Four Days Off Christmas Edition Complete 1/13/11 - Page 14 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
That crepe looks delish! And I love the Mickey/Pluto Christmas sweatshirt. Great shots from on the lagoon too. Can you post a pic of you new pearl band?
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.
Thanks for the Day 2 updates and photos Heather. Some real good ones! That's great to hear about your next room. This is probably part of the reason I have never stayed at a Value Resort. Fewer amenities ans less service. Getting your bags delivered at the Moderate Resorts can be a long wait sometimes. Although not at the FQ due to its' smaller size.
I've taken the Friendship Boat before, but without my camera. Some great views of Epcot from here. Will have to remember this in March.
Looking forward to more!
__________________
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!
Last edited by SuperDave; 12-30-2010 at 02:43 PM..
PassPorter Guide Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ballston Lake, NY
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 46,162
Post Thanks / Like
Likes (Given): 94
Likes (Received): 241
Thanks (Given): 0
Thanks (Received): 139
Pixie Dust (Given): 3
Pixie Dust (Received): 4
I'm all caught up. Sounds like you are having a wonderful start to your trip. Sorry about your room though. I can't believe how in disrepair that room was in. I'm enjoying all the Christmas pictures from Epcot!!
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Great morning at Epcot! I the pictures from the middle of the lagoon. I'm going to have to try this from the outside seating in the boat. We usually ride on the inside and the windows are tinted, which would mess with the photos. So neat that Geir is so personable!
After picking out my ring in Japan I started towards Germany for my lunch ADR. I look a couple of photos along the way.
The gingerbread house in Liberty Tavern
The train set up all decked out for Christmas. I love how they theme this to the different times of year at Epcot. Back in October there were food and wine festival booths set up.
I didn't take any photos at lunch because it was REALLY busy at Beirgarten. I was seated with a family of 6--two adults and 4 kids under the age of 12. One of the kids was gluten intolerant and it took the chef a very long time to get to the table. I was kind of surprised.
Just a note they will tell you that both sides are exactly the same--they aren't--the right side seems to consistently have a few more items on it. I started out with a plate of a couple of salads and a bowl of soup. I was a little disappointed that they didn't have the potato leek soup that I've had before, but the lentil sausage soup was pretty good too.
I had a big plate of sausage and sides. I wasn't a fan of the veal sausage--its white--or the red cabbage--it was just too sweet. The potato salads are both awesome--hot and cold. The rest of it was good. I went back for a small second plate--the lines were crazy long at this point. I had a beer, but I can't tell you what it was . . . something fairly light, but not a pilsner. I am consistently disappointed with dessert here. There just aren't very many offerings, however I came up with a winner on this trip. There were some marinated red berries which I dumped on top of a piece of chocolate cake! Super yummy--I highly recommend it!
I closed out my check and got my ticket for the Candlelight Processional. I headed back to Japan to pick up my ring. I got in line for the CP because the ticketed entry line was getting long and I was afraid I would get stuck in the back--which negates doing the package. I shouldn't have worried so much because people were walking in the ticketed line right up until the show started and CMs were making people squish together to seat them. By the time it started the theatre was overflowing with people. They were seating people on the walls lining the theatre and everything!
I only managed one decent picture from the whole thing--even though I was in the first row of the second section--right behind the wheelchair row (for people who are unable to transfer from their wheelchair--if you can transfer you get a regular seat.)
I was really amazed at this experience. It was just beautiful and I'm not really religious at all. I truly enjoyed all of the music and Trace Adkins was a great narrator. You could really see that he was enjoying himself and he said as much at the close of the program. The guest and cast choirs were really very good and I am always awed by the Voices of Liberty. I managed to not sing along all the way until Handel's Messiah--then I couldn't help myself. I sang in the audition choir in high school and my voice changed so much in 4 years that I know 4 different voice parts (Soprano 2, Alto 1 &2 and Tenor--we were short boys one year) I probably annoyed the people sitting next to me, but oh well--I was having too much fun. It was wonderful. I had tears in my eyes a couple of times.
I would definitely do this again, however you will NEVER catch me waiting in the "standby" line for hours. I cannot imagine standing in the same place for 2 or 3 hours just hoping to get a seat inside. I would recommend the CP to anyone--religious or not--especially if you love music. I imagine the narrator makes a difference as well. I think I'll be repeating this trip next year and will make every effort to get a CP package. I managed to book on only a week or so before the trip, and there was more than one choice for 2pm lunch. I think Nine Dragons, Marrakesh and Tutto Italia were still available when I booked. I like Beirgarten and its the least expensive option--and they honored my Tables in Wonderland discount as well!
Normally I would have hung around for Illuminations again, but it had been so cold the night before--that I decided to have a late dinner at DTD.
I walked out the International Gateway and over to the Beach Club. I took a few photos of the Carousel:
Love the kitchen sink!
I took the bus from the Beach Club to DTD--I don't think I waited too long for it.
I did some shopping first. I went to Basin, which I just love--to pick up some Christmas presents. I bought pirate soap for the boys' bathroom and got a slice of wine soap for my girlfriend Judy! I actually haven't given it to her yet, she's in Vegas celebrating the New Year. I'm babysitting her cats for her!
At trenD I bought a hat, which I returned later at the resort because it was just a little too big for my head and I found a youth sized hat that was just as cute and half the price! (I have a very little head) I also found something I thought was rather odd for Disney. In one of the cases at trenD there was what the girl who opened the case for me called a card holder. Nope, way too big for a business card holder-its definitely a cigarette case--an Alice in Wonderland cigarette case--an it was on sale half price! Sold!
I walked over to the former Pleasure Island area, soon to be Hyperion Wharf. I was seated at:
Portobello almost immediately.
After all that sausage this afternoon I knew I needed some greens so I ordered a Caesar salad to go with my glass of Prosecco. Sadly the dining room is on the dark side and my photos didn't come out so well--so I deleted them. Salad was good, but sort of unremarkable--it was a salad. I also ordered their version of arancini, which I love at Citricos. (I was sort of unimpressed with the ones at Via Napoli) They actually just call them Mozzarella Stuffed Rice Balls, which I found humorous. This version was more cheese than rice. So these were kind of like enormous mozzarella sticks with rice. They were good and the portion size was huge. These rice balls were about 3 times the size of the ones found elsewhere. (The version at Citricos is Asiago cheese and mushrooms--it is superior to any of the others I've tried.) I figured I was getting 3 smallish sized rice balls and that I would be hungrier. I hadn't ordered anything else yet and I'm glad I hadn't! I was completely full. The bread service was lovely as well--olive oil instead of butter and nice crispy italian rolls. I had been planning on either soup or the misti plate, but it was not to be. (The soup that night was a white bean)
I didn't even have room for dessert, so I just sat and finished my second glass of bubbly while I waited to have the check sorted out.
I decided at this point that I was pretty tired and headed back out to the bus stops. I waited a few minutes, but it was a relatively painless trip back to All Star Sports. I didn't take any pictures, but rest assured that my room was leaps and bounds better than my room at Movies. I don't know if Sports has been rehabbed recently, but the room was so much nicer. In fact all of Sports was nicer including the food court and shop. I was surprised to see that both my Owner's Locker and my luggage had been delivered to my room for me. Normally you have to call bell services for that stuff if you have luggage waiting or transferred. I wonder if it got dropped off because of the lovely lady at the front desk earlier that day (or if they ran out of room in the luggage room.) I decorated my window and drank a couple glasses of wine and headed to bed early because I'd have to be up early for my Keys to the Kingdom tour!
Up next: Keys to the Kingdom, Sanaa, and a surprise reservation!
I am so with you about the Candlelight Processional. I'm not at all religious either, but I find it very moving, although like you, there is no way that I'm ever going to wait in the standby line for it. I'd much rather enjoy a great dinner at Epcot and get in through the dining package.
I love CP as well. It's a very moving experience. It is a drag, though, that you have to get in line early even if you have the package. I like to sit on the right side of the theater so I can watch the ASL interpreter--I think the signing to music is so beautiful!
How nice that your bags and Owners Locker were already in the room.
Great TR! I'm furiously making notes for my upcoming trip!! I'm DEFINITELY taking a friendship boat across the EPCOT lagoon now. It wasn't on my radar before, for whatever reason, but we're doing it this time.
Glad to hear your room at Sports was far better than the one at Movies. I'm pretty surprised at that one. I know it's a value... but it's a DISNEY value, and they are held to a higher standard...
Some day I hope to see the CP. I'll definitely book the package, though.
We are still waiting for an opportunity to see CP and I've already told Luke when we do we'll have to get the package to be sure we get seats. The train in Germany looks so pretty dressed up for Christmas. So glad your new room is much better!
What a wonderful day! I'm so glad you enjoyed the CP package. Mental note for our future (waaay future) holiday trip! I'm also glad your room at Sports was nice and clean. Looking forward to hearing about KTTK!!!
__________________
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
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.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
That's great to hear about your next room. 
This is probably part of the reason I have never stayed at a Value Resort. Fewer amenities ans less service. Getting your bags delivered at the Moderate Resorts can be a long wait sometimes. Although not at the FQ due to its' smaller size. 
the pictures from the middle of the lagoon. I'm going to have to try this from the outside seating in the boat. We usually ride on the inside and the windows are tinted, which would mess with the photos. So neat that Geir is so personable! 
PassPorter Guide Author
I'm not at all religious either, but I find it very moving, although like you, there is no way that I'm ever going to wait in the standby line for it. I'd much rather enjoy a great dinner at Epcot and get in through the dining package. 
Linear Mode
