Florida flowers and Caribbean cruising LIVE TRIP REPORT COMPLETED 3/8 - Page 43 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) > Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Register


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.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-05-2015, 03:29 PM   #631
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke View Post
Ooooh, it's Flower and Garden day today! Hope you have a wonderful time.
We did!
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2015, 05:22 PM   #632
Cam22
Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Cam22's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254

Post Thanks / Like
Glad your DHS day went well, and hope you're having an incredible day at the F&GF!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
Cam22 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2015, 06:12 PM   #633
Tara O'Hara
Community Rank: Legend
 
Tara O'Hara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859

Post Thanks / Like
I am so happy to hear that you guys are having a ball!. I hope the Flower and Garden Festival was beautiful!

Tara
__________________

My Countdown Counting down to: Our Mystery Trip!!
Tara O'Hara is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2015, 09:28 PM   #634
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara View Post
I am so happy to hear that you guys are having a ball!. I hope the Flower and Garden Festival was beautiful!
It was, although honestly? I thought there was more a few years ago when we were last here...
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2015, 09:32 PM   #635
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
We spent the day at Epcot, enjoying the Flower and Garden Festival, although as I alluded to in a previous post, I can't quite put my finger on it, but I felt there was less there this year. It didn't help that, to me anyway, the floating flowerbeds in between World Showcase and Future World weren't fully in bloom and the beds by the Land did look a bit pitiful, again because they weren't fully in bloom.

I'm probably being picky, and there were some amazing topiaries - don't get me wrong. Anna and Elsa were way better than I expected, and I'm probably sore as Eeyore has not put in an appearance this year.

It was another very hot day, so we lasted as long as we could, and sampled some of the food and wine from around the world. That was a very nice addition since we were last there in 2011, and long may that continue.

Tonight's dinner at the Flying Fish Café with Bob, Larry and Heather was a bit disappointing. We didn't have great service, and my appetiser was comped, as I just couldn't eat it. Not what we expect from a restaurant with usually such high standards.

We also missed IllumiNations again because of the slow service - I'd been hoping to see it tonight, and maybe last night or the night before as well. We still haven't seen it, so now we'll finally see it on our last night. Gosh, I can't believe I'm writing that already... where has the time gone?
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2015, 10:28 PM   #636
cubfancolleen
Community Rank: Explorer
 
cubfancolleen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reston, Virginia
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 11,858

Post Thanks / Like
Sorry things weren't in bloom. I guess maybe that's the downside of going at the very start of the festival.....
Hope you're able to see Illuminations before you leave!
__________________
<img src=http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h427/cmclain823/Vancouver%20and%20Alaska%202015/45127cbc-0ef5-4915-8c6d-5809f3bb6afe.jpg border=0 alt= />[
Check out my NEW Trip Report: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...d.php?t=300278
My Countdown Counting down to: Melekalikimaka - our Hawaiian Christmas
Aloha....back to reality, and a new countdown
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsDisneyLand too many times to count; DisneyWorld: ('82; '94; '00; '04; '05; '08 - twice!; '10;'11 - twice; '13; '14, '15, '17); DCL (all 4 ships): ('00, '05, '06, '10, '11, '13, '15, '17); DVC Hilton Head Resort :D ('06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13 - twice, '15, '16, '17, ‘18)
cubfancolleen is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 06:19 AM   #637
patclairesmom
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
patclairesmom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,831

Post Thanks / Like
I've been reading along and so far your trip sounds great. Too bad about Flying Fish. That's one of our must do places to eat and I would be really bummed if the service was bad.
__________________

My Countdown Counting down to: Our Anniversary at Disney
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsPOFQ-2004, POR/Poly-Nov 2007, POR 2008, POR 2012, Radisson Celebration 2012, AK-Kidani and Jambo 2013
patclairesmom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 06:37 AM   #638
lfredsbo
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
lfredsbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mystic, CT
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,713

Post Thanks / Like
what a bummer about dinner.
__________________


Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
My Countdown Counting down to: Annual Trip Home!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsCSR April 2016; BCV August 2015; SSR April 2015; AKL & AoA June/July 2014; POP September 2013; POP August 2013; AKL & BLT June/July 2013; POR December 2012; SSR October 2012; SSR July 2011; BWV May 2011; SSR July/Aug 2010; WL & SSR July 2009; SSR July 2008; OKW August 2007; OKW May 2007; SSR October 2006; SSR June 2006; OKW December 2005; CS September 2005; OKW July 2005; SSR October 2004; POP June 2004; ASMV April 2004; BWV October 2003
lfredsbo is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 07:49 AM   #639
Tara O'Hara
Community Rank: Legend
 
Tara O'Hara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859

Post Thanks / Like
Awwww! Maybe you are just sad that you are leaving soon! All in all, it sounds like a fun day anyway, but that is a bummer about dinner. We are planning on eating there in July as we have,once again, changed our plans!

Signed,

Someone who hopes you enjoy your last night to the fullest and that you get to see Illuminations!!
__________________

My Countdown Counting down to: Our Mystery Trip!!
Tara O'Hara is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 08:26 AM   #640
pamcarey
Community Rank: Navigator
 
pamcarey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chelmsford, MA
Posts: 6,912

Post Thanks / Like
Omigosh, you haven't seen Illuminations yet? Yikes! I hope you don't have any plans tonight that cut too close on the time. Don't want anything to prevent you seeing my favorite thing at Disney!
__________________
Pam

June 2016
My Countdown Counting down to: Returning to WDW!
Watching DD's marching band in the Magic Kingdom!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsMarch 1989 - offsite; April/May 2002 - Coronado Springs; March 2003 - All Star Movies; May 2003 - offsite; July 2003 - Port Orleans Riverside; April/May 2006 - Port Orleans Riverside; September 2007 - All Star Sports; August/September 2008 - All Star Movies and Pop Century; June 2009 - Pop Century; August 2010 - All Star Sports & Disney Wonder; June 2011 - All Star Music; April 2012 - Disney Fantasy; April 2013 - Port Orleans French Quarter; August 2015 - Disneyland offsite; April 2017 - Coronado Springs; December 2017 - Old Key West
pamcarey is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 08:27 AM   #641
lindawdw
Community Rank: Trailblazer
 
lindawdw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,668

Post Thanks / Like
I felt even last year that Disney did not put out as many topiaries as previous years. I noticed the area when you first enter the World Showcase was more sparse last year. Sorry your meal and the service at Flying Fish were not up to par. I can't believe your trip is coming to an end! Safe travels home.
__________________
My Previous Trips1975 Off-site, 1982 Poly, 1985 CR, 1987 Poly, 1988 Off-site, 1990 Off-site, 1992 - 2015 CBR, CR, POFQ, CS, ASM , POP, WL, YC, BW, BWV, OKW, GF, GFV, BCV, BLT, AKL
lindawdw is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 08:35 AM   #642
Amy L
Community Rank: Trekker
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 5
Posts: 1,525

Post Thanks / Like
Wow, so sorry to hear about FF! Curious what your app. was that you couldn't eat? I want to be sure I don't order it in the future. We have gotten to know the manager there as he is a runner and runs in the Disney races.
__________________
Amy
My Countdown Counting down to: Aulani Hawaiian Vacation
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW POR Sept. 2001, Poly. April 2004, BC Feb. 2005, BWApril 2006, BW Nov. 2006, BC Feb. 2007, BW Nov. 2007, BW Nov. 2008, BLT May 2009, SSpr Aug. 2009, BW & BLT Nov. 2009, BLT May 2010, Poly. Aug. 2010, BW & BLT Nov. 2010, AK Club Level & DCL 2011, BC Sept. 2011, BW Nov. 2011 for W&D 1/2 Marathon, BLT & DCL May, 2012, YC & BLT 8/2012, BW Nov. 2012 for W&D 1/2 Marathon, Disney Fantasy Cruise & WL May, 2013, Disneyland Hotel to run Dumbo Double Dare races Aug. 2013, BW Nov. 2013 for W&D 1/2 Marathon, BLT Nov. 2013, BW, GF, AKL & BLT Aug. 2014, BW 10/14 to run in the ToT 10 Miler Race, BW 1/15 to run in the Dopey Challenge, Disney Fantasy Cruise and OKW for Princess Half Marathon 2/15, DisneyLand Hotel 11/15 to run Infinity Gauntlet Challenge, BWV & AKL 1/16 to run the Goofy Challenge at Marathon Weekend and Disney Dream Cruise to run the Castaway Cay 5k., BWV 4/16 to run Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon, Aulani, Oahu 7/16, BLT & GFV 11/16, 4/17 AK & CBR to run SWDS Half Marathon
Amy L is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 08:42 AM   #643
B.M.
Community Rank: Explorer
 
B.M.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,903

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like yall are having a great trip! Can't believe it's nearing the end...
__________________
B.
My Countdown Counting down to: Road Trip IV
!!!!!******!!!!!*****!!!!!!*****!!!!!!*****!!!!!** ***!!!!!*****
My Previous TripsWDW/Pop Century June 2008-- WDW/AS Movies Thanksgiving 2009-- WDW/Pop Century March 2010-- DCL/Wonder to Alaska May 2011-- WDW/Vaca Home off property Christmas 2012-- WDW/AS Music Christmas 2014
B.M. is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 09:10 AM   #644
MayraLR
Community Rank: Explorer
 
MayraLR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Puerto Rico.
Concierge Level: 10
Posts: 12,253

Post Thanks / Like
I hope you get to see Illuminations tonight.
__________________

My 2017 trip - Home is Where the Mouse Is COMPLETE
My Countdown Counting down to: Sailing through the Caribbean on the Freedom
Relaxing on my cruise
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsMay 2006 - WDW / offsite; May 2008 - WDW, SW, US, IOA / offsite; May 2011 - WDW / off-site; June 2012 - WDW / POR; June 2014 - WDW / AKL ~ Kidani Village; June 2017 - WDW / POR
MayraLR is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 09:51 AM   #645
disney_duke
Community Rank: Explorer
 
disney_duke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 11,022

Post Thanks / Like
Well, that sounded like a bummer of a day. I really do hope today is much better, seeing as it's your last!
__________________
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
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsVisited WDW 4 times while little from 1979 to 1990 ~ Jan. 1998, Doubletree ~ Nov. 1998, Disney Institute ~ Sept. 2000, E. Caribbean Disney Magic ~ July 2001, Courtyard Downtown Disney ~ March 2003, Comfort Inn ~ June 2004, POR ~ Jan. 2006, POFQ ~ May 2007, All Star Vacation home ~ Jan. 2008, POFQ Half Marathon ~ Sept. 2008, SSR ~ Nov. 2009, CBR ~ March 2010, AsMu Princess Half Marathon ~ Sept. 2010, Disneyland Half Marathon ~ Nov. 2010, CSR ~ Jan. 2011 WDW Marathon ~ Oct. 2011 Wine&Dine Half Marathon, POR ~ Jan. 2012 Relay Marathon, POP ~ May 2012 Expedition Everest Challenge, CBR Pirate room ~ Sept. 2012 Sheraton LBV ~ Nov. 2012 Wyndham Bonnet Creek ~ Jan. 2013 Goofy Challenge, POR Royal Room ~ Apr. 2013 POP ~ Sep 2013 DL DDD ~ Jan 2014, marathon volunteer ~ Oct. 2014, ToT 10 miler, ASSports ~ Jan. 2015 Dopey Challenge, Bonnet Creek ~ July 2015, CSR/Marriott ~ November 2015 DL Avengers ~ January 2017 Bonnet Creek ~
disney_duke is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:10 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger