Hi, {{user("firstname")}} -- Here's your copy
of the latest PassPorter newsletter, per your subscription request. -- Thanks,
Jennifer & Dave
==========================================
PassPorter News
News,
Announcements, Updates, and Tips
May 12, 2005 * Issue 5.9
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
==========================================
In This Newsletter:
==========================================
From the Authors: Milestones for Disneyland and Disney
Cruise Line Guide
Travel Feature: Discovering the "Other
Florida": The Perks of Pensacola
Disney World Feature: The Gift of a Good Time: Planning a Trip for Loved Ones
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Magical Meals, Rad Ride Record, Express Epcot Exit
Q&A: Security Checks at WDW?
====================================================
FROM THE AUTHORS: Milestones for Disneyland and Disney
Cruise Line Guide
====================================================
Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
We've passed two more milestones since last we wrote.
Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth (the 50th anniversary of the opening of
Disneyland) started its 19 month run (Jennifer, baby Alexander and I were at
Disneyland for the kick-off), and the Third Edition of PassPorter's Field Guide
to the Disney Cruise Line arrived from the printer and is on its way to our
readers!
We had a great and productive time during our six days at
Disneyland. We experienced all the new attractions, learned about still more
new attractions in the Disney pipeline, interviewed Imagineers and the
president of the Disney Cruise Line, received a tour of the renovations at
Disneyland's hotels, located our commemorative brick in Disneyland's Walk of
Magical Memories (C67 - 082 for those who are interested) and continued
research for our upcoming Disneyland guidebook (look for it in November). We'll
have detailed reports on much of this in future editions of this newsletter.
While we were in California our Michigan-based printer
finished work on PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and its
Ports of Call - Third Edition. (This book, by the way, has gotten a LOT plumper
with the new pages!) Last Friday, May 6, our intrepid office staff mailed-out
the "emergency" shipments to folks sailing on the weekend of May 14.
Despite having nearly a thousand pre-orders, the rest of the pre-ordered
paperback editions have already been mailed, and by tomorrow (Friday), the
remaining pre-orders for Deluxe Starter Kits and Deluxe Refill Kits (which
needed additional assembly work before they could be shipped) should be on
their way! Our hats are off to our printer, our office staff and the folks at
our warehouse for such a great, fast turnaround!
Whew! We can really use some relaxation about now, and
our newsletter has just the answer. Maureen Austin's "other" Florida
series wraps with a visit to the very relaxing beaches of the Pensacola area,
and Thomas Cackler offers tips on how to give the gift of vacation planning to
a Disney-bound friend or loved one. We wouldn't mind a bit of that
"concierge-style" pampering ourselves!
Your friends,
Jennifer and Dave
Authors, PassPorter Travel Guides
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DID YOU KNOW?
Disney Cruise Line Third Editions Ship Next Day!
The new Third Edition of PassPorter's Field Guide to the
Disney Cruise Line are now shipping next business day when ordered by 8:00 pm
ET the night before. We've worked through our pre-order backlog and orders are
shipping out quickly now. If you've been waiting to order your copy, now is the
perfect time!
Everyone gets a 15% discount and if you've already got a
copy of PassPorter, you can register it to get a discount coupon good for 30%
off the list price of any PassPorter guidebook.
Order your copy today at:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/dcl2005.aspx
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
========================================================
TRAVEL FEATURE: Discovering the "Other"
Florida: The Perks of Pensacola
========================================================
By Maureen Austin, PassPorter Message Board Guide and
Co-Owner, Grand Getaways Travel
We've all heard the term "Florida Panhandle"
but those words hardly seem to do much justice to the wonderful natural beauty
of the area it describes. In the last part of "The Other Florida"
series, let's head about 9 -10 hours north of Orlando to Florida's Emerald
Coast -- an area that covers Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Destin.
People often ask me about the best beaches in Florida. As
a Florida native, I've wiggled my toes in many sandy areas of Florida;
invariably, I end up recommending Pensacola Beach. The reasons are many --
pristine white sands, and water that is so many gorgeous shades of blue and
green that you'd think you were in a painting. The beaches along the Emerald
Coast are well maintained, some are very quiet, and there are accommodations of
every type all along the way. Gulf Island National Seashore covers much of this
area and is a wonderful place to begin any beach holiday. You can access all of
what Pensacola Beach and the surrounding sands have to offer by logging on to
http://www.visitpensacola.com .
Even though you will be tempted to never pack up your
towel and sunscreen, find a way to leave the beach and see the many other
things Pensacola has to offer. The Pensacola Naval Air Station has an
attraction that should be on every must do list; the National Museum of Naval
Aviation. Entertaining for every member of the family, this outstanding museum
has an impressive collection of aircraft, as well as an IMAX theater. You can
climb into some of the aircraft and learn more about naval aviation traditions
and history. Kids are especially welcome here. Learn more by visiting the
official website at http://naval.aviation.museum/home.html .
Animal lovers will enjoy The ZOO located in Gulf Breeze
just over the bay from Pensacola. Take a ride on the safari train through the
wildlife preserve, say hello to an impressive collection of primates, tigers
and much, much more. The ZOO is open daily and more information is available at
http://www.the-zoo.com .
Pensacola is a Florida city rich with history, so history
buffs will feel right at home here! Hurricane Ivan closed the T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum for
about six months, but it has since reopened and is better than ever. Traveling
collections and exhibits make temporary homes here, so check http://www.historicpensacola.org to see
what's on display and what's on the way.
If you can't make it to Washington D.C., you can pay
tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation at The Wall
South. Completely funded by donations, this moving memorial to veterans of many
wars is part of a wonderful park that truly provides solace and a place to
honor those who have served our country well.
Sports enthusiasts are more than welcome in the Pensacola
area, with a host of activities, events and teams to get your game on! A
complete list of activities and teams can be found at
http://www.visitpensacola.com/Sports/sports.asp .
Pensacola has the right accommodations for just about
every taste and budget. Condos, rental apartments, hotels and motels line the
coast and are popular choices during the spring and summer months -- so book
early if this is your time to explore Pensacola. You'll find a wide variety of
national chain hotels as well as bed and breakfasts in Pensacola city
limits.
The key to making the most of your visit here, or
anywhere else your travels may take you is doing your homework, and Pensacola's
visitor web site is one of the best out there. Plan your Emerald Coast Escape
at http://www.visitpensacola.com/default.asp and see another part of "The
Other Florida"!
- - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
========================================================
DISNEY FEATURE: The Gift of a Good Time: Planning a Trip
for Loved Ones
========================================================
by Thomas Cackler, Guest Columnist
Those who have planned trips to Walt Disney World know
just how much time the planning can take. All the components involved in making
a memorable vacation can tax even the most studious trip planner. So, what do
you do when you find out that a friend or loved one is planning a trip to Walt
Disney World to celebrate a truly special occasion? What makes a unique and
personal gift? If you have the time and determination, you could plan their
trip for them!
What?! Plan a trip for someone other than myself?
Absolutely. If you have the knowledge and the will, you can design a trip for
that special someone. Creating a custom trip is a great way to say
"Congratulations!" or "I love you!" to that person headed
to the happiest place on Earth.
While this article will not look at every step involved
in planning a trip to Walt Disney World, it will look at three areas that
present special challenges when you plan a trip for someone else. Does that
mean it is hard? Not at all -- all it takes is taking the great planning skills
you already have, and applying them in a slightly different arena. By
determining the desires of the people going, the details of the trip, and the
delivery method of the gift, you can help someone have a magical time
celebrating that special occasion.
First, you need to determine the desires of the
person going. A simple way to do
this is to use the old newspaper reporting standard of, "Who, what, when,
where, why, and how?" Ask your friend to describe their dream trip.
Although the budget might preclude some of these dreams, planning veterans know
that shifting a trip even just a couple of weeks can result in savings that
might make that dream come true!
It is a good idea at this point to encourage your friend
to look at some planning books or the official video from Disney. This gives
them a great launching point for discussing their desires and what is likely to
happen. You may want to give them one of these books as part of the gift, too.
If you do, do not wait until they leave to give it to them. By involving your
friend early in the planning process, you will increase their excitement as
their trip draws closer.
Although you are taking care of the details, it is
important to remember this is their trip and make it a point to find out what
their wants and needs are. It is also important to find out what items here are
"deal breakers" and which things they may need to forego due to time
or finance constraints. For example, the person might consider it vital to go
to Universal's Islands of Adventure, or another might demand a couple days at
the beach. Remember, you are planning this trip as a gift, so you want it to be
extra special. By finding out their desires, you can customize their trip to be
exactly what they want.
Next, you will need to determine the details. Here is
where the planning comes back to earth. Consider everything - from who is going
to the time they want to go. You will need to find out the person's budget (or
yours, if you are their Fairy Godmother and are paying in addition to
planning!) and make sure their desires are realistic. It is also important to
discuss the level of detail they want and you think they will need. Do not be
afraid to be assertive at this point. While this is their trip, it is your
knowledge that they need to tap. If their desires are unrealistic, do not
hesitate to say so.
Also, make sure and detail out every part of trip and who
will take care of each one. If your friend just wants you to take care of the
Walt Disney World portion of the trip but they will book the airfare or rental
car, make sure that everyone agrees early on and is kept abreast during the
planning process. Nothing ruins a trip more than a crucial item forgotten
because one person thought the other one was taking care of it. Make sure to
have a written checklist with target completion dates to be certain no one
overlooks an important detail, just as you would if you were going on this trip
yourself.
Finally, you need to determine the method of delivery. A
great way to give them all their information in one location is to use a
PassPorter with their tickets, itineraries, and so on in the PassPockets. As
mentioned earlier, if you elect to go this route it is important to get them
this present before the trip itself so they can look over the descriptions.
Because of the journal nature of the PassPorter, it does encourage people to
make notes about their trip that in turn, makes more memories.
Additionally, if you use a travel agent to book the
hotel, copy your friend on those emails so they can see the progress on the
trip. In addition, sending your friend post cards from their favorite character
congratulating them on their momentous occasion and wishing them safe travels
to Walt Disney World adds a magical touch. Finally, a gift basket with all
their details, some Disney Dollars, and other items related to the occasion or
the trip makes a great way to kick off the celebration in style.
Planning a trip for someone else does present a certain
set of challenges and is not for the novice. However, there is nothing more
satisfying than talking to a friend after their celebration and discovering
they had a magical time at Walt Disney World. By remembering a few simple
steps, utilizing your existing trip planning skills, and a desire to make
someone feel like a Prince or Princess, you too can play travel agent for a
friend, creating truly magical memories that will last a lifetime.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Did you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail us at
news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss
planning your Disney vacation.
==========================================
UPDATES: What's New and Changed
==========================================
Here's a few of the new developments at Disneyś
Tickets are now on sale for the following special events:
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - Sept. 30, Oct. 2,
6, 7, 11, 13, 16, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31, 2005. (October 31 always
sells out fast so call right away if you want to go on Halloween!) Tickets
purchase in advance will cost $37.23 for guests 10 & up and $29.77 for ages
3 - 9. Tickets purchased the day of the event or for Halloween night will be
$42.55 for 10 & up and $35.10 for ages 3 - 9. Children under 3 are admitted
to the parks for free.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Nov. 27 and 29,
Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20, 2005. Tickets purchase in
advance will cost $41.49 for guests 10 & up and $31.90 for ages 3 - 9.
Tickets purchased for Friday night events and/or the day of the event will be
$46.81 for 10 & up and $37.23 for ages 3 - 9. Children under 3 are admitted
to the parks for free.
To purchase tickets in advance for these events, call
407-WDISNEY.
This years Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
will take place September 30 - November 13, 2005.
Reservations for shore excursions, spa treatments, dining
at Palo and baby-sitting at Flounder's Reef on the Disney Cruise Line can now
be made at their web site, disneycruise.com. This service is available once
your cruise has been paid in full and is less than 75 days away (90 days for
Castaway Club members).
You can view our page-by-page list of updates and
corrections for the PassPorter Walt Disney World 2005 Edition at
http://www.passporter.com/customs/bookupdates.htm.
>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:
MAGICAL MEALS
"Now that our children are older and we have more
than 15 family trips to WDW under our belts, the excitement of the trip has
changed a bit for us. We have our favorite parks and rides and attractions, but
the real draw now seems to be our dining choices! After a few trips with
over-the-top food budgets we hit on a plan that seems to keep everyone happy
and that we can afford. After we decide which resort we will be staying on our
Christmas trip, each person puts a main meal choice on a piece of paper and
gives it to me. I am the "Queen of All Planning" so I reserve the
right to make adjustments to the choices. No one is allowed to tell their
choice so that when we get to WDW the place we eat late lunch or dinner is a
surprise to everyone but me.. The fun for me is in keeping the surprise!"
-- contributed by Elin Havrilla (PNO4TE@...)
RAD RIDE RECORD
"We came up with a neat idea for our upcoming trip
to keep track of our days in the parks, all without writing anything down. We
plan to take a picture of one of us as we enter each attraction - that way, we
will have a record of the rides we rode and in what order. as well as also
refresh our memories when writing the trip report!"
-- contributed by Kevan A. (mokevaustin@...)
EXPRESS EPCOT EXIT
"If you have a car, make advanced dinner
reservations at one of the restaurants in an Epcot resort, i.e. Yachtsmen
Steakhouse or Cape May Buffet, for the night you decide to view Illuminations,
You can park at the resort, eat dinner, walk the 5 min to Epcot. After
Illuminations when everyone in the park heads for the front exit, you don't
have to fight the crowds, you can exit out the back via the International
Gateway to your car."
-- contributed by MaryAnne Reilly (Legacytrio@...)
>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
====================================
Q & A WITH JENNIFER & DAVE
====================================
christiejay asks: "I understand the security
checkpoint before entering the parks, and I know that you should have all
sections of your bags open when you get there to make things go a little bit
quicker. However, I read that if you take in a walking stick that folds out
into a stool, it could possibly be taken away from you at the security
checkpoint and held until you leave the park. I thought they were basically
just checking for guns and knives. How thorough is this search going to be? Are
there items that we would normally carry to the parks in our fanny packs or
backpacks that now should be left behind, just in case?"
Dave answers: "Do you have a walking stick that
folds into a stool, or are you concerned about other items?
Guns, knives, glass bottles, alcoholic beverages, illegal
drugs - items that have clear potential as a risk to others - are the things
you should be concerned about. Picnic coolers are also not welcome. Other than
that, they're pretty easygoing.
My best guess about that folding stool is that they don't
want people bringing in folding furniture, then camping out on it for the
parades. I've brought in camera tripods and monopods (like a walking stick)
without a problem."
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!
===================================
WANT TO GET PUBLISHED?
===================================
We're on the lookout for guest columnists to contribute
articles to this newsletter. Not only is this a great way to give something
back to the PassPorter community, but you get to see your name in
"print" and receive a $25 gift certificate. For details and our
article guidelines, please e-mail our newsletter editor, Sara Varney, at
news@passporter.com . Articles about Disney and general travel are welcomed!
====================================
PassPorter News is only sent to those who have subscribed
to
it through our Web site or at the time of an order,
registration, survey, or contest.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a thoughtful
friend, please join us! You can subscribe at:
http://www.passporter.com/news.htm
Please ask your questions and help each other in our
Message Board Community:
http://www.passporterboards.com
Copyright (c) 2005 - MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter Travel
Press, PO Box 3880, Ann Arbor, MI
48106