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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
October 26, 2006 * Issue 6.41
PassPorter.com - http://www.passporter.com
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Welcome to PassPorter News, an online newsletter
about PassPorter travel guidebooks, the
Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.
PassPorter News is available by free subscription
to all readers and friends of our labor of love --
PassPorter Travel Guidebooks.
Learn all about them:
http://www.passporter.com/aboutpassporter.htm
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In This Newsletter:
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From the Authors: Trick or Treat!
Travel Feature: Adventures by Disney: Viva Italia!
Disney Feature: MouseFest
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Forget the Formal Purse, Flattered Favorites, Drawer Driving
Captain's Corner: Tip Top Club
Q&A: How
do we keep out passports dry on shore excursions?
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FROM THE AUTHORS: Trick
or Treat!
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Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
Halloween is fast approaching on October 31, so
here's our trick-or-treat for you:
OUR TRICK: Our new PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007 edition is
expected to arrive earlier than expected! At the
latest report, the books destined for our Michigan warehouse were somewhere
east of Reno, Nevada. That's 7200 miles down, 2100 miles to go! Barring
blizzard, landslide, labor dispute, or loading dock error, we may start
shipping pre-orders as early as the week of November 6! About two weeks after
that you may start seeing it on bookstore shelves. Pre-order your
copy today at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/2007.aspx .
OUR TREAT: We have a PassPorter Meet coming up for
our Disneyland friends! We'll be heading out to Disneyland on November 4 for
over a week of research for the next edition of PassPorter's Disneyland Resort
and Southern California Attractions. While there we'll be participating in MousePlanet's MouseAdventure on November
5, and we've scheduled a PassPorter Meet for the
following Saturday, November 11 in Disneyland's New Orleans Square. If you can,
please do drop by! More details on the PassPorter Meet are at http://www.passporterboards.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1397915&an=0&page=0#Post1397915
We're still hard at work on our Mediterranean
trip report. Day 2 (Marseille) is now online
and ready for your reading pleasure, with more to come soon. Our full report contains many
interesting articles at http://www.passporter.com/dcl/mediterranean.asp
Just a reminder: Some of our older edition
PassPorters on close-out
are either out of stock, or about to be -- so now's the time to get your cheap
books. These close-outs are available from 65% - 95% off the list price -- a
great deal! To see what we have available, visit the PassPorter Store at
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/closeouts.aspx
MouseFest just keeps
getting bigger and better. New communities and attendees are being added to the
list all the time - nearly 1650 attendees have now registered! If you'll be
on the December 3 sailing of the Disney Wonder and/or at Walt Disney World
between December 7 and 11 please visit http://www.MouseFest.org to check out
all the great events (nearly all are free), and to register to receive the
MouseFest newsletter. See you there!
PassPorter Public Appearance Calendar
Here's an update on where you can see/hear/meet
PassPorter's authors in the upcoming months:
Coming soon:
11/11/2006 1:00 PM
PassPorter Meet at Disneyland Park with Jennifer,
Dave, and Alexander Marx (this is NOT a blockout date for Deluxe AP holders,
but is blocked out for SoCal AP holders)
Place: Fountain near Haunted Mansion
Join us to check out the new Pirates of the
Caribbean attraction, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and anything else we feel like
doing together. We'll have our brand new "PassPorter Pal" cloisonne
pins to give to anyone who attends our meet!
Note: If you are a SoCal AP holder but still want
to get together with us, we'll be in the park on Sunday, November 12, too. Just
e-mail us (jenniferanddave@passporter.com) and we'll set up a time and place to
meet.
12/3 - 12/11/2006
MouseFest 2006
See the MouseFest web site for the full schedule
Appearing: Jennifer, Dave and Alexander Marx, Deb
Wills
Be sure to bring your books for autographing
Books will also be available for sale at the
MegaMouseMeet, Saturday 12/9, at 1:00 pm.
In this issue of the newsletter Dotti Saroufim, who
many of you may know from AllEarsNet, takes us on
an Adventures by Disney tour of Italy, and Cheryl
Pendry reports on MouseFest 2006. Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors and Publishers
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DID YOU KNOW?
If you book your vacation with MEI & Mouse
Fan Travel by Oct 31, we'll make a
donation to Deb Wills fund for the
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
LAST CALL - Walt
Disney World Resort¨
Nov to Dec Magic Your Way Package
5 nights from $369* - Book by 10/31/06
Valid most nights 11/1/06-12/23/06
Visit us at: http://www.mousefantravel.com/?apid=ptp
*Per person/double occupancy, subject to availability
CST207807440
Click for full
details. As to Disney artwork: ©Disney
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TRAVEL FEATURE: Adventures by Disney: Viva Italia!
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by Dotti Saroufim, Guest Contributor and member
of the MouseEarVacations.com team
[Note: Adventures by Disney is Disney's new
guided vacation travel organization, currently offering a dozen different tours
in North and Central America, and Europe. To learn more, visit http://www.adventuresbydisney.com or contact
your Disney Specialist travel agent. - Ed.]
Day One: Benvenuto!
Could I possibly be more excited? My last overseas
trip was to Lebanon in 1993, and this trip promised to be much more fun with a
lot less bombing. Even after over seven hours of sitting with my knees pushed
up to my chin (IÕm taller than most), I left the comfort (ha!) of Alitalia with
an abundance of caffeine-induced enthusiasm and energy.
Flying in from Logan Airport in Boston made RomeÕs
Leonardo da Vinci - Fiumicino Airport seems sane and organized. The signs were
plentiful and clear, and we made our way to the baggage claim without any
confusion. There we were met by an Adventures by Disney representative,
carrying what would soon become a very familiar sign. After claiming our bags,
we were led out to the customs area, where we met our first Adventure Guide,
Tina Hyatt.
TinaÕs job on this day was to run around the
airport looking for arrivals, tag their bags, hand out information sheets, and
get them and their luggage settled into some kind of transportation and on
their way to the hotel. No easy task with guests arriving at all different
times, and to multiple baggage claim areas. As effortless and stress-free as
she made it appear, it was just the beginning of nine days of careful planning
and meticulous attention to detail that made this trip so seamless for those of
us traveling.
There were eight of us on the Boston to Rome
flight, Tony and I, and a wonderful family of six who we came to know and love.
Rather than have us wait for them to clear customs, a private car was ordered
up for us and we had our first Òthrill rideÓ in Italy -- Mr. GiuseppeÕs Wild
Ride to the Westin Excelsior. ÒHey, is that the Coliseum?Ó Whoosh! ÒWow, was
that the Vatican?Ó Whoosh! ÒWait, isnÕt thatÉ?Ó Whoosh! In Rome, you pretty
much have to do as the Romans do, and we settled back and relaxed -- all Romans
drive like this!
We soon (very soon -- whoosh!) arrived at the
Westin, our luggage was taken at the door, and we entered the ornately
decorated front door to find ourselves in a magnificent chandeliered lobby --
what a lovely hotel! I donÕt honestly know how or where we found Cinzia
Orlando, our other Adventures by Disney guide, but like magic she was by our
side. After excusing herself to take care of the guests who arrived shortly
before us, she came over to where we had found a comfortable place to sit and
wait, and told us that our room was actually ready at this early hour. It must
be Disney magic! She gave us a little tour of the hotel, including a glimpse at
the wonderful spa and indoor pool, and showed us where weÕd be meeting for the
evening events. Our ÒDaily VivaÓ noted an ÒAdventure WelcomeÓ at 5:30 p.m. and
a dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Our ÒAdventure WelcomeÓ was the first time weÕd
officially meet all of our traveling companions -- 36 of us in all! ÒGetting to
Know YouÓ games were played, champagne flowed freely, and delicious appetizers
were served. By the time we entered the private dining area for our meal, we
were all fast friends. One tie that bound many of us was our love for Disney,
so there was no lack of topics for conversation!
Day Two: All Roads Lead to Rome
Our day began with an amazing array of food at the
breakfast buffet in the hotelÕs restaurant -- and with the best coffee I may
ever have tasted! IÕd go back to Rome just for that. We then met up with our
Adventure Guides, and also with our local guide, Fabrizio, for our walking tour
of Rome. Fabrizio would be a familiar sight (and voice) for the next few days,
and we became very accustomed to his, ÒAndiamo, my friend, andiamo,Ó (ÒLetÕs
go!Ó) as we moved from place to place. We were all given individual headsets
and lanyards, so that we could hear Fabrizio from a distance -- so much better
than the olden days of guides shouting to large groups of tourists, and those
like me, who lagged behind to take photos, missing most of what was said. We
were also handed cold water bottles and snacks to pack up and take with us -- a
thoughtful touch!
Our walking tour began in the Villa Borghese
gardens, a short stroll from our hotel. The villa was built in 1616 by a nephew
of Scipio Borghese (Pope Paul V) and in 1901 the gardens became a state-owned
public park. The views of these gardens, and from the gardens, were
magnificent! From there, our tour took us to the Spanish Steps, the Trevi
Fountain (where we all tossed coins to guarantee that weÕd one day return), the
Pantheon, and the nearby Piazza Navona with its beautiful statues and
fountains. By now the sky had cleared considerably and was dotted with white
puffy clouds -- a perfect day for walking!
After lunch, we were off to the Coliseum by motor
coach. This was our first meeting with Reno, our wonderful driver, who would be
with us all the way until our departure for Venice later in the week. Along with being an expert driver
(those roads in Tuscany are tough!); he was a kind and patient soul, as we were
a loud bunch once we got to know each other. The Coliseum was as remarkable as
I expected, but even more startling to me (even though IÕve seen the photos for
all of my life) is how it sits there in the middle of this bustling modern
city, a huge reminder of the past and how far weÕve come, but how little weÕve
progressed. (Ignore me. I was sleep-deprived.)
Back at the hotel, we showered and rested and met
up soon to depart for our Roman Feast. Being somewhat jet-lagged at this point,
I honestly donÕt remember the name of the restaurant nor where it was located,
but the food and the company was truly memorable. During our many-coursed meal,
we were entertained by dancers and gladiators, depicting what life would have
been like at a Roman feast of old. Tony got to participate in a sword fight
(helping to make room for the next course) and we were all made honorary Roman
citizens. It was a fun evening!
Back at the hotel, I was asleep in minutes, but I
hear that a few of our traveling companions (and you know who you are!) went
out in search of some tasty Limoncello -- an Italian liquor made from lemon
rinds, sugar, and É lots of alcohol. Judging by the pained looked on their
faces the next morning, they found some. ÒLimoncello!Ó became somewhat of a
battle cry for the whole group as the trip progressed -- somehow these
ÒAdventuresÓ take on a whole new meaning without children along!
Day Three: LetÕs Be Civilized
This was our day to visit the Vatican, and leaving
any later would almost insure that we wouldnÕt get in -- or weÕd at least have
to wait for many hours to do so.
After a long but enjoyable (hey, I had 35 people to
talk to!) wait in line, we were allowed in. It was also a time for another one
of Adventures by DisneyÕs little thoughtful surprises, something that kept us
occupied while we waited. One of the wonderful things about being on this type
of tour is that the tickets are all purchased by one of the guides while you
wait; when itÕs time to enter, you just go through the turnstiles. This was our
third day in Rome and I hadnÕt yet reached into my wallet for anything -- even
the coins for the Trevi Fountain were supplied by our guides!
Once inside the Vatican, even I was so overwhelmed
it kept me quiet. There are truly no words to describe it -- the Gallery of
Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Etruscan Museum -- ultimately leading into the Sistine Chapel where
just the ceiling would take a month of study and admiration. It is so
jaw-dropping, overwhelmingly beautiful. And to leave the Sistine Chapel
thinking that nothing could awe me in quite that way again, and then to walk
into St. PeterÕs Basilica where each and every section and alter and piece of
marble was a work of art -- a better writer might be able to describe the
emotions that this place evoked, but IÕm surely not that writer. For those
who know me, just saying I was speechless should be enough.
We had a little time afterwards to explore the
Basilica and the Square on our own, and to do a little shopping. We were then
brought by motor coach to a lovely little restaurant near the Coliseum called
Le Lanterne, where we had pre-ordered our lunches the day before. We started
with a generous antipasto buffet, followed by a choice of vegetarian pasta,
grilled chicken breast or Veal Saltimbocca (my choice!). Dessert was fruit
salad and ice cream - yum! We then had the choice of exploring the area and
wandering back to the hotel on foot, or going back via motor coach, and as
stuffed as we were (and tired!), we chose the latter.
Dinner tonight was on our own, and our Adventure
Guides were in the lobby for any questions or recommendations. Tony had a name
of a local place, only a few blocks away, that was recommended by a friend. We
were to go to the Taverna Flavia and ask for ÒRocco.Ó After meeting up with
some of our traveling companions, six of us headed there for dinner and had a
wonderful meal -- albeit by questionable means. When Tony asked for Rocco (who
was there, by the way), the owner came out to welcome us Òback.Ó He brought us
champagne to start the meal, an enormous selection of antipasto, only charged
us for some of the wine we consumed, and also brought complimentary Limoncello
after our meal! From then on, we decided that ÒRoccoÓ was a code word, and that
we were likely mistaken for visiting Mafia!
Day Four: Etruscan Roots
This morning, we had to leave our luggage outside
the door by 7:30 a.m. for our trip to Orvieto and Tuscany. At least the motor coach wouldnÕt be leaving until
8:45 a.m. -- a much more civilized time! After one last wonderful breakfast and
at least a pot of heavenly coffee at the Excelsior, we boarded the bus and
within minutes were outside of the city and enjoying the scenery of rural
Italy. Tony ended up loving Tuscany the most, as it reminded him of his country,
Lebanon, with its rolling hills, farmlands, mountains, and vineyards. It was a
lovely and peaceful drive, when two buses werenÕt fighting for right of way on
high winding roads.
Our first stop on the way to Tuscany (after a quick
Òpit stopÓ for the bathroom -- see Òpot of coffeeÓ above -- and Ònecessity
shoppingÓ) was to its neighboring region, Umbria, and the lovely village of
Orvieto. Orvieto is perched on a 984-foot plateau, overlooks smaller towns and
vineyards, and is reached by a Òfunicular,Ó a cable-car system once run by
water. Tourists are drawn to this village for the Duomo, one of ItalyÕs
greatest cathedrals, which began construction in 1290 and took over 300 years
to build. With its winding cobblestone streets, beautiful views, and interesting
history, this is a special village to visit.
After exploring the little side streets with its
shops and restaurants, we had a lovely lunch with two of our new friends in a
little out-of-the-way cafŽ that Tony found by asking one of the locals where
she liked to eat. I had ravioli with a black truffle sauce that was just
heavenly. Did I mention that the food was good in Italy?
When we arrived at our hotel, it was a bit misty
and foggy, and the outlines of the buildings and the streetlights appeared
almost mystical. Once a working hamlet, we soon discovered that each of the
rooms at the Borgo de Fontebussi was uniquely different -- from simple rooms
with small baths to multi-level townhouses with kitchens and sitting areas.
After unpacking, Tony (since dubbed Òthe MayorÓ by most of our group) took me
on a tour, showing me where each of our group was staying. ÒRick and Jan are
across from us, Marc and Robbin are in that building over there, Maura and Erin
are in this one to the leftÉÓ Our room was in the Òmain villaÓ where there were
also a few sitting rooms if guests chose to congregate outside of their rooms.
On the motor coach earlier in the day, we had
chosen our dining time and our dining companions, and eight of us were
scheduled to eat in the hotelÕs restaurant at 7:45 p.m. Again, we were given
our choices in advance and this time I went for the fried Pecorino (incredibly
tasty fried cheese) for a starter, the pasta with wild boar sauce for my first
course, and the pork loin with a side of potatoes for my second course. Dessert
was a choice of ricotta cake, chocolate mousse or Panna Cotta. Ahhhhh.
(Dotti and TonyÕs adventures in Italy continue
in the next issue of PassPorter News!)
About the Author: Dotti Saroufim is a CruisingCo.com/MouseEarVacations.com travel
agent. She recently returned from Epcot's Food and Wine Festival
and is looking forward to meetinng some of you on land or at sea in
December for MouseFest
2006.
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Did you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail
us at news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss
your Disney travel plans.
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DISNEY FEATURE: MouseFest 2006
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by Cheryl Pendry, Guest Contributor and
PassPorter Message Board Guide
What do you call hundreds of Disney fans all
gathered in the same place to enjoy the magic together? MouseFest!
Of course it all started with a mouse, but this
particular week long celebration, now an annual event, really grew out of the
Internet and the many Disney web sites and message boards, such as http://www.passporterboards.com, where people
can meet like-minded friends. In fact, it was PassPorter authors Dave and
Jennifer Marx, along with AllEarsNet.com founder Deb Wills, who started the
whole ball rolling, with the first official MouseFest in 2003.
Since then itÕs grown in size, as one quick look at
the official website http://www.mousefest.org will show.
Already this year, there are more than 1,600 names registered covering nearly
every state in America and countries as diverse as the United Kingdom, Canada,
Australia, Japan, Brazil and the Bahamas. Of those, more than 250 will be on the
MouseFest four night cruise aboard the Disney Wonder from December 3 Ð 7, while
they and the rest will be enjoying the land based events at Walt Disney World
from December 7 Ð 11. So what can you expect from MouseFest?
We went for the first time last year, wondering
exactly the same thing. Our participation was limited to the land based events,
as our budget unfortunately couldnÕt stretch to include the cruise, no matter
how hard I tried!
One thing we did learn is that youÕll get so much
more out of MouseFest if youÕve ÒmetÓ some of those taking part online before
you get there. The PassPorter message boards are a great place to do that as
well as learn details of some of the meets being planned. ItÕs so much easier
to talk to people face to face if you already know something about them from
the posts theyÕve made on message boards. We found that many of the meets were
like coming face to face with old friends, even though it was the first time
weÕd seen many of these people. ItÕs certainly an odd feeling and not one that
you can prepare for, but itÕs also a wonderful feeling! You instantly feel part
of a very special community. So if you havenÕt done so already, log on to the
PassPorter message boards and start getting to know those that youÕll be
meeting up with!
What is wonderful about MouseFest is that you
discover youÕre not the only one who loves Disney. There are literally hundreds
of people who share your passion and exploring the parks with them gives you a
new perspective on the Walt Disney World Resort.
One thing you mustnÕt miss if youÕre at MouseFest
is the Mega Mouse Meet, which takes place on the Saturday of MouseFest at the
Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. ItÕs the centerpiece event and is packed with
Disney guidebook authors (including our own Jennifer and Dave Marx who will be
autographing books), web site founders and representatives of various Disney
communities. Before I attended this event, I really thought I was a Disney fan
and knew about every source of information on the market about the place, but
the Mega Mouse Meet proved me wrong. We found many new publications and web
sites that weÕd never come across before and were able to chat with lots of
people and learned a great deal about our favorite happy place.
There really is something for everyone at
MouseFest. On the cruise, which is the perfect place for a group get together,
you can take a walking tour of Nassau, join the sail away party, enter the
pirate costume competition or the sandcastle competition on Castaway Cay or
just lounge around with Jennifer and Dave.
During the land portion of the event, each day is
allocated a specific park, where most of the events will be taking place. Every
year, you can hunt for Hidden MickeyÕs with Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden
MickeyÕs book, which gives you a fascinating way to look at the parks, or see
how many safari vehicles you can fill at Kilimanjaro Safaris with the
AllEarsNet.com team.
This year, you can put faces to the names on your
favorite podcasts, with live podcasts and recordings taking place. PassPorter
authors Jennifer and Dave are hosting a number of meets, including the late
parade at MickeyÕs Very Merry Christmas Party on Thursday, December 7 and you
can join them for a Noodle Nosh on Sunday, December 10 at noon at the
Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station in the Magic Kingdom.
Something that may become a regular event in future
years is the Ornament Exchange, being tried for the first time at DisneyÕs Days
of Christmas at Downtown Disney. You need to sign up in advance and you can
find more details here.
As well as all the organized events, because there
are so many Disney fans in the parks, itÕs also possible to arrange your own
meets with people you know Ð and this is where getting to know people
beforehand is invaluable. Some of our fondest memories were the meets that were
literally arranged on the day, with a quick phone call to ask if we wanted to
come along with watch SpectroMagic with them that night or spotting friends in
a park and seeing if they were free to join up with us for the next couple of
hours.
Whatever you choose to do Ð or not to Ð in the
MouseFest schedule, itÕs a wonderful opportunity to meet up with like-minded
people and to put faces to the names that bring us all so much enjoyment all
year round with their guidebooks, web sites and online communities. If youÕre
thinking of attending your first MouseFest, my advice? DonÕt wait any longer Ð
make a booking and join in. You wonÕt regret it. Perhaps weÕll see you there in
2007?
And if you canÕt make it this year, thereÕs no
excuse not to get involved in the future. Dates are already available for 2007
Ð 2010 Ð and I thought I planned ahead!
December 2 Ð 6, 2007 Ð four night Wonder Cruise
December 6 Ð 10, 2007 Ð land events (December 8 Ð MegaMouse
Meet)
December 7 Ð 11, 2008 Ð four night Wonder Cruise
December 11 Ð 15, 2008 Ð land events (December 13 Ð
Mega Mouse Meet)
December 6 Ð 10, 2009 Ð four night Wonder Cruise
December 10 Ð 14, 2009 Ð land events (December 12 Ð
Mega Mouse Meet)
December 5 Ð 9, 2010 Ð four night Wonder Cruise
December 9 Ð 13, 2010 Ð land events (December 11 Ð
Mega Mouse Meet)
About the Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and went to their
first MouseFest in 2005 and are hoping to return for their next one in 2007.
They are looking forward to their next visit to Walt Disney World, when theyÕll
also be heading north to visit Hilton Head Island for the first time.
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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 holiday plans.
==========================================
UPDATES: What's New and Changed
==========================================
Here's a few relevant news items:
Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomed a
very tall bundle of joy on October 7, 2006. Aibuni, a nine-year-old giraffe,
gave birth to a 110-pound baby girl. The baby has
been named Imara (Swahili for strong) and she and her mom will be re-joining
the giraffe herd on the savannah any day now. Keep an eye out for Imara on your
next Safari!
The press got a sneak peek last week at Finding
Nemo - The Musical, set to debut
at Disney's Animal Kingdom in January 2007. (Preview performances will begin in
November.) The show features puppetry similar to that used in the Broadway
version of The Lion King and will feature tap-dancing sharks, Crush the Turtle
the size of a Volkswagen and a 22-foot-tall Nigel the Pelican. (Going to be
at MouseFest? Join us on Friday, December 8 for a morning showing of Finding
Nemo - The Musical. Details at www.mousefest.org!)
The 2007 Epcot International Flower & Garden
Festival has been
expanded to 60 days. Next year's theme will be Pirates and Princesses. The
Festival will take place April 5 through June 3, 2007. Over 70 topiaries will
decorate Epcot along with flower beds, bonsai, and rose gardens.
Our thanks to http://www.allearsnet.com from which we
get some of our news leads.
>Things To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at
news@passporter.com
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DISNEY TIPS FROM FELLOW READERS
==========================================
Our readers are a wealth of information! Here are
the winners in this month's tip contest:
FORGET THE FORMAL PURSE
"When planning for formal night on our recent
Disney cruise, I searched and searched for a great little formal purse that
matched my dress. Well, I didn't even use it. The only thing I needed was my
Key to the World card and a lipstick, both of which fit in my pocket. The walk
from the room to the restaurant is so short that you won't need to re-do
anything once you're there (like hair or makeup). If you don't have pockets,
they could also fit in a husband's or son's pants or jacket pocket."
--
contributed by Andrea K. (disney_mommy@...)
FLATTERED FAVORITES
"If possible we try to use the same autograph
book every year. The characters date each entry, and were flattered to see we
valued their signature enough to get it a second or third time." --
contributed by Michelle S. (ocracoasties@...)
DRAWER DRIVING
"If you're driving to Disney and have room in
your vehicle for this, it's a great saver. Purchase a plastic wheeled
three-drawer storage unit (often sold in the crafts or laundry aisle) at your
local discount store and use it to pack for your trip. I used one drawer for
snacks/food items and another drawers for drinks/bottled water for the parks,
the last drawer I used for misc. items such as first aid stuff, water-mister
fans, etc. It can be wheeled easily right into your hotel room and when the
snacks and drinks drawers are empty, it's a great way to pack all the souvenirs
for the trip home. As an added bonus, I used it as an extra nightstand on my
side of the bed in the hotel." -- contributed by Carla A.
>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
>>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 new 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 weekÕs journal entry:
"Leota and I went on a date this weekend
and stayed at a glitzy old hotel recommended by my old pal Cadwallader. We had
a lovely room with a view -- #414. We enjoyed an act by the famous Anthony
Freemont Orchestra at the hotel's lounge, the Tip Top Club. All in all, a
lovely pre-Halloween weekend with my beloved. She should no longer harbor fears
that I will 'drop' her."
At what hotel did Jack and Leota stay?
Send your full answer to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the
winner will be notified by e-mail and announced in the next newsletter, along
with the correct answer!
Congratulations to Christy Vermillion who was
the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Christy correctly identified
Madame Leota as Jack's lady love. To view the original clues, see http://www.passporter.com/news/news101906.htm#captain
If you enjoy treasure hunts, we've got an entire
book with over 100 distinct treasure hunts and over 1500 questions, complete
with clues and contributions from Captain Skatt. ÒPassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" is now
available! You can order the new book today at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710269.aspx
====================================
Q & A WITH JENNIFER & DAVE
====================================
dre asks: "Any
suggestions on how to keep your passports safe and dry while on water adventure
shore excursions? We have those waterproof hard plastic cases that we got at
our local water park. They're great for small change and a credit card and/or
drivers license, but way too small for passports."
Dave & Jennifer answer:
"Leave your passports in your stateroom safe. Under all but the most
unusual circumstances, you won't need your passport ashore. Put a photocopy of
your passport into that plastic case - that should be enough to cover
you." (You will need photo ID such as a driver's license plus your Key to
the World card to re-board the ship.)
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?
===================================
PassPorter News is now published weekly, and this
means we need more articles than ever! We're on the lookout for 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.
====================================
PassPorter News is only sent to those who have
subscribed to it through our Web site or at
the time of an order,
registration, survey, or contest.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a
thoughtful
friend, please join us! You can subscribe at:
http://www.passporter.com/news.htm
Please ask your questions and help each other in
our
Message Board Community:
http://www.passporterboards.com
Copyright (c) 2006 - MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter
Travel Press, PO Box 3880, Ann Arbor, MI
48106
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