Things Don't Always Go As You Planned TR 12/11 - 12/18/11 - Page 11 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Hmmm, I thought I commented after reading your last update, but I guess not Anyway, glad to hear good things about dinner CM! We've only done breakfast, but this year we are going to try dinner. The rest of the night sounded great too!
Breakfast is my favorite meal at any WDW restaurant but sadly it's the one meal we only do once per trip because my family likes their sleep. I hope you enjoy your dinner at CM.
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofyboysmama
All caught up now! What a great photo of the lion - I don't think I've ever seen one with him facing the camera. I love the character Christmas trees! I hope all the decorations will be up for Thanksgiving
Thanks, I love when the animals look right at ya, its like gee thanks for cooperating for my picture . I love the trees too, I am pretty sure they should be up by Thanksgiving.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
We love Chef Mickey's, too! Nice relaxing evening!
Thank you, it was a nice evening hanging out at the resort. I am going to try to incorporate more nights like that on our next trip.
I usually do a load of laundry while we are at wdw.I feel I don't have to bring so much clothes if I can do a wash.Plus we were there just at the start of this month and our clothes got really sweaty.I just went early in the morning as I can't sleep much past5-6 and there was only a couple there besides me.
I always do laundry once during our trip while everyone else is resting, it helps with the Disney blues when we get home that I don't have tons to do after leaving our happy place.
__________________
Paige-Blessed Mom of two wonderful, amazing little boys through the miracle of adoption.
We love WDW!!! I know what is not to love? So glad to find there are more Disney crazy people out there like me!
I usually do a load of laundry while we are at wdw.I feel I don't have to bring so much clothes if I can do a wash.Plus we were there just at the start of this month and our clothes got really sweaty.I just went early in the morning as I can't sleep much past5-6 and there was only a couple there besides me.
I agree it didn't take away from any park time and its less I have to do when I get home. I probably will do it again on our next trip with 6 days at WDW and then 3 night cruise, it would be nice to have fresh clothes before we head over to the Dream.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
It looks like you had a great dinner. I love Chef Mickey! Although I've never tried it for dinner.
Dinner was great, definitely try dinner there sometime if you ever get the chance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paige4
I always do laundry once during our trip while everyone else is resting, it helps with the Disney blues when we get home that I don't have tons to do after leaving our happy place.
Original Plans: Our fifth day was to be spent at MK and then head to DTD at night and maybe try Disney Quest.
What we actually did: Actually did spend the day at MK but instead of DTD spent the night at the resort.
I woke up around 7am and everyone else followed soon after. By 8am we were all ready and headed to Capt. Cooks for breakfast. The boys had the usual Mickey waffles, while DH had the Bounty Platter and had the Tonga Toast (sorry again No pictures)
By 10am we were at the gates of MK and reading to hit the ground running, well after our traditional ride on the WDW Railroad. We were the first ones in line and in no time we were boarding the train.
We decided to make this a round trip and get back off at Main Street. During the ride it was so cool to see the work being done on FL, it looks so different. I can’t wait to check it out in November. When we got off the train, the boys noticed an old fire truck which they were letting kids get and spin the siren. So the boys thought that looked cool and went to wait their turn in line. man was that siren loud!
While the boys were waiting in line for the fire truck, Pinocchio came out for a meet and greet. I was really happy to see a character we have never seen before, so after the fire truck we hopped in line to meet him. The line moved pretty fast and soon they were getting his autograph.
Before we got started I needed to have a special picture taken in front of the castle.
We are holding a local magazine called River Town, which has a section where readers take the magazine to various places and take a photo with it. You send in the photo and they publish it so I sent in ours and we made the July issue.
Here is our picture in the July issue.
Since we went right the other day we headed left towards AL. Our second ride of the day was the Jungle Cruise. We were boarded on the boat in no time with Capt. William at the helm. Great cruise with the same corny jokes but they make us laugh every time.
Next we went to see what Iago and Zazu were up too at the Enchanted Tiki Room. We just missed a show, so we waited 12 minutes or so for the next one. The boys don’t find this attraction to exciting but go along to humor me, I think.
After the show we checked the wait time for POTC, which was 10 minutes so we walked on in. Love catching those glimpses of Jack, again no pictures, to dark for my lame camera. Of course when you exit POTC you walk right into a store and since this was the Pirate’s Bazaar, I wanted to get Christopher some stuff for his surprise pirate adventure on Saturday. I had seen a very cute Mickey pirate shirt at the Poly but they didn’t have his size, so I looked around and spotted the shirt and yes they had his size. With the shirt and some pirate gear in hand I checkout and had it shipped over to our resort, one less thing I have to carry.
We went to check the time for BTMRR and it was longer than we wanted to wait, so we grabbed fast passes and continued our way towards Liberty Square. Along the way we saw a familiar cast member, the Indian Statue, every year we visit DH and Frankie have taken a picture with him. It’s so fun to see how much Frankie has grown.
Here are some previous pics with our friend.
2007
2009
2011, now with all my boys.
As we turned the corner in LS towards the castle, I spotted a kiosk that brought me back to my childhood. Sitting there was a cast member cutting out a black silhouette portrait of a guest. This immediately reminded me of my very first trip when my Aunt and Uncle took my sister and I to WDW.
We had a silhouette done of me and my sister, which my Mom still has hanging in her bedroom today. I looked at my Mom and I could tell we were both thinking the same thing and I knew I had to get one done of the boys.
It was nearing our 3pm ADR at Crystal Palace, so we headed over towards that direction. We check in and were seated right away on the left side of the dining room near the front window. At our table we had a slight view of the Celebrate Dream Parade as well as the Dream Along With Mickey show. Our server was Barbara and was super great and friendly. She took our drink orders and directed us towards the buffet. Pooh and the gang started to visit and were really entertaining. We missed Piglet while we were getting our food but were soon greeted by Eeyore
Then Tigger, who was the funniest of all, really teased the boys.
Cute cuddly Pooh was next.
It seemed like it would be a while before Piglet came back around, so I took some photos of the cool topiaries they had in the dining room.
Some fun shots
Finally the little guy came to say hi.
When we were done at CP, the volcano pool was calling the boys again, so we headed back to the Poly for a few hours. I had plans to return to MK later for the parade and wishes.
After about an or so Christopher had enough of the pool and wanted to go back to his favorite place, Neverland, so I checked him in for a few hours of fun.
It was about 6pm and the parade started at 7, so we hopped on the monorail to MK in hopes of getting a good viewing spot.
I didn’t bring a bag this time, so we breezed through the entrance into the park in no time. Someday I will master not carrying a bag to the parks. Right away I could see that Main Street was very crowded with people lined up to watch the parade already. Since my Mom was in the scooter, we only made it as far as the circle with the Christmas tree and decided to watch the parade from there. The view wasn’t the best but we did manage to see parts of the floats.
After the parade we attempted to head up Main Street but it was proving to be difficult, so we detoured into MSB. This was the first time I have ever been in MSB and I can assure you it won’t be my last. Everything looked and smelled so good it was so hard deciding what to have.
We decided to share some goodies, so we got a cinnamon roll, coffee cake and chocolate chip cookie, found a table and dug in. Everything was so yummy, my goal on our next trip is to make it there for breakfast one morning.
While we were in MSB wishes started and even though we couldn’t see it, we sure heard it. Since we had already seen it on Monday, we stayed seated and enjoyed our desserts.
We did a little window shopping after MSB and then decided to head back to the Poly. We took the ferry back and enjoyed a nice cruise across Seven Seas Lagoon. Once back at the resort, I picked Chris up at the kids club and the boys went swimming and then joined Mom and I at the beach for the water parade.
Not quite sure what time we all turned in but it was probably close to midnight. Another great day.
Up next: Shopping at DTD and night time fun at Epcot.
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.
Great day at MK! How to take your pic with the magazine and then have your pic in the magazine! MSB is one of my favorite breakfast places at WDW, but it's also terrific for snacks and desserts, too.
Great day! That is really cool that your picture made it into the magazine! Did you tell the PP photogragher what you were doing, or was he totally confused about why you were holding up a magazine? lol
We've never been to the MSB, but I plan to this year! Abby still talks about the cinnamon roll she had at CMC last year, so I promised her that she and I would stop and get a huge one to share at the MSB
About This Page: 
Nice relaxing evening! 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Anyway, glad to hear good things about dinner CM! We've only done breakfast, but this year we are going to try dinner. The rest of the night sounded great too!
When we got off the train, the boys noticed an old fire truck which they were letting kids get and spin the siren. So the boys thought that looked cool and went to wait their turn in line. man was that siren loud! 
Of course when you exit POTC you walk right into a store and since this was the Pirate’s Bazaar, I wanted to get Christopher some stuff for his surprise pirate adventure on Saturday. I had seen a very cute Mickey pirate shirt at the Poly but they didn’t have his size, so I looked around and spotted the shirt and yes they had his size. With the shirt and some pirate gear in hand I checkout and had it shipped over to our resort, one less thing I have to carry.
to take your pic with the magazine and then have your pic in the magazine! 
MSB is one of my favorite breakfast places at WDW, but it's also terrific for snacks and desserts, too. 
PassPorter Guide Author
Linear Mode
