Why World of Color Made Me Cry Last Night

Last night I experienced World of Color at Disney California Adventure for the first time. It was the last show before it went into renovations and I felt fortunate to catch it. In my eagerness, I waited two hours to make sure I had a good spot even though I had dined on the Carthay Circle World of Color dining package and had a voucher for a premium viewing area. Everything I’d researched in advance and the cast members last night before the show confirmed this meant I,d. E front and center, but it turned out I was not at the front — I was two viewing areas back. I’m still not sure if that was a mistake, a change, or a misunderstanding. But that’s not what made me cry.

It was spitting rain last night, and a wee chilly. The day had been humid and cloudy. But yesterday I was in Michigan where it is 14 degrees, so that’s not what made me cry.

I played the Fun Wheel Challenge before World of Color began. This is a game you can play on your smart device. It’s a bit like Simon, only the color sequences are displayed on Mickey’s Fun Wheel (awesome). I did pretty good I think. I didn’t win and get to control the Fun Wheel light for thirty seconds, but that’s not what made me cry.

The show itself was a marvel of lights, images, music, and special effects. For those who haven’t seen it, it is essentially a light show with images displayed on big fans of water spray. If you’ve seen Fantasmic!, it uses that same thing but World of Color does a lot more. The special effects were fun — the fire effect was bright and intense. Unfortunately, I’d inadvertently chosen a spot that was directly in front of a special effects cannon, so it went off a couple feet from my face several times. The first time was startling; the rest was just a bit annoying. But that’s not what made me cry.

I was really enjoying World of Color and was impressed by the music quality and sound, imagery, and wide scope of the visual field. Then the Frozen sequence started. Anyone who listens to me on my podcast knows that while I liked. The “Frozen” movie, I do think it is a bit overdone at the parks. I might have quirked an eyebrow when Elsa began singing “Let It go.” Then it hit me. I keep this pretty secret, but now I have to spill the beans. “Let It Go” pretty much sums up me and my life over the past decade. I won’t go into the personal details (and there’s always my personal blog if you want to learn more) but really — this song could have been written about me. When I heard it loud and saw the amazing effects on the water, I began to sing along . . . and suddenly I realized how much the words of this song mean to me, and what it means to me personally to be standing here, alone, in Disneyland, watching this.

I came to Disneyland to work on the new edition of Disneyland. I have an awesome co-author (Ginger Jabour) and contributor (Kristin Billings) doing most of the hard work, but there are some things only I can do. So here I am, working hard and doing great. I’m able to update the book on my iPad as I tour around thanks to a new book editing system I programmed. I took photos of EVERY open attraction, eatery, shop, and entertainment for new features coming to PassPorter, including our mew Disney Trip Planner Tools (see DisneyPlanner.com) and our upcoming Online Guides. And I’m taking notes on my experiences for the PassPorter podcast with my awesome co-host Sara. I have some a LONG way since the first edition of PassPorter’s Disneyland. Big changes are underway because I have found the courage to make them. I feel like I am standing on the verge of a great new chapter for PassPorter, a chapter I am writing with all the experience of decades of hard work and with the courage to change. So when I heard Elsa sing these words…

It’s time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me I’m free!

… I cried. Tears of joy and happiness and freedom.

And as the show continued, the tears kept coming. It was moving and joyful. It summed up everything about Disney I adore and why I’ve chosen to make it my life’s labor of love.

At the end they flashed a sentence up in the water. It was so small and unheralded it almost felt like a personal message to me, and hopefully to the thousands of others standing there with me. It said, “All our dreams can come true if we have to the courage to pursue them.”

Yes, I believe this. It’s hard to be courageous, and sometimes that dream turns out differently than how you first envisioned it, but. Life. Has shown this to be true for me . . . And I hope others, too.

So I walked away from that show happy and awed, face wet with tears, moved beyond imagining.

Thank you, Disney, for World of Color.

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How Well Do You Know Tomorrowland? Take Our Quiz!

So how well do you really know Walt Disney? Our friends at Celebrations magazine are sharing their great quizzes with PassPorter fans. Here’s a new quiz by Tim Foster that quizzes you on how well you know Tomorrowland at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Try it and see how you do!

The scores are just for fun, but we’d still love to see them! Share them on Facebook, Twitter, or just reply to this blog post.

About the quiz author: Tim Foster is the founder of Celebrations Magazine, as well as the author of the Guide to the Magic book series, which includes the Guide to the Magic for Kids, and the Deluxe Autograph & Sticker Book. Inspired by the vision, imagination, and innovation of Walt Disney and all of the Imagineers and Cast Members that make Walt Disney World as magical as it is, Tim created the books, magazine, and website to share the magic of Disney with everyone. Tip: Subscribe and save 15% off the magazine’s cover price at http://www.celebrationspress.com. 

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Which Disney Princess or Prince Are You Most Like? Take Our Quiz!

Our friends at Celebrations magazine are sharing another of their fabulous quizzes with PassPorter this month. Here’s a fun quiz by Jennifer Bright Reich that helps you find out which famous Disney Princess or Prince you are most like!

The personality test is just for fun, but I’d still love to see them! Share them on Facebook, Twitter, or just reply to this blog post.

How did I do?

Which Disney Princess or Prince Are You? Let us know who you get by replying here or on Facebook!

About the quiz author: Jennifer Bright Reich is the director of partnerships and marketing at Celebrations Press, publisher of Celebrations magazine and the Guide to the Magic book series, at http://www.celebrationspress.com. She is anxiously awaiting her family’s next trip to Walt Disney World. Subscribe and save 15% off the magazine’s cover price at celebrationspress.com.

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Disney Bound as Tinker Bell: My Dream Trip Outfit

It’s going to be chilly this week in Florida for my Disney road trip, so I put together a Florida-friendly warm outfit — that means it’s layered! I was inspired by the Disney Bound trend of using fashionable, non-costume clothing to represent your favorite Disney character — and mine is Tinker Bell. Yes, I’m a little eccentric and quirky … what do you expect for a Disney geek like me? It leans way toward comfortable than fashionable, but hey, that’s what I like!

Details on my Disney Bound: 

Coat — I made this coat myself from upcycled cashmere sweaters, a la Katwise! I added a linen circle underskirt for fun. See my tutorial on how to make this.

Hat — A simple newsboy hat from the same green linen as the underskirt!

Outfit — I’m wearing my green Lands End PassPorter shirt, paired with a pretty green linen circle skirt that matches the hat — super twirly and comfy.

Sneakers — Just simple green canvas shoes from Target. I’m not a shoe girl.

Accessories — A Tinker Bell cover band on my pink MagicBand (see my tutorial) and a pretty pink felt flower hair clip. I’m not a jewelry girl, either.

Bag — Ah, I wish I had this one! But sadly, I do not own it and it’s sold out at the Disney Store. I am seriously considering picking one up a different one on my trip, though. Stay tuned!

Don’t forget to follow me on my Great American Disney Road Trip!

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Follow Along On Our Disney Road Trip (+ 7 Tips for Packing for Road Trips)

Goodbye, snow — hello, sunshine!
It’s time for mid-winter break and we’re escaping the frozen tundra of Michigan for instant spring in Florida and the Bahamas. Follow along as we take a Great American Road Trip to the south, stopping along the way at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and visiting Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, LEGOLAND, and Kennedy Space Center. Then we’ll give our car a rest as we board the Disney Dream for a 4-night Bahamas cruise before heading back north.

Here’s our current schedule for those interested:

• 2/14 – Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
• 2/16 – Animal Kingdom Lodge and Magic Kingdom
• 2/17 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a little PassPorter Meet in the evening (8:30 pm @ The Mara @ Animal Kingdom Lodge — all are welcome and I’ll have PassPorter Pal pins to hand out)
• 2/18 – Epcot
• 2/19 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom & check-in at Cabana Bay Resort
• 2/20 – Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure
• 2/21 – LEGOLAND
• 2/22 – Kennedy Space Center
• 2/23 – Disney Dream 4-night cruise

Follow Along On Our Disney Road Trip

You can follow along on our adventures the whole way! We’ll be posting and tweeting updates, photos, and videos as we go with our fancy new wi-fi enabled camera, sharing all the cool and new things we discover. We’ll even do our best to take requests for photos or videos if you post it there or message us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Here are the links to our various posts and streams:

2/13 – Disney Bound as Tinker Bell: My Road Trip Outfit

PassPorter’s Facebook and Jennifer Marx’s Facebook

PassPorter’s Instagram – http://instagram.com/passporterguides

PassPorter’s YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/PassPorterGuides

PassPorter’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/passporterbooks

PassPorter Photo Archive – http://www.passporter.com/photos

Here is our Instagram feed to get you started:

Top 7 Tips for Packing for a Road Trip

Here are the seven must-have things I recommend packing for an epic road trip:

1. Music – Make a play list of music, podcasts, and audiobooks on your phone or iPod to listen to when you go through boring radio station zones. One of my all-time favorite set of songs for a Disney road trip is the Cars album. Life is a Highway!

2. Snacks – Visit the grocery store and get yummy, healthy snacks and drinks at decent prices in advance rather than rely on the junk you find in gas stations. Plus, then you have it when you need it. Oh, and I recommend clear liquids for the kids. Alexander does still spill his drinks from time to time!

3. Maps – Map out your route in advance on your phone or GPS. But don’t rely on just your phone or GPS. I still print out a simple route from Google Maps and stash it in my car, just in case I have bad reception or a phone that I forgot to charge.

4. Power – Make sure you’ve got enough chargers in your phone to keep all your devices charged while you’re driving, and make sure you test them before you leave! I also like to have a battery converter in my car in case I need to charge things like laptops or Nintendo DSs.

5. Entertainment – When Alexander was young, I had to focus more on keeping him entertained. I used a combination of paper-based activities, movies, and games that we played in the car. These days, as a road-hardened traveler, he pretty much entertains himself either on the iPad or just by looking out the window. I am helping things out, however, by downloading a couple of movies to my iPad. I’m also making him a Disney Surprise Bag with little activities and other things he likes, and he’ll earn them as we drive along to give him something to look forward to.

6. Luggage – I like to pack my stuff for a road trip the same way I pack for a flight , using regular wheeled suitcases that hold the things I really need. That’s because it makes it a lot easier to get in and out of hotels. And on this trip, I’ll be staying in seven different hotels, so it’s important that I can move in and out without a lot of fuss. Avoid the temptation to just use your car as some sort of big suitcase! I make two exceptions to this rule: The first is that I always pack blankets and pillows in the car — they are so nice to have on a road trip and you can just leave them in the car. The second is I like to have a separate overnight bag just for those motel stays during the trip — something I can grab quickly when I have to stop at night to sleep and help a sleepy kid navigate into the room.

7. Emergency Kit – Always take a road emergency kit with you, just in case. In addition to the usual car stuff, I also add in a first aid kit and cleaning supplies (trash bags and disinfectant wipes, because, spills!) I also recommend a roadside assistance service. I love AAA. I’ve been a member for something like 20 years now and it’s so worth it to me because I inevitably need a few jumpstarts each year after we left a door open. And AAA will help when you’re driving a rental, too. Some rental companies offer roadside assistance, too.

And don’t forget — pack the car the day before you leave. It is much less stressful and it’s fun to just wake up, take a shower, and hop in the car for your adventure.

Remember, if you have requests for photos or videos on our trip, let us know!

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Disney Cruise Line Changes Some Payment Due Deadlines and Cancellation Penalties

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How Well Do You Know Walt Disney? Take Our Quiz and Find Out!

So how well do you really know Walt Disney? Our friends at Celebrations magazine are sharing their great quizzes with PassPorter fans. Here’s a new quiz by Jennifer Bright Reich that quizzes you on how well you know the man behind the mouse, Walt Disney. Try it and see how you do!

The scores are just for fun, but we’d still love to see them! Share them on Facebook, Twitter, or just reply to this blog post.

About the quiz author: Jennifer Bright Reich is the director of partnerships and marketing at Celebrations Press, publisher of Celebrations magazine and the Guide to the Magic book series, at http://www.celebrationspress.com. Tip: Subscribe and save 15% off the magazine’s cover price at http://www.celebrationspress.com. 

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Disney Cruise Line Q&A: Passports, Port Hotels, and Rental Car Shuttles

Hi ,I have a few questions Id like to see if you can help me with. Firstly- can you do a 3 day cruise with Disney to Bahamas without having to obtain a passport for it- (Expensive for a one time 3 day trip) also, we are considering leaving one evening ,flying to Orlando,renting a car, driving to Port Canaveral to save on transfer fees and staying a t nearest hotel to terminal (any recommendations???) then like to return car next morning but need ride to terminal- do rental companies nearby there pick up? When return to Pt Canaveral we will do one way transfers as we will be heading to WDW for a week. I appreciate any help and insight you can give me.

Let’s break this down.

Question: Can you do a 3-night cruise to the Bahamas without a passport?

Answer: Yes, in most cases you can do a Disney cruise to the Bahamas if you’re a U.S. citizen without a passport. U.S. citizens traveling to the Bahamas by sea (not air) can use a valid U.S. passport or passport card, a valid Trusted Traveler Card, or a government issued photo ID along with a state-issued birth certificate. I just double-checked this on the DisneyCruise.com web site, too.

Question: Do you have any recommendations for a hotel near the Port Canaveral terminal?

Answer: I’ve stayed in a bunch of hotels: Radisson Resort, Cocoa Beach Suites (formerly Quality Suites), Motel 6, Residence Inn, Holiday Inn Club Vacations (formerly Ron Jon Cape Caribe), etc. They were all fine for what they are — a place to sleep the night before. I’ve got them all detailed in the PassPorter’s Disney Cruise guidebook. I may stay in one again this February. I recommend you pick the one that fits your budget — you probably won’t spend much time there.

Question: Do any rental car companies in Port Canaveral give rides to the cruise terminal?

Answer: Yes indeed. Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and Thrifty all have complimentary shuttles from the offices to the terminal. I recommend you shop around for a good rate with one of them, and then call to confirm that their shuttle details. I just double-checked with Avis, and sure enough they still have their complimentary shuttle service and no advance reservations are required for it — you can read the details here: http://www.aviscapecanaveral.com/shuttle.php

I’m greatly looking forward to my visit to Port Canaveral in just a little over a month!

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How Well Do You Know the Most Decorated Place on Earth? (Walt Disney World!)

Ready for a Disney holiday quiz? Our friends at Celebrations magazine are sharing their great quizzes with PassPorter fans. Here’s a fun holiday quiz by Jennifer Bright Reich that quizzes you on how well you know all the ins and outs of the amazing holiday decorations at Walt Disney World! Like our Animal Kingdom quiz last time, this quiz is packed full of trivia, from knowing the height of the tallest holiday tree to knowing how the Dream Lights are attached to Cinderella Castle. Try it and see how you do!

The scores are just for fun, but we’d still love to see them! Share them on Facebook, Twitter, or just reply to this blog post.

About the quiz author: Jennifer Bright Reich is the director of partnerships and marketing at Celebrations Press, publisher of Celebrations magazine and the Guide to the Magic book series, at http://www.celebrationspress.com. She is anxiously awaiting her family’s next trip to Walt Disney World

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How Well Do You Know Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Take Our Quiz!

Our friends at Celebrations magazine are sharing their fabulous quizzes with PassPorter fans. Here’s a fun quiz by Jennifer Bright Reich that quizzes you on how well you REALLY know Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Like our Epcot quiz last month, this quiz is packed full of trivia, from knowing the name of the vehicles on DINOSAUR to figuring out the height of the Tree of Life. Try it and see how you do!

The scores are just for fun, but I’d still love to see them! Share them on Facebook, Twitter, or just reply to this blog post.

About the quiz author: Jennifer Bright Reich is the director of partnerships and marketing at Celebrations Press, publisher of Celebrations magazine and the Guide to the Magic book series, at http://www.celebrationspress.com. She is anxiously awaiting her family’s next trip to Walt Disney World

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Why World of Color Made Me Cry Last Night

Last night I experienced World of Color at Disney California Adventure for the first time. It was the last show before it went into renovations and I felt fortunate to catch it. In my eagerness, I waited two hours to make sure I had a good spot even though I had dined on the Carthay Circle World of Color dining package and had a voucher for a premium viewing area. Everything I'd researched in advance and the cast members last night before the show confirmed this meant I,d. E front and center, but it turned out I was not at the front -- I was two viewing areas back. I'm still not sure if that was a mistake, a change, or a misunderstanding. But that's not what made me cry. It was spitting rain last night, and a wee chilly. The day had been humid and cloudy. But yesterday I was in Michigan where it is 14 degrees, so that's not what made me cry. I played the Fun Wheel Challenge before World of Color began. This is a game you can play on your smart device. It's a bit like Simon, only the color sequences are displayed on Mickey's Fun Wheel (awesome). I did pretty good I think. I didn't win and get to control the Fun Wheel light for thirty seconds, but that's not what made me cry. The show itself was a marvel of lights, images, music, and special effects. For those who haven't seen it, it is essentially a light show with images displayed on big fans of water spray. If you've seen Fantasmic!, it uses that same thing but World of Color does a lot more. The special effects were fun -- the fire effect was bright and intense. Unfortunately, I'd inadvertently chosen a spot that was directly in front of a special effects cannon, so it went off a couple feet from my face several times. The first time was startling; the rest was just a bit annoying. But that's not what made me cry. I was really enjoying World of Color and was impressed by the music quality and sound, imagery, and wide scope of the visual field. Then the Frozen sequence started. Anyone who listens to me on my podcast knows that while I liked. The "Frozen" movie, I do think it is a bit overdone at the parks. I might have quirked an eyebrow when Elsa began singing "Let It go." Then it hit me. I keep this pretty secret, but now I have to spill the beans. "Let It Go" pretty much sums up me and my life over the past decade. I won't go into the personal details (and there's always my personal blog if you want to learn more) but really -- this song could have been written about me. When I heard it loud and saw the amazing effects on the water, I began to sing along . . . and suddenly I realized how much the words of this song mean to me, and what it means to me personally to be standing here, alone, in Disneyland, watching this. I came to Disneyland to work on the new edition of Disneyland. I have an awesome co-author (Ginger Jabour) and contributor (Kristin Billings) doing most of the hard work, but there are some things only I can do. So here I am, working hard and doing great. I'm able to update the book on my iPad as I tour around thanks to a new book editing system I programmed. I took photos of EVERY open attraction, eatery, shop, and entertainment for new features coming to PassPorter, including our mew Disney Trip Planner Tools (see DisneyPlanner.com) and our upcoming Online Guides. And I'm taking notes on my experiences for the PassPorter podcast with my awesome co-host Sara. I have some a LONG way since the first edition of PassPorter's Disneyland. Big changes are underway because I have found the courage to make them. I feel like I am standing on the verge of a great new chapter for PassPorter, a chapter I am writing with all the experience of decades of hard work and with the courage to change. So when I heard Elsa sing these words...

It's time to see what I can do To test the limits and break through No right, no wrong, no rules for me I'm free!

... I cried. Tears of joy and happiness and freedom. And as the show continued, the tears kept coming. It was moving and joyful. It summed up everything about Disney I adore and why I've chosen to make it my life's labor of love. At the end they flashed... Keep reading ...

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Disney Book Blog

A Disney blog by Disney book author Jennifer Marx