| August 19, 2010 * Issue 9.33 |
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 In This Newsletter
From the Authors: Return of the $1 PassPorters!
Travel Feature: Visiting NASA
Disney Feature: Exploring Morocco in Florida
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Need That Noodle, The Waiting Game, Water Park In the Rain?
Captain's Corner: Dreams Come True
PassPorter PhotoPick: Cinderella's Fountain
Q and A: Bringing Booze On Board
Our
Sponsors: We Recommend...
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We encounter many Disney- and travel-related products and services. From among
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MouseEarVacations.com - Family Travel Favorites - For all your family travel needs!
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 5 news bulletins:
Best Friends Pet Resort Opening Delayed to September 1 The new Best Friends Pet Resort at Walt Disney World was originally scheduled to open this week. That opening has been pushed back to September 1, 2010.
Comments: 49
This updates page 035 of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook
New Package for Boys at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Boys at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will have a new option beginning September 19, 2010. The previous "Cool Dude" package is being replaced by the "Knight" package. The package will include hair styling and a shield and sword.
Comments: 49
This updates page 130 of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook
Tomorrowland Transit Authority Gets a New Name The Tomorrowland Transit Authority in the Magic Kingdom has been re-named the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. This is a nod to the attractions previous incarnation from 1975 - 1994 as the WEDWay PeopleMover.
Comments: 49
This updates page 144 of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook
Discounts Galore! Disney released a plethora of discounts this week including Free Dining with dates into summer 2011, a Gift Card offer, a Fall / Winter Room Only discount AND Annual Passholder and Florida Resident Rates. For details visit DisneyWorld.com or contact your travel planner.
Comments: 49
This updates page 010 of PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook
Toy Story Playland Opens in Paris A new area has opened at Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris Resort. Toy Story Playland takes park guests on a visit to Andy's backyard, where they can see the world from a toy's perspective (think: A Bug's Land at Disney's California Adventure). The area includes Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, and RC Racer, a simulated Hot Wheels car ride.
Comments: 49
This updates page 000 of PassPorter's 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.
NEED THAT NOODLE
'I am not a swimmer but absolutely love Castaway Cay's Serenity Bay. While my husband is off snorkeling, I float on my swim noodle. Yes, I bring my noodle from home. It fits in my suitcase as it is flexible. It is easier than trying to hold onto the floats or getting in and out of the tubes they rent. Everyone always comments on my noodle. Not sure if this would be a good thing for little kids but it definitely works for me.'
-- contributed by Donna
 Save This Tip
THE WAITING GAME
'We knew we would probably wait on line at some point. The longest line we had was for Expedition Everest and it was so worth it. The best tip I could offer is to bring easy to carry things to do while on line. I only bring things that we can do together. Luckily Disney offers great queues so I wait until we start to get bored. I have two favorites.
1. Mad Libs. Buy one that is themed as far away from Disney as possible and you will be amazed how funny it is.
2. We brought Disney Trivia cards from our board game. Whenever someone got it right, we handed them the card. Whoever had the most cards by the time we got to the front of the line was the winner. The prize? Who cares, its time to get on the ride. Also, it tends to keep other guests on the line occupied as well. Many just watched us play but I heard a few whispering answers to each other. '
-- contributed by Eve
Save This Tip
WATER PARK IN THE RAIN?
'When it rains, don't cancel your plans to go to a water park! It's open unless there's lightning or it's raining so hard that the guards can't see the bottom of the pool.
During our August 2008 trip we had 4 days of a tropical storm. It was raining and windy off and on. We had plans to go to Typhoon Lagoon. We kept them arriving at rope drop. It was just us and a handful of others. We had a marvelous time! It rained off/on all day, but everything was open. We were wet anyway, so we didn't care! We had no lines whatsoever. Stitch came and "played" with us for a long time. We even had a Photopass photographer take us around for a good hour and take tons of unique pictures. I did feel sorry for one poor guard. With so few people, he was stuck cleaning gum out of the cracks of the sidewalks.'
-- contributed by Kim
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:
"I have a dream. I dream of smiles and laughter, and long days to explore the world in search of treasures. Truth be told, I have this most days. And I believe I have this dream come true because I make a monthly donation to my local wishing well. On the first Monday of every month, I visit Cinderella's wishing well, close my eyes, toss in a shiny $1 coin, and make my wish. I visited just a few days ago, then sat beside the well to admire it before moving on. As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, I noticed something ... something UNDER the wishing well that I'd never seen before! What a find! And, well, what do you know ... my wish came true sooner than later this time!"
What is hiding under Cinderella's Wishing Well?
For bonus credit, locate the photo in the PassPorter Photo Archive and post a comment with the photo!
Congratulations to Sherry K who was the winner of last week's trivia contest! Sherry K was the first person to
identify the answer to last week's clue as above the entrance to Via Napoli in Italy in Epcot. Bonus credit goes to anangel21 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:
Cinderella's Fountain
Photo by mestitch
(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
TracyKim asks: "I have read many post on this subject and no one has ever said that it is NOT ALLOWED to put booze in your check in bags. I just keep reading that "you don't want it breaking and getting all over your or others clothes.
So my question is, IS it allowed to place booze in your check in bags? We only live about an hour away from the port and will be driving, so we won't have to worry about the airlines or anything like that. If booze is found in the check in bags, is it taken??
We brought booze back from Jamaica and had brought bubblewrap with us. No Worries Mon!!! The booze made it home safe and sound. I can't say that for our resort mugs though!! :(
Thanks for the info!!"
Dave Marx answers: "DCL has issued statements that beverages are not allowed in checked luggage when you check in. I think their main concern is that folks were packing cases of beer, etc., and creating extra-heavy baggage. As bagage is delivered by hand to the staterooms by the stateroom hosts/hostesses, I think they want to cut down on heavy baggage.
While some folks report receiving beverages packed in their checked luggage, you do run the risk of having them removed during baggage inspection and held at the port for your return.
If you're talking about 30 full-size bottles that will be gifts, then you're best off carrying them on yourself. If you're talking about 30 "nips," (somehow, I can't imagine large bottles in a fish extender) then maybe you'll get away with leaving them in checked luggage.
As far as "end of cruise" - on DCL that only applies to alcohol you buy in the on board duty-free shop. Unlike most other cruise lines, they allow you to bring on and consume alcohol purchased in your ports of call."
Did our message board members agree with Dave Marx? To see other answers that TracyKim 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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| | | From the Authors: Return of the $1 PassPorters!
Hi, {{user('firstname')}}!
Return of the $1 PassPorters!
It's time for our biggest and most popular PassPorter promotion of the year, the $1 PassPorter Offer. PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2011 is scheduled for publication later this year, which means (among other things) that we have to clear out the warehouse. We've got a pile of 2009 editions in "new" or "slightly hurt" condition, leftovers sent back to us by bookstores when the 2010 edition hit store shelves. We could "pulp" them (yesterday's PassPorter becomes tomorrow's corrugated cartons), but years ago we found an even better use for them. We offer these great but somewhat outdated books to our friends on the Internet for just $1 each (plus shipping and handling -- limit 5 books per order). Lots of folks who've never seen a PassPorter can try one out for a really great price, and people who always loan-out their own PassPorters and/or recommend the book to their friends and relations can stock-up on really low-priced gifts. It's even great for us -- not only for the space saved in the warehouse, but because we've made lots and lots of new PassPorter friends through these offers (the older edition is a great ambassador for the newest edition). So, trot over to the PassPorter Store (or click the $1 PassPorter link, if that's easier), and tell your friends -- this deal doesn't last forever! When we're out, we're out! Please limit 5 $1 books per order -- if you need more than that, please e-mail orders@passporter.com
PassPorter 's DVC Guide Updated!
A fully revised and updated version of PassPorter's Disney Vacation Club Guide is now ready for download. It's been expanded with additional pages to give you the full lowdown on the latest resort, Aulani, a Disney Vacation Club Resort in Ko Olina, Hawai'i. There's information on the guaranteed-week contracts introduced for Aulani, along with a new room-size comparison chart, so you can see which resort has the biggest rooms in each category. We've also added 2011 points charts for the World Passport Collection and some of the Disney destinations around the world, plus there's an update on the Adventures by Disney tours available to members for 2011. You can purchase the DVC guide through the PassPorter Store, or get the e-book free-of-extra-charges as a PassPorter's Club Passholder. If you previously purchased the e-book, you may return to the PassPorter Store, sign in, check your Order History, and re-download the updated version.
The New Disney Cruise Guide is Here!
Our new PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line guidebook arrived here on July 27! We've New orders are now shipping out the next business day. So if you've been waiting to get your copy, now is the perfect time -- order at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/dcl.aspx . Bookstores will begin getting their copies later in August.
Snack Time on this Week's Podcast!
It's snack time! Listen to our latest podcast and hear Jennifer and Sara's top 10 favorite snacks at Walt Disney World, plus news and answers to listener questions. There's also a 20% discount code at the end of the podcast for use in the PassPorter Store! To listen to this week's podcast in iTunes, just search on "PassPorter" or click this link. Or come listen at our site. Each episode brings news, tips, and some "motherly advice!" You can listen while you read this newsletter or surf the web! Just go to http://www.passporter.com/podcast/home.php and click Listen Now!
PassPorter's Club
Update
- More 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!
- Two new e-worksheets are available, both for cruisers: Cruise Budget Worksheet and Cruise Reservation Worksheet
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In this issue, PassPorter Guest Contributor Bernie Edwards shares information on Visiting NASA. Then PassPorter Featured Columnist Cheryl Pendry gives us a glimpse into Exploring Morocco in Florida. 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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Travel
Feature:
Visiting NASA: Johnson Space Center and Houston Space Center
Bernie Edwards, PassPorter Guest Contributor
"Houston" is officially the first word spoken from the Moon back to Earth. The city is the home of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) human spaceflight program. While the Space Shuttle launches out of Florida, the astronauts live and do most of their training at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. The center is also the home of Mission Control, which directs all Space Shuttle missions. The Mission Control Center also manages all activity onboard the International Space Station, a United States-led collaborative effort of 16 nations.
As you can probably imagine, NASA and the Johnson Space Center have a great story to tell. Unfortunately, for many years they didn’t have a good place to tell the story, with many priceless artifacts and models simply placed in the offices, hallways, conference rooms, and the auditorium at the space center. However, with the help of Walt Disney Imagineering in developing the concept and design for a world class visitor center, Space Center Houston was created. The goal was to build a visitor center that would appeal to guests on both an emotional and intellectual level! Space Center Houston is the official visitor center for the Johnson Space Center.
At the visitor center, guests can see "Faith 7," the Mercury 9 capsule flown by astronaut Gordon Cooper. Mercury was the overall name given to America's first human spacecraft, capable of carrying a single astronaut. The visitor center also has the Gemini V capsule flown by astronauts Pete Conrad and Gordon Cooper; Gemini spacecraft followed Mercury and carried two astronauts into space. A "must see" artifact is "America" the Crew Module for Apollo 17, which was the last manned flight to the Moon. Apollo 17 was also the longest mission to the Moon, with astronauts Ron Evans and Harrison Schmitt under the command of astronaut Gene Cernan; astronauts Cernan and Schmitt spent over 3 days exploring the lunar surface. Guests can also see a Lunar Module, the spacecraft capable of landing on the Moon, hanging from the ceiling and a Lunar Rover that was used for training. The Astronaut Gallery features one of the world’s best collection of spacesuits, with portraits and crew photos of every NASA astronaut who has flown in space.
The visitor center also has an IMAX theater that shows movies such as “To Be An Astronaut” and “Inside the Space Station”. In addition, a popular attraction is the Blast Off Theater where you can experience the thrill of launching into space. Afterwards, stop by the Mission Status Center, where you can get an update on current space flights and astronaut training activities. During actual Space Shuttle missions, the Mission Status Center shares communications between the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center and the astronauts onboard the orbiter. Finally, there is a large food hall and a very large gift shop with lots of NASA souvenirs.
However, in my opinion, the best part of a visit is going on a tram tour of the Johnson Space Center. The tram tour takes guests to either the old Mission Control Center that has been restored to look like it did during the Apollo Moon landings, or the new Mission Control Center that supports the Space Shuttle and International Space Station today. Tours also visit the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, a real working area of Johnson Space Center with Space Shuttle and International Space Station training mockups, and Rocket Park, which contains one of the last surviving Saturn V rockets that carried astronauts to the Moon.
There are even special tours, called “Level Nine Tours,” that take guests to other areas of Johnson Space Center such as the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, basically a large pool where astronauts train for working outside in space. The pool is so large that NASA can put a full-size replica of the Space Shuttle and parts of the International Space Station in it. Level Nine Tours also include dining in the main cafeteria at Johnson Space Center; you can usually find some astronauts eating lunch there. Only 12 Level Nine admissions are available each day, so be sure to make an advance reservation; also all Level Nine guests have to be 14 years old or older.
Most of the exhibits and tours have specific start times. So to get the most out of your day, be sure to look at the map and brochure provided upon entering; it contains the start times for various attractions. I can’t stress enough that all guests should look closely at the map! Even though the general layout was designed in consultation with Walt Disney Imagineering, it’s a little confusing in my opinion. Some families spend all their time in the main hall and never make it to the nooks and crannies that hold the more educational and interesting material, such as the Starship Gallery. I’ve talked to many families who only saw the main hall and, as you can imagine, left disappointed.
My personal recommendation is to visit the Starship Gallery first to get a feel of what NASA and the Johnson Space Center do, and then go on the tram tour. However, sometimes there are school groups that can make the morning lines for the tram tour very long; in that case save the tour for the afternoon. On busy days there will generally be two types of tours, with only one visiting Mission Control; I recommend going on a tour that includes Mission Control, especially the historic Mission Control used for the Apollo Moon landings.
Unfortunately, Space Center Houston is also filled with what I would describe as “playground activities” for very young guests, such as a ball pit. I recommend avoiding those things until after you see everything you want to see first. That may be hard to do because those activities are located in the main hall, and easily catch the attention of young guests. Some families spend all of their time at the “playground activities” and miss seeing the amazing space artifacts, moon rocks, tram tour, and movies; they usually walk away very disappointed.
If you are visiting the Houston area and interested in space exploration, then you should definitely make it a point to visit NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston. It’s an excellent way to spend a day. Just keep in mind that while both are technically in Houston, they are about 45 minutes by car south of downtown Houston. Afterwards, you can visit the Boardwalk in Kemah, about 15 minutes away, for some great food, including gulf seafood. There’s also a small amusement park and shopping there right on the water. If you live in the Houston area, Space Center Houston also offers Summer Day Camps and camp-ins for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Also, the next time you visit Walt Disney World, consider visiting NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, on the Atlantic Ocean, a little over an hour away from Walt Disney World. It has the most spectacular visitor center of any NASA facility across the country. If you have any interest in space exploration, I think it would be worth the visit. You can easily spend a whole day at the Kennedy Space Center. With only two more Space Shuttle flights scheduled before the program is retired forever, now is a great time to visit a NASA center.
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About the Author: Bernie Edwards lives in Maryland with his wife and two children. He is an engineer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel.
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:
Exploring Morocco in Florida: The Morocco Pavilion at Epcot
Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Featured Columnist
As you explore the World Showcase at Epcot, I'm sure you'll find, just like me, that you have pavilions that are your favourites and others that don't interest you as much. However, with a bit of careful exploration, those perceptions can change.
When I was a kid, Norway was by far my favourite pavilion, something to do with Maelstrom, I’m sure. I used to wonder, at that age, what on earth the attraction of any country without a ride could be, but then I got older and could immediately appreciate the attraction. I slowly fell in love with Japan, something to do with the fact that I always wanted to visit the real thing. Even now that I have [Ed: See Cheryl's many Japan-related articles], I still marvel at that pavilion. It's a beautifully tranquil place and somewhere to lose yourself in, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds around Epcot.
It was during our last trip that we discovered that the same thing is true of the neighbouring pavilion, Morocco. The only pavilion sponsored by its government, Morocco has always been a place that we tend to pass through rather quickly, partially due to the fact that a lot of it is hidden away, and perhaps hidden better than any other country around World Showcase. You really have to go looking to find the essence of this place, but once you do, you’re rewarded immediately.
One thing that I already knew was that Morocco is a superb place for shopping. Much as I love the fashions in Japan and China, I always knew that I loved that style. I never had a clue that I would find tops that I liked so much in Morocco. I never cease to be amazed by the amount of times that people comment on the top I bought here a number of years ago. That’s not all that you can buy here. There’s an amazing array of lamps to be found in the shops here. I look at them every time with great envy and wish that we didn’t have a Transatlantic flight home or that shipping rates were cheaper. Maybe then we’d be able to get one... Rugs, bags and, of course the traditional Moroccan emblem, the Fez, are amongst the other items on offer here.
One of the other hidden treasures of this pavilion is the eating options. Restaurant Marrakesh is one place that it’s usually fairly easy to get into, however busy the parks are. It’s often one of the last table service restaurants to fill up. That may partially be due to the fact that the menu is a little unfamiliar to many (and in part because the entrance is tucked away in the back), but my goodness, the food quality is excellent here. We tend to stick with table service restaurants, so we’ve yet to sample the Tangierine Cafe, but I’ve heard similar excellent reports about the food you can get there.
Morocco is sometimes visited by characters from Aladdin, such as the main man himself, Jasmine, and the Genie. They can be found down by World Showcase Lagoon, but in colder weather, you’ll see them instead hidden in one of the back areas of this pavilion. Those back areas are also where you can explore and find a huge amount waiting for you.
In total, Morocco represents three cities: Casablanca, Fez, and Marrakesh. The dominant feature of this pavilion, the prayer tower, or Koutoubia Minaret, to give it its correct name, is a detailed replica of a minaret that stands in Marrakesh.
Head through the Bab Boujouloud, the gateway between and old and the new city and have a look at the sign, which tells you that this is indeed the entrance to the ancient city of Fez. If you’re wondering what sign I’m talking about, then next time you’re in Epcot, look for the sign, just by the archway into the back area of the pavilion. It tells a fascinating back story about the country you’re visiting.
As soon as you enter the back area of the pavilion, you really do step into another world, a world of peace and quiet, that seems a million miles away from the bustle of World Showcase. Perhaps the thing that grabs your attention first is the intricate tiling that you see everywhere. It’s truly beautiful and is perhaps best highlighted by the room just to the left after you pass through the Bab Boujouloud. Apparently, the tile work was done by royal craftsmen, sent by the King of Morocco, which could explain why it looks so impressive. We spent so long in here, just admiring all the work in here, not only the tiling, but the exquisite woodwork high above you.
From there, if you head towards the back of the pavilion, where Restaurant Marrakesh is located, you’ll be rewarded by a courtyard, surrounded by trees, demonstrating the role of agriculture in Morocco. We were stunned by the fact that we were alone there for some time, taking photos, with no interruptions. It’s amazing how places like this were created in a busy theme park and yet people never find their way there.
I guess part of the reason for that is that the crowd’s attention is often taken by the activities at the front of the pavilion, with MoRockin performing Arabic and rock music regularly throughout the day. For some strange reason, whenever the belly dancer comes out, she seems to draw a crowd. I can’t imagine why!
It seems an interesting contradiction that many people who go through Morocco see the belly dancer and often that’s it, not realising the religiously significant buildings that lie behind. Ever wondered why Morocco plays no part in IllumiNations every night? That’s the reason, because of the religious significance, and therefore lights are not focused on these buildings.
Perhaps it’s that fact that highlights how different Morocco is to all the other pavilions at World Showcase. Of course, Japan and China are exotic, but Morocco is unique in that it’s the only country from Africa and, as such, it gives people a good idea of the differences in that continent and how beautiful the real Morocco must be.
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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.
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corrections about this article, or just want to give kudos to the author? Share a comment here or e-mail
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