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PassPorter News Brought to you by PassPorter Guidebooks
  December 17, 2004 * Issue 4.15
 
In This Newsletter

From the Authors: Back From "The Mouse"

Travel Feature: Puppy Love: Traveling With Your Furry Friends

Disney Feature: No Strings: Solo Travel at Walt Disney World

Updates: What's New and Changed

Tips: Quick Change Bags, Suction Cup Space Savers, Camera Care 

Q&A: Turtle Talk With Crush
 
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Updates:
What's New and Changed

Here's a few of the new developments at Disney·

All "One Park for One Day" Passes sold beginning December 2, 2004 will expire January 8, 2005. 

Disney has announced a new ticket plan for Walt Disney World - "Magic Your Way". Beginning January 2, 2005 park tickets will be custom tailored to your stay. The longer your stay, the less expensive your per day cost is. For more information, check out  the Walt Disney World web site.

Also beginning in January, the Extra Magic Hour is changing. Each day one park will open one hour early OR stay open 3 hours late in order for guests of Disney Resorts to keep enjoying the magic. Valid park admission and hotel ID required. No word yet on if this will replace E-ride nights. 

And last but not least, Disney has announced a new Dining Plan. Disney hotel guests utilizing the "Magic Your Way" package can add-on a dining option that provides 2 meals and a snack available at over 100 restaurants throughout Walt Disney World.

>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:

QUICK CHANGE BAGS
"Make diaper packages to take to the parks! In a large ziplock place a diaper and a couple of wipes that are in a smaller baggie. When it is time to change a kid, just grab a package and run to the bathroom. No need to search for anything and everything can just be tossed! Plus you have a nice "stinky proof" bag for a messy diaper! 
 --  contributed by Kate G. 

SUCTION CUP SPACE SAVERS
"It's a great idea to pack some suction hooks -- these can be used in the shower for drying swim wear and other wet clothing. Depending on your family size, you may not have enough room on the drying line!" -- contributed by Angie J.

CAMERA CARE
"Always make sure that your camera is in good working order before you begin your magical adventure to Disney. In addition, it would be wise to develop at least one roll of film while you are there to confirm that it is indeed in proper working order. On our last trip our camera was broken, but still taking pictures. We did not realize that we had a problem until we developed the film and found that all of the pictures were completely blurred. It was too late at that point to recapture the moment. This could have all been avoided had we developed at least one roll of film during our stay." -- contributed by Karen F. 

>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

Everyone is buzzing about the new Turtle Talk With Crush exhibit at Epcot's Living Seas. For vacationers comments, see our Going Behind the Scenes forum on the PassPorter message boards. Here are Dave's comments:

"Jennifer and I finally got to see it yesterday. In a word, FANTASTIC!!!!"

"While the presentation is aimed at smaller kids (the seven and under set), the whole thing is funny, charming, entertaining, educational and so filled with "Gee whiz" on the tech side that I have to consider this a "Don't miss" attraction, no matter what your age."

"Consider; this is a computer-generated image, swimming in a fully-animated environment on a wall-sized screen. Like the talking trash can or Colonel Critchlow Suchbench at the Adventurers Club, there has to be a talented, human performer behind the scenes, watching the guests via video camera and interacting. However, unlike anything else you've ever seen, this character has an impressive range of emotional and facial expression, and remarkable range of motion. His beak (lips) moves in perfect sync with his words. In the show we attended, Crush was bummed-out, grinned and winked, beamed with enthusiasm.... To do this sort of thing in real time is nothing short of amazing."

"In a lot of ways, this show is a techno-cool version of Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends at Animal Kingdom, which has to be one of the weakest attractions at WDW. Both attractions try to educate and entertain kids by using cute, accessible animals. Both have audience interaction. But the resemblance ends there."

"One of these days this technology will undoubtedly be everywhere - at every museum and zoo (for educational purposes) and who knows where else for selling products, etc. It's an ingenious way of adapting the technology used in animated films like The Polar Express (human actors whose motion and expressions are captured on video and converted to animated characters). The same techniques were also used to animate Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, and to create "avatars" in virtual reality games."

"HOWEVER, to see it done real-time, with "fine detail" like lip movements and facial expressions, without a whole crew of technicians and dozens of computer processors working for hours to produce a finished minute of film (it wouldn't be affordable as a "small" attraction at WDW if it did).... I'm definitely blown away!"

"Hats off to anyone involved in developing this attraction!"

Jennifer, Dave and family have been busy at MouseFest 2004. Check out Dave's reports direct from the Disney Wonder at http://www.passporterboards.com

Have a question? Post it at http://www.passporterboards.com  -- and if you're lucky, you may find that folks have already asked and answered the same question that's on your mind!
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Future Newsletters:
Want To Get Published?

We're on the lookout for guest columnists to contribute articles to this newsletter. 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 details and our article guidelines, please e-mail news@passporter.com. Articles about Disney and general travel are welcomed!

 

From the Authors: Back From "The Mouse"

Hi, friends!

When last we met, the Marx family was packing and preparing for MouseFest 2004 -- cruising on the Disney Wonder and playing at Walt Disney World with our fellow Disney fans. Well, we've been "There and Back Again," (to borrow the original title of hobbit Bilbo Baggins' travel journal), and are busily catching up in the office and preparing for the upcoming holidays.

While our report on MouseFest will have to wait for the next newsletter, this trip was also our first opportunity to check out a variety of changes on the Disney Wonder and at Walt Disney World, and was our first Disney trip with an infant. Briefly, baby Alexander is a real trouper. You wouldn't think travel skills could be inherited, but it sure seemed that way. Our little one made his first jet flights with nary a whimper, and he soaked-up all the new and strange experiences with ease (more on all of this in that upcoming report). Meantime, Disney continues to serve-up new wonders. The new teen and adult areas on the Wonder are great additions, although with the busy MouseFest schedule, we had little time to enjoy them ourselves. Back at the theme parks we had our first chance to experience Stitch's Great Escape and to see the latest "Finding Nemo"-themed changes at Epcot's Living Seas.

Alas, we were hardly thrilled by Stitch. The former "Alien Encounter" at Magic Kingdom was a favorite of ours, and while we understand that Disney wanted to make that creepy thrill experience kid-friendly, they fell short on kid-friendliness and substituted a weak story line that simply peters-out at the end. We have nothing against kid-friendly attractions -- when Disney is doing its job right, the kid-friendly attractions possess a charm that more than compensates for the lack of "grown-up" features. In this case, the charm never arrives, and the kids are still faced with scary periods of extended darkness and the prospect of being shot at by laser cannons! Fortunately, it appears that Disney can revise this attraction with relatively little technical difficulty or expense. Let's hope they spend some time fine-tuning, very soon.

Meantime, over at Epcot's "Living Seas," the "Finding Nemo" makeover continues, with great success. New this trip is an exhibit about sharks, hosted by Bruce, the shark who swore off eating fish in the Pixar/Disney motion picture. The exhibit is a delightful mix of whimsy and education. Too bad 12-year-old, shark-obsessed Allie was too busy riding Mission Space and Test Track to catch this exhibit. But even better than Bruce's shark lesson is "Turtle Talk with Crush." The sea turtle that talks like a surfer dude, dude, is host of a brilliantly executed question-and-answer show. I've already written a bit about this on the PassPorter message boards, which we've repeated in the Q & A section of this newsletter.

So, may all your upcoming holidays be happy and healthy, and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year.

Thanks for being part of the PassPorter community,

Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Travel Press

 


 
 
 
 


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Travel Feature:

Puppy Love: Traveling With Your Furry Friends
By Melissa Calamera, Guest Columnist and Animal Lover

Travel is my passion. From the time I was 5 years old I've enjoyed experiencing the family-friendly attractions along the east coast. From Disney World to Hershey Park, Busch Gardens to Lake George, the New Jersey Shore to the Catskills, there is nothing more exciting -- the thrill of seeing new things, meeting new people, gaining knowledge through first-hand experiences and broadening your horizons in a way that will live on in memory sends a chill of exhilaration through my bones. While my love of travel dominates my mind and hopes for the future, there are many things that have to be considered in order to make a family vacation possible -- especially when the family includes a beloved pet. In 1999 my family decided to get a dog, a small Shih-Tzu named Oreo, who quickly became an important part of our lives. With the added responsibility of a dog we decided that it would not be the best idea to travel since we couldn't bear the idea of boarding her or leaving her at home. So for six years we put our family vacations on halt. Why, you ask? Because we did not know about the plethora of options available to travelers who would like to vacation with their pet.

All over the country are hotels, condos, resorts, and campgrounds that accept pets as members of the family, catering to all desires and budgets, as well as theme parks, shopping centers, city parks, beaches and other tourist attractions that allow pets to accompany you on your visit. There are also endless web sites out there to help you get started, with the best tips, tricks and advice on how to thoroughly enjoy your vacation while also keeping your pet safe and satisfied.

As with any other vacation, first you must decide where you would like to go. Don't let your pet dominate this decision -- there are pet-friendly accommodations and facilities in all areas nationwide, although there do tend to be more options available in big cities. Love the mountains? The Hilton Lake Placid Resort in Lake Placid, New York accepts pets and is nestled cozily amongst the Adirondack Mountains. Does the beach float your boat? Long Beach, California is the home of Recreation Dog Park, where dogs of all sizes are allowed to roam the beach freely. Love the non-stop action of a big city? New York City is home to hundreds of pet-friendly hotels, parks, shops and even restaurants, many of which give you pet free souvenirs and special menus. If the thrill of theme parks is what gets you going, then the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios Florida, located in Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, should be your first option, since leashed pets are allowed to roam the grounds freely and enjoy special in-room services.

Once you decide where your vacation travels will take you, it's time to decide where to stay. There are several different chain hotels, as well as privately owned luxury resorts, that are pet-friendly. If you're on a strict budget, the Choice Hotels Company offers a variety of options, including accommodations at Comfort Inn, MainStay Suites, Roadway Inn, and Econo Lodge hotel chains, most of which accept pets. (For more information visit choicehotels.com) Hilton resorts nationwide allow pets to accompany you on your trip, offering in room services such as pet toys, menus, beds and even spas. The Lancaster Host Resort is another beautiful option - located in the heart of Amish Country, pets are accepted for an extra $5 a night, and the all-inclusive resort is only 45 minutes from the family-friendly Hershey Park. Visit petsaccepted.com for more options and an endless selection of pet-friendly hotels to fit all budgets.

If you really want to give your pet the ultimate vacation, you could take part in pet-centered activities, programs and gatherings located across the country. Every November the "People & Pooch Pajama Party" is hosted in Carefree, Arizona, featuring caricatures, booths, games, rides and attractions for both families and their pets. The "Auburn Doggie Derby" is held every September in Auburn, California, where a doggie race, food and fun picture opportunities allow your pets to be the main attraction. Every October, Franklin, North Carolina in the Appalachian Mountains is the home of the "Annual Leaf Looking Camp for You and Your Dog," a week-long adventure that teaches both you and your pet how to live long, healthy lives by using natural remedies.

Whatever type of vacation you choose, always make sure that your pet is well cared for and safe. Regardless of your destination, be sure to have your pet's medical history on hand, including their documented vaccinations and check-up information. Never leave a dog alone in the car - this is extremely dangerous and illegal in many states. Be sure to arrange a time for housekeeping to clean up your room when you are staying at a hotel -- make sure your pet is either kept safely away in a carrying case or cage, or take the pet out of the room. If your pet is on a special diet be sure to bring their food along, as well as medications and any toys or beds that would help them to feel comfortable and more at home.

As long as you're prepared, you can enjoy a fun and exciting family vacation along with your pet. Pick an interesting location, a fabulous accommodation, make your reservations and get going! For more information, "Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA Petbook," written and published by AAA Travel Experts, is a great resource that includes all the ins and outs of traveling with your pet, as well as accommodations and special pet-friendly attractions. So start packing -- don't forget the doggie food -- and get ready for the vacation of a lifetime!

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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 plans.
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Disney Feature:

No Strings: Solo Travel at Walt Disney World
by William J. Garmer Jr., Guest Columnist

I never particularly thought of myself as Pinocchio. I was always more the Peter Pan type in my mind -- I didn't want to grow up. Still don't, in fact. But when I began taking solo trips to Walt Disney World, I got that wonderful feeling of 'no strings' so strongly that I found myself avoiding Sea World for fear of the whales!

What is it about a solo trip that is so appealing to me? Well, in order to understand that, you have to understand what my non-solo trips are like.

My first trip to Walt Disney World was in August of 1990. My friend Frank and his wife Terri went to Orlando several times a year to visit Terri's family in Kissimmee. Frank's enthusiasm for the Disney parks was so infectious, when they invited me to join them, I jumped at the chance.

I wound up tagging along with Frank and Terri on more trips over the next couple of years. But as much as I enjoyed those trips, I always had a desire to try WDW on my own. Growing up I went to local theme parks (Hershey Park or King's Dominion) every year. By the time I was 13 or so I was allowed to wander those small parks alone. This was a great feeling for me, freeing me from the need to ride only those rides that my family wanted to ride. On all my trips to WDW with friends, I always felt it would be impolite to ditch them.

My friends and I have similar, but not identical, taste in attractions and rides. They like thrill rides and roller coasters a lot, but I was always a "Coaster Chicken" (until Frank tricked me onto Space Mountain in 1990, but that's another story). My friends are very energetic and like to keep moving all day on a vacation, but I like to slow down and smell the roses, maybe even read a book or watch some TV. To Frank watching TV on vacation is only something you do to see tomorrow's weather report, and reading a book is a form of heresy!

Finally in early 1999, I decided to make a solo trip. I picked my dates, planned the trip out in advance, made all my reservations, and sat back to wait for the trip to arrive.

Aside from a few day-trips and overnights, this was the first time I had ever taken an out-of-town trip on my own. Added to the usual anticipation of a Disney trip was the added "specialness" of flying, which I love but don't do very often. The fact that my outbound travel day was my thirtieth birthday, and that my last two nights in Orlando would be my first at a Disney Moderate (the Caribbean Beach Resort) contributed to my excitement as well.

That trip was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Having been to WDW so many times before, I was fairly knowledgeable about the resorts, parks, and attractions, but for the first time ever, I was able to experience them at my own slower pace, in whatever order I decided, and to repeat a few of my favorites -- none of which I could do when touring with friends.

I had several completely new experiences on that trip, beginning with flying alone to a city 900 miles from home and checking into a hotel by myself. I've never been afraid to do things by myself, but I'd always had a safety net of family and friends to call upon that would not be there in Florida. Still, I was not terribly afraid of getting on the plane and flying away because I truly enjoy the experience of flying. But when I got off the plane and made my way toward the main terminal, I had my one and only moment of apprehension. As I looked out the windows and saw palm trees, it drove home the knowledge of just how far away from home I really was.

I took a few seconds to look out the windows and reassure myself that even though I was far from home, I was in a place that I knew very well, that I had visited many times before. By the time I got to my hotel, the Days Inn Lake Buena Vista, all I could think of was what to enjoy next.

I was apprehensive about driving myself around Disney World and the surrounding area, because I tend to get lost on unfamiliar streets. But since I was staying at an off-site hotel for the bulk of the trip, I felt that I had no choice but to rent a car rather than rely on shuttle buses or taxis. Driving was not an issue, however, only navigation. With the help of a few good maps, I was able to get to my hotel without getting lost, and to drive around WDW and even up to Universal Studios during the week with only a few wrong turns.

I also found myself feeling a little awkward about eating in full-service restaurants alone. On that first solo trip, I only ate in one sit-down place, an off-site Sizzler, and stuck with counter-service the rest of the time. I have since overcome that discomfort, because I have found that wait staff in most restaurants, especially WDW restaurants, make a special effort to engage solo diners in conversation and to make their dining experience comfortable and enjoyable. I have also found a wonderful side-effect of dining alone - getting into a WDW restaurant with no advance Priority Seating is far easier for one person than for a group! On subsequent solo trips I have gotten into most restaurants with little or no wait.

Another new experience was taking a behind-the-scenes tour. I signed up a few months ahead of time for "Hidden Treasures," a tour of the World Showcase at Epcot, and as it turned out, the tour group that day was only five strong, so our tour guide was able to answer a lot of our questions in much greater detail than he would have with a larger group. Tours like this were not something I had ever considered when I traveled with my friends, because none of them had ever wanted to try one.

I found myself spending a lot of time simply sitting on benches, watching people go by. I really enjoyed sitting around, enjoying the Disney atmosphere, examining little details, listening to the background music, and relaxing in the warm Florida sunshine.

And I was able to go back to some of my favorite attractions and repeat them, while skipping some of those that I didn't care to try, just like my solo expeditions at other theme parks when I was a kid. Instead of forcing myself onto Tower of Terror because my friends wanted to go on, I repeated Star Tours. Instead of spending an hour in an arcade being bored while my friend Rick played video games, I wandered through shops and stores. And instead of hanging around as my friend Frank talked fish with the Cast Members at the Living Seas, a subject that has always left me high and dry, I went over to the Wonders of Life and saw Cranium Command again.

Since that trip in 1999, I have made five more solo trips, and have another in the works for next April. I'm now as hooked on solo trips as I am on trips to Walt Disney World. Hopefully I will be able to not only continue taking those trips for years to come, but to share the fun with others who may want to try solo trips, but feel nervous about traveling or touring WDW alone. I can assure you, there is nothing to be nervous about, and the wonderful benefits of a solo trip will soon eliminate any fears you might have.

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Check out William's trip reports on his web site:
http://cablespeed.com/~wgarmer/

Did you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail us at news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss planning your solo trip. 


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