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 In This Newsletter
From the Editor: Disney Dreaming
Travel Feature: Photo ID, Passports, REAL ID -- What You Need To Know
Disney Feature: Dining Review: Tusker House
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Wonderful Windows, Super Salutes, Awesome Autographs
Captain's Corner: All Aboard
PassPorter PhotoPick: Butterfly Topiary
Q&A: Is the Adventurer's Club appropriate for kids?
Our Sponsors: We Recommend...
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Updates:
What's New and Changed
Here are a few items of relevant news:
It's not an official announcement, but it's close! According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney has been approved to sell timeshares for the 15-story tower currently under construction at Disney's Contemporary Resort. The property will be known as Kingdom Tower and will contain 281 units.
Annual Passholders rejoice!
Effective immediately, Walt Disney World Resort Passholders can save up to 30 % off dining with a package that includes accommodations and the Disney Dining Plan or Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. Passholders can also choose to add the new Disney Wine & Dine Plan to their package. Passholders will also have the option to purchase other package options such as trip insurance, airfare and ground transportation. But beware -- unlike the room-only cancellation policies that AP holders are used to, package cancellation policies will apply.
Renting a car at Orlando International Airport? Expect to pay more money. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (the guys that run the airport) announced that they will be increasing the number of on-site rental car companies from six to eleven. In order to pay for the costs of renovations and upgrades to the facility such as fueling stations and car washes, they are implementing a "customer facility charge" of $2.50 per day up to a maximum of $12.50. This fee is expected to be discontinued once work in complete in five to seven years.
Let's Talk About Disney, a podcast for all things Disney, recently featured Deb Wills and Deb Koma, authors of PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line. Download the podcast here and see what people are saying about the show here!
Our thanks to AllEars.net and MousePlanet.com from which we get some of our news leads.
Hear some news? Be a "PassPorter Reporter" and send it to us!
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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:
WONDERFUL WINDOWS
"When we check into our hotel, usually Pop Century, we place our souvenirs from the day, our favorite blanket and stuffed Mickey Mouse in the window. Since all the rooms tend to look the same this lets our kids know easily which room is ours when they see the things they love in the window!"
-- contributed by Alisa N.
SUPER SALUTES
"The Flag Retreat ceremony at Town Square in Disneyland should not be missed! The ceremony time varies depending on the time of year as the flag needs to be lowered before sunset. If not mentioned in the Entertainment Times Guide you can go to City Hall to find out when the ceremony is scheduled to take place that day. It is very moving to see soldiers and veterans spontaneously move forward to salute the colors, see children mimic their salutes and hear the Disneyland Band play patriotic songs."
-- contributed by Shayne S.
AWESOME AUTOGRAPHS
"I did this for each of my grandchildren when I brought them to Walt Disney World. I bought a plain beige canvas tote bag at the craft store and put the child's name on it. Inside I put an assortment of sharpie pens. The characters autographed the bags and the kids used them to tote home their treasures from their trip."
-- contributed by Melinda F.
Send us your tips! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter!
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 or the PassPorter store. 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.
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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 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. (Please note: Players can win once every 3 months.)
Here is this week's journal entry:
"After stopping to enjoy a lovely meal at Artist Point, I decided to hop a boat over to the Magic Kingdom and see if I could see my love once more before ending this day's journey. As we passed the Contemporary, I noticed a ship passed ours bearing the name of a fellow we all owe a great deal of gratitude! The ship was the Richard F. ... (The rest of the entry is waterlogged and illegible.)"
What is Richard F's last name and who was he? For bonus credit, locate the photographic evidence in the PassPorter Photo Archive and post a comment with the photo!
Send your full answer to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the winner will be notified by e-mail and announced in a future newsletter, along with the correct answer!
Congratulations to Tami Sanker who was the winner of last week's trivia contest! Tami was the first person to identify the location of the bison topiaries as Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Tami was also the first person to find the photo on our web site. To view the original clue, see last week's 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 Jack Skatt. Get more details on "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" book at http://www.passporterstore.com.
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PassPorter PhotoPick
Each issue we choose a special photo from the PassPorter Photo Archive which highlights something beautiful, interesting, humorous, or timely at Disney or around the world. Here is this issue's PassPorter PhotoPick:
Butterfly Topiary
contributed by Shell of the South
(click the photo or link to see a larger photo with details)
You can nominate photos as a PassPorter PhotoPick by giving ratings in the PassPorter Photo Archive (you'll need to be logged in to do this). If you'd like to contribute your own photos to the Photo Archive and be considered as a PhotoPick, please read our Photo Upload Guidelines for details and benefits.
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Q & A:
With Jennifer and Dave
BellaBuggy asks: "I was wondering if anyone has taken their kids to the Adventurers Club at Downtown Disney and if it's really appropriate and fun for them? My sister is thinking of taking her daughter who is 7. She's very mature, and she's got a great sense of humor. I read in the PassPorter book that Allie gave it an A-OK kid rating, so I'm thinking maybe they could try this?"
Dave and Jennifer answer: "If you do bring kids to Adventurers Club, the key is to visit early and leave early, when things are much quieter. That's what we've done with Allie over the years. Seven, however, is probably too young under any circumstances.
I suspect most younger kids would see little difference between the comedy at Adventurers Club and a lot of children's entertainment, since they'll understand the silly stuff, while most things adult would go over their heads (the language is squeaky clean -- the problem areas are drinking-related humor, and mild sexual innuendo). The real problem is that the place is a bar. When Cast Members make jokes involving the children, it's definitely meant as a friendly reminder to their parents that the kids may be exposed to less-than-wonderful behavior by some of the patrons -- it's never mean-spirited. The show never even makes it to PG-13, but the behavior of the crowd is a bit less predictable in that regard."
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!
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Future Newsletters:
Want To See Your Name in Print?
PassPorter News is published weekly, and this means we're always in need of articles! We're on the lookout for guest columnists who want to contribute articles to this newsletter. No professional writing experience is 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 use at www.passporter.com.
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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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 -- New Offer! Free Ticket Upgrades
MouseEarVacations.com -- Disney Cruise Line Special Offers
Quicksilver Tours & Transportation -- Save $5 off airport round-trip transportation in a town car
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From the Authors: Disney Dreaming
Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
Is it Spring yet? Here in snowy New England, spring seems very far away. While Jennifer and Dave are enjoying the warm weather of California, I console myself by dreaming of our next Disney trip. It just figures that during Leap Year, that extra day will be spent indoors trying to keep Ryan from climbing the walls...
(Tip: See Jennifer & Dave's real-time photo blog to follow along with them at Disneyland and S. California.)
Will you be joining us for PassPorter's Decade of Dream Tour? PassPorter is celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2009 year-long celebration from coast-to-coast! Everyone is invited and all are warmly welcome to join us at all or part of our celebration. We are combining small parties (meets) with grand, multi-day trips, including a 7-night Disney Cruise, a 4-night stay at Walt Disney World, and a Disneyland visit that includes park time and an Adventures by Disney expedition. See our Tour Schedule for the latest details.
Here are some reminders from Jennifer and Dave:
Our 2008 edition of PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line and its Ports of Call is on track for a March 15 release date. Just a reminder that all chapters of this new edition are in an electronic preview file for anyone who pre-orders through the PassPorter Store.
Our 2009 edition of PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions is continuing to develop (August 2008 release date) and we are still seeking feedback from both readers who have our first Disneyland edition as well as from those who have not yet seen the book -- please take our Disneyland Guidebook Survey and send us your Disneyland tips and magical memories.
We have a new and FREE e-worksheet that calculates Disney Dining Plan credits for two adults and one child on a trip of up to five days long. This e-worksheet is available to everyone free of charge! Check it out!
In this issue, PassPorter Author Dave Marx breaks down the issues surrounding the hot topic of Photo IDs, Passports and REAL IDs. Then, Featured Columnist Cheryl Pendry treats us to the new character breakfast at Tusker House. Finally, Jack Skatt is back with a brand-new Walt Disney World Treasure Hunt. Have a great week!
Sara Varney
PassPorter News Editor and Online Coordinator
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Travel Feature:
Photo ID, Passports, REAL ID -- What You Need To Know
by Dave Marx, PassPorter Author and Publisher
"Will we need passports to fly to Walt Disney World?" Recent news stories, blogs, and message board postings have raised this surprising possibility. We've sifted through mounds of information so we can clarify the current state of travel ID for both domestic U.S. travel and international travel to and from the U.S.
The short answer is probably "No, you won't need a passport to go to Walt Disney World." The long answer is ... complicated. Read on.
Domestic Air Travel
The REAL ID Act is a 2005 Federal law intended to enhance the security of photo ID used at Federal facilities. Since "Federal facilities" includes aircraft regulated by the FAA, this law affects all domestic air travel. By May 11, 2008 state-issued photo ID is required to comply with the REAL ID Act or it will not be accepted for air travel, access to Federal buildings, etc. Don't panic! "In compliance" for now only means the state has asked for and received an extension of time to meet those requirements, and 45 states have already done that. At this time, only Delaware, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, and South Carolina have not applied for extensions. So this means that state-issued photo ID from all but those five states will be accepted for domestic air travel for the foreseeable future. Federally-issued ID already complies with the law, so U.S. passport "books" and Passport Cards can also be used for domestic air travel. (The U.S. Department of State, which issues U.S. passports, now calls traditional passports "passport books" to distinguish them from the new "Passport Card.")
International Travel
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a federal law that ultimately will require a valid passport to enter the U.S. by air, land, or sea. The law's requirements have been modified several times over the past few years. Here's where things stand today:
Air Travel: Since January 23, 2007, a valid passport has been required for all air travel to the U.S. (A Passport Card cannot be used; U.S. citizens need a "passport book.")
Land & Sea Travel: Since January 31, 2008, U.S. citizens have needed to present either:
1. a passport (passport book or Passport Card)
-or-
2. a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) plus proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate)
... for land and sea entry to the U.S. from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico. (Passports already were required for re-entry from the rest of the world.)
Date to be determined: A valid passport (passport book or Passport Card) will be required for all land and sea entry into the U.S.
That "date to be determined" is the sticky part. It grants a bit of a reprieve to U.S. citizens traveling by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, but it takes time to get a passport book or Passport Card. Travelers who delay may face a last-minute crunch when that date is finalized.
We go into greater detail on both REAL ID and International Travel in our article on our web site.
PassPorter's Recommendations:
Our first concern is that travelers be prepared for whatever comes their way. We recommend you get a full U.S. passport ("passport book") as soon as you can, as that is the most universally-acceptable form of travel ID.
REAL ID -- If your state has not received an extension to comply with the REAL ID Act by now, and you plan to travel by air in the U.S. on or after May 11, 2008, we strongly recommend you apply for a U.S. passport or Passport Card as soon as possible. You may get a reprieve, but we don't think you should gamble on it.
U.S. passport "book" -- As far as we're concerned, this is the one ID to have. It's the most universally accepted ID for international and domestic travel. Anything less is a false economy. Get it done, and be prepared for any last-minute travel opportunities that may come your way. April in Paris, or a ski weekend in Whistler, anyone?
Passport Card -- Yes, it's less than half the cost of a regular passport, but it's less than half as useful, too. For example, if you're on a Caribbean cruise and must fly back to the U.S. in an emergency, the Passport Card will not be valid ID.
Passport Card as spare ID -- Since the Passport Card is credit card-sized, it can be a useful extra ID to carry at all times (why carry that bulky "passport book" on domestic flights?). Current U.S. passport holders can get a Passport Card for $20 (apply by mail using form DS-82), and you can also get a Passport Card at the same time you apply for a new regular passport for just $20 more.
Information on U.S. passport applications is available at http://travel.state.gov/passport
Department of Homeland Security REAL ID site (includes map of states granted extensions): http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/
gc_1200062053842.shtm
An analysis of the REAL ID Act is available at the National Conference of State Legislatures: http://www.ncsl.org/standcomm/sctran/
realidsummary05.htm
For more details, check out the full-length version of this article on our web site.
About the Author: Dave Marx is the co-author of PassPorter guidebooks. He's married to his co-author and partner in crime Jennifer and father to Allie and Alexander. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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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. Also check out our Article Collection for more great information!
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Disney Feature:
Dining Review: Tusker House Character Breakfast
by Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Featured Columnist
It's probably fair to say that, when it was first announced that Tusker House in Disney's Animal Kingdom was going to be changed from a counter service to a table service restaurant, the idea had a mixed response from Disney fans.
It's easy to see why. There are few counter service places in Walt Disney World that served food that was as good and had a menu as diverse as Tusker House. What's the old saying? If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. I couldn't help but feel like that about Tusker House, but equally, I've felt for a long time that part of the problem with Animal Kingdom is that it needs table service restaurants. It's one of the reasons we often don't spend a full day there, as we like to sit down for both lunch and dinner and it's clear that had to change if Disney wanted to encourage people to spend more of their vacation at Animal Kingdom.
It was therefore with some suspicion that we headed for the new character breakfast at Tusker House on the day after Christmas. The main star of the show is Donald, which I was delighted to hear, as the opening of Tusker House coincided with the closure of his Breakfast-a-saurus meal over at Restaurantosaurus. Much as I love them, it's great to see someone other than Mickey, Minnie or Winnie-the-Pooh as a lead character at a Disney meal.
When you arrive, you're made to feel as if you're embarking on a safari into the African savannah and that makes a lot of sense, with Tusker House located in Africa and just a few steps away from Kilimanjaro Safaris. I can imagine that the idea of heading out on safari to get food is probably a lot of fun for kids.
The first stop is to take photos which don't feature any characters, just a backdrop. It's also worth knowing that if you plan to buy a Photopass CD, this photo won't be included on it. The only way you can get it is by purchasing it separately and they'll be around during your meal to show you the finished product. Fortunately, we found a quick "No thanks!" got the message across, as it seems that Disney is now instructing people to avoid the hard sell with these photos at meals. I, for one, was relieved at that.
The next stop will see you meeting your guide, who will take you into the building and to your table. On the way, they'll also explain about the food that's available at the buffet. It's all themed to look very much like an African marketplace and, in that respect; it hasn't changed that much from when Tusker House was a counter service restaurant.
There are separate areas set up around what used to the room where you'd order your food. Those include areas for pastries, cereals, frittatas (both meat and vegetarian), breads, fresh fruit and yogurts. I was impressed with the selection of items available to those of us who don't eat meat and, in particular the vegetable quiche, a rather unusual choice for breakfast. Another unusual choice for breakfast, or any other meal of the day in fact, was the orange bread. They had some superb breads with beautiful flavours to them. It's definitely worth giving these a try.
Your server will also offer you what they call "jungle juice", although the most observant amongst you may notice that it has a very striking resemblance to the Frunch that they serve at Boma. I didn't manage to confirm this with our server, but I'm pretty sure that it's exactly the same stuff, just given a new name. It's exceptionally refreshing and gets your day off to a great start.
Despite the fact that this does have an African theme to it, don't worry if you have picky eaters in your family. In that respect, the meal is just like dining at Boma, with plenty of more standard fare for those who don't -- or can't -- step out of their comfort zone.
As for the characters, Tusker House plays host to Donald and his beloved Daisy, along with Mickey Mouse and Goofy. They're all attired in safari gear, which makes for some great photos. It's nice to see the characters dressed in something unusual, rather than their usual gear.
Finally, just a warning to those of you who perhaps prefer a quieter character meal, if there is such a thing. Tusker House hosts a party every half hour or so, where children are invited to dance with the characters. It's very similar to the parade they do at the Crystal Palace or the napkin twirling at Chef Mickey's, but it's worth knowing that in advance. The party does take up a lot of space and you may find yourself trapped at the buffet, as there is no way you can get past when it gets going, so do listen out for the warning they give a few minutes before it's due to start if you don't want to get stuck.
Despite all the fears, Tusker House is still serving up a superb meal, with some wonderful and unusual items on offer, supplemented by a lot of fun with some of your favorite Disney characters. It's a good addition to the range of table service restaurants at Animal Kingdom and I have no doubt we'll be heading back there again, if only to sample that wonderful orange bread!
About the Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to America. They were on the first sailing of the Disney Magic around the Mediterranean and have recently returned from 19 nights in Walt Disney World.
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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 vacation plans. Also check out our Article Collection for more great information!
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