A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making. PTR 10/14 - 23/2011 - Page 27 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
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.
Love the autograph books!!! We got into the pin trading a little during last years trip. Nathan really loved it-we'll be going back in January, I'm anxious to see if he is still interested in it. I bought my own lanyard & pins, but don't trade much, mostly buy....It's fun though....and addictive!
DW, DGD, and I really like to trade pins with the CMs. The last trip with all three we took several hundred pins to trade. That was interesting as we were flying so the pins were spread out in the in the checked bags because of the weight limits. We also carried the lanyards and some pins with us so we could start trading in the Disney store in the Orlando airport and as soon as we got to the park. We have shipped pins and binders when we were planning on going to some of the large trading events. We do NOT carry binders into the parks. We always buy pins from ebay in "LOTS" before we go so we can save money (a few dollars for a pin is always better than 6 to 12+ in the parks.)
You are REALLY advit collectors...
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Great job on the books Holly!
Can't wait to hear about the Halloween theme!!
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Nice job on the autograph books!
Thanks - nothing special
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
The books look great! The kids will have such fun with them.
I hope so
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
Good job on the books!
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofysdtr
Neat autograph books, Holly!
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
YOU CANNOT LEAVE ME HANGING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT ARE YOUR COSTUMES??????
The autograph books are awesome! I love homemade stuff like books and t shirts.
I'll be updating the costumes in next post - really nothing exciting
Quote:
Originally Posted by lexiemom
Great job on the autograph books! I like that they open upwards.
Me too, make it a little easier to hold
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great autograph books! Nice journal, too!
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
Love the autograph books!!! We got into the pin trading a little during last years trip. Nathan really loved it-we'll be going back in January, I'm anxious to see if he is still interested in it. I bought my own lanyard & pins, but don't trade much, mostly buy....It's fun though....and addictive!
I don't think I'll trade either - when are you starting your TR?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Love the autograph books! Great job!
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Love the homemade autograph books!
Thank you
Quote:
Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG
Very cool autograph books!
I think they turned out nice
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
The autograph books turned out great!
I hope the kids will like them - I think they will.
It’s been a while since I began this report so I thought I’d give a quick update on all of our plans - again.
Dates Friday 10/14 thru Sunday 10/23
Me and my son Evan
My Mom – Janet
My sister - Jill, her husband Steve and their 3 children Aaron 12 Megan 10 and Eric 5
Aaron and Megan just had their Birthdays on Saturday so Happy Birthday guys.
Evan and Eric both have their birthdays the week before we travel
And we just decided to do their party after we come home.
Family Friend - Christine and her 2 boy Bryson turning 8 while there and Gunnar 6
We fly Spirit Airlines out of Atlantic City on Friday, Me, Evan, Mom, Chris and her 2 leave 6am and my sister and family 6pm.
All return home together on Sunday at 9am
Renting a van and full size car
Staying at Shades of Green.
All have Magic Your Way passes
I’m considering an upgrade to mine to an annual pass so I can get free theme park parking and also then be able to buy Tables in Wonderland with 11 of us eating those savings could add up quickly.
We plan on all parties going to the same park each day and planning at least one group activity per day.
Here are our plans so far.
Friday 10/14
After getting up incredibly early for our flight I figured we will all be hungry for a good meal at lunch by the time we arrive in the bubble so we are heading straight to Beaches and Cream for lunch.
We’ll make a quick stop to get supplies for breakfast for the week and then hopefully check in.
No park today but did book a character dinner at Chef Mickey’s. I originally booked it for 7:15pm when I thought we weren’t getting in until 4pm. But since our flights have changed to ungodly early, I’m trying to move up our dinner but nothing has been available yet. So for now we have dinner at 7:15.
I need to exchange my AP voucher, get TIW card and pick up HDDMR tickets so if not done at the Beach club at lunch or the Contemporary at dinner then I’ll stop at the Poly.
Perhaps a ride on the Monorail but definitely early to bed.
Saturday 10/15
MagicKingdom in the morning -ALWAYS my first park
Epcot in the evening
Our group activity is watching IllumiNations
ADR at Tutto Italia for dinner, also Mom’s Birthday
Sunday 10/16
Hollywood Studios all day
Group activity lunch and Fantasmic
ADR Prime Time Café for lunch
Monday 10/17
Morning is diverse as boys are doing Pirate Adventure Cruise at GF, Me and Chris will wait for them and then all go to DTD and Ghirardelli’s for ice cream
Mom, Jill and Megan having Tea at GF at 2pm – don’t know what they are doing before
Steve and Aaron doing some sort of water sport
Dinner I’m hoping to do Casey’s
Group activity is MESP and Wishes
Tuesday 10/18
Animal Kingdom all day
Group Activity is MNSSHP
Lunch ADR’s at both Rain Forest Café and Tusker House – I’m still debating
Fortunately we were still able to make double ressies at that time, even tough you can’t do that any more.
Oh and our theme for MNSSHP is a pumpkin patch. I wasn’t sure at first but when t-shirts went on sale at 3 for $10 I jumped on it. It really isn’t anything special. We are all going to wear an orange t-shirt and I’m going to make a Jack-o-lantern face on each one. At first I thought about getting a bunch of patterns and letting each person pick their face but that is just going to be a PITA so I’m making them all the same face.
Evan still really wants to be the crocodile so I think that day I may bring a green shirt and the croc head/hat I have and if we see Capt Hook. Just let him put that on so he can scare the Captain.
Wednesday 10/19
Evan and I are doing GatorLand and having some relaxing time at the hotel.
I have no idea who will join us – if anyone - or what anyone else has planned for the day.
Group Activity is a character breakfast at Cape May Café
Dinner I’m hoping to do the Camp Fire at Fort Wilderness
Thursday 10/20
No plays yet for the morning – I’ll let Evan decide his favorite
Group Activity is dinner at Hoop-Dee-Doo
This is also Bryson’s birthday so we need to buy a cake and will probably have it back in the room after dinner
Friday 10/21
Morning will be spent in Epcot
ADR for Teppan Edo for lunch
Our Group Activity is dinner at 1900 Park Fare then a monorail ride to the Poly to catch the water parade and see Wishes from the beach
Saturday 10/22
Morning is back to MK
Evening is open for everyone to enjoy their last favorite thing(s)
ADR for Whispering Canyon Café for lunch
I’m hoping our group activity will be doing one land together in the MK
Sunday 10/23
Return home L
I measured Evan last night – no shoes and he was 41 inches – YAY! – I thought he looked a little taller to me.
I have tons of little projects to complete. I decided to make Evan a Tick Tock shirt so I bought the stuff for it last night.
My niece is VERY interested in watching the dogs while I’m away. She might not sleep at my house but the dogs won’t have anyone to sleep with in the kennel and at least at home it is familiar and they can sleep in the bed – albeit alone. So that is going to save me a TON of money.
Random Disney story:
This is one of my absolute favorite memories of Disney World and the type of thing I’ve never been able to recreate.
Back in 1998 (I seem to remember a lot from this trip) I was with my brother, SIL and niece 4 and nephew 6 (BTW this is the niece now watching my dogs). My sister Jill and her husband Steve (BK, that’s before kids) were visiting his parents in FL and came to spend the day with us in the MK. It was August and it was hot.
It was the middle of the day and we went over to TomSawyerIsland. The Disney gods must have been smiling on us because for some unknown reason the MEN were watching the kids. The little ones were running all over the place, as little ones do, and the guys were following them into the caves, over bridges, into forts and everywhere for a good 30 - 45 minutes. What did the woman do? Oh say glad you asked. We, all 3 of us, sat on the boat dock area in rocking chairs, under a shaded deck with ceiling fans going and drinking ice cold lemonade. I think I actually dosed off while in the chairs. It was peaceful, cool (well cooler), quiet and oh so relaxing. When the kids and men came back they were all just dripping with sweat, which made it feel all that much sweeter.
Try as I might I just can’t seem to recapture that day – could it be the men wised up and won’t go chasing the kids anymore –hmmm.
About This Page: 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Deb
Susan
Holly: 
Linear Mode
