From the Authors: Barcelona, Here We Come!

Travel Feature: Explore Alaska: Part Two

Disney Feature: Family Packing Strategies

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Story Book Ending, Locker Lowdown, Sun Smarts

Captain's Corner: The Psychiatry Card

Q&A: Is it ok to sit in the front of the town car?
 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here are a few items of relevant news:

The list of narrators for the 2006 Candlelight Processional has been updated. The new schedule is:
Nov 24-26 - David Robinson
Nov 27-29 - John O'Hurley
Nov 30-Dec 2 - Rita Moreno
Dec 3-5 - Chita Rivera (new addition)
Dec 6-8 - To Be Announced
Dec 9-11 - Steven Curtis Chapman
Dec 12-14 - Maureen McGovern
Dec 15-17 - Kirk Cameron
Dec 18-20 - Brian Dennehy (replacing Lou Diamond Phillips)
Dec 21-23 - Cuba Gooding Jr.
Dec 24-26 - Gary Sinise
Dec 27-30 - Marlee Matlin

Cast Member hometowns, which disappeared from their nametags a few years ago, will be returning with the introduction of the new "Year of A Million Dreams" nametags. The new nametags will feature the slogan "Where Dreams Come True."

The Breathless, a popular member of the Walt Disney World fleet usually used for fireworks cruises, will be undergoing refurbishment beginning October 1, 2006.

DVC Members and Annual Passholders will have the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the Nemo's Undersea Adventure attraction at The Seas with Nemo & Friends (currently known as The Living Seas.) The preview will be held October 13 - 15, 2006. 

The Disney Cruise Line has announced the changes that will be made during the Disney Wonder's refurbishment in a few weeks. While similar enhancements were made to the Disney Magic last year, there are several new twists. A new toddler water play area will be added near the Mickey Pool, based on a Sorcerer Mickey Hat motif. Rather than "borrow" space on Deck 2 for the kids program (as they did on the Magic), the interactive ship's bridge simulator will be added to the Oceaneer Lab, and several other upgrades will be added to the Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club. The Wonder will retain its three conference rooms on Deck 2, which will be redecorated and enhanced with a new business center, computer terminals, and a refreshment bar. Finally, in addition to the same dramatic upgrades and expansion made to the Vista Spa on the Magic, the Wonder's neighboring Quiet Cove Pool area will receive its own refurbishments, making this adults-only haven even more comfy and enjoyable. Oh, yeah, the Wonder is also getting a Jumbotron screen overlooking the Goofy Pool, just like the Magic did.

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Disney Tips:
From Fellow Readers

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

Hi, {{user("firstname")}}! 

Visions of sugar plums may dance in some heads, but these days when we bed down for the night, our minds are filled with visions of cruise ships and Mediterranean ports of call. Our Mediterranean research trip is just a bit more than a week away, and we're cramming our poor brains full of every detail we can uncover about our destinations. Long ago, planning for our Disney trips became a routine matter, but a trip like this, which brings us to so many new places, is  a great reminder of just how challenging and exciting that first (or second) trip to Disney is for so many of our readers. We look forward to incorporating our new experiences into the next edition of PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line, which will cover 2007's visit by the Disney Magic to these same ports of call!

We're having a little warehouse clearance sale at the PassPorter Store. We've been clearing out some old editions of our Deluxe guidebooks at incredible savings. For less than the cost of a new, empty PassPorter deluxe binder you'll have a binder, a complete set of PassPockets, and a historic (2003 or 2005) edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World. We have those, and a variety of other bargain-priced close-out items (including our $1 2005 spiral editions) at our special Close-outs Page.

2007 Walt Disney World pre-orders -- The new edition will be here before you know it, and a pre-order ensures you'll be among the first to have it! Remember, you can register any current or previous edition of PassPorter (including e-books) and receive a 30% returning reader discount coupon for use in our online store. Register now at http://www.passporter.com/register.htm

Next Thursday, September 28, Dave will be interviewed on "Live & Local" with Keith Tallent, on KGNO, 1330 AM in Dodge City, Kansas. If you'll be within the sound of his voice, you're invited to tune in at 8:00 am CT. More interviews are in the works over the next few months, including one on NewsChannel FM 105.5 & AM 1240 in Colorado Springs, Colorado in October. We'll keep you posted as we know more.

In this week's newsletter guest contributor Ann Weber continues her series of articles on her family's "land cruise" (RV explorations) of Alaska, and JoAnne Noel shares her tips on packing for small children in the face of current airline luggage policies in,  Honey I Shrunk Your Luggage Allowance. As always, 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
 

(Read Part One in last week's newsletter)

There are so many beautiful and interesting things to do in Alaska; it is hard to determine which route you should take. We rented our RV in Anchorage. Having only 7 days for our explorations, we immediately headed north along the George Parks Highway (Highway 3) towards Denali National Park, a must-see on our list. When we thought we had more time available, we had planned on continuing north to Fairbanks and then return to Anchorage via Delta Junction and Glen Allen. You should allow at least two weeks for this route.

There are many places along the way to stop and look at scenery, participate in fun activities, and explore as you drive along Highway 3. In my opinion, if you are planning a trip to Alaska, you must purchase a MILEPOST© magazine. It lists just about everything there is to see and do along Alaska's highways. You must be aware that much of the information presented is actually paid advertisements. The other problem we ran into was that there were not always mileposts along the side of the road and it was hard to determine where in the book we were without them.

Along the route from Anchorage to Denali National Park, you will go through Wasilla. This is a great place to load up with groceries and other supplies. There is a Fred Meyer store on the right side of the road as you head north on the Parks Highway. This is a store similar to Super Wal-Mart.  If you are several days into your trip and hungry for all your standard chain restaurants, you can find many of them here, too.

After a scenic view stop, we stopped at Talkeetna. This was where we were to spend our first night in the RV. There is a Denali National Park Ranger Station here. It serves as a registration location for climbers and has interpretive programs. We were lucky enough to see a program about how animals survive the Talkeetna winters. Talkeetna is a small town. There are a few quaint museums and shops. Hiking, river rafting, and flight-seeing are all available. Unless you are planning on spending time exploring nature, Talkeetna can be visited in about half a day. Beware of the mosquitoes, they are plentiful and like to bite. It was also fun to try and sleep at night with three skylights in the RV when it never got completely dark outside.

As you continue north on Highway 3, you pass through several different physical geographies. It is interesting watching the changes in the trees and plant growth along the road. There are many opportunities to stop and take pictures along the way. There are several locations where Mount McKinley is visible, if the clouds are cooperating. One statistic states you have about a 30% chance of seeing the mountain cloudless in the summer.

Denali National Park is approximately six million acres and has one road going through it. Unless you are camping deep in the park (where you must stay three days and leave your car parked for the duration of your stay) you must take shuttles into the park when you want to go beyond Mile 15. We only spent one night here, but you could easily spend two, possibly three nights . There are plenty of hiking trails as well as an interesting science center, sled dog demonstrations and more. I recommend the eight hour shuttle ride to Fish Creek. The scenery is amazing and you get to see wildlife. How much and what kind of wildlife varies.

On our way back south, we tried to see the Transportation and Industry museum in Wasilla, but it was not open on Mondays. We were able to see the Iditarod Headquarters museum and take a ride, with the dogs pulling a wheeled sled. The ride was extremely short, but very enjoyable. The museum/gift shop had displays and videos about the Iditarod.

We continued south to Highway 1 through Anchorage and on to Seward. There was so much to do and see on the way from Anchorage to Seward, that we didn’t arrive at our campground until evening and we missed several stops along the way that looked interesting. There are pull-outs with interpretive signs all along the road.

The first official stop heading south out of Anchorage was the Kenai Peninsula Visitor Center. There is a large snowplow train engine on display. This area gets a lot of snow and is prone to avalanches so the snow plows are very important to the trains. Make sure you see the gift shop/information area. When we were there they had plenty of free maps and information and free post cards from Chugach State Park.

The next stop was the Indian Valley gold mine. We purchased some containers of dirt and tried our hands at gold panning. The gold we found was placed in small vials for us to bring home. You can also purchase jewelry that they will load your gold into as a souvenir. The museum is small and unimpressive, but the view of the area is beautiful and panning for gold is a lot of fun.

Our next stop was the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Although the animals were fenced in, we were able to see things we wouldn’t see otherwise on our trip. You drive through the Conservation Center, but you can pull over and get out if you want a better view.

Our last touring stop of the day was at Portage Glacier. There is a movie about glaciers that is very informative. There is also a small museum. One to two hours is sufficient for the film and visitor center. I am sure there are beautiful hiking trails accessible from here as well.

Everyone was starving, so we stopped at the Trail Lake Lodge in Moose Pass for dinner. It was a really good meal in a relaxed environment.

During our full day in Seward we hiked the Overlook and Outwash Plain trails at Exit Glacier. The Overlook Trail was not very long, but there was one small area where it was steep enough to make me stop for a short break. Everyone else hiked it without a problem.

After our hikes we went into Seward and had lunch at Apollo’s. They served wonderful Italian and Greek dishes. The portions were large enough for some of us to share meals. We ended our day at the SeaLife Center. It was very informative and fun. We spent several hours there going through the exhibits and watching the sea birds and seals. There is a large free parking lot for the SeaLife Center.

In Anchorage, we visited Earthquake Park. I would recommend doing this before your drive to Seward so you can see the effects of the earthquake from different perspectives. We also went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. This was a wonderful experience. They have villages representing different Alaska Native cultures. You need at least three hours here. If you enjoy history, crafts, songs, and games, you can probably spend most of a day here.

While I feel like we were able to explore much of the beauty of Alaska, we were definitely doing a "commando" tour of the region. There are many sites we were not able to visit. I guess we better plan another trip!

About the Author: Ann Weber is an avid vacation planner. Now that the two years of planning the Alaska adventure is behind her, Ann is diving into plans for her family's upcoming Disney Christmas vacation.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

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?  You Can Save Up To $400 With Special Mouse Fan Savings! Walt Disney World Resort®  - 4 Nights  - Dec 7-11 -- 4 nights from $134*    MouseFest w/ Free admission    to our VIP Dessert Party  - Jan 4-8 -- 4 night from $170*     Walt Disney World Marathon w/     a Disney Gift Card If this doesn't quite fit your needs, ask us about customizing your stay! Visit us at: www.MouseFanTravel.com *Per person/double occupancy, subject to availability - CST207807440 Click for full details. As to Disney artwork: ©Disney

	Disney Feature:  Honey I Shrunk Your Luggage Allowance: Packing for Families by JoAnne Noel, Guest Contributor   Traveling with children is not for the faint of heart. But we love travel and our kids do, too, so long as we manage it well for them. Part of that is bringing the right stuff. This isn’t another packing list though; I’m talking about how you approach packing. Here’s what I think: Traveling with kids requires a different mind-set from the days when all you needed was your carry-on and your sense of adventure. Since the terror threats of August 10 have changed what we can bring in our carry-on luggage, it’s getting harder to get by without checked baggage. Parents and others traveling with youngsters might as well embrace the change. What are you taking? Let’s start with some general considerations. The longer you’re away, the more you’ll miss the familiar. A long weekend without the baby’s beloved play mat would probably be fine, but if you’re going for 8 days you might get tired of finding new comfy, safe and interesting places for her to wiggle. What’s your tolerance for doing laundry on vacation? Some people say no way, while others view it as welcome downtime. This has a huge impact on the amount of clothes you bring. Many resorts have on site laundry facilities, which may make this decision easier. Think about kitchenware. Many families have breakfasts or snacks in the room. The space required for a few familiar cups and dishes may be worth it—particularly things like no-spill sippy cups and the cereal bowls with Mickey or the princesses. Skip anything that can’t be properly cleaned with a quick rinse. If you plan to rent a car, you can buy all the consumables you need, from oatmeal to diapers, once you get there. Some experienced travelers prefer ordering from a grocery delivery service, such as Goodings. Your resort or hotel may provide many of the basics. Disney resorts, for example, can easily supply pack-and-plays for cribs (with, I hear, Disney-themed sheets), or bedrails for pre-schoolers. You may want to rent the big stuff. Do you need a high chair for your condo? An exersaucer for your pre-walker? The Walt Disney Travel Company recommends All About Kids, though an internet search will yield other providers of rental equipment. How old are your kids? The smaller the child, the more stuff he or she needs. Any infant needs lots of diapers, a million burp clothes, and several outfits per day. I cannot imagine spending more than a day or two with a child under a year old without doing laundry. (Though it would certainly be a dream come true—tell the Cast Member that if you get selected in the “Year of a Million Dreams” promotion!) With infants and toddlers, you also have to carry more specialized food-related equipment. If your child uses bottles, bring a bottle brush and one of those dishwasher bottle baskets to keep it all together. We traveled with a “starter kit” of familiar baby food and then shopped. The younger the child, the more helpful the familiar will be in other regards. The hotel’s pack-and-play can feel more like home with a favorite blanket and the usual lullabies on CD. Bringing the right assortment of the familiar-and-comforting without packing the whole house takes some thought. Give yourself time to examine your routine for a few days, and make lists. You will also need to be strategic about entertainment. Generally, the more creative a toy, the better. Building sets are a pain to keep together, but are compact and versatile. Dolls or action figures may work for your story-creating child. You probably don’t need a lot—it’s Disney World after all—but a well-worn favorite can be just the thing for an afternoon break. How do you put it all together? So now you’re trying to put a potty seat in a hard-sider you bought during your “carry-on only” years. Meet the traveling parent’s friend, the hockey bag (equipment bag). Big, shapeless, cheap, and bulletproof. Your oddest shaped items can be safely tucked away in these canvas behemoths, even if you also use one or two traditional bags. Do check with your airline regarding maximum weight and dimensions, though; these bags are so accommodating, before you know it you’ll need a goalie to lift it. Within that luggage I add another organizing layer; a mesh bag for each person. I purchased mesh beach bags with drawstrings, the sort you use for damp towels. They're especially helpful if you are living out of the suitcase for all or part of the trip—you can find anything without throwing it all over the bed. Refining wardrobe options can make your life a little easier on arrival. Lay out each outfit and roll it up: socks, underwear, shirts, and pants. No guessing or negotiating. You will need to take into account variable circumstances—one or two dressier choices, some warmer pieces for layering. You can then wrap each bundle in a big elastic band. (Banding or Ziplocs also work very well to keep spare outfits together in your daypack.) Getting it all there Your airline may have special rules for luggage and equipment. Some allow you to check your child’s car seat and/or stroller in addition to the base luggage allowance (Air Canada, JetBlue). Others only substitute piece for piece, so you can check the stroller instead of a bag (Southwest). Some give you extra carry-on allowances for lap children (American); others don’t. There’s usually some accommodation available for all that extra gear, you just have to check with your airline. Just about every carrier allows gate checking of car seats/infant carriers and strollers, a very handy perk (especially since it doesn't count against your luggage allowance). Tell the check-in agent you want to gate check the item; you will probably receive a special luggage tag to attach to it. You use the item right up to the door of the airplane, where it will be picked up and packed at the front of the luggage compartment. As soon as the plane lands, it will be brought back to the door of the plane. In your carry-on, bring anything you’ll need shortly after arrival, like swimsuits, or tropic-weight clothes. Include prescriptions and over-the-counter things in pill or powder form, like the decongestant for little ears. Keep in mind that only 4 ounces of liquid over-the-counter medication can be put in carry-on luggage so look for chewable or dissolving tablets or the new “strip” medications. If your child has a “lovey," a special toy or blanket, keep it on you. Floppy Puppy does not go under the plane. This vital item stays inside the backpack until we reach the hotel room. The only thing worse than losing it in the luggage would be leaving it in the gate area of a connecting airport. The longer the trip, the more distraction you have to supply. Experienced parents stuff the carry-on with surprises; dollar store trinkets like new coloring books, or travel treats from the local Disney Store. These things also fill in any holes in the traveling toy collection. Maybe my “travel heavy” philosophy isn’t for you. However, you can be comprehensive and streamlined in your packing, and accept having more checked luggage for a while. We’ve often lost our bags, but they always catch up with us within 24 hours. If your luggage does get lost, well, you’ve got your swimsuit and a change for everyone in your carry-on, so go start your vacation. Let the airline get all that stuff to your hotel! About the Author: JoAnne Noël is a stay-at-home mom of two young children who are “great little travelers”. She prefers writing about travel to her previous life writing about government, and hopes to keep it that way. JoAnne lives with her husband and children in Nova Scotia, Canada and is planning a second family trip to Orlando in January 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.