Traveling With Debe

California attractions close in the wake of wildfires

In hard-hit San Diego County, where an estimated 200,000 acres have burned, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Legoland and SeaWorld were all closed. The Wild Animal Park sustained fire and wind damage, and some animals were evacuated, including the California condors. The park said it would remain closed today, Oct. 24, but planned to reopen Oct. 25 if conditions allow. SeaWorld also said it would remain closed today, Oct. 24, but sustained no fire damage and is monitoring the animals' health. Legoland said it planned to reopen on Oct. 25 pending further developments. San Diego International Airport remained open but passengers were urged to contact their airlines. For airport updates, visit www.san.org. Port of San Diego administrative offices were closed and "cruise operations at the port will be conducted as conditions allow." The San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau said the fires were primarily in the county's outlying north and east areas. Weather patterns are "expected to improve in the coming days, enhancing the ability of firefighters to contain the wildfires," the site said. The CVB's website lists whether attractions are open or closed. "Various San Diego area tourist attractions, including the downtown core and waterfront, are fully operational," the website said. "The San Diego Convention Center, airport and hotels located in central San Diego are not threatened by the fires and are open for business." For more information, visit www.sandiego.org.

Excerpted from Modern Agent.

Disney designs new video to welcome inbound visitors

Appearing in today's Travel Weekly-

WASHINGTON -- Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will premiere a new video it commissioned specifically to welcome international visitors arriving at U.S. airports.

Disney executives are expected to present the seven-minute video, entitled "Welcome: Portraits of America," to U.S. government representatives from the State and Homeland Security departments at an event here Oct. 22.

The government in turn intends to show the video at federal inspection areas at U.S. airports. Washington Dulles and Houston's Bush Airport will be among the first airports to feature the video.

A Disney representative told Travel Weekly that "Welcome: Portraits of America" represents the work of a Disney videographer who spent "two months crisscrossing the U.S."

During his journey, the videographer "captured both still and video of real American people in real American settings."

While Disney produced the video, it does not include any images of Disney parks or characters or any other commercial entities.

"This project showcases America's greatest asset: the ordinary people who make this nation extraordinary," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, in a statement.

To view the video, visit www.discoveramerica.com.

Onboard airline check-in with Disney Cruise Line

From Travel weekly-

DISNEY CRUISE LINE will begin offering passengers "onboard airline check-in" this season, a service that enables its qualified guests to check-in for post-cruise flights from Orlando while onboard the Disney Magic or Disney Wonder. Besides checking in from the ship, guests' luggage will be transported directly from the ship to their flight on the seven participating airlines: AirTran, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United. To participate, passengers will have to complete preregistration information from Orlando Airport or a Disney Cruise Line Hospitality Desk at the Disney World Resort and turn it in during cruise check-in at Port Canaveral.

This is the same service that Disney on-site resorts currently offer. 

Still need a passport? Get it now!

Appearing in today's Travel Weekly-

State Dept. advises travelers to apply for passports now (10/11/2007)
By Michael Milligan

WASHINGTON -- Travelers planning international trips should apply for passport during the fall, according the State Dept., rather than waiting.

According to an announcement released Thursday, the State Dept. said it historically receives "fewer passport applications during the fall, making it the best time to apply."

The department also cautioned against waiting until January to apply as the month marks the beginning of "our busy season" and increased demand may result in "longer processing times.

Currently, the processing time for routine passport applications is down to four to six weeks, the State Dept. said.

By comparison, the processing time ranged between 10 to 12 weeks during the height of the summer as the State Dept. struggled to keep up with what it called an "unprecedented" surge in demand for passports brought on by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a law that since January requires all airline passengers entering the U.S. to possess valid passports.

The department has since ramped up its operations, including hiring more than 400 additional staff to handle passport applications

"If you are planning or even considering international trips, don't wait, apply for a passport now," the State Dept. said.