The way We do a Disney Re-Do ~~ Beach club Aug 13-22 - FINISHED!!! 1/20 - Page 23 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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!
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Don't all mommies think their kids are "gifted"? LOL!
Yes, I think we are all guilty as charged.
Okay, Delaney is a doll. I love that after every ride her reaction is, "Let's do it again!" So cute!
We love the Lion King show too. That is awesome that it wasn't very crowded. I'm sooooo glad you got to get on the Dinosaur ride and that it was Hannah's favorite "feeling" ride. She cracked me up about wanting two poncho's next time for KRR. My hubby would agree with her as it seems like he ALWAYS gets the soaking every time we go. lol
Strange that they don't have any food carts even open for the night EMH. We will have to remember that.
Oh, and I love the pic of Ben holding the gun on the old fashion cars.
Glad y'all had another awesome day!
Although we did not make it for rope drop, we did get to Epcot by about 9:30. It was fun to enter before WS was officially open. I used my GAD voucher to get the souvenir hat and pins (They were so cute I wished we would have kept them, but kids needed something to trade!).
We then headed off to innoventions for the boys could do “sum of all thrills.” Ben is a budding engineer (imagineer???) and he was very excited to be able to design his own ride.
The wait for Sum of all Thrills was about 30 minutes. We girls did some shopping while we waited for the boys. Ben LOVED this attraction, but the lines got long quickly, and he said he would not have been willing to do it if he had to wait that long. Go early if you want an impatient boy to do this!
Next, we found the Velcro attraction. Me and the kids were having a great time at this exhibit. I befriended the CM who made us some better creations than we were doing on our own. DH was impatient and got us out of there before any of us were ready. He thought it was ridiculous to spend time at WDW doing crafts—our basement is practically filled with craft projects!
This day 2 at Epcot was originally planned to be our WS day. But we decided to add a third Epcot day in our schedule, so we thought we could just explore our favorites again. We went back to Soarin’, Spaceship Earth (my kids LOVE this attraction!) and finally got Delaney on Test track. (She wanted to do it again…).
We tried to hit the Disney Visa character Meet and Greet again, but found the line too daunting at the start of the time window. We would try back again later…
The big kids were already tuckered out. The pic below gives a lot of information about our family dynamics…
Yes—the littlest is ACTUALLY pushing her older siblings in the stroller! Before this picture was taken, the big kids were whining about who should get to ride in the stroller other than Delaney. She got frustrated with their bickering, got out and gave her seat away—and then proceeded to move us along!! LOL!!!
It was still pretty early, but it was getting HOT. Once again, we discussed staying vs. leaving and how it would impact our ability to stay late (EMH here tonight…). We went back to the resort to swim and change and would return to Epcot in time for our 4:50 ADR at Le Cellier.
Walking the path back to the BC, I was just happy. I cannot express how much I love Epcot! It is the only park where we have all seemed happy pretty much all of the time. No major stresses. Attractions that appeal to us all. It is truly our WDW “happy place.” And to be at the BC, a mere five minute walk from Epcot…wow…
Our mousekeeper made another attempt at a towel animal…we think this was an alligator in swim trunks???
Back at our room, DS asked if he could stay and play with his new legos. So DH took the girls to SAB. I took a nap on the bed. The antibiotics were working wonders, but I was still pretty wiped out. A nap felt great.
This may be a good time to mention the bedding at BC. WOW! These were the most comfortable sheets/duvetcover/comforter I have ever experienced. At home, I sleep with a comforter wrapped around me. Generally in hotels, the bedspreads are uncomfortable and creep me out, so I manage with their sheets. Not here! I felt like I was sinking in a cloud of comfort! I even asked if there was any way I could purchase the comforter/duvet. (They directed me to the “Disney resort collection” website where I could find item inspired by WDW resorts…I checked it out, but I wanted the BC bedding.)
Next up: Le Cellier experience and the rest of the evening….
I so love Epcot too, as I mentioned earlier. Everything about it is amazing! I love the picture of Delaney pushing the older kiddos...too funny! Glad you had another great day at Epcot. Can't wait to read about the rest of it.
Apparently, I have missed some updates so this post here is for the Entry for DTD, when you spent time with Ben in LegoLand.
Great update Shelly! Ben looked very happy at the Lego store. I love how you can see the joy in your children's faces. They have very expressive faces and eyes. It's written all over!
I think it's great you spent some one on one time with Ben, enjoying him enjoy himself. Isn't it amazing how much joy you can have watching and experiencing things with your kids? It makes it all worth it.
For example...this past March we went to Boston to see the Lion King on Broadway Tour. It was excellent!!! (So excellent we are going back in Feb) but the absolute best part of the show, the thing I will never ever forget, is when my DD looked up at me on our way down the stairs during intermission, and said "Mommy, I LOVE this show!" the look on her face I will never forget. It was one of pure joy and if I had missed the whole show, sitting in front of a column, that one look and statement would have made that show awesome for me, best one I ever saw!
That is what I mean...and your pics just give me joy. Seeing the joy in all your faces.
I am SO happy for your family and can't wait to hear more.
PS...Btw...this is just another posting to prove what sailbot and I have been saying...your a great mom. You inspire me, Shelly, thanks for sharing your story and family with us!
So this is post is in response to the AK EMH night...
I love that Hannah seems to notice and think of things that others may miss. It reminds me that sometimes we need to all stop and smell the flowers. Kwim?
Glad you were all able to enjoy KRR and Dinosaur together. How fun! I am hoping to do some more rides with all of us next year, DH is a big baby, hoping DD gives him so bravery.
I am so happy you loved LK. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Easily, in my Top 5 fav! It was my inspiration to go to see Lion King on Broadway Tour. This show always makes me teary, I just love it and the feelings it brings. My plan for next year is to do a few half days at AK so we can see the Birds of Wonder show, Finding Nemo, and It's tough to be a Bug, we haven't seen any of these yet. Oh, and of course FoLK.
How awful that you couldn't even get anything to eat. I think they should have some things open when they are open later. At least you got to eat before bed.
Can't wait to get to the next entry...I'll be back!
I love Epcot too, though nothing can ever top MK for me! Though when I visited in 89 at age 10, Epcot was my favorite. So I can understand, it's my second favorite park now. Unfortunately, it is my DD and DH least fav park. I am hoping Kim Possible makes it more fun for them next year.
Yes, that pic is very telling. I just think Delaney is a wonderful little girl. So in tune...
Again, lovign this report and thanks for sharing! I know your DH has asked why you are telling so much...I appreciate every word! I can't wait for more!
Wow! I am finally caught up! I haven't been getting my notifications so I became very behind! I have a huge smile on my face while reading your TR--your family just is so precious!
Those towel "animals" are hilarious! At least you had a CM who tried .
I so love Epcot too, as I mentioned earlier. Everything about it is amazing! I love the picture of Delaney pushing the older kiddos...too funny! .
This photo cracks me up every time I see it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
Apparently, I have missed some updates so this post here is for the Entry for DTD, when you spent time with Ben in LegoLand.
Great update Shelly! Ben looked very happy at the Lego store. I love how you can see the joy in your children's faces. They have very expressive faces and eyes. It's written all over!
I think it's great you spent some one on one time with Ben, enjoying him enjoy himself. Isn't it amazing how much joy you can have watching and experiencing things with your kids? It makes it all worth it.
For example...this past March we went to Boston to see the Lion King on Broadway Tour. It was excellent!!! (So excellent we are going back in Feb) but the absolute best part of the show, the thing I will never ever forget, is when my DD looked up at me on our way down the stairs during intermission, and said "Mommy, I LOVE this show!" the look on her face I will never forget. It was one of pure joy and if I had missed the whole show, sitting in front of a column, that one look and statement would have made that show awesome for me, best one I ever saw!
!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
So this is post is in response to the AK EMH night...
I love that Hannah seems to notice and think of things that others may miss. It reminds me that sometimes we need to all stop and smell the flowers. Kwim?
I am so happy you loved LK. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Easily, in my Top 5 fav! It was my inspiration to go to see Lion King on Broadway Tour. This show always makes me teary, I just love it and the feelings it brings. My plan for next year is to do a few half days at AK so we can see the Birds of Wonder show, Finding Nemo, and It's tough to be a Bug, we haven't seen any of these yet. Oh, and of course FoLK.
!
I was wondering where you ahve been lately--thought you may have been putting some finishing touches on your on TR?
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
Now for the Epcot response...
I love Epcot too, though nothing can ever top MK for me! Though when I visited in 89 at age 10, Epcot was my favorite. So I can understand, it's my second favorite park now. Unfortunately, it is my DD and DH least fav park. I am hoping Kim Possible makes it more fun for them next year.
Yes, that pic is very telling. I just think Delaney is a wonderful little girl. So in tune...
Again, lovign this report and thanks for sharing! I know your DH has asked why you are telling so much...I appreciate every word! I can't wait for more!
I will let (try to force) DH to read it when I am done. I do not think he ever did get through the PTR...
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