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
August 5, 2005 * Issue 5.14
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:
==========================================
Frm the Authors: MovinÕ On
Up!
Travel Feature: An InsiderÕs
Guide: London (Part 1)
Disney World Feature: A
Cruise to ŅWishÓ For
Updates: What's New and
Changed
Tips: Post-Trip Postcards,
SmilinÕ Solo, Play Area Planning
Q&A: When to Make Special
Dining Requests on the Disney Cruise
====================================================
FROM THE AUTHORS: MovinÕ
On Up!
====================================================
Hi,
{{user("firstname")}}!
The PassPorter
family has been a bit busy over the past few weeks. We've moved into new
offices (and a new home), we've been readying the eighth edition of PassPorter
Walt Disney World for the printer, we're patiently waiting while PassPorter's
Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs is being printed, and baby Alexander
will be celebrating his first birthday on Saturday! Does time fly, or what?
There's lots
of good news buried in the preceding paragraph. We just got off the phone with
our local printer, and we're indeed on track to start shipping pre-orders of PassPorter's Walt Disney World for
Your Special Needs ( http://www.passporter.com/wdw/specialneeds/guidebook.htm
) on August 15, right on schedule. If you haven't preordered your copy yet,
there's still time. Don't forget that it'll take at least a few weeks before
the new book starts showing up in bookstores around the country, so if you're
in a hurry, it's best to order from us. As always, if you're traveling soon to
Walt Disney World let us know, and we'll give your shipment top priority.
PassPorter
Walt Disney World 2006 is in the final stages of editorial production, and
we're really excited! The new edition will be in full color -- every map, photo,
and graphic. We think you're going to love it! Look for the new edition
sometime in November of this year (pre-orders will begin in early September --
watch this newsletter for more information).
MouseFest
Update
The third MouseFest gathering at Walt Disney World ( http://www.mousefest.org ) is just four
months away! Come and join us (Jennifer and Dave), plus Deb Wills and Debra
Martin Koma (of AllEarsNet.com and PassPorter Walt Disney World for Your
Special Needs), a host of other authors, webmasters, and other notables, and hundreds
of fellow Walt Disney World vacationers and fans from PassPorter and across the
Internet for lots of fun and camaraderie at Walt Disney World and/or on
the Disney Cruise Line. MouseFest runs from December 1-8. If you're already
planning to be at Walt Disney World and/or on the December 4-8 sailing on the
Disney Wonder during that time, we hope you'll join us for one or more of the dozens of free activities that'll be taking place. It's a great
way to enrich your regular Disney vacation, and some people even build their
entire vacation around MouseFest activities. Please, check out the MouseFest
site at http://www.mousefest.org .
Have you been
thinking about cruising with us on the Disney Wonder (December 4-8)? MouseEarVacations.com is offering special rates and benefits
for the MouseFest cruise. Available staterooms will be gone very soon, so don't
hesitate, contact them
right away!
Now, what
about this newsletter? PassPorter Message Board guide Cheryl Pendry, who (along
with her husband, Mark) did such a fabulous job of showing Jennifer, Alexander
and Dave around London in February is now ready to share her expertise with the
rest of the PassPorter community. Read the first installment of her multi-part
series on England's capital city. From cruising on the Thames we take you to
cruising on Seven Seas Lagoon, as guest columnist Jennifer Maxwell takes us on
a voyage to view the Magic Kingdom's Wishes fireworks extravaganza.
Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Travel Press
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DID YOU KNOW?
PassPorter's
Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs starts shipping in ten days!
The first
edition of PassPorter's
Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs is almost ready! The books are on the printing press as we speak,
and when they're done it's only ten short miles from our local printer to our
warehouse (life is so much simpler when you're printing a "regular" paperback
book!) It's not too late to place a pre-order --
be among the first to have this great, new book.
Everyone who
orders from PassPorter gets a 15% discount and if you've already got a copy of
any PassPorter, you can register it to get a discount coupon good for
30% off the list price of this or any PassPorter guidebook when you buy from
our online store or toll-free at 877-929-3273.
Order your copy today at:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/
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TRAVEL FEATURE: An Insider's Guide: London (Part 1)
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By Cheryl
Pendry, PassPorter Message Board Guide and Guest Columnist
Log on to most
Internet travel sites and London is one of the cities that often jump off the
front page at you with hotels galore on offer. With a history dating back
nearly 2,000 years to the Roman era, there is something for every type of
visitor to the UKÕs capital city, as Cheryl Pendry explainsÉ
Like all of
the worldÕs greatest cities, London is full of landmarks that are recognized
across the globe. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London,
the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames are just some of the world famous
names that London boasts.
The city
became the capital of England in 1016 and has held that position ever since.
The cityÕs long and diverse history is no doubt one of the many reasons why it
attracts so many visitors every year. In 2004, 120 million people flew in and
out of LondonÕs airports. Obviously not all of them were exploring the capital
city, but IÕm sure many of them made certain it was somewhere in their
plans.
But where to
start with those plans? Surely itÕs a case of too much to see and too little
time? The first thing to work out is how long you can spend in London. Three
days is an absolute minimum, although five days or more will mean a lot less
rushing around. And what should be the priority sights you head for first?
Most visitors
want to see LondonÕs Royal links Š and that means the cityÕs historic Royal
palaces. Perhaps the most famous of them all is Buckingham Palace, the QueenÕs official residence in London. Although parts of the
palace are open all year round, such as the QueenÕs Gallery, the part that most
visitors want to see are the State Rooms and those are only open to visitors
for a couple of months each year, usually in August and September, so if your
itinerary is likely to include this, then itÕs worth keeping that in
mind.
At other times
of the year though, you can see the colorful and dramatic Changing of the
Guard. Held daily between April and July outside Buckingham Palace and on
alternate days at other times of the year, itÕs an amazing sight to see the soldiers
in their bright red uniforms, complete with 665 gram hats called bearskins. (EditorÕs
Note: ThatÕs over a pound and a half - ouch!) The hats are heavy and they are
hot and yet the guards still wear them throughout the summer months, earning my
admiration!
Other places
to catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony are at Horse Guards Parade (again
at Buckingham Palace) every morning at 11.00 (10.00 on Sundays) and at the Tower of London every day at 11.30 am on Tower Green.
Now the Tower
of London has to be one of my favorite Royal palaces in London. The Tower dates
back to the 11th century and is today home to the amazing collection of Crown
Jewels. In the last couple of years, weÕve been to see them on a number of
occasions and every time IÕm dazzled by the beautiful jewels in the
collection.
The Tower is
also home to centuries of history, as youÕd expect. Other sights worth seeing
are TraitorsÕ Gate, named because thatÕs the route by which traitors were taken
in days of old; the TowerÕs Beefeaters, in their lovely black and red costumes
with the QueenÕs symbol, ER, on them; and the White Tower, home to a
fascinating display of guns, swords and armor.
ItÕs easy to
spend a couple of hours here Š and some superb views can also be found of the
nearby Tower Bridge on the short walk down to the River
Thames. For the more adventurous, itÕs possible to tour Tower Bridge Š and the
views are well worth the trip.
One of my
favorite ways of seeing London is by taking a boat ride down the Thames. There
are numerous companies operating large sightseeing vessels, many with excellent
commentary Š IÕve certainly learnt a lot about LondonÕs history by taking these
trips. The best route in my book is between Tower Bridge and Westminster. There
are so many great sights to see Š and thereÕs no better one than the beauty of
the Houses of Parliament
and Big Ben (not the name
of the clock tower that can be seen across London, but the name of the bell
inside). ThereÕs no more traditional London sound than that of Big Ben ringing
out the hour. ItÕs well worth trying to time it so that youÕre nearby at the
top of the hour to hear the chimes first hand.
The Houses
of Parliament are well
worth touring Š the architecture inside is just as superb as the exterior and
one added bonus is that you never know who youÕll see. On one of my visits, I
saw BritainÕs first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, just walking
through one of the corridors! If youÕre a British resident, you can tour
Parliament while itÕs in session on certain days of the week, but if youÕre an
overseas visitor, then your only option is the summer opening. The openings are
similar to those of Buckingham Palace, this year they run from 2 August Š 5
October.
If youÕre not
in London during those times (and even if you are), then you can get a birdÕs
eye view of Parliament and a number of other London landmarks from the London Eye, situated just across the River
Thames. Originally built to commemorate the new Millennium, it was designed to
be a temporary attraction, but has proved so popular that any idea of removing
it now seems to have disappeared completely. With long operating hours,
especially during the summer months, daytime and evening visits are possible
and, having experienced both, you get a completely different perspective of the
city depending on whether itÕs light or dark. Even the weather canÕt stop the
enjoyment of the London Eye. On our most recent visit, we were treated to snow
as the wheel rotated Š and to watch it sweeping in was a sight to behold!
LondonÕs two
most famous religious sites are probably those that have been the scene of
Royal weddings gone by. Westminster
Abbey has seen the
coronation of nearly every King and Queen of the land over the past 1,000 years
and was the setting for a series of Royal weddings and funerals. Built over a
number of centuries, this is well worth an hour or two of anyoneÕs time.
Perhaps best
known for the Royal wedding in 1981 of Prince Charles and the then Lady Diana
Spencer is St. PaulÕs
Cathedral and thereÕs no
better time to visit the Cathedral than now. The £40 million program of
restoration work has just finished its latest stage, with the interior of St.
PaulÕs now free of scaffolding for the first time in many months. The work
still continues ahead of the CathedralÕs 300th anniversary in 2008, but despite
this, the architecture and the views over London from the top of the Dome are
first class. Be warned though Š the climb is not for the faint of heart. Its
530 steps from the ground to get up there!
ThereÕs so
much more to London than just history, Royalty, rivers and spectacular views,
as weÕll explore in the next edition of the newsletter, when we visit some of
LondonÕs myriad of museums and go on a shopping tour of some of the worldÕs
most famous name stores.
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Did you enjoy this
article? Have questions? E-mail us at news@passporter.com or visit
http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss your travel plans.
========================================================
WALT DISNEY WORLD FEATURE:
A Cruise to "Wish" For
========================================================
by Jennifer
Maxwell, Guest Columnist
No question
about it, Walt Disney World is a magical place! From the charm of EpcotÕs
World Showcase to the imagination of the Magic KingdomÕs Fantasyland, magic
abounds in FloridaÕs most enchanting forty seven square miles. So many
"canÕt miss" experiences, so little time.
Ranked high
among these events is the Magic KingdomÕs jewel, Wishes, the nightly fireworks
spectacular bursting over CinderellaÕs castle. The thrill of standing in
front of the castle watching the rockets explode and shimmer can make you feel
like you and your family is the only one in the world sharing this
awe-inspiring display. But what if you really could be together for a
ŅprivateÓ viewing of this beloved show? You can!
The Wishes
Fireworks Cruise is a way to explore Walt Disney WorldÕs Bay Lake and Seven
Seas Lagoon, learn Disney trivia, and enjoy a front seat to the nightly
Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. Add dinner at one of
the Magic Kingdom resorts and you have an evening guaranteed to charm every
member of your family!
The cruise is
available at any of the Magic Kingdom Resorts: The Grand Floridian, Polynesian
Resort, Contemporary Resort and Wilderness Lodge. Your experience starts
at the resortÕs marina approximately forty-five minutes before Wishes
begins. Your guide will meet you and escort you to one of the marinaÕs
many pontoon boats, each with a capacity of eleven passengers. As your
boat moves out onto the dark waters, the guide will regale you with trivia
about the many sights around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. Our
familyÕs most recent Fireworks cruise followed an animated dinner at Wilderness
LodgeÕs Whispering Canyon Cafˇ, and began with a cruise across Bay Lake to see
the old River Country water park, the shoes hanging from the tree across from
Fort Wilderness, and bird speckled Discovery Island. Once this tour was
complete, we were treated to a breathtaking view of Wilderness Lodge with its
Ņhidden bearÓ image, lights sparkling in the darkness.
The next event
you will experience on your cruise is the Electrical Water Pageant. Your
guide will turn the boat around for the best vantage point and you simply sit
back and watch as music fills the air and lights dance on the water. Children
and adults will be enchanted as you begin to recognize some of your favorite
Disney songs accompanying an electrified sea serpent, leaping dolphins, an
octopus, and so much more. The grand finale of stirring music and
sparkling American flags is also a sight to behold!
Once the
Electrical Water Pageant moves on (it cruises around to every resort on Bay
Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon), itÕs time to cross the water bridge near the
Contemporary Resort into Seven Seas Lagoon. Seeing the beautiful Magic
Kingdom resorts from your own private sea vessel is delightful. However,
as enchanting as The Grand Floridian, Wedding Pavilion, Polynesian and
Contemporary all may be, the view of the Magic Kingdom itself will take your
breath away.
Stopping in
front of the park, you will have a view of the castle as its captivating color
transformations take place. You will see the monorail glide effortlessly up to
the park and then just as effortlessly depart. You can discover just how
large the park is, as your guide may point out Splash Mountain and you can
measure all the way across the park to Space Mountain. And then? The
headliner of the evening begins!
Music swirls
up from the park and is echoed by some of the boats floating around you in the
lagoon. The lights darken in the Magic Kingdom and Jiminy CricketÕs voice
is heard over all else. The first shimmering firework sails into the air
and cascades down over the castle. Wishes has begun.
And the
view! YouÕll see details you may have never noticed from your observations
inside the park. There is the ŅfrownyÓ face created by the fireworks as the
Evil Queen beseeches Evil to show its face. There is the castle lit with a
blue cone shape decorated with white stars and moons as the music changes to
the ŅSorcererÕs ApprenticeÓ. YouÕll see Tinker BellÕs flight as youÕve
never seen it before. All this is spread before you, a true feast for the
eyes. It is a spectacular that youÕll share with tens of thousands of
people, yet feels as though it exists only for you.
The finale is
followed by a trip around the Lagoon, back to the marina. No crowds, no
lines, no monorail, just a simple private cruise back to the resort. It
caps a perfect memory you are able to share together.
A Wishes
Fireworks Cruise is as easy to arrange as any other recreation Advance
Reservation. Call 1-407-WDW-PLAY (1-407-939-7583) as far out as 90 days in
advance to book your own cruise. The current cost is $150.00, and this
includes up to eleven people. But it doesnÕt stop here. For an
additional cost, you can book a birthday cruise, which includes balloons and a
birthday cake. You can also add anything from a simple collection of
beverages to chocolate covered strawberries all the way up to a full
meal. Check with WDW-PLAY for options, theyÕre happy to help you!
Since our
familyÕs first Wishes Fireworks Cruise Š a surprise from my husband Š weÕve
made it an essential part of every vacation to share as a family and with
friends. I can say this for certain: whether you are celebrating a special
occasion or just being at the Happiest Place on Earth, a Wishes Fireworks
Cruise is a wonderful and unique way to make your celebration even more
memorable!
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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 planning your Disney vacation.
==========================================
UPDATES: What's New and
Changed
==========================================
Here's a few of the new
developments at Disneyś
NEWS FLASH!
Disney Cruise Line has just announced two special, "Southern
Caribbean" itineraries for the Disney Wonder (that's Wonder, not Magic!)
for September 2006. On September 7 the Wonder will depart Port Canaveral for 10
nights with stops at St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, and Castaway Cay
(that's 4 at-sea days - yum!). Then on September 17 the Wonder is off again,
this time for 11 nights, visiting those same ports plus St. Kitts. These will
be DCL's first visits to Barbados and St. Kitts. It also means there will be
three fewer 3-night and three fewer 4-night Bahamian cruises on the Wonder in
2006. Guests who already booked a sailing on the Wonder during that time period
can expect to hear from DCL or their travel agent about their options. One
might quibble about calling these "Southern" Caribbean itineraries,
as they don't venture near the truly southern islands of Aruba, Bonaire,
Cura¨ao, Trinidad or Tobago. These are really slight variations on previous
Special "Caribbean Itineraries," but such is the world of cruise
marketing.
Beginning in
2006 a new plan will be added to the Magic Your Way program. The "Magic
Your Way Platinum Package" will be available at select Deluxe and Disney
Vacation Club Resorts. In addition to the features of the Magic Your Way
Premium Package, the Platinum Package will include concierge-type services such
as pre-trip planning, access to special fireworks cruises, and spa treatments
and dining at restaurants not normally included such as Victoria &
Albert's.
The price for
wheelchair, ECV and stroller rentals has increased as of July 10, 2005.
Wheelchairs are $10/day or $8/day with a Length of Stay rental. ECVs are
$35/day. Single Strollers are $10/day or $8/day with a Length of Stay rental
and Double Strollers (not available outside the theme parks) are $18/day or
$16/day with Length of Stay rental. (Please note that wheelchairs and ECVs
rented at Downtown Disney require a credit card imprint as a deposit. A $250
hold for a wheel chair and a $500 hold for an ECV will be placed on your credit
card. While this is not a "charge" unless the vehicle is not
returned, it may effect your available charging balance. No imprint is required
for vehicles rented at the theme parks, however there is a $5 refundable
deposit on ECVs.)
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:
POST-TRIP
POSTCARDS
"On the
last day of the trip, we write a post card to ourselves, listing all the
special memories that we want to remember. We write down our favorites
rides, treats we loved, any special visits with characters, etc. Then we drop
the postcard in the mail at the resort, just before we leave. About a week
after we get home, just when the post-vacation blues are really starting to
hit, the postcard arrives and reminds of us all the fun we had and really
cheers us up! It's a great way to remember the special moments, and it's a
great addition to our family scrapbook." -- contributed by Dana Petrie
(danawp@...)
SMILIN' SOLO
"If you
travel solo don't be afraid to do a character meal! The characters are very
attentive and it is fun to interact with the guests around you. Also don't be
afraid to ask your server to take photos for you. They are always happy to take
shots of you and your favorite character." -- contributed by Robin
Sackevich (robinkay6573@...)
PLAY AREA
PLANNING
"On our
drive down last summer, we used the Internet to locate fast food restaurants
with play areas along our route, approximately where we planned to stop for
lunch. We would unload the kids and make the necessary bathroom stop. Then, DH
(dearest husband) would pick up food for the two of us and we would eat while
watching the kids burn off some steam in the play area. When we were ready to
go, I'd wash up the kids and get them loaded into the car while DH would buy
their lunches. They ate while we resumed our trip and then they were ready for
'nap time' (all parents' favorite time of the day). The restaurant web sites
are very easy to use and provide directions so you can be sure you're choosing
a location that's right off of the highway (and not 15 minutes out of your
way). They even list locations with drive up windows (if the kids are sleeping
when you are hungry)." -- contributed by Jill B.
>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
====================================
graygables
asks: "When I look at the December cruise I'm thinking about, the Disney
Cruise Line web site says that early dining is not available. There is no way
that my daughters will make it to the later seating. Both of them have special
needs and will not do well if we are seated with strangers. Is there any way to
make these kinds of changes in advance or will I have to do it on the ship?
Will they even be able to accommodate us?"
Dave answers:
"Actually, you shouldn't wait until you board at all -- the more advance
notice Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has, the better. Explain all your needs when
you make your booking. Tables for four aren't a big problem, especially if you
explain the need. If you need a special medical form, they'll send you that,
too.
There are
on-board coping strategies in case you don't get your requests (we cover them
in our DCL guide), so even then, all will not be lost. But the cruise is not
like a Walt Disney World visit - stateroom assignments, table assignments,
dining rotations, etc. are all done way in advance by DCL - they don't wait
until a few days before you cruise. Get those requests in immediately.
If you're
looking at December, I suggest you pick up the phone ASAP and talk to DCL, even
if you decide not to book at that moment. I have a feeling the reservations
agent will be able to set your mind at rest."
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!
====================================
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MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter Travel Press, PO Box 3880, Ann Arbor, MI 48106