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             PassPorter News

 

   News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips

 

       March 16, 2006 * Issue 6.9

 

  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 Authors: Greetings From Florida

 

Travel Feature: Soft Adventure Travels for Families

 

Disney Feature: A Journey Into The Past of Future World

 

Updates: What's New and Changed

 

Tips: Great Photos, Great Food, Great Advice

 

Captain's Corner: A Classic Carousel

 

Q&A: Can our grandchildren spend the night with us at our resort?

 

 

 

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FROM THE AUTHORS: New Disney Cruise Guide

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

 

A happy hello from beautiful, sunny Florida! We're
almost to the middle of our week-long stay here in
Florida and we're having a wonderfully relaxing stay.
Would you believe we haven't been to a theme park
yet? Just relaxing, swimming, napping, hot tubbing,
and reading (well, mostly). We do plan to visit
Disney's Animal Kingdom today so we can
experience Expedition Everest for ourselves. Watch
for a mini-report of our trip upon our return!

In this edition of the newsletter, Julia Elzie offers a
delightful article about "soft" adventure travel for
families. We're also pleased to note that Jill Clinevell
Shelton has contributed a fun article on the past
attractions at Future World, including Jennifer's
favorite, Horizons. Finally, Captain Jack Skatt
returns with a new treasure hunting game. Enjoy!

 

Jennifer and Dave

PassPorter Authors

 

 

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DID YOU KNOW?

PassPorter 2006 – Our Best Yet!

 

The new 2006 edition of our PassPorter Walt Disney World guidebook now features a full-color interior along with the most up-to-date text, new TeenTips and ToddlerTips, and new photos and magical memories. This edition is proving so popular that we've had to go back for a reprint of more books already! We're not out of stock quite yet, and our new shipment of books arrives soon.

 

Learn more and order today at:

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

 

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TRAVEL FEATURE: Soft Adventure Travel for Families

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by Julia Elzie, Guest Contributor

 

 

Soft adventure travel is capturing the imagination of families, thanks to reality television shows like "The Amazing Race." Escaping from the busy days of regular life is becoming more alluring to everyone. Soft adventure travel is a fun and active way for families to visit another part of the world, slow down the pace of modern life and get closer to nature, yet not risk sacrificing comfort, good food or nice accommodations. There are options for every family’s interests. Biking, river rafting, walking/hiking, spa vacations, dude ranchesor expedition/small-ship cruising are a few of the most popular choices.

Unlike hard adventure travel, which requires physical fitness, mental strength and technical expertise, soft adventure travel can be experienced by almost anyone of any fitness level. If you are a "scaredy-cat," do not worry! These trips are about fun and adventure,
visit far-flung destinations or explore closer to home around North America. The days are filled with discovery and only as much physical activity as desired. And you don’t have to sacrifice a gourmet (kid-friendly, if necessary) dinner, a good drink and a charming inn, luxurious hotel or luxury camping for a long night’s sleep. Many of the suppliers have special family trips or special tour guides, whose sole function to entertain and educate the children on the trip. It allows families to see new cultures and landmarks, spend quality time with each other and enjoy the outdoors. The only requirement is a sense of adventure and an open mind!

Biking is a great way to see the countryside! It is one of the best ways to really see the world, especially Europe, where even the biggest cities have bike lanes and drivers are accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists. The biking tour suppliers bring the bikes, the mechanics, support staff, and a support and gear wagon to help riders along the way. It is entirely acceptable to ride less than the full day's itinerary, or you can complete the entire day’s route. If the bike gets a flat tire, the guest sits under a tree and watches the scenery - someone else fixes the flat! There is always time to have a picnic lunch, visit a historical or cultural sight along the way or meet with the locals. At the end of the day, the bike disappears with the support staff and guests are free to rest, relax and enjoy their evening. Riding a bike is NEVER this easy at home!


On foot is also a wonderful way to see experience a destination and walking/hiking vacations can be enjoyed by families with members of several generations, personal interests and fitness levels. Again, the relaxed speed of walking allows for stops along the way to enjoy cultural or historical sights, shopping in a small hamlet, or browsing a village’s farmer’s market. You might get caught in an Irish traffic jam as a farmer moves his sheep between pastures! Walkers and hikers are also likely to meet locals along the way and those meetings provide a great opportunity to start conversations and to learn the everyday lives of the average citizen. Hiking requires more physical fitness, but it is wonderful way to experience nature and climb to some of the world’s most remarkable natural views. At the end of the day, guests retreat to a gourmet meal and a comfortable sleep. Walking and hiking are among the best forms of exercise and are a leisurely way to see the world - just bring your feet and good shoes!


If you are more inclined to the soft part of soft adventure travel, why not consider a spa vacation for your family? Spas are more pampering and family-friendly than ever. Spas are no longer entirely geared to weight loss and minimal, healthy meals and excessive exercise. Spas are located all over the world from Asia to the Caribbean to Europe and throughout the United States. More spas are becoming family-friendly, offering activities and treatments for teenage daughters and mothers, men’s vacation spa programs, senior-friendly treatments, Mommy & Baby activities, pampering for the mother-to-be and new mothers or teen spa vacation programs. Spas have been known for being expensive, but spas in more destinations are creating affordable packages for families with modest budgets. A spa might be the perfect place to escape from the harried daily life of today’s families.


Could you use a splash of cold water on your face? River rafting might be the perfect solution. It is an adventurous way to get a different perspective on some of the world’s greatest rivers, especially the Snake River, the Rogue River and other waterways of the Western United States. Camping fans will enjoy luxury camping and healthy, delicious meals with fewer bugs and dirt than the average family camping and river vacation. Plus you leave the task of shopping and packing the car to the experts! No experience is required and trips include special guides to challenge and entertain the children while parents relax by the campfire. River rafting is a wonderful alternative to the family vacation in the car and might be the refresher needed by adventuresome parents and kids.


Ever feel like running away and becoming a cowboy? Why not do it for a week or two? Dude ranches have an easy-going and relaxed atmosphere, but without the chores and hard work of becoming a full-time cowboy. A week on a ranch offers close-to-nature activities for all ages and interests. Dude ranches are an excellent option for families, multi-generational travel and family reunions. Ranchers are generally down-to-earth, cheerful and friendly and their very nature is to guide their guests to see the best parts of ranching life - from swimming to fly fishing to river rafting day trips, horseback riding, cookouts, dances under the stars, mountain biking, sitting by a stream and reading by the campfire. By the way, the ranch staff does all of the cooking, cleaning and ranch chores - guests enjoy the easy part of life on a dude ranch!

As many cruise ships become larger and larger, small-ship cruising has become increasingly popular. These cruises visit every continent and corner of the world, including Antarctica, and include the rivers of Europe, China and Russia. These voyages have hundreds instead of the thousands of passengers onboard, unlike the larger ships. The smaller ships are able to maneuver into smaller ports and allow passengers to enjoy closer, more intimate experiences during their cruise. Small-ship cruises are more casual in atmosphere and dining styles. The focus of these cruises is the destination, not the ship. Instead of nightly shows, casinos and formal nights, these cruise lines have special programs with naturalists, biologists, local artists, historians, geologists and other experts. The ships provide specialized recreation equipment, such as Zodiacs (inflatable speedboats), kayaks, snorkeling or scuba gear, to allow passengers to fully experience their destination. On many cruise lines, shore excursions are included in the price of the cruise and often, special family departures are offered with family pricing and special family and children’s activities. Small ship cruises are a way to see an exotic
location, combined with education, fun and adventure.

As life gets busier and adventures become more a part of our "reality," soft adventure travel offers fun, escape and discovery to all corners of the world for people of all ages without having to leave behind the creature comforts of good food and a soft, comfortable bed.

 

 

Julia Elzie is a travel consultant with Andavo Travel and specializes in family travel. For more information, please visit her website at http://www.juliaelzie.com, contact her by phone at (208) 362-6789 or by e-mail at jelzie@andavotravel.com.

 

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

 

 

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DISNEY FEATURE: A Journey Into The Past of Future World

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by Jill Clinevell Shelton, Guest Contributor

 

 

Future World at Epcot is an adventure in technology and experimentation. We can experience the thrill of blasting off into outer space in a space shuttle, play the role of crash test dummies as we participate in vehicle testing or find out just how powerful our imagination can be.

Although Epcot opened twelve years after its Magic Kingdom sibling, Epcot originated as an idea of Walt Disney’s many years earlier. Walt believed EPCOT Center, as it was originally dubbed, to be the most important part of his Florida project. He envisioned a working city where the brightest ideas of science and technology came together. However, since Walt Disney died years before Epcot was to be built, Imagineers were forced to reconsider his vision and go forward with a revised plan. Epcot was to be divided into two "lands:" Future World, where the latest technology was displayed and where we were allowed glimpses into the future, and the World Showcase.

As technology has evolved and the future that had been envisioned was not coming to pass, some of the older, original attractions were viewed to be quaint but passé. So, several were revised or completely razed to make room for newer, more thrilling attractions. As with most Walt Disney World and Disneyland attractions, these original rides held a special place in the hearts of many fans that were sad to see them changed or replaced. But in true Disney fashion, the Imagineers have some nostalgic surprises "hidden" in plain sight for those of us who look closely.

Mission: SPACE is a thrilling simulated space flight that allows guests to experience technology never before offered to the general public. It not only displays state-of-the-art technical capabilities but also gives guests arguably one of the biggest thrills in the World. But before Mission: SPACE even dreamed of thrilling thousands of guests a day, Horizons was a headliner attraction at Future World.

Horizons opened on October 1, 1983: one year to the day after EPCOT Center’s opening. Guests boarded omni-mover vehicles with side-mounted cabins. (Visitors faced side-ways instead of straight ahead.) Horizons, sponsored by G.E., explored the notion of life in the 21st century and the possibilities of living under the sea, in a space colony and on a desert farm. The ride culminated in the guests choosing the method by which to return to the 20th century: land, sea or space. Horizons closed on January 9, 1999 to the dismay of many loyal fans.

Today, however, fans who are searching for a fossil of this bygone attraction can find the old Horizons logo prominently displayed on the gift shop counter in the Mission: SPACE shop and also on the center of the gravity wheel in the queue. Interestingly, the gravity wheel itself is a set piece from the old film, Mission to Mars, also an extinct ride as well as predecessor to Mission: SPACE, at the Magic Kingdom. The mission control room at the end of the queue in Mission: SPACE is a tribute to a comparable set in Mission to Mars as well.

Another relatively new, but wildly popular attraction in Future World is Test Track. Guests enjoy riding along through vehicle testing grounds and racing around the partially exposed track. But before Test Track, guests explored the idea of traveling in vehicles inside the World of Motion. Also sponsored by General Motors, World of Motion was a fun jaunt through history with scenes depicting travel from walking, through the invention of the wheel and on to cars and motorcycles. There were two speed rooms in which the visitor felt as if he or she was speeding underwater, in the air and through the world of computers. The final sequence was a pass by a mirror in which the guest was reflected riding in a futuristic car, a tip of the hat to the Haunted Mansion ghost hitchhiker scene.

Inside the new Test Track queue you can find a car that was originally displayed in World of Motion, up on blocks and stripped down to its frame. A pig from World of Motion relocated to California in 1996 and took up residence in Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean!

Journey Into Imagination With Figment has a long-standing history in Future World. It opened in October 1983 with Dreamfinder, a happy, imaginative character who invents Figment, a little purple dragon-like creature with tiny wings and yellow eyes who helps us explore our imagination. There was a revision in 1999 in which Dreamfinder was removed completely and Figment only made two cameo appearances. This disappointed many Epcot guests who had fond memories of this classic attraction. So in 2002 there was a second revision and Figment was again center stage, but Dreamfinder was still absent.

In tribute to the beloved Dreamfinder, Imagineers have labeled a door in the attraction, immediately following the Smell Lab, "Dean Finder." The Dream Vehicle in which Dreamfinder and Figment ride in the original attraction can be found now on a shelf near the ceiling in the MouseGear shop in Future World. And a large representation of the sheet music to the original theme song, "One Little Spark," is seen in the climactic scene of the ride.

As old favorites are revised or replaced with time, we can’t help but feel nostalgic about the ones that are no more. But most of the time, if we look closely, we might just find a surprise "hidden" in plain

 

 

Jill is a former schoolteacher and a stay-at-home mom of two little Disney princesses. She and her family love learning about
Disney secrets and history and are currently planning their next trip to the World, a Grand Gathering, for later this year.

 

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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:

 

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be testing Poolside Cabanas at their themed beachside pool. Each cabana will offer 2 padded loungers, 2 padded straight-back chairs, a 22-inch LCD TV with cable and headphones, Sirius Satellite Radio, a phone for calls within
the resort, a mini-fridge stocked with soft drinks and a complimentary fruit basket. The cabanas are available in two four-hour time blocks (10 am - 2 pm and 3 pm - 7 pm) for $60. The cabanas are solely for the use of guests of the Grand Floridian.

New discounts have been announced for Disney Vacation Club members. -The discount on Magic Kingdom Tours will be reduced to 15% on April 1, 2006. (The discount is 20% until March 31, 2006)
-10% off designated packages at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique when it opens in April through June 2006. (Packages to be announced.)


Off Kilter, who normally perform at the Canada Pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase, will be found at Pleasure Island's West End Stage during St. Patrick's Day Weekend, March 16 - 18, 2006.

 

>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:

 

GREAT PHOTOS

"We discovered there is an art to taking pictures with characters. Take your time. Let the "official" photographer take the photo first then the character will turn toward you and your camera for another photo. This way you can get both the character and your child's eyes/face turned toward you instead of looking over somewhere else. If your children are old enough, tell them ahead of time to look at the photographer first then at you. This just makes things go more smoothly. "

-- contributed by Danielle R. (dnraber@...)

 

GREAT FOOD

"Every time my family, friends, and I go to Disneyland, we always make sure we go to Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. They have big portions of pastas and salads, and for a decent price, the food is YUMMY! I've never tried the pizza there, but the Celestial Caesar Salad and Chicken Fusilli pasta are "out of this world!"

-- contributed by Maritza L.

 

GREAT ADVICE

"Take time to smell the roses - literally and figuratively!"

-- contributed by Yvonne B. (yjb1@...)

 

>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.

 

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

 

"After my daring adventure to Mt. Everest and my too-close encounter with the Yeti, I have chosen to spend my days in quiet contemplation. Today I sat on a bench outside a delightful carousel and watched the young children revolving gleefully. In addition to the nineteen horses, a spinning "tea cup" and two "nanny seats" are available. The merry-go-round appeared hand-crafted, as well. As I gazed on this classic little carousel, it occured to me that this is the only carousel inside Disney that has a separate fee. For a ride, the cost is ... (rest of text obscured by ice cream droppings)"

 

How much does the classic little carousel on Disney property cost?

 

Congratulations to Nadine Daniels who was the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Nadine correctly identified the name of the eatery that sells tea near Expedition Everest as the Royal Anandapur Tea Company. To view the original clues, see the last newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news/030806.htm

 

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

 

If you enjoy treasure hunts, we've got an entire book with over 100 distinct treasure hunts and over 1500 questions, complete with clues and contributions from Captain Skatt. We will release the book -- "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" -- in April 2006. You can pre-order the new book today at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710269.aspx

 

 

 

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Q & A WITH JENNIFER & DAVE

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katydid asks: "My husband and I will have a room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge while our son and his family are at Fort Wilderness. Will we be able to invite the two children (ages 6 and 7) to stay the night so their mom and dad can have a night out to themselves? I know we would have fun showing them around our resort but I don't want to break any rules. I won't even mention the possibility to them unless it would be allowed. "

 

Jennifer and Dave answer: "This shouldn't be a problem at all. It's done all the time. The main thing is that you're not exceeding the posted capacity of the room, and since they're under 19, there's no extra charge for them. As a courtesy to the front desk, you could let
them know what's happening (our grandkids are staying over with us tonight while we babysit). I can't imagine there being any issues."

 

 

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 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 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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