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PassPorter News Brought to you by PassPorter Guidebooks
  September 18, 2003 * Issue 3.15

In This Newsletter

From the Authors:PassPorter Walt Disney World 2004

Special Update: PassPorter Walt Disney World Update List

Disney Feature: Taking Photos at Walt Disney World

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Save Your Tips, Keep Soda Cool, Feel Better After Mission:SPACE

Q&A: New Cruise Guide, Food Courts at Disney Resorts
 
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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Besides our huge list of updates elsewhere in this newsletter, here’s one bit of interesting news we want to highlight:

Lunch/Dinner With an Imagineer. No sooner did we publish our report on Lunch With an Artist (PassPorter News 8/21/03) than Disney announced another special meal opportunity at Disney-MGM Studios. Lunch (or Dinner) With an Imagineer serves-up a four-course meal in a private dining room at the Hollywood Brown Derby for up to ten guests. You’ll be treated as royalty and dine in the company of a member of the fabled Disney Imagineering staff, the folks responsible for designing and building Disney’s parks, attractions and resorts. You’ll learn a bit of how Imagineering "does its thing," and have a chance to chat about your favorite Disney topics. Lunch is $60.99, and dinner with wine pairings is $99.99. The weekly schedule hasn’t been announced. Call 407-WDW-DINE for information and reservations. (Lunch With an Artist is still available, too.)

>Things To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at
news@passporter.com .
 
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Disney  Tips:
From Fellow Readers

KEEP YOUR SODA COLD
"I always get so thirsty when at Walt Disney World so I improvised a ‘cooler’ in my hotel room. First I put a 2-liter soda inside one of the plastic bags you get when you buy something at Disney. Then I go to the ice machine and fill the bag up with ice, making sure it is all around the bottle. I then put the bag in the sink in my room. I do this in the morning right before I leave on my day’s adventures, and when I get back for a rest in the afternoon the soda is ice cold and ready to quench my enormous thirst." -- contributed by Jennifer Todhunter (jennifertodhunter@hotmail.com)

SAVE THOSE TIPS
"When I know that I have a trip planned to Walt Disney World, I keep a pad of paper next to my computer. Then, for months, as I read RADP (rec.arts.disney.parks), the DisBoards (http://www.disboards.com), and the PassPorter newsletter, I jot down all the great tips I come across. Before I leave, I organize the list into categories. For instance, I might have recommendations for parade/firework viewing locations, tips for scoring big on Buzz Lightyear, restaurant selection and menu advice, 'hidden treasures' and neat little things about the countries in World Showcase. After I have the list organized, I type it up in the smallest print I can read, and print it out, cutting it into a compact size. Then I carry this in my PassPockets wherever we go, and consult when appropriate. It's almost like having a study guide for the parks." -- contributed by Michelle Shoemaker (mars315@excite.com)

FEEL BETTER AFTER MISSION:SPACE
"Having trouble keeping your stomach under control after riding Mission:SPACE?
My wife Georgette, who is a nurse, has the solution: Make sure to bring some alcohol wipes with you when you go to the park. If you feel lightheaded after the ride, open the packet and sniff up the fumes. In no time you'll be ready to move on to Test Track!" -- contributed by Zoltan Bouwhuis
 

>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

Beth asks:
"I ordered a ‘bound’ PassPorter for the Disney Cruise Line on Amazon.com before I knew about your site and the deluxe model. I want to get the deluxe one, but I know the Magic is having a lot of renovation during its drydock. Should I wait if you will you be coming out with a completely new version? Or should I go ahead and get the current deluxe now and will I be able to download the pages that have changed? By the way, we are going on the Disney cruise as a family reunion next July and three of my family members have bought your cruise guide, too!!"

Thanks so much for getting our cruise guide! The second edition of the cruise guide should be out early next year, maybe around February or March. As you already have the paperback version of our cruise guide, we recommend you wait until our second edition comes out to get the deluxe edition. You will be able to get updates online, but the updates won't be able to encompass all the information we plan to put into the second edition.

abcsoup asks:
"Hello! We stayed at Dixie Landings a few years ago, and were really happy with the way they ran their food court...  getting everything you want on your tray and then paying for it all together before you sit down and eat. When we stayed at Port Orleans (French Quarter), I seem to remember it being that you had to pay at each station, you didn't get to pay for everything all together. We are now planning a trip to Walt Disney World next fall, and were wondering which food courts at the deluxe resorts are run the same way as Dixie Landings (Port Orleans-Riverside)?"

Dave replies:
"The food court at Caribbean Beach Resort was recently renovated, and now it operates like Port Orleans-Riverside. To my knowledge, the food court at Port Orleans-French Quarter has always worked like the one at Riverside.

I'd have to say that The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge is the only deluxe resort eatery that comes close to offering the complete meal variety of a food court (I really like The Mara). Disney wants deluxe guests to dine in keeping with the amount they spend on lodging, so you'll find far more full-service options and disappointing counter-service at the deluxe resorts.

All the deluxe resorts have a quick-service establishment of some sort. Most offer decent breakfasts, but "dinner" looks a lot like lunch -- burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and perhaps one special of the day. The most extensive are at the Magic Kingdom-area resorts: Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. The Epcot-area resorts have the least (the pool snack bar and Beaches and Cream’s take-out window at Yacht/Beach, and at BoardWalk you have the pizza window at Spoodles and the BoardWalk Bakery, which offers breakfast and some sandwiches). Swan/Dolphin has a fairly extensive cafeteria, but its offerings are pretty unappetizing."


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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From the Authors: PassPorter Walt Disney World 2004

Hi, friends!

We’ve been hard at work on the 2004 edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World, due out in early January 2004. Besides all the updated information, the new edition will sport four cool new features:

1. LOTS more photos (300% more than our 2003 edition), most of which include one or more of your authors in the photo!
2. The four, fold-out park maps will be in full color!
3. Peel-and-stick color tabs to mark your chapters… or whatever!
4. Labels and stickers to personalize your PassPockets to your vacation (for example, there will be labels for "Our Cruise," "Our Wedding," "Our Reunion," etc.)

This is our first announcement of the 2004 edition’s new features – that’s right, you heard it here first! After we return from the big WDW media event in October, we’ll make a more official announcement and open up our 2004 Preview Center so you can download sneak peeks and get more details on new features.

We are already getting many questions about how to pre-order a 2004 edition. You can pre-order now to be among the first to have the new edition in your hot little hands in January 2004. To pre-order, visit: http://www.passporterstore.com/store/2004.aspx

By the way, we’ll have lots of good stuff to report in October after the WDW media event, so watch for news and announcements in our next newsletter.

This newsletter marks the debut of a new guest columnist, Maureen Austin, who offers an informative and entertaining look at taking photos at Disney!

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Travel Press

 


 
 
 
 

Did You Know? You Can Get a 2003/2004 Combo Deluxe Edition Deal!

We've taken our PassPorter Walt Disney World guidebook one step further with our popular Deluxe Edition. Preferred by most serious planners, the deluxe edition offers looseleaf covers, text, and pockets in a stylish, six-ring binder with slots for cards, pockets for papers, and a loop for one of our PassPorter pens. The high-quality ring binder allows you to add, remove, and rearrange the pages and pockets to craft a custom guidebook.

Our 2004 edition will be released in January, but you don't need to wait until then to start planning with PassPorter. Our 2003/2004 Combo Deal gives you a complete Deluxe Starter Kit for Walt Disney World today (at 20% off!) and in January you'll be one of the first to receive the new 2004 covers and text at 50% off!

Fill in your worksheets and PassPockets now, and use the fabulous 2003 text to plan your vacation. Then when your 2004 update arrives in January, you'll have a brand-new book!

To order your 2003/2004 Combo Deal, visit:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/
deluxecombodeal.aspx

Also, we’re still offering our FREE copy of an earlier edition of PassPorter – get one for yourself or give to a friend. Visit:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/freepassporter.aspx

 

Special Update:
PassPorter Walt Disney World Update List

by Jennifer Watson and Dave Marx

Throughout the year we maintain a list of updates for our guidebooks. Thanks to our work on the new 2004 edition, we have lots of updates for the 2003 edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World. So grab your 2003 edition and check our update list below! You can also view this list (and others) online at http://www.passporter.com/customs/bookupdates.htm. A formatted PDF version of this list is also available for you to download, print, and tuck in your PassPorter (download at http://www.passporter.com/wdw/passporterwdw2003
updates.pdf  ).

Page 10 - The "BankOne/Disney Affinity Visa Card," now more commonly known as the "Disney Visa," was introduced in March 2003. This Visa Platinum card pays Disney Dream Reward Dollars™ (similar to frequent flyer miles) on all purchases—one point for every $100 in purchases with the card. Points can be applied on a one-to-one basis (one point equals $1) to Disney vacation and merchandise purchases of many kinds, and can also be exchanged for a variety of special Disney offers. Disney also makes special offers that pay additional bonus points. Get more details at http://disney.go.com/visa  or phone 1-877-252-6576 and mention card code 7BVP.

Page 17 - The Orlando International Airport has a new Disney Store. It’s located across from the shuttles to gates 60-129. The older Disney Store, near the shuttles to gates 1-59, is still operating.

Page 32 - Add Mission: SPACE to the list of Early Entry (Extra Magic Hour) attractions.

Page 35 - For a comprehensive guide to tipping (gratuities), see http://www.passporter.com/articles/tipping.htm  .

Page 46 - Atlantic Dance Hall changed its format. Rather than Latin music, it now plays Top 40 dance music on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays nights. Live bands are featured on Fridays and Saturdays. The venue is still limited to adults 21 and up, and there is no cover charge. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Page 76 - Guests staying at the Polynesian Resort should be aware that the current bus stop in front of the Great Ceremonial House was replaced by a new bus stop near Tangaroa Terrace (the building between Rarotonga and Rapa Nui on the map—it houses Moana Mickey’s Arcade, the Never Land Club, and the laundry room).

Page 77 - The new Pop Century Resort is now taking reservations for its opening on December 14, 2003. Pop Century was originally scheduled to open in late 2001, but its debut was delayed due to the drop in travel after 9/11. First to open will be the Classic Years section, which celebrates the decades of the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. Standard rooms are $77/night and preferred rooms are $87/night (preferred rooms are in the two buildings located nearest to the main building, the 1960s). We’ve visited the resort several times during construction, and expect the resort’s facilities and decor will receive a very enthusiastic welcome.

Page 81 - Port Orleans is closing in stages for guest room rehab. Port Orleans French Quarter will close first, on May 4. French Quarter will reopen in October or November, in time for the 2003 Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years holiday season. Portions of Port Orleans Riverside will close starting in early 2004, as the work progresses building-by-building through the resort. Most of Riverside will be open at all times.

Page 95 - (map) The Beach Club Resort guest laundry is located in the small building adjacent to the quiet pool (lower right-hand area of the resort).

Page 97 - Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is building 12 new buildings (four in the first phase), offering 696 rooms when all three phases are finished. The former Disney Institute’s remaining lodgings will not be rented to the public for the foreseeable future. Disney Vacation Club sales have begun, at $89/point.

Page 99 - The Dolphin Resort will get two new restaurants, "bluezoo," opening in the spot of the current Coral Cafe restaurant, and "Fresh," opening in the spot of the former Juan & Only’s. "bluezoo" will be a seafood-oriented restaurant under the direction of Todd English, the chef/owner of 13 restaurants around the country including Olive’s and Fig’s. Fresh is expected to open in October 2003. "bluezoo" is now expected to open in December 2003.

Page 100 - The four-night Disney cruises have two itineraries. One includes a stop at Nassau, a day at sea, and a stop at Castaway Cay. The other replaces the day at sea with a stop in Freeport (the cruise contract with Freeport was renewed until the end of 2003). These two itineraries alternate with one another.

Page 100 - Disney Cruise Line has announced several special cruise itineraries for 2004, featuring several new ports of call. There will be two variations on the 7-Night Eastern Caribbean itinerary (substituting either San Juan, Puerto Rico or Antigua for Sint Maarten), and, for the first time, a 10-Night Itinerary during Christmas season!

Page 104 - See our review of the Grosvenor Resort at http://www.passporter.com/articles/grosvenor.htm

Page 104 - See our review of the Hilton at http://www.passporter.com/articles/hilton.htm

Page 106 - See our review of the Radisson Resort Parkway at http://www.passporter.com/articles/radisson.htm  

Page 114 - Disney Dollars sport a new look for 2003. The bills, which you can purchase at the parks and the Disney Store, feature Mickey Mouse ($1), Goofy ($5), and Donald ($10). Disney theme park castles are featured on the backs of the bills: Sleeping Beauty Castle from Disneyland Resort ($1), Cinderella Castle from Walt Disney World Resort ($5), and Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant from Disneyland Paris ($10).

Page 115 - The ATMs (cash machines) at Walt Disney World are now run by BankOne (the same bank that is offering the new Disney Visa card).

Page 116 - Walt Disney World pass prices increased on June 1. One-day passes are $52/adult and $42/kids 3-9, plus tax. (As it turns out, the pass prices we projected for our 2003 edition of PassPorter are right on!) The rest of the at-gate prices increased as well, but all the advance purchase prices (such as those from the Disney Store) remain the same. You'll find an excellent chart with the current prices at All Ears Net (http://wdwig.com/ticketchart.htm).

Page 117 - The Florida Resident "Play 4 Days Pass" is back for summer 2003. From April 1 - September 30, 2003, Florida residents can get four days in Walt Disney World’s four theme parks for just $109/person, plus tax. There’s just one blackout date: July 4. The Play 4 Days Pass is a park hopper, and it can be upgraded to a resident annual or seasonal pass. You can purchase this pass at the theme parks, Florida Disney Stores, and Florida AAA offices (proof of residency is required for each adult). For more information, visit http://www.disneyworld.com/play4days or call 407-WDW4DAYS.

Page 122 - The Disney Gallery in Main Street, U.S.A. closed its doors permanently on March 15. News on what will replace it is not yet available.

Pages 123 & 124a - Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree replaces Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue on the Magic Kingdom map and the Attractions At-A-Glance list. Allow 25 minutes for the show.

Page 131 - The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue at Magic Kingdom closed on February 1 and re-opened in July 2003 with a new show, "Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree." Goofy, Chip, Dale, plus Woody, Jessie and Bullseye from Toy Story 2 are on hand to meet and greet guests and Goofy leads the crowd for country-style line dancing in this 20 minute show. Food and drink have been removed from the menu. The current show schedule is Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm (thanks to Steve Soares WDW Entertainment Guide for the schedule).

Page 142 - Epcot's Future World closing time has been cutback from 7:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with four attractions remaining open until 7:00 pm or later (Mission: SPACE, Spaceship Earth, Test Track, and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience).

Page 144 - Mission:SPACE opened on August 10, 2003. Read our first-hand account in our August 21, 2003 newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news082103.htm.

Page 146 - "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" has a new pre-show. It features 20 overhead plasma monitors with incredible picture quality. Alas, the old "True Colors" pre-show has been replaced with "a few new video vignettes telling stories about various people's memories of events."

Page 147 - The film at Wonders of China was replaced with an updated version called Reflections of China on May 22. 

Page 150 - Epcot's Tapestry of Dreams Parade took its last steps on March 1. This popular parade was a revised version of the Tapestry of Nations Parade that debuted in 1999 as part of Disney's Millennium Celebration. There's no official word of a replacement at this time. However, during a recent interview in the New York Times, Anne Hamburger, Disney's executive in charge of theme park entertainment, did mention that a new parade was in development.

Page 158 - Muppet*Vision no longer offers FASTPASS. (Our thanks to Len Testa for noting this.)

Page 158 - Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights will not be shown this holiday season, but it is expected to return next year.

Page 159 - Starting November 11, 2002, Who Wants to be a Millionaire--Play It! at Disney-MGM Studios (and Disney's California Adventure) has a wonderful new Grand Prize! Now, if you go all the way and win the million points at this popular attraction (as our very own Dave did, back in May 2001), you win a three-night cruise for four on the Disney Wonder (airfare included, all four guests in one stateroom, some blackout dates apply)! Of course, you still get the other goodies, too--the commemorative pins, million-point medallion, embroidered leather baseball jacket, polo shirt, baseball cap and pin lanyard. Formerly, the Grand Prize included a 3-day trip for two to New York City to watch a videotaping of Who Wants to be a Millionaire and (possibly) meet Regis Philbin, but once the program left the primetime lineup and Regis left the show, that prize didn't seem nearly so attractive (or practical). Prior winners who hadn't already used (or scheduled) the travel portion of their prize (like Dave) have been offered the cruise as an alternative. You can also read the report of the cruise Dave won playing Millionaire.

Page 160 - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror now has a new computer program, "Tower of Terror 4," which selects one of several different drop sequences at random. You never know which sequence you’ll get until you experience it!

Page 161 - Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrated its 5th birthday on April 22, 2003. Dave attended a media event for the birthday celebration, and included a report of the festivities (and a sneak peek at new stuff to come) in our April 24, 2003 newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news042403.htm.

Page 162 - A new Art of Disney department opened in the Disney Outfitters shop on April 1, 2003 in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Discovery Island.

Page 179 - River Country is not expected to open in 2003.

Page 181 - 2R’s Reading and Riting is now Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories, a scrapbooking supplies emporium. The Garden Center has become Basin, selling all-natural bath and skin care products.

Page 181 & 182 - Gourmet Pantry at Downtown Disney Market Place has closed. It will be replaced in late 2003 by Earl of Sandwich, an upscale dine-in and carry-out sandwich shop.

Page 189 - As of March 23, Pleasure Island is closed during the day -- in the past, guests could walk through the nightclub area and browse the shops. Pleasure Island will open at 7:00 pm. Guests who need to walk between Downtown Disney Marketplace and West Side during the day can use the walkway that skirts Pleasure Island. Between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm guests can enter without Pleasure Island admission to sample the attractions. After 9:00 pm regular admission is still required.

Page 189 - As of July 1, all clubs at Pleasure Island are now non-smoking, thanks to an amendment added to Florida's Indoor Clean Air Act. Other locations -- such as Downtown Disney clubs, resort lounges and lobbies, convention halls, and Atlantic Dance Hall -- are non-smoking now, too. Smoking is still allowed in designated guest rooms and outdoor patios/balconies, as well as other designated smoking areas. More information on the amendment, as well as a general list of places where smoking is not allowed in Florida, is available at http://www.smokefreeforhealth.com/quick_facts.htm.

Page 194 - The Spa at the Disney Institute is now calling itself "The Spa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort." The spa is closed until the Saratoga Springs Resort opens in 2004.

Page 201 - As of August 4, the Priority Seating booking policies changed. Now, guests can book 90 days in advance for most Walt Disney World restaurants, including character meals. The only exceptions are for special dining venues such as dinner shows (up to 2 years), Lunch with an Artist/Lunch with an Imagineer (30 days), Bistro de Paris (30 days), and Victoria & Albert's Chef’s Table (6 months).

Page 202 - There’s a new edition of Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando, available from Globe Pequot Press http://www.globepequot.com.

Page 203 - Florida law now prohibits smoking in most enclosed workplaces, with the exception of "freestanding bars." Disney has designated all Pleasure Island clubs as non-smoking, and as most resort-based lounges are in hotel lobbies, smoking is prohibited in those as well.

Page 205 - Beginning April 27, Cinderella's Royal Table has new slightly longer breakfast hours—from 8:00-10:30 am.

Pages 205-231 - Priority seating for most restaurants is now 90 days (see note for P. 201, above).

Page 206 - Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue (now Goofy’s Country Dancin’ Jamboree) no longer serves food, beverages or snacks.

Page 211 - Nine Dragons now offers a special Dim Sum service at lunch, in addition to its regular lunch menu.

Page 215 - Hollywood and Vine only serves dinner (without characters). The character breakfast and lunch have been discontinued.

Page 22 - The Forty Thirst Street Café in Downtown Disney West Side closed earlier this year. It has been replaced by a Wetzel’s Pretzels (like the one in the Marketplace). You can learn more at http://www.wetzels.com.

Page 229 - Coral Café is now closed. It will reopen in October 2003 as "Fresh." Menu and other details have yet to be determined, but the character breakfast is expected to continue.

Page 231 - Lunch is no longer available at Portobello Yacht Club. Dinner hours are now 5:00 pm-11:00 pm.

Page 233 - Character Dining Location Chart – Coral Café will be reopening soon as "Fresh." Hollywood & Vine no longer hosts character meals.

Page 235 - The long-running Polynesian Luau Dinner Show at the Polynesian Resort emerged from its recent hiatus on February 19 with a revamped show and revised menu.  Renamed "Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show," the show begins, as always, when guests gather on the lush grounds outside the Luau Cove dinner theater. "Aunt Wini" invites everyone inside for "a celebration featuring the music and dances of the cultures of Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand and Hawaii." Guests feast on an all-you-care-to-eat menu that includes coconut pineapple bread, salad, Lanai roast chicken, barbecued pork ribs, Polynesian rice, fresh veggies, and a new, "Volcano" dessert. A children's menu with popular kid favorites is also offered. Soft drinks are included for all. Beer and house wine are included for the adults. Specialty drinks are extra. Pricing and show schedules are unchanged. Dinner is $49.01 for adults, and $24.81 for children 3-11. Shows are held Tuesday through Saturday, at 5:15 and 8:00 pm. Reservations at 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463). From the information currently available, it's hard to tell just how "new" the new Luau is -- the description provided by Disney could just as easily have applied to the old show. We'll just have to see for ourselves! Watch for a review from us soon. In the meantime, there is a nice review from a vacationer at http://wdwig.com/luau.htm.

Following our August visit to this dinner, we can add: The show at Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner features a cast of young Hawaiians who have been learning about their heritage from "Aunt Wini." Modern Hawaiian culture and music (as featured in Lilo and Stitch) mixes with traditional Polynesian dances that will be familiar to guests who attended the former Polynesian Luau show. Our overall impression of the food and show has not changed much. The addition of barbecue ribs to the menu and the "Lilo and Stitch" tie-in makes the show a bit more appealing.

Page 236 - See our review of the MurderWatch Mystery Theater Dinner Show at http://www.passporter.com/articles/murderwatch.htm.

Page 237 - Lunch with an Artist and Lunch/Dinner with an Imagineer are new special dining opportunities offered at the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney-MGM Studios. Each meal is limited to ten guests, and takes place in a private dining room at the restaurant. Guests get to talk with either an artist from Disney’s Florida animation studio, or one of the Imagineers who help design and build Walt Disney World’s parks, attractions, and resorts. Lunch is $60.99 and dinner (including wine pairings) is $99.99. Reservations are available 30 days in advance at 407-WDW-DINE. See our report about this event in our August 23, 2003 newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news082103.htm.

Page 243 - The Magic Behind our Steam Trains tour now costs $40.

Page 244 - The special children's tours and parties at the Grand Floridian have increased their prices. Rates (before tax) are as follows:
Pirate Cruise - $28.17 per child, ages 3-10
Wonderland Tea Party - $28.17 per child, ages 3-10
Grand Adventures in Cooking - $23.47 per child, ages 3-10

Page 245 - Epcot has a new program: the Epcot Seas Aqua Tour. This 2.5-hour scuba-assisted snorkel dive takes place in the Living Seas pavilion at Epcot. Guests do not need to be SCUBA certified to participate. The program is held everyday at 12:30 pm, and each class holds up to 12 people. Ages 8 & up. $100/person. Book up to six months in advance at 407-WDW-TOUR. Deb Wills has a great review of the program at http://www.wdwig.com/tour_aqua.htm.

Page 245 - Park admission to Epcot is NOT required to participate in the Epcot Divequest program.

Page 245 - Disney Institute programs are now only available to corporate groups and/or participants in conventions taking place at Disney resorts.

Page 248 - PAL MICKEY - Who’s 10 inches tall and is destined to become the most popular tour guide at Walt Disney World? Pal Mickey! Pal Mickey is Disney Imagineering’s latest, plush innovation, a soft, loveable toy that plays games wherever he goes, and becomes an instant tour guide whenever he enters a Walt Disney World theme park. (Read the full article at PassPorter.com: http://www.passporter.com/articles/palmickey.htm)

Page 250 - The Contemporary Resort’s 15th floor observation deck is open again.

Page 252 - The BoardWalk's Harbor Club childcare center closed its doors on March 16. It is expected to reopen at some point in the future (check with 407-WDW-DINE for status). Guests at the BoardWalk who need nearby childcare can use the Sandcastle Club at the Beach Club.

Page 256 - The Orlando Rays baseball franchise is moving. 2003 is the last year you can see them play at the Wide World of Sports. The team is moving to Montgomery, Alabama, where a new ownership will operate the team. Visit http://www.orlandorays.com for more information.

Page 256 - The first-ever Walt Disney World Inline Skate Marathon took place on March 30. This marathon may be offered again next year. Visit http://www.disneyworldsports.com for news.

Page 256 - Disney-MGM Studios hosted Star Wars weekends again in May, starting on May 16. There were lots of Star Wars stars and characters, a "Jedi Training Camp" for kids, plus a special Star Wars edition of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire--Play It!" with movie questions and guest star appearances. Get more info at http://www.starwars.com/community/news/
2003/02/news20030212.html

Page 256 - Football fans will be happy to hear that the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers are returning to Disney’s Wide World of Sports for their summer training camp. The Bucs held their first training camp at WDW last year, and went on to have a championship season, so they’re back for another helping of Disney magic. Walt Disney World guests lucky to be on hand from July 19-28and/or August 4-15 can observe the team’s twice-daily practice sessions (approx. 8:35-10:45am and 2:45-4:45pm). For details, check Disney’s Wide World of Sports web site: http://www.disneyworldsports.com

Page 258 - Cypress Gardens has closed.
 
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Disney Feature:
Taking Photos at Walt Disney World

by Maureen Austin
Guest Columnist and Walt Disney World Shutterbug



When your Disney trip is over, there are just a few things that remain: perhaps some charge card bills, souvenirs and, last but not least, photographs. Whether digital or on film, they are easily the best way to remember the "magic." These mediums provide priceless reminders of times happily spend with Mickey and Company as well as memories of family and good times spend with those close to you.  

Ever get the photo blues? That is, you look through your photos and, well, they all sort of look the same. There’s Junior with Mickey. There’s Junior with Pluto. There’s Junior with Mom and Dad in front of Cinderella Castle. You get the idea. These are photos you want in your album or scrapbook, but when every shot follows the same pattern your collection begins to lack pizzazz or punch. Since I started photography in my early teens, I have discovered some ways of the world while playing shutterbug at Disney.

One of the first things you should do is the obvious: stop at the Picture Spots.  Sponsored by Kodak, these are areas tried and true that give you a great background for posing or even to take a still without you or a family member in it. You might also try positioning someone way left or right to include more of the background and bring it forefront. You can find these photo spots at all the parks. Have someone peek his or her head into the shot with a goofy smile. It’s the same spot but the ways of remembering it are full of possibilities.

Candidly speaking, and that’s the operative word here – candid -- some of the best emotions and feelings are captured when someone doesn’t know you are taking the picture! Kids are usually best photographed in this way -- many kids, like my son, have difficulty with a "natural" smile. They work too hard to put one on, resulting in a goofy (no pun intended) looking picture! You can get some great shots of your kids watching the characters sign their autograph books, or perhaps as they look for a new toy at a store on Main Street, or when they bite into a Mickey Bar for the first time. Keep your camera handy whenever possible so that when you see the perfect shot present itself, you aren’t fumbling in the backpack for it! This works great for big people too -- tell your spouse to try those Mickey Ears on for fun and snap away -- nothing’s more Disney than that! Or even a photo of a friend or family handing over the credit card for a big purchase -- you can usually capture a range of expressions from "Who cares, I am at Disney?" to "I am absolutely crazy for spending this much!"

Photos also make a great trip record -- consider taking a photo in front of an attraction sign and have your family express the emotions it brings to mind. A friend of mine recently hugged her stuffed Mickey in front of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream and you can really see how the attraction touched her without one written word. Before and After is another option -- great for a first time ride.  Photograph your family member before she or he rides, again near the attraction, and again after the ride. It tells the whole story to those that view your photos, so you don’t have to!

Some cast members can be shy or timid about having their picture taken, but for the most part I find they are touched when you ask. If a cast member provides you great service, then it’s an especially nice idea. For you, it preserves that kindness as part of your trip. Get a double print and send it to their area along with a note thanking them for their service. I have done it a few times and gotten some very wonderful thank you letters in return. World Showcase cast members are most accommodating as well in this regard -- they are proud to share themselves and their country’s heritage in this capacity.  

When we think "pictures" we usually think about people and buildings, characters and such as our subjects. How about stuff? Walt Disney World is full of stuff and even if you wanted to, it’s impossible to bring all of it home -- for lack of space or even lack of funds. Sometimes, merchandise relates really well to the attraction and is worth remembering. As an example, I love Mitsukoshi in the Japan pavilion at Epcot. There were so many things that I wanted to purchase on our recent trip, especially a bonsai tree and some dishes. I couldn’t really afford them but certainly they were part of my journey through the Orient and worth remembering. Out comes my camera, a few clicks and now I can look back and be reminded of that moment in Mitsukoshi any time I want! I also got some terrific shots of my husband browsing through the grocery section, checking out some great and not so great looking food -- and the expressions to go along with it.  

Be sure to photograph the "little experiences" at Disney to remember those times as well. Siblings sharing a frozen lemonade on a bench or waiting for the parade to start on Main Street are all part of your trip. Record these moments so you’ll be able to look back on them for many years to come -- not only of time spent together at Disney but also as proof they really can get along! Or be daring and photograph the tug of war over a newly acquired stuffed Mickey -- that’s part of life!

Often, one family member is quite absent from a majority of the photos -- the person doing most of the photography! Do remember to ask another guest or a cast member to get everyone in a photo, and do this frequently, so you can remember that the photographer WAS there on vacation with you!  It can be awkward asking a complete stranger to stop and take a photo of your entire group -- even though I have never been told no -- that IS the worst that can happen. Make a habit of performing a PRAK: Picture Random Act of Kindness.  If you see one person taking a photo of the other, why not stop and ask if they would like a photo of the two of them together? So many wonderful people did that for my husband and me on our recent trip that we realized we needed to pay-it-forward, so to speak. We did the same thing for other couples and even families, so Mom AND Dad could be in the same pictures with each other and the kids!

Think of your eyes as the viewfinder to your memories -- everything you see is a possible photo subject. Your loved ones, foliage, buildings, experiences, and emotions can all be preserved as a memory on film or in pixels -- you just have to remember to get the shot!


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