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In
This Newsletter
From the Authors: New Disney Cruise Guide
Travel Feature:
Oxford,
City of Spires
Disney Feature: Walt
Disney World: Not Just For Kids
Updates: What's
New and Changed
Tips: Take
A Break, Take An Alternate Route, Pass The Magic On
Captain's Corner: A Spot of Tea
Q&A: Will
Disney know if I have too many people in our room?
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Updates:
What's
New and Changed
Here are a few of the new developments at Disney·
Hong Kong Disneyland has announced three new
attractions set to open in Tomorrowland this summer -- Autopia, a new car
ride with an old, familiar name, will feature electric vehicles instead of gas powered vehicles; Stitch
Encounter will be a "theater" experience featuring everyone's favorite
alien; and UFO Cool Zone helps chill sun-drenched brows with a water-squirting robot.
The dates for the Nights of Joy concerts, featuring
Contemporary Christian musical artists at the Magic Kingdom, have been
announced. September 8, 2006 performers will include MercyMe, Casting Crowns, BarlowGirl,
Rebecca St. James, David Crowder Band, Building 429, Todd Agnew, Matthew
West and Vicky Beeching. September 9, 2006 performers will include Kirk
Franklin, tobyMac, BarlowGirl, Jeremy Camp, Smokie Norful, Hawk Nelson,
ZOEgirl, and Tonex.
>Things To Do: Hear some news?
Send it to us at
news@passporter.com
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Disney
Tips:
From Fellow Readers
Our readers deliver a wealth of information! Here
are the winners in this month's tip contest:
TAKE A BREAK
"When visiting the Magic Kingdom, take a break in
the afternoon and take the monorail or boat ride over to the Polynesian Resort. The landscaping is beautiful (very
tropical) and the kids might even see a lizard scooting by. The hotel
is a great place to cool down, grab a snack, shop for Disney bargains,
or have a great lunch at the restaurants (usually less crowded and quieter
then the parks). The adults can have a cocktail and the kids get excited
over the non-alcoholic fruit drinks made up to look like Mom's and Dad's.
"
-- contributed by Patricia J. (caj56@...)
TAKE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE
"When traveling to Disney by car, don't forget that
the trip can be an adventure too. By using an online mapping program like
http://www.randmcnally.com or http://www.mapquest.com, we can find several routes from
our home to Orlando or Port Canaveral that have driving times of within
an hour of each other. By changing our route we get to experience new towns,
restaurants and sites along the way."
-- contributed by Paul B. (dpbrabban@)
PASS THE MAGIC ON
"My favorite tip is always grab brochures, coupons,
maps, and other information when visiting Disney or taking a Disney
Cruise. Pass all this helpful information on to a friend or family member
who is planning their vacation."
-- contributed by Kenneth D.
>Notes: Send
us your tips ! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of
PassPorter!
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.
Here is this week's treasure from Captain Skatt's
Journal:
"My ascent to Everest on the Anandapur Rail Service train was an exciting adventure!
I finally have proof that the Yeti does indeed exist -- he appeared before me
during the journey and I will not forget his fearsome sight for as long as I
live. Luckily, we escaped his wrath by spiraling through a foggy mountain pass
and plummeting down a steep cliff. I was never so relieved to be finished with a
journey! My seatmate tells me I kissed the pavement when I disembarked from the train, but I honestly don't remember. I do recall an intense need for a spot of tea,
which I was delighted to be able to satisfy immediately at a little shop nearby. The shop was named, appropriately enough, the ... "
(rest of text obscured by tea stains and biscuit crumbs)
So what is the name of the eatery that sells tea near Expedition Everest?
Congratulations to Terri who was the winner of
last week's treasure hunt game! Terri correctly identified
the number of passengers that the Anandapur Rail Service train holds as
34. To view the original clues, see
the
last newsletter.
Send your full answer to jackskatt@passporter.com
-- the winner will be notified by e-mail and announced in the next newsletter,
along with the correct answer!
If you enjoy treasure hunts,
we've got an entire book with over 100 distinct treasure hunts and over
1500 questions, complete with clues and contributions from Captain Skatt.
We will release the book -- "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney
World" -- in April 2006. You can pre-order the new book today at http://www.passporterstore.com.
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Q
& A:
With Jennifer and Dave
Linus asks: "Does someone check on how many people
you actually have in your room? What happens if you book a room that says
4 and you really have 5?"
Jennifer and Dave answer: "When folks ask this question on
the message boards,
it's likely someone will say they got away with it, or heard that someone
got away with it. It's not likely anyone will admit to getting caught -
it doesn't mean it doesn't happen - it just means they don't want to talk
about it.
If you do get caught, the first option is that you'll
be required to book an extra room. Second option is to leave. If there
are no vacancies, second option becomes first option. Not a great way to
have a magical vacation. Disney can't charge you for an extra person, because
the legal room occupancy is marked on the door and if they allow you to
exceed it, they're in violation.
Sometimes housekeeping will turn a blind eye, sometimes
they'll report you. If security staff is the first to catch wind of it,
you won't be getting any breaks. Considering the layout of the Value and
Moderate resorts (all room entrances are open to the outside), it's pretty
easy for staff to observe how many people are coming and going."
Have a question? Post it at http://www.passporterboards.com
-- and if you're lucky, you may find that folks have already asked and
answered the same question that's on your mind!
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Future
Newsletters:
Want
To See Your Name in Print?
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 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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New Disney Cruise Guide
Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
The new, fourth edition of
"PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and its Ports of Call"
is now available for pre-order! We expect to release the new book during the first week of April, just a few weeks from now. You can read more about
the new book and place a pre-order at:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/dcl.aspx
On Sunday morning at 6:30 am, March 12th, Deb Wills and Debra Martin Koma will appear on WJZ TV's public affairs show "On Time" hosted
by Kai Jackson. Channel 13 is a Baltimore Maryland CBS affiliate station.
Deb and Deb will discuss their book,
PassPorter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs.
We're headed to Florida next week for much-need week of relaxation! We'll be staying at an All-Star Vacation Home and plan to report
back on it upon our return. There was a time when we couldn't go on the road
without taking the office with us, but thanks to Sara, our intrepid newsletter editor,
you'll see a new edition of this newsletter next week, and Nikki, our
amazing office and research assistant, will keep business operations humming at
full tilt. My, how our enterprise has grown! Still, we ask that you please be
patient with all of us on e-mail and other matters while we're away.
In this edition of the newsletter, frequent columnist Cheryl Pendry is back with a three-part article on
the charm of university towns with an article on Oxford, England. First-time columnist Tacey Atkinson offers
a delightful article about visiting Walt Disney World without kids. Finally, Captain Jack Skatt returns with a
new
treasure hunting game. Enjoy!
Jennifer
and Dave
PassPorter Authors
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Did
You Know?
PassPorter 2006 -- Our
Best Yet!
The new 2006
edition of our PassPorter Walt Disney World guidebook now features
a full-color interior along with the most up-to-date text, new TeenTips
and ToddlerTips, and new photos and magical memories. This edition is proving
so popular that we've already had to go back to the printer to print more books!
We're not out of stock quite yet, and our new shipment of books arrives
soon.
Learn more and order today at:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store |
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Travel
Feature:
Oxford: City of Spires (Part
1 of 3)
by Cheryl Pendry,
PassPorter Message Board Guide and Guest Contributor
Universities have been part
of people’s lives for nearly 3,000 years and perhaps it’s for exactly that
reason that they’ve become much more than just places to learn. These days,
the most exclusive universities in the world are also tourist destinations
– the likes of Harvard in Boston and Oxford and Cambridge in the United
Kingdom are perhaps three of the most famous education names in the world.
Over the next few months,
I’ll be taking a look at each university in turn, comparing and contrasting
them and looking at what to visit if you happen to be in one of the cities
that’s home to these great institutions.
Of the three, the first
to be established was Oxford, which can trace its educational beginnings back to the
late
11th century, although no-one seems sure of the exact date the University was founded.
Consisting of 39 colleges, each one is a hall of residence, but is also
responsible for teaching its students. Of these, the vast majority are open to visitors, although groups need to book in advance and
visitors hours
do vary from college to college. It’s always best to check ahead
and the Oxford University web site
can help out with answers to most questions.
Having had friends who’ve
attended Oxford, it’s fascinating to wander around some of the lesser known
colleges. The students often outnumber the visitors, giving
you an interesting insight into student life. If you visit early on a
Saturday or Sunday morning, you may spot one or two students
suffering the after effects of the night before!
Unfortunately, when most
people visit, the students aren’t there. Universities aren’t known for
lengthy terms and this applies even more so to Oxford and Cambridge, which
have even shorter ones, although students tell me they work exceptionally
hard when they are there. Holidays include a six week period around both
Easter and Christmas, with the summer holidays beginning in mid June and
lasting until early October. It’s worth remembering that many exams are
held between mid May and mid June, which may affect your visit.
Even when the students aren’t
around, the place will still be busy – Oxford is a popular destination
for both visitors from abroad and within the UK. It’s only an hour
from London on the train and it doesn’t take much longer to drive there,
although driving is something you won’t want to do when you get to Oxford.
Not only are many streets in the city closed to traffic – which makes it
a very pleasant place to walk around – but parking prices are astronomical.
The only realistic option is the Park and Ride bus services from outside
the city center.
Once you arrive, where should
you start? Perhaps the best way to get oriented is to head upwards. Sadly
the Radcliffe Camera, with its dramatic circular dome that can be seen
in any aerial shot of Oxford, is no longer open to the public, a real shame,
as the views from here were spectacular. The only way these days to see
why Oxford is called the “city of dreaming spires” is to head up the 99
steps at Carfax Tower, which dates back to the 14th century. Originally
this was attached to St. Martin’s Church, but the church was demolished more
than 100 years ago to try and improve traffic problems in the city center.
Needless to say the traffic problems remain, while the church is long gone.
The most spectacular of
the University colleges is undoubtedly Christ Church, helped by its setting
amongst beautiful gardens, which burst with color in the spring and summer.
Not only is it Oxford’s largest college, but it boasts the city’s cathedral
and it’s also a famous movie star, having portrayed parts of Hogwarts Academy in the Harry Potter films.
But perhaps it's Christ Church's link
to a children’s classic immortalized in Disney animation for which the college
is most famous. Lewis Carroll studied mathematics
at Christ Church. While there, he met Alice – the young daughter of the Head of the College.
He went on to
use her and Christ Church as inspiration for many of Alice’s Adventures in
Wonderland.
Most of Oxford’s colleges
boast one of the city’s famous spires, many with stunning courtyards. You could
easily spend a day or two visiting every one that’s open to the public.
If your time is short and you need to be more selective, then take a short
walk from Christ Church to Corpus Christi, which overlooks the same gardens
and meadows that make Christ Church so picturesque. Founded in 1517, it’s
among Oxford’s oldest colleges and one of the smallest, with just
300 students. The courtyard here has a unique addition, the Turnbull Sundial
which, as well as being a calendar, also tells the dates of the Oxford
University terms.
Head up to the High Street
of the city and you’ll soon come across Brasenose, one of the closest colleges
to the beautiful Radcliffe Camera. Here, it’s worth looking out for the
large “Brazen Nose” door knocker above the gate. Another one hangs in the
hall – safely recovered after going missing for more than 500 years in
a student prank!
Nearby is Hertford College
with its own Bridge of Sighs, but unlike the one in Venice, this one is
built over a road. And here is also where you’ll find the Bodleian Library,
a lovely domed building that’s home to around four and a half million books.
But the unique difference to most libraries in the world is that you can’t
borrow any of them. They all have to be read on the premises.
Nearby New College is a
contradiction in terms. Founded in 1379, it gained its name when it was built, 200 years after the University was founded. Its gardens are bordered by
the old city walls and every three years, the Mayor, Sheriff and councillors
of Oxford have to march in procession to inspect the walls, following an
agreement made 600 years ago that they would keep them in good order.
Continuing along High Street
towards the River Cherwell, another not to be missed Oxford University
college is Magdalen. Set in 100 acres of grounds alongside the River Cherwell,
you can enjoy a beautiful riverside walk.
As you’d expect, Oxford
is also home to a range of museums, including the Ashmolean, the oldest
public museum in the world, which houses the University’s collection of
art and antiques. With museums of Natural History and Science, you can
certainly learn a lot here, but if you want to learn about Oxford itself,
the best place to go is the Oxford Story, a "dark ride" exploring how the
University began and recalling the people who’ve shaped the city over the years.
And there have been plenty
of movers and shapers in those many centuries. The list of former students at Oxford
reads like a who’s who, with four British and eight foreign Kings educated
here, 25 British Prime Ministers and almost 30 foreign presidents and prime
ministers. They’ve even had a role in teaching seven saints and one pope!
In recent years, famous names have included actors Dudley Moore, Richard
Burton and Hugh Grant and from the writing world, Lewis Carroll and Oscar
Wilde.
Surely nothing can better
the beauty and fame of Oxford? That’s debatable, as you’ll see when we
come to look at its bitter rival Cambridge and America’s oldest university,
Harvard.
Cheryl is a PassPorter
message board guide and lives in England. She loves to travel and enjoys
exploring her own country, the rest of Europe and America. A frequent visitor
to both Oxford and Cambridge, she also took a trip to Boston in 2005, where
she was able to explore Harvard. Cheryl will continue her series on university
towns in April with Cambridge.
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Did you enjoy this article?
Have questions? E-mail us at news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com
to discuss your Disney travel plans.
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Disney Feature:
Walt Disney World:
Not Just For Kids
by Tacey Atkinson,
Guest Contributor
You have to have children to enjoy Walt
Disney World, right? Horsefeathers! I am here to dispel that myth. There
are some of us who either have no children or whose children are grown
up, and we still love Disney as much as those experiencing it through the
eyes of a 4 year old. There are so many things for adults to enjoy!
Let’s start with the resorts. Because we
are adults, do we have to stay at the Deluxe resorts with spas and the
works? I don’t think so at all. I love to stay at Disney’s Pop Century
Resort. It gives me a fix of nostalgia while being modern and funky at
the same time. It has the whimsy of Disney’s All-Star Resorts with the
adult feel of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. I love to stroll through
the lobby, looking at the things that I grew up with. It’s a fun, friendly
atmosphere and I love it!
Now, let’s head off to Downtown Disney.
Here I would highly recommend the Downtown Disney West Side. The place
I never miss on our annual trip is The House of Blues Gospel Brunch. This
is the best food on property for an all you can eat breakfast buffet, in
my humble opinion. There is something for everyone - a fruit selection,
salad bar and the omelet station which has the most delectable fixings
I have ever experienced. The performance is second to none. I mean where
else can you get a rousing choir that gets you clapping and foot stomping
during an incredible breakfast? I highly recommend this to all my friends.
We are good and full, so let’s head off
to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a performance that in my opinion is even
better than Cirque De Soleil’s La Nouba at Downtown Disney. I am speaking
about the Festival of the Lion King. This is well choreographed, supremely
acted and sung, and the way the cast involves the audience makes sure young and
old have a great time. It is funny, heart-warming and visually satisfying.
I have seen The Lion King on Broadway and I still prefer the Animal Kingdom
version. If you are looking for a fun, relaxing, indoor spectacular, this
is the place to be.
Now that we’ve seen a great show and brunch
has been over for some time, let’s head over to Disney’s Grand Floridian
Resort & Spa for afternoon tea. Now while there are teas for the little
ones such as the Wonderland Tea Party, it is not necessary to exclude yourself
from the decadence of high tea in such plush surroundings. The Garden View
Tea offers a huge assortment of teas, pastries and other treats. Anyone
seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle that tends to be a Disney
vacation really should give this a try. What a great place for a quiet
recharge!
Once your tea is done, grab the monorail
from the Grand Floridian to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where I feel as though
I've been whisked away to a Polynesian island. The
atmosphere is so tropical and lush. I love to sit by the shore of Seven Seas
Lagoon and people
watch, and if you are feeling adventurous, rent yourself a boat and float
in the middle of the lake to enjoy the peace and privacy of it all.
Now that we are all recharged, let’s head
off to Disney-MGM Studios. We're here to test our brains and enjoy
the same adrenaline rush we get while sitting at home watching Who Wants To
Be A Millionaire. (Disney’s version is called Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
– Play It!) Be sure to arrive at least a half hour before the show is set
to start and you might just get picked to sit in the floor seats. If that
doesn’t happen though, fear not! The great thing about the Disney version
is that everyone gets to play along, and anyone can earn their way into
the hot seat. Just be fast on those buttons, because everyone else wants a chance to
win their family a Disney Cruise! We had so much fun when we went. There
were even couples that had gone to every show for two days to try to win.
It is just as exhilarating as it looks on TV.
It’s getting dark, so let’s head off to
today’s final destination before heading back to our resort. We’re going
to Epcot for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, the best fireworks show
I have seen in a long time. The music, the barges, the torches around the
lake; everything just sets the mood to make it the perfect end to a Disney
day. On a side note, I do suggest that you test which way the wind
is blowing because if it’s blowing toward you and you are near the waters
edge, you may be covered in smoke. So always go to the opposite side of
the lake then the direction that the wind is blowing.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this small
glimpse into why Disney isn’t just for kids. There is nowhere else in the
world I can ever imagine going for vacation. So the next time your friends
say, “Disney World? That’s a place for kids!” you can reply "HORSEFEATHERS!”
Tacey is a huge Disney
fan - so much so that her friends call her "Snow," in tribute to her favorite
princess. She makes an annual trek to Walt Disney World and can't wait
to attend her first MouseFest this December.
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Did you enjoy this article? Have
questions? E-mail us at news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com
to discuss your vacation plans. |
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