A Few of My Favorite Things & a Race, too! - Page 25 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Aww, Tammie! Your emotions caught up with you. It happens. I can understand how standing in the midst of the Expo could cause that.
As for the Expo, I haven't done this race yet so I don't know for sure, but ToT is a "smaller" race for runDisney. Actually, be thankful it wasn't crowded or chaotic! I mean, it's kind of a bummer that you didn't get to see as many vendors though. Im surprised KT tape isn't there! But the marathon weekend Expo is like Black Friday shopping sometimes. Not pleasant!
For future reference, you can return all runDisney official merchandise purchases at any gift shop. So you can purchase that "I Did It" shirt and then return it later should you choose.
It seems for every race they drop off the runners at different places for the Expo! Sometimes it's in the handicapped parking lot, sometimes it's been in the grassy area off to the right there, and this year for marathon it was in the far lots waaaay off to the left! I wish they could just stick with one place!
__________________
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
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.
I can totally understand your emotions! When I went to the Wine and Dine the first time I felt the same way; it was all a bit overwhelming. I didn't purchase an "I did it" shirt for either race either for the exact same reason - no jinxing!
Quote:
For future reference, you can return all runDisney official merchandise purchases at any gift shop. So you can purchase that "I Did It" shirt and then return it later should you choose.
This is great information!
I'm so looking forward to hearing more about the race, I'm thinking of doing this next year since I just found out it supports Autism Speaks. My son in on the spectrum and this would make me feel wonderful to see all those people supporting the cause!
Seems like your visit to the EXPO brought up mixed emotions, but you dealt with them and you have to be proud of yourself for getting to this point. Looking forward to seeing how the race goes.
Sorry the Expo didn't live up to your expectations. I can totally understand the variety of emotions you went through I remember going through some of those when I ran my first (and to date only ) 5k, thinking "what am I doing? am I crazy?" and then gradually getting over it. Hopefully you'll enjoy the race itself.
Aww, Tammie! Your emotions caught up with you. It happens. I can understand how standing in the midst of the Expo could cause that.
As for the Expo, I haven't done this race yet so I don't know for sure, but ToT is a "smaller" race for runDisney. Actually, be thankful it wasn't crowded or chaotic! I mean, it's kind of a bummer that you didn't get to see as many vendors though. Im surprised KT tape isn't there! But the marathon weekend Expo is like Black Friday shopping sometimes. Not pleasant!
GLAD I MISSED THAT THEN...I hate shopping crowds!
For future reference, you can return all runDisney official merchandise purchases at any gift shop. So you can purchase that "I Did It" shirt and then return it later should you choose.
Thanks...I am still not sure that I could have bought one though even knowing that. Now that I know I can do 10 miles...hmmm thinking I can buy that I DID IT shirt for the PHM....
It seems for every race they drop off the runners at different places for the Expo! Sometimes it's in the handicapped parking lot, sometimes it's been in the grassy area off to the right there, and this year for marathon it was in the far lots waaaay off to the left! I wish they could just stick with one place!
This time it was way off to the left!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sorry about the panic attacks and that the expo wasn't what you had hoped!
I updated the post to reflect a little better what set my panic attack off...and my crying!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donald's #1 Fan
I can totally understand your emotions! When I went to the Wine and Dine the first time I felt the same way; it was all a bit overwhelming. I didn't purchase an "I did it" shirt for either race either for the exact same reason - no jinxing!
This is great information!
I'm so looking forward to hearing more about the race, I'm thinking of doing this next year since I just found out it supports Autism Speaks. My son in on the spectrum and this would make me feel wonderful to see all those people supporting the cause!
It really was a very FUN first long distance race for me...
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Seems like your visit to the EXPO brought up mixed emotions, but you dealt with them and you have to be proud of yourself for getting to this point. Looking forward to seeing how the race goes.
Thank you...I am proud of myself. Not proud how the "trip" was derailed, I still wish there was something I could have done differently...
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Sorry the Expo didn't live up to your expectations. I can totally understand the variety of emotions you went through I remember going through some of those when I ran my first (and to date only ) 5k, thinking "what am I doing? am I crazy?" and then gradually getting over it. Hopefully you'll enjoy the race itself.
It was crazy how my emotions were all over the place from the expo on...and now when I look back I still have the same emotions running through me.
Sorry that your emotions were taking over for alittle bit but you made the best of it and that is to be expected with what you had to go through over the year!!
Tower of Terror 10-Miler
Prerace Jitters, Sadness and Prep
After we caked it up with Betsy at BOG, we decided that it was time to head back to CBR for a rest before the nights big run. Curtains drawn in our room and air conditioner turned up we both settled in our beds for a little nap, well Cammy napped.
Nervous excitement and sadness of a derailed dream returned and I found myself tossing and turning for the next 3 hours. Looking back, I am not sure why I did not get up and go check out those hammocks that I had been thinking about for months or even just go lay out at the pool&nerves were certainly messing with my brain and I could not think, let alone rest. I wanted so badly to talk to someone...I wanted to talk so badly to the person that started me on this journey, but sadly I knew I couldnt even though she was probably only a few buildings away resting. I laid there and wondered if any of this had effected her like it had me. But I also knew that I hate to push this sadness from my thoughts and focus about me. I stopped over on my PTR and found LOTS of well wishes left for me that really helped to lift my doubting spirit and sad heart. THANK YOU EVERYONE THAT LEFT ME WELL WISHES...you have no idea what this meant to me. After 3 hours of me tossing and turning, Cammy awoke and we decided to head over to Old Port Royale for a little prerace dinner and more hydrating. We decided to split a chicken sandwich (yes, we learned our lesson a few days before on how big those sandwiches were) and some fries (need a little salt in our system).
As we ate we discussed our race plan and repeated I told Cammy that this race is about me and I did not expect her to run with me (I knew even on a broken foot I could not keep up with her)&I would be fine alone and I would meet her at the finish line. Afterwards, we went on a banana hunt for a little prerace fueling as we waited in the corral to start. Trying to find a banana at a race host resort is a little interesting and much like a treasure hunt. I picked up the last one out of the basket, and you would have thought I had a piece of gold in my hands because instantly out the woodwork came about a million runners eying my banana, including Cammy. Thankfully I was spared from being mugged when I was able to track down a CM who took about 15 minutes searching the back for more bananas. Bananas in hand and more water bottles under the arm, I suggested to Cammy that we might need to pick up our celebration cupcake at CBR just in case we couldnt find one after the race in DHS and I knew that CBR had a famous one from the WDW Cupcake Crawl Blog that I love to follow (okay drool over).
So with our hands full of our little MUSTS for the both pre and post-race we headed back to our room. By the time we reached the room Cammy was now fully awake and nervous excitement was starting to affect her! Cammy is normally an amped up personality but through in race excitement&We spent a good 15 minutes taping each other up (especially Cammys foot), before getting dressed in our running costumes.
It took me several attempts to get my bib on before Cammy took pity on me and helped me out!
Once dressed and all our belongings together in our little plastic backpack we headed to the bus stop and before we knew it we were boarding the bus for the prerace holding area and corrals.
It all the sudden hit me again as we sat down on the bus that this was actually happening and I was sick to my stomach with self-doubt. Cammy came to the rescue as my personal cheerleader, once again. As we made our way to DHS, Betsy began texting us with her location and where to find her friend Carol (who was also running the race). When the bus pulled into the parking lot nervous excitement took me over completely! Our first stop was of course a picture stop proving that we had arrived...
and then walking around trying to find Carol (who I had never yet before, just heard about) and thankfully easy to find as the parking lot was quickly filling with people. Introducing myself to Carol was interesting, but instantly I felt a connection with her.
I was so thankful for her calming presence. Shortly, Betsy arrived with the surprise she had been telling me for the last couple days she had for me. I was reduced to tears as she showed me what she had and I was humbled by her sweet gesture.
Here Betsy was standing by me, supporting me, and cheering me on. She had changed her Disney trip to be here with me at my side, she of all people knew what it was like to feel completely blindsided and abandoned by someone who we both considered a close friend. I will say it again, I DID NOT deserve Betsys friendship because I was part of the reason why she was abandoned, but here I was wearing a sparkleskirt she bought for me as a reminder not to quit (and I might add she was sporting a matching one), a poster to cheer me on, and being here just for me! We spent a good time chatting, really they spent the time trying to calm me down and keep me from pushing my way into the corral way too early. I was so nervous that I could not get my mouse ears that I had made to work right (one of my glow sticks would not go together) and then I loosened one of the ears...ugh. There was a lot going on around us...DJ Dance Party, photo ops and lots of just waiting around...I really did not take in too much of it thanks to my nerves.
The entire time I kept wondering if I would actually succeed at doing what I sat out to do a year earlier. Around 8:30 pm we decided it was time to wait our turn at the porta-potties (but being seasoned Disney runners Carol and Betsy directed us to where we had minimal waits). Then Betsy walked us to the corral gate, wished us good luck and headed off to where she promised she would be waiting and cheering. Cammy and I entered our corral after wishing Carol the best and then worked our way through the growing number of other runners in our corral to the front of the corral. I knew I needed as much time between me and the end of the corral behind me it I was not going to be swept. Surprisingly the next 45 minutes of standing like a bunch of sardines jammed into a can went by pretty quickly as made friends with those around us and I held off tears of excitement, nerves, and waves of self-doubt. Not long 3 race volunteers holding our corral sign and rope to separate us from the corral in front of us opened up the corral and we were lead onto the wave of runners heading towards the starting line. While we walked we listened as each corral in front of us was introduced, watched the fireworks go off for their start, and followed along as the next corral approached the starting line...
until finally our corral was at the starting line. It was finally our time to be pumped up by the race announcer...
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.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
) 5k, thinking "what am I doing? am I crazy?" and then gradually getting over it. Hopefully you'll enjoy the race itself.
Deb
Excitement is building as you get closer to starting! 
Linear Mode
