just how important fitness was all those years ago. It seems that some
things never change!
Another famous
area of Rome that draws visitors is in fact a state of its own – the smallest
in the world. Vatican City gained its sovereignty in 1929 and may only be
home to around 1,000 people, but it’s certainly best known for one resident
– the Pope, although there are many other reasons why Vatican City attracts over
three million visitors each year.
Perhaps the
two best known attractions in the Vatican are St. Peter’s Basilica and
Square. The square is known worldwide for the crowds that gather for Papal addresses. The
views are superb from both the square and the top of the Basilica, and the
Basilica is well worth a tour as well.
Another must-do
on most visitors’ to-do lists are the Vatican museums. Like all good attractions,
the best is saved until the end – the Sistine Chapel. But on the way there
are plenty of sights to see and once you’ve visited these museums, no palace
will ever amaze you again. You’re not going to see anything more stunning
than the interior of these museums. The corridors and galleries are full
of fine art collections and beautifully decorated ceilings and walls.
It’s almost too much to take in.
Other famous
sights in Rome that shouldn’t be missed include the Trevi Fountain and
the Spanish Steps, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. There
are also numerous palaces, squares and architectural delights to take in
– you certainly won’t be short of things to do on any visit to Rome!
A couple of
words of warning about the city though – firstly, it’s not a city that
lends itself to driving – you have to be made of stern stuff to even
attempt it. As a pedestrian though, you need to take care. Cars and motorbikes
hurtle along at quite a speed, often without regard for you if you’re trying
to cross the road. Public transportation won’t deliver you to many of the
main tourist sights either. Unsurprisingly, the city’s subway system runs
nowhere near the fragile, ancient parts of Rome, leaving buses, which we found to
be confusing and unreliable, as the only other option. Therefore, be prepared
to treat a trip to Rome like a Disney vacation – find some comfortable
shoes and get walking!
We also found
ourselves constantly on guard during our stay in the city. Although it’s
not a high crime place, unfortunately, bag snatching and pick pocketing
are rife in the tourist areas, so keep a close eye – and a hand – on those
valuable bags at all times and don’t draw attention to cameras or camcorders.
We saw some people walking around with valuable camcorders casually slung
over their shoulders, an open invitation to a thief if ever we saw one.
Our springtime visit to
Rome was very comfortable, with temperatures in the
60s and 70s on most days, so it’s no surprise to us that many
guidebooks describe this season as the best to visit the country. Despite that,
most
tourists choose to travel to Rome between June and August. It seems every Roman takes
his/her vacation in August (something about the heat, we suspect), so some shops or restaurants
could be closed down. If you can, plan to go out of the summer season,
as the crowds are very manageable and the weather still good.
One final thing:
Don’t forget to toss a coin over your opposite shoulder into the Trevi
Fountain to ensure you’ll return to Rome. If meeting a Roman is high on
your agenda, then make sure it’s two coins you throw, and increase that to three for marriage.
Already married when we visited there, I stuck with the one coin, although
I’m still waiting for that return trip!
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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:
Walt Disney World -
Without Breaking The Bank
by Erin Broemel,
Guest Contributor
If there is one word in the English language
that can transform your little monsters into complete angels, it is “Disney!”
To children around the world, Disney is the ultimate adventure, but to
parents it can be the ultimate expense. You can still give your children
their dream day with Mickey, without shelling out the big bucks. How? With
several tried and true techniques that rid the hassle and the expense out
of the most magical celebration on Earth.
Your ticket to saving starts even before
you leave! We all know there are deals out there, but the problem is where
to find them. Between the books, the web sites, and the solicitations, it’s
hard to know what is a good deal, and what is a time share "opportunity"
waiting to happen. Going in off-season can save you a ton of cash on a
hotel. Plus, with no crowds and minimal wait times at the rides, who wouldn’t
wan to go during Value Season? It’s a great way to get everything you want, and
save a little extra dough.
One good option is to work with a travel
agent who specializes in Disney. They generally know what specials Disney
is offering and there is little to no work involved for you. Travel agents
get commission directly from Disney, so you don’t pay for their services,
which means you can reap the savings and let Disney foot the
service bill. Plus, it saves you the endless hours of paperwork and stress.
If you can’t find a travel agent, or think
you can get a better deal, try researching it yourself. You can find the
codes that will unlock potential savings on vacation packages or your hotel
room at websites such as http://www.mousesavers.com! These codes are generally
three letters, such as EYW. They are not hard to find, and can generally
save you a couple hundred bucks, enough to spend an extra day at the Magic
Kingdom!
One good trick of the trade is to stay
off-site at Disney. Now, we all know that Disney’s hotels offer the magic
and splendor of the parks in a hotel setting, but they also cost up to
twice as much as a “normal” accommodation of its rating. The Disney hotels
are sorted on three levels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Typically, you
can get an off-site four-star hotel for the same price as the value resorts
on Disney property. The problem, though, is that with little ones who require
naps it is harder to get back to the room and then back into the park.
But if you aren’t traveling with toddlers, then this option may be for
you! Several websites such as Hotwire.com
and Expedia.com offer you options for hotels in the general Orlando vicinity. And these
hotels can have a steal of deal available right when you’re planning to
go.
If you’re dying to stay as close to the
Haunted Mansion as possible (no pun intended), then it is possible to stay
at Disney hotels and still save a buck. Try going during the off-season value
times. Rates will be cheaper. This same idea holds true for the off-site
hotels. Or look for room-only rates, which can sometimes save you
a pretty penny or two over a package deal. Your best ticket is to stay at a
Disney Value Resort, which
at times can be picked up for around $69 a night! The only problem with
these is that they are geared towards families with young children, so
if you don’t have children or your children are older, be prepared for
the sheer number of kids! If that’s not your cup of tea, then opt to shell
out a few more dollars and stay at one of Disney's Moderates, which will have
fewer kids
and more adult activities, like sit-down restaurants.
Big savings can come from little indulgences.
If your hotel has a kitchenette, you are way ahead of the game. You can
create a delicious and nutritious breakfast for your monsters, without
breaking the bank. You can whip up Mickey Mouse pancakes in a flash, especially
when pancake mix runs around $2.00 a box and can feed a family of four
for a week. Toss on some bananas and strawberries with whipped cream, and
you’ve got a meal fit for a queen (or your very own little princess).
This option can be better than the sinfully delicious cinnamon rolls from
the Main Street Bakery, which runs $3 a pop! By the time you add in juice
and other extras at that bakery, it can cost you more than $30 just for breakfast.
If you are not one of the lucky few with access to a kitchenette, try for
a hotel that has a complimentary continental breakfast, or even better
a deluxe American, which has eggs, pancakes and breakfast meats. Talk about
savings! Or make a pit stop at a grocery store on your way to your hotel
and pick up a few basics – milk, OJ, etc. Disney Resort hotels now offer
a mini-fridge for free (Deluxe and Moderate) or a small fee (Value).
One little tip that I follow every time
I go to the parks is to pack a couple of granola bars or packaged crackers.
These little snacks can pack a lot of energy, giving you the extra oomph
you need to go on Mission:Space for a third time! Also, consider forgoing
sit-down restaurants as they can be very expensive. While character meals
can be a great opportunity to get a photo of your little princess with
her favorite princess, there are also many other ways to see a character
without paying for a meal your child may be too excited to eat. Any Cast
Member wearing a red pin with a white glove on it can direct you to your
favorites!
Last but not least – souvenirs. Every time
you go to Disney, you wind up with a ton of popcorn buckets, plastic mugs,
and many other items you picked up along the way. You know the stuff I’m
talking about. Make your dollars count - Orlando is inundated with Disney
outlet stores and gift shops! You can pick up prime Mickey merchandise
for less than half of what it will cost you in the park. Another good tip
is to shop at the Disney Store in your area! Stuffed animals, t-shirts
and hats go on sale all the time. If you’ve given yourself ample planning
time, make a couple of stops at your local Disney Store and score some
deals on souvenirs before you even leave for the park. Just make sure you
hide them until you get to Disney World! Your kids are less likely to ask
for a Mickey Mouse plush in the park if they are already carrying one you
got for a third of the price! Plus, you can use the stashed gifts as rewards
for your children’s good behavior.
Walt Disney World is the most magical place
on Earth. And you can enjoy every minute of it without spending your time
worrying about what your credit card statement is going to look like. Take
a couple of these tips with you as you plan your ultimate Disney vacation
and you will feel a little less guilty about shelling out the extra dough
for the occasional Mickey Bar! Trust me, the extra savings are definitely
worth it!
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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 vacation plans. |
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