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 In This Newsletter
From the Authors: In Transit
Travel Feature: Grand Canyon
Disney Feature: Why Our Hearts Belong To Disneyland
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: PhotoPass, PhotoPass, PhotoPass!
Captain's Corner: Going to the Dogs!
PassPorter PhotoPick: Holiday Fireworks
Q&A: How long is the boat ride from MGM to Epcot?
Our Sponsors: We Recommend...
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Updates:
What's New and Changed
Here are a few items of relevant news:
Disney's Pirate & Princess Party returns to the Magic Kingdom in 2008 on
the following dates: January 21, 26, 29, February 2, 5, 9, 14, 22, 26, March 1, 6, 11 and 14. Tickets purchased by December 15, 2007 will be discounted
with an adult ticket costing $36.16 including tax and a child's ticket costing $31.90 including tax. After December 15, 2007 the full ticket
prices will be in effect: adult - $48.94 including tax and child - $42.55 including tax. Annual Pass and Disney Vacation Club discounts are
also available prior to December 15.
A new series of
photographs by Annie Leibovitz recreating classic Disney scenes using celebrities has been released as part of the 2008 Year of a Million
Dreams marketing campaign. The photos will appear in a special insert in the December editions of several magazines published by Conde Nast.
(Vogue, W, GQ just to name a few...) The photos feature actress Rachel Weisz as Snow White, tennis star Roger Federer as King Arthur, and Julie Andrews
as the Blue Fairy.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster has a new sponsor thanks to a 10-year deal between The Walt Disney Company and Hanesbrands Inc.
The stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex will now be known as Champion Stadium (Champion is a division of Hanesbrands Inc.).
In addition, Hanes will provide Disneyland and Walt Disney World shops with basic apparel, and Champion will provide the basic apparel for ESPN Zone and
Disney's Wide World of Sports. (Basic apparel, as far as this agreement goes, refers to T-Shirts, tank tops, sweat shirts, sweat pants, hoodies, and other
family fleece.)
Our thanks to AllEars.net and MousePlanet.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:
(Editor's Note: Every once in a while we will get a series of tip submissions that seem to follow a theme. Clearly, PhotoPass is what is on everyone's mind this month! Here are three great tips from recent submissions regarding PhotoPass. )
"My sister and I (we are 19 and 20) went to Disney without our mom. We found a great use for the PhotoPass system -- as a
photo update for the folks at home. We got a PhotoPass card,
then called our mom. We told her the web site, how to use it, and read her the card number. Then each day of our vacation she looked at the
web site and got a picture update on what we had done and which characters we saw.
We're doing this again on our next vacation, because our mom really enjoyed getting new pictures everyday."
-- contributed by Ashlee K.
"We recently got home from Disney and we were entering our PhotoPass cards onto Disneyphotopass.com, when we discovered two of our PhotoPass
cards were missing! Luckily, Disneyphotopass.com has a form to email to them to help find lost cards and both of them were found.
But, all of the worry would have been prevented if I had done with my PhotoPass cards what I do with my Key To The World cards --
write down the card numbers in my PassPorter! That way, even if misplaced, I can still retrieve my photos."
-- contributed by Molly S.
"I am a HUGE fan of the PhotoPass system at Walt Disney World. I came home with a CD with 263 pictures on it (some were the ones with frames,
autographs, etc). My favorite pictures are the ones I asked a PhotoPass photographer to take of my nephew and his marching band as they were
coming down Main Street. Obviously, I took several shots from the curb, but the Disney photographer got right in my nephew's face and took
amazing pictures of him with Cinderella Castle over his shoulder. She also got great shots of the band's banner with the Castle in the background.
I could go on and on about the shots she was able to get by standing on the street. Another thing I learned is that many of the photographers on
Main Street take several pictures of all the bands as they are marching. When you go to view your pictures you can also ask to see the bands
from a certain day's parade and they should be able to pull them up and add a few to your card. Just thought you might like to share this info
since there are so many school bands and band moms that want great pictures."
-- contributed by Bethany F.
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 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 journal entry:
"I've been thinking of an addition to my family ... a pet! I think I'd like a dog -- I've always gotten along great
with Pluto and Goofy. I spotted several handsome dogs being walked at Downtown Disney Marketplace today. They were angular and statuesque dogs,
very sturdy looking. They have beautiful, shiny coats, too! I wonder if the family who walks the dogs would let me borrow one for the day ...
they had a lot of dogs, I counted (rest of text obscured by a questionable smudge mark)"
How many LEGO dogs are being walked? For bonus points, locate the photographic evidence in the
PassPorter Photo Archive and post a comment with the photo!
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 Kerry Moroney who was the winner of last week's trivia contest! Kerry was the first person to identify the receptionist in the
Toontown Judges Tent as Clarabelle Cow. Runner up was member HeidiSummers, who was the first to locate and post a comment with the
photographic evidence in the Photo Archive. To view the original clue, 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 Jack Skatt. Get more details on "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" book at http://www.passporterstore.com.
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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:
Fireworks over Cinderella Castle during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
contributed by DeBestWife
(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 & A:
With Jennifer and Dave
Sunnybrook Sue asks: "Does anyone know approximately how long it takes to take the boat from MGM to Epcot's International Gate? Do you have to wait long for the boats to arrive? Is it faster to walk? Thanks."
Dave and Jennifer answer: "The boat ride from MGM to Epcot is approximately 25 minutes. At most times, the boats leave on about 15 minute intervals.
Whether walking is faster than the boat can depend on your walking speed. Under worst-case conditions (boat leaving immediately before you reach the dock), you may arrive faster on foot, but you do have to factor-in the effect the walk (especially a brisk one intended to beat the boat) will have on you. Generally, if we're in a hurry we split the difference - boat halfway, walk the other half. We'll take the boat between Swan/Dolphin and Studios (which is a non-stop and roughly at the halfway mark) and walk between Swan/Dolphin and Epcot. The biggest waste of time (if waste it is) in my opinion is the stops at Yacht & Beach and BoardWalk. By skipping those stops, I think this plan gives the best of both possible worlds.
Then again, you are on vacation. Relaxation sometimes beats exertion, especially at a place where you're walking everywhere and going from sunup well into the evening. There have been plenty of times that the slow boat to Epcot (or Studios) was just the breather we needed on a busy day. It's a very pleasant ride when the weather is good (and there are seats to be had), and it sure beats walking when the weather is bad."
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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Our Sponsors:
We Recommend...
PassPorter only accepts advertising from services of the highest quality -- we recommend these companies because we use them ourselves. Please support our sponsors and, in turn, support this newsletter! This week's sponsors are (in order of appearance):
Mouse Fan Travel -- New WDW Offer! Free Ticket Upgrade
MouseEarVacations.com -- Disney Cruise Line Special Offers
Quicksilver Tours & Transportation -- Save $5 off airport round-trip transportation in a town car
Thank you, sponsors!
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From the Authors: In Transit
Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
Preparations for MouseFest 2007 are consuming our office.
Meanwhile, in the back of our minds is the knowledge that the shipping container filled with
PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2008 guidebooks
is supposed to be at our warehouse before the week is out! At least, that's what the shipping company's
tracking system says. Give the folks at the warehouse a little time to get the container unloaded, but it
seems like they'll be ready to start shipping your pre-orders a few days before our target date of November 15!
Will that be cool, or what?!
In other news, we're pleased as punch to announce that a PassPorter community member -- BellaBuggy (Heather) -- has been chosen as one of the 12
panelists for the Disney Moms Panel, announced in this newsletter back in September. Kudos to member Caldercup (Eileen) for making it to the semi-finals! Way to go, PassPorter moms!
The upcoming e-book,
PassPorter's Festivals and Celebrations at Walt Disney World, is coming very soon! See the
PassPorter's Club update below for more details.
Thanks to the popularity of our PassPorter Photo Archive,
we've added a new feature to our newsletter: PassPorter PhotoPick. This issue's photo is a gorgeous
and crystal-clear photo contributed by DeBestWife of a volley of fireworks exploding over Cinderella Castle, which is all lit up in snowflakes
for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! This photo would make a great computer wallpaper for the holidays! Along with the PassPorter PhotoPick, we offer
a list of the week's top photo contributors and a link to their fabulous photos. Check it all out below!
Going to Walt Disney World in early December? This is the LAST CALL for this room rate deal -- it ends November 12!
MouseFest has arranged for a special
discounted rate at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort for MouseFest! Stay near the heart of
MouseFest action within walking distance of Epcot(r), Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's BoardWalk
entertainment district, Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf courses, and Saturday's MouseFest's
Mega Mouse Meet at the Walt Disney World Dolphin. To learn more, visit
http://www.mousefest.org.
MouseFest News:
We now have more than 700 folks registered for MouseFest 2007!
Registration is still open for
MouseFest, but if you want to receive your registration goodies in the mail
(one of the biggest benefits of registering), you'd better do it REALLY soon!
Check out the MouseFest event schedule , also at the MouseFest.org web site.
At this point, the schedule of meets is pretty well set (it'd be hard to find space to squeeze something else in), and
the list of people attending still keeps growing (nearly 700 registered attendees at the moment)!
Fourteen of our PassPorter Guides (moderators) are attending, as are five PassPorter authors (beyond the two of us!), and
more than 225 PassPorter community members and readers!
In this issue, Feature Columnist Cheryl Pendry tackles a big (well, huge) topic, the Grand Canyon, and Guest Contributor Kath Davis explains Why Our Hearts Belong to Disneyland. Finally, Jack Skatt is back with a brand-new Walt Disney World Treasure Hunt. Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Publishers and Authors
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Signature Services & NO agency fees!
New Offer! Free Ticket Upgrades
Walt Disney World® Resort
4-nights from $385* - Book by 12/15/07
Valid most nights 1/01/08 – 3/15/08
Ready for a no-obligation quote?
Visit us at: www.MouseFanTravel.com
*Per person/dbl occupancy,3 night minimum, subject to availability
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Travel Feature:
The Grand Canyon
by Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Featured Columnist
There are many places that claim to be "wonders of the world" these days, but few are as spectacular as the Grand Canyon. This place really does take your breath away when you see it for the first time.
Although for some people a visit is a once in a lifetime opportunity, the place has such a great pull for me that after two visits, I'm eagerly planning to make it three times lucky next year. One reason for all these visits is that there are just so many different ways to experience the Grand Canyon, literally by air, water and ground.
But getting there is only half the story. The real treasure is what awaits you on your arrival and no photograph you see will ever do the Grand Canyon justice. You just can't comprehend the enormity of the place, not even if I tell you that it's 277 miles long and, during those couple of hundred of miles, on average, it's around 4,000 feet deep. At its widest point, it's 15 miles across, but even when you know all that, you still can't picture the scene that awaits you there.
The Canyon was carved out over millions of years by the Colorado River, which flows through it to this day. That's the first way that you can experience the Canyon, floating down the river on a pontoon boat - something offered by a number of tour operators as part of half and full day packages. It's certainly a method of travel that I intend to try out on our next visit. These shorter trips promise a taste of the longer, multi-day white water rafting adventures that have long been offered along the river.
As the canyon is so deep, there are really two different perspectives that you need to see this place from - one is from the rim, where you can see how the river seems to gash through the landscape for as far as the eye can see and the other is from the canyon floor.
On my first visit, we took a light aircraft flight over the canyon, which gave us a bird's eye view. One of the most stunning sights was as the ground just literally gave way beneath us, with the canyon suddenly appearing from nowhere.
But that's only half the story. When I returned, we took a helicopter flight that lands on the base of canyon floor and that's something that any trip here should include. You get such a different perspective from being down there, as opposed to just viewing the canyon from above.
With flights over and into the Grand Canyon, you need to have a strong stomach. On both occasions, we encountered strong winds and if you're not a fan of flying, this isn't the best way to travel. However, if that doesn't bother you, it is an excellent way to see and do a lot in a short period of time, as driving around here takes many hours to get from one sight to another. Naturally, before you visit you need to think about how much time you'll have to enjoy the canyon. Once you decide that, it's easy to work out which is the best way to travel. Flights allow you to enjoy a half day or full day, whereas if you're driving, at the very least it will be an exceptionally long day, or you may want to allow a few days here to see everything in a more relaxed way.
There are plenty of places to stay in the area, either at Grand Canyon Village or at Tusayan, a few miles south, if you do want to extend your stay, but it's worth booking in advance, as the Grand Canyon is an exceptionally popular place to visit.
So what other options do you have if you want to get into the canyon without taking off? You can either use two legs and hike down or get some four legged help and ride a mule, but you won't be able to do that in a one day visit. Your trip will take at least a few days, even if your aim is just to hike from rim to rim. That 25 mile hike requires a mile of elevation gain to get you out of the canyon!
Most of the five million people who come here annually see the Grand Canyon from their car at overlook points along the South Rim. That's because it's the most accessible part of the area and is open year round, with restaurants, camping and lodging, although some facilities are closed during the winter and in the busy summer months, you definitely need to book ahead.
If you choose to head for the North Rim instead, then you'll only have a few months when it's possible, as it's 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim - it's usually closed by snow from late October to mid May each year. If you want to drive from one rim to the other, be prepared for a long day - although it's only 10 miles straight across the canyon, to drive around it is more like a 200 mile trip!
Unsurprisingly, the Grand Canyon is a National Park and to enter it, you have to pay a fee of $25 for each vehicle, all of which is invested back into the park and the National Park Service, which maintains it. The charge allows you admission for seven days to both of the rims. If you visit with a tour operator, you shouldn't have to pay the charge.
If you choose to visit on your own, rather than as part of an organized tour, there are some things you should remember. For starters, both rims are way above sea level and if you suffer from heart or respiratory problems, you may experience problems and find walking around strenuous. Don't forget to fill up with gas and keep the tank full, as you never know when you'll find the next gas station. And carry lots of water with you in your car, especially in the summer months.
Whichever route you choose to take to get to the Grand Canyon, it's one of those places that you should make every effort to visit if your plans take you to the southwest of America. You won't be disappointed with what you find there - both on the rim of the canyon and 4,000 feet below on its base. And if you're anything like me, you'll also find a reason to ensure that one day to return to see it all again.
About the Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to America. They were on the first 11 night sailing of the Disney Magic around the Mediterranean and are now looking forward to returning to Walt Disney World in 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. Also check out our Article Collection for more great information!
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Disney Feature:
Why Our Hearts Belong To Disneyland
by Kath Davis, PassPorter Guest Contributor
Wait! Don't shoot the author! I know I may hold a minority opinion on this topic. But, come on, the subject is still Disney, so it can't be all bad, can it?
And here's my disclaimer: I know Disneyland much better than Walt Disney World. I've only been to Walt Disney World once
(my happiest vacation ever, outside of California), and we live less than an hour (my front door to entering the park,
including parking and tram) from Disneyland. I've had an annual pass to Disneyland for about 15 years, and
when my husband moved to California, one of our first joint purchases was a pair of annual passes.
We don't get to Disneyland as often as we would like; it's a crime the way working gets in the way of Disneyland!
But we go as often as we can, and we know the two parks in Anaheim very well. Simply put, our hearts belong to Disneyland.
Read on if you want to know why. (And keep in mind that I've already written two articles on the things we loved at
Walt Disney World!)
Indiana Jones
There is nothing that compares to Indiana Jones in any of the parks in Orlando. Yes, we rode Dinosaur; no,
it doesn't compare. It does employ the same ride platform, but we think it lacked the thrills and, even more,
the atmosphere of Indiana Jones. When Indiana Jones first opened, even standing in a two-hour-long line was interesting:
the carvings on the wall (Disney provided a card to translate the carvings), and twists and turns of the path,
down into the bowels of the excavation site. Dinosaur's sterile scientific institute can't hold a candle to
Indy's dust of ages, excavation holes, and instructional movies.
It's Smaller
Yes, we like the intimacy of Disneyland. This could certainly be an example of being comfortable with the familiar.
Certainly, the smaller size causes some problems, as anyone who is trying to get across the park just after the
fireworks have finished knows. But I think Disneyland's smaller size makes it easier for annual passholders to
do exactly what we are well-known for doing; dropping into the park after work in the summer, or for a few hours on Sunday.
It's less daunting and quicker to get around, and it's easier to get to know the secrets and the shortcuts that
help you avoid the tourists.
Catch-a-Flave Ice Cream Stand at the entrance to Paradise Pier in Disney's California Adventure
The best soft ice cream you will ever have. Enough said!
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The haunted mansion in the Magic Kingdom is a beautiful building, but at Disneyland you get two rides in the same mansion.
The transformation to Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas as Haunted Mansion Holiday is one we look forward to every year. (Its been happening just as long as we've been married... any coincidence?) Obviously, the basic ride remains the same, with the elevator down to the Doom Buggies. But all the artwork and most of the characters are switched to the theme of, "when two holidays collide." If you get stuck in a long line, waiting to get in, you can listened to twisted and humorous Halloween "carols" while you wait.
Fantasyland Is A Real "Land"
When we first came upon Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, I commented that it felt like a street, not a land.
This is a perfect example of how the limited space at Disneyland resulted in a more intimate, more-intensely
themed result. Fantasyland is small, yes; there can be traffic jams, oh my, yes; but it feels like it all
belongs together. The architecture and the basically circular construction, surrounding the magnificent carousel,
enhance the experience of being in another place altogether.
It's a Small World presents a far more impressive facade in Disneyland than in the Magic Kingdom.
You Can Walk Anywhere
We have also stayed at the hotels at the Disneyland Resort, and no matter in which hotel you are staying,
no matter in which park you are, you can walk back to your room. In one case, your hotel is right across
the walkway from that ride that got you all wet! Those buses at Walt Disney World were fun the first couple of times
("Oh boy, it's our bus to Animal Kingdom!"), but they do get a bit old ... especially at the end of a long day when
you have to stand, crammed in, and your feet are really, really tired. When you get caught doing the
Disney Two-Step (from wherever you are to Downtown Disney, and then back to where you want to be),
it can be more than a bit annoying. In Anaheim, we've even occasionally chosen to walk from the park to the
parking structure, when we've made the mistake of trying to leave at the same time as everyone else,
rather than stand and wait for a tram.
The History
After all, Anaheim is where it all started. Some of the rides have been there for 50 years. We will ride on outdated rides,
like Snow White's Scary Adventure, just for the nostalgia.
Space Mountain
I just believe that you should sit beside someone on a roller coaster. You need to be able to grab your honey when you're
scared. (Sitting almost in his lap on the Matterhorn is OK, too.)
Paradise Pier
Disney's California Adventure is a bit of an acquired taste; it took us a couple of visits to appreciate it.
For someone who grew up in California, Paradise Pier
is especially nostalgic. It recreates what you remember about those beachside amusement parks; never mind that the real thing was never so pristine or colorful... or safe! Paradise Pier is a tribute to what we longed for in our childhood; music, color, food, water, sun. It's one of the things Disney does best; reading our minds and creating what our hearts saw.
Fantasmic!
Here's a perfect example of bigger is not always better. I appreciated sitting in bleachers for the show at Disney-MGM Studios; it's much more comfortable, and the viewing is better than in Disneyland. But the show is too long! We felt that the producers added more villains just because they could, and the pace of the show suffered. Also, the Fantasmic! amphitheater feels like it was added on to Disney-MGM Studios; it's such a long walk in and out. In Disneyland, Fantasmic! creates a variety of logistical issues (read, traffic jams), but the fact that it is performed right in the middle of the park only adds to its magic. Even if you are not taking the time to watch it, you can catch glimpses of the show, and hear the music, as you walk to the Haunted Mansion or Thunder Mountain.
There you have it: my ten reasons for keeping faithful to my first love, Disneyland. As with most preferences,
they are highly personal, and I am sure that many will disagree with me. But as for Randy and me, we'll keep
enjoying Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, and finding new things to love about each of them. Oh, wait, I forgot about the Electrical Parade...!
About the Author: Kath Davis lives with her husband Randy in Orange County, close enough to hear the fireworks from Disneyland. Randy proposed seven years ago, in front of It's a Small World, at the end of Believe: There's Magic in the Stars. It's their all-time favorite fireworks show.
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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 Disney vacation plans. Also check out our Article Collection for more great information!
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Did You Know?
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Airport Meet & Greet, luggage help, free car seat
Free 30-minute grocery stop with
airport round-trip
Special! $5.00 off airport round-trip
Use Discount Code: PassPorter News
Call 888-GO TO WDW
or visit quicksilver-tours.com
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