A DREAM is a wish your heart makes – a First-time Cruise pre-trip report complete On the cruise ! - Page 10 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Yay for being PIF!!! We went the same route for our cruise in August, not booking any excursions. With it being so short, I just did't want to be tied down to anything.
I'm not sure about the snorkeling with sting rays, if it books up quickly or not. I'd say, if it's something that they definitely want to do then make a reservation. It would be a bummer to get to CC and they have no openings.
I'll have to ask them (really Dylan) to see how interested he is in it and if he is I'll book something.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Hooray for PIF!!
I recall hearing less than stellar reports on the Pirate Museum.
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JenniferLynneRose521
I've been -- stay away -- it is "unkempt" to put it midly, and it's a modge-podge of museum like exhibits, pitch black areas, weird curtains...a few artifacts....and my favorite...a giant bug that crawled over my friends foot --- GROSS! Unless someone has been more recently than 2009 (maybe they revamped??) I'd HIGHLY recommend doing something else.... there are tons of shops in Nassau....a Taxi over the bridge to Padadise Island isn't to pricey from what I remember.
Thanks for the info on the Pirate Museum.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Congrats on being paid in full!
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
PIF!! The stingray excursion is different from when I did it, but I'd go ahead and book if there's a certain time you want. The late-day excursions book last, but you and the boys might have had enough sun and want to go back to the ship by then.
If Dylan ends up sounding like he wants to do it I'll book it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Well, I missed the beginning of this - but sounds like you are going to have a blast!!!! How exciting that Melissa & family will be joining you guys!!!!
I agree with no excursions in Nassau - just get off on your own, walk around a bit - then head back for quiet ship time!!! Take advantage of the pool being less crowded!!!
Love the movie night menus!!!
Thanks Lisa!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Congrats on being PIF!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Congratulations on being PIF
Quote:
Originally Posted by KHarrod
Congrats on PIF!!!
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsteiny23
Ugh, why have I not been reading this!!??
Although I have absolutely nothing cruise-wise to contribute to this PTR
You know I love all of your dinner and a movie meals! So creative and fun. That couldn't be an option for a countdown in this house though lol
Can't wait to see some underwater pics with that camera from the cruise...Cool!
The allergy twins ruin all the fun don't they?!
And thanks for helping me with next week.
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
As many times as I've been to Nassau, I've never heard of the Queen's Staircase. What is that? As for the stingray excursion, I've never did it because I've been spoiled with other stingray excursions (I know...the snob in me is coming out), and I've heard pretty "blah" reviews about this one. It might be good for Dylan though, as long as Mike isn't going into this excursion thinking he's going to see a bunch of cool fish as well. You pretty much feed the stingrays first, and then get to snorkel with them for a bit. The area they have them in doesn't have much to look at underwater, so if they just want to get the opportunity to see cool things, they have a bunch of sunken "treasures" out in the lagoon that they could do instead, and it's free. They'd just have to rent their snorkeling equipment unless you bring your own. I plan on going out there myself this time, and I know Chad will as well, since we both love snorkeling.
Nassau's most visited attraction is the Queen's Staircase. Climb the 65 steps, recently renovated, carved out of solid limestones by slaves in the late 18th century, between 1793 and 1794. It is reported that slaves were forced to cut through rocks with axes and other sharp hand tools.
This 102 foot staircase was named in honour of the 65 years of Queen's Victoria's reign. Construction of this monument is still regarded as remarkable. For practical purposes, the staircase provides a shorter route to and form Bennet's Hill.
I thought it might be an easy way to ease Dylan into snorkeling, but he may not even want to do it. I'll feel him out this weekend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Congrats on being PIF!!
Love the new camera!
How sweet of Melissa to book Palo for you guys!
It sounds like it is going to be so much fun.
It is! Getting pretty excited about all of it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny
PIF!!!:the wave:
I have no advise on CC excursions. You will have a great time there whatever you decide to do, though.
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.
When we took our Eastern Caribbean cruise last year, we didn't book any excursions the entire trip. Mainly because Sean was too young for the ones that sounded interesting, but it turned out to be perfect for us. We were able to tour on our own and then take him back to the ship and relax at the pool before it got busy again.
OMG those boys are getting so big. sounds like you have been keeping busy.
They are getting big! Dylan starts kindergarten next week and now Lukas is potty trained. Where has the time gone?!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mushu22
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackid2
PIF
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by num1DVCfan
Congrats on being paid in full!!!
When we took our Eastern Caribbean cruise last year, we didn't book any excursions the entire trip. Mainly because Sean was too young for the ones that sounded interesting, but it turned out to be perfect for us. We were able to tour on our own and then take him back to the ship and relax at the pool before it got busy again.
I'm thinking it will work out just fine. Thanks for the reassurance!
Friday’s themed dinner & a movie was Princess and the Frog. I was going to make red beans & rice with some chicken at home, and I really wanted beignets, but though I better not attempt those myself so I googled to find a local place that did them. The closest also served Cajun food so we ended up ordering our entire meal there. Mike had the spicy crawfish gumbo and we all shared gator bites (Lukas LOVED these!), the Admiral’s Platter (battered cod, shrimp, scallops & clam strips with red beans & rice and veggies) plus an order of beignets for dessert. It was really good and I think we’ll try the restaurant out another time.
Saturday we went to my parents’ property out in the country (the population of the town the house is in is 36!). Mike’s parents came too and we fished and just relaxed. The boys ended up spending the night so yesterday Mike & I saw The Wolverine while we were without kids. A nice weekend! And the weather was unheard of in St Louis – high in the upper 70s, low humidity?! on the wagon to head out to the pond
my Dad showing Dylan how to use the bow & arrow
Dylan's turn to try
heading out to the "tree house" (aka deer stand)
in the "tree house"
yes, they both climbed up & down that ladder by themselves!
MawMaw Vicki caught the biggest (and the most) fish
Dylan claimed most for himself though
finally timed it to see a train! The tracks run right over the driveway.
Tomorrow is the day I can begin booking things or at least take a look at it all! So today is 76 days out! 72 until we hit the road! Can’t go by fast enough!
This weekend I hope to send off for Mike & Lukas’ passports.
The meal looked great!
Looked like a nice day outside!
How was Wolverine? Trever and I almost went and saw it yesterday, but we both just weren't real sure on how it was going to be.
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.
That restaurant was a perfect find for the movie meal! Love the photos from the country. It looks like the perfect place for two boys to run off steam. I'm glad you got a break from the hot and humid weather. We did, too, but today the humidity is back!
About This Page: 
Kristin
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Liz 
lol
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Holly: 
PassPorter Guide Author
Linear Mode
