Swilley Family Finally Does Disney 'Right'!~Trip Report~**Updated 9/29** - Page 3 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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!
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Loving the updates. The kids look sooooo excited to be there. How great that there were no lines. Hope you eat a big breakfast in the morning. Hurry back.
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[quote=wdwlovers;2226645]I love the airport photos. You can just sense the excitement the kids had! And I had to laugh at the pic of the kids laying on the floor watching tv and your comment about a better mom making them get off the floor. That totally sounds like something I'd do. And laugh about.
Twenty more minutes and I would've been right there with them
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Originally Posted by mousestruck
Awesome start! All of your photos are precious... must be those precious kids! Can't wait to read more!
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Originally Posted by DyanKJ130
Great update!! The kids look so excited to be there. you weren't able to get your suite the night before planned, but glad they were able to put you in a better location once you are able to move. Hope you have a wonderful breakfast in the morning. Can't wait to hear more
I ordered the cheese omlet, but fell in love with my kids uneaten Mickey waffles .
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Originally Posted by ArielsMomto2
Loving the updates. The kids look sooooo excited to be there. How great that there were no lines. Hope you eat a big breakfast in the morning. Hurry back.
I am nothing if not a good eater!
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Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince
Phew! 1 a.m.! I hope everybody got to sleep quickly! It's nice to see ASMu pics again; I was there last September and that's where DH and I are staying on our Labor day trip!
Everyone did crash as soon as the lights were out! I just loved the all-stars big, colorful icons. It really emerses you in the "this is no ordinary vacation" feel!
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Originally Posted by Nick and Ryans Mom
Wow, what a late arrival!! Great job getting the room change for the suite.
Thanks! I'm usually like the dinosaur on 'Toy Story', "I don't like confrontation." But, I had been taught by my fellow passporters that you never know what you get if you ask, so I was determined to try!
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Originally Posted by jackandjennasmom
Your kids are adorable!!! Can't wait to read about all the fun they had.
I'm off to work on day one now!
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Originally Posted by iamgrumpy
Ok Can I just say that your kids are adorable and I can't wait to hear more about this adventure!
!
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Read all about it in my TR, "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!" Jill Phil. 4: 13
We slept well the first night and were awakened by our luggage arriving around 8:15. (Now, I had been lying there awake for about an hour because apparently “I'm too excited to sleep”--go ahead say it in 'the voice.' It was all I could do to not wake my exhausted little children and starving husband with “let's go, let's go, do you know where we are”). But, after the knock on our door we got going pretty quickly because we knew we had a lot of 'business' to attend to before we could hit DHS.
We called to request a late check out and they gave us noon. I was hoping that with the extra hour maybe our new room could be ready and we could check out and check in before we left. (no such luck) We dressed and headed out to explore our new home for the week and have some breakfast. Since we were located at the back of the property; the exploring part was done by the time we got to the food court.
It was packed (probably 9:30ish by this time). The kids had mickey waffles and Shannon and I opted for cheese omelets. As kids do, once we sat down Micah and Leah didn't want waffles, they wanted eggs (and Micah's eggs couldn't have cheese on them....). So, we trimmed the chessless edges off our omelets for him and ended up eating “family style.” So glad we did—those Mickey waffles (which taste like pound cake!) with strawberries and whipped cream are about the best breakfast ever! We made up for a lack of dinner and were ready to roll.
While we were eating breakfast, Shan got a call saying our Garden Groc. order had been delivered (we had asked for a delivery between 10-12, boy are they prompt )! We had added a tip to the online order, so there was nothing else to do which was super convenient.
We were able to get our 'key to the world' cards and were told to call luggage service and they would come get our luggage for storing until our new room was ready.
The kids were dying to swim, and we had about 45 min before we had to be checked out of Country fair. Shannon took them down while I packed up and got our bag ready for the park. At exactly 11:59 I called for express check-out! It was a little scary leaving all our belongings there and trusting they would get picked up and relocated correctly (I like being in control of things). But, we left a good tip on the bags hoping that would help!
Our first experience with Disney's bus transportation was not great . It was after noon and HOT. We waited for 40 min. watching every bus but ours come and go (animal kingdom came and went 3 times!!). Finally a few people went in to complain, only to be told that they were on their way. Thankfully we never experienced that long of a wait again—we would've had to go rent a car.
So, by the time we got in DHS and had signed up for the length of stay double stroller rental the kids were more then ready for some FUN! We headed straight for Playhouse Disney! A show was just starting, so we were able to walk right in!
What a perfect show for my PHD fanatics! Leah's response made me cry- (I did eventually stop crying about everything) she was sooo excited! It was precious. Look how intently she watched...one of my favorite pictures....
Bubbles from the ceiling! No matter what show we were in where they dropped fun stuff we were never in the right place to touch it.
Side story: on the way in we found a little girl (probably 7ish) crying and scared, she was lost and didn't speak any English. I got her name with my broken Spanish—LEAH- what are the odds!? And took here straight to a CM. It was a good time to teach the kids about getting lost and who to go to for help! Thankfully we saw her later with her family, which made me so happy cause I would've worried all day!
Stay tuned for the rest of day 1!
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Read all about it in my TR, "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!" Jill Phil. 4: 13
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.
Jill, another great report and more awesome photos. I love that one of Leah! Glad to hear you had better luck with Disney buses after that first one. Ouch.
Great update, Jill! I totally understand your tears... it's such a thrill to see the magic in your children's eyes. Glad your day at DHS is off to a great start!
Looks like a great time at Playhouse Disney! Glad you FINALLY caught a bus to HS! Glad you were able to help the little girl find a CM and that she was reunited with her family!
This is the first thing my kids do when they get to the DME line....sprawl on the floor and get comfy. So we are in the same boat together with our mother skills. Wow...can't believe the kids were so good for such a long and late travel day...must be that Disney excitement. Love the picture of Leah at Playhouse Disney. Can't wait to hear and see more.
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Margaret
I am not a Disney employee. The postings here are my own and do not represent the positions or opinions of the Disney Company
Great update! Glad your luggage and groceries arrived safely. That is a beautiful photo of Leah watching PHD! How nice that you were able to help the little lost one. Can't wait to hear more
Great stuff so far -- I'm really looking forward to more and can't wait to see your kids (and... heck, YOUR) reaction to all the fun stuff on your vacation.
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.
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Great job getting the room change for the suite. 
Robyn
And laugh about. 
you weren't able to get your suite the night before planned, but glad they were able to put you in a better location once you are able to move. Hope you have a wonderful breakfast in the morning. Can't wait to hear more
.
But, I had been taught by my fellow passporters that you never know what you get if you ask, so I was determined to try!
It was all I could do to not wake my exhausted little children and starving husband with “let's go, let's go, 
do you know where we are”). But, after the knock on our door we got going pretty quickly because we knew we had a lot of 'business' to attend to before we could hit DHS.
). So, we trimmed the chessless edges off our omelets for him and ended up eating “family style.” So glad we did—those Mickey waffles (which taste like pound cake!) with strawberries and whipped cream are about the best breakfast ever
)! We had added a tip to the online order, so there was nothing else to do which was super convenient. 
But, we left a good tip on the bags hoping that would help!
. It was after noon and HOT. We waited for 40 min. watching every bus but ours come and go (animal kingdom came and went 3 times!!). Finally a few people went in to complain, only to be told that they were on their way. Thankfully we never experienced that long of a wait again—we would've had to go rent a car.
) she was sooo excited! It was precious. Look how intently she watched...one of my favorite pictures....
Aimee
Margaret
Can't wait for more!
Dreams, Wishes, Hopes... these are the parts of childhood we should never lose.
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