Running Through Walt's Original Magic Kingdom **COMPLETE 10/9** - Page 8 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
I love all the photos of the details in the treehouse! That's an attraction I'll never be able to tour, so I really appreciate the up-close look at it. Your DD's comment about "Duffy sat here" is great!
Great views from the treehouse. I skipped that one because I also thought it would be like the Robinson's. Again... another thing to see next trip!
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Great pictures. The treehouse originally was Swiss Family Treehouse and then converted in the late 90's to Tarzan's Treehouse. It is pretty cool to see
Looking forward to reading more of your report and seeing your great pictures.
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.
Hope everyone is feeling better and that you are enjoying your new job. Sorry you did not get to ride the Lily Belle Love the pictures from Tarzan's Tree House and what a wonderful view.
I had made the same assumption as Mike Scopa. We'll definitely have to check out Tarzan's abode on our next trip.
Glad you loved Indy! My DH loves that ride too; I'm less of a fan only because the queue is soooo long and I'm claustrophobic so parts of the queue really stress me out!
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.
I've finally caught up with this post. Great pictures of Tarzan's Treehouse. I wish they would update the treehouse at WDW. I usually skip it. Can't wait for more!
Sounds like a great morning. I don't love Dinosaur, but Indy gets rave reviews from everyone!
We really did have a great morning!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
I love all the photos of the details in the treehouse! That's an attraction I'll never be able to tour, so I really appreciate the up-close look at it. Your DD's comment about "Duffy sat here" is great!
I'm glad I could provide that for you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
I remember really enjoying Tarzan's Treehouse when we visited it a few years ago. Unfortunately, this time, I just didn't have the energy for it.
DH felt the same way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures from DL! We never went up the treehouse, although the kids did!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
Great views from the treehouse. I skipped that one because I also thought it would be like the Robinson's. Again... another thing to see next trip!
I really enjoyed it, but I think once was probably enough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shari2137
Great pictures. The treehouse originally was Swiss Family Treehouse and then converted in the late 90's to Tarzan's Treehouse. It is pretty cool to see Looking forward to reading more of your report and seeing your great pictures.
I knew it had changed themes; I'd seen pictures online and glad I took the time to see if for myself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Great pictures from the treehouse. Now I wish I had gone inside. Oh well, next time! Indy was probably one of my favorite rides of the trip!
I'm so glad we were able to ride Indy. Maybe I'll give Dinosaur another chance...nah, probably not!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
Hope everyone is feeling better and that you are enjoying your new job. Sorry you did not get to ride the Lily Belle Love the pictures from Tarzan's Tree House and what a wonderful view.
It was such a beautiful day, too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
I had made the same assumption as Mike Scopa. We'll definitely have to check out Tarzan's abode on our next trip. Glad you loved Indy! My DH loves that ride too; I'm less of a fan only because the queue is soooo long and I'm claustrophobic so parts of the queue really stress me out!
Oooh, I'm glad my claustrophobia didn't come out during the walk through the Indy queue!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Great pictures from Tarzan's Treehouse! I too had assumed that it would be similar to the Swiss Family Treehouse.
Quote:
Originally Posted by My2suns
I feel like I have been given a virtual tour of DL! Thanks for all the pics! Can't wait for more!
You're welcome!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tere WDW
I've finally caught up with this post. Great pictures of Tarzan's Treehouse. I wish they would update the treehouse at WDW. I usually skip it. Can't wait for more!
I bet most people probably haven't even seen Swiss Family Robinson!
So, we'd just finished up with our first ride on Indy, and it was time to hit another popular attraction: Splash Mountain. We usually don't bother with this one, because it's too cold, or we don't want to walk around the park when we're soaked, but it was pleasantly warm so we decided to go for it. We must have gotten a FP for something else, though, and didn't want to wait in the standby line, so we decided to give the single rider line a try. Except we couldn't find it. Back and forth, back and forth we went. Turns out, you have to go through the exit. Mmmmm-kay.
When we got there, I told the CM, " They really make you work for your single rider experience here, don't they?" There were only a couple of people ahead of us, but while we were waiting, the CM manning the regular line called out, asking if there were any parties of 2. I made a move to raise my hand, forgetting I was in the SINGLE rider line. The CM had seen me, though, so he asked if DH and I were together, and if we'd like to stay together. I tried to tell him that it really didn't matter; we understood that we were in the single rider line. He let us go anyway. I thanked him profusely, both as we got on the ride, as well as when we'd finished. He really didn't have to do that for us, but we appreciated it!
Here are a few pictures from Splash:
I took this one for my girls. They like to call our "Bear butt!" every time they see Brer Bear, because it seems like he's always showing us his hiney.
I wonder if this jack-o-lantern guy is always here, or is he seasonal?
Fortunately, we were seated in the last two (back-to-back) seats, behind a group of girls who really seemed to enjoy the ride. They caught the water and we were spared.
I'll note here that the CMs at DL don't care if you take a photo of your photo. They're not even standing there with their little papers, waiting to write down your number so you can purchase the photo. Guess people don't usually buy the photo at DL.
Splash Mountain is in Critter Country at DL, so it was a long walk to our next destination, Frontierland, especially because we didn't know where we were going. It was hot, and I was so thirsty, so I stopped to refill my water bottle. We weren't planning on eating lunch because we had an ADR at Blue Bayou for 2:20. I sure could have used a cold drink at this point. Not sure why we didn't stop to get one.
Instead, we headed for BTMRR, where we encountered a long wait made even longer by the fact that we were in direct sun almost the entire time. I'm sure it wasn't longer than 20 minutes, but my phone was dying, so I didn't have anything to do. Here are a few queue photos, which are a bit different than the ones you see at WDW.
Duffy enjoyed not having to be in my backpack this time!
While we were in Frontierland, we decided to catch a Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. This is the building where Walt and Lillian celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, four days before Disneyland opened. (You can read more about that here:History of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon -Main Page) I'd heard a great deal about this show, and this was our only opportunity to catch it. We were quite early, though, so we grabbed a root beer to share and I looked around for a plug so I could charge my phone.
I spotted one up by the stage, so I sat up there for a while waiting for the show to start. I took a few photos with my regular camera, just to give myself something to do. (I'm not addicted to my phone...really, I'm not!)
Apparenly, the night of the party, Walt climbed down from this balcony to get to the stage. Here's the quote from Walt's daughter, Diane: "Suddenly Dad appeared in one of the balcony boxes on the side of the stage. At this point in the show, Wally Boag, as Pecos Bill, was firing blanks – Dad returned fire with his thumb and forefinger, then began to climb down to the stage. I think everyone got a bit worried – I know I did. When he got to the stage, he stood there beaming at everyone. He was so happy.”
Once the show started, I had to push past people to get to my seat. I felt badly, but what can you do? The show was just as good as I'd heard. It's a quartet of guys who sing and play string instruments, but also crack jokes and interact with the audience. The main guy (Billy Hill) does a bit where he puts in hillbilly teeth and flirts with ladies in the audience. He pointed out a couple of pretty young ladies near the front row, telling them they would like to meet their mothers.
Terrible photo, but I'm a rule-follower, and I didn't use flash!
Up next: Honest, honey, we have a reservation. No, I didn't make it, and I've only met one of the people we're eating with...
__________________
Last edited by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince; 10-29-2011 at 01:46 PM..
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
The CM had seen me, though, so he asked if DH and I were together, and if we'd like to stay together. I tried to tell him that it really didn't matter; we understood that we were in the single rider line. He let us go anyway. 
Here are a few queue photos, which are a bit different than the ones you see at WDW.
I remember reading that story about Walt as well. 
Linear Mode
