From the Authors: One Buck PassPorter is Back!

Travel Feature: Niagara Falls

Disneyland Feature: Disney's California Adventure

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Mind Those Microchips, Trip Strips, Color Catchers

Captain's Corner: Scat and Swamp Water

Q&A: Are shore excursions booked through the Disney Cruise Line more expensive?
 

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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here are a few items of relevant news:

Walt Disney World's resident Cirque du Soleil show, La Nouba, will be introducing new seating and pricing structures on October 1, 2006. A new "Front and Center" price category (previously known as Section 103) has been introduced. New ticket prices (including tax) are as follows:

Front and Center: Adult (Age 10+) - $119.28, Child (Ages 3-9) - $95.85

Category 1: Adult $103.31, Child - $83.07

Category 2: Adult $84.14, Child $67.10

Category 3: Adult $67.10, Child $53.25

Previous ticket sales for performances after October 1 are not affected by this price increase. For more information, check out the Cirque du Soleil web site.

Parking prices at Walt Disney World theme parks increased on September 3, 2006. Cars, taxis, shuttles, limousines and motorcycles are now $10/day, campers and trailers are $11/day and buses and tractor trailer trucks are $14/day.

Disney Dining Plan Update: All restaurants that participated in the Dining Plan in 2006 will be participating in the plan in 2007.


Our thanks to AllEarsNet.com from which we get some of our news leads.

>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:

MIND THOSE MICROCHIPS
"If you have the new military ID with a microchip, do not store it with your resort IDs or park passes. The microchip will demagnetize your resort IDs and you will need to obtain new ones. This happened at our recent stay at the Caribbean Beach. Keep your resort IDs separate from any card with a magnetic strip or microchip."
-- contributed by Rex Castleberry (racastleberry@...)

TRIP STRIPS
"Buy the new type of medicine in a strip. They have cold/cough medicine for adults and kids that melt instantly on the tongue. These worked great when traveling with the kids as they pack easily, can be carried in a fanny pack or wallet and administered without mess." -- contributed by Kalli M.

COLOR CATCHERS
"We took along Shout Color Catcher Sheets with us to save on laundry. Throw one or two of these sheets in with your load and you can combine lights, darks, whatever you want. It saved us quite a bit on the cost of laundry by being able to condense all our clothes into one or two loads." -- contributed by Catherine H.

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

Want more Disney tips? 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 new 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 or PassPorter name badge pin.

Here is this week's treasure from Captain Skatt's Journal:

"After last week's embarrasing discovery of the alternate meaning of 'scat' at Expedition Everest's museum (my daddy would be so mortified), I looked into the matter a little further. It seems there's yet another meaning for the word 'scat.' This one is more pleasing to the eye and ear, and you can also find it inside Walt Disney World. It's at a little 'hole in the wall' near where folks gather to relax. It seems that felines are also involved, but not in the 'scatological' way. I found this little club during Mardi Gras earlier this year. It's called..." (rest of text obscured by a splash of Sassagoula swamp water)

Where is this club and what is its name?

Send your full answer to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the winner will be notified by e-mail and announced in the next newsletter, along with the correct answer!

Congratulations to Christy Vermillion who was the winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Christy correctly identified the location of the Yeti Museum that has scat on display - the museum is part of the queue area of Expedition Everest. To view the original clues, see last week' s newsletter. 

If you enjoy treasure hunts, we've got an entire book with over 100 distinct treasure hunts and over 1500 questions, complete with clues and contributions from Captain Skatt. The new "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" book is now available! You can order the book today at http://www.passporterstore.com.

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Q & A:
With Jennifer and Dave

trinigirl asks: "For our upcoming cruise, we'd like to do a couple excursions. It'll be me and my DH along with our 7-year-old and 5-year-old sons. Is it more expensive to book excursions through the Disney Cruise Line than to book them yourself (or with your travel agent?). Any thoughts? I'd like to find fun activities in which both boys can participate. Thanks!"

Jennifer and Dave answer: "Savings are possible when you do things on your own, but sometimes those savings aren't as big as they might seem, since you may not always be getting transportation from the pier the way you would with a cruise line-booked excursion.

For the purpose of comparison shopping, head over to ShoreTrips.com, which is probably the biggest independent source of excursions.

People can and do make their own shore side excursion plans, often with great success. It is significantly more work, though, and definitely higher risk (if you're delayed, the ship may leave without you, while cruise lines won't strand one of their own excursions).

Considering you have a couple of youngsters in tow, I'd only suggest this for the most experienced travelers. Your day in port is short, and airfare for your family to the next port-of-call (or back home) is never a bargain."

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?

PassPorter News is now published weekly, and this means we need more articles than ever! 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!

Hi, {{user("firstname")}}! 

For many years we've unleashed a bargain deluge at the PassPorter Store, several months before we release the latest edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World. It's our "Older Edition" offer, which finds happy homes for - you guessed it - older editions of PassPorter Walt Disney World that we have lying around the warehouse. These are books that were returned to us by stores and wholesalers, often with a few scuffs and dings, but sometimes in pristine condition. The only thing really "wrong" with them is that they're last year's model (2005, in this case). What's "right" is that at the price ($1/copy plus postage and handling) you've got an incredibly low-cost way to finally enjoy the PassPorter experience, or to share that experience with friends, family, and co-workers (why loan-out your own precious copy?) For more information and to get your $1 PassPorter, visit the $1 PassPorter page.

So, we announced this year's $1 PassPorter offer in last week's newsletter, and naturally, the office has been incredibly busy ever since. In the midst of the madness we had to find the time to pore over the final "proofs" of PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007 - the printed sheets as they came off the presses in Hong Kong, prior to being sent to the bindery. All was in order, so all is still quite on schedule. The books are being bound as we speak, and before the month is out they'll be on a boat bound for the USA.

That 2007 edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World is now available for pre-order, with an expected release date in November. Get details at our 2007 Pre-Order Center.

Looking for updates for your PassPorter? We now have recent updates for the PassPorter Walt Disney World 2006 edition and PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line (4th Edition) online. You'll find both (as well as updates for that 2005 you just ordered) at http://www.passporter.com/customs/
bookupdates.htm. Our thanks to Nikki and Chad who worked hard to get these updates together!

Will you be on the Disney Wonder December 3-7 and/or at Walt Disney World from December 7-11? We'll be there, along with (so far) 212 other MouseFest cruisers and nearly 1200 land-based "MouseFesters." So far, there are 19 free events scheduled for the cruise, and 36 events at Walt Disney World, with many more in the works. What is MouseFest? It's an International gathering of Disney fans at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Wonder, bringing together people from over a dozen web sites and communities, nearly a dozen authors, a half-dozen podcasts... and the list keeps growing. There's no cost to join, and except for the necessary theme park admission, almost all events are free. We'll be enjoying attractions together, snacking around the World Showcase, playing trivia and scavenger-hunting games, and gathering for MegaMouseMeet, a grand meet-and-greet event at the Swan/Dolphin where authors will be autographing, podcasters will be 'casting, and old Internet friends will meet face-to-face for the first time. We encourage you to check out the MouseFest.org web site, and to register so we can keep you up to date on all the fun. Whether you join us for just an hour, or fill your vacation with MouseFest events, you'll have a great time!

While Walt Disney World is now the acknowledged Honeymoon Capital of the World, guest contributor Tacey Atkinson takes us to the former and still thriving honeymoon headquarters,  Niagara Falls. This week's Disney feature takes us to the west coast, as frequent contributor Cheryl Pendry shares her perspective on Disney's California Adventure park. Having recovered his dignity after his previous week's discoveries, our very own treasure hunter Captain Jack Skatt serves up a new treasure hunting game at Walt Disney World. Enjoy! 

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors and Publishers
 

Since the 1920’s, Niagara Falls has been famous as a destination for honeymooners from all over the world. But I am here to tell you that it has much to offer families and the single traveler. Let’s begin our journey!

Upon arrival in Niagara Falls, the first thing everyone wants to see is the falls themselves.  There are actually three falls, the American Falls, the Canadian (Horseshoe) Falls and the adjacent Bridal Veil Falls, which was originally part of the American Falls. When approaching the falls, the thunderous roar of the water and the cascading water is mesmerizing. The mist rising from the falls can reach for two city blocks, depending on the weather, and makes it seem like it is raining at all times. Many a bride and groom have used this wonderful backdrop for their wedding photos.

But today I want to cover some of the more “tourist-y” aspects to the Niagara region, some of the truly fun and adventurous things to do on the Canadian side of the falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Let’s begin with Clifton Hill. This is the main tourist area and at night, reminds one of the Las Vegas strip. The neon glows with a warm, inviting light and the sounds of excitement and thrills from arcades and theatres abound. At the very top of the hill, you will find all of the Ripley’s family of entertainment activities. There is a moving 3-D theatre and of course the famous Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. Allow yourself at least a couple of hours to tour that, you will find everything from shrunken heads to a car made of pennies. The exhibits change regularly so this is worth a glance every time you visit the falls.

Further down the hill, you will find the wax museums. There is the Movieland Wax museum and Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks are filled with many of Hollywood’s finest. From Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart through to Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings, there is something for everyone here. You’ll be amazed at how lifelike the statues are, right down to their garments, shoes and even hair. These are a "must see" in my opinion.

Then there is the Guinness World Records Museum. Here you will find accounts of some the most amazing yet true things that have happened in our world. There are incredible displays, interactive games, trivia and themed galleries. I suggest this as a rainy day activity as one can easily be engrossed for 4-5 hours here.

One other "must see" on the hill is Greg Frewin’s Las Vegas Magic Review Show. Enjoy an evening of Las Vegas style entertainment complete with tigers and show girls. The lighting and special effects keep you on the edge of your seat. Quite a spectacular show.

At the foot of Clifton Hill, is the Maid of the Mist Steamboats. Where else in the world can you get on a old fashioned steamboat, don a rain poncho, cruise right up to the edge of an awesome falls, and walk away unscathed? Everyone from celebrities to your next door neighbor can grasp the awesome force and splendor of the falls through this unique view.

Just down the road from the Maid of the Mist is the Skylon Tower. Soaring 775 feet above the Falls, you can see both the Toronto and Buffalo skylines on a clear day. There are many types of entertainment offered inside, from Pirates 3-D to games and arcades. There is a five star revolving restaurant at the top of the tower that gives you a 360-degree view. The view is breathtaking during either a daytime or an evening seating.

In the wintertime, the Festival of Lights that runs from November through January adds a touch of holiday magic to your trip. All along the Niagara Parkway there are magical moving Christmas light displays. When the falls experience a touch of snow, there is nothing quite as pretty as all the twinkling light displays.

There are many hotels with a that offer a falls view from your room, but truly, the falls are meant to be experienced with the wind is in your hair, the mist in your face and the thunder in your ears. There is so much more to see and do, you’ll just have to experience it for yourself! This is a must see place for everyone - old, young, from near or far. Come and enjoy the fun, fantasy and awe that are the Niagara Falls.


About the Author: Tacey is a huge Disney fan - so much so that her friends call her "Snow," in tribute to her favorite princess. She makes an annual trek to Walt Disney World and can't wait to attend her first MouseFest this December.

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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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	Disneyland Feature:  Disney's California Adventure by Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Message Board Guide and Guest Contributor   We all know it’s rare for everyone to agree and, of course, different people like different things. The same is certainly true when it comes to Disney theme parks. We argue which is the best park in Walt Disney World or whether we prefer the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland. Before we headed out to America’s west coast earlier this year, one thing that most people seemed to agree on was that they had no time for Disney’s California Adventure. The advice I’d heard was to allow no more than a day for touring this park, as there was nothing much worth seeing here, while others alleged it wasn’t really representative of California and lacked theming. But I was delighted to discover that none of these comments applied to Disney’s California Adventure – at least as far as we were concerned. My last trip to California was nearly 20 years ago, and I remember only a limited amount from that visit with my parents in 1987. Armed with those older memories and fresh impressions from our current visit, I was looking out for different elements of the Golden State in the park, especially as we had just come from San Diego and were heading to San Francisco next. And I felt that we found those elements, from the beauty of the High Sierras around Grizzly River Run to the parade of shops from there through to Paradise Pier, with their in-jokes in the windows about life in San Francisco. There’s the opportunity to step into Tinsel Town in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. One of California’s other most famous industries – agriculture – is represented everywhere from the beautiful theming of Bountiful Valley Farm in “a bug’s land” to the feeling of being in a fishing town in the Pacific Wharf area of the park. There are even some attractions that offer food samples, like the Terrace Wine Tasting, the Boudin Bakery Tour and the Mission Tortilla Factory. In a way, it’s a shame that we were staying in the concierge level of the Disneyland Hotel. The food available in the concierge lounge was too good to resist, and sadly left us too full to sample any of these wonderful places, but they’ll still be waiting for us on a return visit when we won’t be sampling the delights of concierge service! Even Paradise Pier, definitely the brightest and most colorful part of the park, and the area that seems to attract the most criticism, is beautifully laid out around Paradise Bay and immediately transports you back towards the turn of the 20th century. I couldn’t help but look at the view out towards California Screamin’ with its distinctive not-so-hidden Mickey and the stunning design of the Sun Wheel and think of the Boardwalk at Walt Disney World.  This part of the park really comes into its element after dark, and it’s well worth making your day’s adventure last that little bit longer just to see it all lit up at night. I defy anyone, even the most vocal critics of Disney's California Adventure, to see that view of Paradise Pier all lit up at night, and not be impressed. It certainly makes for some superb night-time photos and must rank as one of the most striking after dark sights in any Disney park. As for the claim that there isn’t much to do here, at first glance that may seem to be pretty near to the mark. There are certainly many names here that will be familiar to Walt Disney World veterans, such as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, It’s Tough To Be A Bug, Muppet Vision 3D, Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage and of course, even Soarin’ Over California. (Although in fairness, the last did start life here, before being added to the mix in Florida.) So what else does this park have to offer? Aside from those well-known names, there are still a number of other unique attractions here and, despite the screams you’ll hear coming from the Paradise Pier area, many of them can be enjoyed by all members of the family. Paradise Pier itself is aimed mainly at thrill seekers, but there’s lots for youngsters as well, with “a bug’s land” really set up especially for little ones and some superb play opportunities at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. The newest addition to the line-up here is Monsters, Inc.: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue. This is the latest in a long line of classic Disney rides based on friendly faces – and not so friendly ones – from the big screen. Think of Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean and then step it up another level and you’ve got some idea of what to expect here. Cars take you through the streets of Monstropolis while you relive scenes from the film, including the wonderful sequence from the “door warehouse.” I wouldn’t be surprised to see this attraction being cloned in the future in another Disney park, in the same way Soarin’ was. Grizzly River Run is another highlight and allows you to explore the bear-headed mountain that you can see from most parts of the park at closer quarters - if you’re not being drenched by water at the time! It’s worth heading here early on warmer days, as we discovered that lines for the River Run can easily exceed an hour or more when the sun comes out. One of the highlights of our visit here was our spin around the Sun Wheel, the huge Ferris wheel at Paradise Pier. Having carefully watched how some of the swinging gondolas moved around, we opted for one of the fixed-position gondolas, and if you’re prone to motion sickness, this is the way to go! This offers a superb view of the park laid out beneath you. Disney's California Adventure also boasts the honor of being home to one of Disney’s most fondly remembered parades, the Electrical Parade. Making its way through from Sunshine Plaza at the park’s entrance through to Paradise Pier, it’s another reason to ensure that a day spent at this park lasts through to the evening. So what is there to love about this park? In short, it’s a place to linger, take your time and enjoy the theming in the true tradition of all Disney theme parks. Still in its infancy, there’s no doubt the California Adventure will see more attractions added to its line-up as time goes on. In the meantime, if you’ve got a trip to the Disneyland Resort coming up, then be sure to set aside plenty of time to explore this park and make your own mind up about whether it’s a good addition to the Disney line-up. Having now sampled it for myself, add me to the list of people who believe that it is! About The Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to America. They’ve recently returned from a two week tour of the west coast, which included Disneyland, Las Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego. - - - - - - - - - - - - Did you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail us at news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss your Disney vacation plans.