My Best Trip Ever! A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making - Page 4 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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Great start, and no need for apologies on the photo sitch. You were doing exactly what you should've been doing - enjoying your son's first trip!
OK, but need to ask, water bottles in a carry on? Even if she wasn't a regular traveler I was surprised someone wouldn't know that! I would have been frustrated, given that you wanted to help her prepare. Hope there aren't too many other instances like this on the trip!
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Sounds like a great start to your trip, sorry about the tiny seats on the plane though! Other than that, how was your experience on Spirit? We are a couple of hours away from AC airport, but we were considering looking into Spirit for a trip at the end of the year. I'd love any feedback you might have
I was not happy with Spirit and probably won't fly with them again. I've used them in the past and never had problems. This trip they nickle and dime you for everything, even charging for carry on bags. We had booked our flights and then they changed schedules. they went from 6 flights per day to 2 and the ones they booked us on, we were losing an entire day. I had to call them 2 times to have them correct it and each time they wanted to charge me a change fee so had to fight about that. Finally got the flights straightene out and with my complaning did get a small refund in the ticket price.
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Originally Posted by lauriep
Glad you've started, Holly! I love it when the plane lands early. I totally understand about the photos. Even travelling solo I don't take that many when I'm roaming the parks because I have to pull over and stop the scooter, dig out the camera. It's great that you took the time to concentrate on Evan and having a good time!
I always have the best intentions with taking photos but Evan was on the go and didn't want to constantly stop while I took pictures.
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Originally Posted by mcc0313
Sounds like a great start to the trip, being ahead of schedule is always good. Sorry about the small seats on the airlines, glad that it was uneventful however and that you all made it to Orlando to great weather.
Me too - the weather was nice our entire trip.
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Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Yay, you've made it to Downtown Disney! Looking forward to more!
Stay tuned, more to come
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Originally Posted by Cam22
Great start!
thanks
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Originally Posted by chezp
Great start to the trip! Sounds like travelling was a bit of a baptism by fire for Christine with those overweight luggage charges!
Yes it was but she didn't learn as she packed large yogurt drinks in the carry ons for the return.
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Originally Posted by KMB733
So glad to see you started!!! It's always exciting when you land early. Can't wait to hear about DTD!!
More comming up!
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Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Great start, and no need for apologies on the photo sitch. You were doing exactly what you should've been doing - enjoying your son's first trip!
OK, but need to ask, water bottles in a carry on? Even if she wasn't a regular traveler I was surprised someone wouldn't know that! I would have been frustrated, given that you wanted to help her prepare. Hope there aren't too many other instances like this on the trip!
I felt bad for her, if she had just read the info I gave her she would have know what she could/could not have packed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Uh oh sounds like you have a difficult traveler with you--good luck with that! But you are there!
Things went pretty well - a few hiccups but mainly good.
I wanted to go to DTD first as I wanted to convert my MYW pass to an annual pass and purchase a TIW card. I thought that the DTD Guest Relations would be the easiest to get to and the least crowded.
We wandered around a little and the boys all played at the Lego store while I high-tailed it over to GR. There was a line and it was slow moving as there was only 1 person working. I think it took about 30 minutes for me to wait in line and get my service done.
As I noted before we were about an hour ahead of were I thought we’d be so we headed over to the Rain Forest Café for lunch. We had a noon ADR but it was only 11am. Well actually about 10:45. We looked around the store and at the fish tanks and were seated right at 11am. Evan has been to RFC before but was still frightened by the thunderstorms.
I ordered a bacon cheese burger and it was the best burger I had all week and in reality in quite some time as well. Evan fell asleep at the table before his lunch even arrived so we just boxed it up for him to have later.
I felt bad; Evan had his annual check-up just a few days before we left. He had gotten some shots, one being his flu shot and now he had a slight fever. I was praying he wasn’t coming down with anything. After lunch we headed back to the van. I gave Evan a Tylenol melt-away and 20 minutes later – miracle of miracles – he was fine. Every time something like that happens I sing to myself (in the tune of Sting’s Christmas carol “The Angle Gabriel”)…“The Angle Tylenol for Heaven Came….”
Before we left the parking lot at DTD I got a call that our Garden Grocer order had been delivered. That was nice but I had requested it be delivered between 3 and 5 pm and it was just 1pm. We didn’t even know if our room would be ready.
So we headed over to Shades of Green for check-in. We had 3 rooms booked and requested them to all be together. Good news – they were all together and the adjoining rooms we wanted were approved. Bad news, only one room was available now.
We unloaded all our stuff and bell services brought all our bags and the groceries up to Christine’s room. Evan had woken up more now and was feeling better so he had his lunch. We sorted out all the food for all 3 rooms and then decided to go for a swim.
The pool was really close to our room. We were steps from the elevator and then down 2 floors and right outside the elevator was the pool. This was the Mickey head shaped pool.
The kids had a really great time and I think this was the hottest day we had so the cool water felt nice. Evan could stand in the very shallow end but was a little nervous there so mainly stayed by the steps. There was a ledge/seat that went around the perimeter of the pool so he could stand on that and then jump out to me. He had a nice time.
Our other rooms were ready and we headed up to move our stuff over and unpack and rest up.
Side story – on the way up from the pool we all hopped into the elevator and, after fighting about who would hit which buttons – the elevator went up but never opened the doors. We all just kind of stood there looking at each other and waiting. “did we just get stuck?” Chris asked. We hit the open door button – nothing – then the down button – nothing. I actually opened the door for the emergency phone but the door handle fell off and the door was still closed. I was getting panicy inside but wanted to remain calm and not upset Evan. Just then the doors opened. We all pushed the kids “get out” I said and we all ran out. I didn’t care what floor we were on – just get out. From then on we used the employee/service elevator which was just around the corner. Although my sister used that elevator later and had no problems – I just didn’t want to take the risk.
The only other thing we had planned for the day was a character dinner at Chef Mickey’s.
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.
All caught up! I hope Christine learns from her travel mistakes, or maybe she's just the go-with-the-flow type of person. You had me laughing with the elevator story, although I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time. I can't believe the handle fell off the emergency door!!! Did you end up telling anyone what happened?
I'm glad Evan recovered quickly from his fever, thanks to the "Angel Tylenol" Pretty scary elevator moment there. I'm not sure I'd have braved that elevator again either.
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 am a little late finding your TR but all caught up! Sorry about your Grandmother!
You trip down seemed nice and easy with little stress. Glad Evan started feeling better! Gotta love Tylenol!!
Can't wait to read more!
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Check out my Pre-Trip Report for our 9/18-9/23/12 trip here:
It sounds like even if you would've met with Christine before you left she wouldn't have known better since you said she packed liquid in the carry-ons on the way home too. Some people!
Glad you arrived early and got into RFC sooner too. The pool sounds fun.
The elevator has me freaked out! Glad it didn't happen again. I would've used the stairs from then on.
Glad that the tylenol worked and that Evan was feeling better. Sounds like the rooms were in a great location (well as long as you did not have to take the elevator...)
Thanks for the feedback on Spirit! I was hoping to save some money, but after hearing the trouble you went through, it doesn't seem like it would be worth the two hour drive to the airport.
I'm glad you made it out of the elevator safely, I would have been panicking too. Good job keeping your cool for Evan! Looking forward to more, I'm intrigued by your Minnie teaser!
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.
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Sounds like travelling was a bit of a baptism by fire for Christine with those overweight luggage charges! 
Holly: 
You had me laughing with the elevator story, although I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time. I can't believe the handle fell off the emergency door!!! Did you end up telling anyone what happened?
Pretty scary elevator moment there. I'm not sure I'd have braved that elevator again either.
Deb
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
PassPorter Guide Author
Glad Evan recovered quickly!
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