For a text-only version of this newsletter, visit http://www.passporter.com/news/111308text.htm. 
PassPorter News Brought to you by PassPorter Guidebooks
November 13, 2008 * Issue 8.46

In This Newsletter 

From the Authors: PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2009 is Now Shipping!

Travel Feature: Planning A Trip to Washington D.C. 

Disney Feature: "Sense"-ational Walt Disney World 

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Avoiding the Terrible Teens", Hypoglycemia Help, Better Bags (Part 2)

Captain's Corner: Giant's View-Master Reel

PassPorter PhotoPick: Cinderella's Knight in Shining Armor

Q and A: Do you have any advice on parades - watch them or skip them?

Our Sponsors:  We Recommend...
   
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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here are a few items of relevant news:

Walt Disney World has announced a promotion where guests who book a 4-night Magic Your Way package including room and park passes will get up to 3 additional nights and 3 additional days of park admission FREE!
Book between now and December 20, 2008 for stays January 4-April 4, 2009 and April 19-June 27, 2009. Even better, if you book your stay between January 4-March 29, 2009 you will also receive a $200 Disney gift card at check in which can be used for food and merchandise. This deal is available most nights during the promotion period.

A variety of other discount offers have been announced recently, due to the downturn in the economy. It pays to check out the offers with your travel agent or at the official Walt Disney World web site -- deals like this have been hard to come by in recent years.

Walt Disney World's popular after hours event, the Pirate & Princess Party, will returning in 2009. The party will be held February 20 & 27, March 8, 12, 20 & 27, April 1 & 22, May 1, 8, 15, 20, 25, 30 and June 3. 

The Flower Power Concert Series, part of Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival, will now be taking place only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:45 pm during the festival. All weeknight concerts have been cancelled.



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! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:

AVOIDING THE TERRIBLE "TEENS"
"This may seems silly and obvious but as a mom traveling with TEENS for the first time to Disney I did not take it into consideration as strongly as I should have, so I thought I would share. When you are traveling with teenagers make sure you plan enough down time into your schedule. Teens often like to stay up late and sleep in. Some also like to nap in the middle of the afternoon (one of mine LOVES her naps!). I planned both early days and relax sleep in days alternately in my itinerary, but found it was still best to "go with the flow" and at their pace! My family did best when the kids were well rested! We did not do well with the one breakfast reservation we had planned, but dinner time was often wonderful. Even though they are older, they still get tired and cranky! Going at their pace and giving them the opportunity to alter the itinerary at the last minute turned my teens from a cranky sulky brood to a fun loving group!"
-- contributed by Karen M.

HYPOGLYCEMIA HELP
"My husband suffers from hypoglycemia (not diabetes) so we don't go anywhere without food. We've taken many Disney Cruises and have found that with the beverage cooler it is possible to have food handy when his sugar level "dips." We freeze a package of cheese sticks the night before and carry that onboard. As it is commercially packed, DCL is fine with it. We also bring small tuna cups, packages of almonds, and get apples from Goofy's Galley. The servers are great with his food restrictions and food is readily available but it is great having quick access to food that we know will help him enjoy his vacation."
-- contributed by Donna B.

BETTER BAGS PART 2
"In response to Better Bags, in the November 6, 2008 issue, about using plastic curtain bags, we also use the heavy plastic bags used for sheet sets to pack shoes in our suitcases. The heavy duty plastic and zipper keep shoes from soiling other items in suitcases and keep shoes together. We have a 6 year old, so one bag can hold multiple pairs of shoes. . . tennies, sandals, and flip flops for the pool."
-- contributed by Jody W.

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. (Please note: Players can win once every 3 months.)

Here is this week's journal entry:

"I was wired after all that Halloween candy last week and bopped over to Toy Story Mania to burn it off. While waiting for my turn to go crazy with the spring-action shooter, I glanced about at the giant game and toy pieces scatted about. I was overjoyed to see a huge View-Master reel for Tomorrowland! I didn't bring my trusty tape measure, but I swear that thing was over four feet in diameter. The reel was so big I could see all the photos without needing an appropriately sized View-Master -- I loved seeing the Coca-Cola Bandstand and Monsanto Mural. But I was particularly intrigued by the photo in the A6 position."

What do you see when you look at A6 on the giant Tomorrowland View-Master Reel at Toy Story Mania?

For bonus credit, locate the photographic evidence in the PassPorter Photo Archive and post a comment with the photo!

Congratulations to SteveandDeb who was the winner of last week's trivia contest! SteveandDeb was the first person to identify the location of the photo in last week's club as the MouseGear gift shop's Wall of Candy in Epcot's Future World. Bonus credit also goes to SteveandDeb 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!

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:


Cinderella's Knight in Shining Armor

contributed by NevQueen

(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.

chezp 2830 photos
Meggera 711 photos
akleos 568 photos
Dopey007 512 photos
DyanKJ130 503 photos
 
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Q and A: With Jennifer and Dave


kcarter1999 asks: "Anyone have advice on the afternoon parades at Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom? I would love to take advantage of doing rides while most are at the parade but I don't want to miss out on anything either. If you had a choice would you definitely do one, none, or all of them?"

Dave answers: "The best use for your time is what makes you happiest. Since you're paying for the parades as well as the rides, 'getting the most' out of a ticket should really be about doing the things you will enjoy most, rather than counting how many attractions you experienced. If parades aren't important to you, then don't worry about missing them.

Each of those parades are different, so if you love parades, it's hard to tell you what to do and what to skip.

What I wouldn't do is spend a lot of time sitting on a curb waiting for a parade. There are always less crowded areas along the parade route. I might choose to be on an attraction (or in a restaurant) near the viewing spot I've selected until just before parade time."

Did our message board members agree with Dave? To see other answers that kcarter1999 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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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):

MouseEarVacations.com -- Buy 4 Nights, Get 3 FREE Offer

Mouse Fan Travel -- New WDW Offer - Book 4 nights, Stay 3 nights FREE

All Star Vacation Homes -- Choose from more than 150 homes within 4 miles of Disney

From the Authors: PassPorter Walt Disney World 2009 is Now Shipping!

Hi, {{user('firstname')}}!

PassPorter 2009 Status

At 3:51 am this morning (Thursday), our long-delayed shipment of PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2009 arrived in the Detroit rail yard! "All" that has to happen now is to have that container loaded onto a truck for final delivery to our warehouse, a distance of roughly 20 miles. We expect to start shipping most pre-orders tomorrow (Friday), or next Monday. We really appreciate your patience and understanding.

As always, we put top priority on delivering pre-orders to folks who will be traveling soon, and for the past two days we've been busy shipping "emergency" orders to folks traveling in the next week or two, thanks to a small rush shipment we received from our book distributor in Tennesee (their shipment from China did not lay around in a rail yard for 10 days, unlike the one destined for Michigan).

If you supplied your travel date to us when you placed your order (or contact us now via e-mail to orders@passporter.comor by toll-free phone - 877-929-3273 Mon-Fri, 9:00 am-6:00 pm ET), we'll take that into account. For those whose travel dates are imminent we've adjusted shipping methods at our cost, to ensure the books arrive in time. Also, if you already had a pre-order in our system, you should have received an e-mail from us with a special thank-you gift from us, in honor of your patience and forbearance. If you didn't get that e-mail, please send a note to jennifer@passporter.com and she'll forward it to you.

MouseFest Registration Closing Soon

Were you thinking of joining us this December 11th-15th at Walt Disney World and/or on the December 7th-11th Disney Wonder cruise for MouseFest? This 'grand gathering' of Disney online communities, podcasters, bloggers, webmasters, and authors has become a holiday season tradition for many of us, and keeps getting bigger and better every year! If you already have plans to be on the Disney Wonder and/or at Walt Disney World at the same time as MouseFest, definitely check it out. There are all sorts of free activities, and you'll be able to meet a whole lot of really great folks who share your passion for all things Disney.

The MouseFest schedule of events is online over at MouseFest.org. MouseFest attendee registration has been going strong, but the registration deadline of November 15 is fast approaching! So far, more than 800 people have registered, including many members of the PassPorter message board community. Many PassPorter message board Guides will also be on hand, and folks from PassPorter are organizing a bunch of great events to share with everyone who attends. Come on by MouseFest Corner at our message boards to see what your fellow 'PassPorters' are planning, and get a chance to get acquainted.

New Community Features

While we were waiting for the new 2009 editions to arrive (see below), we've been doing some tinkering about at our web site: We've been updating our popular message boards for faster performance and fun new features! The latest new feature to be rolled out is blogging. Yes, every member of the PassPorter community can have his/her own blog. Other features we've added include a new enhanced profile page with a personal visitor message system, personal photo albums, and customization options! Other new features include small Special Interest Groups for gathering together readers with like interests and a new Achievements system which rewards you for your involvement in the community! Visit the message boards at http://www.passporterboards.com/forums -- details on the new features are posted in the Using Your PassPorter forum.

PassPorter's Decade of Dreams

PassPorter's Decade of Dreams Tour is going to Disneyland for the Backstage Magic Adventures by Disney on October 13-18, 2009! Our Adventures by Disney package is 6 days/5 nights of VIP treatment -- we'll visit Hollywood landmarks, see how the magic is made at Walt Disney Imagineering, eat lunch on the lot at the Walt Disney Studios, and get a peak behind the fantasy at the Disneyland(R) Resort. The price includes an exclusive group discount and there is an early booking bonus of a $75 Disney Gift Card for the first 10 bookings from our Decade of Dreams travel provider, Mouse Fan Travel. Get all the details, a day-by-day itinerary, and prices at the Decade of Dreams Tour Headquarters. This also means we have selected the dates for the Decade of Dreams Tour visit to Disneyland! Tour festivities at Disneyland will begin on Friday, October 16, 2009 and will continue through Tuesday, October 20. Stay tuned for the schedule of events!

What is PassPorter's Decade of Dreams Tour? PassPorter is celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2009 in a year-long celebration from coast-to-coast! Everyone is invited and all are warmly welcome to join us at all or part of our celebration. We are combining small parties (meets) with grand, multi-day trips, including a 7-night Disney Cruise, a 4-night stay at Walt Disney World, and a Disneyland visit that includes park time and an Adventures by Disney expedition. See our Tour Schedule for the latest details.

PassPorter's Club Update
  • More than 1450 vacationers are now enjoying access to all our e-books, e-worksheets, and super-sized photo archive images.Thank you for your continued support!
  • Passholders have a new benefit: Passholders have another new benefit: Unlimited photo uploading to their personal photo albums (non-passholders have a limit of 100 photos). To access your personal photo album, log in, click My Home, and click the Pictures & Albums link.
  • More details at http://www.passporter.com/club

  • In this issue, join PassPorter Guest Columnist and Message Board Guide Michelle Clark as she takes us through the steps of Planning a Trip to Washington, D.C. Then, Guest Columist Michael Geoghan engages our full awareness with A "Sense" -ational Tour of the Walt Disney World Resort. Finally, Jack Skatt is back with a brand-new Walt Disney World Treasure Hunt.

    Jennifer and Dave
    PassPorter Authors

     
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      Travel Feature:

    Planning A Trip to Our Nation's Capitol: Washington, D.C. 

    by Michelle Clark, PassPorter Guest Contributor


    One of my lifetime goals was to visit our nation's Capitol. I knew a trip to Washington would involve several of my favorite interests: history, photography, and architecture. After months planning our trek to D.C., we tackled the following decisions:

    When to go to Washington D.C.? The time of year you plan to visit Washington D.C. can make a big difference. We learned that hotel rates in downtown D.C. are significantly lower on Thursday through Sunday nights, due to the fact the typical work week ends on Thursday. The rates at our hotel dropped nearly $200 from Wednesday to Thursday.

    I had heard that summer temperatures in Washington D.C. were hot, but I didn't take these warnings seriously. After all, I'm a native southerner and used to hot, humid summers; how bad could it be? I quickly learned that June can be unseasonably hot! Touring D.C. involves walking to most attractions, so you will be spending a lot of time outdoors. Summer also means more tourists. The crowds don't really affect your experience at outdoor attractions, but the various museums can become quite crowded. Expect to stand in line during the summer months to view the exhibits in the Holocaust Museum, The National Archives, and the Smithsonians.

    While it may be hot and crowded in July, the city puts on a spectacular show on Independence Day. What place could be more patriotic on the 4th of July than Washington D.C.? There are other events of interest during the summer as well, including free concerts and festivals.

    A plus to visiting D.C. during the warmer months is that the local Boys of Summer, the Washington Nationals baseball team, are playing in their brand-new park. This state-of-the-art facility has some great views of the city's landmarks including the Capitol and the Washington monument. Check the Nationals' web site for their home schedule.

    A winter visit could also include challenges. The average temperature in Washington D.C. in January is 27 degrees, with an average snowfall of about 7 inches. On the flip side, winter months have significantly less tourism.

    Along with the spectacular array of blooming Japanese cherry trees along the Tidal Basin, the Cherry Blossom Festival arrives in D.C. each April. Nature lovers may want their trip to coincide with this two-week celebration of spring. Crowd haters may want to select an alternate time to visit! Other factors to consider are the schedules of the various government agencies. To see Congress in session, contact your local congressman and pre-arrange a Capitol tour. Gallery passes are only available through the offices of your senator or representative. The Supreme Court hears case arguments from October through April and holds sessions to release opinions in May and June. Seats are first-come, first-serve. The House, Senate, and Supreme Court's schedules are posted on their websites.

    If there is a must-see museum or attraction on your agenda, your planning should include an investigation of rehab schedules. The Museum of American History has been closed for two years for an $85 million renovation and is scheduled to re-open on November 21, 2008. The Arts and Industries Building and Ford's Theater are both closed for refurbishment. The new Capitol Visitors Center currently under construction is scheduled to open December 2, 2008. Again, websites are a good source of information for scheduled refurbishments.

    Where to Stay in Washington D.C.? Now that you've decided when to visit D.C., your next decision will probably be where to stay. Washington D.C. has over 27,000 hotel rooms available, with a wide range of prices for any budget. Many travelers prefer to stay outside the city in nearby suburbs of Virginia and Maryland for cheaper rates. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have easy access to the Metro rail line. It will pay to investigate the proximity of your lodging facility to a Metro station. The daily ride from your lodging to downtown D.C. could take up time that you could spend touring. The Metro web site is a helpful tool for estimating trip times and fares.

    If you have access to a car you might consider the option of a split stay. Take advantage of the less expensive hotels by staying outside of Washington for part of your trip. During a stay in the suburbs you can visit some of the attractions located further away from central D.C. such as Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima Memorial, Mount Vernon and the National Cathedral. Then move to a more centrally-located hotel to complete your touring. We chose to stay in Alexandria, Virginia our first night and moved to a hotel downtown for the remainder of our stay.

    Sign up online for any customer loyalty or membership programs offered by the chain hotels because they can offer some great rates and other benefits. Most are free so you have nothing to lose by joining.

    How Long to Stay in Washington D.C.? The next question to be investigated when planning a D.C. vacation is how long should we plan to stay? Of course this depends on which attractions you want to visit. For example, our three-day trip included Arlington Cemetery, the major monuments, a Capitol tour, the National Archives, and several museums. I wouldn't recommend this commando itinerary to my worst enemy! Plan a minimum of 2-3 hours for each museum, although I feel that 3-4 hours is probably needed to really enjoy them. More than two museums per day can cause information overload! The walk around the National Mall to view the various monuments is a daunting task and would probably be enjoyed more if broken up into two days. A nighttime walk to the monuments provides a serene atmosphere and gorgeous moonlit views, but a daytime visit will allow you to absorb the details of the architecture. So my best recommendation would be to sit down with your fellow travelers and make a list of the sites you want to include, and then base the length of your trip on that.

    How much to spend in Washington D.C.? Ahh, the ultimate trip planning question! One of the more positive features of a D.C. vacation is that all of the monuments and museums run by the National Park Service are free, as are the Smithsonian museums. However, keep in mind that several of the Smithsonian museums have additional exhibits that require an admission fee. Other museums and attractions such as the Newseum and the Spy Museum do charge admission ranging from $15 to $20 per adult.

    Cheap souvenirs are easy to find at roadside stands along the downtown streets. We bought D.C. t-shirts for $7 each. Some carts advertised three shirts for $10. I was pleased to learn that no sales tax is charged at government building gift shops.

    Utilizing the Metro rail system is a must when sightseeing in D.C., so allow room in your budget for fare cards. A one-day metro rail ticket is $7.80 with weekly passes ranging from $26 to $39. We found a large variety of dining options; however the majority were not budget friendly! Most of the Smithsonian museums have restaurants. The Air and Space Museum has a McDonald's that only offers value meals. I use the term "value" loosely as each meal was at least $7.00. We did find a little gem at the Museum of Natural History; the cafe there gave free refills on drinks. Five Guys in Chinatown was an affordable option. Our hotel also had a decently priced breakfast buffet. And for those on a tight budget it's easy to find a hot dog cart on the street. If you have a car, plan on spending $30 - $40 a day for parking at downtown hotels. Parking is premium in Washington!

    Where to go in Washington D.C.? One thing you can be assured of--you won't be bored in this city! In fact, there are so many things to see and do in the area that it could fill up another article, and it will soon!

    A Washington D.C. vacation requires some advance preparation. I definitely recommend reading up on the area, either on the internet or consider purchasing a guidebook. I utilized Fodor's Washington D.C. travel guide prior to and during our trip. We found useful advice just from talking to friends and acquaintances that had traveled to the area. The PassPorter message boards have a Globetrotting forum where you can ask questions about any travel destination and post trip reports. Here are some web sites that were helpful during our D.C. trip planning:

  • Destination D.C. (official Washington D.C. tourism site)

  • Smithsonian museums

  • National Park Service, District of Columbia

  • U.S. Senate

  • U.S. House of Representatives

  • Cherry Blossom Festival web site


    About the Author: Michelle Clark is a self-professed thrill ride junkie and the mother of three teens who share in her obsession. Her goal is to experience as many theme parks as possible and stay in every Disney resort before she dies!

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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:
      
     
    A "Sense"-ational Tour of The Walt Disney World Resort

    by Mike Geoghan, PassPorter Guest Contributor

    Chances are that if you are reading this, you are a fan of Walt Disney World and you have been there more than once or twice. I mean, who isn't a fan? It's a place of magic, wish-fulfillment and its fun for ALL ages. For you, this "tour" of mine will be a trip down memory lane. And while you may think of other "sense"-ational experiences, I'm certain you'll recognize and possibly share a few of my personal favorites.

    Now if you've never been to "The World," well then you may be the perfect person to read this little "tour" because it is something of a checklist for your first trip to Disney World; things to be aware of and things you will never forget. With all due respect to Jiminy, let your senses be your guide...

    TAKING IN THE "SIGHTS"

    Without question, the one sight that leaves an indelible mark on Magic Kingdom visitors is Cinderella castle. In fact it's the one sight that makes your inner-self wake up and scream, "I'm at Walt Disney World!" Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and to a much-lesser degree, The Sorcerer's Hat at Disney's Hollywood Studios all produce this feeling. They are each park's "calling card." If you've been to the parks, you have a picture of you and/or a member of your family standing in front of them.

    The same could be said of seeing the Disney characters. Any character will do, but a member of the "Fab Five" (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto) REALLY does the trick. These sights, as well as seeing the monorail and the fireworks displays (Wishes or IllumiNations) are basic. They are almost primal and a given on any trip to Walt Disney World.

    Other sights you want to be aware of include; seeing World Showcase at Epcot lit up at night (truly amazing and if you stare at it long enough you can almost hear "It's a Small World"); seeing the Contemporary Resort both up close and at a distance (it's an interesting oxymoron of a hotel ... yesterday's look at tomorrow and still one of my favorites); people inexplicably smiling ALL THE TIME (and that includes the people who work there); and finally the "Hidden Mickeys." Initially, I didn't quite understand the concept that Steven Barrett helped to popularize, but once you get the hang of playing Disney's version of "Where's Waldo?" it's a lot of fun and it passes the time when you're standing in line for your favorite rides.

    "SOUND" ADVICE

    No matter where you are within Walt Disney World...the parks, the resorts, the restaurants, even the transportation ... LISTEN CAREFULLY. Almost everywhere, there is a "soundtrack" for your location and it fits perfectly. Mike Scopa wrote a great article on MousePlanet.com a couple of years ago talking about the "Disney Zone." I highly recommend you read it because this is what I'm talking about. Most of the time you won't even notice the music, but 9 times out of 10, it's there.

    Another sound that is pure Disney is the "Monorail spiel." If you've ridden it once or one-hundred times then you know what I'm talking about, so say it with me, "Please stand clear of the doors...Por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas." This line is so memorable that you can find it on t-shirts. If you've never ridden on the monorail, make a plan to enjoy the ride and do as you're told.

    Some more sounds to listen for include: the Walt Disney Wold Railroad's steam whistle (which can be heard from as far away as the Polynesian Resort); the Haunted Mansion's "howling wolf" (particularly effective at night); and the song that will bore it's way into your brain and never let go, "It's a Small World."

    THE SWEET "SMELLS" OF SUCCESS

    Now before I scare you off, I'm only going to focus on the pleasant smells around the "World." I'm sure you might run into the occasional negative odor, but I can assure you they won't be nearly as memorable as, say, the popcorn on Main Street USA. This one is courtesy of old Uncle Walt himself. He wanted this for his guests from the start of Disneyland and it has become a mainstay. In fact, one of the best "sight/smell" combinations in all of the parks is when you step past the turnstiles at the Magic Kingdom and through the tunnel under the railroad. There you will smell the popcorn and see Cinderella Castle, and if that isn't one of the all-time greatest "sense combos," please e-mail me another.

    Some lesser known yet very potent and pleasing aromas include: the pastries and cakes from The Boardwalk Bakery at the Boardwalk Villas (in a word, "Wow!"), the smoky fire pit at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (a great place to meet people and hear some African folklore), the orange groves viewed when riding Soarin', the baked goods shown during Mickey's PhilharMagic, the succulent skewered meats grilling over an open-flame at 'Ohana in the Polynesian Resort (sorry vegans, this just smells wonderful), and finally, if you're at Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival held every spring, the millions of flowers provide an extra special scent that adds to the park.

    MMMM ..."TASTY" MORSELS

    Walt Disney World is LOADED with things that will send your taste-buds into orbit. You can find healthy foods and low-calorie foods and even sugar-free foods all over the resort, but unless you are diabetic...why bother? This is Disney World and you are only visiting for a short while so enjoy yourself and save the calorie-counting for your return home. Besides, you are going to walk A LOT, so reward yourself with some of the following goodies: Adventureland's Dole Whip (fan clubs have started for this tasty treat); Mickey Mouse waffles, which are served in Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort and numerous other restaurants (for some reason they just taste better in the shape of Mickey); the pulled-pork sandwich at Flame Tree BBQ in Animal Kingdom (I've been to the park about 10 times and probably had this 9 of those times ... yum!); smoked turkey legs, which are available at many places including Toluca Legs Turkey Company at Disney's Hollywood Studios; and creme brulee (whether it's double vanilla bean, milk chocolate, maple, key lime or pistachio, this custard dish is pure heaven), available at a variety of restaurants.

    The absolute best way to send your taste-buds on a "thrill ride around the world" is to get to Epcot during the International Food and Wine Festival, which is held from late September into mid November. The Festival is a cost-efficient way to find out what's good and what might not be for you. Bon Appetit!

    A "TOUCHING" TRIBUTE

    As most of you already know, Walt Disney created Disneyland as a place he could spend time with his daughters. Fittingly, Walt Disney World is first and foremost a place for families. It's a place where couples hold hands, where sons and daughters hug their moms and dads (and Disney characters), where newlyweds kiss, and where some pretty great emotions run wild.

    There are some obvious "touch" sensations throughout the resorts and parks like the exiting creepy crawlies at "It's Tough to be a Bug," the wind blowing in your face at just about any "Mountain" ride, or the splash of water from numerous 4-D movies and water rides, but the "touching" sensation that is the most important is the one you have after a long day at the parks just before your head touches the pillow. When that special someone (girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, wife, son, daughter, mom, dad, grandma or grandpa) says, "That was a fun day!"

    It's the "sense" memories that will mean the most as time goes by and you will have plenty of them after a visit to Walt Disney World. I've shared some of mine...what are yours?


    About the Author: Mike Geoghan is a television producer, currently between jobs in New York. He has worked in the past for FX, PAX, "LIVE With Regis and Kathie Lee" and was most recently the Executive Producer of the talk show, "God Squad." He and his wife Susan have been DVC Members since 2005 and are the proud parents of Sarah Helen, their little Disney princess, born in June 2008. He soon expects to be a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and someday hopes to be employed by "The Mouse." His favorite Disney character is Peter Pan, which explains his insistence on "never growing up."


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