The Life of a VIP - Adventures By Disney Backstage Magic - Page 36 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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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.
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What an amazing last evening, love the sketch of Goofy, what a great memory and keepsake. Glad that you got to share in the fireworks with some wonderful friends and travel mates. I love how your last moments were outside Walt's apartment, staring at his light. This has been such an amazing trip...so many great experiences. So I am curious what tour that you really were not interested in did Michael almost sell you on?
Michael almost had me booking the Costa Rica tour! He made it sound really amazing!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
*sniff, sniff*
That picture of Goofy the animator drew for you made me get all weepy on your behalf. It's so perfectly YOU!
*sniff*
What a great experience, Shashi. And your storytelling and pictures are simply divine!
Eileen
Yeah, I was tempted to get a different, more unusual character, but how could I not get Goofy! Really!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a wonderful last evening - and yet again, when you think this can't get any better, it does. I am seriously thinking about an Adventure by Disney - goodness knows when, but maybe one day...
Well, I have to admit that it gets worse after that night, but only because I went home!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tink and co.
I your Goofy sketch! It's so amazing to me how she could talk and whip up that amazing drawing all at the same time.
Are you thinking of Costa Rica? Michael had me all sold on going there, and then I came home and reality (and a daughter only one year away from college) snuck in. I still think about it, though...
Thanks for a truly wonderful trip report. You've really captured the spirit of the Adventure! It's brought back so many memories, and I loved noting the little differences among trips.
Stacia was incredible to watch, right? Especially for me, with so little artistic talent. Yes, I have to say Costa Rica wasn't on my wishlist before, but it is now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsteiny23
I'm all teary here...I don't know if it's because your TR is coming to a close or the PMS that is making me sit here with potato chips and onion dip while I read it...but still (Okay TMI, but I'm not in control of my actions)
Love the sketch!! What a fabulous surprise. There is no way I would have been able to choose! She was amazing. You've completely sold me on this trip. Of course I'm going to need a bigger piggy bank, but I'm up to the task.
Dawn, you crack me up! And you never have to worry about one of my TRs ending. That usually means a new one is about to start (or has already started ).
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyH
So sad that it's coming to an end -but what a great trip it has been. I, too, am curious about which ABD trips you are considering. There are a ton I would love to do. Must win the lottery first .
My DM and I are going to do Italy next year. And I'm sure I'll be doing another one in 2012. Haven't decided which one yet. Maybe Alaska?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
What a great ending to a fabulous trip! If I win the lottery, I'm going to do all of the ABD's!!
That reminds me. I need to buy a lottery ticket. I do think it's a shame that Disney doesn't market these better. When you look at the itinerary, they never sound as good as the actual experience is. They try too hard to keep the surprises, and it ends up underselling the adventure IMO.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
What a wonderful last day! I loved reading about this trip-I'd love to do it someday! I especially loved the drawing they did for you and am glad to hear that you have had it framed! I wish they would do the IASW update at WDW! I love seeing the Disney characters!
It makes me laugh a little about the iasw update. So many people were up in arms over the rehab, and all for nothing! And if you're looking for a roomie, you know who to call!
Quote:
Originally Posted by doccoc2002
This was an amazing adventure...I will have to wait until the kids are grown up to take it or at least until the youngest is 16which is very sad!
This was an adults only Adventure, but I'm pretty sure they do additional kid-friendly activities when kids are along. Unless your kids are big Disney dorks, though, it's probably best to wait until they're older. At least tweens/teens.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Maybe THIS is what they're doing at WDW while IASW is down for like 2.5 months. (It's closed 8/1-10/22)
I thought so, but something tells me that it would take longer than that. It was down at DL for a long time (like 6 months or so, but I could be making that up). We'll find out soon enough.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
I’d set a wakeup call, but I woke up before the phone rang, at about 5:45. Since I had to get moving sooner or later, I got up and showered. I packed everything up to be ready to go and then stored my bags so I wouldn’t have to return to the room. It was still too early to get breakfast, so I wandered around the resort, taking photos. I love the GC, and I especially love when few people are around.
I love the light fixtures at the Grand Californian. It was difficult to get good pictures, though. I managed one good one.
I ventured outside to get more pics.
I went out front next.
It was finally time for Storytellers Café to open, so I headed there.
Because this was the last day of the Adventure, we could eat breakfast any time we wanted to between 7 and 9. I needed to eat and run, so I was there right when it opened. I’ve had breakfast at Storytellers before, and the food is tasty (the character interaction can be hit or miss).
I didn’t have time to greet the characters, but I said a quick hello as they passed. I quickly got some food, which was as good as I remembered (my notes say the fruit was particularly good). Then I said goodbye to those who’d gotten up early enough. Jaime and Michael were there, and they handed out more photo postcards that they’d printed up. I thanked them both again (the guides are a big part of the experience), and then it was time to leave. On the way out, I got a quick photo with Kenai and Koda.
I’m wearing the t-shirt Matthew, a fellow ABD’er, made for everyone
I was riding to LAX with Pete and Walter, and when Pete saw I was riding with them, he said “good, at least somebody is riding with us.” Then he laughed and said he didn’t mean it like that. He was happy to have me! Michael and Jaime walked us out to our car (an SUV). Michael teased me about having 4 bags (I bought a lot of stuff, and 3 of the bags were pretty small). It was interesting fitting all our stuff in (Pete had a lot of stuff, too), but our driver did without a problem.
On the way, we talked about how wonderful the trip had been. We also talked about the volcano that was shutting down flights in Europe. Pete and Walter were supposed to fly to Barcelona for their med cruise a few days later, but it was looking like they might have to cancel (luckily, they were able to go). It was really early, so we didn’t hit any traffic at all and we made it to LAX in seemingly record time. I said goodbye to Pete and Walter, and headed in to check my luggage.
The line to check my bags was fairly short – it only took about 10 minutes to get that taken care of. I’d used Early Bird Check-in, so I found out my boarding numbers (A18 for the flight to Vegas, and then A16 for the longer leg ). It took a bit longer to get through security, I’d say around 25 minutes, but considering the beastly size of LAX, I think I did really well!
There had been extra time for me to get to the airport, and I’d made great time getting to and through the airport, so I had a ridiculous amount of time to kill. I got a bottle of water and found a seat. I spent the time looking through my pictures and catching up my notes. In fact, I got so involved that I missed the announcement that boarding had begun! So much for having A18! I ended up boarding in the second group of As (31-60), but it didn’t matter, since this was going to be a very quick flight (like 40 minutes). I snagged a great seat close to the front, so all was well.
The flight was quick and uneventful, and in fact I napped through most of it. I had a bit of a layover in Las Vegas. I can tell you, McCarran airport is kind of a dump. Don’t get me wrong, I love Las Vegas, it’s a great city! The airport isn’t so great. The food selection is lousy, they don’t have many power outlets, and it’s just a rundown looking place. At least the Southwest terminal is. For such a busy airport, you’d think they’d update it a little. Sheesh!
My flight was going to be 45 minutes late. I had lunch at Sbarro (I think I had pasta – not touching pizza outside of NY). Then I wandered around. I had considered taking a cab to the strip and walking around there for a couple hours, but ruled it out. Of course, sitting in the airport, I was kicking myself for not doing that.
Finally it was time to board. I was excited about having A16, which meant I would be boarding first (well, except for preboarders and business select, but there were no business select). Because it was a long flight, I decided to get the exit row, so I’d have the extra leg room. The flight was mostly uneventful, with just a few bumpy points. I slept a little, but mostly I read or listened to my iPod. We managed to make up some time and landed only about half an hour late (but it was like 10:30 local time).
My Dad picked me up after I’d collected my luggage and I went right to bed (where, as usual I had no problem at all adjusting to the time zone change). Oh, one more thing. I guess it could be considered a mini spoiler, but the next day in the mail, I got a “welcome home” postcard from Jaime and Michael. I thought that was a nice touch, and it took me back to the trip (and away from the mundane tasks of everyday life).
Up Next: Final Thoughts and Ramblings
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Great update! Sorry about the condition of the Las Vegas airport. Something similar happened to me at the Chicago-Ohare. It was my 1st time there and I was dissapointed. The carpet was so dirty it had me sanitizing my kids hands every 5 minutes. You would think that big cities would pay a little more attention to their airports. Sorry, I had to get that out of my system.
Looking foward to your final thoughts.
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Hotel looks amazing. When we go to Cali next year I am going to keep this TR as a refrence of what I want to see/do. I am definately going to stay at the GC for a few nights when we go to DL. I hate layovers...I don't mind them by myself but they are horrible with kids. We are going to try Virgin America they have $99/one way sometimes and it is nonstop Thank goodnes because with a 1 almost 2yr old we will need it! Can't wait to read your final thoughts and ramblins'.
Glad you were able to enjoy just a few more moments of Disney Magic before you had to say goodbye What an amazing trip this has been. Sorry you had quite a layover in LV.
I can see how Michael could have talked you into the Costa Rica tour, I actually have looked at that one, it looks so amazing and I have always wanted to zip line through the jungle
I had a bit of a layover in Las Vegas. I can tell you, McCarran airport is kind of a dump. Don’t get me wrong, I love Las Vegas, it’s a great city! The airport isn’t so great. The food selection is lousy, they don’t have many power outlets, and it’s just a rundown looking place. At least the Southwest terminal is. For such a busy airport, you’d think they’d update it a little.
Hey! Well, OK...you're sorta right. For some reason, even though SWA has enough planes to warrent a LOT of gates, they have a crappy concourse. You have to go searching for the new food areas (the ones that are available without leaving secured areas) and the outlet areas are not convenient to the gates.
But, I remember going to LAX and being appalled at the lax security (no pun intended) and the lack of food choices. Maybe I was just tired and cranky, since we'd just driven 4+ hours from Vegas and had a 7 hour flight to HI ahead of us?
So sad your trip is at an end - but I'll be hopping over to WDW to see what else you and FLN got up to on that trip!
About This Page: 
I am seriously thinking about an Adventure by Disney - goodness knows when, but maybe one day... 
your Goofy sketch! It's so amazing to me how she could talk and whip up that amazing drawing all at the same time.
Michael had me all sold on going there, and then I came home and reality (and a daughter only one year away from college
) snuck in. I still think about it, though...
(Okay TMI, but I'm not in control of my actions)
.
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Pixie Dust
On the way out, I got a quick photo with Kenai and Koda.
Then he laughed and said he didn’t mean it like that. He was happy to have me! 
). It took a bit longer to get through security, I’d say around 25 minutes, but considering the beastly size of LAX, I think I did really well! 
I had lunch at Sbarro (I think I had pasta – not touching pizza outside of NY). Then I wandered around. I had considered taking a cab to the strip and walking around there for a couple hours, but ruled it out. Of course, sitting in the airport, I was kicking myself for not doing that. 
Sorry, I had to get that out of my system.
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Disney Magic - Oct 2015
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