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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
September 11, 2008 * Issue
8.37
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:
==========================================
In This Newsletter
From the Authors: The
Return of Free Shipping
Travel Feature: Cedar
Point
Disney Feature: Should We
Take Our Children Out of School For A Trip to Disney?
Updates: What's New and
Changed
Tips: California
Adventure Cuisine, Misting Fan Favorites, Lose That Luggage
Captain's Corner: On
Chip & Dale's Level
PassPorter
PhotoPick: Goofy Has His Head in the Clouds
Q and A: How is
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian?
Our Sponsors: We
Recommend...
====================================================
FROM THE AUTHORS: Return
of Free Shipping!
====================================================
Hi,
{{user("firstname")}}!
Everyone loves a good
deal, and it's time to bring back one of your favorites! From now through 11:59
pm Eastern Time next Monday night (September 15, 2008), we're offering free
Media Mail shipping on all new orders placed through the PassPorter Store!
Please note that we cannot retroactively apply this discount to orders placed
before Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 6:00 pm ET. Get details and start
shopping at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/freeshipping.aspx
PassPorter's Walt Disney
World 2009 will arrive in our warehouse in just about a month, so it's a really
great time to place your pre-order, be among the first to receive the next
edition of our guidebook, and get free shipping in the bargain! Pre-order at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/2009.aspx
Our very popular
PassPorter PassHolder Pouches and PassPorter Name Badge Pins are back in
stock. You can't go wrong adding a couple of these to any order you place
during this offer! Order at https://www.passporterstore.com/store/0966899437.aspx
What else do we have?
PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line and its Ports of Call 2008 and
PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line are
also in stock, ready to ship. http://www.passporter.com/dcl/guidebook.asp
Altogether, this is a
great time to click on over to the PassPorter Store. Please note that this
offer is only good for new orders placed between 6:00 pm ET on Thursday
September 11, 2008 and 11:59 pm ET on Monday, September 15, 2008, so hurry!
Tip: If you want to order
in-stock items and place a pre-order for PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2009,
place two separate orders so your in-stock items will ship immediately.
Meantime membership in
PassPorter's Club just keeps on growing! PassPorter's Club members can
download all our great PassPorter e-books, each at least a $4.95 value, for the
price of just one e-book purchase! Club members also have access to 40+
interactive, downloadable, electronic worksheets that help you plan and enjoy
your vacation, "super-sized" photo downloads from PassPorter's huge
photo gallery, a 35% discount on all PassPorter printed books, and
more! Club membership is just $4.95 per month, or $44.95 if you decide to
come on board for a full year. With that first month's membership you can strip
our cupboard bare of great e-books and interactive worksheets. Then you can
cancel, or even better (if you happen to be us), continue the subscription to
maintain all the club benefits (like a 35% discount on all PassPorter printed
books) and qualify for all the new e-books and worksheets we'll be adding to
the Club. Get details at http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/passporters-club/
Tip: Join the Club now,
get your 35% discount, and take advantage of our free Media Mail shipping
offer, too!
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. Visit http://www.mousefest.org/
Will you be joining us for
PassPorter's Decade of Dreams Tour? PassPorter is celebrating our 10th
anniversary in 2009 in 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. Visit http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/passporters-decade-dreams-tour-2009/
PassPorter's Club Update
More than 1450 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. Visit http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/passporters-club-gallery/154412-new-e-book-passporters-answer-book-expert-answers-common-disney-travel-questions.html
More details at http://www.passporter.com/club
In this issue, Guest
Columnist Michelle Clark takes us for a visit to that legendary coaster park,
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Then, Guest Columnist Roger Sauer examines A
Vacation Dilemma: Should We Take Our Children Out of School for a trip to
Disney? Finally, Jack Skatt is back with a brand-new Walt Disney World Treasure
Hunt.
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Publishers and
Authors
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========================================================
TRAVEL FEATURE: Cedar
Point Amusement Park: Sandusky, Ohio
========================================================
by Michelle Clark,
PassPorter Guest Contributor
As a family of coaster
addicts, our excitement level increases every time we see Cedar Point Amusement
Park featured on the Travel Channel. Cedar Point, considered to be the Promised
Land among thrill riders, is the location of the biggest, tallest, fastest, and
most extreme rides. Our dreams came true when we planned a trip to Sandusky,
Ohio, home to Cedar Point.
Our first views of Cedar
Point lay just beyond the shorelines of Lake Erie, and what a view - coasters
of every shape and size with colorful loops, drops, and falls! As we lowered
the car windows we were greeted by the sound that is music to thrill-seekers'
ears: shrieks and screams of fear and laughter. I've ridden coasters galore at
many different parks, but I have to admit that my first views of Cedar Point
left me a little weak in the knees. But I had to save face in front of my
teenagers-I didn't want them to think Mom was "old!"
While we knew Cedar Point
was the place to find the most extreme attractions, we underestimated Cedar
Point as a vacation destination. There are six different and unique lodging
choices located on Cedar Point. We opted to stay in the historical Hotel
Breakers which has the shortest walk to the park--just a few minutes from our
hotel.
Hotel Breakers was
originally built in 1905. Walking into the lobby transports you back in time
with the turn-of-the century decor. The rotunda behind the lobby is three
stories tall and is a charming place to relax with coffee and a newspaper.
Snoopy is a frequent visitor in the lobby and loves to pose for pictures! The
newest sections of Hotel Breakers are the Breakers East and Breakers Tower. I
recommend either of these sections over the Bon Aire Section, as the Bon Aire
rooms are quite a bit older and smaller. One floor of the Tower section has
"Peanuts" themed family suites that appeal to younger visitors.
Besides having plenty of
lake-front beach area for water activities, Hotel Breakers has two outdoor
pools, one indoor pool, shops, and restaurants at the "Boardwalk",
the walkway fronting the beach area. 1950s Boardwalk-themed music can be heard
in the background. Beaches 'N' Cream is themed as a 1950s soda shop complete
with booths made from '50s cars. TGI Fridays, Pizza Hut Express, and a Japanese
restaurant are among the other onsite dining options. You don't have to be a
Breakers hotel guest to enjoy these restaurants, as they are easily accessible
from the park.
Besides being within
walking distance of the action, another perk of staying onsite is admission to
the parks one hour prior to opening to the general public. Hotel guests can
also get discounts on park admission.
But let's get to the point
of this whole trek to Sandusky, the coasters! Cedar Point has 76 rides and 17
coasters in all. Here is our must-do list :
Top Thrill Dragster: By
far the tallest attraction in the park, Top Thrill Dragster stands 420 feet
tall. Themed as a drag-racing vehicle, Top Thrill takes riders from 0 to 120
mph in 4 seconds, straight up 420 feet, then straight down in a 270-degrees
twist--all in 22 seconds! At its completion in 2003 it was the tallest and
fastest coaster on Earth. Top Thrill got the most votes from our group as their
favorite in the park. Extreme and fun!
Millennium Force: When it
debuted in 2000, Millennium Force was the first coaster to break the 300-foot
height mark. Since then taller and faster rides have been created but that
doesn't hamper the fun to be found on Millennium, which has several banked
turns but no complete inversions. The first hill provides some magnificent
views of Lake Erie. Millennium Force was my favorite coaster by far. A tip for
non-riders: if you stand at the exit walkway you can get some awesome photos of
riders as they race right by you.
Wicked Twister: This is
the most unique coaster I've ever seen, consisting of two spiraled tracks
pointing straight up 215 feet tall. The trains embark in the station between
the two spirals and travel back and forth between them at top speeds of 72 mph.
If you are brave enough to keep your eyes open, you get some unique views of
the beach. I wouldn't eat before riding!
Maverick: One of the
newest attractions in the parks, Maverick was voted best new ride in 2007 by
the Golden Ticket Awards. Maverick's claim to fame doesn't lie in its speed or
height, but on the first drop which falls at a 95 degree angle. While Maverick
is definitely a fun ride, the lines for this coaster were the longest we
encountered in the entire park, nearly two hours.
Magnum XL-200: The opening
of Magnum XL-200 in 1989 helped establish Cedar Point's reputation as the
coaster capital of the world. Its 205-foot-tall hill and 72 mph top speed has
been outdone by newer coasters in recent years, but it can still draw out the
screams!
Raptor: Raptor is a
hanging coaster with a unique "cobra roll" aspect-an inversion with a
180-degree spiral, then the whole thing in reverse! Raptor has a total of 6
inversions, the most of any Cedar Point coaster. This is not the newest,
tallest, or fastest ride in the park but it still draws the crowds as we
experienced long waits here.
Max Air: Max Air isn't a
coaster, but it ranks as one of our favorites thrill rides. Imagine a swinging,
flying dutchman-type ride coupled with a spinning wheel and you've got an idea
of what Max Air feels like! It's actually more intimidating to watch than to
ride. I found it incredibly smooth and I really enjoyed the bird's eye views
from its top elevation of 140 feet.
Power Tower: Nearly every
park has an attraction with a long drop. Some climb slowly to the top with a
quick drop while some have a speedy assent with a slower decline. Power Tower
offers both: two sides of the tower quickly blast riders up 240 feet while the
other two sides offer a quick drop down. The slow climb really got my heart
pounding!
Cedar Point is geared
toward thrill-seekers, but there is plenty for the younger crowd to enjoy as
well. There are over 30 children's attractions and tranquil rides including the
railroad, antique cars, and Ferris wheel. Frontier Trail, the most themed area
of the park, contains authentic log cabins and local craftsmen. The petting zoo
is a favorite for kids. There are three carousels in the park, more than any
other amusement park on the planet. Four shows are performed daily as well as a
nightly fireworks show and patriotic tribute.
If you want a change of
pace from the park, Cedar Point also offers Challenge Park which includes
mini-golf, go-carts, and ripcord jumping. Soak City is Cedar Point's on-site
water park. Challenge Park and Soak City require separate admission tickets.
If you're considering a
trip to Cedar Point, here are a few recommendations:
¥ The
available information for trip planning is limited. One online guide,
Experience the Point - Unofficial Guide to Cedar Point by Andrew Hyde gives
good information on the attractions themselves but only brief summaries of the
resorts.
¥ Stay
onsite! The convenience of being so close to the park is "priceless."
¥ Check
out Cedar Point's website (http://www.cedarpoint.com) for admission specials.
Request a Getaway Guide on their website, which has some valuable coupons.
¥ This
next tip is for Disney lovers like me: Don't try and compare the two. After I
learned to appreciate Cedar Point for its own qualities I grew to love it. The
parks and resorts are very clean and the employees are friendly.
¥ It
would be difficult to enjoy all the major attractions in one day. In two days
we didn't experience half of the attractions.
¥ The
majority of the park is not shaded. Wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat to
protect from the sun. Our visit to Cedar Point was a nice change of pace from
our previous Orlando theme park trips. We hope to plan a return visit in the
future with more time to enjoy all that Cedar Point has to offer! (While I'm
still brave enough to do it!)
About the Author: Michelle
Clark is a self-professed thrill ride junkie and the mother of three teens who
share in her obsession. Her goal is to experience as many theme parks as
possible and stay in every Disney resort before she dies!
- - - - - - - - -
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: A Vacation
Dilemma: Should We Take Our Children Out of School For a Trip to Disney?
========================================================
by Roger Sauer, PassPorter
Guest Contributor
Part 1: The Decision
Three scenarios:
Family A takes its
vacations during the summer when school is out and Dad has his annual two week
time off for a trip.
Family B has two parents
working and need to coordinate their times off for a vacation. Needless to say,
this sometimes means vacations during the school year.
Family C has a single
parent working a job with no paid vacation. If there is a vacation at all, it
must be during off-seasons when prices for lodging are lower. These are
invariably during the fall or early winter.
The decision to take
students out of school for any vacation is now driven by numerous social,
educational, and economic factors. As a retired school administrator (including
service as a high school principal) I was often called on to deal with students
whose attendance was impacted by parental vacation decisions. Simply put, my
position was that students need to be in school when it is in session.
Absenteeism is strongly correlated with lack of success in school. To
paraphrase Woody Allen, "Half the secret of success is simply showing
up."
However, as the three
scenarios above indicate, times have changed. America may have moved beyond the
agrarian calendar that drove its educational system a century ago, but that
same calendar refuses to give up the wheel. Just as families have changed, the
types of vacations (and even the ability to have one!) have also changed.
And sometimes the school
calendar and vacation windows simply do not cooperate. This means that
decisions to take trips during the school year including those to Disney World
should be made with foresight and an open consideration of a variety of
factors. While there is no one good answer for every situation, what follows is
a series of questions that should be discussed as plans are made. Part 2 is a
set of activities that can help one maintain an element of educational rigor
during a Disney World vacation on school time.
FAMILY ISSUES:
¥ Do
parent work schedules allow for time off during non-school periods?
¥ Can
the family afford vacation costs during school vacation periods (read: Peak
Season)?
¥ Can
the parent(s) properly supervise homework assigned during the absence?
¥ Can
the parent(s) properly develop a series of activities that take advantage of
Disney World and the travel itinerary?
¥ How many
days will the student remain out of school?
¥ Can
the trip be scheduled so as to minimize days of school missed? More than a week
can set any student back.
STUDENT ISSUES: These
should be answered for every student and more critically for student in grades
6-12
¥ Does
the student want to go? Your college-bound senior may like the idea but not the
timing. Is there a responsible adult available to serve as a guardian in your
absence?
¥ Has
the student been successful in school?
¥ Has
the student missed more than ten school days in the past year?
¥ Is
the student enrolled in a performance class (band, choir, and orchestra) or an
extra-curricular activity that would be missed during the trip?
¥ Is
the student in the habit of doing homework on a daily basis?
¥ Is
the student enrolled in special education, accelerated, or other specialized
program?
SCHOOL ISSUES:
¥ What
are the state law and district and school policies regarding pre-arranged
absences from school?
¥ Will
the teacher/s assist the student is assigning homework for the trip?
¥ Will
the student be able to make up work on his return from the trip?
¥ Can
any element of the Disney World experience be used to supplement or enhance the
material covered in specific classes?
Remember that most
educators have worked in a system that starts in the fall, takes winter and
Spring Breaks, and shuts down in the summer. It is sometimes assumed by
educators that the rest of the world is on this schedule.
As one can see, the answer
to the question posed in the title of this piece is: It depends. My own view is
that, if the parents are forced to take time off during school time, they will.
But if they have a choice of vacation times, then they need to seriously
consider the second and third question sets and weigh the pros and cons. These
all lead up to a single compelling question: Can my child afford to be away
from direct instruction and participation at school for the duration of the
trip?
PART 2: Educational
Opportunities- Those Taken and Those Missed
If the decision is made to
remove students from school for a trip, it has hopefully been done with the
blessing of your student's school and that teachers have cooperated in
providing homework in advance. This is not always as easy as it seems; one
would like to think that teachers can just whip out the assignment for the next
week or two at the drop of a hat -- some can, some cannot. Hopefully, it will
not be busy work. On the other hand, are you ready to help Sally with her
calculus? Again, the decision for an older student will be in part driven by
the student, and Sally might rather be in calculus class.
But if you have homework
with you, your students should be able to do some of it in the car on the way
to the World or on the airplane. The educational advantage of this is obvious,
as should be the lesson that "play" time sometimes requires
"work" time.
Even if there are no
lessons to do, your job as parent-mentor can be enhanced by providing
supplemental work materials at a grade-appropriate level. Any bookstore or
American Automobile Association store can provide these types of workbooks.
And, if the student is old enough, the simple act of reading is beneficial.
Bring BOOKS in their carry-ons!
A couple of years ago my
daughter by necessity had to arrange a vacation during school time. My twin
grandchildren, Colin and Caitlin, had reading books as well as a journal that
they were expected to complete. Each journal had a page with the date at the
top. Each filled out boxes on each page covering topics like naming three
activities of the day and their favorite event, person, or place of the day.
They were also asked to draw something they saw that day. My daughter also had
them do the World Showcase tour with Passports to have signed at the Epcot
Kidcot stations.
One key to providing some
thinking skills in the trip to Walt Disney World is MAPS. Traveling to Orlando
either by plane, train, or automobile can be enhanced by having younger
children learn the geography through which (or over which) they are traveling.
Maps from AAA can be a godsend. Similarly, the park maps can be used to let
children plot their daily activities. Disney makes beautiful, customizable
family-specific maps for free and they can be ordered through the Disney World
website www.disneyworld.com
Advanced students
interested in art and architecture can learn a great deal though the recently
published Imagineering Field Guides to the Walt Disney World parks. And, of
course, the parks themselves and especially Epcot and Animal Kingdom can be
considered living lesson plans. Even as experienced an educator as I recognize
that a trip to Harambe Village is going to be more memorable than Miss Feeny's
scintillating lecture on African quadrupeds!
So the decision is yours
to make. But in doing so, be thoughtful about your own family's flexibility to
travel, your children's educational needs and maturity, and how YOU can make a
school time trip to Disney World educational as well as fun.
About the Author: A native
of Oregon, Roger Sauer is retired from school administration. Since retiring he
and his wife Donna have traveled to Europe for Disneyland Paris, to China
and Tibet, and most recently, Japan. They have been members of Disney Vacation
Club since 1993 and have traveled to Florida once or twice a year since
joining. They have three children and five grandchildren. Their next trip to
the World will be in December.
- - - - - - - - -
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
==========================================
Here's a few relevant news
items:
The Disney Dining
Experience's name changes to Tables in Wonderland, effective September 15, 2008. Disney says the
name change is to reduce confusion with other dining "privileges"
which bear a similar name (probably the Disney Dining Plan, if we were to
guess). The new name does not change any of the current benefits and
cardholders may continue to use their current card until it expires, whereupon
the new card (if renewed) will reflect the new name.
The Disney Magic is in dry
dock right now and will be receiving some exciting enhancements. Quiet Cove,
the adult only area on Deck 9, will receive upgrades to Cove Cafe (new
seating), the pool area (new waterfalls from the two hot tubs), and the deck
area (new teak lounge and deck chairs). The Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab
will be getting new registration areas that will make check-in more efficient.
"Mickey's Splash Zone," a new toddler water playground will be added
to the Mickey Pool on Deck 9. It will feature interactive fountains and soft
play surface and splash zones for children not yet toilet-trained. The
staterooms are receiving 22-inch, flat-screen LCD television sets, which will
be mounted on a swivel arm to allow viewing from multiple locations within the
stateroom.
Walt Disney World Dining
is now accepting Advanced Dining Reservations for January 16 - February 22,
2009. (As we reported in the July 10, 2008 issue, Disney was not accepting
reservations past January 15, 2009 in order to implement a new reservation
system. No word on the status of the new system.)
Ticket prices for Cirque
du Soleil's La Nouba at Downtown Disney will increase as of October 7, 2008.
The new prices are:
Category: Front and Center
Adult (Ages 10 & Up) -
$117.00 plus tax
Child (Ages 3-9) - $94.00
plus tax
Category 1: Premium
seating sections located center area of the theater
Adult - $102.00 plus tax
Child - $82.00 plus tax
Category 2:
Adult - $83.00 plus tax
Child - $67.00 plus tax
Category 3:
Adult - $67.00 plus tax
Child - $54.00 plus tax
Category 4:
Adult - $53.00 plus tax
Child - $43.00 plus tax
Tickets for La Nouba are
available at http://www.cirquedusoleil.com
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
==========================================
DISNEY TIPS FROM FELLOW
READERS
==========================================
Our readers deliver a
wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
CUISINE
"At Disney's
California Adventure and not sure where to eat? Take the quick exit near
Grizzly River Run and head to Whitewater Snacks for your meal. It is
normally not very crowded and has good, inexpensive, made-to-order food such as
nachos, burgers and a variety of kids meals. Best of all, it is one of
the few places at the resort where you can get unlimited free drink refills on
sodas!"
-- contributed
by Melissa H.
MISTING FAN FAVORITES
"If you are going to
be at Walt Disney World during the summer months, then you'll need a fan that
is also a water-mister! You can buy them at home in a discount store or at WDW
for a little more. However, on our recent trip to Disney, we found
that it was much easier, and more cost efficient, to buy one misting fan and
regular fans for everyone else. So, instead of paying $5-$10 a piece for the
water misting fans, just let one or two people do the misting while
everyone does their own fanning! The smaller fan also easily clips on a lanyard
while the water fans are way to heavy! We would put the water mister in the
stroller til we needed it, mist everyone down, and then let them take over with
their own mini-fans. It was a lot easier on our aching necks (and our wallets).
If we needed it in a long line, then someone different would take turns being
the 'water-mister' on each ride."
-- contributed by Anecia
P.
LOSE THAT LUGGAGE
"Tired of cramped
living quarters? Disney resort bell services will hold your empty luggage for
you during the extent of your stay. Just call bell services after you've
unpacked and ask them to hold your luggage. When you are ready to pack, call
them again and have your luggage brought to your room. There is no extra charge
for this service (gratuity is recommended). Families of four or more who are
planning a week-long or more stay this space-saving service can really help
from keeping the walls closing in on you!"
-- contributed by
Amy 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:
"The opportunity to
visit Disneyland Resort in California has presented itself and I'm now here
enjoying the California sunshine and unearthing more hidden treasures! Today
when I arrived, I parked the Official Treasure Hunter Hummer in the Disney
& Friends parking garage (which I learned is one of the largest parking
structures in the world, by the way). I was delighted to note the fanciful
signage. Donald Duck glared down at me from a sign indicating the way to the
trams, for example. And I was happy to see that Chip & Dale adorned the
signs on the level that I parked my vehicle. Only one problem -- I was so busy
admiring Chip & Dale that I forgot what level I parked on!"
What level of the Mickey
& Friends parking garage do you see signs with Chip & Dale?
For bonus credit, locate
the photographic evidence in the PassPorter Photo Archive and post a comment
with the photo!
Congratulations to Lesley
S. who was the winner of last week's trivia contest! Lesley was the first
person to identify the founder and director emeritus of the casting agency
as Walter Elias Disney. The Casting Agency is located on Main Street U.S.A. in
the Magic Kingdom. Bonus credit goes to grandmasuzy who was the first
person to locate the photo in our PassPorter Photo Archive. To view the
original clue, see last week's newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news090408.htm#captain
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!
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
==========================================
PASSPORTER PHOTOPICK
==========================================
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:
Goofy Has His Head in the
Clouds
contributed by upsashburn
View Photo: http://www.passporter.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/9704
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 - 2592 photos
Meggera - 711 photos
akleos - 568 photos
Dopey007 - 512 photos
DyanKJ130 - 326 photos
====================================
Q & A WITH JENNIFER
& DAVE
====================================
eyore Tattoo asks:
"Has anyone gone to the Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian Resort
for Afternoon Tea? Did you enjoy it?"
Dave answers: Yes, some
years ago. And yes, I did enjoy it. All those little goodies to snack on,
attentive service, genteel surroundings. Quite nice for a relaxed break from
the park with the right company. Not the place for a four year-old boy, though.
The only way I'll bring Alexander there is if he learns to say, 'Yes, Pater,
isn't the lapsang souchong delightful? And do have one of these scones with a
bit of lemon curd!' (No, I don't waggle my pinkie in the air when I drink my
tea.)"
To see other answers that
Eeyore Tattoo received, check out the rest of the thread at http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/feasting-snacking-eateries/171580-afternoon-tea.html
Have a question? Post
questions at http://www.passporterboards.com/ -- and if you're lucky, you may
find that folks have already asked and answered the same question that's on
your mind!
===================================
WANT TO GET PUBLISHED?
===================================
PassPorter News is
published weekly and we're always on the lookout for good quality Disney and
travel articles! We seek guest columnists who want to contribute articles to
this newsletter. No professional writing experience necessary, just a desire to
share your experience with others! Not only is this a great way to give
something back to the PassPorter community, but you get to see your name in
"print" and receive a $25 gift certificate.
===================================
OUR SPONSORS: We
Recommend...
===================================
PassPorter only accepts
advertising from services of the highest quality -- we recommend these
companies because we use them ourselves. Please support our sponsors and, in
turn, support this newsletter! This week's sponsors are (in order of
appearance):
Mouse Fan Travel -- Decade
of Dream Packages
MouseEarVacations.com --
Disney Magic for Labor Day 2009 Special
Quicksilver Tours &
Transportation -- $5.00 off airport round-trip town car
Thank you, sponsors!
====================================
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sent to those who have subscribed to it through our Web site or at the time of
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contest.
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and help each other in our
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MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter Travel Press, PO Box 3880, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
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