Three, it’s a magic number - 11/29-12/6/11 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 10-11-2011, 07:12 PM   #1
truenancy
Community Rank: Trekker
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,257

Post Thanks / Like
Three, it’s a magic number - 11/29-12/6/11

I’m back, finally writing a PTR. This kinda snuck up on me. I’m sure you’re all familiar with it: you book a trip months (or more!) ahead, you wait impatiently for your 180 day mark, then time slooooows until you panic because your trip is right around the corner! Well, I haven’t hit the panic mode, but I’m definitely lackadaisical – so I’m hoping this PTR will boost me off my backside and make me address all those last-minute things. We’re 7 weeks out, so let’s get it started!


Who:

Me, Nancy, 42, 6th trip to WDW (including honeymoon), 3rd time with kids. Part-time office manager, full-time parent (so chauffeur, social secretary, cleaning service, shopper, confidant, volunteer, goalie, pitcher, QB, band-aid applier, and anything else that gets thrown my way). Have planned about 85% of previous trips, with input from DH and DKids. My motto in life is, “I’m organized so I can be spontaneous.” Fill me with knowledge, and I might just use it. Favorite things at WDW: World Showcase, Peter Pan, Soarin’.


DH: Rob, also 42, 5th trip to WDW (luckily, including same honeymoon), 3rd time with kids. Has worked at the same company (though in many different jobs) for 18 years. Ultra-stable, a bit of a worrier, will worry about the weather if everything else is settled. Motto in life: “Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.” We just had our 15th anniversary, so I guess we’re here to stay. Favorite things at WDW: RnRC, HM, Soarin’.


DD: Alison, 10, huge reader, Harry Potter freak, organized, non-competitive but likes sports for fun, a mini-me (I realize I’m bragging now) because she loves geography, writing stories, history, cultures, languages, animals, and science. If it’s not made by Lands End or LL Bean, she won’t wear it (and even then, only if it’s soft). Motto in life: “Let me sit here with my cozy blanket, my hot chocolate, and my pile of books.” She wants to be a pilot when she grows up, and write books while she’s waiting for her passengers. Favorite things at WDW: BTMR, KimPossible, shopping at World Showcase.


DS: Colin, 8, is a boy’s boy without being too tough. He’s a nice kid who the teachers love, but he’s the class clown with his friends. Into flag football, soccer, rip-sticking (funky skateboard), and playing with the 10 other boys in the neighborhood (poor DD, I guess that’s why she likes to read). Also a Harry Potter freak. Motto in life: “I like to run. And jump. And I’ve got a personal soundtrack that runs from the minute I wake up to the minute I fall asleep.” Favorite things at WDW: BTMR, Splash Mountain, Nemo show at AK.
__________________
~Nancy


My Countdown Counting down to: Shhhh! It's a secret!
truenancy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2011, 07:48 PM   #2
WeRDisneyFanatics
Community Rank: Navigator
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,770

Post Thanks / Like
Looking forward to reading about your plans! And I can so related to the time slowing down then BAM, panic mode. I was there a couple of weeks ago.
WeRDisneyFanatics is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2011, 09:36 PM   #3
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
Great cast of characters!
__________________
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 10-12-2011, 01:09 AM   #4
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 10-12-2011, 04:09 AM   #5
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!
__________________

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 10-12-2011, 09:11 AM   #6
Colexis Mom
RED SOX NATION!!
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Colexis Mom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854

Post Thanks / Like
Great start Nancy!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
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
Colexis Mom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2011, 02:31 PM   #7
truenancy
Community Rank: Trekker
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,257

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by WeRDisneyFanatics View Post
Looking forward to reading about your plans! And I can so related to the time slowing down then BAM, panic mode. I was there a couple of weeks ago.
Glad to know there's a light at the end of my tunnel!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22 View Post
Great cast of characters!
Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bsblady01 View Post
I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world
Thanks - I'm sure it'll be fabulous! if it ever gets here...

Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp View Post
Great start!
Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom View Post
Great start Nancy!
Thanks!
__________________
~Nancy


My Countdown Counting down to: Shhhh! It's a secret!
truenancy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2011, 08:33 PM   #8
truenancy
Community Rank: Trekker
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,257

Post Thanks / Like
When: My signature says “Shhhhh…it’s a secret” because my kids see my PP signature regularly. So I'll let you in on the secret - we’ll be in our happy place from Tuesday, November 29 (a few days after Thanksgiving) thru Tuesday, December 6. DD’s birthday happens to fall in that time (a coincidence, since we were trying to schedule around Columbus Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving). This is the one year the kids are in the same school, and pixie dust rained down on me the day I found out that parent conferences are scheduled while we’re gone. So the kids only miss four days and 2 half-days, during a totally non-productive week. I just have to re-schedule conferences – not a problem.

Unfortunately, we still have to plan a little around the taping of the Holiday parade at MK on Dec 3 in the middle of our trip, but we’re avoiding MK on Saturday – and Sunday in case it gets rain-delayed. Then Pop Warner comes in as we’re leaving, but that shouldn’t impact us too much.

The trip is a surprise for the kids. They know we’re trying to plan a trip, and that "we’re searching for deals." We’ve been saving money in an old moonshine jug and that’ll be their spending money (I told them we can go when there's $500 in there - there's currently $240).


They loved helping to plan the last two trips, giving lots of input. This time they said they want to be totally surprised. But DD loves to organize and plan, and DS has some pretty strong opinions. How to balance that? I know! Tell them three days in advance! That’ll give them the high without the panic. (that’s the plan, anyway - fingers crossed)

We have a menagerie (another wrinkle in the surprise plan), so when we’re at my parents’ house for Thanksgiving, we’ll leave the dog with them and tell the kids that Saturday. With three day’s notice, we’ll return home, have Sunday to discuss/plan/pack/distribute other animals, Monday to brag to all their friends, and we leave Tuesday morning. With a 10:00 a.m. flight, we’ll be walking down Main Street by mid-afternoon.


The reveal is still being planned. Actually, I haven’t really thought about it, but I’m not planning on anything commercial-worthy. Since we’ll be travelling to my parents’, I can’t really pack anything big like balloons. Maybe if we’re tired of turkey we’ll get pizza and do the pizza-box-opening surprise. I also have a countdown calendar we've used for the other two trips - it's a fabric banner with little Disney character dolls velcro-ed to it. You take one off per day. Maybe I'll pull it out (I can hear the squeal of excitement now), and have them keep pulling guys off it until we get to three. Hmmm...


Then JetBlue, baby! Love the service, the non-stop, the first bag is free, and the TVs in the headrests. And they take me where I want to go. Aaahhh...
__________________
~Nancy


My Countdown Counting down to: Shhhh! It's a secret!
truenancy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2011, 09:19 PM   #9
mojjo
 
mojjo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Fairless Hills, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 2,871

Post Thanks / Like
I'm sure their reaction will be commercial worthy, even if the reveal isn't.

I don't know that I could keep that secret...it would kill me.
__________________

My Countdown Counting down to: Return to the Bubble
Sharing in the Magic!!!
My Previous TripsPoly Dec. 1979,off-site Aug. 1990, off-site June 1992, off-site Aug. 1993, CBR Sept. 2008, CBR Jan/Feb 2010, POFQ Dec 2011
mojjo is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2011, 09:38 PM   #10
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!
__________________

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 10-17-2011, 02:26 AM   #11
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
Your plans sound wonderful, both for the trip and the reveal - I can't wait to hear how that goes!
__________________

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 10-17-2011, 08:32 AM   #12
Colexis Mom
RED SOX NATION!!
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Colexis Mom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like the plans are all coming together!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
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
Colexis Mom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2011, 09:48 PM   #13
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
Sounds like everything for the trip is coming together! with the surprise reveal!
__________________
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 10-17-2011, 10:02 PM   #14
alexsmommy0412
Community Rank: Traveler
 
alexsmommy0412's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: East Longmeadow, MA
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 476

Post Thanks / Like
Great Start!! I Love the Reveal Ideas!
__________________


~Kristin~
My Countdown Counting down to: Our Next WDW Vacation
We're Going to DisneyWorld!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW Sept. 2010 (Off-Property), WDW Jan. 2012 (FWC), WDW April 2012 POR, WDW Dec. 2012 AoA, WDW Oct. 2013 FWC
alexsmommy0412 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2011, 10:17 PM   #15
MikeL
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
MikeL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware
Concierge Level: 5
Posts: 2,823

Post Thanks / Like
Great start and great cast can't wait to read more
__________________
Bay lake 9/11/11
IN MEMORY OF FRIENDS
mpl
My Countdown Counting down to: HEATHENS IN THE FORT
Lets Get Back and Do It Again
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsFt. Wilderness Oct 88/90/91/95/96/Sep2011 AKL Nov 2013 Ft Wilderness Nov/Dec 2013
MikeL 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 07:25 AM.

-->

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