Disney + Birthday= An Incredible Gift! (PTR- May 18th - May 24th) - Page 2 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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There are other changes as well.
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We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
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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.
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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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So okay..... tonight is Tuesday and I did say I have a hard time posting anything during the week! But this past Sunday I was able to get 2 days of my trip written. I am just posting pictures from my 1st day, which was May 18th- Monday!
So just a little about my Disney/Birthday Vacation:
I originally was planning to stay at the Caribbean Beach and put my deposit down. However my 2 sons had other plans for me! Back on March 15th my oldest was going back to college (his Spring Break) and that was a Sunday he was leaving. I was standing outside waiting for the Big buses to leave. My Mom ended up driving over to see her Grandson leave too. It was a little cold outside so Mom and me went to my car to wait until the buses did leave. I get in the car and there is a red envelope sitting in the middle of the front seat. I figured it was an early birthday card with maybe a gift card. Nope it wasn't....
It was a Beautiful Gift from my boys to use to upgrade my resort to anywhere on Disney property! OMG! Of course I immediately was going to say No! That I was perfectly fine with staying at CBR. However my mother explained that I couldn't say no and that I would hurt their feelings. This was something they both thought hard about it, since December! I was blown away and teared up as usual!
So the next day, on Monday after work I immediately came home and started calling the reservations in Disney to see where I could stay and I really did not want to spend the whole thing... a little upgrade would be Great! I ended up finding a room at the Boardwalk Inn! Plus I decided as I was booking the room I would leave on May 18th instead of May 19th. I had to put another deposit and that was nothing! I had never stayed there and any resort close to Epcot is my kind of place! (I originally wanted to stay at the Polynesian but with that sale that Disney gave out, a room at the Poly was over-priced which included club level- no Thank you I don't need extra food!) So I was more excited of course!
When friends and people started asking me where I was staying I didn't tell them, but I did say the Caribbean Beach- because it was my little secret and I didn't want to give it away until I got back!
Anyway Boardwalk Inn was just Beautiful. I loved this resort! It didn't make me feel like the Grand Floridian.... and the Boardwalk Inn is based on the 1920 's and 1930's - sometimes it felt like that looking at all the decor and the feel was there too! It also sort of reminded me of the Beach Club too.
Also that Monday that I arrived I did not have any park tickets. Why? Because it gave me some really good relaxing time plus I got to check the "new" resort too! This is something new I have NEVER done either! (now I understand why most do not do a park day when they arrive at Disney!) A little Aha moment in Disney!
I will talk more about the resort later.
Here is my Trip Report for May 18th- Monday:
Flight at 8:55 am- 11:25 am SWA: Full flight. I got up at 4:50am. Took shower, got dressed and finished packing. Ate a bagel for breakfast, then said my goodbyes around 6:10am. I left the house about 6:20am and Mom was waiting for me. Mom told me that Dad said to have a “Magical Day”. Blue Route was bumper to bumper going opposite way, got to the airport. Did curbside and waved to Mom. After security, which was quick, I bought water, crackers and lifesavers. I was in the B section but by the time I got on the plane just single seats to decide where to sit. I picked the middle, even though no one was on the aisle seat. It was in the emergency exit and the flight attendant asked all 10 us if we can handle it, of course I was the only girl. And Yes I would be able to deal with it! Sat in the middle seat; the guy at the Window was flying to Orlando then to Houston, TX. The guy at the aisle seat was going for work in Orlando. (computer company, I think). Neither one bothered me. No nap listened to my iPod and read my magazines. I did speak to each of the guys at different times. I had an apple juice and ate the peanuts they gave us, very small. There was some turbulence which increased my hunger. We landed at 11am. Happy to be off the plane and on the “monorail” at the airport! I only had a bag to carry and a backpack with me, no luggage! Walked right to DME and the bus was crowded that was about 11:30am. Someone had to sit next to me. She was at the Yacht club for a conference. The 1st stop was Caribbean beach (how ironic), then Boardwalk Inn. I tipped the driver as usual. There were 2 cast members to greet me; one told me that my room was ready. Went to Concierge counter and I got the room number, 5291 and left to go there. I walked past the lobby and the Belle Vue Lounge, to the elevators. When I got to my room, I used my Magic Band and the door light was red. So I tried again and it still was showing red. So I went back down to Concierge and explained the problem. Apparently my new Magic Band was not activated. How is that not possible since I was able to make fast passes and dining reservations? Very strange and thank god the room was not far from the elevators. I went back up to the 5th floor and tried again. This time the light was green! Yeah! I wasn’t mad or angry I just took it in stride and made sure it worked! My room was close to the elevators and when I opened the door- one word: Fabulous! I felt like a poor girl in a rich room! LOL! The time was 12:45pm: 2 queen beds, a desk, 2 sinks, and a balcony that overlook the front of the resort. I could hear the cars and busses. There were trees covering it. Straight ahead in the distance I could see the Tower of Terror at DHS. To my right I could see the water and across from that the Yacht Club and see part of the Dolphin (fish) too. I could also see the Swan. Great view! I was starving at this point, trying to figure out where to get a bite of food. I put my extra money and iPod in the safe, not a key but a 4 digit number. I liked this better because then I didn’t have to search for the key later. I put the 4 digit in my phone with the room number, so I would NOT have to remember it!! Left my jacket and took my backpack and headed towards to the boardwalk. I decided that I wanted wings (It had been over a year since I had them) went to ESPN and the room that I got seated in was a lot smaller that I remembered. Plus the menu had changed a lot too. I got the 5 wings which actually were 10, once you broke them apart. YUM! I got them extra crispy and dry. Sauce on the side and my server suggested the kid’s portion of French fries. Perfect Size! Celery too! I ordered a Sprint but should have gotten a Coke. I could not finish all of them, was starving and it filled me. My server brought my 1st cupcake. I left and wanted to say something positive about my server, which I did. Left and decided to do a little shopping then went back to the resort and did some checking out of the grounds. I found this area, a few benches under a tree but with the breeze I could smell the gardenias! There were 2 huge bushes of them too! I sat on the bench and called to Mom. I had thought that maybe I would go swimming, even brought my bathing suit, but decided it was too much. I decided to go back to my room and when I opened the door; my 2 pieces of luggage were waiting for me! That was about 3:27pm. I did not expect to see them until I got back from dinner. I decided to unpack anyway. At 4:00 I decided to leave to get to Boma’s since I would have to transfer from AK to AKL and wanted to make sure I was not late for my dinner reservation! The path to get to the bus stop, I could see from my balcony, so when I was on it I looked for my room. It was pretty cool! It was strange to be on the buses again, but welcoming too. I had no problems getting off at AK and finding the bus to go to AKL. It was hot but a nice breeze too. My dinner was for 5:15pm but I got there early, so I sat in the lobby and checked it out again. At 5pm I decided to check in and I was sat pretty quickly. By 5:15pm I had food on the table! My server’s name was Jeff, and he was good! I had not eaten at Boma’s for dinner since 2013 and I was NOT disappointed! They still had my favorites, like the green apple, jicima and radish salad with the yogurt- dressing= Yum! I had gotten 2 slices of roast beef, but I asked if they could cook it a little longer= the chef joked with me, because I had my Birthday button on! He said since it was my Birthday I could have it anyway I wanted it! Okay! I tried the coconut rice= ehh! Mashed sweet potatoes= Yum! The little corn muffins= Yum! Then there was this soup, butternut squash, I tried it! OMG! It was like liquid pumpkin pie! It was so smooth and silky! I felt like it should have been with the desserts! Then yeah I had another bowl for DESSERT! I ate ˝ of a brownie and 2 strawberries; I could not eat anymore; just too full! Jeff brought me a Birthday cupcake, so very sweet. I left and decided to check the animals outside, plus to work off this very full stomach! I saw giraffes but not much else. I did see white and blue Birds of Paradise flowers. I took some other photos of flowers. I went to the gift shop and really didn’t see anything that caught my eye. Took the bus to DHS and then took the boat to Boardwalk. This was something I have never done, and loved the boat ride! While on the boat I met a family from Windsor, BC. I was talking to the Dad and his 3 daughters and his wife were sitting in front of us. They were staying at the CBR (my favorite!) and it was their 1st time coming to Disney. They were headed to the Yachtsman Steakhouse and all dressed very nicely. By the time the boat got to the Boardwalk, there was a very long line to get on the boat. I got off and walked to the gift shop to pick up milk and chocolate milk. Then went up to the room and there was a green balloon with a card from Mickey Mouse on the bed. How sweet! Plus what a nice way to end my day!
The pictures of that day will follow.....
__________________
Kate in PA All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them- Walt Disney
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Sorry your MB didn't work at first, what a pain but at least they got it fixed quickly. Overall it sounds like you had a great first day. Busy without it being too much. Your meals sound good too. Can't wait to read what you did once you hit the parks.
BTW - Lenny stole my ice cream cone while I was asleep - I was gonna share (well once he saw what I got I didn't have much choice but he ate the whole thing on me. I bet it tasted good too)
Darlene did you get any of them? At least one, right?
Yes, I got one (the Mickey head one - the biggest one ) - and it tasted really good. Thank you again Kate for sending them. They brightened my day when I needed it and they brightened it again when I ate it. You chose the perfect thing for us.
Now just one question - where's the rest of the TR? (another thing that'll brighten my day - no pressure, right )
Your boys are SO sweet! An upgrade is a great gift & I'm glad you enjoyed it! Our MB didn't work when we first checked in last year.....so frustrating!
Nice new bday signature pic, btw! Can't wait to read more!
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.
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I figured it was an early birthday card with maybe a gift card. Nope it wasn't....
Great dinner at Boma! 
but he ate the whole thing on me. I bet it tasted good too)
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