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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
December 28, 2006 * Issue 6.50
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: Happy New Year!
Travel Feature: Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions: A
Travel Agent's Perspective
Disney Feature: Making the Most of Disney's BoardWalk
Resort
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Marvelous Maps, Hot Water How-To, Put Away Those Pins
Captain's Corner: Weird Wide Web
Q&A: Do
airlines ever give complimentary upgrades upon request?
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FROM THE AUTHORS: Happy New
Year!
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Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
Wow, what a year! We published
four new PassPorter books and two new e-books, got PassPorter to the weekly
travel bestseller list more than 30 times, mailed 50 PassPorter newsletters
(with 100 feature articles and 150 reader tips), welcomed over 5000 new members
to the PassPorter message boards, and celebrated the first wedding between two
people who met thanks to PassPorter. Wow! Thank YOU for helping us this past
year, and we look forward to a brand new year of magic making with you!
The new edition of PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line
guidebook is now
available for pre-order and is
expected to arrive around January 22, 2007. The new edition is 336 pages (our
longest yet!) with in-depth information on all 2007 ports, including the
special Mediterranean and repositioning ports. As an added bonus, readers who
pre-order the guidebook through us will receive the Mediterranean cruise
sections (over 70 pages) in a preview PDF file as an immediate download. For
more information, visit http://www.passporter.com/dcl/guidebook.htm
PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007 is in stock
and orders from the PassPorter Store are shipping on the next business day.
Place your order today at our online store at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/2007.aspx . And don't
forget to use the 20% off coupon code at the bottom of this issue of PassPorter
News!
In this issue of the newsletter, veteran
contributor and travel agent Maureen Austin answers the top 10 frequent asked questions about
Disney travel and Terry Rohrer
reveals the hidden gem that is Disney's BoardWalk Resort. Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors and Publishers
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DID YOU KNOW?
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Book your MouseFest 2007 Cruise (Dec. 2-6) before
January 20, and receive up to $100 onboard credit per cabin.
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TRAVEL FEATURE: Top 10
Frequently Asked Questions:
A Travel AgentÕs Perspective
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by Maureen Austin, Guest Contributor and
PassPorter Message Board Guide
In the years since I have become a travel agent,
I've been asked many, many questions. Some queries come up more often than
others and these questions seemed perfect for a list of Frequently Asked
Questions that might benefit the traveler. Some questions pertain to Disney
travel, some are more general but every question is a good one.
10. Should I fly or drive? You'll see
that many of these questions are the kind that only the traveler themselves can
answer but a good travel agent can point out pros and cons and give you some
things to think about in order to make a good decision. When a client asks me
this one, I suggest considering the cost of a fare versus the time it takes to
drive, in addition to gas, food and other normal parts of any road trip. For
some, time is money, and if that is the case, I generally recommend flying.
9. How do I get the best deal on airfare? Do your
homework! I always recommend a travel fare finder such as Travelocity's Fare
Watcher to notify you of any changes in fares to a specific destination. Sign
up for e-mail sales alerts. If a client is interested in a package vacation to
Disney or anywhere else, we normally check the rates on air that can be bundled
with the package. In many cases, the fares get better if clients book directly
from the airline websites. The key to getting really good airfares is being
flexible, either with dates, times and surrounding airports. I'll use myself as
an example - when searching for fares to Orlando from our regional airport in
December I was disappointed to find nothing under $585 per person. I widened my
search to another airport and got a little more flexible with my departure
time- and poof! I paid $230 per person instead. For a family of six that's more
than worth the hour and a half's drive!
8. What is the best time of year to travel? It depends on
where you are going. Summer is a big travel season to most destinations, but
there are still good deals out there. If you want to take in New Year's Eve on
Times Square in NYC, then you'll pay more for a stay than at other times of the
year. Europe in the fall and winter can be a good value. My husband and I flew
to London on British Airways for an unbelievable fare of $250 per person and
got an excellent deal on a hotel - all for visiting in November. It was a bit
cold but we were treated to superb Christmas lights and decorations and few
crowds at popular sightseeing spots. Again, the key is flexibility - the more
flexible you are, the more travel opportunities are available to you, and at a
good price.
7. What kind of vacations can we take that
will help keep the budget in check? You can do
this with any kind of vacation if you do some really good planning. However, I have some clients who
prefer to pay for most expenses up front. These folks are excellent prospects
for all-inclusive resorts, cruises and escorted tours. In most instances,
lodging, some or most meals, entertainment, and transfers are included in the
vacation price. Of course, not every single cost can be eliminated prior to
departure. Souvenirs and some gratuities for example, have to be accounted for
while you travel.
6. How much do you charge for your services? This may
depend from agency to agency, area to area. Some agencies do charge
consultation fees that the agency may apply towards your package if you follow
through and book with them. However, most agencies and the agents that work in
them are paid by suppliers (meaning the tour operator, hotel or package vendor)
and charge the client nothing. To avoid any surprises later, ask!
5. Do I really need the trip insurance? Here's another
question that really has to be answered by the traveler, but I recommend it. No
matter how healthy you or other family members may be, the unexpected can
happen. In that event, are you content to lose money? Trip protection helps you
recover some of those losses and also protects you during the course of your
vacation, should something happen while you are on it. Policies are offered by
most tour operators and there are also independent companies offering policies
you buy direct from them. The plans can vary some in terms of coverage, so it's
important to review conditions and policies carefully to find one that meets
your needs. Your travel agent can help you do this.
My favorite vacations to book are of course, Disney
destinations! Loving the magic personally as much as I do, it's easy to get
excited and help another Disney fan make their dreams come true. These next
four questions, about Disney travel are definitely the ones I am asked most
often!
4. Where should I stay/should I really stay
at Disney? If only it
were that easy to decide, right? It can be a little overwhelming, especially to
clients who are traveling to Walt Disney World in particular, for the first
time. Your budget has to be a consideration. If you book a stay at a resort
that is way beyond your comfort level financially, I assure you it will make it
very difficult to enjoy your vacation (been there and done that). ALL of the
Disney Resorts have their own special attributes but whether you choose
All-Star Sports or the Grand Floridian the benefits, such as Extra Magic Hours,
remain the same. I do recommend staying with Disney. However, I am not paying
for that vacation, so that decision ultimately has to be the travelers. Book
what you can afford and select from that category - there are different resorts
with completely different "feels" in each of the four price
categories. From time to time specials and discounts may become available. In
that event, you can move up to another category or resort if you wish. It's a
good idea to let your travel agent know when you book so they can be searching
and ready if a discount becomes available. Do not book a resort priced higher
than you can afford in the hopes or need for a discount later. Those deals are
never guaranteed.
3. How far in advance should we book? As soon as you
are ready! Actually, if you are planning for your toddler's high school
graduation trip you'll have to wait just awhile. I usually plan my own trips
from 9-14 months out and I have found most clients approach me to help them
plan anywhere from 4 months to 12 months prior. Of course, if the urge for a
weekend getaway next month hits, don't hesitate to contact a travel agent. One
caveat about very advance planning - if you book your Disney trip in one year
but actually travel the next, rate increases may affect the price. This can
hold true for any trip, so be sure to ask if rates are guaranteed.
2. Do we really need to make Disney dining
arrangement so far ahead? I totally
empathize here. I mean, really, do we actually know what we want to eat and
when if a trip is still six months away? It's hard, but yes, you really need to
book those meals as soon as the window (180 days for most restaurants) opens.
Sketch out a basic plan as best as you can, especially if park hours are
available, and book. With the increased popularity of the Disney Dining Plan,
walk up seating is harder and harder to get. Please don't set yourself up for
that disappointment! While some dining arrangements require a credit card
guarantee and a 24-48 hour cancellation to avoid a no-show fee, most reservations
can be canceled up until the seating time without issue. I always ask clients
to cancel or have me cancel any dining arrangements they want to pass on so it
opens up tables for other folks.
And the number one question...
1. Is there anything else we should know
about to make our trip to Disney more magical? Usually, my
response is, "How much time do we have to talk?" The possibilities
are endless! Advise your travel agent if there are any family celebrations. Are
there members of your family who are especially interested in trains, or
gardening? Do you have any scuba divers in the crew, or how about race fans? If
you answered yes, then there is something at Disney that will add to their
magical time. A good travel agent will take the time to get to know you and
your family while helping you plan, but you, the client, also have to help your
agent do that! I always refer my clients to additional sources they can review
at their leisure, such as PassPorter and also AllEars.net. If any
questions come up, then they can come back to me for any additional input.
Travel planning is a team effort between agent and client. And the results?
Memories that last a lifetime!
About the Author: Maureen is the Co-Owner of Ears To You Travel as well as
a PassPorter Message Board Guide.
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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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As to Disney artwork: ©Disney
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DISNEY FEATURE: Making the
Most of DisneyÕs BoardWalk Resort
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by Terry Rohrer, Guest Contributor
A hidden gem at Walt Disney World is Disney's
Boardwalk Resort. Most vacationers may not know what entertainment and dining
options are available to guests that are not staying at the property. We found
what this resort offers when a friend wanted to meet us for dinner but did not
have park admission. We decided to meet at the BoardWalk and have dinner at one
of the restaurants.
The BoardWalk Resort is of course a deluxe property
with all the amenities. But what most guests miss is the actual boardwalk that
sits in the back of the resort. There are restaurants, shops, an ice cream
parlor & candy store, and carnival games for the kids. There is the
Atlantic Dance Hall, and Jellyrolls, which is a dueling piano bar for the over
21 crowd.
There are bikes available for rent to ride around
the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake. The path that circles Crescent Lake is 7/8 of
a mile and will take you past five different resorts. It starts at the
BoardWalk and goes past the Swan, Dolphin, Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts.
The best part of the bike ride is seeing these resorts from the back. You get
an up-close look at the best pool on Disney property, the Beach and Yacht
Club's Stormalong Bay. You can even get a four-wheeled surrey bike that the
entire family can ride!
The dining options at the BoardWalk are wonderful:
there is the Big River Brewing Co., the Flying Fish CafŽ, Spoodles and an ESPN
Club (for the sports nut in the family). Be sure to check your PassPorter for
the details on what they serve and the costs. We enjoy Spoodles for the
Mediterranean-style pasta. When you see the menu and the amount of food you
will understand why we rent the bike AFTER dinner!
One of the things that Disney has done to make the
night great for the entire family is add entertainers to the boardwalk. They
change them on a frequent basis so that if you go every night you may
experience a variety of entertainers or (at least) not see the same show as you
saw the previous night. Each roving entertainer will stop and perform their
act, and as he or she gets going you will see they have a large crowd watching.
They will get the crowd involved in the act. Our 6 year-old played a washboard
with the Banjo Man, swung a rope with the cowgirl, and helped the magician with
a trick, all in one night.
The entertainers are out every night from 7:00 pm
until 9:00 pm. Disney does not advertise them or list when or where they will
perform, as they are meant to be a Òhappy surpriseÓ for the guests. If it rains
they are still there but may be a bit harder to find - they will perform in the
lobby of the BoardWalk or in the restaurant lobbies. If it is raining be sure
to keep a look out for them as it will help pass the time while you wait for a
table and keeps the little ones happy while trapped inside.
The performers include but are not limited to:
Professor Flapdoodle and his All American
Medicine Pitch is an
original member of the BoardWalk Buskers, who started in 1996 when the
BoardWalk opened. He performs magic with comedy.
Erick Olson and Brian Staron, who do
comedic magic.
The Amazing Carlo (Marek Dudek)
who does amazing balancing and sword swallowing.
Bill & Lin Whitmire do a comedy
juggling routine.
Mark Anderson, aka The
Musicale Mark and his bicycle piano.
Anthony the Banjo Man who does
comedic banjo tunes.
When you see them perform be sure to tell them
that, ÒShy Brady from Indiana says helloÓ. Our son was a bit shy at first but
once he realized how much fun it was to participate he started talking to all
of them, and was a hit. Every time we go back we see someone who remembers him.
Another neat thing that the BoardWalk offers is a
view of IllumiNations, Epcot's fireworks spectacular. Head for the west end of
the boardwalk near Jelly Rolls and the Atlantic Dance Hall to grab a spot! You can also see IllumiNations
from the bridge between the BoardWalk and the Swan & Dolphin resorts.
As you can tell, the BoardWalk is on our Òmust doÓ
list every trip because of everything it offers. With all things Disney, the
entertainment is subject to change (and usually does) so check your Times Guide
or refer to your PassPorter for more information. You will have a great time at
the BoardWalk and will start to include it in every trip, like we did after
just one trip. Just remember to tell them, ÒHi from Shy Brady in Indiana.Ó
About the Author: Terry is the father of two and
is a previous contributor to PassPorter News.
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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.
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UPDATES: What's New
and Changed
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Here's a few relevant news items:
Plans have been announced for a Walt Disney Family Museum to be located
at The Presidio in San Francisco. The museum will focus on Walt's personal
life and will feature personal artifacts, video interviews with his
contemporaries and family members, and a walk-through show about Walt's life. For
details, visit http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html
Donny Osmond will be signing autographs at the
Disney Outfitters store at Disney's Animal Kingdom on Friday, December 29,
2006. Osmond provided the singing voice of Shang in the Disney animated feature
movie, "Mulan," and is currently appearing on Broadway as Gaston in
Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
Walt Disney World is again changing the children's
menus at their food
establishments, likely in response to guest feedback. Kid-friendly foods such
as macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and chicken nuggets have been reintroduced while
healthy options such as pita pizzas, yogurt and fruit remain. Soft drinks and
French fries are not listed as the main side dish options for kids meals' but
ARE available.
Our thanks to http://www.allears.net 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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Our readers are a wealth of information! Here are
the winners in this month's tip contest:
MARVELOUS MAPS
"I ordered the custom maps from the DisneyWorld.com vacation
planning section (for free). I was expecting to get copies of the park maps
that are available on property. I wanted to use them to help prepare my
four-year-old for the trip. To my wonderful surprise they came customized with
our family's name and included some special attractions that I had entered as
"favorites". They are printed on really nice heavy paper. They are beautiful!
They're almost too nice to use
with my daughter!"
--
contributed by Kristine A. (daisyjane1216@...)
HOT WATER HOW-TO
"After a long day walking the parks and
standing in line, most people want to go home and put their legs up. The best
thing I found to re-energize my legs is soaking in a long "hot as I can
stand it" bath. The hot water helps loosen your leg, hip and lower back
muscles, while the privacy lets your mind unwind from all the excitement. As a
retired professional wrestler, I know what hot soaks can do for your mind and
body. If your hotel offers a hot tub, that works too."
--
contributed by Kelly Adkins
PUT AWAY THOSE PINS
"Make sure you secure your lanyards full of
pins (or hats, etc.) before you ride any of the attractions. I've lost a couple
of pins because I didn't make sure they were properly secured or put away
before I boarded a ride. But Disney, in its typical magical fashion, happily
offered to replace each one."
--
contributed by Cami O. (age 12)
>Notes: Send us your tips! You may see them in this
newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter! Visit:
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/tipsandstories.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
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CAPTAIN'S CORNER: Treasure
Hunting Game
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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 weekÕs journal entry:
"My old friends -- the Marxes -- sent me
a holiday card with an alarming photo of their son Alexander. Their toddler is
stuck on a huge spider web! And yet, the boy has a grin on his face. I'm
wondering if the photo is not all it seems -- the spider web does seem vaguely
familiar. I'm stuck on where the photo was shot, however."
The "sticky" photo is at:
http://www.passporter.com/spiderweb.jpg
Where is this spider web?
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 Pam P. who was the winner of
last week's treasure hunt game! She correctly identified the Carousel of
Progress as the location of the Christmas scene described in last week's clue.
To view the original clue, see http://www.passporter.com/news/news122106.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
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mistybuchanan asks: "Does
anyone know if airlines will give upgrades to a different class when you ask?
We are going on our honeymoon and its our first time going to Walt Disney World
and we figured if we asked the worst they could say is no. I have checked and
there are only two first class seats sold so far...just wondering."
Dave & Jennifer answer: "Generally, there are too many
people that deserve an upgrade, and too few seats to go around. These days,
nearly every upgrade is paid for in some fashion - either by frequent fliers
spending miles to get the upgrade, "platinum" frequent fliers getting
free upgrades, or coach passengers purchasing upgrades. Spirit sells their
vacant "business class" seats by offering low-priced ($40-$60)
upgrades to travelers as they check in. If those tactics don't fill the seats and they need to
make room in coach class due to overbooking, then they'll start moving coach
passengers forward at no charge. On some airlines, they'll give those seats to
airline employees flying on their discounts, "deadheading" airline
crews... just about anything but give them to regular customers, because that
may raise "unreasonable expectations" among the flying public.
Still, it never hurts to ask."
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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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.
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If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a
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Please ask your questions and help each other in
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Copyright (c) 2006 - MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter
Travel Press, PO Box 3880, Ann Arbor, MI
48106
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