My Best Trip Ever! A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making - Page 5 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Great trip report so far! I'm so glad your son felt better after Tylenol. It really can be a miracle drug for kids. I can't wait to hear about Minnie??
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?
My mom started laughing too when the handle fell off - now that I think of it - I don't think we did tell anyone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
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.
Evan did end up with a touch of a cold but didn't slow him down at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
Minnie gives a man the finger? What???
It is funny that the only time you don't mind the alarm going off at an ungodly hour is when you are leaving for vacation!
Glad the Tylenol worked! As for the elevator story...I don't know how you stayed calm. That is right up there with one of my worst fears! Eeek!
More please!
Thanks - I was nervous on the elevator
Quote:
Originally Posted by emvenable77
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!
Thanks for joining in - I'm late in writing it so you haven't missed much
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
All caught up.
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.
I keept looking for the satirs but never found them. They hid them well, glad there wasn't an emergency
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Oh my goodness, I cannot wait to find out why Minnie did that...
It was so funny - but you'll have to read the next update.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
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...)
I found the hotel confusing but our rooms were nice and a good location - not great, but not awful either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
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!
I'd only go with Spirit if the rate was AMAZING!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sounds like a great afternoon! Glad Evan recovered quickly!
me too - he is a trooper
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Glad Evan was feeling better quickly! The elevator would have freaked me out! Can't wait to hear all about Minnie and the finger.
Story coiming up soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
So glad Evan didn't get sick! Sounds like a great day so far!
It was. Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aspen
Great trip report so far! I'm so glad your son felt better after Tylenol. It really can be a miracle drug for kids. I can't wait to hear about Minnie??
After a rest we leave the resort and walk to the Poly to catch our very first monorail ride of the trip. I just love the monorail . It is like an attraction all by itself.
The walk from Shades to Poly takes about 10-15 minutes and is very pleasant. They have a golf cart that will drop you at the end of the property (for a small tip) and if really lucky, will bring you back, but it is only if the cart is there just as you cross the street from the Poly.
Once at the Poly, I got the boys birthday buttons and 1st visit buttons. We had 4 birthdays while we were there and four 1st visits. Evan’s birthday was the week before we left. He wore his pin everyday and just wait until you hear all the things he got because of it. I tell ya, that pin was worth its weight in gold on this trip.
The boys got very excited as we glided past the MK on our way to the Contemporary. I must admit I wanted to hop off and go right in.
We got to Chef Mickeys and were seated as soon as we had our photo done. The food was good, nothing fantastic. It was really noisy and crazy as always but it really was the introduction into Disney.
Boys L to R
Gunnar 6, Evan 5, Bryson 8
Adults L to R
Me-Holly, Mom-Janet and Christine
I gave each of the boys their autograph books and the waiter explained the process. ‘Characters come around the room, have cameras and books ready, seat kids on outside, yada, yada, yada…’ The first to stop by was Goofy and I was a little nervous when a look of surprise and fright flashed across Evan’s face. He glanced up at how tall he was and I thought for a minute Ev was going to chicken out, but he didn’t.
It didn’t take long for Evan to get into the swing of things. He decided this trip he needed (his favorite word right now) to draw a picture for each character that came to our table. The characters were really great about it and would always hug him for it or make a big fuss. He totally got into the napkin dance. Swinging it around over his head, I just prayed he didn’t knock all the food off the table. He didn’t.
Now one of the funniest things happened during the meal. Minnie Mouse was making her rounds and she was at the table next to us. She was finishing up and we were telling the boys to get ready. As she moved to our table a grown man from another table jumps in front of her. “Hey Minnie” he yells and waves at her. She politely side sets him and continues to our table. She poses for pictures and does autographs for Bryson and Gunnar and as she moves to Evan the guy is like “Minnie, Minnie”. I looked at him because I just couldn’t believe he was doing this. At first I thought maybe he was a special needs adult and just didn’t get it. I mean come-on, everyone else in the room knew what to do. Even Evan who had been there a grand total of 10 minutes and is 5 knew what to do. I realized he wasn’t a special needs person so figured he was “3 sheets to the wind”. Minnie visits with Evan and as she is moving to the next table this guys jumps at her again “Minnie, Minnie, Hi” waving and acting like a horse’s you-know-what. Minnie had had enough by then, without a word she stomps her foot down, plants her one had on her hip and the other one she waves about 2 inches in front of this guys face with her index finger held up in the universal “wait”. I can only imagine the face that cast member was making under her mask. It was hysterical. My mom and I died. The man very sheepishly sat right back down in his chair. OMG I thought I was going to die. Under no uncertain terms could that have been misread. Oh Lord to be told off by a mouse with out so much as a word. Evan still loves to tell that story and he acts it out too. It was priceless.
Had to lighten this a bit, now it looks washed out.
Look at the smile on Bryson's face - yea I think he was having a good time.
And speaking of smiles - look at this one
Only Food picture of the trip!
As we were winding up dinner, Evan got is first birthday surprise, I free cupcake with candle at dinner. Now my mom was celebrating her birthday while in Disney but she wouldn’t wear a pin and Bryson was having his birthday later in the week and didn’t want to wear his pin and Eric had his birthday 2 days before Evan’s but didn’t want to wear his pin. Honestly I don’t know what’s up with these kids? Evan wore his every day and then the other kids would all be like “it’s my birthday too” when he would get something special. I lost count on how many times I said “if you wore your pin you’d get that too”. I also found it great because the pin had his name and age on the front and on the underside I wrote my cell phone number so if we ever got separated and cast member could easily see all his vital info. Thankfully no one got lost during the trip. ( I stress no one as something was lost – but more on that in a later post)
We got the monorail back to the Poly and walked back to SOG. It had been a really nice first day and the character dinner really helped to set the tone for the trip. Evan fell asleep quickly. Mom went to the lobby to wait for my sister and her family to arrive. They were in their room (connecting to ours) about 10pm and I was asleep soon after that. BTW tonight was the only night we didn’t have one of Jill’s kids spend the night in our room.
Below is just some pictures I took in the hotel lobby
Coming up next
Our first park day and that birthday pin is already paying off.
That story about Minnie is priceless! It always amazes me how expressive the characters are using just pantomime, but this one takes the cake! Evan just gets more adorable. I'm glad he warmed up fast to the characters and made the most of his birthday button. I think the other boys must take after their mom, not listening to a veteran's advice!
That man should have know you don't mess with Minnie Mouse...oh no! Too funny. Glad to hear you had a great meal despite the craziness of that place. And the pictures came out great.
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.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Sounds like a great day so far!
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.
)
Glad Evan recovered quickly!
Holly: 
and 1st visit buttons. We had 4 birthdays while we were there and four 1st visits. Evan’s birthday was the week before we left. He wore his pin everyday and just wait until you hear all the things he got because of it. I tell ya, that pin was worth its weight in gold on this trip.
for it or make a big fuss. He totally got into the napkin dance. Swinging it around over his head, I just prayed he didn’t knock all the food off the table. He didn’t.
I mean come-on, everyone else in the room knew what to do. Even Evan who had been there a grand total of 10 minutes and is 5 knew what to do. I realized he wasn’t a special needs person so figured he was “3 sheets to the wind”. Minnie visits with Evan and as she is moving to the next table this guys jumps at her again “Minnie, Minnie, Hi” waving and acting like a horse’s you-know-what. Minnie had had enough by then, without a word she stomps her foot down, plants her one had on her hip and the other one she waves about 2 inches in front of this guys face with her index finger held up in the universal “wait”. 
I can only imagine the face that cast member was making under her mask. It was hysterical. My mom and I died. The man very sheepishly sat right back down in his chair. OMG I thought I was going to die. Under no uncertain terms could that have been misread. Oh Lord to be told off by a mouse with out so much as a word. Evan still loves to tell that story and he acts it out too. It was priceless.
. Now my mom was celebrating her birthday while in Disney but she wouldn’t wear a pin and Bryson was having his birthday later in the week and didn’t want to wear his pin and Eric had his birthday 2 days before Evan’s but didn’t want to wear his pin. Honestly I don’t know what’s up with these kids? Evan wore his every day and then the other kids would all be like “it’s my birthday too” when he would get something special. I lost count on how many times I said “if you wore your pin you’d get that too”. I also found it great because the pin had his name and age on the front and on the underside I wrote my cell phone number so if we ever got separated and cast member could easily see all his vital info. Thankfully no one got lost during the trip. ( I stress no one as something was lost – but more on that in a later post)
the Minnie story! I would have been laughing so hard!!
PassPorter Guide Author
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Linear Mode
