Travel Guide Updates for PassPorterŽ Walt Disney WorldŽ 2002 
(fourth edition, released February 2002)

These updates were current as of 11/15/2002. Visit http://www.passporter.com/wdw/bookupdates.htm again for the most recent list of book updates. 

TIP: You can download a printable version of the book updates for your PassPorter. Just download the PDF File, print, trim, and go! (Here are PDF file directions.)

Reminder: These updates do not include every new thing at Walt Disney World as that would require an entirely new book to explain (and, yes, we will have a 2003 edition available in January)! Instead, this chart only lists the pages in PassPorter Walt Disney World 2002 which would be out-of-date or incorrect without this information.

Date Page  Update Description
4/4/2002 ii The new elastic band comes attached to the back cover of the spiral edition only. The deluxe edition does not need an elastic band as it is designed to fit inside the binder which has a secure snap closure.
4/4/2002 vi The Theme Park Commandos web site is no longer available at its listed address, and no new address has been located.
11/15/2002 10 The Disney Club is going away. No new memberships will be taken after December 12, 2002, and benefits for cardholders will end on December 31, 2002. It's speculated that Disney Club is making way for the new BankOne/Visa affinity card that will offer special benefits to cardholders. The affinity card isn't yet available however.
11/15/2002 11 American Express no longer offers its White Glove Treatment at Disney, nor any of the discounts it used to give at the Downtown Disney shops, on guided tours, or at dinner shows.
4/4/2002 29 You can now pay your resort room deposit over the phone with a variety of credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diner's Club, and The Disney Credit Card. In the past you could only pay deposits over the phone with American Express and The Disney Credit Card. 
11/15/2002 30 The packages are now called "Dream Maker" and come in Basic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Romance. They are roughly equivalent to the packages described in the 2002 edition. For more details, visit http://www.waltdisneyworld.com
11/15/2002 31 Character Caravan has been discontinued in favor of Extra Magic Hour (see below).
11/15/2002 32 Early entry is back, and now known as Extra Magic Hour. Disney resort guests are allowed into one the parks one hour early. The schedule for Extra Magic Hour is as follows:
Monday - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Tuesday - Disney-MGM Studios
Wednesday - Epcot
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Friday - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Disney-MGM  Studios
Sunday - Magic Kingdom
4/4/2002 44 The TVs in the one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas at the BoardWalk Villas are best described as “big-screen TVs” rather than “wide-screen TVs.”
9/5/2002 50 Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will temporarily close on September 8 for renovation, not opening again until December 2002. When it reopens, the Old Port Royale restaurant and shop complex will sport a brand-new full-service restaurant ("Shutters"), redesigned food court check-out and seating areas, and some small changes to the gift shop.
4/4/2002 50 Direct buses to Downtown Disney are now available from the Contemporary Resort throughout the day. Previously, prior to 4:00 pm, guests had to travel to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) to catch a Downtown Disney bus. The Downtown Disney bus at TTC has been discontinued.
4/4/2002 54 The Contemporary Resort’s North Wing is occupied by Shades of Green during that resort’s renovation.
11/15/2002 60-63 Lodging at the Disney Institute is closed while it undergoes renovations (the Spa and corporate training programs continue). The resort is expected to re-open in 2004 as a new Disney Vacation Club resort called "Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa." For more details, see our report at http://www.passporter.com/wdw/disneyinstitutedvc.htm
4/4/2002 65 Transportation at Fort Wilderness has improved! Outpost Depot (near the registration building) now has direct buses to Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Downtown Disney. Settlement Depot still offers direct buses to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach. A new bus route loops between Settlement Depot, Wilderness Lodge, and Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC), but it does not make internal stops in the campground. So you no longer have to travel to TTC for transport to Epcot, Studios, or Downtown Disney. Instead, take an internal bus or walk to Outpost Depot and transfer to a direct bus.
4/4/2002 69 Direct buses to Downtown Disney are now available from the Grand Floridian Resort throughout the day. 
4/4/2002 72 Like the TVs at the BoardWalk Villas, the TVs in the one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas at Old Key West are really “big-screen TVs.”
11/15/2002 76 The Polynesian Resort is undergoing renovations which are expected to be completed by mid-2003. The resort remains open.
4/4/2002 77 Direct buses to Downtown Disney are now available from the Contemporary Resort throughout the day. 
9/5/2002 78 Religious services are no longer offered in the Luau Cove at the Polynesian Resort.
4/4/2002 80 Still no word on when Pop Century will open, but we hear it is in “good shape” to open when demand dictates it.
11/15/2002 84 Port Orleans French Quarter re-opened fully in late May 2002.
4/4/2002 91 Direct buses to Downtown Disney are now available from the Wilderness Lodge Resort throughout the day.
4/4/2002 91 The page reference to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue show should be page 234, not 224.
9/5/2002 91 The Wilderness Lodge bus no longer goes to the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian before continuing on to its destination. Instead, Ft. Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge are sharing bus routes.
9/5/2002 95 The Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe Emporium at the Beach Club Resort has been expanded and now offers more of everything!
4/4/2002 99 Shades of Green, the Armed Forces Recreation Center closed on April 1 so they can add 300 new rooms, two new restaurants, and banquet facilities. They also plan to build a new, multi-level parking structure, presumably to replace the space used in the hotel expansion. Until the plussed-up resort opens in September 2003, Shades of Green guests are being put up at the Contemporary’s North Garden Wing, at traditional Shades of Green prices. Get more details at http://www.armymwr.com/shades/contemp.htm. Also note that the new address for the Shades of Green Web site is http://www.shadesofgreen.org.
9/5/2002 100 Beach Club Villas are now open. You can book a studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom villa at the Beach Club Resort and have full access to the beloved Stormalong Bay pool complex. We stayed here in July 2002 and had a wonderful time. Our two-bedroom villa was spacious and the walk to the resort's facilities wasn't too bad. We enjoyed having the DVD player in the room (these are available in the one- and two-bedroom villas). We especially liked the two common areas on the first floor. Simply delightful!
4/4/2002 101 The new Disney Vacation Club resort at Eagle Pines Golf Course continues on track for a 2004 or 2005 opening.
11/15/2002 102 Some of the four-night cruise itineraries still includes a stop at Freeport. Also, the 2002 Value Season seven-day land/sea packages start at $829 per person (based on double occupancy) for a standard inside stateroom. Cruise-only vacations start at $439. The Disney Cruise Line reservation number should be listed as 1-800-DCL-2500. 
11/15/2002 103 We're hard at work on a guidebook just for Disney cruises. We expect to have it available in January 2003. Learn more about it!
4/4/2002 104 The Disney Vacation Club is adding a new resort on the current site of the Disney Institute. The DVC villas will be an all-new construction. For details: http://www.passporter.com/wdw/disneyinstitutedvc.htm
9/5/2002 104 Disney Vacation Club members can no longer pool-hop at the Stormalong Bay pool complex at the Yacht and Beach Club (unless you are staying at one of the resorts, of course).
4/4/2002 106 The new book we mention, “A Walt Disney World Outing: The Only Vacation Planning Guide Exclusively for Gay and Lesbian Travelers” is now available and we think it’s excellent. It’s authored by Dann Hazel & Josh Fippen. The book is available at Amazon.com.
4/4/2002 114 New hand-held, wireless electronic devices provide closed-captioning (for the hearing-impaired) at more than 20 Walt Disney World attractions, and narration in five foreign languages for more than 13 attractions. Translations are offered in French, German, Japanese, Portugese, and Spanish. The devices are available free of charge at theme park Guest Relations.
4/4/2002 115 Disney is in the process of introducing a new system for measuring children for rides that carry height restrictions. At some parks, kids are measured once as they enter the park and are issued a color-coded wristband. Ride operators then know at a glance whether a child is big enough, or not.
4/4/2002 115 The note on Guidemaps should read as follows: Free maps are available at the parks. Disney provides a separate schedule sheet (Times Guide) with showtimes and events.
9/5/2002 115 Stroller rental prices have increased. Single strollers have gone from $7 to $8/day. Double strollers have gone from $13 to $15/day.
11/15/2002 116-117 Park pass prices increased in October 2002. You can get all the park pass prices at http://www.waltdisneyworld.com
4/4/2002 132 Magic Kingdom’s Legend of the Lion King has closed (and is likely to become a legend in its own right). It will be replaced in 2003 by Mickey’s PhilharMagic Orchestra, a 3-D animated film. They say Simba will be back, along with a mouse, a duck, a mermaid, and several other familiar faces. A sign outside the coming attraction reports that the film will be shown on a 150-foot-wide screen, the largest ever for 3-D. 
4/4/2002 143 The new Mission:Space Web site is up! You can check it out at: http://www.disney.go.com/vacations/missionspace/index.html
11/15/2002 158 Walt Disney: One Man's Dream will remain open after the 100 Years of Magic Celebration comes to a close on February 28, 2003
11/15/2002 158 The grand prize in "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire--Play It!" is now a 3-night Disney Cruise for four (includes airfare). This replaces the trip to New York City for two to see a taping of the show.
9/5/2002 171 Primeval Whirl, a pair of “wild mouse” roller coasters, opened March 2002 at Chester & Hester's DinoRama, in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As if sharp zigs and zags, and short drops aren't enough, the round ride vehicles spin as they go around sharp bends. Coaster fans consider this type of ride just a step up from “kid’s stuff.” If you can deal with Space Mountain and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, this one should be a piece of prehistoric pound cake. FASTPASS is available at this attraction.
4/4/2002 180-181 River Country water park will not be opening in 2002. It may open again in the future if guest attendance at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon warrants it. Note also that Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon were recently named as the world’s most popular water parks by Amusement Business magazine.
9/5/2002 182 Three new stores have opened at Downtown Disney Marketplace: Once Upon a Toy (huge toy store with unique items), Disney's Pin Traders (pins, pins, and more pins!), and Summer Sands (swimwear). Note that Toys Fantastic and Captain's Tower have closed.
4/4/2002 190 Mannequins completed renovations and is open.
4/4/2002 194 The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is negotiating to hold the team's summer training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports. 
9/5/2002 194 The Spa at the Disney Institute began a new treatment for kids ages 10-14 on October 1. The "Minnie" treatment includes a facial, pedicure, and manicure.
4/4/2002 201 Scott Thomas’ handy Priority Seating Calculator has a new address: http://pscalculator.net
9/5/2002 205 The Crystal Palace is undergoing renovations until December 15, 2002. You can dine with Pooh and friends at Tony's Town Square Restaurant in the interim--both breakfast and lunch with the characters are offered. Tony's still offers its regular menu at lunch and dinner.
9/5/2002 208 Restaurant Akershus in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot currently offers the Princess Storybook character breakfast at 8:30-10:30 am.
9/5/2002 225 California Grill requests that guests come in "smart casual," which generally means no tank  tops.
9/5/2002 225 Captain's Tavern at the Caribbean Beach Resort is closed (as is the resort until the end of 2002). A new restaurant called "Shutters" will takes its place when the resort re-opens. This new, 120-seat, casual family restaurant will serve "American cuisine inspired by the flavors of the Caribbean" and have a "comfortable and cozy" environment, decorated in "playful colors...reminiscent of the historic Caribbean." A full bar will feature a variety of tropical drinks. Shutters will be open only for dinner. While menu details and approximate prices aren't available at this time, it's likely that the restaurant will also be priced similarly to Captain's Tavern (entrees in the $14-$22 range).
9/5/2002 231 The Yacht Club Galley re-opened in June for breakfast and lunch only. It now opens at 7:30 am and closes at 2:00 pm.
9/5/2002 232 You now need to pay a deposit when you make a priority seating for Cinderella's Royal Table character breakfast. The deposit is $10/adult and $5/child, and you will lose your deposit if you cancel less than 24 hours before your breakfast.
9/5/2002 233 Restaurant Akershus now has a character breakfast with princesses! The Princess Storybook Breakfast will be open until the end of the year--whether or not it is permanent remains to be seen. The breakfast is served family-style. Characters may include Snow White, Belle, and other princesses (but not Cinderella). Priority seatings can be made 120 days in advance.
4/4/2002 234 The 9:30 pm Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is back! As attendance at Walt Disney World grows, the cutbacks shrink. It's good to hear that the "late show" of this incredibly popular dinner show at Fort Wilderness Campground has returned.
4/4/2002 242 The Family Magic Tour at the Magic Kingdom is now only offered at 11:30 am (not 9:30 am).
4/4/2002 243 Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a new tour called "Wild By Design" that delves into the art, history, and story-telling of this beautiful park. Guests wear headphones with battery packs so they—and only they—can hear the tour guide speak loudly and clearly (you can ask questions by pressing a button and speaking, too!) While this tour does not go backstage, you do get the opportunity to chat with animal care keepers (but not the animals). The three-hour tour is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays starting at 8:15 am. Cost is $58/person and you must be 14 or older. Park admission and photo ID required. Continental breakfast is included. Wheelchair accessible. For more info, call 1-407-WDW-TOUR.
11/15/2002 252 Disney's childcare clubs now charge $10 per hour per child.
4/4/2002 253 Disney-sanctioned, private in-room baby-sitting is now provided by Kids Nite Out. KinderCare, the former provider of these services, no longer offers in-room sitting, but still offers traditional daycare at its drop-off center. Many of KinderCare’s former staff members now work for Kids Nite Out, and KinderCare’s former in-room care phone number (407-827-5444) now connects to Kids Nite Out. Kids Nite Out will care for children aged six weeks to 12 years old, including some children with special care needs. Their sitters are all over 18 years of age, are certified in infant and child first aid and CPR, and receive local law-enforcement background checks. The agency prefers two week to 30 day advanced reservations. Shorter notice requests will be accommodated based on availability.
4/4/2002 284 The 407-251-5431 phone number listed in the Tiffany Town Car coupon has been changed to 407-370-2196.