TR: Thingamabobs, Zebra & Giraffes, Oh My! Completed 3/25/15 - Page 24 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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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Such a fun day and I don't know what you think but it's quite possible that Lilo was stalking your family and following you and knowing your whereabouts and found all of you after 'Ohana and at TL! Seems too much of a coincidence to me! Glad you all had a great time! Like you said, having an AB while relaxing on the lazy river would have been the way to do it... but too late then....as long as you don't spill your drink! Can you get AB's in the water parks as it's been since about 2003 since I visited one of the WPs? I visited both BB and TL on consecutive trips in 2002-3 on my first (real) visits to WDW!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Yay! You finally had a margarita from Cava! Aren't they great?! I love the Duffy at breakfast and Pluto was being a stinker! It also sounds like you had a blast at TL. Every time I've been able to go to a waterpark, it's been closed. S I've only ever been to BB. Maybe next time.
Sounds like you had a great time at O'hana's for breakfast! Looks like you had a fun time at Typhoon Lagoon too!
Thanks! We did have a great time!
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Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Lol catching up is how I relax! With sangria at the pool... it's so nice to have time to read trip reports again
Okay -as long as you are relaxing!!!
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Originally Posted by TinkerbellJenn99
I have lots of catching up to do -- but those grapes caught my eye. They look like champagne grapes. They have them at specialty grocery stores on occassion by me. I LOVE them
Thanks! YES! That's what they were called! They were amazingly delicious!!!
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Originally Posted by MayraLR
Looks like you guys had fun at TL!
Thanks! We did!
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Originally Posted by SuperDave
Such a fun day and I don't know what you think but it's quite possible that Lilo was stalking your family and following you and knowing your whereabouts and found all of you after 'Ohana and at TL! Seems too much of a coincidence to me! Glad you all had a great time! Like you said, having an AB while relaxing on the lazy river would have been the way to do it... but too late then....as long as you don't spill your drink! Can you get AB's in the water parks as it's been since about 2003 since I visited one of the WPs? I visited both BB and TL on consecutive trips in 2002-3 on my first (real) visits to WDW!
Thanks! You know, you're probably right! Lilo must have been stalking us! Maybe she was just checking on Duffy
and yes, you can purchase AB's at the water parks, but of course, not bring onto attractions.
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Originally Posted by chezp
What a fun time you had at Typhoon Lagoon!
Thanks! We did have a great time!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coop
Yay! You finally had a margarita from Cava! Aren't they great?! I love the Duffy at breakfast and Pluto was being a stinker! It also sounds like you had a blast at TL. Every time I've been able to go to a waterpark, it's been closed. S I've only ever been to BB. Maybe next time.
Thanks! Yes! And I plan to visit La Cava again next month to try another one
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
After returning to the villa, we all got showers and just lounged around relaxing – of course I did that by hanging out on the balcony with my pre-dinner glass of wine (I am starting to realize that I am sounding like a wino!!) watching my animal friends enjoy their fresh air and afternoon grazing!
Have I mentioned that I love the zoom lens on my camera???
Scott had gone down to the Community Hall to pick up our bowls we painted! They came out nice! Mine is the brown one, which now sits on my wine rack with my wine bottle stoppers in it (see there I go again!!!).
It was now time for us to head to Epcot, as we had dinner reservations.
We got a bus quickly and were soon entering the park – of course we stopped for some Photopass photos!
We realized that we got to Epcot much quicker than we expected and had a little time before our ADR, so we popped into Innoventions to see if the Chase Visa Meet & Greet was still open. We like to visit a few times if we can to see if we find different characters – and hey, it’s free!
So we met Mickey & Goofy – who were both thrilled over Scott’s Mickey Fire Dept. Polo shirt!
We had also been able to snag a fastpass for Soarin’ – so we headed straight over there next!
After our flight, we headed to Mexico – as our ADR for tonight was at La Hacienda – this has become a favorite of ours. We really enjoy Mexican food – and we enjoy this restaurant so much more than San Angel Inn.
They brought our chips and salsa immediately.
And then we started with beverages for each of us – I choose the Orange Mango Fire Margarita, Scott has a Dos Equis, and Emily had a virgin Margarita.
Scott and I also shared a sipping tequila (which apparently I failed to note the name of it) – this was brought over to us complimentary from our server!
For entrees, we all shared the Parrillada “La Hacienda” (mixed grill with New York strip, chicken al pastor, chorizo and vegetables, served with black beans and salsa); Tacos de Camarones (friend shrimp, chipotle-lime aioli, cabbage, lime and salsa verde, with flour tortillas), and an order of rice.
It was delicious and of course, no room for dessert!
The sky was beautiful when we came out from dinner! I was able to get a few nice photos!
Our next fastpass was for Mission Space…….I was feeling a bit leery after just eating all that food – but we did it – on the Green side. When we came off it was raining – and Scott and Emily decided to go again – this time on the Orange side! I just sat and people watched thank you!
Our original plan was to hang out for Illuminations ~ but the rain was starting to come down again – so we decided to just call it a night and head back to the resort.
When we returned to our room, we just relaxed, sat on the balcony for a bit listening to the rain and the animals. Scott and Em went to bed early – I of course, took advantage of my new best friend…..the soaking tub!!!
Total Miles Walked today: 9.55
Total Spent on Food & Beverages: $217.95
Total Spent on Souvenirs, Activities, Misc.: $55.96
Total TIW Discount savings: $14.99
Total Annual Pass Discount Savings: $4.80
Total DVC Discount savings: $16.35
Up Next: Are we “Frozen” yet?
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
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What fabulous giraffe photos! Your bowls came out great. If you do one on every trip, you'll have quite a collection! Beautiful dusk photos at Epcot also.
Those bowls came out beautiful! Dinner looked yummy, I'm excited to try la hacienda tomorrow even more now! I think I would have skipped illuminations with the rain too!
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
The giraffe pictures are excellent!
And the bowls are beautiful! When they say they have crafts available in the community room, I picture stuff for kids - coloring papers, foam projects... I didn't realize they had ceramic bowls to paint! Very cool! Is there a fee? And if so, how much is it?
La Hacienda looks awesome! I have been on the fence with that one, mainly because they don't take Tables in Wonderland. I see that they give a DVC 10% discount though, so that would help. And you could really split that platter for two among three people! I'm thinking I may have to add that to my list for September.
Great night at Epcot with a great meal! Love all the pictures, and your pottery bowls came out great!
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by lauriep
What fabulous giraffe photos! Your bowls came out great. If you do one on every trip, you'll have quite a collection! Beautiful dusk photos at Epcot also.
Thanks! Funny - I was thinking they would make great soup bowls
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Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Those bowls came out beautiful! Dinner looked yummy, I'm excited to try la hacienda tomorrow even more now! I think I would have skipped illuminations with the rain too!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy your dinner
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Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Oh I love Hacienda and your margarita choice sounds delicious!!
Love the bowls!! I want to go back just do do one of those!
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by MayraLR
Oh my gosh, those giraffe photos are so cute!
And your dinner looks fabulous! I may try to convince my family to eat there someday.
Thanks! It is really yummy
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Originally Posted by Cam22
Your zoom lens is great! Your dinner at La Hacienda has me very excited that we'll be eating dinner here in May.
Thanks! Hope you enjoy La Hacienda! We have it booked for both trips this year
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
The giraffe pictures are excellent!
And the bowls are beautiful! When they say they have crafts available in the community room, I picture stuff for kids - coloring papers, foam projects... I didn't realize they had ceramic bowls to paint! Very cool! Is there a fee? And if so, how much is it?
La Hacienda looks awesome! I have been on the fence with that one, mainly because they don't take Tables in Wonderland. I see that they give a DVC 10% discount though, so that would help. And you could really split that platter for two among three people! I'm thinking I may have to add that to my list for September.
Thanks! The fee for the bowls was $18/bowl. Each item was marked individually. We had been on the fence with La Hacienda for the same reason - but we tried it, got the DVC discount and we are hooked
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Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
I your giraffe photos! Your at Epcot sounds amazing and your bowls came out beautiful!!! I also love the way you ended your day!
Tara
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by KMB733
Great pictures from the savannah! The pottery bowls came out great. Sounds like a great night at Epcot!
Thanks!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
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