From the Authors:  Off to MouseFest

Community Update: Safe Seating for Young Travelers

Disney Feature: Party-Poopers and Scrooges: Bringing the Magic to All

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips:  Two-Way Radios, Character Test Runs, Taping Disney Specials

Q&A: Transferring Park Hppers, Tipping SkyCaps and Luggage Handlers
 

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Updates:
What's New and Changed

This update comes from reader Deb R.
"The Swan & Dolphin is having a New Years' Eve party from 9 pm
to 1:30 am on Dec. 31. They will have a live band, Venetian Dessert Buffet from 9 pm - 12:00 am and then a breakfast buffet from 12 am to 1:30 am, with a create your own omelet bar. The price also includes open bar, for $69 per person." Get more information here.

>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 are a wealth of information! Here are the winners in this month's tip contest:

KEEPING IN TOUCH
"Family Two-Way Radios are a great way to keep in touch, and VERY popular... ergo the problem. You, and dozens of other people in your range will be trying to keep in contact. Two tips: turn on your radio before your group splits up and tune to high numbered, odd channel (like 13 or 17, these seem to be lesser used). Monitor the traffic. If there is too much, try another channel. Once you settle on a channel and split up, don't use the 'call' button to raise your party, everybody in the park will answer! Just press the talk button and say something like 'calling Luke Jones.' It will keep things simple." -- contributed by Shannon S.

TEST RUNS WITH CHARACTERS
"If you're not sure how your younger children will react to the characters, try a trial run at the Ice Cream Social with Mickey and Friends at the Garden Grill in The Land in Epcot. Although my older son has been to Disney many times, this trip was the first for my two-year-old twin daughters. Their first experience was great -- the restaurant was almost empty and the characters came by the table multiple times. Luckily for us, they loved the characters. It was a great trial run (and a lot less expensive than a full-fledged character meal or an over-crowded meeting in the parks)" - Pamela E.

TAPING THE MAGIC
"Whenever I notice a Disney special on television, I tape it. The Travel Channel has the Great Hotels program and has had many Walt Disney World resorts as their featured hotel. I also tape the programs about Disney water parks and Disney behind the scenes. When we are planning a trip or just missing the mouse, we watch these tapes along with our own and the planning ones from Disney." - Patricia Chandler (wondcat@yahoo.com)

>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

Jonathan asks:
""I want to buy two 5-day Disney park hopper tickets. My girlfriend and I will use two days off of each ticket.  Can the remaining three days be used by my brother and his girlfriend this spring? I've heard a rumor that maybe the bio-metrics scanners permanently affix (electronically) the tickets to an individual... is this the case?"

Jennifer answers:
"Officially, all Disney tickets are non-transferable. But practically speaking, Disney does nothing to enforce this rule with the park hopper passes. So as long as you buy regular park hopper passes and not the length of stay passes (Ultimate Park Hopper Ticket) you can get through a Disney resort hotel, you should not have an issue. The biometrics are only used on annual passes at this time."

macrosswife asks:
"Since this will be our first plane trip with baby, I'm discovering that we may need the services of more people that we normally do! First, what exactly does a Skycap do? I assume you tip by the bag?

Second, upon arrival at the hotel, I know that there will be a bell attendant to help us with our bags... will that be the same person who brings the bags to our rooms after we check-in? If not, do we tip both people? How does it work if our Tiffany Town Car driver helps with the unloading?"

Dave answers:
"If you use a skycap, $1-2 per bag is customary. If you use curbside check-in, he/she doesn't work very hard. But these days, a lot of airlines can't do curbside, depending upon where the security scanners are located. If not curbside, then the skycap will load-up a cart, bring your bags to the airline counter and stay with you until he/she can unload the cart (sometimes takes a while, if lines are long). Tip accordingly. Skycaps are not required, but with an infant along, you'll appreciate the help.

There's no assurance that the bellperson who gets your luggage curbside will be bringing it to your room. The luggage is taken to storage until you call for it from your room. I tip both bellpersons. The one at curbside gets a bit less than $1/bag, as he/she doesn't have the long trip to your room (I tip $1 for the larger bags, nothing for the small pieces unless there are lots of them.) The bellperson who brings the bags to your room should get at least $1 for every bag, regardless of size. Generally, the bellperson removes the luggage from the town car, but some drivers prefer to do all the loading/unloading (presumably because they're worried about damage to their car). This last aspect of the process shouldn't affect your tips, either to the driver or the bellperson -- I'd consider it to be splitting hairs."

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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Hi, friends!

First, a happy, happy Thanksgiving to all our PassPorter family and friends! We are very thankful for the support you've shown us, the community you surround us with, and the experiences you share with us. May your thanksgiving holidays be warm and fulfilling.

We leave for MouseFest/PassPorter Gathering 2003 in less than two days now... the excitement sure is building around here! For those going to MouseFest, we have a few reminders:

* Today is the last day to register for the Walt's Birthday Photo Safari Treasure Hunt on Dec. 5. For more information, visit http://www.passporter.com/gatheringhunt.htm

* Did you receive one of the black-and-white bottle straps we sent out with PassPorter orders from January-September 2003? If so, bring it and use it while you're at Walt Disney World. MouseEarVacations.com staff will be on the lookout for people wearing the strap, and will give people they find a business card with a name, address and phone number -- when they return home they can send an e-mail to be included in a special drawing. The drawing will be held on Dec 22nd and prizes include a $100 MouseEarVacations.com/Cruising Co Etc. gift certificate, good towards travel thru 2005. Important note: Official MEV land events and the MegaMouseMeet do not count as places to be spotted.

The new 2004 editions of PassPorter Walt Disney World are now completed and on their way to our warehouse... via a slow boat from China (literally). But we hope to receive them in just under a month! We'll keep you updated on their progress.

Have a great holiday weekend... you can count on us having a great holiday at Disney!

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Travel Press

Curious about the new 2004 edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World? Visit our preview center to download sample pages, view lists of additions, and get all the facts. Here’s a sneak peek: Our 2004 edition will sport 40+ photos (more than three times the number in our 2003 edition), self-stick, color tabs to mark your chapters, stickers and labels to personalize your PassPockets, light blue highlights on the text of all additions and significant changes at Disney since our previous edition, updated vegebility ratings, and, most importantly, peeks and previews of new and upcoming attractions and resorts!

The new edition will be released around January 1, 2004 - pre-order your copy today to be among the first to receive one! (The earlier you pre-order, the earlier your order is shipped out!)

To visit the Preview Center and pre-order a copy, visit
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/2004.htm

by Dave Marx

You're good parents. We know you are, because so many of you ask us, "What do we do about car seats when we travel?" It's one of our most frequently asked questions. Unfortunately, the answers can be quite unsettling.

AIRLINE SEATING
U.S. air travel rules let you to lap-carry small children (infant through 24 months) at no extra charge, and we see many parents who take advantage of this airfare bargain to introduce their newborns to far-flung family members. Despite the facts that this is completely legal and parents are given an economic incentive to cut this corner, this can be a tragically unsafe practice.

In the all-too-common event of unexpected turbulence, that lap-carried infant can literally go flying- out of your arms and into the ceiling, onto the floor, or down the aisle. Your best intention to "just hang on tight" isn't enough-the forces can be too severe. In extreme cases, a small child may even become an "air bag" for its loving parent, absorbing fatal, crushing forces.

Have we scared you? Our research into this topic scared us! What can you do? Buy your infant a seat on the plane, and bring a child safety seat, just as you would in a car. Many airlines provide discounted fares for children under two, and some will give you that seat at no charge, if the flight isn't full. Check with your airline for its current policy, and refer to its web site for more advice on flying with children.

You are required to buy airline tickets for all children two years old and up. While you (and the airline) are not required to provide a safety seat, U.S. authorities and airlines strongly recommend you bring one for all children up to 40 lbs.

Just as in cars, children under 20 lbs. on aircraft are safest in a rear-facing child seat, and children 20-40 lbs. are safest in a front-facing child seat. It's only at 40 pounds and up that things change. Children over 40 lbs. should be strapped-in like an adult, without a booster seat. Booster seats are prohibited during taxiing, take-off and landing-airline seats are designed to fold forward in an impact, so the higher position of a booster seat and the lack of a shoulder restraint would expose children over 40 lbs. in boosters to greater potential harm than being strapped-in like an adult.

What else isn't safe seating for kids on airliners? Seat belt extensions, "belly bands" and add-on harnesses are prohibited-anything that fastens a child to the lap or chest of an adult. This includes Snugli-style infant carriers.

What should you look for in a child restraint? Check the label of your car safety seat. If it's been manufactured during your child's lifetime, chances are it has been approved for both car and air travel. Further, aim for a seat 16 inches wide, or narrower. While the arms on some airline seats do fold up to accommodate wider safety seats, some do not. Car seats are not permitted in the aisle or center seats, as they may block passenger escape-your lucky kid gets the window seat! Be sure to take advantage of the airline's pre-boarding procedures, so the flight attendants can be sure your child's seat is properly secured before the rest of the passengers arrive.

There are several more reasons to bring along that child seat. First, comfort and familiarity. Your child will be more likely to be calm (and nap) in his/her regular safety seat. And it also helps with consistency-the fewer exceptions there are to the, "You must always be in your safety seat" rule, the better.

While we're on the topic of children and air travel, let's cover another common question. "Can I bring my child's stroller right to the gate, or must I check it with the other luggage?" Fortunately, you can leave your child in his/her stroller until it's time to board. You can then "gate check" the stroller right at the plane's door. It won't count towards your baggage allowance, and it will be waiting for you when you exit the plane.

BUSES AND TRAINS
Except for school buses, buses and trains do not come with seat belts of any kind. These mass transit vehicles are exempt from child safety seating rules, and without seat belts, there's no way to secure a safety seat. Amtrak recommends you place infant safety seats on the floor-a safer position in a sudden stop. Fortunately, there's enough leg room on railroad trains to make this practical. Buses, with their scant leg room, don't offer that option.

While we are enthusiastic users of Walt Disney World's transportation system, it's not safety seat-friendly. No seat belts, standing room-only crowds... you're right to be concerned. Try to put your most restless child in a window seat or on your lap, where you stand a chance of keeping him/her under control. And as much as you want to get back to your resort at park closing (especially with tired, cranky kids), don't get on the bus/monorail unless you can place your child into a seat or on a lap. A child caught in a standing-room crowd on a bus is at significant risk, and another bus will be along in just a few minutes.

LIMOS, TOWN CARS, TAXIS, AND SHUTTLES
These common vehicles for ground transportation can fall into a legal gray area in some states. Are safety seats required, or not? They may be exempted as "mass transit" vehicles, or maybe not. Of course, safety is the paramount issue in this article, regardless of whether there's a legal opening. Fortunately, nearly all these vehicles do have shoulder-and-lap seat belts, so if you brought safety seats with you for your flight, you'll be covered for the trip from the airport, too. If you have an older child who doesn't need a safety seat on the plane, ask the company in advance if it can provide a suitable safety seat. Some will, and others won't.

RENTAL CARS
Child safety seating laws apply to rental cars as well as privately-owned vehicles, but car rental companies do not include child safety seats with the cost of rental. Many offer safety seats for rent, and some minivans now have built-in safety seats. Be sure to settle this matter with the rental company when you make your reservation, as those safety seats may be in short supply.

Safety seats are your responsibility, and your added expense. As we mentioned, rental agencies usually rent safety seats, but you're probably better off with your regular car seats. Since car renters typically fly to their destination, you'll have car seats along anyway for the kids under 40 lbs., right? As for older children, the airline will often let you check (or gate-check) a booster seat without counting it against your luggage allowance - be sure to ask about this before you arrive at the airport.

Florida has one of the looser child safety seat laws; a safety seat is only required through age three. Children four through eight can ride in the back seat, using regular adult seat belts. You may want to do better than that, and we wouldn't disagree.

AND ALL THE SHIPS AT SEA
The subject here switches from safety seats to personal floatation devices (life jackets). On cruise ships, all passengers must participate in a safety drill. The purpose here is to familiarize guests with exit routes and emergency procedures, and to give them some practice wearing their personal floatation. Yes, these big orange things can be awkward and uncomfortable to wear as you make your way from stateroom to lifeboat station, but this exercise is a key part of oceangoing safety. There's inevitably one hysterical child at the assembly station who refuses to wear his/her life vest. Show him/her that it's the grownup thing to do, and cheerfully don your own life vest first.

Oh, and as long as we're on board.... What can you do with that bulky child safety seat while you're crammed into that little stateroom? Your stateroom host/hostess will store it for you until the cruise is over!

HOME AGAIN, SAFE AND SOUND!
Keeping your family safe will always be a challenge, but as with other aspects of travel, it really pays to plan ahead. Fortunately, there are several very helpful web sites and organizations dedicated to travel safety. Here's a listing of just a few of them. Bon voyage!

RESOURCES
http://www.cpsafety.com  - Indiana-based child passenger safety advocacy group with a very helpful web site
http://www.safekids.org  - National organization with an extensive web site that includes summaries of the child safety seat regulations in every state
http://www.chop.edu/consumer/your_child/
  - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has extensive information on child safety seating, including a thorough listing of links to related resources
http://www.consumerreports.org  - Consumer Reports is famous for its independent product safety testing and its advocacy of consumer safety. Safety seat test results, recommended safe practices and other valuable information
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov  - National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the U.S. government agency with primary responsibility for child safety seat standards. The NHTSA works with the FAA on airline-related child safety seat issues. The site is information-rich on child safety and other topics
http://www1.faa.gov/Passengers/  - Federal Aviation Administration recommendations and rules for child safety seats
http://www.iflyswa.com/travel_center/infants.html   - Southwest Airline's recommendations for travel with children.
Another airline with good child travel information is American Airlines, at http://www.aa.com - You'll find American's recommendations by selecting Travel Information > FAQs

by Jennifer Watson

[Preface: Due to our impending trip, we've chosen to recycle an oldie-but-goodie article we wrote over three years ago. The topic is as relevant today as it was then, and we've freshened it up with some new tidbits. Enjoy!]

Does your dear husband roll his eyes when you talk about your upcoming vacation? Do your kids hound you to stop reading the PassPorter Boards so they can use the computer? Are your co-workers ready to relocate your desk to the storeroom so they don't have to hear another word about The Mouse?

You're not alone. Many planners find it challenging to get their family and friends into the spirit of organizing a great vacation at Walt Disney World. Those who seem most reluctant to plan usually have misconceptions about Walt Disney World. We're sure many of you have heard these excuses before:

"What will I do there for five days? It's just Disney World."
"We don't have kids and I don't like roller coasters. Why bother?"
"It's all for little kids. There's nothing for me to do."
"It's too expensive. We can't afford it for four more years."
"This is your vacation. You're the Disney expert. You decide."

You know and we know that there is something for everyone at Walt Disney World. Perhaps you've even mentioned this to your family or friends. Maybe you showed them pictures, maps, and videos. But as the old proverb goes, "Tell me, I'll forget. Show me, I may remember. Involve me and I'll understand." It's time you involved your family and friends in planning that perfect Walt Disney World vacation! We offer these tips and tricks for converting all your skeptics, grouches, and martyrs.

MAKE IT SIMPLE
You may enjoy hunting down the names of all the snack carts at the Magic Kingdom, but it's a good bet no one else in your party does. Can your family and friends find answers to their questions easily? (No, being available to answer their questions doesn't count.) Put out all your Disney guidebooks, guidemaps, brochures, and videos where folks can get to them easily. Sneak a few into the bathroom. If you share a computer, make a list of favorite Disney Web site links in your browser, or even set your start page to PassPorter.com.

"My husband did not even know there was more than one park at Walt Disney World 'til I clued him in!" -- DisneyDoll

GET THEM EXCITED
You love Disney, but what do your family and friends love? Golf? Shopping? Sunbathing? Scuba diving? You'll get a different reaction to "Honey, we're spending a week at Walt Disney World!" than you'll get to "Honey, you can shop 'til you drop!" Find out what turns them on, then turn them on to doing it at Walt Disney World.

"Think about what he loves to do for leisure, and then find the WDW versions of those things. Golf lover? Seven fabulous courses in WDW and a dozen more in the Orlando area. Thrill rides? Plenty of them in Disney and Universal. Night life? Pleasure Island and Universal Citywalk, not to mention plenty of places in Orlando. Shows or theater? More in WDW than you can shake a stick at, plus a half-dozen or more great dinner theaters just off Disney property. Sports lover? Disney's Wide World of Sport complex. NASCAR? Richard Petty driving experience, and there's a NASCAR Cafe outside the Universal parks. See, it's all in the marketing. Walt Disney World has something that appeals to everyone; all you have to do is emphasize the parts that appeal to your hubbies and they will start to show a little more enthusiasm." -- WillCAD

GET THEIR IDEAS
Sit each person down with a guidebook, map, or Web site and instruct them to make a list of anything that sounds fun. Be careful to match the individual with the information. Got kids? Try a copy of "Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids, by Kids." Teens may feel more at home on a Web site. And we hear from our readers that reluctant spouses enjoy PassPorter guidebooks for their concise information. Once you've got their ideas, you've got them involved.

RELATE TO THEM
Almost everyone is familiar with Disney's characters, even if they haven't been to Walt Disney World. Ask each person to choose his or her favorite Disney character, and then together you can find ways to incorporate that character into your vacation. A Belle fan may enjoy a visit to Fairytale Garden at Magic Kingdom, while a Martin Short fan (hey, he's a character!) will get a kick out of "The Making of Me" at Epcot. Encourage your kids (or kids at heart) to make their own autograph books featuring their favorite characters and those of their family and friends.

KEEP IT AFFORDABLE
If worries about money are keeping your companions from getting excited, make a special effort to budget and save money. If appropriate, let them know about the great deals you're finding... it could go a long way towards relieving their stress.

"I think a lot of men especially worry about the cost and it makes it hard for them to get excited." -- mrsmaup

BRING IT HOME
Speaking of characters, wouldn't your kids love to get mail from their favorite Disney character? If they still believe in Santa Claus, they'll have no problems becoming pen pals with a giant mouse or princess (and you'll have a ball playing that mouse or princess). Just find some appropriate greeting cards or stationary and send a letter to your child, signed by the character. Encourage your child to respond and share his or her trip plans. Even older kids may appreciate a "see you soon!" card from their character before their trip. E-mail works too, especially if you can create an e-mail address with the character's name in it (how about Tinkerbell4U@aol.com or YourFriendMickey@hotmail.com?).

ANTICIPATION
It's hard for most people to think about a vacation until it's almost upon them. To encourage advance planning, set out a suitcase or box in a central location and have everyone add some things they'd like to bring along. It's a daily reminder of the upcoming trip, plus it's fun to see what gets put into the suitcase. We know some families that start a "Disney Chest" as soon as they decide on a trip, tossing in everything from pocket change and Disney Dollars to books and magazines they want to read.

SHARE THE LOAD
Have everyone pick one eatery or the first attraction of the day, and appoint them as hosts of their respective events. Encourage them to learn something fun about the attraction (or restaurant) that they can share with the group. Who knows? Once they have "ownership" of a small piece of their vacation they may be eager to plan an entire day (or evening) on their own.

HOST PLANNING NIGHTS
Schedule a weekly planning meeting with the whole family or group. Watch a Disney video, crank out some Disney tunes, or play a Disney game to get in the mood, and then gather around the table to discuss your vacation plans. Spread out the maps, open your guidebooks, and attack one small part of your itinerary. Keep it short, keep it light, and wind things up before everyone gets antsy.

"This summer I thought what the heck I'll order the Disney video since we started talking about taking a trip to warmer climes in Jan-Feb 2004. I got the video and one Friday when there was nothing on TV and he was too tired to protest I popped it in. His eyes perked up when he saw Epcot and Animal Kingdom and with the golf preview too. 'Well,' he said 'Okay let's take a look at this and see what it is about.'" -- Charlie

INVOKE THE MAGIC
The Secret Mickey game is a great way to involve all the members of a large group and put them in a giving mood. Here's how it works: Put everyone's name into a hat and let each person take turns drawing a name, becoming a "Secret Mickey" to the person whose name they've drawn. Their job? To find ways to make their secret buddy's vacation a little brighter with magical notes or small gifts, without giving away their identities. Hold a Secret Mickey Party at the end of your vacation and have each person guess the identity of their Secret Mickey.

KEEP IT LOOSE
Make sure your plans are accessible to everyone at all times. Use the computer to e-mail itineraries, or create a Web site. Put up notes on a bulletin board or refrigerator door. Use a PassPorter to record your plans and keep it in the living room or near the phone. Encourage everyone to comment on the plans and make suggestions -- put a feedback form on a Web site, a sheet of paper on a bulletin board, or a page flag on the PassPorter's Notes page.

"I'm the planner for most of our trips (Disney and otherwise). And it's not 'cause I'm more organized.... 'cause I'm not. I just love planning vacations. My wife is more than content to let me go crazy with it 'cause she's got veto power on everything... doh!" -- Matt

TRUST DISNEY
So you've tried all the tips on your unsuspecting spouse and just don't feel like you've made an impression. Never fear. Disney weaves its' magic in subtle and imaginative ways. Chances are very good your reluctant companion will have a ball at Walt Disney World!

"My dear husband never acts excited about an upcoming trip. Then when we get there he tends to not want to ride the rides and wants to wander off and take pictures.  Then when the trip is over, he tells me he had a great time and it was the best trip yet. Some people just have different ways of expressing happiness." -- MinnieMary

Of course, you can probably plan your vacation all on your own. But when you involve your companions, you're not just getting a helping hand or a little less grief -- you're helping to make their vacations that much more magical. And just think -- all these little tricks and tips you use today may become the grand traditions and stories of tomorrow's trips.

"My husband was never into planning vacations either. He didn't fully appreciate Disney until we were on other vacations then he realized not every hotel has a snack bar and restaurant in it. He'd listen to my kids say 'Oh it was okay, but it wasn't Disney.' And 'When are we going back to Disney?' I finally told him to face the fact that Disney World is the ultimate vacation spot as it has everything you could want or need while on vacation. I guess he agrees because he agreed last month to purchase points in the Disney Vacation Club! I still can't believe it! And he actually is requesting me to make priority seatings at some of his favorite restaurants for our upcoming trip. And the biggest shock... I caught him reading my PASSPORTER!!!" -- gymnuts

[The quotes in this article come from our marvelous message board members! Discuss this in more detail at this message board topic ]