From the Authors:On The Road Again

Travel Today: Dress for Travel Success

Disney Feature: The Joys of Disney Fan Gatherings

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Disney Letters, Dialing for Meals, DCL Romantic Escape

Q&A: Advance Booking for Airlines

Updates:
What's New and Changed

The Tables Have Turned
The hot Walt Disney World news these past two weeks is the change in Disney Dining’s Priority Seating dining reservation system. A small storm ensued when word of the proposed changes leaked out over the Internet. The good news is that Disney listened carefully to people’s concerns and comments, and the final policy is a good deal for everyone.

Rather than get you upset over what could have been, let’s just cover what’s real. As of August 4, Priority Seating "reservations" for everyone can be made 90 days in advance for most Disney theme park and resort hotel restaurants. In the past there were a variety of reservation "windows," ranging from 60 days to 120 days, depending upon the restaurant and park. There are still a few exceptions (listed below), but for most Disney guests, this will untangle a lot of complications and confusion over when to call for which meal.

Hi, Friends!

The PassPorter office has been busy this week! We’re busy planning our last research trip of the year before we go to press on the 2004 edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World. We’ll be two very busy campers when we reach Orlando next week!

Did You Know? Our Online Store is Better!

Looking for a kinder, gentler online store? With our new and improved online store, you can estimate shipping costs before you checkout, save wish lists, buy gift certificates, get volume discounts, keep a running total of stuff in your cart, choose from more shipping methods, and view the details of your past orders. Best of all, you’ll encounter fewer errors and technical headaches! And we still offer our great add-on deals, coupons, 15% storewide discount, and knock-your-socks-off customer service!

To see our new store for yourself, visit:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store  

If you want to test out our store, you can get a FREE copy of an earlier edition of PassPorter to give to a friend or keep for yourself.
Visit: http://www.passporterstore.com/store/
freepassporter.aspx

by Dave Marx

"Oh dear, what shall I wear?" Readers frequently ask what to wear once they reach their destination, and we’re happy to oblige, with suitable packing lists for Walt Disney World, Disney cruises, and soon, Disneyland and southern California. But this time, rather than expound on resort wear, I’m going to set my sights on something a bit different, "traveling clothes."

Traveling clothes have long had a special cachet. The veteran voyager has been expected to wear lots of rumpled linen, desert boots (or huarache sandals), and a Panama hat – in short, the spitting image of a foreign correspondent. Modified safari gear is also stylish, especially those heavily-pocketed vests favored by photojournalists. It’s as if the sun never set on the British Empire. The image persists, especially since so many travel writers are former or wannabe foreign correspondents themselves. (If you could choose between war, starvation or natural disaster and resort travel, which would you pick?)

Yes, I’m talking about fashions from the bygone days of Banana Republic (before The Gap morphed it into an upscale-casual emporium), the even farther bygone days of the original Abercrombie and Fitch, and the kind of high-priced goodies you can still find in the J. Peterman catalog. These days, TravelSmith is one of the better sources for these fashions, but you’ll most likely find me shopping at Land’s End, even though it’s now part of Sears Roebuck. I have a soft spot in my heart for all these retailers, plus more down-to-earth travel outfitters like the REI Co-op. But as much as I like Windows and (catalog) shopping, when I actually pull out my wallet, I get very cheap. Bless all those online retailers who have closeout departments!

Not everyone is a slave to travel fashion. Most folks at the airport are dressed in their favorite Saturday casuals—everything from jeans and football jerseys to country club attire. Yes, almost anything can work in the air conditioned comfort of modern air travel, but once you’ve reached your destination you may find far less comfort than you bargained for. If you dress right you’ll be ready to vacation as soon as you exit the plane (even if your hotel room isn’t ready yet).

My travels often begin in the frigid pre-dawn of a Michigan winter and deposit me in the sun-drenched humidity of a Florida midmorning. Even though I might be tempted to wear flannel-lined pants and a turtleneck, I learned a long time ago to dress comfortably for the warm weather, and to add layers over that for the cold. This works whether I’m heading to the warmth, or will be flying home to the cold.

The night before I head South (or Southwest) I set out loose-fitting shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. Over these, I’ll wear pull-over pants (wind pants, sweats, warm-ups, whatever works for you), and a cozy polyester fleece top. This is more than enough to keep me comfy in the terminal and on the plane, and they’re easy to remove in public whenever I begin to feel too warm. It used to be I’d wear all this stuff on the plane and remove it as soon as I reached my destination. Lately, I’m down to my warm weather wardrobe soon after I board - it seems the airlines are keeping cabins warmer than they used to.

If a friend or family member is dropping you off (and picking you up) at a cold weather airport, leave your winter coats in the car. As long as you’re wearing a sweater you’ll survive the short walk to the terminal entrance, and the coat will be waiting for you when you return. If you’re leaving your car in long-term parking, you may prefer to stuff your coat into your checked luggage as soon as you enter the terminal. Either way, this is the last time you’ll need it until you return home. The ritual of "stashing the winter coat" is a great warm-up for the balmy days ahead. Don’t even think of carrying your coat on the plane with you. You’ll have to send it through x-ray, and it’s one more item to carry and keep track of. As an alternative to the heavy winter coat, think about layering a lighter jacket plus several pullovers. Winters in Florida and California can get chill enough to make all those items useful.

I may need light boots when I leave home, but when the temperature’s above 60, you can’t pry me away from cool, airy sandals. At six-foot one tall, I can also use all the airline foot room I can get. Once on board the plane those trim sandals have big, clunky shoes beat, hands, er, feet down. I pack my sandals right on top of my check-through and swap my footwear before I check my luggage.

If I’m going to be spending long hours in an airline seat (or in a car, for that matter), I want to be as comfy as I can be. Tight pants do not make me a happy traveler. And I know only guys are dumb enough to do this, but don’t keep your wallet in your back pocket, especially if you plan to buy an adult beverage on your flight. Your butt is going to get sore enough anyway in those broken-down economy class seats, and your neighbor won’t appreciate your elbow in his/her ribs while you struggle to free your billfold. I make sure my pullover top has at least one wallet-sized, zippered pocket.

A lot of what I’ve said goes for long drives in the car, too. Comfy pants, nothing in my back pockets, and a comfy pullover under my coat. It’s remarkable how many people drive long distances in a heavy overcoat. As soon as the car’s heater has done its work (pre-heating the car before you leave is a good strategy) I’m out of that bulky, restrictive parka. My pullover is enough to keep me warm until I can don my overcoat to pump gas or visit a rest stop. In shorts-and-short sleeved shirt weather we wear something a bit unexpected – sunscreen. Jennifer’s skin is especially sensitive, but we’ve both found that our exposed arms and thighs can get roasted by the sunshine pouring through the windshield.

Lately, I’ve added one more item to my air travel wardrobe – a PassHolder Pouch. With all the ID cards and papers you need to keep readily available these days, it’s great to have them all hanging around your neck in plain view. No fumbling in pockets (or purses) for wallets and boarding passes, and with its transparent front pocket, your photo ID can stay right where it is, in plain view. On International trips, its zippered inner pocket is perfect for passports, too. More than one airport security guard has thanked me for being so well prepared. And lest this seem like a commercial plug, you’ll find similar items from sources including TravelSmith and most luggage stores, and they’re appearing at many airport giftshops and newsstands, too.

So, I’ve been going on and on about what I wear on my way to the warm weather, so I should spend a minute on what I wear when I get to the "tropics."

Yes, I do have a generous supply of linen shorts and trousers. They really are superior to cotton in hot, humid environments. But I only buy them on sale. One of these days I’m going to buy a pair of convertible trousers – the kind with zip-off legs. It’s an easy way to go from long pants to shorts with a minimum of fuss and bulk. Let me know when you see a good sale! I recently bought a safari-style hat with a crown made of breezy mesh, after I got one too many sunburns on my thinning scalp. Shirts? You can’t separate me from my collection of cotton pique polo shirts (if you can, my daughter Allie will be forever grateful – she thinks they’re much too boring). Those polos are just so plain versatile; although I must admit I’m a creature of habit in this regard. Cotton is not the coolest fabric, although pique works far better than jersey knits. (Wear white and light colored tops, not navy blue – you’ll bake!) When the weather heats up I’m usually more comfy in loose-fitting tropical shirts and my cotton seersucker buttondowns. I’ll probably be getting more of these as time goes by.

So, I apologize if I’ve focused entirely on traveling from freezer to oven, but I’m confident you can fill in the less extreme blanks. Happy comfortable travels to you all!

The Joys of Disney Fan Gatherings

by Jennifer Watson

Ask a Disney vacationer for their best tip and you’ll probably hear, "Go when there aren’t many people around." The off-season with its lower crowd levels is, indeed, a great time to visit. But what if we revealed that our best vacations were during the off-season AND with lots of people?  No, this isn’t a contradiction. We’re talking about Disney Fan Gatherings, sometimes called Meets and Fests, and they’ve given us some of our most vivid, fantastic memories!

Ok, so what’s a Disney Fan Gathering? Essentially, it’s a reunion – whether you’re meeting old friends or making new friends with kindred souls who enjoy Disney as much as you do. We know that sounds a bit sappy, but we kid you not – virtually everyone we’ve met at a gathering feels like a friend, even if we just met a moment ago. It’s that Disney connection that binds us together so quickly. And, since most fans KNOW that the best time to visit is during the off-season, most gatherings are also scheduled during that period. The best of both worlds!

We’ve attended gatherings as small as three people and as large as over 400! Most gatherings are open to anyone who wants to attend. Gatherings are generally casual and unstructured, but a few also involve a bit of advance planning or even a friendly competition. Likewise, most gathering events are completely free of charge (outside of park admission or the cost of a meal), while a few may involve small fees to cover the costs of materials or prizes. They appeal to vacationers of all walks of life and experiences – from the first-timer to the fanatic.

The most obvious reason to attend a gathering is social. Disney is a huge place, and it’s easy to feel lost in the masses. Knowing just one other person can enrich your experience and increase your enjoyment. There are many other reasons to join a gathering, such as:

* Do something unique. Everyone can watch IllumiNations, but how many get to watch from the deck of a private patio or boat? Or enjoy a Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin or virtual Daytona USA tourney? Or go on a Treasure or Hidden Mickey Hunt? These and many more unique events are offered during gatherings, and they are often the ONLY time you can experience them in this manner.

* Save money. Larger gatherings offer great rates on vacations so folks can afford to attend. The upcoming MouseFest 2003 event has unbeatable rates through MouseEarVacations.com, though some of the group rates are closing soon (August 15). You can take advantage of these rates even if you’re not sure about the social stuff. See the bottom of this article for more information.

* Meet celebrities. Ok, well at least they’re celebrities in the Disney arena. Guidebook authors often attend gatherings and sign autographs – we attend many gatherings, and we know that Bob Sehlinger (author of the Unofficial Guide) and Steve Barrett (author of Hidden Mickeys) will be at the upcoming MouseFest 2003 gathering. You can also meet  other luminaries like Deb Wills and Debra Koma (of WDWIG.com and AllEarsNet fame), Allison and Tom Keaney (of WaltWouldWaltDo.com), Mary Waring (founder of MouseSavers.com), Mike Scopa (from MousePlanet.com), Scott Thomas (founder of PSCalculator.net), Pam VanSyckle (from WDWMagic.com), Rose Folan (founder of AdultsatWDW.com), and many more at the MouseFest 2003 gathering. These folks are all very friendly and a font of information and tips.

* Get cool stuff. Giveaways and prizes aren’t unusual, and many hosts like to give small tokens to folks who attend their events. Of course, it’s always nice to have something to give in exchange, like a small souvenir from your hometown. When folks meet us, we usually have some small PassPorter trinket to share.

So what’s the downside? The large gatherings, such as MouseFest, are usually only held once a year, and their dates may not coincide with your vacation dates. Some folks chose to vacation specifically during a gathering so they know they can attend some events. If this isn’t an option for you, go to the Backyard: Gatherings, Meets, and Group Trips forum in the PassPorter Message Boards. You may get lucky and find some folks who are forming a gathering, or just post a note and start one yourself!

Dates of upcoming gatherings are generally posted in the PassPorter Message Boards. And you can always get the details of the next major PassPorter Gathering at http://www.passporter.com/gathering.htm. Be sure to also visit http://www.wdwig.com, which is the repository for information on RADP and MouseFest gatherings. Also visit http://www.disboards.com and check the DIS Meets forum.

Now we have a confession to make – the real reason we’re sharing our love of Disney gatherings is to encourage you to attend one! The more folks we meet – old and new friends alike – the more fun we have. The next major gathering we will attend is MouseFest 2003, of which our own PassPorter Gathering is a part. It’ll be held on both land & sea this year: a 4-night Disney Wonder cruise from 11/30-12/4, and a five-day gathering at Walt Disney World from 12/4-12/8. We have a whole slew of fun and unique events planned for the cruise, including two treasure hunts and several private parties, and at last count there were over 35 events planned for Walt Disney World. Everyone is welcome and invited… and we mean everyone. It’s entirely open to all – the only costs involved are those of going on a vacation (i.e., cruise, hotel, park passes, food, etc.) and a few nominal entrance fees here and there (i.e., $10 for a treasure hunt, $30 for the Great Race event).

MouseEarVacations.com has some great rates available for the cruise and/or land portions of MouseFest, but the cruise deal expires on August 15. If you’re at all interested, be sure to check it out!

To learn more about the PassPorter Gathering & MouseFest 2003, visit:
http://www.passporter.com/gathering.htm

If you can’t make MouseFest, we will be in Walt Disney World next week (8/11-18) for our annual research trip. If you see us in the parks or on a bus, please say hello – we love to meet new people!

Hope to see you at Disney!