My parents never booked an all-inclusive

On July 14, Paris launched a cheap, accessible bike program for residents and tourists to use practically for free, with 10,600 bikes at 750 stands around the city. (We touted this in our July/August issue.) How fantastic was it that Paris introduced 10,600 bikes at 750 stands around the city for everyone to use in free half-hour increments? Well... Once the system was up and running on July 14, we learned to our dismay that the Velib kiosks (which unlock the bikes) only recognize credit and bank cards with microchips in them--a small technical detail that effectively bans tourists from North America from renting a Velib bike. Amazingly, Paris had no idea that other countries don't routinely issue cards with microchips in them, so right now, unless you have a chip-card, there is no alternate means of gaining access to the Velib system. It turns out that the bike programs in Brussels and Lyon also work on the same type of system, and also require a credit card with a microchip. In Brussels, however, you can get around it by purchasing a short-term ticket at the city's main tourism office. In Lyon, you can buy a Tecely card that works with Lyon's entire public transportation system. (In order to get it, though, you have to show up at a Lyon public transportation office with your passport, a photo of yourself, and a hotel bill as proof of residence; fill out out an online form on the velov.grandlyon.com site; and then wait for the city to activate your account.) We can only hope that these programs will change soon. As soon as there are any updates, we'll let you know.

Anthony Falcone, senior producer at Budget Travel Online, has been to Walt Disney World 13 times. So whenever we have a question about Disney World, we naturally turn to him. Here's his advice on how to pick the best guidebook for your upcoming Disney World vacation. Earlier: Disney World news.

The Luxor is getting a face lift. The pyramid-shaped building that casts a beam of light across the city will renovate its interior and most of its hotel rooms. A new show featuring magician Criss Angel and the acrobatic performing troupe Cirque du Soleil will open next summer. Other renovations will take place over the course of a couple of years. Call it the "Laugh Boat." The first-ever "Improv School" cruise is being offered on a 7-night Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Valor, departing November 18. The National Comedy Theater, a training program for comics, will offer four 90-minute workshops for passengers. No experience will be necessary to participate. Guests also will perform in an amateur night revue and see a show put on by the pros. Book the trip via CruisesOnly, the largest U.S. cruise agency. West Virginia is running a contest that offers a grand prize of a new Toyota Camry hybrid. Submit a one- to three-minute video of your vacation in West Virginia for a chance to win. Contests details, including video requirements and judging criteria, are listed at www.WVisCalling.com. TripAdvisor has a new feature that allows you to plot the places you've visited on an online map and share the map with your friends. (A free membership with the hotel-review website is required.)