US 20040138906A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0138906 A1 Fagan (43) Pub. Date: Jul. 15, 2004 (54) CUSTOM DESTINATION GUIDEBOOK Publication Classi?cation SYSTEM (51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. G06F 17/60 (76) Inventor: Catherine J M- Pagan, Medford, MA (52) US. Cl. ................................................................ .. 705/1 (Us) Corres ondence Address: IandioIi‘io & Teska (57) ABSTRACT 260 Bear Hill Road Waltham, MA 02451-1018 (Us) Acustorn destination guidebook system and method includ ing a database of guide pro?les including destination spe (21) Appl' NO‘: 10/607’364 ci?c information. A ?rst routine generates a pro?le screen (22) Filed: Jun- 26’ 2003 Wherein speci?c data relating to a traveler can be entered to generate a traveler pro?le. A softWare engine is con?gured Related US Application Data to associate the traveler pro?le With one or more guide pro?les stored in the database. A second routine assernbles (60) Provisional application No. 60/392,865, ?led on Jul. a Customized guidebook for the traveler for vieWing and/or 1, 2002. printing. 520\\ smemc SECT|0N(S) 00o 52b\\LllXURY mums 001 56 52¢ ~~ LUXURY AtCOMDDATlONS n02 SZdJ'QGOLF COURSES 003 PROFILE SEREEN GENERATOR 5QBJ/CHILDREN'ACIIVITIES n04 52f//-|NEXPENS|VE mums 00s //INEXPENS|VE ACCOMODATIONS 006 1! 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And it’s crammed with? pleasures: from swooping above a starlit London in the Magic Kingdom’s Peter Pan’s Flight to simply sitting under the shade of a Callary pear tree in Epcot; from enjoying jazz at Pleasure Island and cheering for your favorite team at the ESPN sports bar at Disney’sBoardWalk to whooping and hollering down water slides at the ultracreative water parks. The sheer enormity of the property suggests that WDW is more than a single theme park with a fabulous castle in the center. The property’s acreage translates to 47 square miles - on a tract that size, the 107 acres of the Magic Kingdom is a mere speck. More than 2,500 acres of the property are occupied by hotels and villa complexes, each with its own theme and recreational facilities. Epcot, the second largest theme park after the Magic Kingdom, is a combination of a science exploratorium and a world’s fair. Disney-MGM Studios is devoted to the ?lm business, while Animal Kingdom is devoted to creatures real, imaginary, and extinct. Universal, once known as the other movie park on the block, is reinventing itself as another destination resort. In fact, it is behind the largest expansion in Central Florida history; a $3 billion project that complements movie magic with new resorts and parks. Universal Orlando contains Universal Studios (the original movie theme park), Islands of Adventure (the second theme park), CityWalk (the dining-shopping-nightclub complex), and the Porto?no Bay Hotel. Although it’s bordered by residential neighborhoods and thickly trafficked International Drive, Universal Orlando is surprisingly expansive, yet intimate, since two massive parking complexes, easy walks to all attractions, and a motor launch that cruises to Portofino Bay make things fairly accessible. As the world’s largest marine adventure park, SeaWorld is devoted entirely to the mammals, birds, ?sh, and reptiles that live in the ocean and its tributaries. The park is bigger and better than ever, and rivals Disney properties for sparkling cleanliness, courteous staff, and attention to detail. And despite its size (200 acres), touring SeaWorld is actually a fairly calming experience. Although it’s traditionally the third choice in Orlando’s theme-park trilogy, SeaWorld consistently offers a ?rst-class experience. You won’t be disappointed. However, Orlando and the surrounding Central Flon'daarea offer much more than theme parks. ln downtown Orlando you’ll ?nd a combination of skyscrapers, quiet parks and gardens, excellent museums, and the bustling shops and restaurants of Church Street Station. Nature buffs like to escape to the Ocala National Forest or the Florida Audubon~ Society’s Center for Birds of Prey, just north of Orlando in Maitland. Artdevotees head for Rollins College’s Cornell Fine Arts Museum or the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. Attraction lovers seek out the additional rides and shows that are located along International Drive. Indeed, in the greater Orlando area, you’ll discover an FIG. 5A Patent Application Publication Jul. 15, 2004 Sheet 6 0f 38 US 2004/0138906 A1 abundance of sights that are equally enjoyable and often less crowded and less expensive than those at the theme parks. Arriving & Departing By Air The Orlando International Airport (MCO) (PHONE: 407/825-2001) is ultramodem, huge, and growing all the time. It is, however, relatively easy to navigate: just follow the ' excellent signs. The airport is divided into sections (A, B, etc.) and monorails shuttle you from gate areas to the core area, where you’ll ?nd baggage claim. If you land in the A section, go to the A baggage claim area. The complex is south of Orlando and northeast of Walt Disney World. Flying time is 2_ hours from New York, 3_ hours from Chicago, and 5 hours from Los Angeles. By Bus Lynx (1200 W. South St., Orlando, PHONE: 407/841-8240) operates public buses between the airport and the main terminal downtown. Though the cost is only $1 , other options are more convenient because center-city Orlando is far from most theme-park area hotels. By Car From the airport, use the Beeline Expressway (Rte. 528) to get to most hotels. Follow the expressway west to International Drive, and exit at SeaWorld. Or stay on the Beeline to l 4, and head either west to Walt Disney World and‘ US. l92/Kissimrnee or east to downtown Orlando. Call your hotel for the best route. By Taxi and Limousine Taxis take only a half hour to get from the airport to most hotels used by WDW visitors; they charge about $25 plus tip to the International Drive area, about $l0more to the US. 192 area. Depending on the number of people in your party, this will cost more or less than paying by the head for an airport shuttle. Mears Transportation Group U’HONE: 407/423-5566) meets you at the gate, helps with the luggage, and Whisks you away, in either an ll-passenger van, a town car, or a limo. Vans run to Walt Disney World and along US. 192 every 30 minutes; prices range from $14 one-way for adults ($10 for children 4-1 1) to $27 round-trip for adults ($19 children 4-1 1). Limo rates run $44-$60 for a town car that accommodates three or four to $105 for a stretch limo that seats six. Town & Country Transportation (PHONE: 407/828-3035) charges $35-$55 one-way for up to seven people, depending on the hotel. FIG. 5B Patent Application Publication Jul. 15, 2004 Sheet 7 of 38 US 2004/0138906 A1 By Bus Greyhound Bus Lines of Orlando (555 N. John Young Pkwy., PHONE: 800/231-2222). By Train Amtrak’s (PHONE: 800/872-7245) daily Silver Service trains stop in Orlando en route to Miami from New York City, Washington, DC, and other southeastern cities. The Sunset Limited runs from Orlando to New Orleans and on to Los Angeles. If you want to have your car in Florida without driving it there, consider Amtrak’s Auto Train (PHONE: 703/690-3355 or 407/323-4800), which departs for Florida from Lorton, Virginia, near Washington, DC Its southern terminus - Sanford, Florida - is 23 miles north of Orlando. The Auto Train runs daily with one departure at 4 PM (however, car boarding ends one hour earlier). Fares vary depending on class of service and time of year, but expect to pay between $289 and $376 for a basic sleeper seat and car passage each way. Note: you must be traveling with an automobile to purchase a ticket on the Auto Train. Getting Around Overview Although public transportation in Orlando is practically nonexistent and taxis are expensive because of the distances involved, it is not necessary to rent a car when in the area. If you are staying at a Disney hotel, or if you purchase a multi-day passport instead of buying daily admission tickets to the Disney parks, your transportation within Walt Disney World is free. Outside Walt Disney World, just about every lodging is linked by private shuttle to area attractions. If, however, you want to visit major theme parks outside Walt Disney World or venture off the beaten path to eat where tourists don’t, then a rental car is essential. By Bus If you are staying along International Drive, in Kissimmee, or in Orlando proper, public Lynx buses can get you around the immediate area.