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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
July 24, 2008 * Issue 8.30
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: Color
Glossies
Travel Feature: Tired,
Tried and True: My Adventures In Travel
Disney
Feature: PhotoPass
Updates: What's New and
Changed
Tips: Tram Scram, Earning
Their Souvin-"ears," Carry Carabiner Clips
Captain's
Corner: Magic Sword
PassPorter
PhotoPick: French Maze
Q and A: Is an
Adventures by Disney trip worth the money?
Our Sponsors: We
Recommend...
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FROM THE AUTHORS: Happy
Independence Day!
====================================================
Hi,
{{user("firstname")}}!
We're in the final stages
of work on the 2009 edition of PassPorter's Walt Disney World, and we may have
saved the best until last. We're now working on a special, 32-page, glossy
supplement, an extra gift for our readers in celebration of PassPorter's 10th
anniversary. We're not going to say more than that now ... but we thought we'd
tease you just a bit. ;-)
Speaking of the new
edition, do you have a magical memory about Walt Disney World to share? If so,
we'd love to hear about it -- we're looking for a few good memories to include
in our 2009 edition. If we publish your memory, you will receive a free copy of
the book when it comes out. To submit a memory, visit http://www.passporter.com/customs/tipsandstories.asp
Dave's back from last
weekend's MagicMeets event, which was a rousing success! Dave met many
PassPorter readers, introduced more folks to our books, and signed more than a
few autographs. He was also assisted by five of our amazing message board
Guides, who helped him hold down the fort while Jennifer was back in the office
working on our guidebooks. Thanks Sara (Belle*), Lynn (OffKilter_Lynn),
Chrissi, Crystal (crystalloubear), and Keri (MrsM)! We'd also like to thank
MagicMeets' organizer Fred Block and his team of volunteers for putting
together such a great event!
Were you thinking of
joining us this December for MouseFest? Then we have some MouseFest news for
you! This year's Mega Mouse Meet will be held at Disney's Yacht & Beach
Club Convention Center, and we've also arranged a special lodging deal at
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort. Have we piqued your interest? Then pop
over to the MouseFest.org web site, and read all about it. While you're there,
please sign up for the MouseFest newsletter, so you can keep on top of all the
MouseFest news.
As we explained in
previous newsletters, sales of PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2008 have
been so good that we have none left in the warehouse (although they are still
in stock -- for now -- at book stores around the country). If you can't wait
for October to get a 2009 edition from us, you may purchase a 2008 electronic
edition (download only) or get a 2007 edition at a close-out price. Refer to
the 2008 electronic edition for the most up-to-date info, and print-out the
pages you'll need when you travel. Rely on the 2007 edition for all our great
planning features, PassPockets, and info that's still pretty darned accurate
and useful.
PassPorter's Disney Cruise
Line and its Ports of Call 2008 is in stock! All new orders of our cruise guide
ship the next business day. Order at
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/dcl2008.aspx
Will you be joining us for
PassPorter's Decade of Dreams Tour? PassPorter is celebrating our 10th
anniversary in 2009 with a year-long celebration from coast-to-coast! Everyone
is invited and all are warmly welcome to join us at all or part of our
celebration. We are combining small parties (meets) with grand, multi-day
trips, including a 7-night Disney Cruise, a 4-night stay at Walt Disney World,
and a Disneyland visit that includes park time and an Adventures by Disney
expedition. See our Tour Schedule for the latest details at http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/passporters-decade-dreams-tour-2009/
PASSPORTER'S CLUB UPDATE
* 1400 vacationers are now
enjoying access to all our e-books, e-worksheets, and super-sized photo archive
images. Thank you for your continued support!
* Our newest e-book,
PassPorter's Answer Book is now available for download. This 85-page e-book is
full of the detailed, up-to-date information on the topics that really matter
to you. Details at http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/passporters-club-gallery/new-post-152726-new-e-book-coming-soon.html
* More details at http://www.passporter.com/club
In this issue, first-time
Guest Columnist Rebekah Postupak shares some of the joys of travel in,
Tired, Tried And True: My Adventures In Travel. Then, Featured Columnist Cheryl
Pendry encourages us to Say Cheese! Getting the Most From PhotoPass. Finally,
Jack Skatt is back with a brand-new Walt Disney World Treasure Hunt. Have a
great week!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Publishers and
Authors
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TRAVEL FEATURE: Tired,
Tried And True: My Adventures In Travel
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by Rebekah Postupak,
PassPorter Guest Contributor
It is a mistake to think
you can solve any major problems just with potatoes. --Douglas Adams
You have to be pretty
special to get kicked out of Westminster Cathedral, or so I like to think. Over
the years I've stumbled into trouble in many extraordinary places around the
world--Westminster Cathedral was neither my first nor last. While traveling,
I've missed planes, taken wrong buses, been stranded at a washed-out bridge,
had my purse stolen, suffered food poisoning, had my luggage broken into, and
weathered a national revolution. And, because I am somewhat sick in the head,
I've loved just about every minute of it.
The difference between
travel plans and a trip, you see, is that one is predictable and safe, with the
same lifeless, flawless details staring back at you blankly each time. The
other is a living, breathing thing, pulsating with personality and adventure.
No matter how many times you visit Epcot or Paris or Bangkok, your experience
is new each time. Places change, and so do you.
But the desperate need for
common sense and the tried-but-true rules of traveling don't change, as I have
learned over and over again.
Don't panic. A few years
ago I joined a young professionals group leading a business conference in
central Russia. I followed my host's directions carefully but somehow found my
bus heading away from the city into the hills. Severe, barbed-wire fencing
surrounding what was clearly a remote military facility offered the most
significant indication something was wrong. Even though I had no idea where I
was or where I was supposed to be, had no way to contact anyone for help, and
did not speak Russian, after a brief flash of terror a thought occurred to me;
surely all buses work the same. If one bus heads north, another bus must head
south.
I exited the bus, crossed
the street, and waited. At long last a bus appeared on the horizon which dutifully
returned me to my original stop. My host, apologizing profusely, explained she
had inadvertently given me the right bus for the wrong day. My team was in a
panic over my half-day disappearance (especially the cute guy I'd had my eye on
who, two years later, decided he'd had enough of my adventuring on my own and
married me), but I made it in time for my presentation. All was well.
Although racing around in
circles screaming can feel quite satisfying when a trip goes wrong, resist the
urge and stay calm instead. Panic inevitably leads to mistakes and will only
make the problem worse. Repeat to yourself as many times as needed, "It's
going to be okay."
Check your checklist.
There was the time I spent a perfect week in Paris with a close friend. We were
merrily frittering away our last hour before the final train to Zurich for our
flight home. The apartment was a scant 15-minute walk from the train station;
the train was at 11:38 pm, but it was only 10:30 pm now and all was well.
Until I casually glanced
down at the train ticket again..."22:38," it reminded me gaily.
22:38... let's see, that means 11:38, right? But there are 24 hours in a day...
22:38 must mean.... I shrieked, "IT'S 10:38!" at the top of my lungs,
seized my bags, and flew--almost literally--out the door, my friend staring in
confusion after me. To this day I suspect that is the fastest we have ever run.
Like escaped convicts in a movie, we flung ourselves onto the train just as it
began to pull away from the station.
A simple rechecking of my
checklist and its details would have completely re-paced and de-stressed the
way we left Paris, though of course it would also have deprived us of one of
our favorite jokes. Even today one of us has only to whisper, "It's
10:38!" for the other to dissolve in giggles.
Do your homework. I knelt
reverently at the famous composer's grave to make a rubbing, overwhelmed at the
thought of his bones lying a few feet beneath me. Suddenly I heard a loud cry
of rage from a docent, who tore the pencil and paper from my hands. A moment
later I found myself staring, mouth agape, at the back side of the great door
of Westminster Cathedral. It had not occurred to me, because I had not checked,
that my innocent action could be considered vandalism.
Be nice. It doesn't matter
which part of the world you are in; nobody responds well to rudeness or
ignorance. Marching up to a hotel clerk or airline gate agent in great frustration
and demanding your problem be fixed never helps. Smiling just might, as would
remembering to say please and thank you. While I've experienced my share of
woes, I've also seen fees erased and my mistakes corrected simply because I
presented my case calmly and respectfully. And batting my eyelashes never hurts
either--it's how we ended up on the front row at the London Symphony, despite
being abominably dressed in sweatshirts and jeans. And how we wound up
Christmas Eve with armfuls of free Greek pastries. And alone in the VIP line to
meet Cinderella.
A friend in need. My
toddler and I headed toward Baltimore airport, on our way to Walt Disney World
with time to spare. But as we whipped around the Capital Beltway, traffic
suddenly slammed to a dead halt. Three hours, dozens of police cars and
helicopters, and a missed flight later, we limped on our way again. In the
meantime I'd called a dear friend who knew my flights and managed to help me
find a later one. She was even able to pull up the news and fill me in on what
I was seeing!
I always assemble a
detailed itinerary with confirmation numbers, addresses, and phone numbers, and
leave a copy behind with someone reliable. A friend at home who has your
itinerary can provide crucial information if something happens to your own
copy. Friends at home might also be better equipped to tell you where you are
on a map and how close you are to where you are supposed to be. They can also
laugh at you when you've forgotten what day it is or which day you're coming
home. (Not that that's ever happened to me...).
Stay cheerful. Travel is
fun. Really, it is. Even when a trip goes horribly wrong, remember to keep
everything in perspective. Remind yourself of the crazy stories you'll have to
tell others when you get home, and never let one day's problems sour the entire
trip. Think of it like a roller coaster; your heart may be in your belly and
you may feel certain the ride will never end... but it always does. Let the
adventure weave itself into your trip, enjoy the story of it all, and spare
yourself some agony by laughing upside down on this crazy, whirling,
topsy-turvy ride. Even when getting kicked out of Westminster Cathedral.
About the Author: The
Postupak family lives in Virginia, always within a few months of a Disney visit
and never more than ten minutes away from the nearest adventure. Rebekah is an
intrepid traveler who prefers learning lessons the hard way and never lets
looking ridiculous stand in the way of a good story.
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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: Say
Cheese! Getting the Most From PhotoPass
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by Cheryl Pendry,
PassPorter Featured Columnist
Let's be honest -- one of
the best things about going on any vacation is the memories you bring back.
That can be memories in your head, ones that you put into a scrapbook, or the
photographic memories you take while you're away.
It's the latter category
that Disney's PhotoPass system is aimed at capturing -- as well as your money
of course! For many years, Disney has had photographers positioned at all the
entrances to the parks and sometimes around some of the major landmarks within
each of those parks, but previously, the way it worked was that you could just
buy individual photos, usually at comparatively high prices. Of course, if
there is just one image that you really want, you can still do that, but now
with Disney's PhotoPass, you have a lot more options open to you.
These days, you'll find an
array of photographic memorabilia for sale at the PhotoPass website from photo
mugs to photo shirts, canvas prints, and photo cards. You can put your own
photo book of memories together or even have a photo -- movie, where you'll get
a full screen slide show of your images set to music, allowing you to star
alongside your favorite Disney characters.
Perhaps the item that most
people will be interested in -- and certainly the one that's marketed most
heavily in the parks - is the PhotoPass CD. The standard price is $124.95,
which may seem like a lot of money, until you realize that gives you all the
images taken of you by PhotoPass photographers at all the various locations in
the parks, in high resolution. The CD even comes complete with a copyright
release, allowing you to print your photos on your own, in any size you want,
provided that they're for your personal use.
We were a bit skeptical on
our last trip and, despite the very good pound/dollar exchange rate that we
were enjoying at the time, did wonder if we would really get our money's worth
from the PhotoPass CD. But we were at Disney for 19 nights and it seemed like
as good a time as any to try it out. As we did so, we came across some
interesting - and perhaps less well known -- ways to get the most out of our
PhotoPass.
Firstly, if you want to
get the CD -- or any of the other items available on the web site -- it's a
good idea to get a good selection of photos while you're in Disney. That means
going up to every PhotoPass photographer you see to get more photos done.
You'll find them all over the place and you'll be amazed at how quickly the
number adds up. During our 19 night stay in Disney, we were able to clock up
around 400 shots, which average out to more than 20 shots each day!
If that's your plan, it's
worth warning the other members of your party, particularly if you've got
anyone who's a bit camera shy. At least that way they can prepare themselves
for all the attention they're going to be getting from the photographers.
When you get to Disney,
start getting PhotoPass shots done as early in your vacation as possible. Don't
just walk by the photographers, go up to them and ask if they'd take photos of
you. That's what they're there for and they'll be more than happy to oblige. If
you want a different combination of people to appear in the photos - perhaps as
well as a general group shot, you want a photo of just the kids, then don't be
afraid to ask for that.
As soon as you get your
PhotoPass card (which is how Disney keeps track of all your photos), be sure to
write down the card number and keep it somewhere safe - and away from your
card. It's your way of being able to access your precious photos, should the
worst happen and you lose your card. Of course, be sure to give that card to
every PhotoPass photographer, so your shots will all be grouped together. Yes,
you can have more than one PhotoPass card, but that complicates things when you
get back home. [Ed.- You can use the same card at Walt Disney World and
Disneyland, and can use it for every visit, if desired -- that'll just help you
keep your photos even more organized.]
It's worth thinking whether
you want to collect similar shots from each park. An obvious collection is a
series of photos in front of all the park icons, but over the Christmas period,
we also collected photos of us in front of all the Christmas trees. We did our
best to collect photos at any country in World Showcase where we saw a
photographer as well.
And here's where we
learned an interesting trick. If there's one particular area of a park that you
really would like a PhotoPass photo taken, don't be afraid to ask. The
photographers are given allocated areas, but we discovered by talking to them
that, if they don't have a line and they're not required in that area for a
character meet, they may be happy to move somewhere else just to take your
photos. For example, we borrowed the photographer who was in Morocco in Epcot
to get a couple of shots done in neighboring Japan, and we did the same with a
guy taking photos on the bridge between France and the United Kingdom. He was
happy to come with us to the United Kingdom to get a couple of shots done
there, before returning to his previous post.
If you also see a
photographer lingering around, it can be worth asking them what they're taking
photos of. We did this on one occasion and were delighted to find out that the
reason the guy was in the area was because Aladdin, the Genie, and Jasmine were
due out in 20 minutes time, so we were able to be the first in line for them.
Another little known fact
is that you can combine cards together for your CD. We visited Disney with
extended family and were told that their card could be added on to ours. Of
course, if you are going to do this, it's important to do it on the last day of
your vacation, once all the photos have been taken.
We were also pleasantly
surprised to discover that the photos taken during Mickey's Very Merry
Christmas Party could also be added on to our card, even though we were
originally told this wouldn't be possible. The moral here is it really does pay
to ask.
Then the fun starts when
you get home, especially if you're ordering products like the CD, book, or
movie, as you get to play with your images and can add extras, such as borders,
the year, or even crop your photo. Don't forget that you only have 28 days to
do all of this before you need to place your order or lose your images. We set
to work on this almost as soon as we got home, as we didn't want to get
anywhere near that deadline and risk losing our precious photos.
These are just some useful
pointers that we've picked up while using Disney's PhotoPass system. If you
want to learn more about Disney's PhotoPass and how to get the best out of it,
it's well worth visiting http://stitchkingdom.com/disneysPhotoPass/
which is packed full of useful
information and answers to every question you can think of!
About the Author: Cheryl
and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to America.
They are in the process of visiting every Disney theme park around the world,
having already spent a day in Disneyland Resort Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland
so far this year. They are looking forward to returning to America in October
to visit both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in California.
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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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UPDATES: What's New and
Changed
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Here's a few relevant news
items:
Beginning in January 2009
Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios will take place only twice weekly on
Monday and Thursday nights. Additional shows may be scheduled during peak
seasons.
The October 3, 2008
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party has been canceled. Ticket holders are
being asked to contact Guest Services for a refund or tickets for an alternate
date.
The new Kidani Village
annex at Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort will open to Disney Vacation Club
guests on May 1, 2009. The Village will feature a new pool, table service
restaurant, and other additions. DVC members who have Animal Kingdom Lodge as
their home resort can begin making reservations on August 10, 2008.
Our thanks to AllEars.net
and MousePlanet.com from which we get some of our news leads.
Hear some news? Be a
"PassPorter Reporter" and send it to us at http://www.passporter.com/report.asp
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DISNEY TIPS FROM FELLOW
READERS
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Our readers deliver a
wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:
TRAM SCRAM
"When leaving the
Magic Kingdom at the end of the day and taking a tram to the parking lot, be
sure to queue up into the aisle for the last row of the tram. Actually the last
row of each cart in the tram. These rows are double rows with forward and
backward seating. Because of this, the lines for these rows move twice as
fast."
-- contributed by Holly B.
EARNING THEIR
SOUVIN-"EARS"
"I know that I will
give my kids money for souvenirs at Walt Disney World. However, I feel it
is important for my kids to feel they have "earned" their money. So I
invented my own system. I made a small certificate (about the size of a
business card) that entitles the kids to fifty cents. They are awarded these
certificates when they are caught doing nice things for each other or for us.
Certificates are also taken away for naughtiness.
By the time we head to
Disney, the kids have usually earned about $15-20 to spend in
Disney. Because they earned it, they seem to be more careful about how
they spend their money, noting what they saw and where in their little
notebooks and whether it was as important as something else they saw. It helps
them appreciate their money and spend wisely!"
-- contributed by Trish M.
CARRY CARABINER CLIPS
"I always take a
small backpack to carry in the park. I found that clipping a carabiner clip to
each strap comes in very handy. I usually leave the resort in the morning with
my resort mug and when I finish my coffee I clip it to my backpack so when I
return to my resort tired, I don't have to go to my room and get my drink mug.
The other clip I use to hang those plastic Walt Disney World bags that every
purchase comes in so I can have my hands free for taking pictures. For the
guys, you can clip your resort mug to you belt or jeans tab."
-- contributed by Bettyann
S.
>Notes: Send us your
tips! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter! Visit:
http://www.passporter.com/customs/tipsandstories.asp
>>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 week's
journal entry:
"Ah, there's magic in
the air today! I visited the Castle this morning and happened upon the most
amazing thing ... a sword! Ah, but this was no ordinary sword ... it was stuck
and I could not budge it no matter how hard I heaved and pulled. The sword
appears to be firmly embedded. I watched many brave lads and lasses attempt to
pull it out, but it proved even beyond their abilities. What sort of magic
keeps this sword here, I wonder."
What exactly is this sword
embedded in at the Magic Kingdom?
For bonus credit, locate
the photographic evidence in the PassPorter Photo Archive and post a comment
with the photo!
Send your full answer to
jackskatt@passporter.com -- the winner will be notified by e-mail and announced
in a future newsletter, along with the correct answer!
Congratulations to
Marianna C. who was the winner of last week's trivia contest! Marianna was the
first person to identify the name of the mill seen during a cruise on the
Liberty Square Riverboat as Harper's Mill. Bonus credit goes to Shell of the
South who was the first person to identify the photo in our PassPorter Photo
Archive. To view the original clue, see last week's newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news071708.htm#captain
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
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PASSPORTER PHOTOPICK
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Each issue we choose a
special photo from the PassPorter Photo Archive which highlights something
beautiful, interesting, humorous, or timely at Disney or around the world. Here
is this issue's PassPorter PhotoPick:
French Maze
contributed by Dopey007
View Photo: http://www.passporter.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/2168
You can nominate photos as
a PassPorter PhotoPick by giving ratings in the PassPorter Photo Archive
(you'll need to be logged in to do this). If you'd like to contribute your own
photos to the Photo Archive and be considered as a PhotoPick, please read our
Photo Upload Guidelines for details and benefits.
Top 5 Photo Contributors
chezp - 2284 photos
akleos - 568 photos
Dopey007 - 512 photos
Meggera - 347 photos
OffKilter_Lynn - 261
photos
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Q & A WITH JENNIFER
& DAVE
====================================
"In a few years I'm
looking to do a trip to Italy. Is it worth doing an Adventure by Disney or
should I book it myself? Does an Adventure by Disney save any money?
Jennifer and Dave answer:
"I haven't done an Adventures by Disney yet, but the folks I've spoken to
who have done one are incredibly enthusiastic about the experience. As with any
Disney vacation, it's not exactly bargain-priced, but folks feel they've
received an experience that delivers value in excess of the price paid.
Whether to do any escorted
tour (Disney or otherwise) or to do it yourself depends a lot on your goals and
the time available. In general, if you want to see/do a lot in a relatively
small amount of time, guided tours are a very effective and efficient way to do
it. In many of Europe's tourist destinations, parking and private vehicle
access are very difficult. Tour buses are allowed to bring folks close to the
"action," saving loads of time and effort. Once you're at the
attractions, tour groups often have alternate/expedited access. Advance ticket
purchases are often required, and while you can often do that on your own, you
are typically required to pick up the tickets on the day of your visit. Even
the lines for ticket pick-up can be long. Guided tours help you avoid all that.
No matter what, you'll almost definitely have a very long line to get into St.
Peters/Vatican Museum in Rome, but it's really nice to have a tour guide with
you to fill all that waiting time with useful information.
Tour groups are not
perfect, of course, because the interests of the group take precedence over
those of individuals. Do you want to spend more time shopping, or visiting a
particular attraction (or see a particular exhibit within that attraction)?
Most groups make that very difficult. On the other hand, when you have a
knowledgeable guide, you can get a lot more out of the experience than you
might have on your own. Self-paced audio tours and attraction-supplied tours
are a good compromise -- if you do go it on your own, be sure to include those
in your budget.
Tour groups also insulate
you somewhat from the "real" destination. You're in your own cocoon,
surrounded by traveling companions, so you have less opportunity for contact
with the locals and less of a feeling of immersion in your destination. Of
course, for some people, that is a comfort factor, rather than a negative.
However, many groups (including Disney's) provide reasonable periods of free
time so you can get out on your own, pursue your own agenda, and have a
non-tour experience. Typically, during those times, your tour guide can help
you organize small group excursions, if you'd rather not venture out alone.
If you only have a day or
two to devote to each destination city, a tour group is the way to go. If you
plan to spend at least three or four days in a major city like Rome, Paris, or
London, then going it alone becomes practical, although you should still do
some sort of tour. Most, if not all, major tourist cities have low-cost bus tour
services that visit all the major destinations, include multi-lingual recorded
audio while you're on the bus (using headsets), and allow you to get on and off
the bus all day long, at your own pace. These are a convenient way to get an
overview of the city soon after you arrive, and may be all the public transit
you need to use, throughout your visit. In our case, we use them for the
introductory tour, then use other forms of transit for the rest of the visit
(bus, subway, taxi).
An important aspect of the
decision to tour vs. go it alone is your own sense of exploration/adventure.
Travel on your own will introduce unexpected twists and turns that guided
vacations tend to avoid. Guided vacations are well-rehearsed, well-oiled
machines that deliver a maximized experience with few unpleasant surprises.
Again, they do a fabulous job of maximizing your time/filling your day with the
longest list of attractions/experiences. Self-guided trips can give you much
greater depth at a handful of attractions, more unexpected experiences, and, if
you want it, a slower, more contemplative pace.
I know I have a particular
bias, but in-depth planning and research should be a part of any vacation of
this sort, regardless of whether you have a tour guide once you're there. To
start off, if you don't have a good idea of what you want to see and do, you'll
have a tough time choosing the right tour or scheduling your own travel
itinerary. Further, your own research will probably turn up information/aspects
of the places you'll be visiting that won't be mentioned by the tour guide,
making the tour experience that much richer."
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!
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