From the Authors: 2007 Edition Up For Pre-Order

Travel Feature: Las Vegas for Families

Walt Disney World Feature: Making the most of the FASTPASS System

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Hang on to Hangers, Fast FASTPASSes, Share the Magic

Captain's Corner: Papa's Den

Q&A: Which Value Resort has the best bus service?
 

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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here are a few of the new developments at Disney:

Dream Squads will be patrolling Disney parks as part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration  beginning in October and are empowered to "fulfill more than one million extra special dreams" according to Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. One of these dreams is now reported to be free Disney vacations for life!

Cinderellabration will have it's final performance on September 16, 2006.  A new show similar to the former Cinderella's Surprise Celebration is expected to begin in late September.

Also, the gold enhancements that were made to Cinderella Castle as part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth will also disappear in mid-September. Rumor is the rehab will take place at night after the park closes.

The Living With The Land attraction will no longer feature cast members narrating the greenhouse portion of the ride. The cast members are being replaced with an automated voice over system. Living With The Land will be closed for this renovation August 20 - September 17.


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

HANG ON TO HANGERS
"One thing that I do every time before I leave is buy a package of plastic hangers from the Dollar Store. This always ensures that I have enough hangers at my hotel for my clothes and when I check out I just leave them in the closet for the next person to use. It also gives me more space to bring home all the souvenirs I bought." -- contributed by Gloria M. (jarua177@...) 

FAST FASTPASSES
"To utilize FASTPASS without wearing-out the little ones (often, your return time is a couple hours out), have an adult stay with the kids near a park bench or other rest area, while another adult in your party (hopefully the most athletic) can power-walk ahead, grab the FASTPASSes, and return to your party. It's easier on the little ones if you don't have to keep back-tracking and will save time." -- contributed by Rebecca E. (Kins01@...) 

SHARE THE MAGIC
"On our last trip with our grandchildren we ordered glow sticks, bracelets, and necklaces in bulk (available at Oriental Trader to name one place), which were pretty inexpensive compared to the park prices, and allowed our grandchildren to "share the magic" with other children while waiting to see Fantasmic. They got the biggest trill out of doing this and we enjoyed see the joy on other children's faces." -- contributed by Donna O. (unique77rn@...) 

>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 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 week's treasure from Captain Skatt's Journal:

"After a grueling week of treasure hunting, I was in need of some solitude and a little light reading material. I recall a very comfortable place I once came across -- it was a den, filled with books, cozy upholstered chairs, huge mullion windows, and a fireplace. I remember it reminded me a bit of old man Hemingway -- I could imagine him reading a good book here, or even working on his latest manuscript. In fact, as I recall the room was called Papa's Den -- perhaps it was named after the great man himself. Alas, I can no longer remember where I came across this hideway."

Where is Papa's Den? (For a bonus point, what hangs above the fireplace in the den?)

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 Karen Huth who was the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Karen correctly identified the item the skunk is sitting on in the Trading Post in Canada as a keg of explosives. To view the original clues, 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 Skatt. The new "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" book is now available! You can order the book today at http://www.passporterstore.com.

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Q & A:
With Jennifer and Dave

SARH7 asks: "I was just reading someone else's post and they mentioned not liking the bus service when they stayed at Pop Century. I was under the impression bus service was better there because the All Star Resorts share buses. Input please, as this was one reason I was choosing to stay at Pop! "

Jennifer and Dave answer: "Except at park opening and closing times, most All Star buses stop at all three resorts. At Pop there's only one stop at all times. You do the math. However, the bus stop at Pop serves a population roughly 50% greater than any of the individual stops at All Stars, so if anything, queues will fill faster than they will for the All Stars.

In either case, bus queues fill quickly, as those stops serve huge populations. Buses also come frequently, but looking at those queues, it's easy to get the impression that the service is sub-standard. It actually does average-out properly - more people, more buses to serve them. However, when something does go wrong (like one or two delayed buses), it can take a while before the backlog of guests is back down to normal.

Folks often ask which resort has "better" or "worse" service, but often it's not a matter of relative quality at all. Each resort's service has its strong points and weak points. Because they don't share routes with any other resorts, both value-priced Pop Century and deluxe Animal Kingdom Lodge have the same advantage (one stop), while service for the Epcot-area deluxes resembles service for All-Stars, with each bus making stops at multiple resorts. In other words, the value resorts are not subject to economic discrimination. Disney wants all its guests to be satisfied.

While things don't always average-out from resort-to-resort, they come closer to balancing than many guests realize. All bus routes are run by a single organization with consistent goals. No matter where you stay, buses should arrive every 20 minutes or less, and the number of buses dispatched will be suitable for the number of guests staying at that resort. Today's problem at one resort becomes tomorrow's problem at a different resort - all buses and routes are equally subject to Murphy's Law. "

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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Future Newsletters:
Want To See Your Name in Print?

Big News! PassPorter News is now published weekly. 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 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!

Hi, {{user("firstname")}}! 

We're delighted to announce that we met our earlier-than-usual manuscript deadline for PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007! A big thanks to Nikki Larner, Chad Larner, Sandy Zilka Livingston, and nearly 20 expert peer reviewers! And now that that's complete, we've opened pre-orders up for those anxious to get their new editions ordered. The official release date is currently November 27, 2006 -- but there's a good chance we'll be able to ship it earlier, and if we can we'll make an announcement. You'll find the details and pre-order links at PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007 Pre-Order Center. Remember, the earlier you pre-order, the sooner you get your copy! And if you're leaving for Disney in December, please note that in the comments box when you place your order.

In other news, we recently added a discount code just for you -- our wonderful newsletter subscribers! You'll find a 20% discount code at the very bottom of your E-MAILED copy of the newsletter -- it won't show up in the online newsletter copies (if you're reading this online, sign up for our free weekly newsletter!). The code will also appear in your subscription confirmation e-mail if you subscribed after 8/1/06. The 20% discount code should be entered during checkout at our Online Store to receive 20% off the list price of PassPorter guidebooks.

In this edition of the newsletter, Terry Dagdagan offers tips and tricks for family trips to Las Vegas, and Yvonne and Sam Mitchell offer their take on making the most of FASTPASS. As always, Captain Jack Skatt returns with a new treasure hunting game. Enjoy! 

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors and Publishers
 

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Las Vegas for Families
by Terry Dagdagan, Guest Contributor

Think all there is to Las Vegas is slot machines and glitzy shows? Worried that it is not a good choice for a family vacation? Take another look and you may be pleasantly surprised! Only a few miles down the road from the dancing waters, exploding volcanoes, and marauding pirates are some great places for the whole family.

Start with the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum (http://www.ldcm.org) at 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North. Here, children of all ages may touch and test things to their heart’s content. Two or three hours are sufficient to explore the museum’s two levels without over-stimulating your kids. Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday (everyday in summer) from 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Admission is $7.00 for adults and $6.00 for children ages 1-17 years old.

Almost directly across the street at 900 Las Vegas Boulevard North is the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. There are wonderful displays of animals in different ecosystems from the past and present. The Dinosaur Room with the roaring Tyrannosaurus Rex is my favorite. Beyond this display is a hands-on area where children can dig for fossils or observe some live reptiles and rodents.

Amongst replicas of whales and sharks in the Marine Life Gallery is a baby shark tank -- careful with those little fingers as they can be a hungry lot! 

The Natural History Museum is open daily from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 3-11, and free for those under 2. 

Around the corner is the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort located at 500 East Washington Avenue. Run by the Nevada Division of State Parks, admission is $3 for adults and $2.00 for children 6-12 years old. The fort was originally built by Mormon missionaries in 1855. A ranger-led tour provides visitors with a view of life in Las Vegas when the town was founded. The fort is open Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Directly behind the History Museum is Cashman Field. Here you can catch a baseball game of the Las Vegas 51s, the AAA League team of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team is named after the mysterious Area 51 located 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Go to http://www.lv51.com for schedule and ticket information.

For those with a more adventurous heart grab a water bottle, lace up your sneakers and slather on the sunscreen. Some of the most beautiful rock formations in the desert are found at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area located on Charleston Boulevard about 15 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. The Visitor Center displays habitats and wildlife of the surrounding desert area. Park entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle, which includes the Visitors Center and a 13-mile Scenic Loop complete with parking areas, hiking trails and picnic areas. Be advised this is a one-way loop, which hasn’t stopped us from encountering a car or two heading the wrong way. Oops!

The Lost Creek Trail is the perfect half mile hike for little ones that want to experience the desert. With so many picnic areas to choose from at Red Rock Canyon, you may want to pack a lunch. My favorite spot is Willow Springs Picnic Area. It provides plenty of shade and is also a popular spot for rock climbers.

Five miles past Red Rock Canyon is Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, also run by Nevada Division of State Parks. Once inside the park you may take a self-guided tour of the Ranch House/Visitor Center or follow one of the tours lead by a park docent. Keep a sharp eye out, and you may spot some wild burros.

This is another good spot to bring along a lunch, and take advantage of their beautiful picnic area that surrounds a large meadow. The park is open from 8:00 am until dusk, while the Ranch House/Visitor Center is open from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.  There is a $5.00 entrance fee per vehicle. (This fee was recently reduced. How often does that happen?)

During the summer months Spring Mountain Ranch State Park offers a “Theater under the Stars.” Information is available at http://www.parks.nv.gov/smr.htm. Book early as these tickets go quickly!

A short mile further on Charleston Boulevard is Bonnie Springs Old Nevada. This is a re-created western town complete with petting zoo and riding stables. A miniature train ride is an added attraction on weekends and holidays. 

The small petting zoo allows children to pet the tame animals such as deer and goats. The animal pens range from exotic emus, llamas, and wallabies, to common species such as wolves, cougars and pot-bellied pigs. Be wary of turning your back on the goats and deer. I know from first hand experience that they have a taste for more than just the feed pellets available from the quarter-fed dispensers. Of course, the day a goat tried to eat Grandma’s very loud paisley shirt, we were all rooting for the goat!

Red Rock Riding Stables, which are located on the grounds, offer one-hour trail rides for $35.00 per person. Longer rides with or without meal packages are also available.

The old western town provides entertainment, which is also included in the park admission. A stage inside the Saloon features an old time melodrama complete with a villain and damsel in distress (who, on our last visit, had a goatee as all the actors are men). Outside the Saloon the show continues with a western gunfight, bank robbery and public hanging.

Admission to Bonnie Springs is $10.00 per car. The petting zoo opens at 10:00 am while the town opens at 10:30 am. All areas close at 6:00 pm in summer and 5:00 pm during winter. Picnicking is not allowed, but there is a restaurant with the usual fare of burgers and sandwiches. Beverages and snacks may be purchased at the Saloon too. Additional information about Bonnie Springs and Red Rock Riding Stables are found at http://www.bonniesprings.com.

With so many options to choose from in Las Vegas, you may find you need to extend your stay. Good luck!

About the Author: Terry and her husband Gene live in Las Vegas with their two daughters. They recently returned from a stay at their favorite Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Californian, and look forward to their third Disney Cruise in September 2006.

Making the Most of the FASTPASS System
by Yvonne & Sam Mitchell, Guest Contributors


Imagine it. You are standing in line at Walt Disney World’s Space Mountain, you are enjoying the air conditioning, the music, and the futuristic scenes but for the past 5 minutes the kids keep asking “Is it our turn yet?” You tell the kids that you can see the end of the line, then the cast member lets a bunch through and you are next. You and the kids are all excited! Then up walks a family of four in the empty line beside you. They hand the cast member several pieces of paper and the cast member puts them in the next rocket. Your kids are now tugging on you and asking “Mom how come they let those people ahead of us?” You are thinking the same thing and you ask the cast member who politely answers “Because they have FASTPASS tickets, Ma’am.” FASTPASS tickets? What are FASTPASS tickets?

All day, every day a scene like the one above plays out at Walt Disney World because many people do not know what Disney’s FASTPASS is, or how to make the best use of the system.

First introduced at Walt Disney World in July of 1999, FASTPASS is similar to making a reservation to ride an attraction and reduce your time standing in line. You place your park admission in the FASTPASS machine and receive a ticket that grants you access to the much shorter FASTPASS line.

FASTPASS has become a huge hit with park guests. Savvy users of the system find that they can free up to 2 to 3 hours of time, usually spent standing in line, during a full day in the parks and get to experience more attractions.

Who can use Fast Pass, you ask? Anyone with park admission. The exception is children under the age of 3, who do not require park admission. Not to worry, if they meet the attractions height and age requirements, there are cast members at the FASTPASS machines that can give your child a FASTPASS.

There are two important times on your FASTPASS. The first is the opening and closing time of your ride reservation window, for example 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm. This time can be anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours from when you got the FASTPASS, depending on how busy the attraction is. You are usually given a one hour window in which to come back and experience the attraction. (It is rare that you will be turned away if you are late in using your FASTPASS ticket. If the cast members say anything at all, it will be a polite “Please try to be on time with your FASTPASS tickets.”)

The second and most important time listed on your FASTPASS, and the one people usually miss, is when you can get your next FASTPASS ticket. After getting a FASTPASS ticket, there is a set time you have to wait before you are able get another FASTPASS. This time is usually five minutes after your ride window opens. So using the above example, if you have a FASTPASS to ride Space Mountain between 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm, you cannot get another FASTPASS until 1:20 pm.

Here are some tips to make the most of the FASTPASS system:

• When the park opens, head for your most important ride of the day -- your “Must See” attraction. Get a FASTPASS, then get in the stand-by line and ride it right away if the wait time is not longer than 20 or 30 minutes. This ensures that you will get to experience your favorite thing at least once, if not twice.
   

• On especially busy days, the FASTPASS tickets for an attraction may be gone for the day by early afternoon. If the park is having evening Extra Magic Hours, go back that evening and check out the FASTPASS machines again. Disney has been turning them back on in the evening for Extra Magic Hours on occasion.
   

• At special events such as Star Wars or Super Soap Weekends at Disney-MGM Studios, if you want to get that coveted autograph from Warwick Davis or Susan Lucci, you must have a special Autograph FASTPASS. In order to get these coveted items, as soon as Disney’s MGM-Studios opens head as fast as you can to Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. The FASTPASS machines there will be programmed to first print out a ticket with a time to get the autograph and they are very limited. When those are gone, it will print out numbered stand-by tickets. Stand-by tickets are not guaranteed to get an autograph but as a general rule the first 40 will get an autograph.
   

• Do you know anyone who belongs to the Disney Vacation Club? One of Disney’s best kept secrets is the Disney Vacation Club FASTPASS Exchange Cards. These cards are sometimes given as a promotion to new and existing DVC members. Each of these cards comes with two Instant FASTPASS tickets. Put the card in the FASTPASS machine and out pops a FASTPASS ticket that you can use immediately with no waiting to get your next FASTPASS. If you are a Disney Vacation Club member, you may have a chance of being receiving these cards from your DVC rep.

Starting in October, Disney begins “The Year of a Million Dreams Celebration.” One of the things you could win is a “Golden FASTPASS." Imagine all the FASTPASS’ you want, anytime you want, to get on any ride you want. Now that’s a dream come true!


About The Authors: Yvonne (Tinkerbelz on PassPorter Message boards) runs the family antique jewelry business, and is a full-time mom. She was a peer reviewer for PassPorter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs. She's been to Disneyland and Walt Disney World 25+ times. Sam (DVC_Increda_Man on the PassPorter boards) was a little reluctant to go to Walt Disney World for the first time in 2005, but enjoyed it so much that he is now a proud DVC owner.

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