From the Authors: Rome Wasn't Writ in a Day

Travel Feature: Alcatraz

Disney Feature: Pirates Invade Disney

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Luggage Logs, Not-So-Primetime, Take Charge

Captain's Corner: Bender Lender

Q&A: Can pins from DisneyDirect.com be used to trade at Walt Disney World?
 

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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here are a few items of relevant news:

Between now and October 7th, guests using the Disney Dining Plan will have a few new options. Right now and ending September 4th, the food courts at the All-Star Resorts and Pop Century Resort will be offering special menu items that use a Dining Plan Table Service Credit - your choice of Prime Rib, Salmon or Turkey. Through October 7th, Guests who opt to use a Table Service Credit at a Counter Service location will receive a certificate which can be exchanged for either two snacks, a poster featuring Mickey and friends or an official Disney Pin Trading lanyard and pin. (All items are subject to availability, pin design may vary.) This is a good option for those Guests who discover extra Table Service credits on their last day!

These, and other added dining options have been added by Disney due to the huge popularity of certain dining-included vacation packages offered for this period. It's been reported that Disney expects more table service dining between now and the beginning of October than they usually encounter during holidays. Need we say, Advance Dining Reservations are a must?

The Hess Gas Station at the Magic Kingdom Car Care Center closed on August 21 for renovations. The Disney Car Care Center and Alamo Rental Car location will remain open during renovations and the gas station is expected to re-open by Thanksgiving. To find the best price on gas in the Walt Disney World area, check out http://www.gasbuddy.com.

Disney's Magical Express will now leave Walt Disney World for Orlando International Airport four hours prior to your scheduled departure, rather than three hours prior, in order to allow passengers more time to go through airport security.


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:

LUGGAGE LOGS
"To make room in our suitcase and make it easy for the kids, we made complete clothes sets including underclothes and socks before we left and rolled them in to small "logs" and used wide rubber bands to hold them together. Rolling the clothes kept the wrinkles to a minimum and when the kids got up they could grab a roll and head for the shower. It was a great time saver and helped give us extra room for souvenirs on the trip home." -- contributed by Janie Lucas (sugardj@...) 

NOT-SO-PRIMETIME
"I have dined at the 50's Prime Time Cafe on several trips to MGM Studios and have never been disappointed with their food and service. However, on my recent trip I discovered another great feature of this restaurant. To escape the sweltering Florida heat my party went into the restaurant and sat down at the bar. We were all able to get refreshing beverages (with free refills!) while enjoying the welcomed air conditioning. It is important not to try this during the lunch or dinner crowds, but during an off peak time when you just need a break from touring the park. In addition, if you are an annual passholder you can get 20% off your beverages with the Disney Dining Experience or with the meal plan you can use one of your snack credits." -- contributed by Vanessa Ferguson (vcf81@...)

TAKE CHARGE
"I leave my car keys next to my battery charger in our hotel room. When I get ready to leave, I immediately notice the electronics charging, pick them up, and don't forget anything. Additionally, I use a gallon sized freezer bag to assemble all of my chargers that travel with me. Depending on what I'm recharging (camera, camcorder, PDA, phone, mp3 player), it's easy to find the charger I need to pull out of the bag." -- contributed by Lisa E.  

>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:

"Today I had a hankering to take a drive through the countryside. Alas, my old car is missing in action. I loaned my car to my dear friend Wathel "Rally" Bender because he had an urgent appointment to keep and I haven't seen either Wathel or my car since. I can't say I miss it much -- the darn car had a fender that kept falling off and causing havoc. Besides, the Disney transportation gets me where I want to go. And yet, I do wonder where it's gotten to. And now I begin to worry about Wathel's whereabouts and well-being. It seems I heard or saw a mention of Wathel while I was strolling about the Magic Kingdom yesterday, but now I can't recall any details! It do recall there was some mention of my car's fender, though."

Where in the Magic Kingdom is Wathel Bender?

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 Judith Leone who was the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Judith correctly identified the "jars of paint" as being in the Magic of Disney Animation tour at the Disney-MGM Studios. To view the original clues, 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 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

luv2sail asks: "Does anyone know if the pins you purchase from DisneyDirect.com be used to trade at Walt Disney World? I was thinking of buying some to trade on our upcoming trip."

Jennifer and Dave answer: "Pins from DisneyDirect.com are official pins, acceptable for trade. DisneyDirect is part of the Disney organization. Just don't be surprised if the bargain pins you get there are not of much interest to serious pin traders, since those folks are very much aware of what pins are being liquidated by Disney.

However, bargain pins are great for trading with Cast Members, since they're obligated to accept any legitimate Disney pin. It's a good way to trade up, even if you're trading up to a basic, $6.95 "rack" pin. Lots of folks use this strategy, though, so when pins are being liquidated, you suddenly see a whole lot of those pins hanging from cast lanyards (following a trade).

There's a basic distinction between trading with Cast Members, who are obligated to trade, and trading with fellow guests.

Cast Members, since they're required to accept any legitimate Disney pin, will look for the Disney copyright stamped on the back of all official Disney pins. Yeah, sometimes they don't bother to look, and there are also some counterfeit pins floating around out there (even counterfeits can have a false copyright stamped on them).

Disney does not police trading between guests. If you want to try trading Olympics pins, pins representing your hometown or home state, PassPorter pins (we've produced several over the years) or even Warner Brothers characters (heaven forbid!), that's between you and the other guest."

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")}}! 

Barcelona; Marseille and Provence; the French Riviera and Monte Carlo, Florence, Pisa and Tuscany; Rome; Naples, Capri, and Pompeii... Our heads are spinning as we research and plan our upcoming Mediterranean cruise, which is part of our work on the next edition of PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. There's so much to see and do at every destination that we'll each be going our separate ways when we hit port. Divide and conquer! We're also busily updating other chapters of the book, because we're going to have to go to press not very long after we return from our voyage. Whew!

Meantime, we're happy to say that the printing of PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007 is moving swiftly ahead in Hong Kong. Proofs arrive today via FedEx, and if all looks good, the presses will start rolling, right on schedule. Look for the new edition in November, and if you want to be among the first to receive it, pre-order it now.

Speaking of cruises, will you be on the Disney Wonder December 3-7? We'll be there, along with (so far) 91 other MouseFest cruisers. We've got a wide range of activities planned for the cruise, at absolutely no cost to you. This is a great chance to meet us and other members of the PassPorter community. After that, we're on to Walt Disney World from December 7-11, taking in MouseFest's land-based activities with over 1,000 other fans of the Mouse. What is MouseFest? It's an International gathering of Disney fans at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Wonder, bringing together people from over a dozen web sites and communities, nearly a dozen authors, a half-dozen podcasts... and the list keeps growing. There's no cost to join, and except for the necessary theme park admission, almost all events are free. We'll be enjoying attractions together, snacking around the World Showcase, playing trivia and scavenger-hunting games, and gathering for MegaMouseMeet, a grand meet-and-greet event at the Swan/Dolphin where authors will be autographing, podcasters will be 'casting, and old Internet friends will meet face-to-face for the first time. We encourage you to check out the MouseFest.org web site, and to register so we can keep you up to date on all the fun. Whether you join us for just an hour, or fill your vacation with MouseFest events, you'll have a great time!

Looking for updates for your PassPorter? We now have recent updates for the PassPorter Walt Disney World 2006 edition and PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line (4th Edition) online. You'll find both (as well as updates for earlier editions) at http://www.passporter.com/customs/
bookupdates.htm. Our thanks to Nikki and Chad who worked hard to get these updates together!

This edition of the newsletter takes you to the dark world of prisons and pirates! Frequent contributor Cheryl Pendry reports from behind bars on her tour of that famed lock-up in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz. And we can all sing a chorus of "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me," as Jo Vagos brings us up to date on the pirates that have overrun Disney's parks and cruise ships. Then our very own treasure hunter Captain Jack Skatt serves up a new treasure hunting game at Walt Disney World. Enjoy! 

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors and Publishers
 

Escape Into Alcatraz
by Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Message Board Guide and Guest Contributor

There can’t be many places in the world that the mere mention of the name instantly strikes a chill into your heart, but, what’s your reaction when you hear the word Alcatraz?

The star of many movies, this island, nicknamed the Rock, sits in the middle of San Francisco Bay, a brooding reminder of how it once housed the world’s most infamous prison. Even today, as you look out at Alcatraz from the hills of the city, you can’t help but get a shiver along your spine. There’s something very foreboding about the whole island and it’s no wonder, with its history.

Step back in time two hundred years and this place was barren – no flowers, no grass, nothing. It was only when the military arrived in 1848 that they bought with them dirt to start creating a fort. And that was how Alcatraz started, as a military outpost to defend the west coast of America. But imagine life for a group of men on an island exposed to strong ocean winds, with nothing to do. It was a disaster waiting to happen. As the men slowly got themselves into trouble, so the fort transformed into a military prison, getting more and more full as time wore on. And so it remained until 1933, when it was taken over by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This was to be a new type of super-prison and one that would house the country’s worst criminals – kidnappers, murderers and gangsters. Over the next three decades, some of the most notorious names resided here with no hope of escape. And as you begin your tour to Alcatraz on one of the ships of the Blue and Gold Fleet you’re asked to put yourself in the shoes of those prisoners who were brought here. How you would feel, knowing that this desolate island would be your home for the next few years? It’s a sobering thought, as you sail further away from the bright lights of San Francisco and closer to the dock of the island.

You arrive at Alcatraz Pier, exactly the same place that the prisoners first set foot on the island and immediately you get an understanding for how they must have felt arriving. It’s a steep, quarter-mile walk up to the main cell block – the equivalent to a thirteen story climb. Unlike for the inmates, an alternative exists these days for tourists; you can take a SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) instead, an electric shuttle that runs along the route.

Once you get to the cell block, it’s on to what must rank as one of the best audio tours ever produced. Voiced by former prisoners and guards, it explains to you in detail about life on the Rock, taking you through an average day, interspersed with information about the infamous names that once spent those average days here. What strikes you immediately is how cruel this place is. Strategically positioned, from certain parts of the cell block, it was possible to see the sunsets and parts of the skyline, constant reminders of what these men had left behind.

Your visit takes in the dining area, kitchen (complete with the silhouette of knives to check that they were all returned at the end of every meal), library and perhaps the part that everyone wants to see – the cells themselves. If you’re claustrophobic, it may not be a good idea to try them out for size, but it is a fascinating experience – and a once in a lifetime photo opportunity!

By the time you finish the tour, you’ve been taken through famous incidents like the “Battle of Alcatraz” in 1946, when a group of inmates overpowered the guards and captured their guns, but failed to break out of the cell house. It may not be easy to transport people back 60 years in time, but 35 minutes of this tour will make you feel as if you’ve lived through the days of Alcatraz as a prison.

While you’re on the island, you can also take outdoor walks with National Park Service rangers and volunteers, who now look after Alcatraz, learning more about its military history, flora or the Indian occupation. This was the final chapter in the history of the island, before it passed into the ownership of the National Park Service. For nineteen months between 1969 and 1971, Alcatraz was occupied by a group of Native Americans, who demanded a deed to the island so that they could establish a university, cultural center and museum. They quickly established their own island-based community, with an elected council making sure that everyone on the island had a job and that all decisions were made with everyone’s consent. But consent couldn’t be gained on their demands and there was soon a stalemate with the government. Finally that was broken when armed federal marshals, FBI agents and Special Forces police removed the remaining protestors.

Evening tours were introduced in the 1990’s and offer a range of extra activities not available during the day. One of the highlights is the tour offered by National Park Service rangers and volunteers on the incline up to the cell house. The guides are full of fascinating facts about the history of the island, allowing you to quickly forget the walk and instead concentrate on the story of how this place developed to become an infamous penitentiary. Once you’ve completed the audio tour, you can choose from a variety of additional programs on Alcatraz. When we visited, we were fascinated by the demonstration of the cell door slamming. It may sound mundane and as if it would be over in seconds, but this proved to be a great opportunity to learn even more about life on the Rook.

Alcatraz Island is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, or during extreme weather. If you’re planning to visit at peak times, especially during the summer or at holiday weekends, be warned – tickets to Alcatraz have been known to sell out as far as a week ahead. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com and boats leave from Pier 41.


About the Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to America. They’ve recently returned from a two week tour of the west coast, which included Disneyland, Las Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego.

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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. 

Did You Know?  Our MEI-Travel division can help with your vacation needs around the globe! Walt Disney World® Resort - 4 nights Jan 4-8 - Walt Disney World Marathon w/ Disney Gift Card from $170* April 18-22 - w/ Disney Gift Card from $202* If this doesn't quite fit your needs, ask us about customizing your stay! Visit us at http://www.MouseFanTravel.com *Per person/double occupancy, subject to availability - CST207807440 Click for full details. As to Disney artwork: ©Disney Disney Around The World Feature:  Pirates, Pirates Everywhere! by Jo Vagos, Guest Contributor   What’s the first thing you think of when you hear “Disney”? Is it Mickey Mouse? Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty Castle? Rides and attractions? Beautiful resorts? Princesses? How about Pirates? Yes, you read correctly—pirates. Admittedly, it's not the first (or even tenth) on my list of Disney images, but it's certainly making its way up the list! The success of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean has its roots in the ride that first opened in Disneyland decades ago. These animatronics have provided countless visitors with a “Disney-fied” view of pirateering in the 1700’s. In 2003, the first of three planned movies based on this ride was released. Audiences loved “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” and its success left audiences anxiously awaiting the second installment. Months before the release of the second movie, Disney announced it would close down the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean rides in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The reason? Disney would be refurbishing the ride, and adding some new characters, including the beloved Captain Jack Sparrow, wonderfully portrayed by Johnny Depp in the movies. Even before the second movie was released, a full section of The World of Disney Store in Orlando's Downtown Disney was completely dedicated to pirate-themed paraphernalia. The opening weekend of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” was second only to “Titanic” in terms of box office intake. The opening of the movie coincided with the reopening of the ride in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in early July 2006. In my recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, I was among a throng of people waiting for Adventureland to open so we could all make our way to the “new” Pirates ride. Captain Jack looks incredibly life-like (approved by Depp himself!), and he appears three times during the ride. Captains Barbossa and Davy Jones also make appearances, but Captain Jack steals the show. Needless to say, the store just outside the ride was packed full of shoppers. A few months ago, if you had told me that I would be buying pirate wear, eye patches and hats, I would not have believed you. But I was getting ready for my Disney cruise, so I knew I had to be prepared. I learned that nowhere else can you experience the Pirates of the Caribbean more than on the Disney Cruise Line. On my recent 3-night Bahamian cruise, I was immersed in the Disney pirate theme, and loved every minute of it! The first hint of “pirate” could be found in the ship’s movie theater. Despite still being in the theaters on land, “Dead Man’s Chest” was being played at least twice a day every day in the Buena Vista Theatre. Pretty impressive, considering it’s a first-run movie. No other cruise line can do this, because no one else owns the rights to these movies! The Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party was another great highlight of the cruise. This is held on the same night as the tropical/pirate dress-up night, so you are surrounded by pirates everywhere you turn. Has your wardrobe not caught up with the new pirate craze? Not to worry—Disney offers every person a free pirate bandana to start you on your way (I wish someone had told me this before I purchased my pirate gear)! The onboard stores (Mickey’s Mates and Treasure Ketch) also offer an array of pirate-themed gear, including shirts, hats, and eye patches, pins, costumes, and jewelry. Pretty much anything and everything pirate-related can be found here. The party itself is very festive and entertaining—complete with a pirate “mutiny”—led by another famous pirate, Captain Hook. This celebration comes complete with a fireworks display and a long dessert buffet table. By now, even the most oblivious cruisers know Disney has gone to the pirates. And not once did I see anyone complain about the pirate craze. The next big surprise for me was meeting Captain Jack himself! The line for photographs extended longer than the lines for Cinderella and Mickey Mouse. The cruisers on line came from all walks of life—young and old, men, women and children. One lady behind me was insisting that her husband and son let her take a photograph with Captain Jack all by herself. She wanted to put the photo on her desk to make all her female co-workers jealous! The cast member portraying Captain Jack was surprisingly good. He had Captain Jack’s mannerisms and looks, and sounded a lot like Depp. If asked, he will tell you that he is the real Captain Jack, and Johnny Depp did a pretty good job of portraying him in the movies! Another photo op can be found on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Here, Captain Jack will pose with cruisers on the walkway leading to the beaches. Fans will quickly recognize Captain Davy Jones’ ghostly ship, The Flying Dutchman from “Dead Man’s Chest”. It is anchored here in Castaway Cay. This is the actual ship used in filming the movie, and it is scheduled to be here at least until the third movie is released sometime next year. From the Disney ship, you can see the port (left) side of the Dutchman, which was never completed. It has step ladders leading up from the water, but no one is allowed to approach or board the ship. From the land, you will see the complete starboard (right) side of the Dutchman—very scary-looking indeed! Time your day right, and you can take a photo with Captain Jack with the Dutchman in the background. As surprising as it may seem, Captain Jack has become a most unexpected and beloved Disney “hero”. Despite his odd mannerisms and questionable hygiene, Disney has created a character with incredible appeal. Men want to be him, women want to be with him, and everyone loves his sense of humor. And the best news is that boys finally have a new Disney hero! There’s no telling how long this pirate craze will last, but I don’t think it will end anytime soon. With the third installment of the trilogy due to be released next year, Disney is sure to build up the pirate hype well into 2007 and beyond. About The Author: Jo is a member of the MouseEarVacations.com Team and co-editor of DisBuzz.com. She visits Walt Disney World at least once a month, and is looking forward to her next Disney Cruise in October 2007! - - - - - - - - - - - - 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.

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