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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

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Old 09-29-2013, 12:53 AM   #1
HopeAnna79
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Talking Long-Awaited Family +1 Vacation!!!!

I am so excited to be able to start this Pre-Trip DTR! I keep reading all the others and finally just couldn't wait any longer!

Well, I'll give you the cast really soon, will be going to WDW January 18 - 25, 2014. My parents are DVC members and are supplying the room for ALL 7 (or possibly 10) of us at the Jamba House at DAK.

This is FINALLY happening after an aborted trip in 2012 that fell apart due to a colossal amount of things colliding at a very inopportune time! I am SO excited that this trip is happening and can't wait for my boys to experience Disney again. We last went to DL in 2008. This was the first trip for my boys and my husband had gone once before but his parents did Disney in a day and that was many, many moons ago!


We currently have all the ADRs made that we plan on making and at least have a plan in place for what parks we are visiting on each day we are there. And I have my PassPorter organized by day and I keep looking at it hoping it will change but alas....with still over 100 days to go.....it's sorta at a stand still! So maybe some fun can be made with writing a PTR!

I apologize ahead of time...this is a first for me, lots of learning to go!!!

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Long-Awaited Family +1 Vacation Trip report 1/18/14-1/25/14
My Countdown Counting down to: FAMILY DISNEY VACATION 2014
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDL in the 1990s with Girl Scouts. WDW 2 times in the 1990's. One trip we won playing McDonad's Monopoly game! It was an instant win sticker. Best drink I ever had (my mom still says she got it, but really, it was on MY drink). WDW 1999, 7 months pregnant with first son, couldn't ride many rides :( WDL 2008....My boys first trip....they still talk about it!!!

Last edited by HopeAnna79; 10-03-2013 at 11:30 PM.. Reason: to fix my horrible spelling!
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Old 09-29-2013, 02:44 AM   #2
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great start
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Heather - "I'm Tinkerbell's biggest fan!"

WDW - August 1997 Off Property
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WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
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My Countdown Counting down to: fall fun with mickey
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Old 09-29-2013, 11:28 AM   #3
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Signing to follow along your trip! Great start
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Old 09-29-2013, 12:23 PM   #4
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My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
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Old 09-29-2013, 09:33 PM   #5
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Great start!
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Old 09-29-2013, 10:37 PM   #6
HopeAnna79
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The Crew
Well, I’m Hope (and I’m 34). I’m a homeschooling mom who works 4 hours a day outside the home. My DH, Rob, and I have been married for 16 amazing years. I LOVE the Disney Magic and love being in the bubble even though I only get to be in it once every so often! This will be my 6th trip to a Disney property and my 4th trip to WDW. I have to say WDW is my favorite park. I love the many memories I have from this world. I especially have an affinity for Epcot although I love the Magic Kingdom of course! And the Monorail. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the monorail.






I can’t remember which trip but one of my first 2 trips to WDW we won on a drink through the McDonalds Monopoly game! It was an instant win token. I swear to this day it was on MY drink, my mom, however, says it was on hers!


My last trip to WDW was a gift from my brother and sister-in-law when I was 6 months pregnant with my now 14-year-old son.


Rob-My DH whom I adore more than anything! We have had our rough years but, then, who hasn’t! He is 35 and works with his brother doing heavy equipment work, digging basements and septic tanks and things like that. He has been to DisneyLand twice and this will be his second trip to WDW. His first trip to DL was when he was young (7?) and his second was when we went 5 years ago. The thing I remember most about that trip was the fact that he was totally relaxed (he is NEVER totally relaxed) and when we got home he was ready for another trip! The Disney Magic Totally had him!

Levi: Our 14-year-old football player son. He was 9 the last time we went and he wasn’t overly thrilled about going to DL. Once he got over that though, he was super excited and totally enjoyed himself. When the trip was cancelled last year he was very bummed and was the first to ask when we were going to go to WDW.


Ronnie: Our 8-year-old son. He was 3 when we went and totally over the moon about being there. Once he got past his concerns about the characters he wanted to meet and greet them all!!!



As soon as I figure out how to add in the photos, I will!

Up next? MORE introductions!
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Long-Awaited Family +1 Vacation Trip report 1/18/14-1/25/14
My Countdown Counting down to: FAMILY DISNEY VACATION 2014
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDL in the 1990s with Girl Scouts. WDW 2 times in the 1990's. One trip we won playing McDonad's Monopoly game! It was an instant win sticker. Best drink I ever had (my mom still says she got it, but really, it was on MY drink). WDW 1999, 7 months pregnant with first son, couldn't ride many rides :( WDL 2008....My boys first trip....they still talk about it!!!

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Old 09-30-2013, 05:29 AM   #7
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Great start and intros. How cool that you won a trip to WDW from the McDonald's game. I really didn't think anyone won more that a free soda or fries.
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Old 09-30-2013, 09:22 AM   #8
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Great introductions!! Great cast of characters. I didn't think anyone won on the McDonald monolopy game either but fries and drinks. That is all that we ever won. Can't wait to hear more.
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Old 09-30-2013, 09:59 AM   #9
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My Previous TripsAUG '16 - POFQ, APR '12 - POFQ, JUL '10 - DL, AUG '09 - DCL Western, AUG '08 - POFQ/BC, AUG '06 - AKL/BC/DisneyWonder/Poly, DEC '05 - AKL, APR '05 - AKL/BC, DEC '04 - AKL, MAY '04 - AKL/BC, MAY '03 - WL/BC, MAY '98 -offsite, MAY '94 - BC, AUG '85 - Poly, AUG '83 - Poly, AUG '81 - Poly, JUL '79 - World Inn, JUL '76 - World Inn
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Old 09-30-2013, 12:47 PM   #10
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I hope you all have a great trip!
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Old 09-30-2013, 05:12 PM   #11
HopeAnna79
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Pictures

Okay, Finally figured out pictures, I think.
Sorry a few are so HUGE I thought I sized them down.

Here are a few from one of my first trips to WDW.

I'm in the pink. My brother, Mark, is in the Mickey shirt.

With my Dad.





Last character picture of the trip in 2008. LOVE his face.
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Long-Awaited Family +1 Vacation Trip report 1/18/14-1/25/14
My Countdown Counting down to: FAMILY DISNEY VACATION 2014
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDL in the 1990s with Girl Scouts. WDW 2 times in the 1990's. One trip we won playing McDonad's Monopoly game! It was an instant win sticker. Best drink I ever had (my mom still says she got it, but really, it was on MY drink). WDW 1999, 7 months pregnant with first son, couldn't ride many rides :( WDL 2008....My boys first trip....they still talk about it!!!

Last edited by HopeAnna79; 09-30-2013 at 08:09 PM..
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Old 09-30-2013, 10:40 PM   #12
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Great intros to the cast and pictures!
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My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
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Old 09-30-2013, 11:30 PM   #13
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Great memories from your pictures! Glad you got it figured out
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Old 09-30-2013, 11:35 PM   #14
HopeAnna79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR View Post
Great start!
Thanks!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22 View Post
Great start!
Thank you! I have much to live up to if mine are to come anywhere close to yours!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russi01 View Post
Signing to follow along your trip! Great start
Thanks for joining the ride!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bsblady01 View Post
great start
Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by patclairesmom View Post
Great start and intros. How cool that you won a trip to WDW from the McDonald's game. I really didn't think anyone won more that a free soda or fries.
I know, right? This was, erm, well....25 years ago..... I won several things in my younger life......I'm thinking I might have used up all my luck then!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russi01 View Post
Great introductions!! Great cast of characters. I didn't think anyone won on the McDonald monolopy game either but fries and drinks. That is all that we ever won. Can't wait to hear more.
Oh, we are a cast of characters alright! :rofl Free food is always good too though!

Quote:
Originally Posted by MinneyCaT View Post
I hope you all have a great trip!
Thank you! So do I! I am anxiously awaiting to finally be in the Double digits, let along worrying about the singles!

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Originally Posted by Cam22 View Post
Great intros to the cast and pictures!
Thanks! Hopefully the picture thing and I will get along soon. As of right now, you all are going to get a post (hopefully a day) and pictures added when I find a computer that likes photobucket......cause photobucket doesn't like mine!
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Long-Awaited Family +1 Vacation Trip report 1/18/14-1/25/14
My Countdown Counting down to: FAMILY DISNEY VACATION 2014
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDL in the 1990s with Girl Scouts. WDW 2 times in the 1990's. One trip we won playing McDonad's Monopoly game! It was an instant win sticker. Best drink I ever had (my mom still says she got it, but really, it was on MY drink). WDW 1999, 7 months pregnant with first son, couldn't ride many rides :( WDL 2008....My boys first trip....they still talk about it!!!
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Old 09-30-2013, 11:41 PM   #15
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Great memories from your pictures! Glad you got it figured out
THANKS! I had it figured out till I got home.....so for now, I guess I'll post pictures seperatly from the main posts.......or unless I decide to copy the link from my phone! LOL
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Long-Awaited Family +1 Vacation Trip report 1/18/14-1/25/14
My Countdown Counting down to: FAMILY DISNEY VACATION 2014
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDL in the 1990s with Girl Scouts. WDW 2 times in the 1990's. One trip we won playing McDonad's Monopoly game! It was an instant win sticker. Best drink I ever had (my mom still says she got it, but really, it was on MY drink). WDW 1999, 7 months pregnant with first son, couldn't ride many rides :( WDL 2008....My boys first trip....they still talk about it!!!
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