PassPorter News - January 19, 2006

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PassPorter News

News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips

January 19, 2006 * Issue 6.2

PassPorter.com - http://www.passporter.com

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Welcome to PassPorter News, an online newsletter

about PassPorter travel guidebooks, the

Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.

PassPorter News is available by free subscription

to all readers and friends of our labor of love --

PassPorter Travel Guidebooks.

Learn all about them:

http://www.passporter.com/aboutpassporter.htm

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In This Newsletter:

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From the Editor: Great Start to the New Year!

Travel Feature: Rome

Disney Feature: Disney on a Budget

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Fret Not, Avoid Packing Panic, No Drip Dry

Captain's Corner: The First Rule – Second Clue

Q&A: How do they choose Grand Marshals for the parades?

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FROM THE EDITOR: Great Start to the New Year

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Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!

We are really excited here at PassPorter! Ah, where to begin?

First, the first edition of PassPorter Disneyland and Southern California Attractions is in the final stages of peer review and proofreading, and those reviewers (including MousePlanet's Lani Teshima, Rebekah Moseley from LaughingPlace.com, and Shelley Smith, "The Fabulous Disney Babe,” Bruce "Zazu" Metcalf, and a dozen other Disney experts) are doing a fabulous job. We're just weeks away from being able to send the book off to our printer in Hong Kong, and we're feeling really, really good about the way the book has come together.

Next, we're being bowled-over by the sales of PassPorter Walt Disney World 2006. Thanks in part to the efforts of our wonderful new distributor, Publishers Group West, and in part to the earlier release date for the book (timing is everything), sales are already way ahead of last year's edition. So good, that we've already ordered a second printing from those folks over in Hong Kong (we are keeping them very busy this year!). Recently, PassPorter was the sixth bestselling travel book nationwide at a large bookstore chain, and it's consistently among the top 1,000 books of any kind at Amazon.com.

We're also working on the fourth edition of PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. If you've taken Disney shore excursions you can do us a great service -- take our Shore Excursion Survey as soon as you can! Move fast, we want to have that book in the stores by March! The survey is at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=95393364020

What else, what else? Book updates! We've just finished the latest round of revisions to our free, online book updates. Included is the first update list for PassPorter Walt Disney World 2006, which features a downloadable PDF replacement of pages 116 and 117, fully revised to cover Disney's recent park pass rate hikes. Updates are at: http://www.passporter.com/customs/bookupdates.htm

Generally, guidebooks in their eighth edition don't garner a lot of reviews, but fellow Disney author Kevin Yee posted a very nice (and unexpected) review of PassPorter Walt Disney World 2006 at MiceAge.com. Thanks, Kevin! Kevin's got a new book coming out soon, too -- 101 Things You Didn't Know About Walt Disney World. You can read all about it over at Amazon.com. And speaking of reviews, PassPorter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs recently received yet another glowing review (authors Deb Wills and Deb Koma did do a fantastic job), this time from http://www.linkup-parents.com/reviews.htm

Altogether, the joint is jumpin' here at PassPorter headquarters. Maybe that's why temperatures have been above normal here in Michigan these past few weeks. ;-)

In this edition of the newsletter, PassPorter Message Board Guide and frequent newsletter contributor Cheryl Pendry shares her recommendations for a visit to the Eternal City, Rome. Then, first-time contributor Erin Broemel shares her tips for visiting Walt Disney World without breaking the bank. Finally, Captain Jack Skatt returns with a new clue for a stumper of a question. Enjoy!

Jennifer and Dave

PassPorter Authors

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DID YOU KNOW?

PassPorter 2006 Garners Great Reviews!

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. We've already heard back from folks who received their new books -- here are a few of our favorite coments:

"I just wanted to let you know how much I love the new Passporter! Thanks for adding the toddler tips! I have a 2 year old and 9 month old. This is a great feature. Thanks for including pictures of yourselves as well. It keeps it "real" in my opinion." -- Andria

"I love the pockets and your personal experiences and advice about making the trip the best experience possible. Thank you so much for this wonderful tool." -- Bari

"I love the color, the pictures, and the new magical memories. The tips on the rides have given us great guidelines." -- Lisa

“Everything! I am a planner and this book really helped me plan my first ever Disney trip in 2004. We are going back and I don't need to plan as much, but the book is a must! I loved the map, the meal worksheet, the priorty seating worksheet.” -- Jennifer

Learn more and order today at:

Shop at http://www.passporterstore.com/store

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TRAVEL FEATURE: Rome: A Tale of Two Cities

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by Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Message Board Guide and Guest Contributor

Think of places to visit in Europe and usually England is up there, followed by France with its romantic capital, but Italy is usually somewhere in the mix as well. PassPorter Guide and regular newsletter contributor Cheryl Pendry explores one of the country’s biggest tourist draws…

Home to the Roman Empire more than two thousand years ago, Italy is a country that’s today well known not just for its history, but also its art, architecture, designer fashion and even its soccer. At the southern end of Europe, it enjoys scorching heat in the summer, but cold and sometimes damp weather in the winter months.

Turn to any brochure or website about the country and you’ll quickly discover that one of the most popular destinations is Italy's capital, Rome.

To me, Rome is very much a city of two halves – both dominated by the past, with one centered on the city’s history and the other inspired by spirituality.

The first stop for many visitors to this city is the Coliseum, which in its heyday nearly 2,000 years earlier would have seated 50,000 spectators, all eagerly awaiting the next gladiatorial combat. Despite all the films you may have seen on this subject, nothing prepares you for going into what remains of the Coliseum. A modern floor allows you to stand where the gladiators would have battled for their lives all those years ago and a quick look around brings home just how many people would have been there awaiting the outcome. From this point of view, you can also see the underground vaults and tunnels used to house the animals and slaves. It’s impossible not to stand there and hear the cries of the crowd and also wonder in awe at how much of this structure still stands all these thousands of years later. It’s a testament to the work of Roman builders.

It’s not the only remnant from the Roman Empire. Next door is the Forum, full of remains of temples, lining a processional route that was once used by victorious generals. Dating as far back as 500 BC, it’s easy to imagine how impressive this road once was. To the south of these remains lies Circus Maximus, now a grassy area, but once used for chariot races and animal fights.

A little further into the modern city is the Pantheon, a place of worship for nearly 2,000 years, now surrounded by cafés with their outside tables. Be sure to visit this on a dry day. In the center of the Pantheon's dome is a circle that’s open to elements, meaning on a rainy day, you will get wet. When the sun streams in through it, it is truly beautiful.

Staying with the Roman theme, a worthwhile trip outside of the city is to the Baths of Caracalla, which would have contained hot, warm and cold baths and shows just how important fitness was all those years ago. It seems that some things never change!

Another famous area of Rome that draws visitors is in fact a state of its own – the smallest in the world. Vatican City gained its sovereignty in 1929 and may only be home to around 1,000 people, but it’s certainly best known for one resident – the Pope, although there are many other reasons why Vatican City attracts over three million visitors each year.

Perhaps the two best known attractions in the Vatican are St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. The square is known worldwide for the crowds that gather for Papal addresses. The views are superb from both the square and the top of the Basilica, and the Basilica is well worth a tour as well.

Another must-do on most visitors’ to-do lists are the Vatican museums. Like all good attractions, the best is saved until the end – the Sistine Chapel. But on the way there are plenty of sights to see and once you’ve visited these museums, no palace will ever amaze you again. You’re not going to see anything more stunning than the interior of these museums. The corridors and galleries are full of fine art collections and beautifully decorated ceilings and walls. It’s almost too much to take in.

Other famous sights in Rome that shouldn’t be missed include the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. There are also numerous palaces, squares and architectural delights to take in – you certainly won’t be short of things to do on any visit to Rome!

A couple of words of warning about the city though – firstly, it’s not a city that lends itself to driving – you have to be made of stern stuff to even attempt it. As a pedestrian though, you need to take care. Cars and motorbikes hurtle along at quite a speed, often without regard for you if you’re trying to cross the road. Public transportation won’t deliver you to many of the main tourist sights either.

Unsurprisingly, the city’s subway system runs nowhere near the fragile, ancient parts of Rome, leaving buses, which we found to be confusing and unreliable, as the only other option. Therefore, be prepared to treat a trip to Rome like a Disney vacation – find some comfortable shoes and get walking!

We also found ourselves constantly on guard during our stay in the city. Although it’s not a high crime place, unfortunately, bag snatching and pick pocketing are rife in the tourist areas, so keep a close eye – and a hand – on those valuable bags at all times and don’t draw attention to cameras or camcorders. We saw some people walking around with valuable camcorders casually slung over their shoulders, an open invitation to a thief if ever we saw one.

Our springtime visit to Rome was very comfortable, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s on most days, so it’s no surprise to us that many guidebooks describe this season as the best to visit the country. Despite that, most tourists choose to travel to Rome between June and August. It seems every Roman takes his/her vacation in August (something about the heat, we suspect), so some shops or restaurants could be closed down. If you can, plan to go out of the summer season, as the crowds are very manageable and the weather still good.

One final thing: Don’t forget to toss a coin over your opposite shoulder into the Trevi Fountain to ensure you’ll return to Rome. If meeting a Roman is high on your agenda, then make sure it’s two coins you throw, and increase that to three for marriage. Already married when we visited there, I stuck with the one coin, although I’m still waiting for that return trip!

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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.

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DISNEY FEATURE: Walt Disney World – Without Breaking the Bank

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by Erin Broemel, Guest Contributor

If there is one word in the English language that can transform your little monsters into complete angels, it is “Disney!” To children around the world, Disney is the ultimate adventure, but to parents it can be the ultimate expense. You can still give your children their dream day with Mickey, without shelling out the big bucks. How? With several tried and true techniques that rid the hassle and the expense out of the most magical celebration on Earth.

Your ticket to saving starts even before you leave! We all know there are deals out there, but the problem is where to find them. Between the books, the web sites, and the solicitations, it’s hard to know what is a good deal, and what is a time share "opportunity" waiting to happen. Going in off-season can save you a ton of cash on a hotel. Plus, with no crowds and minimal wait times at the rides, who wouldn’t wan to go during Value Season? It’s a great way to get everything you want, and save a little extra dough.

One good option is to work with a travel agent who specializes in Disney. They generally know what specials Disney is offering and there is little to no work involved for you. Travel agents get commission directly from Disney, so you don’t pay for their services, which means you can reap the savings and let Disney foot the service bill. Plus, it saves you the endless hours of paperwork and stress.

If you can’t find a travel agent, or think you can get a better deal, try researching it yourself. You can find the codes that will unlock potential savings on vacation packages or your hotel room at websites such as http://www.mousesavers.com! These codes are generally three letters, such as EYW. They are not hard to find, and can generally save you a couple hundred bucks, enough to spend an extra day at the Magic Kingdom!

One good trick of the trade is to stay off-site at Disney. Now, we all know that Disney’s hotels offer the magic and splendor of the parks in a hotel setting, but they also cost up to twice as much as a “normal” accommodation of its rating. The Disney hotels are sorted on three levels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Typically, you can get an off-site four-star hotel for the same price as the value resorts on Disney property. The problem, though, is that with little ones who require naps it is harder to get back to the room and then back into the park. But if you aren’t traveling with toddlers, then this option may be for you! Several websites such as Hotwire.com and Expedia.com offer you options for hotels in the general Orlando vicinity. And these hotels can have a steal of deal available right when you’re planning to go.

If you’re dying to stay as close to the Haunted Mansion as possible (no pun intended), then it is possible to stay at Disney hotels and still save a buck. Try going during the off-season value times. Rates will be cheaper. This same idea holds true for the off-site hotels. Or look for room-only rates, which can sometimes save you a pretty penny or two over a package deal. Your best ticket is to stay at a Disney Value Resort, which at times can be picked up for around $69 a night! The only problem with these is that they are geared towards families with young children, so if you don’t have children or your children are older, be prepared for the sheer number of kids! If that’s not your cup of tea, then opt to shell out a few more dollars and stay at one of Disney's Moderates, which will have fewer kids and more adult activities, like sit-down restaurants.

Big savings can come from little indulgences. If your hotel has a kitchenette, you are way ahead of the game. You can create a delicious and nutritious breakfast for your monsters, without breaking the bank. You can whip up Mickey Mouse pancakes in a flash, especially when pancake mix runs around $2.00 a box and can feed a family of four for a week. Toss on some bananas and strawberries with whipped cream, and you’ve got a meal fit for a queen (or your very own little princess). This option can be better than the sinfully delicious cinnamon rolls from the Main Street Bakery, which runs $3 a pop! By the time you add in juice and other extras at that bakery, it can cost you more than $30 just for breakfast. If you are not one of the lucky few with access to a kitchenette, try for a hotel that has a complimentary continental breakfast, or even better a deluxe American, which has eggs, pancakes and breakfast meats. Talk about savings! Or make a pit stop at a grocery store on your way to your hotel and pick up a few basics – milk, OJ, etc. Disney Resort hotels now offer a mini-fridge for free (Deluxe and Moderate) or a small fee (Value).

One little tip that I follow every time I go to the parks is to pack a couple of granola bars or packaged crackers. These little snacks can pack a lot of energy, giving you the extra oomph you need to go on Mission:Space for a third time! Also, consider forgoing sit-down restaurants as they can be very expensive. While character meals can be a great opportunity to get a photo of your little princess with her favorite princess, there are also many other ways to see a character without paying for a meal your child may be too excited to eat. Any Cast Member wearing a red pin with a white glove on it can direct you to your favorites!

Last but not least – souvenirs. Every time you go to Disney, you wind up with a ton of popcorn buckets, plastic mugs, and many other items you picked up along the way. You know the stuff I’m talking about. Make your dollars count - Orlando is inundated with Disney outlet stores and gift shops! You can pick up prime Mickey merchandise for less than half of what it will cost you in the park. Another good tip is to shop at the Disney Store in your area! Stuffed animals, t-shirts and hats go on sale all the time. If you’ve given yourself ample planning time, make a couple of stops at your local Disney Store and score some deals on souvenirs before you even leave for the park. Just make sure you hide them until you get to Disney World! Your kids are less likely to ask for a Mickey Mouse plush in the park if they are already carrying one you got for a third of the price! Plus, you can use the stashed gifts as rewards for your children’s good behavior.

Walt Disney World is the most magical place on Earth. And you can enjoy every minute of it without spending your time worrying about what your credit card statement is going to look like. Take a couple of these tips with you as you plan your ultimate Disney vacation and you will feel a little less guilty about shelling out the extra dough for the occasional Mickey Bar! Trust me, the extra savings are definitely worth it!

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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 holiday plans.

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UPDATES: What's New and Changed

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Here's a few of the new developments at Disney:

The Walt Disney World Annual Passholders Best Rate Program has been discontinued. AP discount codes are once again available for check-in dates through 4/13/06. Rooms can be booked online by going to http://www.disneyworld.com and clicking on the Passholder link or by calling 407-560-PASS (7277).

In addition to the increase in theme park admission prices, Walt Disney World increased ticket prices for the water parks and DisneyQuest. Beginning Sunday, January 15, 2006 a 1-day ticket to DisneyQuest, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon are $35 for ages 10 and up and $29 for ages 3-9 (not including sales tax).

Walt Disney World now offers official weekly podcasts featuring the "Happiest Celebration On Earth." Interviews with celebrities and Imagineers will be forthcoming and can be downloaded at disneyworld.com/podcast

or through the iTunes Podcast directory.

At Disneyland, Goofy's Bounce House in Mickey's Toontown is closed -- there's no official word on what will replace it, but rumor is that it will be a toddler playground similiar to Pooh's Playful Spot at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.

>Things To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at

news@passporter.com

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DISNEY TIPS FROM FELLOW READERS

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

FRET NOT

"Know you can't see everything in one visit. It's better to enjoy what you can do than fretting over what you just can't get to."

-- contributed by Vicki K.

AVOID PACKING PANIC

"Don't stress about packing every little thing. On our last trip I tried to incorporate every tip I'd ever read into our packing and it ended up being a waste. There is a Wal-Mart about 10-15 minutes from Disney for anything you may need after you get there."

-- contributed by Jeanna R. (jkrz40@...)

NO DRIP DRY

"With four small children, all of whom love water in ANY form, keeping dry and wet things separate but accessible is a part of every Disney vacation! We ALWAYS carry various sizes of resealable bags with us. The small bags can hold lip balm, medication bottles, band aids, etc.; the mid-size are perfect for guide books, maps, etc.; and the large size can carry DRY t-shirts that we exchange with our wet ones after a water ride. Our children are much happier in a dry shirt on a cool evening at Fantasmic than sitting and shivering in a damp one."

-- contributed by Jane Peters (bjresmom@...)

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

http://www.passporter.com/customs/contest.htm

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 http://www.passporter.com/wdw/disney500.htm .

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CAPTAIN’S CORNER: Treasure Hunting Game

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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.

It seems the Captain has stumped you for the first time! No one got the correct answer to last week's treasure hunt question. Here is another clue...

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

"I went on safari again today with great success. I photographed two bongos in the bushes, as well as a family of hippos in the pond. At one point our safari jeep stopped to allow a particular graceful giraffe to stroll across the road and I snapped several stunning shots. Luckily for me (and the giraffe), our safari driver understood those all important rules of behavior, especially that crucial first one that states ... (text obscured by giraffe drool)

So, again, what is the first rule of behavior on the Kilimanjaro Safaris?

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!

To view the original clues, see the last newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news010506.htm

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 expect to release the book -- "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" -- in a couple of months. Watch this space or http://www.passporter.com for more information!

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Q & A WITH JENNIFER & DAVE

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figmentintime asks: "I am planning a trip for some family members. They asked how one got to be a Parade Grand Marshal at the Magic Kingdom. I was under the impression that it was just being in the right place at the right time, and the odds were not good. But my father-in-law insists that you can request this. Is this possible?"

Jennifer and Dave answer: "The only people who have a chance of requesting (and having the request filled) are "official" VIPs. For just plain folk, it's right place, right time. There's a cast member with the job of scanning the crowd and making the selection.

It works this way for Disney's Animal Kingdom parade, too, but with so many more guests riding in the parade, the odds are better for being selected. I don't know if procedure has changed, but it used to be that the AK parade guests were selected from folks hanging out in Harambe Village near the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris during the hour before the parade."

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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WANT TO GET PUBLISHED?

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Big News! PassPorter News will be going weekly beginning early this year. This means we need more articles than ever! We're on the lookout for guest columnists to contribute articles to this newsletter. No professional writing experience 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.

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