An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 - Page 123 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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I'm glad that the new classes are going well! I know how hard it is to prepare for teaching new material! Great update--I feel the same way about Wishes! I love when we get a super fun bus driver. It makes the long ride from MK back to AKL so much more enjoyable!
We have had some great bus drivers, but this guy was the best. And you're are so right about making the long ride better. It felt like it was the shortest trip there ever.
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Originally Posted by MikeL
Sounds like you guys had a great evening in MK Don't you just love it when you get a really good Skipper on Jungle Cruise. Side note we had a really good one back in 92 He ended up being the guy I fished with on next two trips That was job Disney rehire him for after he got discharged from US Army
I love this ride, but it always a bonus to have that exceptional skipper who really enjoys his/her job.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ecmiller
Cam,
I am really enjoying your trip report! It has helped me get excited for our trip.
I love to spread the Disney excitement!
Quote:
Originally Posted by sc507
Glad school is off to a good (although exhausting) start! I need to ride Space Mountain again - it's been a loooonnngg time (20 years!) since I last did
What a great night at the MK!
Your meal at LTT sounds yummy!
I think that Space Mountain is a very jerky ride! The Space Mountain at Disneyland is much smoother! Fun pictures from this ride!
You are not alone regarding the Main Street Electrical Parade! Most people want to see Spectromagic back at the MK!
I hope Disney hears us all and bring it back ASAP!
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinker_me_happy
Well, I've been lurking for quite a while now trying to get caught up, but here I am... all caught up!
Can't wait for the next installment!
Coming right up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
Nice expression after SM - sorry, you wil never get me on that ride!
My hair was totally blow back from my face.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
Pics from SM are hysterical, Luke looks so serious.
He looks like he is still holding on for dear life.
This was a very lazy morning as I woke up at 9:30 and had breakfast – a cinnamon roll from Main Street Bakery. Then I climbed back in bed as my buddies were still sleeping and downloaded yesterday’s photos, searched YouTube for a video of us in the AK parade, checked e-mails, and entered my Coke rewards codes. By 11:00 I got ready. We all three really were moving very slowly. I woke Luke up at 11:45, but we didn’t make it out of the room until 12:30. Oh well, no FastPasses for us today, but we are more rested.
We arrived at Epcot around 1:00. Rain started as we left a crowded, slow-moving bag check line. Then the rain came down harder as we passed through the ticket gate, so we walked under the sheltered walkway until we reached Spaceship Earth where the rain let up. We checked out The Art of Disney store and then began walking to The Land, but the rain started again and with the humidity afterwards my hair was pathetic. We saw the Circle of Life for the first time in quite a few years. Nice place to be to stay dry and cool.
We came out of Circle of Life by Living with the Land, so we walked through the line right on to a boat. I still love all the plants, and we knew we’d probably be eating some of them at Garden Grill later that night.
We departed The Land and moseyed over to The Seas to ride a clam mobile. The line was fairly long, but it at least kept moving, and soon we were checking out the big blue with Nemo and Friends.
The next attraction was Turtle Talk with Crush. Totally delightful, dude! Some confused kids were chosen to ask questions via microphone, making for an even funnier interaction with Crush.
We next attempted to meet Tink who had been moved inside to a spot in the hallway near Epcot Character Spot. It was 3:30 and the 4:00 PM line was already closed and the 5:00 PM line was forming. Not a go for us today! Instead we needed drinks so we strayed into Club Cool where we tried almost everything, but the Beverly. After experimenting, we bought two Cokes.
From Club Cool, we worked our way over by Test Track to check out Cool Wash Pizza for Dawn. I took a picture of CWP and its menu and sent her a text. And then Luke set off on his mission in space while Stefanie and I bought a souvenir mug and coke plus Disney’s chips for her snack. We found a bench by Mouse Gear in the shade and enjoyed our treat before browsing Mouse Gear. Once we had looked the store over, we went back out to the bench where Stefanie called her aunt and I took notes. Luke joined us about 10 minutes later. He was very surprised that we had neither one bought anything. So guess what we did? We went back in to get Stefanie a 40th anniversary t-shirt, and a Mickey Madras pink plaid backpack purse and me a pair of navy blue/pink Mickey Crocs and 4 Jibbitz to decorate them. Luke got the Vinylmation Nightmare Before Christmas pin set.
After paying, we headed to the pin kiosk to check for exclusives. We got the PassHolder 2011 set and 40th Anniversary Tink (still need Donald, Chip and Dale, and Mickey to complete this set) and Stefanie got a cute one of Chip and Dale on Living with the Land. They are holding a giant Mickey head pumpkin.
We were all very hungry now, so we headed back to The Land. A potty break was first, and then we checked in for Garden Grill.
Stefanie made a few phone calls to occupy herself during the wait. We waited about 15 minutes before being seated at table 81 on the top tier.
Our server Christina from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was exceptionally sweet and brought Stefanie the kid’s meal as she felt Stefanie would rather have nuggets and fries than the adult fare. It was very busy here this particular night, but the characters made it around to see us several times anyway.
First was Pluto.
I this one!
Two silly dudes!
Then Dale came by.
Dale was quite impressed that he was on Stefanie’s t-shirt.
Dale had to check out Stefanie’s hair wraps.
For those of you who wanted to see a better shot of my orange Mickey giraffe tee, here it is!
Up next was Mickey.
After a bit of a wait, my favorite arrived – Chip.
Lots of love all around with all the characters.
As to our meal, I preferred the steak; Luke the Mahi Mahi. We both thought the mashed potatoes were wonderfully tasty. We all three devoured the rolls with Luke and I enjoying the maple butter. I was not fond of the peaches in the dessert (but I don’t like peaches period), but I did enjoy the crisp with a few raspberries. The Maple whipped cream was delicious.
Full to the gills yet again, we walked over to Captain EO. Luke and I hadn’t really enjoyed this last June, but this time we both loved it! 2 thumbs up! Then we went on a Journey through Imagination with Figment. Stefanie warned us about the skunk odor up front.
Now it was time to stack out a spot for Illuminations. We wound up on the right side of the entrance to World Showcase with a partially obstructed view due to trees. I got some okay pictures of the globe and some of the lower fireworks.
The moon was beautiful this night! I took almost as many pictures of it as the fireworks.
I even caught the moon in this shot!
Another with the moon!
The folks in front of us almost left before the end, but I told them there was just a bit more. They were so excited that I’d kept them from leaving too soon.
The park was now officially closed, except to resort guests. We wove our way through the departing crowd to the right and the sidewalk to Test Track, which showed a wait time of 30 minutes, but was probably longer. This ride is extra cool at night and offers a beautiful view of Spaceship Earth lit up.
Afterwards, we took a bathroom break before saying goodbye to the park until tomorrow. There was an AKL bus at the stop when we got there but already very full, so we along with 2 other families decided to be first in line for the next bus. When the next AKL bus arrived the crazy folks at the back of the line which was not long stormed the back door when the driver opened them for an elderly man in an ECV. Luke once again used his very CM voice and reminded them that boarding was only through the front doors and all but 2 returned to the line. The poor man in the ECV was a bit shook up! Some parents a long time ago failed to teach their children good manners and respectful behavior because all of this folks were adults. For shame!
We were back at Kidani just minutes before 11 PM, so I booked it to the lobby to pick up our giraffes. I just made it in the door. Luke and Stefanie had moseyed back to the room. I almost caught up to them as I walk much faster than both them. Before bed we unpacked purchases and I photographed them. I also folded the laundry, ate a wee snack, downloaded pictures to my laptop, checked my school e-mail account, and finished my notes.
At one point Luke went to the master bathroom. Stefanie came in to our bedroom and asked where he dad was. I hadn’t actually seen where he went, but I told her my best guess was the bathroom. She looked in and said, “In the dark; is it the Darth Vader ‘mode!” This was said with a sinister little chuckle She had us all laughing.
She wandered back to the living room a bit later and then returned again, asking, “Where’s Dad?” When I told her that he was still in the bathroom, she replied, “All this time? Should we check on him?” Now I was doing the sinister chuckle right along with her.
They were both in bed by midnight and I turned the lights out at 12:30.
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Darth Vader 'mode LOL--a shortening of commode or a typo--either way it's funny! Great day at Epcot even though you got a late start. You know I've never seen the movie in the Land. I'll have to check it out. I'm glad to hear another great review of Garden Grill. Our first time will be in October!
It looks like you had a great time at EPCOT. Your pictures at GG are very nice. Stefanie looks so happy with Chip and Dale and her shirt is really cute. I also like your orange giraffe shirt. That's on of my favorite colorts.
Liz
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Great update! I love ALL of the photos of Stefanie with the chipmunks, especially the ones with Dale. Love the madras backpack and the crocs. "Darth Vader mode"
Darth Vader 'mode LOL--a shortening of commode or a typo--either way it's funny! Great day at Epcot even though you got a late start. You know I've never seen the movie in the Land. I'll have to check it out. I'm glad to hear another great review of Garden Grill. Our first time will be in October!
No typo, just how Stefanie says commode, which made her comment doubly funny.
We had an odd experience in the movie. A young couple came in right before the movie started and sat in front of us. The theater was sparsely populated so they were able to get center row seats. When the movie started, they got out their cell phones and in spite of the no videotaping warning began to record the movie. They stayed about 5 minutes and then left without finishing the movie.
But we find it to be a cute movie and Stefanie loves to see the Lion King crew.
Quote:
Originally Posted by clio
It looks like you had a great time at EPCOT. Your pictures at GG are very nice. Stefanie looks so happy with Chip and Dale and her shirt is really cute. I also like your orange giraffe shirt. That's on of my favorite colorts.
Liz
She is always happy with Chip and Dale. Orange is my favorite color, too! ;D
Quote:
Originally Posted by lexiemom
"Darth Vader mode" - Haha! I am cracking up!
Another great day! Sounds like you all got some much needed rest. Your meal at Garden Grill sounds so good!
The rest truly did us good!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
Love all your purchases! Sounds like a great time at Epcot
Great update! I love ALL of the photos of Stefanie with the chipmunks, especially the ones with Dale. Love the madras backpack and the crocs. "Darth Vader mode"
Stefanie gets compliments all the time on her madras backpack. She is a funny girl for sure!
Quote:
Originally Posted by omd
You can just feel the love shining through Stefanie when she is with the characters. My favorite is the one with Pluto.
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Some confused kids were chosen to ask questions via microphone, making for an even funnier interaction with Crush. 
this one!
Then we went on a Journey through Imagination with Figment. Stefanie warned us about the skunk odor up front. 
I took almost as many pictures of it as the fireworks. 
Love all the purchases! 
Great pics of IllumiNations! 
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