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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and
Tips
August 15,
2005 * Issue 5.15
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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Frm the
Authors: A New PassPorter Guidebook
Travel
Feature: An InsiderÕs Guide: London (Part 2)
Disney World
Feature: The Magic of Slowing Down
Updates:
What's New and Changed
Tips: Scrapbook
Startup, Dine Deluxe, Earning Extras
Q&A: How
do I hold my Key to the World card?
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FROM THE
AUTHORS: A New PassPorter Guidebook is Ready!
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Hi,
friends!
It's not every
day we get to announce the birth of a brand new PassPorter, so it is with great
pride that we welcome our the most recent edition to the PassPorter family: "PassPorter's
Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs" by Deb Wills and Debra Martin
Koma of AllEarsNet.com fame. The new 400+ page guidebook covers over 20 special
needs -- everything from autism and ADHD to allergies and age (infants and
seniors), and so much more. Virtually everyone has a special need of some type
(what's yours?), and our new guidebook covers all the angles at both Walt
Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line. For more information, including the
complete table of contents, visit the Special Needs book information center at http://www.passporter.com/wdw/specialneeds/guidebook.htm
.
The new
Special Needs guidebooks are now in stock and shipping. Pre-orders have already
been shipped (ahead of schedule) and new orders go out the next business day.
Bookstores will get their copies in 2-3 weeks. You can order your copy today at
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710188.aspx .
In this
edition of the newsletter, Cheryl Pendry wraps-up her two-part tour of London
(boy, does that bring back great memories!), and Thomas Cackler shares the
magic of taking things slow and easy when you tour Disney's parks (an approach
we heartily endorse, even if the author does take a poke or two at guidebook
authors along the way - he can't really be talking about us, can he?)
Jennifer and
Dave
PassPorter
Travel Press
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DID YOU KNOW?
All
PassPorters Ship Next Day!
The 2005
editions of all our PassPorter guidebooks are now in stock and shipping: PassPorter
Walt Disney World 2005, PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line 3rd
Edition, and PassPorter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs are now
shipping next business day when ordered by 8:00 pm ET the night before. (We
should note, however, that we're down to our last few hundred copies of our
PassPorter WDW 2005 edition, but we just re-stocked on our Disney Cruise Line
edition because our first printing sold out in just two months!) 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
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Get Published
in a PassPorter Guidebook
Each annual
edition of our guidebooks features a new collection of magical memories from
fellow readers. We know most of you have had magical experiences ... and we'd
love the opportunity to include your story in an upcoming guidebook! To learn
more and submit a story for consideration, visit these pages:
Disney World
Stories: http://www.passporter.com/wdw/tipsandstories.htm
Disneyland and
S. Cal Stories: http://www.passporter.com/dl/tips.htm
Disney Cruise
Line Stories: http://www.passporter.com/dcl/tips.htm
Special Needs
at Disney Stories: http://www.passporter.com/wdw/specialneeds/tips.htm
We look
forward to receiving your magical stories!
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TRAVEL
FEATURE: Guided Tour: An Insider's Guide: London (Part 2)
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By Cheryl
Pendry, PassPorter Message Board Guide and Frequent Contributor
In this second
part of this two part article on visiting London by Cheryl Pendry, itÕs time to
visit some of the cityÕs museums and get ready to put that credit card to use
with a tour of some of the worldÕs most famous storesÉ
Historic
buildings, Royal palaces and river trips aside, there are plenty of other ways
to spend your time in London. As youÕd expect from one of the most popular
tourist destinations in the world, thereÕs a museum for just about every
taste.
The Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates the decorative
arts, with displays including furniture, photographs and ceramics, and is
housed in a beautiful building in South Kensington, dating from 1862.
In fact, South
Kensington is really LondonÕs museum alley, with the Science Museum just across
the road in the appropriately named Exhibition Road. ThatÕs also home to the National
History Museum, which is housed in another breathtaking building. Once inside,
thereÕs something for everyone, but the displays you are guaranteed to remember
for many years are the dinosaur skeletons and the life size model of the blue
whale. The second you see it, itÕs immediately clear that itÕs the worldÕs
largest creature ever. Both these museums are free to visit, an unusual
situation in London, where most attractions charge admission.
If you are an
art lover, there are plenty of galleries to pick from. The Tate is the home of
British and international modern art, but if youÕre more traditional, then the National
Gallery, with its collection of paintings from across Europe and the National
Portrait Gallery, which contains portraits of famous British men and women, may
be more to your taste.
Something
bound to appeal to the younger audience, which concentrates on celebrities as
well as historical figures, is Madame TussaudÕs Wax Museum. The collection is
constantly changing to reflect todayÕs celebrities, but the British Royal
family, top film stars and politicians from around the world remain amongst the
newer additions. The Chamber of Horrors is a favorite for many, but if itÕs not
your idea of fun, then donÕt worry Š there is a chicken route which avoids this
section! Linked to Madame TussaudÕs is the London Planetarium, which offers a
fascinating journey to the stars. And trust me; if the Chamber isnÕt your idea
of fun, then youÕd do well to avoid the London Dungeon. ItÕs an experience
definitely only for those with strong hearts and stomachs!
If your idea
of fun is as simple as a stroll in the park, then you wonÕt be disappointed.
Despite the fact that London is home to more than seven million people and is
one of EuropeÕs most densely populated cities, there are still surprisingly
large stretches of parkland all over the capital, many of them Royal parks,
steeped in history.
St. James
Park, set right in the center of London, near to Buckingham Palace, Westminster
and 10 Downing Street, is a lovely place to walk through and perhaps stop to
enjoy a sandwich if the weather will allow, before continuing on your
way.
Kensington
Gardens contains Kensington Palace, the home of the former Princess of
Wales. Featuring the Royal ceremonial dress collection, this impressive
array of gowns and dresses includes a selection of outfits wore by Diana,
Princess of Wales.
But perhaps my
favorite park in London is right next door to Kensington Gardens. Covering 350
acres, Hyde Park is home to many events throughout the year Š most recently the
Live 8 concert was held here. Perhaps now best known for the Diana Memorial
Fountain, the park offers a pleasant walk between two of LondonÕs finest
shopping areas. Starting at Kensington, you can visit some of the capitalÕs most
exclusive stores, including HarrodÕs. Billing itself as the worldÕs most famous
department store, if you only visit one shop in London, then it should be this
one. The attraction is not just for shopping, but also for the beautiful
architecture inside. My jaw dropped when I first saw the food halls and the
Egyptian escalator.
At the other
end of the pleasant walk through Hyde Park is the beautiful Marble Arch, which
marks the start of the famous Oxford Street. This one and a half mile long road
contains most of the UKÕs finest shop names and some superb department stores.
In particular, SelfridgeÕs, which will celebrate its centenary in 2007, is well
worth a look. With its imposing pillars at the front of the building, itÕs a
well known landmark.
We prefer to
head down Oxford Street as far as Oxford Circus and then turn into Regent
Street, for located along this street is what can be described as the answer to
every parent's prayer. However, things could quickly turn sour when your
children refuse to leave HamleyÕs toy store. There really is something for
every youngster Š and many adults too and you may be wise to allow yourself
more time in here than you think you need. ThatÕs always our experience every
time we go in here!
At the end of
Regent Street is another part of London that is well worth seeing Š Piccadilly
Circus. Perhaps the best way to describe this area is that itÕs LondonÕs very
own Times Square. Buzzing with life at all times of the day and night (and not
just because of the traffic flying past), itÕs home to a range of restaurants
and cinemas.
Not far away
are two more famous London landmarks Š firstly, Trafalgar Square, with NelsonÕs
column and the four giant lion sculptures at its base, and Covent Garden is
just a short tube (subway) ride away. Full of street entertainers, unusual
shops and restaurants, this indoor market, which once used to serve fruit and
vegetables, is the centerpiece of the area. ItÕs a great place to spend an
evening Š and there is certainly no end of possibilities for your evening plans
in the city.
With more than
6,000 restaurants, covering every cuisine imaginable, youÕll never go hungry,
but many visitors are more interested in sampling a slice of traditional
British life at a London pub Š and there are almost 4,000 to pick from. If this
is something youÕd like to try during your visit, then a good place to start
your research is http://www.pubs.com/ which offers a wealth of information on
good places to sup your pint.
One other
London tradition not to be missed during any stay in the Capital is a West End
show. Just like on Broadway, tickets can be purchased months in advance or on
the same day, sometimes at greatly reduced rates. The TKTS ticket booth in
Leicester Square offers last minute bargains and used to be a regular haunt of
mine in my student days. Some of the most popular musicals currently showing
are Chicago, Mamma Mia, featuring a range of ABBA songs, DisneyÕs Lion King,
and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, both based on the popular films.
ThereÕs so
much to enjoy in London that itÕs been hard even fitting the details into two
articles. Perhaps the best way to understand how vibrant this capital city is
is to start planning your visit. From most tourists IÕve spoken to, one thing
is clear. One visit is never enough!
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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.
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WALT DISNEY
WORLD FEATURE: The Magic of Slowing Down
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by Thomas
Cackler, Guest Columnist
The scene is
not uncommon. Mom, armed with a park map, leads Dad pushing the stroller
while Junior is lagging behind looking at all the interesting shops on Main
Street USA. As they rush past Cinderella Castle and into Fantasy Land,
they stare at the already insurmountable line at Dumbo. Frustrated that they
now wonÕt make their dining reservation at Crystal Palace for lunch, they begin
to lament the rat race that Walt Disney World has become. They wonder aloud,
ŅWhat has happened to the ŌmagicÕ at Walt Disney World?Ó
Does this
sound like you? Too often, the term Ōweary travelerÕ is appropriate for a
visitor to the Magic Kingdom and the other parks as well. What with show
times, parade times, fireworks times and advance dining reservations, our days
on vacation are more booked than a sports agent on draft day. With the
World becoming bigger and bigger with each new visit, do we simply resign
ourselves to exchanging the magic for the notion of a complete vacation?
Just as one
appreciates a museum best at a slower pace, so too should our pace slow when we
pass through the gates of Walt Disney World. As Jennifer and Dave say in
the recent edition of PassPorter ŅDespite the temptation to see and do it all,
an overly ambitious plan will be more exhausting (and frustrating) than
fun.Ó However, itÕs not as if the average person has very much time to
stop and smell the roses, right?
While it is
true that the average family vacationing at Walt Disney World is there less
than a week, a lack of time should not be an excuse to push oneself beyond
reasonable limits. As the old saying goes, we need to Ōstop and smell the
rosesÕ if we hope to experience the magic that Disney has to offer. So in
order to do that, we have to change our way of thinking.
Yes, I just
said, ŅWe need to change our way of thinkingÓ. We have to remember that in
order to reclaim the magic of a trip to Disney World, we must not rush from E
Ticket to E Ticket attraction. Instead, the magic happens when you slow
down to see the little things and enjoy the plethora of lesser-known (yet
perhaps entirely more magical) attractions. Just as the Louvre doesnÕt
have a Mona Lisa hanging on every wall, we should not expect Disney World to be
one intense experience after another.
Although
authors mean well when they write touring plans for guidebooks, too often the
reader assumes that this is the best way or the only way to enjoy a Disney
vacation. After all, these are the professionals. They know Walt
Disney World. Unfortunately, that attitude locks you into a death march
mentality that screams, ŅSplash Mountain or death!Ó This is not a healthy
attitude while someone is at home, much less at the ŅHappiest Place on
Earth.Ó
In fact, many
of the most magical things at Disney World donÕt happen while shooting through
Space Mountain or while on a Kilimanjaro Safari. We all know it was all
Ņstarted by a mouse,Ó but have you ever stopped to watch Steamboat Willie, the
film that started it all? You can, at the Town Square Exposition
Hall. We all know what happened when she met Beast, but would you like to
hear a story from the beautiful and talented Belle herself? You can, at
the Fairy Tale Garden near Cinderella Castle. These are just a couple of
the lesser-known attractions that the Magic Kingdom has to offer. The
other parks offer similar magical adventures if you take the time to discover
them.
Trying to list
the multitude of magical moments would take too long and defeat the purpose of
this article. What is magical for one person may not be as magical for the
next and it makes little sense to replace a list of big time attractions with a
list of little known attractions. However, when you realize that you cannot and
will not see everything in your stay, you are free to live in the moment and
experience the parks in an entirely new light. Whereas in the past you
didnÕt have time to explore some of the off the beaten path areas to their
fullest, you now have the opportunity to explore to your heartÕs
content. It is in that exploration that you truly grow to appreciate the
hard work the Imagineers put into each aspect of the parks.
Now that we
have thrown away our touring plans and commando itineraries, we are free to
enjoy those magical moments that do not appear on a park map or in a
guidebook. No longer do we need to fret about a longer line just because
we want to enjoy the majesty of the Castle or the wonder of
Innovations. We wonÕt find ourselves rushing past the Hollywood Glee Club
just to get in line for another attraction. Likewise, we do not need to worry
about missing something at the parks because we want to sleep in or spend so
much needed time at the pool. Because when you slow down, you free
yourself up to enjoy what any trip to Walt Disney World should be: a vacation!
By taking time
to enjoy things based on your desires of the moment, you begin to appreciate
that the magic isnÕt dead. It also opens your eyes to the creative minds
of the Imagineers and the hard work and dedication of the cast
members. Many magical memories happen when you least expect it. If you
donÕt slow down to enjoy them, you will most likely miss the magic altogether.
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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.
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UPDATES:
What's New and Changed
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Here's a few
of the new developments at Disneyś
The following
restaurants have changed their requested dress code from "resort
casual" to "business casual" to reflect a more
"upscale" feel: Artist Point, California Grill, Citricos, Flying
Fish, Jiko, Narcoossee's, and Yachtsman Steakhouse. No flip-flops, hats,
swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, t-shirts, tank tops, or torn clothing will be
permitted. Shorts are permitted when worn with a collared shirt.
On August 21,
2005 the Living Seas Pavilion will close for rehab and will re-open late
November 2005. The CoralReef restaurant will remain open during this
time.
Restaurant
Akershus has had a name change to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in keeping with
its all-princesses all-day character dining.
The Tarzan
Rocks show at Disney's Animal Kingdom will close in early 2006 for updates to
the theatre (enclosing and air conditioning). The theatre is expected to
re-open with a new stage show, as yet unannounced.
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
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DISNEY TIPS
FROM FELLOW READERS
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Our readers
are a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:
SCRAPBOOK
START UP
"Before
you leave home start gathering stickers, paper, albums, etc. from online
auction sites. You can find a lot of park-exclusive scrapbooking supplies
like that way ahead of time. You can start getting in the Disney vacation mood
by starting some pages for your scrapbook. When you get home simply
insert your pictures and have some pages put together quickly to show family
and friends while you work on the rest of your album."
-- contributed
by Michelle Franz
DINE DELUXE
"To enjoy
a diverse Disney experience, we always stay at a value resort - but eat at the
deluxe! We save money, but are able to see the "other side" of
the resorts."
-- contributed
by Patricia
EARNING EXTRAS
"Due to
past experience, we know that the "I want everything I see" factor is
increased ten-fold at Disney. So, during the months before our last trip to
Disney World, we found a wonderful way to have our 6 and 8 year old daughters
learn the limits of what they can purchase on their trip. We told them we would
give them a certain amount, but that if they wanted more, they would have to
work for their "Disney Dollars." This truly gave our daughters
incentive when I asked questions like, "Who would like to fold
towels," or "Who would like to help with the dishes?" We
know our daughters will appreciate their purchases all the more for having
earned them!"
contributed by
Maria 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
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Q & A WITH
JENNIFER & DAVE
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Dianne asked:
"I noticed while reading the cruise book that it might be a good idea to
have one or two necklaces or keychains, especially for the kids. These would be
for the key and also the arcade pass. I didn't see any particular type to buy -
one with a pocket for the key or what. Do either the key or the arcade pass
have a hole in them or do they just slip into a pocket?"
Jennifer and
Dave answer: "Neither the key or the arcade pass have holes in them, so
it's best to find either a pouch or a lanyard with a small plastic pouch
attached. We sell PassHolder Pouches on our site -- these have good capacity so
you can keep a few extra items in them, such as a folded copy of a Personal
Navigator. You can get more information on PassHolder Pouches at our store .
The lanyard with clear, plastic pouches hold less, but you may not need to
carry much around while on the cruise either. You may be able to find these at
stores like Wal-Mart or K-Mart, or you can just wait until you are onboard and
buy the one Disney sells in the Treasure Ketch store on deck 4 midship. As I
recall, they are around $5-6 each.
Whichever way
you go, I highly recommend using a pouch to store cards rather than relying on
pockets. Our daugher Allie has lost her card before when it either fell out of
a pocket or she left it in a pocket and then couldn't find it again."
Have a
question? Post it at http://www.passporterboards.com -- and if you're lucky, you may find that folks have already
asked and answered the same question that's on your mind!
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WANT TO GET
PUBLISHED?
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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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Copyright (c)
2005 - MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter Travel Press, PO Box 3880, Ann Arbor,
MI 48106