Celebrating as One Big Happy Family: 5/10/14 - 5/18/14 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

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.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

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!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) > Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-25-2014, 07:05 PM   #1
honeybee723
Community Rank: Trailblazer
 
honeybee723's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Maryland
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 5,081

Post Thanks / Like
Celebrating as One Big Happy Family: 5/10/14 - 5/18/14

Celebrating as One Big Happy Family
May 10th - May 18th
Beach Club Villas


I honestly think this is the first time I’ve waited this long to start the PTR portion of the TR, but like I tell my daughter, “Don’t get another toy out until you put away the one you’re done playing with first”. So I took my own advice and finished my cruise TR first before I began tackling this one. With exactly 16 days left until we head back “home”, I have lots to fill you all in on, and lots that I’m still trying to take care of before we leave.

This trip has been in the works for some time. After the last Disney-only trip we took in November of 2012, I made a promise that we would come back when Hope turned five. 5 years old!!! I still can’t believe that my little girl is almost 5 years old. When the heck did that even happen?!?! Anyway, the seed was planted and the plans were put into motion to make this birthday trip to Disney a reality for her. While all of this was going on, my brother and SIL got caught up in the hype of all our vacation planning, and maybe it was because they have a daughter who’s now starting to really get into Disney or maybe it was because anything with the word vacation in it sounded like heaven to them, they decided to join us.

See, my brother and SIL just had twins a year ago in March, and to say that things have been a little hectic in their house is a very big understatement. My oldest niece just turned 4 years old in April…four days after the twins had their first birthday, and because turning one is sort of a big deal, they had the big birthday party, and she didn’t. She sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of day-to-day life, and with them not knowing when they’d be able to go to Disney again, they decided to have some much needed one-on-one time with her on a very fun vacation, in lieu of a birthday party, while the twins will be staying home with a relative.

Which brings me to the reason for this trip report title, as if it really needs an explanation, but here’s one for you anyway. Not only will be celebrating Hope’s and my niece’s birthday, we’ll also be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary (April 24th), my brother and SIL’s wedding anniversary (May 10th), Mother’s Day (May 11th), my parent’s wedding anniversary (May 15th) and Chad’s birthday (May 17th)…all together as One Big Happy Family. Tada!

Which also brings me to the who’s-who of our big happy family. For those of you who’ve read my trip reports in the past, you know who most of us are, but for anyone new that’s stopping by, here you go...

Me - Melissa (37)
DH - Chad (36)
DD - Hope (4)



My Parents
Mom/Mimi - Dorothy (66)
Dad/Poppy - Mike (65)



And new to my reports, my brother, sister-in-law and niece

Brother - Mike (32)
SIL - Corinne (31)
Niece - Trinity (4)




Of course, based on what’s listed above under the dates of our trip, we’re staying at my favorite resort, the Beach Club Villas. And what’s even better about all of us staying there as one big happy family, we all have our own separate rooms to go back to each day. This allows our big happy family to stay happy for the entire week.

So stay tuned for more details that have already been planned, and some that are still in the planning stages. I have a feeling this is going to be a very exciting trip.
__________________
Melissa
My Previous Trips1981 to 1992-Various times and hotels, especially DTD Royal Plaza, 1993-Swan, 1994-CB, 1995- DTD Double Tree, 1996-AS Music, 1997-POR, 1998-GF, 1999-AS Music, 2001-YC, 2001-Off Site, 2002-AS Movie, 2003-AKL, 2003-AS Music, 2004-AKL, 2005-CB, 2006-POR, 2007-SSR, 2008-DCL Wonder/Pop, 2008-SSR, 2009-DCL Magic, 2010-DCL Wonder/BWV, 2010-BCV, 2011-AKLV CL, 2012-BCV, 2012-AKLV, 2013-DCL Dream/AKLV, 2014-BCV, 2015-AKLV/AKLV CL, 2016 BWV, 2016 AKLV CL, 2017 POLY
honeybee723 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2014, 07:53 PM   #2
pamcarey
Community Rank: Navigator
 
pamcarey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chelmsford, MA
Posts: 6,912

Post Thanks / Like
I can't wait to read all about this trip! How great to have all the family along, and especially for Hope to have Trinity to hang out with!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
__________________
Pam

June 2016
My Countdown Counting down to: Returning to WDW!
Watching DD's marching band in the Magic Kingdom!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsMarch 1989 - offsite; April/May 2002 - Coronado Springs; March 2003 - All Star Movies; May 2003 - offsite; July 2003 - Port Orleans Riverside; April/May 2006 - Port Orleans Riverside; September 2007 - All Star Sports; August/September 2008 - All Star Movies and Pop Century; June 2009 - Pop Century; August 2010 - All Star Sports & Disney Wonder; June 2011 - All Star Music; April 2012 - Disney Fantasy; April 2013 - Port Orleans French Quarter; August 2015 - Disneyland offsite; April 2017 - Coronado Springs; December 2017 - Old Key West
pamcarey is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2014, 07:55 PM   #3
MayraLR
Community Rank: Explorer
 
MayraLR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Puerto Rico.
Concierge Level: 10
Posts: 12,253

Post Thanks / Like
Great start, Melissa! Those are a lot of celebrations! Great cast of characters! Hope is getting so big and very pretty. Your nieces and nephew are adorable.
__________________

My 2017 trip - Home is Where the Mouse Is COMPLETE
My Countdown Counting down to: Sailing through the Caribbean on the Freedom
Relaxing on my cruise
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsMay 2006 - WDW / offsite; May 2008 - WDW, SW, US, IOA / offsite; May 2011 - WDW / off-site; June 2012 - WDW / POR; June 2014 - WDW / AKL ~ Kidani Village; June 2017 - WDW / POR
MayraLR is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2014, 08:01 PM   #4
JKnott17
Community Rank: Scout
 
JKnott17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Edison, NJ
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 4,993

Post Thanks / Like
There's lots to celebrate on this trip!! Your niece is adorable, just like Hope I hope they both have a fabulous time celebrating their birthdays in Disney!
__________________
Jenn

My first TR:A Very Merry SurpriseHere we go again: Goin' Down the Bayou Our Anniversary Trip: Happy 10 Years

My Countdown Counting down to: Our Second Cruise
Sailing away on the Dream!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsYearly trips to WDW as a child with my family (1982 - 1989), WDW/Universal 1992, Senior Class Trip to WDW June 1994, WDW 2001, First Family Trip with my girls 2009, First MNSSHP October 2010, First MVMCP November 2011, POR November 2012, POR and our first cruise on the Dream August 2013
JKnott17 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2014, 08:57 PM   #5
Coop
Community Rank: Scout
 
Coop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Michigan
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 4,792

Post Thanks / Like
Great start! It's coming up quick!
__________________
Tracy (aka Coop)

My Countdown Counting down to: Sept 24, 2016- 20th Anniversary at Disney AND June 2, 2017 - B2B Double Dips on the Dream!
Happy Anniversary!
My Previous TripsWDW April 2010 CSR (1st trip ever) - WDW Nov 2010 AKL (honeymoon after 14 years of marriage) - WDW Nov 2011 (1st DVC trip) BLT - WDW Sept 2012 OKW - WDW Dec 2013 Christmas time split stay SS/OKW - WDW Oct/Nov 2014 Land and Sea -Halloween/ Kidani/4 nights on the Dream - Nov 2015 OKW/7 nights on the Fantasy. WDW Sept 2016 OKW.
Coop is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2014, 09:59 PM   #6
xwewhisper
Community Rank: Explorer
 
xwewhisper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 12,292

Post Thanks / Like
Great start, can't wait to hear all about it!
__________________
Vacation Specialist - Kingdom Konsultants

The Maci Mouse Club Blog - Mediterranean Magic TR (Updated 10/25)


Exploring Barcelona with Mom!
My Countdown Counting down to: KK Girls Weekend!
My Previous TripsWDW 1994 Poly, June 2001 Poly, Mar 2005 CR, Oct 2005 BW Sweet 16, Aug 2007 Poly, June 2008 AKL, Aug 2008 BC, Aug 2009 POFQ, Jan 2010 AKL, Mar 2010 CSR, April 2010 Poly, May 2010 Treehouse & Disney Wonder, Aug 2010 WL, Jan 2011 BLT, Oct 2011 SSR, May 2012 BLT/BWV, Oct 2012 BLT, Apr 2013 POR, May 2013 GCV, Sept 2013 BWV, Dec 2013 GFV/Jan 2014 Poly CL, May 2014 Kidani Everest Challenge, March 2015 OKW, May 2015 Hilton DTD, Oct 2015 BWI, Jan 2016 POFQ/SSR, April 2016 AKL, August 2016 Disney Magic, December 2016 Disney Wonder, BWV April 2017, SSR June 2017
xwewhisper is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2014, 10:04 PM   #7
cubfancolleen
Community Rank: Explorer
 
cubfancolleen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reston, Virginia
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 11,858

Post Thanks / Like
That is a whole lot of celebrating! Thanks for the introductions - nice 'meeting' your brother and his family!
__________________
<img src=http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h427/cmclain823/Vancouver%20and%20Alaska%202015/45127cbc-0ef5-4915-8c6d-5809f3bb6afe.jpg border=0 alt= />[
Check out my NEW Trip Report: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...d.php?t=300278
My Countdown Counting down to: Melekalikimaka - our Hawaiian Christmas
Aloha....back to reality, and a new countdown
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsDisneyLand too many times to count; DisneyWorld: ('82; '94; '00; '04; '05; '08 - twice!; '10;'11 - twice; '13; '14, '15, '17); DCL (all 4 ships): ('00, '05, '06, '10, '11, '13, '15, '17); DVC Hilton Head Resort :D ('06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13 - twice, '15, '16, '17, ‘18)
cubfancolleen is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2014, 10:25 PM   #8
Cam22
Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Cam22's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254

Post Thanks / Like
WooHoo! Another Melissa PTR/TR! So neat for all your family to be along and to have so much to celebrate!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
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
Cam22 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2014, 01:26 AM   #9
bsblady01
Community Rank: Explorer
 
bsblady01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: new york
Posts: 9,202

Post Thanks / Like
I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world
__________________
Heather - "I'm Tinkerbell's biggest fan!"

WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
My Countdown Counting down to: fall fun with mickey
family fun with the mouse
My Previous Tripsaug 1997 off site jan 2005 animal kingdom lodger may 2006 pop century dec 2007 pop century dec 2009/jan 2010 pop century 0ct/nov 2012 art of animation resort sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
bsblady01 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2014, 03:01 AM   #10
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Great start and what a great cast of characters!
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2014, 05:23 AM   #11
abubbles77
Community Rank: Traveler
 
abubbles77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 299

Post Thanks / Like
Great start.
__________________


My Countdown Counting down to: Thanksgiving at Disney
Let the fun begin
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsDisney Dream 4 night Oct 2014 WDW POR Sept 2012, WDW POP July 2010
abubbles77 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2014, 10:40 AM   #12
lfredsbo
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
lfredsbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mystic, CT
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,713

Post Thanks / Like
Great start! And WOW! That's a LOT of celebrations!!! I see many, many cupcakes in your future!!!
__________________


Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
My Countdown Counting down to: Annual Trip Home!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsCSR April 2016; BCV August 2015; SSR April 2015; AKL & AoA June/July 2014; POP September 2013; POP August 2013; AKL & BLT June/July 2013; POR December 2012; SSR October 2012; SSR July 2011; BWV May 2011; SSR July/Aug 2010; WL & SSR July 2009; SSR July 2008; OKW August 2007; OKW May 2007; SSR October 2006; SSR June 2006; OKW December 2005; CS September 2005; OKW July 2005; SSR October 2004; POP June 2004; ASMV April 2004; BWV October 2003
lfredsbo is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2014, 11:12 AM   #13
Linnynad
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
Linnynad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,357

Post Thanks / Like
sounds.....FABULOUS!!!!!! I'm so excited for this TR, but can't believe we will be crossing paths............uuggghhh, I'll wave on our way to the port.
__________________
Linny





My Countdown Counting down to:
My Previous TripsMany as a kid in the early 80's all at the Poly, GRAD NITE 92, offsite in 96 and 2005, CBR May 2007, Poly Dec.2008, GF Dec.2009, Poly Oct. 2010, BC/DCL DREAM/AKL Oct.2011,POR RGR May2012, Poly Sep 2012, BC/CL May 2013, Trans-Atlantic Magic 2014, GF/CL April 2015, Merrytime cruise Fantasy Nov 2015
Linnynad is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2014, 05:58 PM   #14
crythomas
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 782

Post Thanks / Like
Great start! You will be celebrating a lot of wonderful occasions and glad your nice will be able to celebrate in such a special place
crythomas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2014, 07:19 PM   #15
KMB733
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
KMB733's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ballston Lake, NY
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 46,162

Post Thanks / Like
Great Start!! Lots of things to celebrate with the family!
__________________
Kathy
PassPorter Co-Guide for: Making More Magic
My Countdown Counting down to: Christmas
Merry Christmas
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW June 1979, WDW 1985, WDW 1987, WDW Oct 2003, WDW March 2004, WDW Oct 2004, WDW Sept 2005--Pop Century , WDW Nov 2006--Pop Century, WDW Jan 2007--Pop Century, WDW Nov/Dec 2009--Pop Century, DLR Oct 2011, WDW Dec 2014
KMB733 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:52 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger