Three Weeks in The World and 20 Happy Thoughts: a DTR (During Trip Report!) - Page 18 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
I'm so behind on reading & posting, but I'm finally all caught up. Your pictures are beyond awesome!!!!!!!!!!! The fall decorations are beautiful, I love fall and hope to someday see WDW decorated!
When in December? I am still hoping it works for us to go then. We have the flights, and the room - treehouse actually - just no job to pay for food....hoping that changes more than 31 days out. Otherwise, we have to cancel. . I am guessing you'll have this trip booked in the next five days!
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Yeah! You finally found some good food for lunch! I can understand needing to leave. We usually stay 12 days, but by the last two I'm on sensory overload. for taking us along with you.
I'm going to guess that it is already booked by the time I got to read this! Make sure you go back to Casey's and get that pulled pork hot dog--it's excellent! Although the Chicago style dog was good too . . .
I'm so behind on reading & posting, but I'm finally all caught up. Your pictures are beyond awesome!!!!!!!!!!! The fall decorations are beautiful, I love fall and hope to someday see WDW decorated!
i'm also a huge fall fan--it is the only season i bother decorating the INSIDE of my house for. i fell in love with white pumpkins a few years ago. i'm not 'allowed' to put any out until october 1st--and that's tomorrow! yay!
i hope you someday do get to see WDW decorated for halloween. it's beautiful! i feel like the pumpkins super-work because of the whole carriage/cinderella thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mushu22
You will get to see the 'world' all decked out for christmas. The parks are amazing that time of year.
we were there last november--and they were just starting to put the christmas stuff out. and i agree that it is amazing. though we only got to see MK and epcot on that trip, as it was a conference trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
When in December? I am still hoping it works for us to go then. We have the flights, and the room - treehouse actually - just no job to pay for food....hoping that changes more than 31 days out. Otherwise, we have to cancel. . I am guessing you'll have this trip booked in the next five days!
oh--a treehouse villa? i'm so jealous! actually, my husband would be more jealous--he saw them from the DTD bus on our first trip and said that someday he wanted to stay in one...but they are HUGE and we are only two people! plus we aren't DVC members (and never will be.) i hope your trip happens!
oh--and our POSSIBLE dates are december 8-11, arriving late on the 7th. he only has two personal days, so it will just be a long weekend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coop
My over/under is by Saturday it's booked!
i don't know about that--see my next post for the 'issues'.
Quote:
Originally Posted by oddboysmum
Amazing photos and a fantastic report!
thanks!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Yeah! You finally found some good food for lunch! I can understand needing to leave. We usually stay 12 days, but by the last two I'm on sensory overload. for taking us along with you.
that's where i was by day 10, to. i think if i'd have stayed i would have gotten a second wind--i began to feel it coming on there as i was getting ready to leave. or perhaps that feeling was just relief to be coming home!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
I'm going to guess that it is already booked by the time I got to read this! Make sure you go back to Casey's and get that pulled pork hot dog--it's excellent! Although the Chicago style dog was good too . . .
well, it depends upon how long it takes you to return to this thread! we'll see--i'm going to write more about my indecision and some of the issues we're having in another post...right...now.
oh and thanks for further confusing my hot dog pick! the chicago one sounded different--in a good way.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
you know how i lie a lot? well, not lie--but say things and then don't do them? well, i said that my next post would be my last and that it would contain final thoughts--but i was wrong. this post is a plea for help...i need opinions on our possible next trip!
SO...as you know by now, my husband and i are considering doing a trip in december. without making this a whole mini PTR, here are the issues, concerns, and questions i have about said trip. oh--and i guess i should put 'benefits' in there, too.
benefits of the trip:
-i'd be able to use my AP some more!
-i'd be taking my husband to WDW, which i really REALLY want to do.
-my husband is VERY enthusiastic about it. he started reading my passporter mere minutes after suggesting it--and HE suggested it.
-it would likely be cheaper than any other trip we'd take with his two little personal days (we were thinking of combining them with a holiday like easter, but then everything is SO EXPENSIVE everywhere...we were looking at beachy, all inclusive type places...or savannah, ga.)
-i can sort of justify it because i'll likely 'need' to go back for research purposes by that point in the year....and by 'that point' i mean 'two months from now'.
-this is the big one: thinking about it MAKES ME HAPPY.
concerns i have:
-that we 'should' be going somewhere else. i just spent 15 days in WDW (working, yes, but still) and i was there three other times in the last year. we SHOULD be going somewhere else. right?
-that it's not the kind of trip my husband actually wants. he THINKS it is the kind of trip he wants, but he doesn't think about things like getting up at 6am to make EMH rope drop, or standing in line for cafeteria style food.
-that it will still cost SOME money (even if it is cheaper than 'any other option') and i'm not working (well, i'm not being paid, anyway) right now.
issues:
-it sometimes takes a REALLY long time for him to have personal days approved. as the trip is only 9 weeks away, that might kill it before it even begins. if his work doesn't approve the days off for, say, two or three weeks, there may not be reasonable airfare (there's only one flight per day on my preferred, direct, cheap airline from my preferred very-close-by airport) or rooms available at the AP rate (or with a teacher discount if we decide to do the dolphin)
questions:
-given ALL of that--what would you do? would you book another WDW trip and take your husband? or would you 'save' those two days and go to a beach somewhere--or a major city (we often do city break trips) during easter?
-IF you say 'i'd go to WDW' (because that may be what all of you say) would you stay at POP, POR/POFQ, or swan/dolphin? why?
side note: my husband is gunning for the swan/dolphin, and i kind of agree with him...but feel that there are also pros and cons for each of the three resorts we are considering.
i guess the last question should be 'do you think i'm insane?' and 'yes' is a totally acceptable answer!
i'm going to wait and see if he even attempted to put in a request for the days off today. if he did that, it means he REALLY wants to go. though if he didn't it doesn't mean that he doesn't really want to go--it could also mean that he was really busy today! will report back when he gets home from work!
I say GO, WDW at Christmas is supposed to be amazing (i'll find out when you do lol) and you've been for Halloween for research for your book, you may as well go for Christmas. My vote is for Pop, you're still on property, it's a very cool and fun resort and you won't have to worry about the Pop Warner kids, i think i read on the boards they will be at POR and the all stars...i'm not 100% on that though.
I say GO, WDW at Christmas is supposed to be amazing (i'll find out when you do lol) and you've been for Halloween for research for your book, you may as well go for Christmas. My vote is for Pop, you're still on property, it's a very cool and fun resort and you won't have to worry about the Pop Warner kids, i think i read on the boards they will be at POR and the all stars...i'm not 100% on that though.
Have fun deciding!
i won't have to worry about the who now? the pop warner kids? who are these people and why should i worry about them?
i'm kind of excited about WDW at christmas time. i forgot to add this in my list of 'benefits'...getting to see the osbourne lights. melissa sue said that it was amazing--and i believe her (because every other thing she's told me was amazing WAS amazing!)
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Pop Warner football kids. Noisy & obnoxious.
I say go, because the Osborne Lights are AMAZING! like I stood and cried seeing them, with the snow falling down, amazing!
Pop Warner football kids. Noisy & obnoxious.
I say go, because the Osborne Lights are AMAZING! like I stood and cried seeing them, with the snow falling down, amazing!
oh dear...i just googled it. yes--noisy and obnoxious. not good. and they are there that week. perhaps THAT'S why the crowd levels are so low?
i think that might seal the deal for the dolphin. i can deal with roving packs of kids in the parks (by leaving and going to another park) but i don't want to deal with them whilst trying to sleep. good to know!!!
i REALLY want to see the lights. it seems such a silly thing for a grown woman to want to do--but i LOVE christmas time. it is my absolute favorite time of the year. thanksgiving through new year's eve, i'm happy!
ok...so my husband did NOT ask for those days off today. he says he will do it on monday. until then--there will be no more updating. if there's to be a trip, there will be a PTR...and i'll post the link to that here. up next--for real this time--final thoughts.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
The fall decorations are beautiful, I love fall and hope to someday see WDW decorated! 
Susan
You will get to see the 'world' all decked out for christmas. The parks are amazing that time of year.
. I am guessing you'll have this trip booked in the next five days!
for taking us along with you.
Linear Mode
