For a text-only version of this newsletter, visit http://www.passporter.com/news/030107text.htm.
PassPorter News Brought to you by PassPorter Guidebooks
  March 1, 2007 * Issue 7.09
 
In This Newsletter

From the Authors: In Like a Lion

Call for Applications: E-Book Editor

Travel Feature: Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Disney Feature: Preparing For Your Disney Cruise

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Stroller Strategy Part I & II, Sewing Kit Secrets

Captain's Corner: Photo Safari

Q&A: Can we upgrade the park passes from our Land & Sea package?
 


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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here are a few items of relevant news:

Alfredo's di Roma Ristorante in the Italy pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase will be closing permanently at the end of  July 2007. Another table service restaurant is planned for that space but no details have been released. Disney Dining will be contacting guests with Advanced Dining Reservations after the closing date.

"The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros" will be replacing the El Rio del Tempo attraction in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase. Donald Duck, Jose Carioca and Panchito will be featured in a new animated film that accompanies the upgraded boat ride through the pavilion. When Donald goes missing will the Three Caballeros be reunited in time for their concert in Mexico City? Find out beginning April 2007.

On Independence Day, July 4, 2007, 1000 immigrants will receive their U.S. citizenship in a Naturalization Ceremony held in front of Cinderella's Castle. Following this ceremony, the new citizens will march down Main Street U.S.A. waving flags. That same afternoon, the 1000 new citizens will attend a special series of events at the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase.


Work has begun on the next edition of PassPorter's Walt Disney World for your Special Needs and we need your help! Do you have a tip or story to share with us? You can submit it here and maybe see your name in the upcoming edition!


Our thanks to 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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Disney Tips:
From Fellow Readers

Our readers deliver a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:

STROLLER STRATEGY Part I
"Even if your children are older toddlers, rent a stroller for the duration of your stay. It saves time waiting in line each day, you always have a handy place for a tired child to rest, and you can store your purchases easily without straining your hands."
-- contributed by Heather L.

STROLLER STRATEGY PART II
"On our first family trip to Disney World in 2004, we found that every time we parked our rented stroller to go on a ride, it was moved when we got back. What we found was that the Disney folks re-parked them for more room and to clear paths. Problem was that we spent a lot of time trying to find it again! For our next trip in 2005, we decided there had to be a better way! So before we went, we purchased a very colorful ladybug luggage tag. In the park, we attached it to the stroller handle. It dangled down and was very easy to see from a distance. We found our stroller in very little time when we got off the ride!"
-- contributed by Karol S.

SEWING KIT SECRETS
"Before departing on our most recent Disney trip, I visited our local 'dollar' store and purchased a small sewing kit, complete with tiny scissors to pack in our checked luggage. In addition to having several colors of thread available for any quick clothing repairs, the scissors provided a quick and easy way to remove the plastic wristbands that are issued for many after-hours events."
-- contributed by Marsha B.

Notes: 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.

Here is this week's journal entry:

"This week I went on a photo safari to the fabled land of ... (rest of journal entry is illegible due to a huge coffee stain)."

Editor's Note: All we were able to get out of Jack this week were two cryptic photos. It seems he's quite angry with himself for his questionalbe coffee-drinking skills and is afraid to touch anymore of his treasured photos than necessary. Here are two of his least treasured photos from his photo safari:





Where did Captain Jack take these photos?

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 Erin Boyle who was the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Erin correctly identified the location of the first sighting of Jack Sparrow as being behind a dress form. To view the original clue, see last week's newsletter.


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Q & A:
With Jennifer and Dave

mytinkerbelles asks: "Can you upgrade your the park hopper passes that come with the Land & Sea package to no expiration passes? If yes, is it worth it?"

Dave & Jennifer answer:
"Generally, the charge to convert tickets to no-expiration is so high that it generally isn't worthwhile when compared to the potential savings. The No Expiration option currently adds $96 (including tax, adult or child) to a 7-day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopping. If you use 4 days on that ticket during your cruise package, leaving 3 days for a future vacation, it seems those three extra days cost you $32/day. That doesn't necessarily seem bad, except on your return visit to Walt Disney World, you'll probably still need to buy a ticket to supplement that old ticket. Since short-duration tickets are far more expensive than longer-duration tickets (anything longer than 4-days at current rates only costs about $2/day extra for each additional day), when you add it all up, you may not be getting a major benefit out of that 'investment' in a no-expiration option.

This is one of the little secrets of why Disney is offering those 7-day tickets with the land/sea package: A 7-day ticket costs about $20 more than a 3-day ticket and $8 more than a 4-day ticket. This means that 7-day ticket seems more generous on Disney's part than it is. For the most part, Disney is hoping the extra days will encourage a longer stay at Walt Disney World. It costs them nothing if you don't stay longer (since the unused ticket expires), and if you do, they come out way ahead.

So... presuming Disney doesn't change it's basic admission policies before your next visit (the one when you use the left-over admission), and presuming you'll be visiting for more than three or four days...

If you need five days of admission on your future visit and have four days of admission remaining on the old ticket:
$96 (no-expiration option)
$71 (one-day base ticket, no park hopping - one day park-hopper not worth the price)
Total: $167

$267 Five day MYW Park Hopper at current rates. This doesn't seem too bad.

If you need five days of admission and have three days remaining on the old ticket:
$96 no-expiration option
$141 2-day single-park admission
$237 Hmmm... we're quickly approaching the break-even point

Same thing, but with a 2-day park-hopper, rather than 2 days of single-park admission:
$96 (no expiration option)
$189 (2-day park hopper)
$285 That's what, $18 more than the price of a brand-new 5-day Magic Your Way park hopper?

So yes, your strategy may work out, but it may not. But since the park hopper you receive with your cruise package is included in the cruise package, you may not be able to modify that ticket at all."

Have a question? Check out our "Ask PassPorter" Q & A blog at http://ask.passporter.com. We're still working on getting the blog ready for prime time, but we welcome your comments and questions! You can also 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!




From the Authors: In Like a Lion!

Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!

After a long, cold winter (and the latest winter storm), we're not really in a mood to chat about the weather (or much else), so why not get right down to brass tacks?


Free Media Mail Shipping Through March 4: Were you waiting for a good time to order your PassPorter books? Right now is a good time, since you can take advantage of our March Forth to Disney special at the PassPorter Store! Good until 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, March 4, all you have to do is select Media Mail shipping when you place your order. This order can be combined with regular coupon discounts (like the one you'll find at the bottom of this newsletter), so that makes this a deal that's hard to beat!

Message Board Flying High: Our upgraded PassPorter message boards are a big hit! Visitorship is up, new membership is up, and everyone's having a great time talking about their favorite topics. The latest addition to the board is a group of PassPorter Tutorials to help folks get the most out of their message board experience. You also might want to peek into the discussion about the PassPorter's Club, a feature we're not quite ready to unveil (but that doesn't stop us from dropping hints). If you're not yet a member, you can join our "little" family now for free ... we'd love to meet you!

Our page-by-page book updates are now online for both PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007 and PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line (5th Edition). You'll find our book updates in our Customs Office, along with updates for all our previous editions. Many thanks to our office managers Chad and Nikki for their efforts to keep these lists up-to-date!

We are also pleased to announce a new title for our fabulous newsletter editor, Sara Varney. Sara's new title is "Online Coordinator" -- in addition to the newsletter, Sara coordinates our PassPorter Message Board Guides' (moderator) orientation and supervision, helps maintain our online article collection, and other miscellaneous online functions. Thank you for everything you do for PassPorter, Sara!

In this issue of the newsletter, island resident Kimberly Brock takes us on an insider's tour of Captiva and Sanibel Islands, and Feature Columnist Cheryl Pendry shares her wisdom on Preparing for Your Disney Cruise. Enjoy!

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors
 

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Call for Applications: PassPorter E-Book Editor

We are actively seeking an editor for our growing collection of PassPorter e-books. Our E-Books Editor would be responsible for development of approximately 12 new e-book titles per year (working directly with authors from the concept and content development stage through completed manuscript) as well as manuscript revisions (copy editing and formatting). Candidates should be self-starters, have excellent attention to detail, a passion for accuracy, solid writing and editing skills, and a working knowledge of and interest in Disney and general travel topics. Microsoft Word skills necessary; Adobe InDesign and/or Acrobat Professional skills are not required but are a big plus. Professional editing experience is required (book-length editing experience is a plus but is not required). This would be a freelance, work-from-home position, with compensation based on the number and size of finished manuscripts.

To apply, please send a cover letter explaining why you're the right person for this job, along with writing/editing samples and your resume to: jennifer@passporter.com with the subject line "E-Book Editor."

 
 

Travel Feature: 

Get Some Sand In Your Shoes: Sanibel and Captiva Islands
by Kimberly Brock, Guest Contributor

It doesn't matter if it's for the first time or the thousandth, crossing the causeway onto Florida's Sanibel and Captiva Islands brings a sense of peace.

With brilliant sun spotlighting breezy palms and lazy waves, the scenery never fails to be spectacular. Birds hover overhead and dolphins break the water's surface while on shore, fishermen cast into the Gulf. Allow yourself to slow down ... breathe the salty air and feel yourself relaxing, your worries slipping away ... now you're ready to truly experience Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

These barrier islands are unique and tranquil. Sitting in the Gulf of Mexico just off the Florida coast, Sanibel is known for its unspoiled beauty, an abundance of seashells and the huge variety of wildlife that calls this island home. It is a beautiful place that is determined to remain that way. Development is strictly controlled - you'll find no high-rises, no stoplights or honking horns, and no fast-food joints here. Wildlife lives at every turn and Sanibel makes a powerful statement by setting aside over 67 percent of the island as protected lands and wildlife preserve. Don't be surprised when traffic stops to let a tortoise cross the street or to watch Bald Eagles soaring overhead.

With its rare east-west orientation, Sanibel is considered to be among the top ten shelling beaches in the world and many people spend their days on the beach. Life may be laid back, but that doesn't mean there is a lack of things to do. Those who like adventure have plenty of opportunity to experience sailing, fishing, kayaking, wave runners, and parasailing. Tennis and golf are other very popular activities. Bring your equipment and you'll have no problem finding a game. Prefer something more sedate? Live theater and music festivals, cultural events, craft fairs and art exhibits are all possibilities ... and don't forget to sample some of the fabulous fresh seafood at one of the many island restaurants.

Connected to Sanibel by a small bridge is Captiva Island, one of the most exclusive islands in North America. So narrow in spots that you can see from the Gulf to the back Bay at the same time, tiny Captiva retains its small-town feel, even amidst enormous wealth and some world-famous residents. Quirky, upscale, charming, and exclusive -- all of these words have been used to describe Captiva, and all are correct.

A few things define Captiva; the Village area, the ability to walk most everywhere, and amazing sunsets. The Village is a quaint mix of restaurants, shops and homes. It is the heart of the island and a lively place to see and be seen. Services are limited and shops are small, but the basics are available in an upgraded form. You're never more than a five-minute walk to the bay, the beach or a great meal. The island is blessed with several great restaurants ranging from funky family favorites to romantic bistros. All of Captiva's beaches face west. The views as the sun sinks slowly into the Gulf are unforgettable and never fail to draw a crowd. Like Sanibel, water sports here are almost limitless. Nighttime entertainment may mean driving to Sanibel for some events, but there is always live music at the island's restaurants, bistros and lounges, much of it outdoors while diners enjoy an al fresco meal.

For many who visit and live here though, the true nightlife is the symphony of nature -- percussion by the grunt of tree frogs and backbeat courtesy of the waves. It is the sea turtles that labor ashore on warm summer nights to lay their eggs, and the excitement and energy that bursts from those nests a few months later as baby turtles scramble towards the sea. And it's the dazzling sky, untainted by city lights. On a clear night, the moon paints a shimmering path across the Gulf and stars are so thick you can actually see them in layers.

Sanibel and Captiva's wide beaches may be renowned, but they are just the beginning. Here, river otters play, bobcats prowl among the forest trees and manatees poke along bays and into the Gulf. One island gem not to be missed is the J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge, on Sanibel. It is the perfect way to indulge in the nature of the islands. The Refuge, world-famous for its bird-watching opportunities, is more than 6,000 acres of wild lands and waters used by nearly 300 species of birds, more than 50 reptile and amphibian species and more than 30 kinds of mammals. Your chances of catching a glimpse of any number of these animals along the four-mile >Wildlife Drive or along various hiking and biking trails are excellent. Visiting during the early morning hours or just before dusk further increase your chances. Before you start down the trail of your choice, spend some time in the Center to learn which animals you are likely to see and where.

The islands offer all of the above and so much more. Follow the paths once walked by Teddy Roosevelt and discover the cottage where Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh lived and where Anne wrote her best-selling book; "Gifts from the Sea". Visit a working lighthouse or a historic village or laugh and join in the fun and antics at the NASCRAB races. Adventure and discovery await you on these inlands.

It is often said, that "Once you get our Island sand in your shoes you'll always come back." So what are you waiting for? Sanibel and Captiva Islands; easy to find, and impossible to forget.


About the Author:
Kimberly Brock has been fortunate enough to be a part of the Islands for over 30 years and they are the only place, other than Disney World, that she would like to be. Kim is actively involved in the web site BestofSanibelCaptiva.com and its associated Message Board. She would be happy answer any questions about the islands that you may have.


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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: 

Preparing For Your Disney Cruise
by Cheryl Pendry, Feature Columnist and PassPorter Message Board Guide


We all know that planning is the key to an enjoyable Disney vacation, and that doesn't just apply to the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, the Disneyland Resort in California, or even Disneyland Paris. The same approach also works for the Disney Cruise Line, as anyone who's cruised with them before already knows.

If you haven't cruised with Disney before, then you're definitely missing out! Imagine all the Disney magic you've experienced at the parks and then transfer it to a luxurious cruise ship, where you're stuffed with food throughout your time on board, can enjoy top quality shows every night and a myriad of activities throughout the day and evening, and you get the idea. But wait -- even better, nearly every day is a new destination to sail into and enjoy!

However, with all these options on board, it can make for a daunting time in the planning stages. Having gone through it before our first Disney cruise -- a three night Bahamas itinerary just to get our "feet wet" as it were! -- and now again, as we prepare for our 11-night cruise around the Mediterranean, we've learned that there are simple ways to make planning your perfect Disney cruise easy.

Firstly, think about any previous experiences you've had on the water. Are you a good sailor or does it take you a while to get your sea legs? If you're in any doubt about your ability to enjoy a cruise, then opt for a shorter time at sea to see how you fare. That was our logic, as I knew that sea sickness was a real possibility for me and I wasn't sure how I'd like being unable to escape on to dry land. In the event, although we both experienced problems on the first night, we were fine after that and the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are so big that you feel as if you've got a small country to explore, without worrying about not being able to get off the ship while it's sailing!

Your choice of cruise may also be based on the ports being visited. That was certainly the case with us, as we'd talked for a long time about visiting Pompeii and Florence in Italy, so when Disney announced their Mediterranean cruise itinerary and both were included, along with stops in the south of France, Sicily and Sardinia, it was clear we were meant to be on one of those cruises.

Once you decide which cruise appeals to you and you've made your booking, the first thing you need to do is check that passport. U.S. Passport laws are changing and chances are you will need a passport no matter which itinerary you choose. For the most recent requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State web site. As a British citizen, it's perhaps more important for me to have a passport to travel around, but it certainly opens up the whole world to you and it's proved to be a great investment for us.

If you've not got a passport or your current one is close to expiring, then you need to get working on the replacement as quickly as possible. I had a close call with mine, after realizing that I would need it for a day trip to Paris in mid January, but also then remembering that I had to renew it prior to our cruise in May. Plenty of time you say? Not when the Disney Cruise Lines asks you to supply your passport numbers 75 days before your cruise. For me, that worked out to early March. Fortunately, my passport was safely back in my hands by early February, but it was a worry I could've done without and it just goes to show how easy it is to forget about checking your passport well ahead of your travel dates.

It's also a good idea to acquaint yourself with the Disney Cruise Line web site. Armed with your reservation number, suddenly the "My Disney Cruise" section of the website will open up a whole new world to you, where you check your reservation details, check-in online and book things like shore excursions, spa treatments, dining at the adults only restaurant Palo or children's activities.

You'll also be able to view prices, so you'll know how much to save up, as these various areas make up the majority of your expenditure on board and they can quickly mount up, especially if you're on an 11-night cruise, as we've discovered! Now we know exactly how much we need to save to enjoy ourselves on board, we can make sure we save enough money beforehand.

It's worth knowing on exactly which date and at what time you can make these bookings, as the online allocation tends to disappear quickly. Concierge guests and guests who have booked the Romance At Sea package can book activities, spa treatments, child care and Palo reservations online 105 days prior to their cruise, Castaway Club members (previous Disney cruisers) can book 90 days prior, and everyone else can book 75 days prior to their cruises. Mark your calendars and plan to be online at 12:00 a.m. pacific time/3:00 a.m. eastern time to secure your choice of times.

Before your booking window opens for all these activities, now is the time to learn more about what is offered and there's no better way to do that than by reading PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. It will prove to be an invaluable resource as you plan your trip. You won't believe how much information this guide contains about your Disney cruise. When I first got a copy, my jaw dropped to the floor as I found out about the best times of the year to cruise, the different categories of stateroom, when and how you can book your shore excursions, the restaurants and activities on board, and the various ports of call. Once you've done your background reading, then you're ready to make your bookings either online or during your first couple of hours on board. Check your PassPorter also for information on guidelines regarding dress codes and packing lists to help you get organized!

If you haven't yet booked a flight to go with your cruise, then now's the time to look into that. We played a waiting game for about two months, before we lucked out and found suitably low fares from London to Barcelona. In hindsight, we should've looked at the airline websites before we made our cruise booking to see how expensive flights would be. We'd forgotten that we were due to fly out at the start of school holidays in the UK, which of course forced flight prices upwards.

Generally, a good rule of thumb is to book a flight that gets in the day before you're due to cruise. At least then if the worst happens and your flight is delayed or even worse, cancelled for some reason, then you don't have to worry about missing your ship. Although our cruise to the Med doesn't leave until Saturday evening, we weren't taking any chances, with our flight arriving on Friday lunchtime, leaving us time to enjoy Barcelona before we set sail. On the way back, the same thing applies. Be realistic about your flight time. Once the ship docks, you need to disembark and then get to the airport, get checked in and clear security, so be sure to leave plenty of time for all those things.

Now, you're all set. Happy cruising and don't forget to say hi to Mickey from me!


About the Author:
Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to America. They're now looking forward to setting sail on Disney's first cruise around the Mediterranean in May.


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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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