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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and
Tips
March 29,
2007 * Issue 7.13
PassPorter.com -
http://www.passporter.com
==========================================
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: Freebies, No (April) Foolin'
Travel
Feature: Canopy Adventure (Zip-Line)
Disney
Feature: Spoodles Dining Review
Updates:
What's New and Changed
Tips:
Personalized Ponchos, Playing Post Office, Very Special Video
Captain's
Corner: Band Aid
Q&A: Is
there any information on the restaurant replacing Alfredo's?
Our Sponsors:
We Recommend...
====================================================
FROM THE
AUTHORS: Freebies, No (April) Foolin'
====================================================
Hi,
{{user("firstname")}}!
We've got
THREE PassPorter freebies for you this week (and no, this isn't an April Fool's
Day joke)! Here are details:
1. Free
Interactive E-Worksheet -- We're getting a TON of enthusiastic feedback on our
interactive vacation planning worksheets (we call them e-worksheets), which are
available freely to our PassPorter's Club passholders. (More on the
PassPorter's Club later.) Not everyone knows what an e-worksheet is, and we've
been getting some questions. So rather than explain it, we will simply show you
with a FREE e-worksheet. Just click the link below to download the file and get
all the directions you need. The free e-worksheet is an enhanced version of our
Vacation At-A-Glance worksheet found in all of our guidebooks -- you can use it
for any destination!
Get the Free
E-Worksheet: http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/passporters-club-gallery/123871-free-sample-e-worksheet-vacation-glance.html
2. Free Cruise
Clues e-book with purchase of PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line Guidebook -- Buy
any edition of our current Disney Cruise Line guidebook through the PassPorter
Store and you'll get an automatic download of our very popular Disney Cruise
Clues e-book filled with cruising tips, packing lists, cruise line comparisons,
and more.
Order your
Disney Cruise guide (and get the e-book) at: http://www.passporterstore.com/store/dcl2007.aspx
-- offer is good until April 30, 2007.
3. Free
Treasure Hunter Badge Pin For Book Owners -- Did you know that owners of our
PassPorter's Treasure Hunts book can get a FREE "Official Treasure Hunter
Badge" pin? Apparently not many of our readers do, because we have plenty
of badges that need good homes. So we've made it easier to get a free badge --
whether you're going on a trip soon, already went, or aren't planning to go for
a long time. Details are available in an interactive PDF file available for
download immediately following the purchase of our recently-updated Treasure
Hunts guidebook. Current book owners: click here for the directions: http://www.passporter.com/hunts/passporterbadgehunt.pdf
Order a
Treasure Hunts book (and get the free badge directions) at http://www.passporter.com/store/1587710269.aspx
Your response
to the new PassPorter's Club and its "all-you-can-eat", anytime
access to our popular travel e-books and e-worksheets continues to amaze us!
Since our last newsletter, we've added four new e-worksheets: Lodging
Scoresheet (compares and scores your lodging options), Important Start Days
(calculates when you can begin making various reservations), Shopping List
(keep track of what you need and when to get it), and Favorite Tips and Tricks
(to collect and print your favorite tips). And now these e-worksheets, along
with our others, are available freely to all Club passholders. Our passholders'
ideas for e-worksheets are truly wonderful and useful!
To find out
how to get YOUR pass to the PassPorter's Club, visit: http://www.passporter.com/club
(hint: it
costs less than a turkey leg!)
In this issue
of the newsletter, Terry Dagdagan returns to share the thrills of the Canopy
Adventure (zipline) excursion, and Thomas Cackler shares his delcious
experiences at Spoodles at Walt Disney World. Enjoy!
Jennifer and
Dave
PassPorter
Publishers and Authors
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TRAVEL
FEATURE: Zip-a-Dee-Zip-Line: A Canopy Adventure
========================================================
by Terry
Dagdagan, PassPorter Guest Columnist
Ever wonder
what it would be like to fly like Tinker Bell? Has it been your dream to swing
through the jungle like Tarzan? If you answered yes to either or both of these
questions, then I have just two words for you: Canopy Adventure.
In light of
Disney Cruise Line's announcement that they will be returning to the West Coast
in summer 2008, you may want to start compiling your wish list of shore excursions.
One that I would highly recommend for Puerto Vallarta is the Canopy Adventure.
Now, this is
not an excursion for the faint hearted. You'll be sliding along ropes strung
high above the forest floor, "zipping" from tree to tree (just like
in the TV commercials). However, if you ever had the urge to do something
adventurous in your life, this just might fit the bill. The Canopy Adventure is
open to those ten years and older. While you are required to be over four feet
tall, you must also weigh less than 250 pounds and be in good physical
condition.
As with most
excursions, there are plenty of tour companies that you can book with if you
are willing to do the research. We opted to book ours through Disney when we
sailed on the Magic the first season it sailed to the Mexican Riviera.
Upon debarking
from the ship you will meet up with a tour guide. He will lead the group down
the pier, hand out life jackets and board everyone onto a motor boat. A
five-minute trip through the harbor brings you to the tour company's office.
The journey
continues as everyone loads up and buckles into the back of a Mercedes Unimog
all-terrain truck. This 45-minute ride can be a bit bouncy at times as you
leave Puerto Vallarta and snake your way up the mountain into the rain forest.
The Canopy
Adventure location looks more like a jungle outpost, which helps to set the
mood. Everyone is fitted into their equipment that consists of a harness and
leather gloves. It won't be your most glamorous pose since you have to squat
when putting on the harness. This allows the guide to fit the harness on your
body to accommodate hanging from the zip lines.
Next,
everyone's valuables are secured, as you are not permitted to carry anything
with you. While we felt these items were safe, it is a good idea to only bring
the bare necessities for this excursion. Even cameras are not suggested as you
are wearing heavy leather gloves that seem like Mickey gloves when you are
trying to manipulate a camera.
After a brief
safety talk and demonstration on how to conduct yourself on the zip lines (and
most importantly, how to stop at the end of each line) you will head off to the
first platform. This one is reached by hiking up a short hill. Here you face
the moment of truth--or insanity as a few of us were thinking. As I was being
hooked onto the zip line, I couldn't help feeling like I Love Lucy's Ethel
Mertz trying to figure out how Lucy (a.k.a. one of my traveling companions) had
talked me into this one.
There are
several well-trained guides who are interspersed between every four or five
guests. They handle all of the hooks and lines for you, so you are always
properly connected (you are connected to two safety lines at all timesj). When
transitioning from a zip line to a platform or vice versa, you always have one
safety line connected before switching the second line.
The first zip
line is the test to see if a guest can handle the adventure. If the guides feel
that you will not be able to complete the course, they will not allow you to go
past the second platform. Despite looking more like a crazed Goofy than a
graceful Tinker Bell, I was still permitted to continue the course.
By the second
or third platform most of our group had gotten down the rhythm of how to stop.
This technique involves gently pulling down on the zip line from behind to slow
yourself when approaching the next platform.
The actual
feeling you will have as you zip through the jungle is beyond words. It is one
of the most exhilarating things I have ever done. The sheer thrill of feeling
like you are flying is incredible.
One thing to
note is that I imagined the platforms to be huge landings. Wrong! They were actually
about two to three feet wide, as they circled around each tree. Being just a
little bit terrified of heights, I was a little unnerved at first. As expected,
I got used to them and only felt like quitting when I realized at one point
that I had to walk across a hanging bridge that had no handrails (and was about
two feet wide). Not to worry though, it does have a cable above it to hold your
well-secured safety lines.
The heights of
the platforms range up to 90 feet. Some were lower depending on the terrain. At
one point there was a gorilla swing, basically a knotted rope, which landed you
on solid ground before zipping on to the next platform. There are a total of
eleven zip lines (each with its own unique name), one swing and two hanging
bridges.
At the final
platform you will be faced with one more daring feat. From about 30 feet off
the ground you will need to rappel down. I was lucky enough to be chosen by the
guide to go first (after one of the other guides demonstrated), despite the
fact that I was in the middle of the group. Perhaps it was because I had
mastered the skill so well that they wanted me to show the others how it was
done. Or they desperately wanted to get me out of their trees and off of their
platform before I hurt myself or others. I prefer to think it was the former.
Once everyone
is on the ground, it is a short hike back to the outpost. Everyone is given a
snack consisting of chips and a bottle of water. There are also a variety of
beverages (yes, alcoholic too) available for purchase. They accept both Mexican
pesos and American dollars, but will give you change in pesos. The tour company
sells t-shirts at the outpost also.
Another added
feature is that you may purchase a DVD of your adventure. While you are zipping
on some of the lines, there are some parallel zip lines traversed by a
cameraman capturing shots of each person in the group. This you will need to
pay for and it will be mailed to you in approximately two to four weeks. Don't
forget to tip the guides for the superb job they have done. Our guides were all
very safety conscious, and did their very best to see that everyone had a great
experience.
So why not
save the shopping and sightseeing for the less adventurous. This excursion is
sure to send a thrill up your spine and a tingle in your tummy. Just strap on
your courage and start practicing your Goofy yell!
About the
Author: Terry and her husband Gene live in Las Vegas with their two daughters.
They were excited to be aboard the Disney Wonder for its first 10-night
Southern Caribbean Cruise last September, and look forward to their next stay
at the Disneyland Resort this summer.
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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. Also check
out our Article Collection at http://www.passporter.com/articles for more great
information!
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DISNEY
FEATURE: Spoodles Dining Review
========================================================
by Thomas
Cackler, Guest Columnist
Before our
recent trip to Walt Disney World, my wife and I puzzled over which new
restaurant to try. Since we were introducing family members to some of our
favorites, we knew that this trip we would only have time for one new
restaurant. After narrowing the list down to a handful of choices, we asked
several of our Disney friends to make the choice for us. They chose Spoodles,
located in Disney's BoardWalk entertainment district, for our new dining
experience.
Based on their
recommendation and other reviews we had read, my wife Julie and I, along with
our five-year-old nephew, Joey, were looking forward to our first visit to
Spoodles. Given the restaurant's location, we decided that we would tour
Epcot's World Showcase during the day and use our meal at Spoodles as part of
our transition to the Extra Magic Hours at the Disney-MGM Studios. Since it is
a quick boat ride from both Epcot's International Gateway and Disney-MGM
Studios, Spoodles provided a nice retreat that served to recharge us for more
theme park fun.
Spoodles takes
its decorating cues from the areas that inspire its menu; Spain, Italy, and
Greece. We noticed immediately that Spoodles presents a tasteful yet reserved
decor. We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and found it like visiting a friend's
house for a meal. We arrived about 30 minutes early for our reservation and as
it was an early dinner, had no problems getting a table quickly. Our host
walked us through one smaller dinning area and then past the kitchen before
showing us to our table.
Our server
greeted us and asked if we had any questions about the menu. As we did not, we
gave our drink order and started making our decisions. One thing Julie and I
both enjoy about most menus at Walt Disney World is we have just the right
amount of choices. Spoodles was no different. With only seven appetizers to
chose from and six entrees, the variety was just right to capture whatever mood
a diner might be in, yet not overwhelm with too many choices.
Soon after we
placed our order, a basket of bread arrived with olive oil for dipping. This
was very tasty and would have made an excellent appetizer alone; however, our
Ôreal' appetizers soon arrived. Joey had the chicken noodle soup, which looked
very tasty. I'm not sure that most children would have enjoyed it as much as he
did, but he is an adventurous eater and enjoys his vegetables. Julie and I
ordered the calamari and the four-cheese flatbread. While the calamari was
extremely well done, tender and not over-cooked as many places tend to do, the
four-cheese flatbread was simply incredible. The crust was crispy and light and
the overall flavor was tremendous. The flatbread now ranks among my top five
appetizers on both the Disney Cruise Line and at the whole of Walt Disney
World.
For my entrŽe,
I had the steak kabobs with multigrain pilaf. The chefs did a nice job with my
steak, cooking nearly to perfection, and served it with a drizzle of harrisa, a
Tunisian hot sauce. The multigrain pilaf had a pleasant nuttiness that offset
the spiciness of the kabob nicely. While I did not finish my entire meal, I
found that the portions on this offering to be just about right and I certainly
did not let any of my steak go to waste!
Julie had the
garlic shrimp linguini and based on her response along with the small sample I
tasted, the chefs did another fantastic job. If you don't care for garlic,
however, you probably should avoid this dish, as they certainly did not hold
back on the garlic. We both love garlic and found it a well-seasoned meal. The
portion was huge and splitting this dish would have probably satisfied both of
us. Julie ate until she was full and then shared part of the remainder with
Joey.
Joey's meal
was probably the only disappointment of the entire experience. He had the kids
beef kabob; it was dry and flavorless in the small bite I took. He appeared
less than enthused with the kabobs as well, as he ate only a bite or two before
quitting. He did eat a reasonable amount of Julie's leftover linguini, so I'm
doubtful his decision to not finish the kabob was because he was full. In
retrospect, I wish we had insisted he stick to his original choice of a beef
and pasta dish.
Our deserts
were very good, although we had a clear-cut favorite. Joey had the kid's ice
cream sundae. While it was virtually the same sundae he had throughout trip, he
loved every minute of building and eating his own creation. Julie ordered the
white chocolate orange cake and we both found it a nice end to a meal. I
ordered the Chocolate Apricot Pistachio cake and while it was good, it was a
bit heavy after my meal and I didn't finish it. I also had a scoop of raspberry
gelato with my cake, which we all agreed was the best of the desserts served.
Our server did
a solid job. While not the best service we have enjoyed at a Disney eatery, it
was also far from the worst. Polite and prompt perhaps best describe the
service and certainly lived up to the high standards we have come to expect
while at Walt Disney World. Normally, we engage our server in conversation, but
we never had the opportunity to do so while at Spoodles. We did hear him in a
lengthy conversation with another table about his hometown baseball team, so
this may be attributable to our weariness rather than any deficiencies on his
part.
Had we not
been using the Magic Your Way Dining Plan on this trip, we would have spent
approximately $125 for our meals, including all gratuities, and a glass of wine
for both adults. A similar party could enjoy Spoodles for far less as we noted
that most portions were large and easy to share. For the quality and quantity
of food, however, we feel the meal would have been a reasonable value for Walt
Disney World if we had paid out of pocket, and is a tremendous value for those
using the Dining Plan.
We really
didn't know what to expect when we made our reservations for Spoodles, but I do
think it safe to say that we enjoyed our meal tremendously. From the pleasant
atmosphere to the wonderful food, Spoodles offers a wonderful dining experience
to those who are willing to make the short jaunt to the BoardWalk. Based on the
positive experience of this meal, we need to listen to our Disney friends'
recommendations more often!
About the
Author: Thomas is a web site coordinator and freelance web designer. A veteran
of five trips to Walt Disney World and one Disney Cruise since 2002, Thomas is
a member of several online Disney communities including the PassPorter forums
where he shares his knowledge and love of the Disney Parks with anyone who will
listen. He lives in Iowa with his wife Julie and nephew Joey.
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. Also check out
our Article Collection at http://www.passporter.com/articles for more great information!
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==========================================
UPDATES:
What's New and Changed
==========================================
Here's a few
relevant news items:
According to
The Tartan, Carnegie Mellon University's student newspaper, students at
Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center have partnered with Siemens
and Disney to create new video games for a new post-show attraction at
Spaceship Earth. Details at http://thetartan.org/2007/3/26/scitech/etc
Our readers
report that Disney Cruise Line is testing new post-cruise airline check-in and
baggage handling procedures in Port Canaveral. Guests returning from recent
voyages report that if they were flying after noon on participating airlines,
they could have their airline boarding passes prepared on board and delivered
to their staterooms, and that after their luggage was collected on board the
ship they didnÕt see it again until their flight was over. Previously,
passengers had to claim their luggage in the cruise line terminal and deliver
it to an airline check-in station in the bus loading area. When asked for
confirmation of these reports, a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson emphasized
that this is a test. All aspects of the program are subject to change, and the
program may not continue beyond the test period. Additional information was not
available.
Disney Grad
Nites 2007 (at Walt Disney World) will take place on April 20, 21, 27 and 28.
Featured performers will be The Fray, Cassie and Cartel. For a review of Grad
Nite, check out the June 22, 2006 issue of PassPorter News. Details at
http://disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com/program/show/12
Bush Camp, an
experience for children previously offered only to Animal Kingdom Lodge guests,
is now available to all children ages 6 - 14. During this three-hour program,
kids will learn about African culture through games, activities, foods and
crafts. They will explore animals on the Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna and
"Play-Along" with a character from The Lion King. Bush Camp is
offered from 1 to 4 p.m. every Saturday, and the cost is $70 plus tax per
child. Reservations require a credit card and there is a 24 hour cancellation
policy. A donation of $20 from each reservation is made to the Wildlife
Conservation Fund. (Disney Vacation Club members receive a 10 percent discount
on this experience.) Book the Bush Camp by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.
Questions for
Tour Guide Mike? Touring Plan expert Mike from TourGuideMike.com will be
answering your questions in an upcoming issue of PassPorter News. To submit
your question and possibly have it answered by Mike, send it to
news@passporter.com.
Our thanks to
AllEars.net 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
are a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:
PERSONALIZED
PONCHOS
"We used
the ponchos for rainy weather, but with young children, everyone in a poncho
looks the same. So, we took a Sharpie marker and drew their favorite item
(Harry Potter snitch/baseball/princess crown) on the hood of their poncho. It
was very easy to spot them, if they happen to stray a little ahead of us."
-- contributed
by Donna H.
PLAYING POST
OFFICE
"My
family collected post cards from specific rides and places we visited in Walt
Disney World. I brought them home and laminated them for my children (ages 3
and 7) to use when they play post office with their wooden mailbox. They can
pick a post card and talk about their memories of our trip and help them keep
up the excitement for our next visit."
-- contributed
by Barrie Y.
VERY SPECIAL
VIDEO
"Remember
when taking video of your holiday that it's not just the shows and rides that
you'll enjoy when you get home. (These can be found on the Disney vacation
planning videos.) Take video of your children's faces, older relatives joining
in and having fun when they are normally reserved. Pictures and video which
have your own family on them will jog memories of the good times much more than
filming the whole of a show or ride."
-- contributed
by Sally T.
>Notes:
Send us your tips! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of
PassPorter! Visit:
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/tipsandstories.htm
>>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 at http://www.passporter.com/wdw/disney500.asp
>>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 at http://www.passporter.com/dcl/cruiseclues.asp
==========================================
CAPTAIN'S
CORNER: Treasure Hunting Game
==========================================
Play our fun
and quirky treasure hunting game, hosted by Captain Jack Skatt from our 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
weekÕs journal entry:
"I'm
particularly pleased with the results of my recent treasure hunting activities,
because the treasure came to me! It all started while I was browsing through
the online article collection at PassPorter.com. These trusty articles have
shown me the path to new treasures more than once over the years, and I even
carry a copy of Jennifer's tips for discovering the magic in my back pocket. In
fact, if I hadn't been sitting on a bench near a hedge maze as she suggested, I
might never have heard the band ..." (remainder of text obscured by tartar
sauce)
What is the
name of the band Jack heard, and where did he hear it?
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 Erin Blackwell who was the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Erin
correctly identified the location of the pressed coin machine featuring Mickey
holding a passport as Mouse Gear in Epcot. To view the original clue, 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
Jack Skatt. Get more details on "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt
Disney World" book at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710269.aspx
====================================
Q & A WITH
JENNIFER & DAVE
====================================
LisaJ asks:
"I understand that Alfredo's restaurant is closing later this year. Does
anyone have any information on it's replacement?"
Dave &
Jennifer answer: "All I can do about the replacement is speculate, but
that's never stopped me. First, I suspect there won't be a big change in the
dining room decor. Big changes mean the restaurant will be closed a long time,
and that's just not good for business. They will have to clean out the photos
of Alfredo with celebrities in the lobby, and they may remove the window into
the pasta-making area, depending on the kind of menu they'll offer, but beyond
that I don't expect more than "tweaks" - table decorations, different
paintings, wall hangings, lighting fixtures, etc. that might convey a more
contemporary Italian style. For example, they might push things towards a more
Venetian look, like you find at Palo on the Disney Cruise Line.
As to menu, I
think it'll still be fairly similar to what it is - mostly Northern and Central
Italian cuisine, rather than the Southern Italian style folks more commonly get
at home. Disney probably will want to maintain the pricing structure, and it's
really hard to get folks to shell-out $18-$30 per entree for lasagna or
spaghetti and meat balls.
I wonder if
they might be trying to cut a deal with the Harry Cipriani folks (Harry's Bar
of Venice fame, the Bellini cocktail)? The Cipriani family has a strong US
business presence in NY, which means they'd be in a better position to manage
the place than Alfredo's family, but they have a very strong "real
Italian" image, which is important for maintaining Epcot's theme.
Cipriani's may be a bit too upscale price-wise for Disney, more like Bistro de
Paris rather than Chefs de France, or they may think Disney is too downscale for
them, but I personally think it'd be exciting."
Have a
question? Post questions 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!
===================================
WANT TO GET
PUBLISHED?
===================================
PassPorter
News is published weekly and weÕre always on the lookout for good quality
Disney and travel articles! We seek 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
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