From the Authors: A New PassPorter Guidebook

Travel Feature: An Insider's Guide: London (Part 2)

Disney World Feature:  The Magic of Slowing Down

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Scrapbook Start-up, Dine Deluxe, Earning Extras 

Q&A: How do I carry my Key to the World card?
 

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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here's a few of the new developments at Disney·

The following restaurants have changed their requested dress code from "resort casual" to "business casual" to reflect a more "upscale" feel: Artist Point, California Grill, Citricos, Flying Fish, Jiko, Narcoossee's, and Yachtsman Steakhouse.  No flip-flops, hats, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, t-shirts, tank tops, or torn clothing will be permitted. Shorts are permitted when worn with a collared shirt. 

On August 21, 2005 the Living Seas Pavilion will close for rehab and will re-open late November 2005. The Coral Reef restaurant will remain open during this time. 

Restaurant Akershus has had a name change to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in keeping with its all-princesses all-day character dining.

The Tarzan Rocks show at Disney's Animal Kingdom will close in early 2006 for updates to the theatre (enclosing and air conditioning). The theatre is expected to re-open with a new stage show, as yet unannounced.

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

SCRAPBOOK START UP
"Before you leave home start gathering stickers, paper, albums, etc. from online auction sites. You can find a lot of park-exclusive scrapbooking supplies like that way ahead of time. You can start getting in the Disney vacation mood by starting some pages for your scrapbook.  When you get home simply insert your pictures and have some pages put together quickly to show family and friends while you work on the rest of your album."
-- contributed by Michelle Franz 

DINE DELUXE
"To enjoy a diverse Disney experience, we always stay at a value resort - but eat at the deluxe!  We save money, but are able to see the "other side" of the resorts."
-- contributed by Patricia 

EARNING EXTRAS
"Due to past experience, we know that the "I want everything I see" factor is increased ten-fold at Disney. So, during the months before our last trip to Disney World, we found a wonderful way to have our 6 and 8 year old daughters learn the limits of what they can purchase on their trip. We told them we would give them a certain amount, but that if they wanted more, they would have to work for their "Disney Dollars."  This truly gave our daughters incentive when I asked questions like, "Who would like to fold towels," or "Who would like to help with the dishes?"  We know our daughters will appreciate their purchases all the more for having earned them!"
-- contributed by Maria 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

Dianne asked: "I noticed while reading the cruise book that it might be a good idea to have one or two necklaces or keychains, especially for the kids. These would be for the key and also the arcade pass. I didn't see any particular type to buy - one with a pocket for the key or what. Do either the key or the arcade pass have a hole in them or do they just slip into a pocket?"

Jennifer and Dave answer: "Neither the key or the arcade pass have holes in them, so it's best to find either a pouch or a lanyard with a small plastic pouch attached. We sell PassHolder Pouches on our site -- these have good capacity so you can keep a few extra items in them, such as a folded copy of a Personal Navigator. You can get more information on PassHolder Pouches at our store . The lanyard with clear, plastic pouches hold less, but you may not need to carry much around while on the cruise either. You may be able to find these at stores like Wal-Mart or K-Mart, or you can just wait until you are onboard and buy the one Disney sells in the Treasure Ketch store on deck 4 midship. As I recall, they are around $5-6 each.

Whichever way you go, I highly recommend using a pouch to store cards rather than relying on pockets. Our daugher Allie has lost her card before when it either fell out of a pocket or she left it in a pocket and then couldn't find it again."

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?

We're on the lookout for guest columnists to contribute articles to this newsletter. No professional writing experience 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 details and our article submission guidelines, please e-mail news@passporter.com. Articles about Disney and general travel are welcomed!

The 2005 editions of all our PassPorter guidebooks are now in stock and shipping: PassPorter Walt Disney World 2005, PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line 3rd Edition, and PassPorter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs are now shipping next business day when ordered by 8:00 pm ET the night before. (We should note, however, that we're down to the last few hundred copies of our PassPorter WDW 2005 edition, but we just re-stocked on our Disney Cruise Line edition because the first printing sold out in just two months!) If you've been waiting to order your copy, now is the perfect time!

Everyone gets a 15% discount and if you've already got a copy of PassPorter, you can register it to get a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of any PassPorter guidebook.

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

An Insider's Guide: London (Part 2) 
By Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Message Board Guide and Frequent Contributor

In this second part of this two part article on visiting London by Cheryl Pendry, it's time to visit some of the city's museums and get ready to put that credit card to use with a tour of some of the world's most famous stores...

Historic buildings, Royal palaces and river trips aside, there are plenty of other ways to spend your time in London. As you'd expect from one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, there's a museum for just about every taste. 

The Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates the decorative arts, with displays including furniture, photographs and ceramics, and is housed in a beautiful building in South Kensington, dating from 1862. 

In fact, South Kensington is really London's museum alley, with the Science Museum just across the road in the appropriately named Exhibition Road. That's also home to the National History Museum which is housed in another breathtaking building. Once inside, there's something for everyone, but the displays you are guaranteed to remember for many years are the dinosaur skeletons and the life size model of the blue whale. The second you see it, it's immediately clear that it's the world's largest creature ever.  Both these museums are free to visit, an unusual situation in London, where most attractions charge admission. 

If you are an art lover, there are plenty of galleries to pick from. The Tate is the home of British and international modern art, but if you're more traditional, then the National Gallery, with its collection of paintings from across Europe and the National Portrait Gallery, which contains portraits of famous British men and women, may be more to your taste.

Something bound to appeal to the younger audience, which concentrates on celebrities as well as historical figures, is Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. The collection is constantly changing to reflect today's celebrities, but the British Royal family, top film stars and politicians from around the world remain amongst the newer additions. The Chamber of Horrors is a favorite for many, but if it's not your idea of fun, then don't worry -- there is a chicken route which avoids this section! Linked to Madame Tussaud's is the London Planetarium, which offers a fascinating journey to the stars. And trust me; if the Chamber isn't your idea of fun, then you'd do well to avoid the London Dungeon. It's an experience definitely only for those with strong hearts and stomachs! 

If your idea of fun is as simple as a stroll in the park, then you won't be disappointed. Despite the fact that London is home to more than seven million people and is one of Europe's most densely populated cities, there are still surprisingly large stretches of parkland all over the capital, many of them Royal parks, steeped in history. 

St. James Park, set right in the center of London, near to Buckingham Palace, Westminster and 10 Downing Street, is a lovely place to walk through and perhaps stop to enjoy a sandwich if the weather will allow, before continuing on your way. 

Kensington Gardens contains Kensington Palace, the home of the former Princess of Wales.  Featuring the Royal ceremonial dress collection, this impressive array of gowns and dresses includes a selection of outfits wore by Diana, Princess of Wales. 

But perhaps my favorite park in London is right next door to Kensington Gardens. Covering 350 acres, Hyde Park is home to many events throughout the year -- most recently the Live 8 concert was held here. Perhaps now best known for the Diana Memorial Fountain, the park offers a pleasant walk between two of London's finest shopping areas. Starting at Kensington, you can visit some of the capital's most exclusive stores, including Harrod's. Billing itself as the world's most famous department store, if you only visit one shop in London, then it should be this one. The attraction is not just for shopping, but also for the beautiful architecture inside. My jaw dropped when I first saw the food halls and the Egyptian escalator. 

At the other end of the pleasant walk through Hyde Park is the beautiful Marble Arch, which marks the start of the famous Oxford Street. This one and a half mile long road contains most of the UK's finest shop names and some superb department stores. In particular, Selfridge's, which will celebrate its centenary in 2007, is well worth a look. With its imposing pillars at the front of the building, it's a well known landmark. 

We prefer to head down Oxford Street as far as Oxford Circus and then turn into Regent Street, for located along this street is what can be described as the answer to every parent's prayer. However, things could quickly turn sour when your children refuse to leave Hamley's toy store. There really is something for every youngster -- and many adults too and you may be wise to allow yourself more time in here than you think you need. That's always our experience every time we go in here! 

At the end of Regent Street is another part of London that is well worth seeing -- Piccadilly Circus. Perhaps the best way to describe this area is that it's London's very own Times Square. Buzzing with life at all times of the day and night (and not just because of the traffic flying past), it's home to a range of restaurants and cinemas. 

Not far away are two more famous London landmarks -- firstly, Trafalgar Square, with Nelson's column and the four giant lion sculptures at its base, and Covent Garden is just a short tube (subway) ride away. Full of street entertainers, unusual shops and restaurants, this indoor market, which once used to serve fruit and vegetables, is the centerpiece of the area. It's a great place to spend an evening -- and there is certainly no end of possibilities for your evening plans in the city. 

With more than 6,000 restaurants, covering every cuisine imaginable, you'll never go hungry, but many visitors are more interested in sampling a slice of traditional British life at a London pub -- and there are almost 4,000 to pick from. If this is something you'd like to try during your visit, then a good place to start your research is http://www.pubs.com/ which offers a wealth of information on good places to sup your pint. 

One other London tradition not to be missed during any stay in the Capital is a West End show. Just like on Broadway, tickets can be purchased months in advance or on the same day, sometimes at greatly reduced rates. The TKTS ticket booth in Leicester Square offers last minute bargains and used to be a regular haunt of mine in my student days. Some of the most popular musicals currently showing are Chicago, Mamma Mia, featuring a range of ABBA songs, Disney's Lion King, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, both based on the popular films. 

There's so much to enjoy in London that it's been hard even fitting the details into two articles. Perhaps the best way to understand how vibrant this capital city is is to start planning your visit. From most tourists I've spoken to, one thing is clear. One visit is never enough! 

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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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The Magic of Slowing Down 
by Thomas Cackler, Guest Columnist 

The scene is not uncommon. Mom, armed with a park map, leads Dad pushing the stroller while Junior is lagging behind looking at all the interesting shops on Main Street USA. As they rush past Cinderella Castle and into Fantasy Land, they stare at the already insurmountable line at Dumbo. Frustrated that they now won't make their dining reservation at Crystal Palace for lunch, they begin to lament the rat race that Walt Disney World has become. They wonder aloud, "What has happened to the 'magic' at Walt Disney World?"

Does this sound like you? Too often, the term "weary traveler" is appropriate for a visitor to the Magic Kingdom and the other parks as well. What with show times, parade times, fireworks times and advance dining reservations, our days on vacation are more booked than a sports agent on draft day. With the World becoming bigger and bigger with each new visit, do we simply resign ourselves to exchanging the magic for the notion of a complete vacation?

Just as one appreciates a museum best at a slower pace, so too should our pace slow when we pass through the gates of Walt Disney World. As Jennifer and Dave say in the recent edition of PassPorter "Despite the temptation to see and do it all, an overly ambitious plan will be more exhausting (and frustrating) than fun." However, it's not as if the average person has very much time to stop and smell the roses, right?

While it is true that the average family vacationing at Walt Disney World is there less than a week, a lack of time should not be an excuse to push oneself beyond reasonable limits. As the old saying goes, we need to "stop and smell the roses" if we hope to experience the magic that Disney has to offer. So in order to do that, we have to change our way of thinking.

Yes, I just said, "We need to change our way of thinking." We have to remember that in order to reclaim the magic of a trip to Disney World, we must not rush from E Ticket to E Ticket attraction. Instead, the magic happens when you slow down to see the little things and enjoy the plethora of lesser-known (yet perhaps entirely more magical) attractions. Just as the Louvre doesn't have a Mona Lisa hanging on every wall, we should not expect Disney World to be one intense experience after another. 

Although authors mean well when they write touring plans for guidebooks, too often the reader assumes that this is the best way or the only way to enjoy a Disney vacation. After all, these are the professionals.  They know Walt Disney World. Unfortunately, that attitude locks you into a death march mentality that screams, "Splash Mountain or death!" This is not a healthy attitude while someone is at home, much less at the "Happiest Place on Earth." 

In fact, many of the most magical things at Disney World don't happen while shooting through Space Mountain or while on a Kilimanjaro Safari. We all know it was all "started by a mouse," but have you ever stopped to watch Steamboat Willie, the film that started it all? You can, at the Town Square Exposition Hall. We all know what happened when she met Beast, but would you like to hear a story from the beautiful and talented Belle herself? You can, at the Fairy Tale Garden near Cinderella Castle. These are just a couple of the lesser-known attractions that the Magic Kingdom has to offer. The other parks offer similar magical adventures if you take the time to discover them.

Trying to list the multitude of magical moments would take too long and defeat the purpose of this article.  What is magical for one person may not be as magical for the next and it makes little sense to replace a list of big time attractions with a list of little known attractions. However, when you realize that you cannot and will not see everything in your stay, you are free to live in the moment and experience the parks in an entirely new light. Whereas in the past you didn't have time to explore some of the off the beaten path areas to their fullest, you now have the opportunity to explore to your heart's content. It is in that exploration that you truly grow to appreciate the hard work the Imagineers put into each aspect of the parks.

Now that we have thrown away our touring plans and commando itineraries, we are free to enjoy those magical moments that do not appear on a park map or in a guidebook. No longer do we need to fret about a longer line just because we want to enjoy the majesty of the Castle or the wonder of Innovations. We won't find ourselves rushing past the Hollywood Glee Club just to get in line for another attraction. Likewise, we do not need to worry about missing something at the parks because we want to sleep in or spend so much needed time at the pool. Because when you slow down, you free yourself up to enjoy what any trip to Walt Disney World should be: a vacation!

By taking time to enjoy things based on your desires of the moment, you begin to appreciate that the magic isn't dead. It also opens your eyes to the creative minds of the Imagineers and the hard work and dedication of the cast members. Many magical memories happen when you least expect it. If you don't slow down to enjoy them, you will most likely miss the magic altogether.

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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.