The Sunshine Family (and Little Dude) Does Disney Again! - PTR - Sept 2011 UPDATED 7/25 - Page 2 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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
I absolutely love Port Orleans. I prefer French Quarter just a wee bit over Riverside because the main pool and themeing are so cool! We actually ended up lounging at the pool quite a bit (in the shade). I highly recommend Bob Jackson's show over at Riverside's lounge. it's a hoot!!
I'm glad your planning another adventure, I thoroughly enjoyed your last TR!
Here's my input on what I hope to do & am looking forward to this time around!
Monday September 5 - Looking forward to the outlet shopping early in the trip. And the Pool. We don't have reservations for dinner but figure we'll get a table service meal somewhere in Downtown Disney ...We didn't make it there last time around I'm a little excited about hitting up the pin trading areas.
Tuesday -
'Ohana Can't wait!! I've just got a tattoo of the word 'Ohana in memory of the people who raised me (as seen in my avatar picture) and I want to show it to Stitch!
I'm also looking forward to getting a new ear hat... does anyone know if they still have the graduation ear hats?!? If not, I'll have to make another extra customized hat.
Wednesday -
Not sure what to expect from Animal Kingdom, but worst case scenario, there will be Mickey Waffles and a character breakfast, pool hopping at Port Orleans, and a possibility of fireworks.
Thursday -
I get to meet the mad hatter, and Mary Poppins during breakfast... this means Mickey Waffles two days in a row !!! ...as long as they don't pick on me for eating with my elbows on the table.
My vote for the morning is EPCOT (we missed the front section of the park last time and I'm expecting to want to spend some time there) and possibly the Pool or resort hopping to pin trade with the resort staff members.
Friday - Last BIG PIN TRADING DAY and DHS for splodies and special effects Then after eating a full Quick Service meal we ride lots of rides and maybe watch Fantasmic.
The day-by-day plan according to Stitch (Part 2 after DB gets to Disney)
Saturday -
Last time I had sooo much fun at the Cape May Cafe' Breakfast, I wonder how much of that was the first day excitement and how much was the amazing service (and Mickey Waffles ...noticing a theme here)
I'm not sure which parks we'll end up in, but "statistically speaking" both MK and EPCOT are a good probability since we have park hopper and the monorail connects the two parks. DB likes Epcot and this will be our first opportunity to hit up the teacups this trip.
Sunday - Sunday can be summed up in Four small words "Pin Traiding, & Surf & Turf!" We're starting at LeCellier (the creme brulee was almost as good as the beef last year), and ending at cape May's all you can eat for all you can pay crab legs. Add lots of pin traiding to the mix and the possibility of Illuminations and I'm a very happy camper.
Monday -
Free day for last minute stuff... like Mickey Waffles and rides that must be done again!
Tuesday -
MK Early and dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table and MNSSH complete with Fireworks!!! Oooh and the parade with Tigger and Jack... and the dance party with Stitch... and ... and... there's going to be alot of awesomeness.
Wednesday September 14 -
We get to go home way too early in the morning.....and start saving money for next time.
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.
Friday - Last BIG PIN TRADING DAY and DHS for splodies and special effects Then after eating a full Quick Service meal we ride lots of rides and maybe watch Fantasmic.
Our vacations will overlap!
Me and my family will be in the bubble Sept 3-10 - but from the looks of your plans, we will be in different parks each day.
Happy planning!
We're still not sure on meeting up with anyone on the trip. It's not you, it's us There is a reason why we have the service dog and not using real names on the board. We'll let you know if we change our minds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PamelaK
Sounds like it is going to be an AWESOME trip. Since you learned a few lessons from your last trip, this one should go MUCH smoother. Can't wait to hear about it.
I'm certainly hoping it will go smoother! And writing up the report was good too because it made me take another look at our plans for this upcoming trip and realize that I did it again - squeeze in too much. So already I have that list of "next time!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsblady01
more please
LOL, I'm trying!!! I'm thinking if I take one day to post to all the replies, and then the next day to go into more detail on one day of the trip, and then alternate back and forth, y'all get enough details to live through me, and I'll be able to drag out this trip report long enough that by the time I'm done, it will be "just" 45 days left to go!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG
Just found your next trip! So glad for yall.....and nine days!!!! WOOHOO!
I know NINE DAYS!!! And yet, we're already quite booked!! (well, for us at least. If I was doing commando, there is so much more I could squeeze in. But that wouldn't work for us.)
Nine days, even saying it sounds nice I also like that I was overruled on the number of days - my original plans were for a week. Stitch and DB were the ones who made me have the trip start earlier. DB's motivation is solely driven by pin trading The more time we have before he arrives the less pin trading he wants to see! LOL I can't blame him, although I think I might be getting him into pins. Shhhh don't tell anyone but he already has his first pin from the NYC Disney store!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakesmom1118
Glad to hear you are going again and so soon! Congrats to DB on the job. It's a tough market out there. I'm looking forward to reading more
Thank you so much for the congrats! It is a tough job market, and the job is not ideal with the commute and the lack of medical benefits. But right now, can't look a gifted horse in the mouth, ya know? It's a job, it pays well, and he likes the people he works with. It's also nice being able to go to sleep at night and not see visions of dollar signs and mortgage bills dancing in my head.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
I absolutely love Port Orleans. I prefer French Quarter just a wee bit over Riverside because the main pool and themeing are so cool! We actually ended up lounging at the pool quite a bit (in the shade). I highly recommend Bob Jackson's show over at Riverside's lounge. it's a hoot!!
I'm glad your planning another adventure, I thoroughly enjoyed your last TR!
Thank you for enjoying our last trip report It was fun to write.
I have to say I'm a bit nervous about the themeing at POFQ - it just seems so... loud in the pictures I've seen. The Beach Club is understated in their themeing, IMO (which fits perfectly in New England, I was born there) and Boardwalk doesn't have the loud crass feel of Atlantic City of today. So I'm not sure what to expect from FQ when we get there. Some of the pictures I've seen focused on the clown and other loud themeing pieces, but that may have been the photographers choice and that when taken as a whole, it's not that loud, ya know?
Good to know there is some shade at the main pool at FQ, that is a big concern of mine. Especially since Stitch managed to get a 3rd degree sunburn during our camping trip in June in just 15 minutes. It's the medications she's on, they make her sun sensitive. That combined with the Irish genes and we're just lucky she didn't self-combust!
Please tell me more about the Bob Jackson show over in Riverside. Is it music based? Comedy? How loud and crazy?
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.
Oh yay I am excited for another TR from you guys. Since I cannot go any time soon (September 2012 for me) I am excited to hear about another trip coming up!
Great start and great plans! I think it would be so much fun to attend one of the pin trading events!
Thanks Cam! I'm looking forward to the pin trading. Originally we were going to also sign up for the whole convention, but from what I was able to find out all the convention got you was the opportunity to buy more pins (exclusive though) at discounted prices (but still too high for me). Oh and you got to meet the designers and have exclusive swap meets, etc. It seemed to me that if you were a die hard pin trader/collector, then this is the thing for you.
Since we are trying to keep our obsession at the fun level of trading anything with anyone, the convention is definitely not for us. I could easily become a serious collector and drop tons of money, it would be addicting. But that takes a lot of fun out of it for me. So we'll do just the public trading session on the last day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nimros
More great plans. You are getting closer every day!
Yay!! As of this writing, only 61 days, 17 hours, 3 minutes and 46 seconds But who's counting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by southerngirl1014
Oh yay I am excited for another TR from you guys. Since I cannot go any time soon (September 2012 for me) I am excited to hear about another trip coming up!
I hope to make it a fun PTR to read then
Quote:
Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG
Plans are lookin good!
Thanks!!! And of course, I keep tweaking them. LOL
Been trying to figure out what to post up next, besides going into more details on each day with rides, food, etc.
So, how about my to-do list?? I don't read a lot of pre-trip reports, and I'm getting tired of keeping all of this in my notebook.
Let's see, big items to do:
Got to book an ECV. Which, of course, means I need to do some research. Based upon recommendations alone, it appears that Walker Mobility has the highest recommendations. But then there is Buena Vista Scooter Rentals, which is right on property. Which might be better if we should run into any issues. (also need to make a sign for the back of the ECV so we know which one is ours!! )
Got to book a stay for Little Dude if we still want to do Animal Kingdom. Also need to figure out how to get to the place. Although it's across the street, it sounds like it's not a safe street to cross.
Pre-order the photo cd. We get the book as part of the room package, but the CD needs to be ordered separately. And definitely need to pre-order to save $50!
Stitch needs to order new med alert bracelets. Her old one broke and I want her to have one in case something should happen while at The World.
Need to sign up for an Owner's Locker! We're taking the plunge. One of the older podcasts from PassPorter talked about the locker, and while driving out to a party this weekend, the three of us listened to it on the drive. When the podcast was over, I managed to collect about a page and a half in my 7in by 5in notebook of various things we could leave in our locker and not worry about packing each time.
Little items to do:
Got to make up mousekeeping envelopes
Got to make up thank you notes
Appointment for Little Dude's clean bill of health - no more than 10 days before we fly (required by the airlines)
Print up a new batch of business cards for Stitch and Little Dude explaining his job.
Call up Disney Disability Reservations and re-confirm our room and our special needs requests (not before July 23rd.)
Call up Disney Dinning and re-confirm that all our reservations list a service dog (not before August 15th.)
Decorate Stitch's new suitcase with Disney stickers.
Watch for DME package to arrive around end of July (and if it doesn't, make sure to call by Aug 15th for it.)
Buy more in room decorations. Find the Tinkerbell white board and pack it along with a dry erase marker. (We bought a place mat, need to find more, to hang up in the room for fun.)
Finish reading the Imagineering Field Guide to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
Ok, feel a little better writing that all up - but damn!! The to-do list is just a bit to big for 61 days out. Never mind that I still have 6 more TS credits to use somewhere and I'm really not sure if I want to wait until the last minute to book something because with free dinning, I'm expecting everything to be booked!!!!
Port Orleans French Quarter is very quiet and has a nice calm feel to the resort. There are only a couple of jokers around the resort so you have to look for them. Hope you enjoy it.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
The day-by-day plan according to Stitch 
And the Pool. We don't have reservations for dinner but figure we'll get a table service meal somewhere in Downtown Disney ...We didn't make it there last time around I'm a little excited about hitting up the pin trading areas. 
...as long as they don't pick on me for eating with my elbows on the table.
NEW: 
(Miss Molly)
I think it would be so much fun to attend one of the pin trading events! 
Linear Mode
