Back from the best trip ever--- 8/3-8/8 Beach Club Villas - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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.
Back from the best trip ever--- 8/3-8/8 Beach Club Villas
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Leaving in the morning to visit with the Mouse !!
Me & Ben are going to Orlando 8/3-8/8. We are going without the kids..so I figured I would do this to keep them posted on our trip..
We fly out of Bradley tomorrow afternoon, and then we are taking the magical express to The Beach Club Villas.
Our groceries get delivered late tomorrow, so we don't have time to do more than hang out at the pool...
I'll miss the kiddos a lot! especially this one-My lil' grandbaby Mckenzie
(Sorry some of the pics are huge- I had some issues resizing) Sunday, August 03, 2008 Day 1
We flew out of Bradley at 2:35pm. Amazingly we flew out on time! The flight was smooth and pretty stress free. We arrived around 5:00ish. Magical express had no line and we got to the Beach Club Villas quickly too!
Once we got to the hotel, the room was not ready- I was getting pretty frustrated, but the front desk clerk was awesome and took care of us.
We got to our room around 7pm and within about 15 minutes Amy from wegoshop.com delievered our groceries. She was awesome!
We walked over to Disney Hollywood Studios( formerly knows as MGM) around 8:30pm and rode Tower Of Terror, which was friggan fantastic and Aerosmith rockin' roller coaster. Hardly any line for either of the rides!
The location of this hotel is awesome- its a 15-20 minute walk to DHS and a 5-10 min. to epcot! Monday, August 04, 2008 Day 2
We started our day in Epcot- We rode Soarin' with a pretty short wait.
The highlight of the day was watching the cool trash can drummer dudes--
We came back to the room and made some Red Baron personal pizzas on the microwave- Very Yummy! We went for a quick swim in the pool.
We walked back to Epcot, the lines were a little long for most rides. We decided to head over to Magic Kingdom.
We took the monorail over to MK and got to ride up front with the pilot, which is pretty cool
We also recieved honorary Co-pilot certificates.
Really cool view of another tram
We had dinner around 4:30pm at Trails End restaurant @ Ft. Wilderness area. It was a buffet. I never eat a lot at those dang things but heard the food was great. The food was awesome and the server Sandy was really attentive.
Then we went to Magic Kingdom and rode- The Haunted Mansion, Small world & Dumbo-
We came back to the hotel around 8pm and went swimming. This pool is friggan fantastic!! It has a sandy bottom and a kick butt waterslide!
Today was HOT-and It seems all the grumpy people were out today.. Tuesday, August 05, 2008 Day 3
Hello!
Today was pretty busy and extremely HOT!
We walked to Epcot and rode Test Track & SpaceShip Earth. We walked the Boardwalk and then we came back to the hotel and went swimming. Took a pic of Art the greeter at The Beach Club
We had dinner at Teppan Edo, where they cook the food right at your table- I had chicken and it was very yummy! Our chef was Tomo. He was friggan hysterical!!
We walked to Disney Hollywood Studios and rode the new Toy Story ride, which was a lot of fun and then of course had to ride Tower of terror again(my fave ride) and then took the boat back to hotel..
My legs are wicked tired!!
[b]Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Day 4-
Today we started our day really early. We had to get up at 6am and had to catch a bus at 7:10am! While we were waiting fr the bus, a woman and her daughter got all excited about finding a hidden Mickey... and then they called over everyone to look at my leg..lol
I booked a tour about 7 months ago. It was the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Its a 4 1/2 hour guided tour that takes you behind the scenes. Our guide was very interesting and our group was really nice.It was pretty interesting being in the Magic Kingdom before the crowds!
I love this pic of the Castle- The flowers are so pretty and there are no people in the pic!!
Goofy scared the poo outta me!- Just go sit by him, when you go to the MK
Lunch was provided and we ate at the Colonial House. Our server Matthew was really cool and the food was good as well..
We rode Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean & Jungle Cruise. We also toured the utilidors,Tunnels under the Magic Kingdom- Not as cool as I thought, but interesting..
After the tour, we rode the Train around the Magic Kingdom-
Then we came back to the room, Walked the beach..
and then ate dinner at Beaches & Cream.. Fantastic yummies there! The Cast members that work there are awesome!
Tonight, we are going to watch the fireworks at epcot..
[b]
Thursday, August 07, 2008 Day 5
Today we went to Downtown Disney- Shopped for a while.. Stayed there for a few hours..Today was friggan HOT!!! Had lunch at the Earl Of Sandwich, wicked yummy sandwiches!
We went to Animal Kingdom- Rode the Expedition Everest- Stood in line for 50 minutes...but SO worth it!!Yeeeeetiiiii!!We were in the last car..Holy moly- it was awesome!! I love that ride!!
The wait time for most rides were 60 minutes or more and it was wayyy too hot to stand in any more lines..soooo, we came back to the hotel.
We decided to eat dinner at Cape May Cafe- at the Beach Club... It's a seafood-and-more buffet...For desert Ben had the Oreo Bon Bon.. I was wayyy to full to have one... He said it was fantastic!
It's our last night in Disney..
Friday, August 08, 2008
Day 6- Last day
Our last day here.... Ate breakfast at the Poly-- Kona Cafe! Yummm! It was definitely a great way to end our trip.
Went back to the hotel, and got them to agree to a late checkout.. They don't usually do that in the Villas, but since they kind of screwed us, on day 1- by not having the room ready until 7pm, they agreed. So we hung around the hotel room until 12:00pm.
Went to downtown Disney to pick up Mckenzie's ornament, I bought her a pink baby's 1st christmas ornament- we actually bought it yesterday, but they had to complete the personalization..It is too cute, it has a Minnie on top w/ blocks..
Ben had to hang out with the cool pirate in front of World of Disney
Had hotdogs for lunch at a little place in DTD. Then took the monorail to epcot...tried to squeak in a last minute ride on soarin', but the line was too long.
Went back to the Beach Club and hung around the lobby until 3pm- They have really comfy couches by the window.. Very relaxing!
There was a storm brewin'... So we lucked out because we had nothing else planned!
The Magical express bus was right on time, got to the airport at 4pm, had some Nathans while we waited- Looked around at the shops for a while and then flew home!
It was a great trip and we are definitely looking forward to our Annual Winter escape to Disney--We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge Villas --1/11/09-1/18/09.
Samantha gets to celebrate her 16th Birthday in Disney- 1/16/09!!
__________________
Last edited by shellybelly72; 08-10-2008 at 04:46 PM..
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
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
PassPorter Guide Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chapel Hill, NC USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 36,592
Post Thanks / Like
Sounds wonderful! Except for the HOT.....we were there this time last year with temps in the 100s....so I can soooo relate! How nice to know you have another trip coming up too!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
![[SIGPIC]](signaturepics/sigpic27594_7.gif)
for sharing it with us! Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks so much for sharing it with us 
PassPorter Guide Author
Hybrid Mode
