| August 02, 2012 * Issue 9.31 |
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 In This Newsletter
From the Founders: Pre-Order Our Next Cruise Guide!
Travel Feature: Signature Dining at Walt Disney World
Disney Feature: Bringing a New Look to the Disney Store
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Laundry List, Gift Card for Pre-Paid Dining, Comforting Confetti
Captain's Corner: Magical Memories
PassPorter PhotoPick: Magic Kingdom - The Magic, The Memories and You
Q and A: How many pins to start trading?
Our
Sponsors: We Recommend...
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 Cool Links:
Stuff and Services
We encounter many Disney- and travel-related products and services. From among
those we try, a few are good enough to use ourselves and recommend to you:
Orlando Scooter Rentals - Electric mobility scooter rentals for use in Disney World!
Owner's Locker - The Purple Place for Storing Your Vacation Stuff!
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Updates:
What's New and Changed
This week we have 3 news bulletins:
Never Land Pirate Band at Downtown Disney Sharky and Bones, also known as the Pirate Band from "Jake & the Never Land Pirates," will perform at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World, August 3-12, 2012. They will perform at the Waterside Stage at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm.
Comments: 49
This updates page 207 of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook
Illness Cluster Linked to Wild Africa Trek Tours in June Orange County Florida health officials have documented dozens of cases of a gastro-intestinal illness among guests who took the Wild Africa Trek in June and July. The Wild Africa Trek is a Backstage Tour offered at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Health officials inspected the food preparation kitchen for this tour but no link to the illness was found. Disney has reinforced hand washing practices for guests, increased the number of hand sanitizers available, and begun "deep cleaning" several surfaces the guests come in contact with.
Comments: 49
This updates page 273 of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook
D23 Expo Tickets On Sale August 9 The D23 Expo, Disney's Official Fan Community Expo, will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center August 9-11, 2013. (Yes, Sara is already planning to attend again!) Tickets are sold as either one-day or three-day passes. D23 Membership discounts are available. "Early Bird" tickets go on sale on August 9, 2012. Early Bird pricing is available through December 31, 2012. Advanced ticket pricing begins January 1, 2013 and continues through June 15, 2013. After June 15, pricing is the same as purchasing at the door. For details and pricing, visit the D23 web site.
Comments: 49
This updates page 291 of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook
Tip: Need more news? Read, sort, and search all the PassPorter news bulletins at the PassPorter News Desk!
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! Send us your tips! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter! And you never know -- your tip could even appear in a future edition of a PassPorter guidebook.
LAUNDRY LIST
'In preparation for doing laundry while on vacation, I usually pack two pillow cases. I can put my dirty laundry in them, wash them in with the clothes and I can bring everything back to the room with out having to try and find plastic bags to put the clothes in. I also bring powdered laundry soap and bounce sheets because they are expensive to buy there. I put about 1 to 2 scoops per plastic lunch bag.'
-- contributed by Lori
 Save This Tip
GIFT CARD FOR PRE-PAID DINING
'If you enjoy the feeling of having your meals pre-paid but don't think you get your moneys worth by purchasing the Dining Plan, put the cost of the dining plan on to a gift card. Use that gift card to pay for your meals during the duration of your trip. At the end of your trip you may just find you have enough money left over for a shopping spree in Downtown Disney or to book a Bounceback offer at your resort.'
-- contributed by Jen
Save This Tip
COMFORTING CONFETTI
'I always save the confetti from table decorations at Walt Disney World. Why? My husband and I were in line waiting to go on the Pirate's of the Carribean. It was a long line, so I had been watching the little girl ahead of us for some time. The closer we got to the front of the line, the more scared she was getting. Mom, Dad and older brother didn't seem to notice - but she was almost in tears as we neared the front of the line. I checked inside my Passporter Pouch and found some Mickey-confetti from the Dessert Party a few nights earlier (my husband thought I was nuts for keeping it.) I knelt down next to her an asked her if she was a little afraid to go on the ride. She could only nod her head as she was already sniffing back tears. I handed her the confetti and told her it was Magical Pixie Dust and that pirates were afraid of it. Then I told her that anybody that was holding it was completely safe and that the pirates would be afraid of her. Her mom, now realizing how scared her daughter was, asked her if she wanted to skip the ride. She took a deep breath and said "I don't have to now. The pirates can't get me." Just then, they were seated in the front of the boat. My husband and I were in the back. hen we got out of the boat, the little girl still had her pixie dust clenched in her hand and a smile on her face. That is why I save the confetti...'
-- contributed by Nancy
Save This Tip
Want more Disney
tips? Look for the concierge bell icon in future newsletters and throughout the PassPorter.com site. When you see the bell, tap it to view and save the tip to your personal tip collection!
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. (Please note: Players can win once every three months.)
Here is this week's journal entry:
"Did you know you get can your magical MEMORY of a trip published in a PassPorter guidebook? At the end of each of the chapters is a memory from a reader. If your memory is picked, it will appear in a future edition (with your permission, of course) along with your name. PassPorter needs stories about YOUR magic, not magic made by a Disney cast member. For example, something special you did to plan or enjoy your trip. We love to hear about how a Disney cast member made your trip extra special, but we don't include these stories in PassPorter because we don't want our readers to think they will get the same treatment when they visit. If you've got something like this, submit it at http://www.passporter.com/customs/tipsandstories.asp"
For bonus credit, locate the photo in the PassPorter Photo Archive and post a comment with the photo!
Congratulations to who was the winner of last week's trivia contest! was the first person to
identify the answer to last week's clue as in . Bonus credit goes to as the first person to locate the photo in our PassPorter Photo Archive. To view the original clue, see last week's newsletter.
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!
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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. Here is this issue's PassPorter PhotoPick:
Magic Kingdom - The Magic, The Memories and You
Photo by home4us123
(click the photo or link to see a larger photo with details)
You can nominate photos as a PassPorter PhotoPick by giving ratings in the PassPorter Photo Archive (you'll need to be logged in to do this). If you'd like to contribute your own photos to the Photo Archive and be considered as a PhotoPick, please read our Photo Upload Guidelines for details and benefits.
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. . . . . . . | Q and A: With Jennifer and
Dave
viator80 asks: "My two boys, 7 and 3, will be surprised at Christmas with a Disney vacation for February. Anyway, my question is how many pins should I get them each to start trading? Is 12 a piece enough/ too much? I have no idea. This will be our first Disney trip!"
Dave Marx answers: "Welcome viator80!
As young first-time traders, I suggest they trade only with Disney cast members. All those trades are one-for-one, so if they start the trip with 12 (a decent number), they'll finish with 12. At their age, it's really a matter of trading the pins they have for pins they like better (favorite characters, etc.).
12 trades is more than enough for them to discover if they're interested. If they become interested, they'll probably want to buy additional pins at Disney. In that case, they'll likely be collecting those, rather than trading.
And, if your older boy becomes interested and the younger doesn't (which seems quite likely at his age), older brother may end up with closer to 24 pins to trade.  "
Did our message board members agree with Dave Marx? To see other answers that viator80 received, check out the rest of the thread on the PassPorter Message Boards..
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 -
Mouse Fan Room Only Deals!
ALL STAR Vacation Homes -
Choose from more than 200 homes within 5 miles of Disney!
Quicksilver Tours & Transportation -
$5.00 off airport round-trip town car!
Orlando Scooter Rentals -
Electric mobility scooter rentals for use in Disney World!
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| | | From the Authors: Pre-Order Our Next Cruise Guide!
Hi, {{user('firstname')}}!
PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line Guide Now in Pre-Order!
The new, 10th edition of PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line and its Ports of Call is now available for pre-order in the PassPorter Store! As always, this new edition will be fully updated, including full port-of-call information for current ports, plus firsthand information on the new Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
The new guidebook is available in paperback, in a Deluxe Starter Kit in our popular six-ring binder, as a refill kit for those who already have a PassPorter deluxe binder, and in an Online Edition only. Pre-order now at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/dcl.aspx and get immediate access to the Preview File, which is 214 pages long (the first five chapters) -- when all chapters are complete, this access becomes our Online Edition, which you can browse, search and print ... or even put on e-book readers like an iPad, Nook, or Kindle! Note that the Online Edition is currently incomplete -- over half of the pages are online -- but will be updated regularly in the next four weeks. You can also browse the first chapter from the new guidebook!
PassPorter's Club
UpdateMore than 1500 vacationers are now enjoying access to all our e-books, e-worksheets, and super-sized photo archive images. Thank you for your continued support!
- A completely updated version of PassPorter's Disney Vacation Club Guide is now available. New pages have been added to cover all the member perks you can enjoy at Vero Beach, Hilton Head, and Aulani. Now that it's available to book with points, we've also added more information about Disney's Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland. And if you want to know how it differs from the Villas at the Grand Californian, we've included a comparison of the two.
Also included in PassPorter's Disney Vacation Club Guide is updated pricing information, reflecting recent increases. We've added details on 2013 Adventures By Disney trips, including a look at the three member-exclusive excursions, along with the latest points requirements for non-Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World and the resorts at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Packed with everything you need to know about being a member, PassPorter's Disney Vacation Club Guide is invaluable for anyone thinking of joining the Disney Vacation Club, as well as those who have already joined.
PassPorter's Club Passholders can download the latest version using the Concierge Desk.
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In this issue, PassPorter Guest Contributor Michele Dakho shares information on Signature Dining at Walt Disney World. Then PassPorter Featured Columnist Cheryl Pendry gives us a glimpse into Bringing a New Look to the Disney Store. Finally, Jack Skatt is back with a brand-new Walt Disney World Treasure Hunt.
Jennifer and Dave Marx
PassPorter Founders and
Authors
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Did You Know?
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benefitting Make-A-Wish®
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Click for full details As to Disney artwork: ©Disney Ships' registry: The Bahamas |
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Travel
Feature:
Signature Dining at Walt Disney World: It Takes Two
Michele Dakho, PassPorter Guest Contributor
There is something for everyone at Walt Disney World, and dining is no exception.
There are three different dining plans to choose from and over 100 restaurants within the parks and resorts,. So, what sets the restaurants apart from one another and what makes a “Signature Dining experience” worth two table service credits on the dining plan?
There are a few things that set the “Signature Dining” experience apart from the rest.
The Scenery: Signature Dining restaurants are usually located in a scenic environment; within the parks they're often stationed within floral courtyards or a castle, and within the deluxe resorts they may offer stunning views of Cinderella castle or a functioning Fire Rock Geyser, just to name two. While obviously, there can be a view from any restaurant, the Signature restaurants seem to offer a little plus. Narcoosse's, California Grill (currently under refurbishment) and Bistro de Paris offer views of fireworks and others offer easy accessibility for shows such as the Fantasmic dining package and the Electrical Water Pageant.
The Setting: The design of the various restaurants can truly make you feel transported to another place and time. The caricatures on the walls at the Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) make you feel like a celebrity could pop in anytime, have a seat, and order a Cobb salad. The rich hues and earthy textures and textiles at Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge make you feel like you are in Africa, and what could possibly compare to eating inside of Cinderella Castle? The scene is complete with coordinating linens and proper silverware settings for each course.
The Selection: Beyond the ambience of the dining experience lies the food. Signature Dining restaurants often boast famous chefs who are masters of their cuisine and pastry chefs who turn dessert into art. The main dishes are complemented with sides that make the perfect palate pleaser. Succulent steaks, rich creamy potatoes, and truffle macaroni and cheese are among the favorites at these restaurants. The seafood selections are more expansive than at other table service restaurants--you can even find lobster tail or have surf and turf. You may find the flavors are more complex and the ingredients more developed, and all of these elements make dinner more than just a meal.
In my experience, Signature Dining has a lot of offer; the food is fantastic and some menus may offer things you haven’t tried before and wouldn’t pay menu prices for at home. The best part of any dining plan is not having to fork over cash at the end of the meal. Having everything included up front makes you feel better about enjoying all three courses and trying new things.
I always recommend researching up-to-date menus before deciding on a restaurant, because food is a very personal preference. The “must do” restaurant that everyone raves about might not have anything to offer you. Be mindful that because of the nature of some of these menus, particularly sustainable seafood items, menu selections may be subject to change without notice.
While some may think Signature Dining locations are only for adults, I’ve found them all to be very accommodating to children, even in a large group. While the meals do tend to run a bit longer than average, a polite mention to the server at the beginning of the meal that the kids have a short attention span doesn’t hurt. A server can’t meet your expectations if they don’t know what they are. Some people would be insulted to be “rushed” through a meal and others would feel held hostage if a regular adult pace was used for a family with children. If you enjoy the food but don’t necessarily need the ambience of the timing of the courses, just mention it to your server at the beginning of the meal.
Like any Disney dining experience, guests with special dietary restrictions and allergies can note it on their reservations and in most cases your needs can be met. Many people with dietary restrictions find the Chef’s are very inventive with dishes and are happy to put their culinary prowess to the test.
There is more to dinner than just a meal, and Disney always turns dining into an experience. When you understand what Signature Dining has to offer you’ll be able to decide if it’s the right experience for your family. There is no across the board answer that will suffice for everyone, which is why there are three different dining plans to choose from. The fun part is, you can change it up and experience them all!
Reader Comments (49) - Comment on this article
View Article Online | Download Free Article PDF
About the Author: Michele is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with Pixie Vacations and a frequent Disney traveler. You can read about her Disney experiences and planning tips on her blog www.ThePracticalPlanner.Blogspot.com
Questions, feedback, or
corrections about this article, or just want to give kudos to the author? Share a comment here or e-mail
us at news@passporter.com. Also check out our Article Collection for more great information!
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Disney Feature:
Bringing a New Look to the Disney Store: Disney Around the World
Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Featured Columnist
When you're not at Disney, where can you go to get your Disney fix?
Luckily, for us, we can head literally 20 minutes drive up the road, and visit our local Disney Store. I know for lots of people it may be a much longer trek, but is it worth it?
Well, having visited a number of different Disney Stores over the last year or so, ranging from as far as apart as Chicago, Antwerp, Belgium; Edinburgh, Scotland; and London, England, I can say that usually, yes it is. The first thing I would say is it's worth trying to find out whether the Disney Store you’re heading for is one of the new look stores.
Back in 2010, Disney announced a major revamp of its stores in America and Europe, with them all getting what they described as a “magical new store design.” So what did this mean? After discovering that the Disney Store in La Vaguada, Madrid would be the first in Europe to undergo the makeover, and since one of our trips was taking us to Madrid, we would have to make a special visit there. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t overwhelmed with what I saw. I loved the new trees in there, and there was a cool video area for kids (and maybe adults) called the Disney Store Theater, showing classic Disney films and cartoons. Apart from that though, the merchandise didn’t seem to be that much different than what we could get at home.
Now here’s the second thing that it’s worth finding out about a Disney Store before you go there, particularly if it’s a long journey. Do they have any local merchandise? In Chicago, we were delighted to find T-shirts and other merchandise, with "Chicago" all over them. It’s been like for some time in London now, with cuddly toys, including Beefeater Mickey, Guardsman Donald, and Queen Minnie now added into the mix, along with items such as photo frames, stationery, and even a London-specific Vinylmation. Now I’ve got the collectors’ attention! It’s no doubt a tourist thing, with the Disney Stores that are likely to attract visitors boasting localized merchandise.
However, that doesn’t always follow through. I was surprised to discover that Edinburgh had no merchandise representing the city. In fairness though, the Disney Store in that city is in a shopping center that’s quite far out from the main tourist area, and that was exactly the case in Madrid as well. That certainly fits with my theory, although I would’ve expected Calais in France to therefore carry some French Disney items, bearing in mind how many Brits make the crossing each year to the town either via ferry or on Eurotunnel. It doesn’t. The merchandise is exactly what I can find in many other Disney Stores.
Our recent visit to Antwerp, Belgium, on the other hand, turned up a gold mine. It’s the only Disney Store in the whole country, so perhaps it’s understandable that they have lots of great location-themed items, such as T-shirts, mugs, and cuddly toys. I was only too happy to take one of the T-shirts off their hands!
So, merchandise apart, what are the new Disney Stores like? They do vary from one to another. I was enchanted by the characters they had appearing on the walls of the Antwerp store, with Bambi, Dumbo, Tigger and even my favorite donkey boy Eeyore making an appearance via the magic of Disney. It was fascinating to watch, and I’m sure it’s something children of all ages will love.
My favorite of all the Disney Stores we’ve visited to date is the huge, brand new shop on Oxford Street in the middle of London. This is just packed with Disney magic, and is definitely the best one to use as an example of the new-look stores. Every new store has a Disney princess castle, but here it’s on a much larger scale, built over the stairs as you walk down to the lower level of the store. I particularly loved the little touches, like the portcullis gate above your head.
Downstairs, there are more Princess touches, with child-size mannequins in princess dresses everywhere, and a plush pink seating area. There’s even a fairy section, complete with models of Tinkerbell and her friends flying above your head, and giant leaves that make you feel as if you’re fairy-sized yourself.
Like all the other new-style Disney Stores, there are trees, with images projected on to them, and the traditional Disney Store Theater. In Oxford Street, the baby section is dedicated to Bambi, appropriately enough, with London landmarks including Tower Bridge and some lovely paintings of beloved Disney characters. It’s beautifully done.
Upstairs, you’re greeted by a life-size Mickey and Donald, both dressed as guardsman, complete with their own guard tower. It’s a lovely introduction to a great store.
So, a visit to the new-style Disney Store can be a lot of fun, and certainly with the new features they’ve introduced, they all just ooze magic. However, for us, the real acid test is what’s on sale in there, and that can vary from store to store. It’s certainly a good way of getting a dose of Disney magic in between vacations, and you may just pick up something fun as well.
Reader Comments (49) - Comment on this article
View Article Online | Download Free Article PDF
About the Author: Cheryl is the author of the e-book, PassPorter's Walt Disney World for British Holidaymakers, and is the co-author of PassPorter's Disney Vacation Club Guide: For Members and Members-To-Be. Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to Disney, and they have travelled around the world, visiting every Disney theme park on the way.
Questions, feedback, or
corrections about this article, or just want to give kudos to the author? Share a comment here or e-mail
us at news@passporter.com. Also check out our Article Collection for more great information!
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Use Discount Code: PassPorter News
Call 888-GO TO WDW or visit quicksilvertransportation.com
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