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 In This Newsletter
From the Authors: Happy Valentine's Day!
Travel Feature: Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort
Disney Feature: Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: ADR Alarm, Faux First Aid, Nice Nap
Captain's Corner: Skatt's Sweetheart
PassPorter PhotoPick: On Hiatus
Q&A: How should I pack for a two-week repositioning cruise?
Our Sponsors: We Recommend...
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Updates:
What's New and Changed
Here are a few items of relevant news:
The Treehouses are back! The Treehouse Villas near Downtown Disney are going to become part of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort according to MousePlanet.com. Plans filed by Disney indicate that the existing Treehouses will be torn down and replaced with new units. The Villas have been used as housing for College Program cast members but were vacated at the end of 2007.
The dates for the 2008 Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios have been announced. The Star Wars-themed events will take place June 6-8, June 13-15, June 20-22, and June 27-29. No celebrity attendees have been announced yet.
Figment is taking a little vacation! Journey Into Imagination and the Kodak "What If" Labs are closed for a general rehab February 12-24, 2008.
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!
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Disney Tips:
From Fellow Readers
Our readers deliver a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:
ADR ALARM
"I enter in all of my dining reservations in my cell phone's calendar. I also set an alarm for 30 minutes prior to the Advance Dining Reservation time to make sure I have enough walking time to get there."
-- contributed by Heather R.
FAUX FIRST AID
"While raiding our medicine cabinet to make sure we had packed everything we needed, I found our first aid kit, a sturdy plastic case filled with assorted supplies. I had already packed all our medicines but I realized the case itself was a perfect solution to a different problem. My kids are very particular about their snacks -- they only like certain brands and certain flavors of certain brands. So I dumped out the first aid kit and filled it with breakfast bars, granola bars, pop-tarts etc. This way my kids had the snacks they enjoyed and nothing got smushed while traveling! This was great for a quick bite in the morning since we usually just ate a late breakfast and then dinner. That first aid kit came in really handy and luckily it wasn't for a medical emergency!"
-- contributed by Meryl H.
NICE NAP
"When our children were young and needed a nap, we would just hop on the Walt Disney World railroad train that goes around the Magic Kingdom. The kids would sleep in our arms and we could relax and keep cool with the breeze of the ride. The train is so smooth and fun to ride. It was a great way for the kids to rest and we didn't have to pack up and leave the park."
-- contributed by Lisa M.
Send us your tips! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter!
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 or the PassPorter store. 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.
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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. (Please note: Players can win once every 3 months.)
Here is this week's journal entry:
"Love is in the air ... well, at least something seems to be. Odd shapes are flitting through the air all about me. The lights are dimmed. I can even hear the steady thrum of a heartbeat. What a delightful atmosphere to woo my sweetheart. As I write this journal entry, I'm waiting for my lovely lady to get off work -- she's employed as a medium and her work takes her to regions beyond. I plan to take her on a river cruise tonight to celebrate Valentine's Day. I do wish she'd hurry up and finish. She works much too hard. She says she thinks her work is a ball, but I worry she might just lose her head over it."
Who is Captain Jack Skatt's sweetheart and where does she work?
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!
Congratulations to Mary Andrews who was the winner of last week's trivia contest! Mary was the first person to identify Mrs. Walt Disney's gift to Disneyland as the Petrified Tree found in Frontierland. Mary was also the first person to find the photo on our web site and post a comment. To view the original clue, see last week's newsletter.
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.
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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. This week the PassPorter PhotoPick and Photo Archive are on hiatus due to a server move. We apologize for this and hope to bring back our photos in time for next week's newsletter.
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Q & A:
With Jennifer and Dave
Tracyvp asks: "Ok, I need some advice from those who have done a repositioning cruise before. How on earth do you pack everything you'll need for 2 weeks!? Did you exceed your baggage limit?"
Dave and Jennifer answer: "Not only did we do the two-week repo, but we spent four days in LA before we sailed! Alexander was just about one year old, so we were carrying all the usual infant/toddler extras. We still did it with no more than two bags per person, and I'm pretty sure it was more like four or five bags between the three of us.
Yes, we did laundry. There were two formal and two semi-formal nights, so we planned to send our formal wear out for dry cleaning from the very start. That worked like a charm. We also did loads of wash in the guest laundry during the course of the cruise. With all those days at sea, finding time to do laundry (and finding an empty machine) isn't nearly as bad as it is on the shorter cruises. Bring lots of quarters and your own laundry detergent.
A bit of careful planning with mix-and-match items will help keep your wardrobe varied during the cruise, and expect that there will be one or two decent sales on cruisewear in the onboard shops during the cruise. Also, the longer you're at sea with the same group of folks, the more relaxed about wardrobe you're likely to become. That, plus all those sea days meant fewer wardrobe changes than on the typical cruise."
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!
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Future Newsletters:
Want To See Your Name in Print?
PassPorter News is published weekly, and this means we're always in need of articles! We're on the lookout for guest columnists who want to contribute articles to this newsletter. No professional writing experience is 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 for use at www.passporter.com.
For details and our article submission guidelines, please e-mail news@passporter.com. Articles about Disney and general travel are welcomed!
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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 Dreams Offer
MouseEarVacations.com -- Disney Cruise Line Special Offers
Quicksilver Tours & Transportation -- Save $5 off airport round-trip transportation in a town car
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From the Authors: Happy Valentine's Day
Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
Happy Valentine's Day! Our virtual Valentine present for you is free MediaMail shipping in the PassPorter Store from now until midnight on Monday, February 18, 2008. Please note that Monday is President's Day and no packages will be shipped that day, but if you order before 7:00 am ET tomorrow (Friday) morning, your order will ship during the day tomorrow (Friday).
Our 2008 edition of PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line and its Ports of Call is on track for a March 15 release date. We are doing a press check on Monday to ensure its quality. Just a reminder that all chapters of this new edition are in an electronic preview file for anyone who pre-orders through the PassPorter Store.
Our 2009 edition of PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions is continuing to develop (August 2008 release date) and we are still seeking feedback from both readers who have our first Disneyland edition as well as from those who have not yet seen the book -- please take our Disneyland Guidebook Survey and send us your Disneyland tips and magical memories.
Congratulations to Sue Kulick, who is now a "PassPorter Featured Columnist" as well as a PassPorter Guide (moderator). Sue joins Cheryl Pendry, who became PassPorter's first Featured Columnist one year ago. Congratulations and thank you, Sue! Click here to read Sue's articles and Cheryl's articles.
We are continuing to work on our PassPorter.com server upgrade and you should already be noticing faster responses from our message board. Our photo archive is currently offline while we complete its move -- we apologize for the inconvenience and hope to have it online again soon! You can read more about the upgrades here.
We have new and FREE e-worksheet that calculates Disney Dining Plan credits for two adults and one child on a trip of up to five days long. This e-worksheet is available to everyone free of charge! Check it out!
In this issue, frequent Guest Contributor Michelle Kosloff shares her love for Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort. Then, Featured Columnist and PassPorter Message Board Guide Sue Kulick reports on another Disney Vacation Club property, Walt Disney World's Saratoga Springs Resort. Finally, Jack Skatt is back with a brand-new Walt Disney World Treasure Hunt. Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Publishers and Authors
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Travel Feature:
My Favorite Disney Resort: Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort
by Michelle Kosloff, PassPorter Guest Contributor
I almost didn't write this article as it is so tempting to keep this wonderful resort a secret but ... I think my favorite Disney resort so far is Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort.
It isn't close to any theme park. It isn't "in your face" Disney. It isn't right on the beach. But it is right on the marsh, relaxing, cozy, and fun. It had something for everyone in our party -- and boy, we did have a party!
There were 17 of us in all, ranging from 1 to 66 years young. We stayed in three, two-bedroom units, generously paid for through points by my sister who is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member. The units were very nice. They aren't quite as big as those of Old Key West, but bigger than Saratoga Springs or the Beach Club Villas. She had tried to get a Grand Villa and a two bedroom but there was no availability of Grand Villas during the time we were there. However, the three units were all in one building and worked out wonderfully.
Each two-bedroom unit had a bedroom with a king bed and second bedroom with two queen beds. There was a full kitchen, complete with stove, microwave, full size fridge, dishwasher, and dishes and pots enough for six people. There was also an apartment-size washer and dryer in an alcove. The dryer left a little to be desired but it did dry the clothes in a second run. In our unit we had four adults, a "tween," and a teenager and we never felt on top of each other. We all fit around the table for a meal and we could all sit and watch TV together comfortably.
Our unit was in a fabulous location. We had a wonderful view of the marsh. We were close to the community hall and the pool. We were not close to the main building but the only one who spent a lot of time there was my teenage son, who played a lot of pool. Because the resort is small, it is not a long walk.
There are tons of activities at the resort. In the main lodge, there is Ben Murggie's Den where my son played pool. In the den, there is also checkers and a TV with some very comfy couches. There is a nice playground for the younger set. There is a shuffleboard court, horseshoe pits, a basketball court, foosball table and Ping-Pong. There is a very nice pier with a fishing area at the end. And of course there is the Big Dipper pool and water slide. (I went up and down several times!) There is also a kiddie pool and a large hot tub.
Aside from all this, there are also many scheduled, guided activities. Some had a charge but nothing was outrageous. The most expensive were the kayaking trips, which were $25 for adults and $15 per child, which is a reasonable rate for activities of this type at a resort. One thing to remember is that for almost all activities, you had to register in advance. You can do this at check-in. The more popular activities do fill up.
Since we were there with such an age range, we were able to experience a number of the activities offered. Some of the activities we attended: Toddler Time Crafts (ages 1-5), Lady Bugs (ages 3-5), Dinosaurs (ages 7-10), Capture the Flag (Teens), Geo-caching (families), Mickey Tie Dye (8+ - $15 DVC, $18 guests), Shark Teeth Necklaces ($10 DVC, $12 Guests), and Secrets of the Marsh (families). On the last activity we even had a surprise visit from a dolphin!
There is a campfire every other night (one activity that did not require registration). Unfortunately, the rain didn't seem to want to cooperate on the night we attended and it was cut short, but the kids still got S'mores. On alternate nights there is Sweet Goodnights. In this, children listen to a bedtime story and have cookies and milk.
Because we were there over the New Year holidays, there were additional parties. My son participated in the Teen party ($25 DVC, $30 Guests) and had a blast. He played Dance, Dance, Revolution, and pool and had pizza, pop and candy. He met many friends which made his time on a family vacation much more fun.
If you aren't the type for group activities, there are still many other options. Disney does have a private Beach House located right on the beach across the main drag from the resort. It is a short drive over there or you can take a shuttle. We rented bikes for the week so we rode over and it was a beautiful ride. Once there you use your room key to access the Beach House. Inside there is a warm pool and a seasonal snack bar (which unfortunately was closed while we were there due to the fact that it was winter). There is an arcade and a nice warm area where we sat, watched TV, and warmed up while the younger ones played a bit longer on the beach.
For the golfers in our party, Hilton Head is a golfing mecca. If you are there off-season like us, the prices are reasonable and you can always use Last Minute Tee Times to try and book a tee time for the next day if you aren't picky about where you play. Our guys tried two courses and they enjoyed both immensely. We also tried our hand at mini-putt golf. We visited Pirate Island Golf that was very well themed and that would not have been out of place at Walt Disney World.
Finally for the ladies in our group, there was shopping! Just off the island there is a good-sized outlet mall (Tanger Outlets). We all found many bargains there.
One complaint I have heard about this resort is that there is no full-service restaurant on site. There is a snack bar, but nothing sit-down. We didn't find this an issue. Since we had the full kitchen, we purchased enough groceries at the Piggly-Wiggly (love the name!) for breakfast and another meal and then ate out for the third. This plan worked out well for us. I don't like eating breakfast out and we like to experience a variety of restaurants so we didn't miss having an on-site restaurant. But you do need a car or at least bikes to get around as the Island isn't tiny.
We had to go for seafood once and ended up at the Crazy Crab. It had decent prices and the seafood was well done. We also visited the British Open Pub with relatives who live in the area and the food there was very, very good.
Unfortunately for us, it was rather cold when we were there. We were told that there are maybe two cold snaps a year and unfortunately we hit one of them. The day we got there it was very nice and had it been that temperature for the whole of the vacation, it would have been fabulous. We could have hung out on our deck enjoying the marsh view and spent more time around the pool but unfortunately it was freezing. I guess that is the chance you take when visiting in winter.
We rented bikes for our stay and again, we didn't use them as much as we would have liked either because of the cold. But for the first couple of days it was tons of fun to zoom around and see the sights at a slower pace. There are designated bike paths all over the island so there is much less concern about accidents. I would definitely recommend them. You can rent right from Disney but they have limited availability and are more expensive. We stopped by one of the many rental places on the island and they dropped them off at the resort for us. My sister booked hers beforehand and got a discount for using the internet and for booking two weeks in advance. Hers were there ready for her when she checked in.
So if you decide to visit, be sure to get your activity guide when you check in and don't be afraid to join in. Like any Disney resort, the Cast Members were super friendly and made everyone feel welcome and part of the group. You can relax and do nothing or have a vacation as busy as at any resort in Walt Disney World.
Official Web Site for Disney's Hilton Head Island
About the Author: Michelle has previously contributed articles on Prince Edward Island and Niagara Falls to PassPorter News. She is a Computer Programmer from Woodstock, Ontario, Canada and is married with two children.
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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. Also check out our Article Collection for more great information!
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Disney Feature:
Saratoga Springs Resort
by Sue Kulick, PassPorter Featured Columnist
When you think of Saratoga Springs, you may think of a quiet sleepy town in upstate New York, nestled between beautiful mountains and lush meadows. You think of the mineral springs that made Saratoga Springs famous. If you are a history buff, you may even know that the Battle of Saratoga is considered a pivotal turning point in the War for Independence! And, of course, you think of how the town comes alive every August with the elegance of horse racing!
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has recaptured this amazing slice of American culture right in Orlando. Of course, there are no mountains, no race track, and no battles, but there are plenty of touches of that famous New York town!
When you first arrive at Saratoga Springs Resort (SSR), you are greeted at the Carriage House check in, which is representative of classic Victorian architecture. The lobby soars above you in beautiful muted pastels surrounding an intricate carousel horse centerpiece. The check in process for us has been quick and easy each time we have stayed there.
The theme continues as you make your way toward your Saratoga Springs Resort room. You will pass statues of horses, beautiful fountains, and places like "Horsing Around Rentals" and the "Win, Place and Show" arcade.
Saratoga Springs is divided into five sections. The Grandstand is the newest, and close to the Carriage House and amenities. It has a quiet pool, and overlooks the golf course. Congress Park is closest to the resort entrance. The Paddock (our personal favorite), flanks Saratoga Lake and also has a quiet pool. The view from your balcony is magnificent! Congress Park overlooks Village Lake and has views of Downtown Disney. It also has a quiet pool. And the Springs are closest to the Carriage House and the main themed pool. You can drive to your villa and park right outside. If you don't have a vehicle, bell services will be happy to assist you.
One complaint that some guests had is that the doors to all villas are outside, only accessed from exterior walkways. We did not find this to be a problem at all, but others felt it gave the resort a "cold" feeling. However, when you enter your villa that feeling will instantly evaporate, thanks to the beautiful decor. Decorated in more pastels, you get a sense of richness as soon as you enter. Your accommodations include a flat-screen TV, DVD player, laptop-sized safe, and starting this year, free Internet. A studio unit has a small refrigerator, microwave, sink, and coffeemaker, while the 1 and two-bedroom villas have a full kitchen, whirlpool tub, and a washer and dryer. If you are lucky, you may find a horse-shaped towel animal when you arrive!
Once you have settled in, it's time to go exploring! If you are hungry, Saratoga Springs Resort offers several options. The Turf Club offers full service dining as well as cocktails. For a quick bite, The Artist's Palette serves meals cafeteria-style, as well as a variety of snacks and bakery/breakfast items. This is where you would purchase your refillable mug. If you are thirsty, in addition to the above options, there are two pool bars, "The Rocks" and "The Backstretch." You can rent surrey bikes, play tennis or shuffleboard, and of course, play golf at the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Sadly, Disney did away with the horse-drawn carriage rides around the resort.
If you'd rather relax than play, head for the Saratoga Springs Spa. While you might not be able to "take the waters" like in days of old, you can work out, get a manicure, or go for a full line of spa treatments from a facial to a massage. If you are more of an outside type, Saratoga Springs Resort offers a nice jogging/walking path. And if you would like to swim, might I suggest the High Rock Springs pool? I am not a water slide person, but my husband is, and he spent a good part of our swim time heading down the rock slide. He said it was a really great slide! I relaxed with a Blue Mai Tai from the pool bar, and then we both went in the hot tub. We also tried the quiet pool and the hot tub near the Paddock, and both were very nice.
And if you are ready to party, it is just a short walk or ferry ride to Downtown Disney. If you head out behind the Paddock and Congress Park, you will find the footpath to Downtown Disney. It's a short and relaxing walk to Disney's answer to fun and nightlife. We took this walk back from Downtown Disney, and it was a beautiful late night stroll. The Disney Vacation Club ferry also runs between Old Key West, Saratoga Springs Resort and Downtown Disney. You can board right behind the Carriage House for a relaxing trip. The ferries run about every 20 minutes or so up until 11 PM. The Downtown Disney ferry drops you off at the boat dock near Captain Jack's, and the Old Key West ferry drops you off at the Hospitality House (the main building at Old Key West).
Our only complaint about Saratoga Springs Resort is that we feel the signs are a bit confusing. The resort is large and spread out (Disney Vacation Club's largest resort yet!) and the signage could be a little more concise. After Day Two, we were comfortable enough getting around, but before that, more than once we ended up in a loop around the golf course entrance.
Bus service has not been a problem. The bus makes several internal stops, as is normal with a resort of this size, and then heads straight out to your destination. The bus stops are well laid out, and just a short walk from most villas.
I love staying at Saratoga Springs Resort. It brings back memories of a peaceful easier time, and gives you that relaxed feeling as soon as you walk in. I am very happy that we took the plunge and added points at this resort!
About the Author: Sue Kulick is a resident of the Pocono Mountains and an avid Disney fan. She and her husband, Steve live in a log home with their Golden Retrievers, Cody and Belle and their cats Tigger, Rocky and Adrian.
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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 vacation plans. Also check out our Article Collection for more great information!
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