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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
September 15, 2005 * Issue
5.16
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.
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of our labor of love --
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Learn all about them:
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In This Newsletter:
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Frm the Authors: 10,000
Miles Later...
Travel Feature: Harry PotterŐs
Great Britain
Disney World Feature: Shades
of Green, Part 1
Updates: What's New and
Changed
Tips: Neck Light, Night
Lights; Radio Raves; Goofy Gifts
Q&A: Read all about
Jennifer and DaveŐs crossing of the Panama Canal
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FROM THE AUTHORS: 10,000
Miles Later...
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Hi, friends!
We're baaaack! (and we bet
you didn't even notice we were gone). Yep, we had the great pleasure to sail on
the Disney Magic as it made its 14-night journey from Los Angeles back to its
home port of Cape Canaveral Florida (see http://www.passporter.com/panamacanalcruise
). Not only that, but we did a true Castle-to-Castle journey by paying visits
to Disneyland (the newly refurbished Space Mountain is fantastic!) and Walt
Disney World (where we went "Soarin'" right back to California).
While we were in Los Angeles we even took a one night "cruise" on
that Grande Dame of the seas, the Queen Mary. The ship may be firmly moored to
a pier in Long Beach, but for that night we traveled back more than half a
century, to a time when a four-night itinerary could take you from New York to
London in utter luxury.
One of the most amazing
aspects of this trip was just how many people recognized us and came over to
chat! Whether it was at Disneyland, on the Magic or at Walt Disney World, not a
day went by without folks coming up to tell us how much they enjoy our books. Our
thanks go to everyone who took the time to say hello. Most of the time we're in
our offices working away at our computers, with little face-to-face contact
with our readers. It really helps to know that folks appreciate what we do.
It's also amazing that it
has been nearly a month since the debut of "PassPorter's Walt Disney World
For Your Special Needs" by Deb Wills and Debra Martin Koma of AllEarsNet.com
fame. The response to the book has been wonderful, and "the Debs"
deserve a big round of applause for a job well done! The Special Needs book is
in-stock at Amazon.com and at the PassPorter store, and is beginning to appear
on the shelves at local bookstores. If your favorite store doesn't have it yet,
ask for it (ISBN 1-58771-018-8), or you can order your copy today at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710188.aspx
MouseFest 2005 plans are
shaping up wonderfully! The schedule is already crammed with interesting events
and meets and MANY celebrity authors and guests! We'll be sending our our first
MouseFest newsletter in the coming days, so if you aren't already subscribed to
the MouseFest mailing list, please visit http://www.MouseFest.org
and sign up!
And now to matters a little
closer at hand. In this edition of the newsletter, Julia Elzie takes Harry Potter
fans for a ride on the Knight Bus to show us the real English sights and sites
that make up Harry's magical movie world. All we can say is, "We wanna go
back!" If only we had some floo powder or a portkey.... Then, Betsy and
Eric Walton describe the many ways that you or someone you love may qualify for
lodgings at Shades of Green, the armed forces recreation facility just a
stone's throw from the Magic Kingdom. Do you make the grade? Betsy and Eric
will be back in our next newsletter to tell you how to make your reservations
and what pleasures lie in store.
Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Travel Press
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DID YOU KNOW?
All PassPorters Ship Next
Day!
The current editions of all
our PassPorter guidebooks are 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 shipping next
business day when ordered by 8:00 pm ET the night before. (We should note,
however, that we're down to the last hundred copies of our PassPorter WDW 2005
edition, but we just re-stocked on our Disney Cruise Line edition because the
first printing sold out in just two months!) If you've been waiting to order
your copy, now is the perfect time!
Everyone who orders from
PassPorter gets a 15% discount and if you've already got a copy of any
PassPorter, you can register it at http://www.passporter.com/register.htm 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: Harry PotterŐs
Great Britain
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By Julie Elzie, Guest
Contributor
Many people have been swept
away by the magical stories of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermione and Ron.
We stay up all night reading the latest book and cry at the loss of a member of
the Hogwarts family. In the midst of it all, is England, the mystical home of
Harry Potter.
So, you have read all of the
books and seen all the movies? You can never get enough Harry Potter? While
HarryŐs world doesnŐt REALLY exist, it is possible to peer down Diagon Alley
and maybe even catch a whiff of ButterBeer or see the steam of the Hogwarts
Express as it heads off to school.
The British are famous for
their respect for their history and tradition. These lovely British traits can
be found throughout the Harry Potter books within countless references to the
history of Hogwarts, generations of Hogwarts graduates or the annual tradition
of the Sorting Hat. Tradition and heritage are very important parts of Harry
Potter's British Adventure and there are many different ways to catch a glimpse
of the ends of Harry's Hogwarts robes.
J.K. Rowling's imagination
created the magical Hogwarts, but after extensive research, the producers of
the Harry Potter movies discovered Hogwarts in Northumbria, England! Actually,
it is Alnwick Castle (pronounced Annick). The castle was used for the outdoor
scenes of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but it is actually the
ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. During your visit,
admire the spectacular fountains and the magnificent waterfalls of the estate.
Be sure to stop at the green at the castle to see if anyone is attending
Quidditch practice.
Oxford University, just
outside of London, provided the setting for the school scenes. Oxford's Christ
Church houses the staircase where Professor McGonagall greets the children,
while the Great Hall is where Hogwarts students eat their meals. (By the way,
for those who are fans of the Lord of the Rings or the Chronicles of Narnia,
J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were on the faculty of Magdalen College at Oxford
in the mid-1900s.)
Moaning Myrtle can be found
at the Cathedral of Gloucester, which originated with the Normans and has been
a place of worship for more than 1300 years. Most of the ghost scenes, talking
pictures scenes, and the mysterious red writing on the wall were filmed at the
Cathedral of Gloucester. Tour guides lead groups to see the towers and crypts
grounds of the cathedral and they will also point out various Harry Potter
scenes were filmed. The Cathedral's Lacock Abbey was also used for school
scenes in the movies.
Train travel is very common
in Europe because it is cost-efficient and affordable. The students of Hogwarts
take the Hogwarts Express to school. The Hogwarts Express departs from Platform
9 3Ú4 at the Kings' Cross Station in London -- of course, Muggles cannot see
the train or the platform, but you might catch a glimpse of the steam as it
departs the station. Be sure to have your picture taken with the baggage cart
that British Rail cut in half and attached to the wall between platforms - just
for Muggles! The Hogwarts Express ends its journey at Hogsmeade Station, which
is also known as Goathland Station in the Yorkshire Moors. The station house
opened in 1865 and has not been changed since its opening. The surrounding
countryside is a classic English pastoral setting with lovely green valleys,
rugged landscapes, and the 70 foot Mallyan Spout waterfall.
London itself provided many
locations for the Harry Potter movies. Harry learned to communicate with snakes
at the London Zoo. After some snake communication of your own, be sure to spend
some time watching the herons and wildfowl at the lake, play on the playgrounds
or enjoy some outdoor performances at Regent's Park. A city tour will offer the
best glimpses of other Harry Potter film locations, including Big Ben, the
River Thames and Parliament Square. Leadenhall Market in London doubled as
Diagon Alley where Hagrid and Harry did Harry's school shopping for his first
term at Hogwarts. Australia's High Commission welcomed Harry into the
spectacular Exhibition Hall at Australia House and provided the location for
Gringotts Bank, run by goblins, in the first Harry Potter movie. Since the
Australia High Commission conducts business in the hall, take a quick peek from
the outside on Melbourne Place.
If your Harry Potter British
Adventure is your first trip to Europe, Great Britain is a great place to
start! We speak the same language and the culture is very similar to our
American culture, yet the ambiance of the country is very different from the
United States. Staying in bed-and-breakfast inns (called B&Bs) is a
marvelous value for your money and an excellent glimpse into the unique British
life. In different locations, you may stay in a private home, a country
cottage, a manor house or an ancient castle. B&B's are not as fancy as
hotels and while many will have a bathroom in your room, some will offer a
bathroom near to your room. Breakfast will be very large, so much so that lunch
may not be necessary--expect typical breakfast fare along with regional
favorites such as soda bread, smoked haddock or kippers. In any case, you will
get to know the British people and they will give you insights into their daily
lives and backdoor advice on local sights and attractions. You can choose to
pre-book your accommodations and an experienced travel agent can assist you in
assessing B&Bs, manor houses or castles, along with making reservations and
planning your itinerary. It is recommended that you make reservations ahead of
time if you plan to travel in July or August, because those months are prime
Europe vacation travel times.
Of course, car rental is
always an option (make your car rental reservations before leaving home), but
remember, the British drive on the "wrong" side of the road! London
probably isn't the best place to learn to drive on the other side of the road!
As in the rest of Europe, train travel in Great Britain is efficient, affordable
and comfortable and allows you to travel between large cities and small towns
in first class or second class sections.
With a bit of help from
sympathetic Muggles, it is possible to catch a glimpse of Harry Potter and the
other students of Hogwarts, hear the flutter of the wings of Hedwig and the
other owls or a puff of steam from the Hogwarts Express throughout Great
Britain. Along the way, it is a great opportunity to get to know the wonderful
British people and experience their lovely way of life.
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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: Shades
of Green: Elibility & Pricing (Part 1 of 2)
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by Betsy & Eric Walton,
Guest Columnists
In the midst of Walt Disney
World lies a hidden gem, the Shades of Green Resort. Previously known as the
Disney Inn, this resort was purchased by the United States military for use as
an Armed Forces Recreation Center and opened as the newly renamed Shades of
Green in February 1994.
When Shades of Green
re-opened its doors in March 2004 after a lengthy renovation, the hotel
contained amenities equivalent to a Disney deluxe resort. Its 586 guest rooms
are some of the largest in Walt Disney World, providing a great deal of space
for visiting families to relax. The resort lies surrounded by two of Walt
Disney World's PGA championship golf courses -- the Magnolia and the Palm,
making it a favorite destination for golfers. Guests at Shades of Green can
enjoy the same Disney benefits as those guests that stay at a regular Walt
Disney World resort, including the use of Disney transportation and Extra Magic
Hours.
Could you be eligible to
stay at Shades of Green? You might be surprised! If you are an active duty
member of one of the branches of the United States military (Army, Navy, Air
Force, Marines or Coast Guard), you can stay at Shades of Green. Members of all
of the "Ready Reserve" Forces of the United States (the Army Reserve,
Navy Reserve, Marine Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve) are
also eligible. Last, but not least, all members of the Army and Air National
Guard are welcome as guests of the Resort.
Members of the military
aren't the only ones who can stay on-site. Some military veterans can stay at
Shades of Green. Those who retired from any military service (active or
reserves), 100% disabled veterans with an honorable discharge, and those brave
men and women who have won the nation's highest medal, the Medal of Honor, or
have previously been Prisoners of War may stay at the hotel.
If you are a civilian who
currently works for the Department of Defense or are a retired Department of
Defense employee, you are also eligible to enjoy Shades of Green. If you are a
contract worker with a private company working full-time at a military post
within the U.S. or any length of employment outside the U.S., you are eligible.
If you are a member of one of those civilian organizations that support our
armed forces (typically, the American Red Cross, Young Men's Christian Association
(YMCA), or United Service Organization (USO)) and are with U.S. troops
overseas, you can stay on-site at Shades of Green.
Specific family members may
also be able to stay at the resort in their own right. The spouses of active
duty or reserve military personnel, or spouses of service members currently
Prisoners of War or Missing in Action are eligible. Surviving spouses of
military personal who died on active duty or those spouses who survive the
death of a military retiree may stay at Shades of Green until they remarry.
Children under 21 years old who are orphans of military personal may also stay
at the hotel. Former (i.e. divorced) spouses of military personnel who served
at least twenty years are also eligible until they remarry. Finally, spouses of
Department of Defense civilians can also stay at Shades of Green.
There are a few groups of
people who don't fall in any regular grouping that may still enjoy Shades of
Green. U.S. Federal employees assigned outside the United States and any uniformed
member of the Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration are eligible. So are Federal employees who work on a Department
of Defense installation. Finally, members of the general public and cadets of
the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) may stay at Shades of Green under
certain specific circumstances. (See the Shades of Green web site at http://www.shadesofgreen.org/service.htm
for details.)
If you are a member of any
of the eligible groups above, you may make reservations at Shades of Green. The
resort will inquire upon your reservation if you meet one of the above
requirements but will accept your word to make the reservation. Please note
that when you actually check into the hotel, you must prove your status. Often
this requires simply an identification card like those produced by the
Department of Defense. If you are a member of the more unique categories (like
someone with the USO serving overseas), inquire with Shades of Green staff when
making your reservations as to what specific documentation will be required at
check-in.
What if you still want to
stay at Shades of Green and don't meet any of the above requirements? Don't
worry; all hope is not lost yet. Do you know anyone who is a member of any
group listed above? Is your father a retired veteran? Is your daughter serving
on active duty? If so, take a trip to Disney World with them!
Each member of the above
group may sponsor up to three rooms for guests. There are only a few
requirements to be met. First, the sponsor (i.e. the person who is in one of
the above groups) must be a registered guest at the same time. Second, the
sponsor must also accompany their guest during the purchase of tickets at
Shades of Green. Finally, the sponsor must insure that their guests follow all
resort rules.
Shades of Green also has a
policy that allows the dependent spouses of military (active or reserves),
retirees, or Department of Defense employees to also sponsor up to three rooms.
These rooms are in addition to the rooms mentioned above. Thus, a guest who is
an active duty member of the military can reserve three rooms and his or her
spouse may reserve an additional three rooms. That is a total of six rooms for
non-eligible guests who may now enjoy Shades of Green! There is one exception
to this rule. During Shades of Green "Hollydays" (i.e. during the
Christmas through New Year period), a dependent spouse may not reserve any
rooms. Other members of the above listed groups can still reserve their three
rooms as normal.
Prices at Shades of Green
are dependent on which of the above categories you fit into. Those guests who
are currently serving in the military or retired from the military holding a
rank from E-1 to E-5 will pay $72 per night for a standard room ($76 after
October 1). Guests who are currently serving or retired from the military and
held a rank of O-4 to O-10 or CW-4 or CW-5, current Federal employees at levels
GS-11 to SES or NF-4 to NF-6, and all retired Department of Defense employees
will pay $104 per night for a standard room ($106 after October 1). All other
members not specifically mentioned in the two above groups fall in the middle
and will pay $97 per night for a standard room ($99 after October 1). Guests of
a Shades of Green sponsor pay at the sponsor's rate. (Additional Shades of
Green room rates can be found here: http://www.shadesofgreen.org/PDFgallery.htm
).
Shades of Green is the only
resort on Disney property that requires its guest to meet certain criteria
before allowing entry. If these requirements are met, guests will be repaid
with accommodations equal to a Disney deluxe resort for a price equivalent to a
Disney value resort. It's a hard deal to beat if you are a deserving member of
one of the above eligible classes. Staying at Shades of Green will allow guests
to concentrate on the true purpose of their visit; experiencing all the magic
available throughout Walt Disney World.
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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 Disneyú
The Annual Passholder (AP)
Best Rate Program which has been being tested over the past few months has been
made official. AP special rates will no longer be offered. Instead AP holders
can now book rates up to 60 days in advance and receive the best rate available
in the computers at that time. Rooms must be booked online and a one night's
deposit is due at time of booking. Also you may not pay off the balance of your
room until you actually check-in.
Another "test
program" that appears to be here tostay is staggered dining times onboard
the Disney Wonder. Cruisers still have the option of early or late seating but
within this times, you will be assigned seating times of 5:45 pm, 6:00 p.m. or
6:15 p.m. for the early seating and 8:00 p.m., 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. for the
late seating.
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:
NECK LIGHT, NIGHT
LIGHT
"The glowing necklaces
sold at night in the parks (or pre-purchased at a discount store) make great
night lights! When we returned to the hotel with them each night we hung one on
the wall near the kid's bed and placed one in the bathroom. They provided just
the right amount of light to keep the "Villains" at bay and show the
way to the bathroom in an unfamiliar place."
-- contributed by Laura
N.
RADIO RAVES
"I have a tip for
families who drive to Walt Disney World. We do, and we are always looking for
ways to make the miles pass more quickly. Before you leave, visit the web site
for Radio Disney. When you click on the states you'll be driving through, you
can note the call numbers of Radio Disney affiliates in the major cities in
those states. When you begin your trip and get near a specific city, you'll
know where to tune in Radio Disney. I now keep the list in the glove
compartment permanently. The music is fun (especially for children), and there
are interviews and live broadcasts from WDW. It's a great way to get even more
excited about the trip South."
-- contributed by Colleen
Costello (colleencostello@...)
GOOFY GIFTS
"Hand a character a
small toy without your child seeing you and ask the character to give it to
your child. That 50 cent ring from the gum ball machine at the grocery store
now becomes a beloved treasure."
-- contributed by
Diane
>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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Jennifer and Dave spent two
weeks onboard the Disney Magic as it made it's way back to Port Canaveral from
California. Check out their detailed trip report complete with photos and video
on http://www.passporter.com/panamancanalcruise
.
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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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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