From the Authors: Disneyland Guidebook On Its Way

Travel Feature: Hawaii

Disney Feature: Lunch With A Disney Imagineer

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Shuttle Shuffle, Pass Out PassPorters, Park Prep

Captain's Corner: Water-Breathing Dragon

Q&A: How do frequent Disney visitors keep trips 'new and different'?
 

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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here are a few of the new developments at Disney·

A change to the June 2 - 4 Star Wars Weekend has been announced. Orli Shoshan, who played Jedi Master Shaak Ti in Attack Of The Clones and Revenge Of The Sith, will replace Bonnie Piesse. He will join Jay Laga'aia, Captain Typho from the same movies. 

This year's Summer Music Series at Epcot will feature a line-up of "tribute bands." Concerts are held at the America Gardens Theatre. 
June 12 - 18: Transit Authority (A Chicago tribute band)
June 19 - July 1: Hotel California (An Eagles tribute band)
July 3 - 13: Bruce In The USA (A Bruce Springsteen tribute band)
July 31 - August 6: Parrots of the Caribbean (A Jimmy Buffett tribute band)
August 7 - 13: Transit Authority

Beginning this month, Disney is offering the new Disney Gift Card. Unlike the old Walt Disney World Shopping & Dining Card, which could only be used at select food and merchandise locations at Walt Disney World, this card can be used at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Store locations in the U.S. and http://www.disneyshopping.com. The new Gift Cards are available in any amount between $5 and $1500. The Gift Card may NOT be used at McDonald's, the Rainforest Cafes, Jellyrolls, or the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Some carts and outdoor vendors may also not be equipped to accept the card. 

Our thanks to AllEarsNet.com from which we get some of our news leads.

>Things To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at
news@passporter.com

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Disney Tips:
From Fellow Readers

Our readers deliver a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:

SHUTTLE SHUFFLE
"We have been on two Disney Cruises, both times renting from Budget and driving to Port Canaveral. Although their shuttles are pretty speedy, they can only do so much with the many families and their luggage all trying to get to the ship at the same time. So, for our second cruise I dropped my family off at the port and THEN returned the rental car. It was much easier getting a seat in the shuttle van for one person without luggage as compared to three with luggage!" -- contributed by Susan B. 

PASS OUT PASSPORTERS
"When planning a trip to Disney with more than one family, order PassPorters for each family. It was the best thing we ever did when planning our 'Four Family Fun Fest!'" -- contributed by Nancy Kavaky (njkavaky@...)

PARK PREP
"Be prepared if you will be arriving at your resort before check-in time (3 pm). In case your room is not ready, be sure to have your sunscreen, sunglasses, and the right clothes and shoes easily accessible to go straight to the parks." -- contributed by Fran Skall (mommaskall@...)

>Notes: Send us your tips ! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter!

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 new book, "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World." 

The Captain makes a study of the delightful details -- sometimes hidden, sometimes in plain sight but often overlooked -- at Walt Disney World and aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Using notes from his journals, he will lead you to this "treasure" at Disney with clues, questions, photos, or riddles. Your challenge is to discover the answer by searching your memory, visiting Disney, or even just looking really hard on the Internet. If you think you've found the answer, e-mail it to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the first person to correctly submit the FULL answer will receive a free PassPorter enamel pin or PassPorter name badge pin.

Here is this week's treasure from Captain Skatt's Journal:

"After emerging from the other side of the Mayan Big Mouth Statue (no snakes, thankfully), I set about in search of another statue with a famous mouth. This time I hunted for a rock dragon that breathed water rather than fire. The trail led me past strangely carved totem poles and into an odd little camp. A bubbling brook in this camp misled me for a time, but soon enough I found the fearsome dragon in the water near... (rest of text obscured by water stains)

Where is the rock dragon that "breathes" water in Walt Disney World?

Send your full answer to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the winner will be notified by e-mail and announced in the next newsletter, along with the correct answer!

Congratulations to Tina Laliberte who was the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Tina correctly identified the "Mayan Big Mouth Statue" as being located in The Dig Site (Explorer's Playground) at Coronado Springs Resort. To view the original clues, see the last newsletter.

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. The new "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" book is now available! You can order the book today at http://www.passporterstore.com.

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Q & A:
With Jennifer and Dave

hminneman8 asks: "My husband and I are heading to Orlando for the fourth time in four years and actually the second time in six months. We're probably going to have a two-day park hopper pass and we'll probably spend one day at Sea World. As a result my husband is complaining that we've 'been there done that' so I'm trying to find a way to balance the traditional Disney experience for the friends going with us (who haven't been there much) and my husband who is afraid of being bored on vacation. So I was wondering, what do frequent Walt Disney World visitors do to keep each trip new and different? Also what are your favorite 'off the beaten path' recommendations, things that you might not think of for a Disney vacation?"

Jennifer and Dave answer: "Five visits in four years doesn't seem like a heck of a lot to me. If your husband isn't in love with the experience (and he's certainly had enough time to judge for himself), then your brief visit becomes a mass of compromise. During a longer visit there's enough time that everybody can compromise for someone else's pleasure and still get much of what they want out of the vacation, but with the time you've got it'll be very hard to compromise to suit everyone and actually get anything accomplished.

One day's not a lot of time to cover the World, and if you try to take your friends "off the beaten track" before they can really experience the beaten track... since off the beaten track usually means spending money beyond regular ticket prices, why put them to that expense because you have one (potentially) bored member of your party?

If there's any chance your husband is a golfer, why not send him on his way for part of the day while the rest of you do a park? Five courses, lessons... If not regular golf, then mini golf, or one of the water parks, or lazing about by the resort pool? If you're buying single-day admission, ask him if he'd feel better saving the money on his ticket and meeting up with you and your friends for dinner somewhere outside the park?

I know there's a tendency to want to spend every moment together when you're on vacation, but sometimes that isn't the route to happiness. Suggest this plan, and let your husband decide whether togetherness is more important."

Have a question? Post it at http://www.passporterboards.com -- and if you're lucky, you may find that folks have already asked and answered the same question that's on your mind!

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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!

Hi, {{user("firstname")}}! 

We're pleased to report that our shipment of brand new Disneyland guidebooks has made it across the Pacific. Alas, U.S. Customs stopped it for a spot check (maybe some of the Customs employees wanted to go to Disneyland?) and it isn't expected to arrive at our distributor's warehouse until Monday, May 15. Our warehouse here in Michigan should receive them a few days later. So we're a tad behind schedule now thanks to Customs, but not overly late. To be safe, we expect to begin shipping the Disneyland guidebook pre-orders the week of Monday, May 22. If you have a trip coming up for which you'll need a copy sooner, please make sure we know so we can either get a copy out to you at our earliest opportunity or modify your order -- you can e-mail orders@passporter.com or call us at toll-free 877-929-3273.

In other news, we'll be at Book Expo America, the big book conference being held in Washington D.C. this year. Should anyone out there in PassPorter-land happen to be attending, please visit us at booth 2668 (sorry, the event is not open to the general public). Amongst all the book meetings and schmoozing are two awards ceremonies to attend -- "PassPorter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs" is a finalist for both the Benjamin Franklin Award and the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year.

Speaking of books, we're trying to decide whether to publish a "PassPorter's New York City" or a "PassPorter's Hawaii" in 2008. If you'd like to cast your vote (which we promise to factor into our decision), please take a moment to participate in our NYC or Hawaii Poll page.

In other news, the 2-For-1 special on "PassPorter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs" guidebook ends May 15. If you order a copy from us before May 15, will receive a FREE copy of "PassPorter's Disney 500: Fast Tips for Walt Disney World Trips" e-book. You'll be able to download the e-book immediately after placing your order. This is a $4.95 value and chock full of great Disney trips for your vacation.

In this edition of the newsletter, Michelle Mangio takes us on an escape to Hawaii (a-looooo-ha!). PassPorter Message Board Guide Sue Kulick gives us a glimpse into the Lunch With A Disney Imagineer program at Disney-MGM Studios. Finally, Captain Jack Skatt returns with a new treasure hunting game. Enjoy! 

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors

I Dream Of Hawaii
by Michelle R. Mangio, Guest Contributor and Owner of Magical Escapes

When it comes to planning a vacation, most people desire to experience something exotic, without the hassles of flying to a foreign country where one has to worry about what languages are spoken, what side of the road to drive on, and different currency. It is for that reason that Hawaii has remained one of the most desired destinations of Americans, consistently ranking in the top 10 of surveys.

Hawaii combines the best of both worlds: the lure of something new and exotic (lush rainforests, gorgeous waterfalls, Polynesian culture and experiences), with the familiarity of ‘home’ (it’s still within the United States).

Visitors to Walt Disney World can get a glimpse of this unique experience with a stay at the Polynesian Resort, offering theming, dining, and influences straight from Hawaii. And now Disney has offered another way to experience this wonderful destination: through the new Disney Adventures program, giving you and your family a magical vacation on two Hawaiian Islands (either Oahu and the Big Island, or Oahu and Kauai), liberally sprinkled with the service and pixie dust that Disney is known for.

Oahu is the island most people think of when they think of Hawaii, though it is perhaps more well-known for one of its regions: Waikiki. This famous beach and city attracts travelers to take a stroll along the stretches of soft white sand, or to partake of the great food and lively entertainment in the city, from night clubs to Polynesian luaus.

Most hotels have great kids (and family) programs, and there are plenty of activities to participate in throughout the island. The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, for example, is located in Pearl Harbor (a short distance away), commemorating the lives lost during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Do you love animals? The Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, and the Sea Life Park all give you the opportunity for up close encounters with many animals, including dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, and moray eels. Or explore the 4,000 acres of Kualoa Ranch by horse, ATV, helicopter, Jet Ski, or kayak. Explore sunken ships, airliners, and coral reefs by submarine, or ride the slides at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. See Pearl Harbor by catamaran – either by day, or as the sunsets – or take off into the interior on a nature hike or 4x4 safari tour.

On the "Big Island" of Hawaii, even more adventure awaits, for here is the most amazing contrast of the Hawaiian Islands: lush tropical vegetation interspersed with glowing lava fields. A view of the red-hot lava by night is not to be missed! But there’s more than just Volcanoes National Park (where you can witness the island “growing” as the lava slowly flows out into the sea and cools)… visit the desert-like conditions along the Kona coast (and taste its fine coffee!) and then hop on over to Hilo, the rainiest city in America. If you are visiting during the winter, be sure to take a whale watch tour and see the great Humpback whales up close. Swim with the dolphins or learn Hawaii’s favorite pastime, surfing!

And then there is Kauai. When people imagine what Hawaii is like, Kauai is what they are dreaming of; lush, tropical and wild, majestic green mountains with flowing waterfalls streaming down its side. The most amazing way to see Kauai is by helicopter. Soar over the Waimea Canyon, and visit the lush rainforests, some of which can only be reached by helicopter. For hikers this island is paradise, though you can also explore it by guided tour or renting mountain bikes to explore on your own.

A wealth of programs and activities can be found to enrich your experience, teaching you everything from surfing to coconut frond weaving, and exploring everything from tide pools to historic sites. On Saturdays, be sure to check out the Starlight Planetarium Program at the Kauai Children's Discovery Museum in Kapaa, which demonstrates how the ancient Polynesian voyagers used the stars, winds, and currents to reach these islands by canoe. Or just enjoy one of the many gorgeous beaches.

Maui can argue that it is more famous than Oahu, at least among honeymooners. Here romance reigns, with gorgeous stretches of beach (some of the best beaches in the entire country) ranging from soft white to rich black sand, bamboo forests and lush scenery, an ancient volcano, and beautiful waterfalls. 

Don’t forget to visit the Maui Ocean Center, featuring a 750,000-gallon, open-ocean tank with a walk-through acrylic tube. Scout for rare birds on a walk through a bamboo forest, or explore the ocean floor on a glass-bottom boat. Hike up Haleakala to view the sunset or sunrise, or take a relaxing catamaran cruise on the ocean. Relax and enjoy this magical island.

Tiny Lanai is often referred to as the most exclusive island in Hawaii; less visited than the “Big Three” (Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island). Visitors to Lanai can often find stretches of sand all to themselves. With only 3,000 people living on the island, you’ll feel as if you’ve found a secluded tropical hideaway where you can escape from hectic, everyday life. This is where people come to relax, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and be pampered. Arguably the best golf courses in Hawaii can be found here. But if you’re not into golf – or into pampering and spa treatments – there is plenty more to do; snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and deep-sea fishing. Swim in the warm waters, where you might find spinner dolphins frolicking alongside you. Or explore glorious Hulopoe Bay by scuba or snorkel, which is prized for its vivid tropical reef fish. Then take a thrilling 4x4 excursion into remote Keahikawelo or along the sands of Kaiolohia Bay to marvel at the rusting Liberty Ship grounded just offshore. Or just spend some time lying in the sun, enjoying the best Lanai has to offer - turquoise waters, lush tropical vegetation, beautiful beaches, and plenty of sunshine.

But if you really want to escape from it all, Molokai is the island for you. The most noise you might hear is the tropical birds calling out to you from the trees, or the sounds from the bakery in Kaunakakai when folks line up for delicious cinnamon buns and freshly baked rolls. While “relaxation” is the middle name of Molokai, there is still plenty to see and do, for here is a true nature’s playground for you to indulge in. Enjoy a truly unique experience as you take a mule ride down a cliff to Kalaupapa National Historical Park, the isolated, historic settlement of those afflicted with Hansen’s Disease. Enjoy a bicycle tour of the island, or partake in an intimate hike into the interior. Explore the many natural tide pools along the shore. But whatever you do, don’t miss Molokai’s most stunning attraction, the world’s tallest sea cliffs, plunging an astounding 3,000 feet to meet the crashing surf. You can experience it in a myriad number of ways; by sightseeing boat, hike, bike, horseback ride, or a thrilling mule train trip down the steep cliffs.

Hawaii is truly a dream destination. Nowhere else in the U.S. can you find a place so full of natural beauty and lush tropical vegetation, surrounded by turquoise waters filled with brightly colored fish and coral reefs. Here green mountains peak out of fern leaf rainforests, revealing gorgeous waterfalls tumbling down their sides. Stretches of white and black sand beaches invite sun bathers to watch as surfers ride the waves, or dolphins and humpback whales frolic in the ocean.  

Here, too, you will find friendly people, and be enriched by the amazing Polynesian culture; from arts and crafts (such as frond weaving and floral leis), to dance (the hula), to delicious cuisine, and immersion in a culture so different and yet familiar.

Hawaii is more than just a dream: it’s very much a reality, and a destination that’s within our own backyard. Accommodations range from simple hotels to villas to luxurious suites, and can accommodate all budgets. So the next time you are planning a dream vacation, make this a dream come true, and visit Hawaii.

Michelle is the Owner of Magical Escapes, a full service travel agency. She is also a Certified Hawaii Destination Specialist. 

Lunch With A Disney Imagineer
by Sue Kulick, Guest Contributor and PassPorter Message Board Guide 

In our quest to build the perfect Disney vacation, my husband Steve and I have decided to do a different theme park tour or experience each trip. This past March, we chose “Lunch with an Imagineer” at the Brown Derby at Disney-MGM Studios. What a great choice that turned out to be!

We arrived at the Brown Derby at 11:20 am for an 11:30 am lunch. Disney Dining suggests arriving 15 minutes early, but we hadn’t anticipated the heavier-than-usual March crowds and we were running a little behind schedule. Not to worry - we received badges engraved with our names and “Disney Dining with an Imagineer.” As a pin collector, my first thought was “How cool is this?” Soon Mike, the manager of the Brown Derby, came out to the lobby and gathered us into a group. We were dining with a family of four, and the first thing I noticed about them was that the father was carrying a deluxe edition of PassPorter! Mike then asked us if anyone was from the press or the Internet. I ‘fessed up and said that I was a moderator on an Internet message board. He asked that anything said at lunch remained strictly confidential, which was fine with me and totally made sense! One thing Mike told us which I found fascinating was that this Brown Derby was the last remaining “real life” Brown Derby. When it was designed in I believe he said 1986, the Imagineers had to work from pictures and mementos of the original Hollywood Brown Derby, because they had no prototype to copy from. It’s nice to see Walt Disney World carrying on a little piece of old-time Hollywood tradition!

We were then led into “The Bamboo Room," a small private room with a table set especially for us. Our Imagineer, Alex, was waiting for us. We introduced ourselves, and sat down to have a fantastic lunch! Our drink orders were taken. Soft drinks are included in the price of the lunch, and alcoholic beverages are available for additional charge. We were then given menus and told that our meal came with soup, an individual Cobb salad, and a choice of one of the three entrées. Best of all, the menus were personalized! They were a scrapbooker’s delight! Steve and I ordered the Thai noodle bowl with chicken; the other choices were steak and salmon. The soup was the Brown Derby’s famous Mulligatawny soup, which was awesome, followed by the salad, and then by the entrée. The chicken was so tender you didn’t even need a knife, and it had a wonderful flavor to it. Dessert was the vanilla crème brulée, which was to die for!

And the conversation! Of course, I can’t go into details, but let’s just say that Alex is a very knowledgeable and personable Imagineer. He had been extensively involved with the creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and graciously answered our many questions. Our lunch lasted over two hours, and I could have sat there for another two hours. After leaving, I though of about 20 more things I would have liked to have asked him!

The lunch ended with each family receiving a beautiful autographed plate. The Brown Derby was also willing to hold these until we were ready to go back to our resort, which was much nicer than having to carry them around the park. As we were leaving the restaurant, we were chatting with the family we were seated with, and it turned out that this lunch was a surprise for their two children. Their son was interested in engineering and design, and by the end of the lunch, their daughter also thought that Imagineering was a great career choice.

The cost of the meal was $60.99, plus tax and an 18% gratuity, per person. There are no discounts available for this meal.

Lunch with an Imagineer is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can make your Advanced Dining Reservations 30 days in advance, and I called Disney Dining exactly 30 days out to make sure I got the seating I wanted. You will need a credit card to hold your reservation, and there is a 48 hour cancellation policy. When you reserve, the name you give for the reservation will be the name that is on your name badge.

The cast member who booked my reservation told me I was in for a very special meal. She was SO right!!

Sue Kulick is a DVC member, a PassPorter Message Board Guide, and a Disney Fanatic! She has been to Walt Disney World 14 times, including two Disney cruises, and is looking forward to her next trip in October 2006.

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Did you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail us at news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss your Disney vacation plans.