From the Authors:  Movin' on Up!

Travel Feature: An Insider's Guide: London (Part 1)

Disney World Feature:  A Cruise to "Wish" For

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Post-Trip Postcards,  Smilin' Solo, Play Area Planning

Q&A: When can I make special dining requests for a Disney Cruise?
 

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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here's a few of the new developments at Disney

NEWS FLASH! Disney Cruise Line has just announced two special, "Southern Caribbean" itineraries for the Disney Wonder (that's Wonder, not Magic!) for September 2006. On September 7 the Wonder will depart Port Canaveral for 10 nights with stops at St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, and Castaway Cay (that's 4 at-sea days - yum!). Then on September 17 the Wonder is off again, this time for 11 nights, visiting those same ports plus St. Kitts. These will be DCL's first visits to Barbados and St. Kitts. It also means there will be three fewer 3-night and three fewer 4-night Bahamian cruises on the Wonder in 2006. Guests who already booked a sailing on the Wonder during that time period can expect to hear from DCL or their travel agent about their options. One might quibble about calling these "Southern" Caribbean itineraries, as they don't venture near the truly southern islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Trinidad or Tobago. These are really slight variations on previous Special "Caribbean Itineraries," but such is the world of cruise marketing.

Beginning in 2006 a new plan will be added to the Magic Your Way program. The "Magic Your Way Platinum Package" will be available at select Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club Resorts. In addition to the features of the Magic Your Way Premium Package, the Platinum Package will include concierge-type services such as pre-trip planning, access to special fireworks cruises, and spa treatments and dining at restaurants not normally included such as Victoria & Albert's.  

The price for wheelchair, ECV and stroller rentals has increased as of July 10, 2005. Wheelchairs are $10/day or $8/day with a Length of Stay rental. ECVs are $35/day. Single Strollers are $10/day or $8/day with a Length of Stay rental and Double Strollers (not available outside the theme parks) are $18/day or $16/day with Length of Stay rental. (Please note that wheelchairs and ECVs rented at Downtown Disney require a credit card imprint as a deposit. A $250 hold for a wheel chair and a $500 hold for an ECV will be placed on your credit card. While this is not a "charge" unless the vehicle is not returned, it may effect your available charging balance. No imprint is required for vehicles rented at the theme parks, however there is a $5 refundable deposit on ECVs.)

You can view our page-by-page list of updates and corrections for the new PassPorter Walt Disney World 2005 Edition at http://www.passporter.com/
customs/bookupdates.htm.

>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 posess a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:

POST-TRIP POSTCARDS
"On the last day of the trip, we write a post card to ourselves, listing all the special memories that we want to remember.  We write down our favorites rides, treats we loved, any special visits with characters, etc. Then we drop the postcard in the mail at the resort, just before we leave. About a week after we get home, just when the post-vacation blues are really starting to hit, the postcard arrives and reminds of us all the fun we had and really cheers us up! It's a great way to remember the special moments, and it's a great addition to our family scrapbook."
-- contributed by Dana Petrie (danawp@...) 

SMILIN' SOLO
"If you travel solo don't be afraid to do a character meal! The characters are very attentive and it is fun to interact with the guests around you. Also don't be afraid to ask your server to take photos for you. They are always happy to take shots of you and your favorite character."
-- contributed by Robin Sackevich (robinkay6573@...)

PLAY AREA PLANNING
"On our drive down last summer, we used the internet to locate fast food restaurants with play areas along our route, approximately where we planned to stop for lunch. We would unload the kids and make the necessary bathroom stop. Then, DH (dearest husband) would pick up food for the two of us and we would eat while watching the kids burn off some steam in the play area. When we were ready to go, I'd wash up the kids and get them loaded into the car while DH would buy their lunches. They ate while we resumed our trip and then they were ready for 'nap time' (all parents' favorite time of the day).
The restaurant websites are very easy to use and provide directions so you can be sure you're choosing a location that's right off of the highway (and not 15 minutes out of your way). They even list locations with drive up windows (if the kids are sleeping when you are hungry)."
-- contributed by Jill B. 

>Notes: Send us your tips ! You may see them in this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter! 

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Q & A:
With Jennifer and Dave

graygables asks: "When I look at the December cruise I'm thinking about, the Disney Cruise Line web site says that early dining is not available. There is no way that my daughters will make it to the later seating. Both of them have special needs and will not do well if we are seated with strangers. Is there any way to make these kinds of changes in advance or will I have to do it on the ship? Will they even be able to accommodate us?" 

Dave answers: "Actually, you shouldn't wait until you board at all -- the more advance notice Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has, the better. Explain all your needs when you make your booking. Tables for four aren't a big problem, especially if you explain the need. If you need a special medical form, they'll send you that, too.

There are on-board coping strategies in case you don't get your requests (we cover them in our DCL guide), so even then, all will not be lost. But the cruise is not like a Walt Disney World visit - stateroom assignments, table assignments, dining rotations, etc. are all done way in advance by DCL - they don't wait until a few days before you cruise. Get those requests in immediately. 

If you're looking at December, I suggest you pick up the phone ASAP and talk to DCL, even if you decide not to book at that moment. I have a feeling the reservations agent will be able to set your mind at rest."

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 Get Published?

We're on the lookout for guest columnists to contribute articles to this newsletter. 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 details and our article guidelines, please e-mail news@passporter.com. Articles about Disney and general travel are welcomed!

The first edition of PassPorter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs is almost ready! The books are on the printing press as we speak, and when they're done it's only ten short miles from our local printer to our warehouse (life is so much simpler when you're printing a "regular" paperback book!) It's not too late to place a pre-order--be among the first to have this great, new book.

Everyone who orders from PassPorter gets a 15% discount and if you've already got a copy of any PassPorter, you can register it to get a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of this or any PassPorter guidebook when you buy from our online store or toll-free at 877-929-3273.

Order your copy today at:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store

An Insider's Guide: London (Part 1) 
By Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Message Board Guide and  Guest Columnist

Log on to most Internet travel sites and London is one of the cities that often jump off the front page at you with hotels galore on offer. With a history dating back nearly 2,000 years to the Roman era, there is something for every type of visitor to the UK’s capital city, as Cheryl Pendry explains… 

Like all of the world’s greatest cities, London is full of landmarks that are recognized across the globe. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames are just some of the world famous names that London boasts. 

The city became the capital of England in 1016 and has held that position ever since. The city’s long and diverse history is no doubt one of the many reasons why it attracts so many visitors every year. In 2004, 120 million people flew in and out of London’s airports. Obviously not all of them were exploring the capital city, but I’m sure many of them made certain it was somewhere in their plans. 

But where to start with those plans? Surely it’s a case of too much to see and too little time? The first thing to work out is how long you can spend in London. Three days is an absolute minimum, although five days or more will mean a lot less rushing around. And what should be the priority sights you head for first?

Most visitors want to see London’s Royal links – and that means the city’s historic Royal palaces. Perhaps the most famous of them all is Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official residence in London. Although parts of the palace are open all year round, such as the Queen’s Gallery, the part that most visitors want to see are the State Rooms and those are only open to visitors for a couple of months each year, usually in August and September, so if your itinerary is likely to include this, then it’s worth keeping that in mind.   

At other times of the year though, you can see the colorful and dramatic Changing of the Guard. Held daily between April and July outside Buckingham Palace and on alternate days at other times of the year, it’s an amazing sight to see the soldiers in their bright red uniforms, complete with 665 gram hats called bearskins. (Editor’s Note: That’s over a pound and a half - ouch!) The hats are heavy and they are hot and yet the guards still wear them throughout the summer months, earning my admiration!

Other places to catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony are at Horse Guards Parade (again at Buckingham Palace) every morning at 11.00 (10.00 on Sundays) and at the Tower of London every day at 11.30 am on Tower Green.

Now the Tower of London has to be one of my favorite Royal palaces in London. The Tower dates back to the 11th century and is today home to the amazing collection of Crown Jewels. In the last couple of years, we’ve been to see them on a number of occasions and every time I’m dazzled by the beautiful jewels in the collection. 

The Tower is also home to centuries of history, as you’d expect. Other sights worth seeing are Traitors’ Gate, named because that’s the route by which traitors were taken in days of old; the Tower’s Beefeaters, in their lovely black and red costumes with the Queen’s symbol, ER, on them; and the White Tower, home to a fascinating display of guns, swords and armor. 

It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here – and some superb views can also be found of the nearby Tower Bridge on the short walk down to the River Thames. For the more adventurous, it’s possible to tour Tower Bridge – and the views are well worth the trip. 

One of my favorite ways of seeing London is by taking a boat ride down the Thames. There are numerous companies operating large sightseeing vessels, many with excellent commentary – I’ve certainly learnt a lot about London’s history by taking these trips. The best route in my book is between Tower Bridge and Westminster. There are so many great sights to see – and there’s no better one than the beauty of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (not the name of the clock tower that can be seen across London, but the name of the bell inside). There’s no more traditional London sound than that of Big Ben ringing out the hour. It’s well worth trying to time it so that you’re nearby at the top of the hour to hear the chimes first hand. 

The Houses of Parliament are well worth touring – the architecture inside is just as superb as the exterior and one added bonus is that you never know who you’ll see. On one of my visits, I saw Britain’s first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, just walking through one of the corridors! If you’re a British resident, you can tour Parliament while it’s in session on certain days of the week, but if you’re an overseas visitor, then your only option is the summer opening. The openings are similar to those of Buckingham Palace, this year they run from 2 August – 5 October.

If you’re not in London during those times (and even if you are), then you can get a bird’s eye view of Parliament and a number of other London landmarks from the London Eye, situated just across the River Thames. Originally built to commemorate the new Millennium, it was designed to be a temporary attraction, but has proved so popular that any idea of removing it now seems to have disappeared completely. With long operating hours, especially during the summer months, daytime and evening visits are possible and, having experienced both, you get a completely different perspective of the city depending on whether it’s light or dark. Even the weather can’t stop the enjoyment of the London Eye. On our most recent visit, we were treated to snow as the wheel rotated – and to watch it sweeping in was a sight to behold! 

London’s two most famous religious sites are probably those that have been the scene of Royal weddings gone by. Westminster Abbey has seen the coronation of nearly every King and Queen of the land over the past 1,000 years and was the setting for a series of Royal weddings and funerals. Built over a number of centuries, this is well worth an hour or two of anyone’s time. 

Perhaps best known for the Royal wedding in 1981 of Prince Charles and the then Lady Diana Spencer is St. Paul’s Cathedral and there’s no better time to visit the Cathedral than now. The £40 million program of restoration work has just finished its latest stage, with the interior of St. Paul’s now free of scaffolding for the first time in many months. The work still continues ahead of the Cathedral’s 300th anniversary in 2008, but despite this, the architecture and the views over London from the top of the Dome are first class. Be warned though – the climb is not for the faint of heart. Its 530 steps from the ground to get up there! 

There’s so much more to London than just history, Royalty, rivers and spectacular views, as we’ll explore in the next edition of the newsletter, when we visit some of London’s myriad of museums and go on a shopping tour of some of the world’s most famous name stores. 

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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.

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A Cruise to "Wish" For
by Jennifer Maxwell, Guest Columnist 

No question about it, Walt Disney World is a magical place!  From the charm of Epcot’s World Showcase to the imagination of the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, magic abounds in Florida’s most enchanting forty seven square miles. So many "can’t miss" experiences, so little time.

Ranked high among these events is the Magic Kingdom’s jewel, Wishes, the nightly fireworks spectacular bursting over Cinderella’s castle. The thrill of standing in front of the castle watching the rockets explode and shimmer can make you feel like you and your family is the only one in the world sharing this awe-inspiring display. But what if you really could be together for a “private” viewing of this beloved show? You can! 

The Wishes Fireworks Cruise is a way to explore Walt Disney World’s Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, learn Disney trivia, and enjoy a front seat to the nightly Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. Add dinner at one of the Magic Kingdom resorts and you have an evening guaranteed to charm every member of your family!

The cruise is available at any of the Magic Kingdom Resorts: The Grand Floridian, Polynesian Resort, Contemporary Resort and Wilderness Lodge. Your experience starts at the resort’s marina approximately forty-five minutes before Wishes begins. Your guide will meet you and escort you to one of the marina’s many pontoon boats, each with a capacity of eleven passengers. As your boat moves out onto the dark waters, the guide will regale you with trivia about the many sights around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. Our family’s most recent Fireworks cruise followed an animated dinner at Wilderness Lodge’s Whispering Canyon Café, and began with a cruise across Bay Lake to see the old River Country water park, the shoes hanging from the tree across from Fort Wilderness, and bird speckled Discovery Island. Once this tour was complete, we were treated to a breathtaking view of Wilderness Lodge with its “hidden bear” image, lights sparkling in the darkness.

The next event you will experience on your cruise is the Electrical Water Pageant. Your guide will turn the boat around for the best vantage point and you simply sit back and watch as music fills the air and lights dance on the water. Children and adults will be enchanted as you begin to recognize some of your favorite Disney songs accompanying an electrified sea serpent, leaping dolphins, an octopus, and so much more. The grand finale of stirring music and sparkling American flags is also a sight to behold!

Once the Electrical Water Pageant moves on (it cruises around to every resort on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon), it’s time to cross the water bridge near the Contemporary Resort into Seven Seas Lagoon.  Seeing the beautiful Magic Kingdom resorts from your own private sea vessel is delightful. However, as enchanting as The Grand Floridian, Wedding Pavilion, Polynesian and Contemporary all may be, the view of the Magic Kingdom itself will take your breath away.

Stopping in front of the park, you will have a view of the castle as its captivating color transformations take place. You will see the monorail glide effortlessly up to the park and then just as effortlessly depart. You can discover just how large the park is, as your guide may point out Splash Mountain and you can measure all the way across the park to Space Mountain. And then? The headliner of the evening begins!

Music swirls up from the park and is echoed by some of the boats floating around you in the lagoon. The lights darken in the Magic Kingdom and Jiminy Cricket’s voice is heard over all else. The first shimmering firework sails into the air and cascades down over the castle. Wishes has begun.

And the view! You’ll see details you may have never noticed from your observations inside the park. There is the “frowny” face created by the fireworks as the Evil Queen beseeches Evil to show its face. There is the castle lit with a blue cone shape decorated with white stars and moons as the music changes to the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice”. You’ll see Tinker Bell’s flight as you’ve never seen it before. All this is spread before you, a true feast for the eyes. It is a spectacular that you’ll share with tens of thousands of people, yet feels as though it exists only for you.

The finale is followed by a trip around the Lagoon, back to the marina. No crowds, no lines, no monorail, just a simple private cruise back to the resort. It caps a perfect memory you are able to share together.

A Wishes Fireworks Cruise is as easy to arrange as any other recreation Advance Reservation. Call 1-407-WDW-PLAY (1-407-939-7529) as far out as 90 days in advance to book your own cruise. The current cost is $150.00, and this includes up to eleven people. But it doesn’t stop here. For an additional cost, you can book a birthday cruise, which includes balloons and a birthday cake. You can also add anything from a simple collection of beverages to chocolate covered strawberries all the way up to a full meal. Check with WDW-PLAY for options, they’re happy to help you! 

Since our family’s first Wishes Fireworks Cruise – a surprise from my husband – we’ve made it an essential part of every vacation to share as a family and with friends. I can say this for certain: whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just being at the Happiest Place on Earth, a Wishes Fireworks Cruise is a wonderful and unique way to make your celebration even more memorable!

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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 planning your Disney vacation.