Is That a Raincloud Over My Head? EMTPEJ's Land & Sea Adventure **Updated 10/28** - Page 3 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Wow that is quite a start to your trip but I love your positive approach to the crisis. Hope you are able to make up the lost time quickly. Can't wait to hear all about your much deserved arrival to the Poly.
__________________
Margaret
I am not a Disney employee. The postings here are my own and do not represent the positions or opinions of the Disney Company
So sorry to hear about the van breaking down. I truly don't know how you kept so calm during the whole situation. Kuddos to you for that. What a way to start your vacay! Can't wait to hear more!
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.
Thankfully everything worked out for you EJ. It's kinda ironic though if you think about it - we just had the same exact work done on our van. Lenny took it to the shop and they said it was the rear wheel bearings - I believe there's 4 of them, inner and outer - and all 4 were bad. Lenny was actually going to put off the work though as long as he could because it was a huge expense we hadn't counted on but I told him get it done and let me worry about the bill. It's a good thing we didn't wait to have it done as the first set the mechanic put in were defective and all the work had to be redone.
Just catching up Erik - great start to the writing of the TR, sorry about some of the contents! Sounds like your optomism helped everyone through it though - let's hear some more please!
My goodness, what a way to start your trip. So glad it worked out and you had a safe place to sleep and a rental car to continue your trip. Hurry back. Can't wait to hear some 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.
Sorry to hear about the van breaking down. I can relate. On our last WDW trip, we decided to drive instead of flying. Before the trip, I had my car checked out for a "clean bill of health". The car was great on our first day of driving. We stopped off that night about an hour before hitting Atlanta, GA. The next day/morning of driving, about 2 hours into it on I-75 South, my DH starts yelling that our car won't accelerate. He turns off the cruise control, still no acceleration. We pull the car over to the shoulder and DH checks under the hood. Well at this point he is screaming for me to turn off the engine! I'm thinking, "oh great! This can't be good!" I get out of the car and see DH standing there holding the Idler belt shredded in pieces. Great! Long story short, we were stranded on the side of I-75 in Perry GA, for 2hrs since Pontiac roadside assistance "couldn't" find us on their map before the tow truck came to get us. It took another 2 hours to fix the car (a bearing/pulley broke from wear and tear and tore up the idler belt for acceleration) and $400 later to get us back on the road to WDW! It was an adventure!
Long story short, we were stranded on the side of I-75 in Perry GA, for 2hrs
Not to highjack your TR, EJ - I just had to tell you this is exactly what happened to me when I was a teenager, driving down to FL with my parents (no, not to WDW - it was Busch Gardens.) What's most bizzare is that I can still point out the spot on I-75 where we stopped and the service station where our pick-up was repaired.
Great update! Sorry about the van. Just as others stated, I am truly impressed by your ability to stay so calm! I would have been FLIPPING out. I'm glad it was only a slight damper and you were able to keep moving forward with your trip. Thats a blessing in itself because I would imagine that many families would have had to cancel the trip if something like that happened. Cant wait to hear more!
Awesome!!! Well I couldn't keep my eyes open at night but it was worth the wait for this morning!! MORE PLEASE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nimros
Oh my gosh - what a start to your vacation! I knew it was coming, but to actually read the details of what you all were going through brought it home.
I am amazed at home calm and cool you all remained. At the same time, life is an experience, and this was just another one under your belt. Besides, now you know how to get to the Fayetteville Regional Airport if you ever need to!
True, true!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KimM
Sorry to hear about your car troubles. Looking forward to more of your TR!
Quote:
Originally Posted by piratefreak
Wow that is quite a start to your trip but I love your positive approach to the crisis. Hope you are able to make up the lost time quickly. Can't wait to hear all about your much deserved arrival to the Poly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sorry about all the car troubles!! At least you were able to get a rental
Well, we should have gone with my DW's idea to rent a van before we left, but the cost/benefit didn't make sense at the time...
Quote:
Originally Posted by CountryTink
So sorry to hear about the van breaking down. I truly don't know how you kept so calm during the whole situation. Kuddos to you for that. What a way to start your vacay! Can't wait to hear more!
We probably would have, if my BIL had not been with us. He can really be a steadying infuence, when he want to be...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick and Ryans Mom
Thank goodness you were able to find a rental vehicle!! It is amazing you were able to keep your positive attitude, I would have been freaking out!!!
Trust in the Lord... You can see beyond your problems.
It sure seems like we can't trust in AAA.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CinderAbby
Thankfully everything worked out for you EJ. It's kinda ironic though if you think about it - we just had the same exact work done on our van. Lenny took it to the shop and they said it was the rear wheel bearings - I believe there's 4 of them, inner and outer - and all 4 were bad. Lenny was actually going to put off the work though as long as he could because it was a huge expense we hadn't counted on but I told him get it done and let me worry about the bill. It's a good thing we didn't wait to have it done as the first set the mechanic put in were defective and all the work had to be redone.
The more people I tell this story to, I find out that many people have had this same problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Oh my goodness, what a nightmare journey down with all those car problems. I just hope it gets better from here on in....
Quote:
Originally Posted by lukeandbrookesmom
Just catching up Erik - great start to the writing of the TR, sorry about some of the contents! Sounds like your optomism helped everyone through it though - let's hear some more please!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DyanKJ130
to hear about the car problems, but so glad that you so easily rolled with it! Can't wait to hear more
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArielsMomto2
My goodness, what a way to start your trip. So glad it worked out and you had a safe place to sleep and a rental car to continue your trip. Hurry back. Can't wait to hear some more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazanya
Sorry to hear about the van breaking down. I can relate. On our last WDW trip, we decided to drive instead of flying. Before the trip, I had my car checked out for a "clean bill of health". The car was great on our first day of driving. We stopped off that night about an hour before hitting Atlanta, GA. The next day/morning of driving, about 2 hours into it on I-75 South, my DH starts yelling that our car won't accelerate. He turns off the cruise control, still no acceleration. We pull the car over to the shoulder and DH checks under the hood. Well at this point he is screaming for me to turn off the engine! I'm thinking, "oh great! This can't be good!" I get out of the car and see DH standing there holding the Idler belt shredded in pieces. Great! Long story short, we were stranded on the side of I-75 in Perry GA, for 2hrs since Pontiac roadside assistance "couldn't" find us on their map before the tow truck came to get us. It took another 2 hours to fix the car (a bearing/pulley broke from wear and tear and tore up the idler belt for acceleration) and $400 later to get us back on the road to WDW! It was an adventure!
Anyway, can't wait to hear more!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nimros
Not to highjack your TR, EJ - I just had to tell you this is exactly what happened to me when I was a teenager, driving down to FL with my parents (no, not to WDW - it was Busch Gardens.) What's most bizzare is that I can still point out the spot on I-75 where we stopped and the service station where our pick-up was repaired.
Lumberton will always be on our list for that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M.
Great update! Sorry about the van. Just as others stated, I am truly impressed by your ability to stay so calm! I would have been FLIPPING out. I'm glad it was only a slight damper and you were able to keep moving forward with your trip. Thats a blessing in itself because I would imagine that many families would have had to cancel the trip if something like that happened. Cant wait to hear more!
Thank you all very much! We try to keep our heads during emergencies. We just prefer that they are other people's emergencies that we are helping them with and not our own!
whew! Glad you all were able to make it to a place of safety and find a clean place to spend the night! AND find a mini-van albeit smaller than yours to continue your journey! Can't wait to hear more!
Well I think you have just scared me out of driving in December. I have been looking at airfare and seriously will most likely fly but have been considering the possibility of driving. Given that it is a 24 hour drive from here it will take us at least 2 days down and 2 days back. Hmm no wiggle room for any road mishaps! We drove places ALL the time when I was a kid and I have boatloads of stories about being stranded on the side of highways with the car (trailer in tow!) broken down! (Well maybe only 2 or 3!) So I think it will be the financially unfriendly skies for me!
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: 
Margaret
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
I just hope it gets better from here on in....
to hear about the car problems, but so glad that you so easily rolled with it! 
At the same time, life is an experience, and this was just another one under your belt. Besides, now you know how to get to the Fayetteville Regional Airport if you ever need to! 
]
Linear Mode
