Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue **Updated 12/23~~2 Times** - Page 12 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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Okay, I'm absolutely awful I know. I run off folks b/c I can't update regularly, I understand SO, since this is my first day of Christmas vacation I'm going to go ahead and update. I've got some last minute shopping to do but I can't go out right now.... Andy took my keys as well as his to work with him today He emailed me telling me he left my keys in his pocket and then walked out with his this morning. Niiiice. So he's coming home for lunch to drop them off, and while I wait, I figured I should get back going on this. So this will just be me this time, so I do apologize for the lack of humor from Andy....
We left off leaving DHS to go to the MK. We lucked out and a bus was waiting at the stop for the TTC so we did our usual sprint to the bus. We joke that no trip is complete without a sprint to the bus.
When we got to the TTC I had the flash of "Oh poop, we've got to herd in with all the off property folks!!" When we saw the massive line forming for the monorail we decided to take the boat. We've never been on the boat from the TTC to the MK so we chalked it down as another first.
I guess our brains weren't working very well on vacation b/c we didn't do the math very well.... cold and windy morning + boat moving on water = FREAKING FREEZING MR. BIGGLESWORTH!!!
Yes, that's me, shivering in the cold Seriously, Andy decided it was a great idea to go to the very front of the boat so we'd be off first... yes... let's go stand in the completely open air spot with the cold flippin' air blowing on us... yes... wonderful idea Good thing I love him I just ducked down behind his back the whole time. OH, which reminds me of something I forgot from the MVMCP the night before. At some point during the freezing night (I think we were in line for Stitch) Andy started breathing on my shoulder.... to keep his nose warm. Nice right? So Brandi sees this and jokes about it and from then on, the entire night, when somebody's nose got cold they breathed on my shoulder. What a sight that was I'm sure. But I thought of that b/c on the boat ride I was breathing on Andy's back
Another story I forgot to tell about MVMCP was when we went to Monster's Inc. They put the camera on this older grandpa type fella for the role of "Sully" during the show. When they told him to make a scary face, he just grinned really big and kind of shook/waved his hands ala JAZZ HANDS! That's what we called it and the rest of the night involved us giving "JAZZ HANDSSS" at random things Actually, the rest of our trip we were giving "JAZZ HANDS" at stuff Oh how I miss the Bakers!
SO, getting back to the update of the moment. We arrived at the MK and unloaded ourselves. I had my handy dandy new clear bag from Angie therefore bagcheck was a breeze. And we made it through the turnstile without getting behind the most incompetent person there That had to be a first !
I guess I should add why we're back at the MK. We had originally planned to go to the AK this morning after DHS. But we had so much fun at the MK the night before that we wanted to do more stuff and just enjoy the fact we were staying in the MK resort area. So we decided to go back to the MK. It's funny b/c in the beginning....waaaay back when.... Andy used to say that while he loved the MK, he liked going to other parks a little more. Now, he shouts his love for the MK from the balconies! Seriously, it's so cute to hear him say "I freaking love the MK!".
So we get in and stop to take some holiday photos..
The photopass guy took a couple then took one with our camera. This was prospect #1 for our Christmas card. The other possible prospects are still to come.
We were STARVING! The Disney stomach does not like to wait for food (especially breakfast)! We decided since the park had just opened and since the crowds seemed low, maybe, oh maybe, we could actually get into the Main Street Bakery to try that famous french toast loaf. Lo and behold, the line was manageable!! We waited like maybe 5 minutes. And buddy was it worth it!!!
Mmmm It's good!! (a little Friends reference... think Rachel's Triffle at Thanksgiving)
Andy had to go with his old faithful breakfast at WDW....
The chocolate muffin. That boy consumes more chocolate muffins at WDW than anybody I think. He loves them. If I could order chocolate muffins from WDW and stuff them in his stocking I would.
After stuffing ourselves with sweet pastries, we figured the best choice of ride would be the wildest ride in the wilderness
The wait time was listed as 20 minutes (maybe more) but we walked right onto a car. I kid you not. RIGHT ON! (I guess that could be taken in more than one way... RIGHT ON!!! and right on a car!!) Okay, I'm losing it.... focus focus.
I took some mid ride photos...
Funny moment after we got off the ride... we were just leaving the exit line and Andy spotted this little baby bootie sock on the ground. We made the stupidest joke ever about how that ride was so great it must've knocked somebody's sock off!! (go ahead and groan.... I can hear you already )
We had to take another ghosthunting adventure this morning so we headed to the HM next.
Andy whipped out his new digital recorder that I had given him this morning and tried to record some EVPs but to no avail. No spooks wanted to speak with us during the ride. Maybe next time.
On our way around to Tomorrowland we stopped of to see the Mad Hatter and Alice b/c they were just coming out. So we were the first to get in line They saw our anniversary pins (how cool to be wearing them on our ACTUAL anniversary! That's what I wanted to say to people when they commented on our pins... I wanted to be like "IT'S TODAY!! It's really today!!!"
Anyway, first Alice commented on Andy's Beatles Hard Day's Night tshirt. She said that they were her friends over in the UK, the British Invasion Then the Mad Hatter wanted to know what happened to George's face (b/c it's solid black) and he asked if the Queen of Hearts did that Then he started in our pins. He asked me who I was married to and I pointed to Andy. Then he asked Andy who he was married to and he pointed to me and then the Mad Hatter goes "well that's just fabulous, you can celebrate together!!" LOVE IT!
We really wanted to do Buzz b/c we didn't get to do it last night so we decided to grab a couple FPs b/c the line was getting long. On the way over there we spotted Stitch. And anytime we spot Stitch I have to go say hey. God Bless Andy for tolerating it
Again we had the pins photo...
We've got more in the sequence but I only uploaded that one and this one:
I like how Andy's messing with Stitch's head I think Stitch tried to take my new Stitch Christmas stamp pin that Andy had given me yesterday but I told him no way Jose. He tried to take the back off anyway. He was being naughty that morning I suppose
Right as we were getting our Buzz FPs Angie called to see where we were. She was over near Space Mountain so she came over and got FPs with us for Buzz. I know she was totally confused as to why we would opt for Buzz FPs rather than SM FPs....but in all honesty...Space Mountain and us aren't on the best of terms. Remember the August fiasco??? Waiting and waiting and waiting only to be kicked out and it was too late to come back b/c we had to go home??? Yeah... I'm still bitter Actually, I do enjoy it but it's something I can take or leave. So after we got our FPs we checked the wait time for SM but it was too long. We decided to hop on the TTA (wig wam as Pom calls it) b/c we didn't ride it last night either b/c we figured our faces might end up looking like Dumb and Dumber it was so cold.
After the TTA we had some time before our FP time so we headed over to Stitch. I don't think Angie had done Stitch, or if she had it had been a loooooong time. We seated ourselves in our primo seats We know just where to sit for prime spitting I decided this time I was GOING to get a picture of my little blue buddy in there. So I propped my camera up in my lap, made sure the settings were ready....and blamo!!!
I got him!!! Right in his little "Awwwww" moment
On the way out I spotted this little number in the gift shop and made Andy model..
I so wish he'd gotten it!
We hit up Buzz next. I rode with Angie and Andy manned both guns by himself behind us You should've seen his ride photo. Holy cow it was hilarious. He was all leaned back, hands on both laser guns, mouth wide open, eyes bugged HILARIOUS!!!
We got stuck a couple different times and unlike when you get stuck on Toy Story Insania like we had that morning, you can still rack up the points!!!! Angie totally obliterated me!!!
I was majorly impressed! She was in total focus mode that's for sure!!
We meandered towards Fantasyland next. Angie wanted to see if Pooh was out in his holiday wear. On the way we spotted Push. We've never seen Push before so we stopped. He chatted it up with Angie for her bday and then he turned to us and chatted to us about our anniversary. Then some majorly annoying kids starting hitting on him (not like "hey baby how you doin?") and I wanted to yell at them.
We got over to where Pooh was and got in line but the line was really long. We were totally willing to wait with her b/c she had waited with me last night for Stitch. But she decided against it. We made our way back towards Main Street b/c our Disney stomachs were acting up again. I mean it had been like 3 hours so it was screaming "FEED MEEEE".
Angie took this sweeet picture of us in front of the castle. It's one of my favs..
Angie waited to eat b/c she was going to be eating with Bill and Jan and clan at the Crystal Palace a little later. We stopped at Casey's Corner b/c I didn't have room for the corndog nuggets last night. Andy had a hotdog while I went with the nuggets. We ate outside which was nice.
After lunch we wanted to head back to the room to relax before we headed to Epcot in a few hours. I'm having to edit what I previously wrote.... I was telling tales!!! Angie left with us from the MK. She had time before Bill and Jan and clan would be at the MK so she hopped on the monorail with us. She was going to on around to the GF to try to find the GF Holiday pin. I remembered how we got off at the CR and went up to our room and poor Angie was still sitting down there on the monorail. It was taking forever for it to leave...
Coming up: more surprises and more fun with friends!
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Well, that didn't take too much convincing. You updated 10 minutes after I asked you too. . . . . Thanks, Melissa. . . . . .
I was updating while you posted that girl!! AND I JUST SAW YOUR TICKER!!!! I have been MIA the past few weeks and haven't been lurking in the sunroom/family threads!! WHAT THE HECK!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!
Yay! You updated. Great update. Sounds like fun. Your picture of Stitch in SE is fantabulous! Doesn't get much better than that. Enjoy your Christmas break!
Great update Melissa...sounds like your change of plans paid off. You got a lot done this morning and got to enjoy the French Toast Loaf (I love that stuff - a trip to the MK is not the same without French Toast Loaf for breakfast).
Great update! Love the picture at the front of Mainstreet--that area was blocked with partitions when we were there because the Xmas parade taping was the next day.
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.
Glad to see another update! I am so jealous that you have started break! I am sitting here with 35 middle school students that are trying to hold it together for one more day! Tomorrow is our last day!
Have a relaxing break!
Debbie