Come sail away, Come sail away, Come sail away with me TR Completed 2/8/2012 - Page 9 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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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Like what? Indulge me. Anything other than DW, DL or DCL?
Taking it all in
Okay...let me try.
Well, like Cheryl said, some of the discounts you receive are really nice, but another perk is that you can use your points to stay at hotels that aren't part of Disney...and these are including hotels all over the world. Some areas have multiple hotels to stay at. My parents are currently trying to save some points for a trip to Arizona.
They've also just opened up the new DVC resort in Hawaii, you've got the DVC resorts in Hilton Head and Vero Beach, plus you can stay at non-DVC resorts at WDW as well. Granted, you are using a lot more points to stay at those resorts, but you still have the option to do it. You can even use your points to plan an Adventure By Disney trip.
How'd I do??? Oh, and on a non-dvc related topic...were you able to fold that stroller with that organizer thingy on the back of it, or did you have to take it off first?
Well, like Cheryl said, some of the discounts you receive are really nice, but another perk is that you can use your points to stay at hotels that aren't part of Disney...and these are including hotels all over the world. Some areas have multiple hotels to stay at. My parents are currently trying to save some points for a trip to Arizona.
They've also just opened up the new DVC resort in Hawaii, you've got the DVC resorts in Hilton Head and Vero Beach, plus you can stay at non-DVC resorts at WDW as well. Granted, you are using a lot more points to stay at those resorts, but you still have the option to do it. You can even use your points to plan an Adventure By Disney trip.
How'd I do??? Oh, and on a non-dvc related topic...were you able to fold that stroller with that organizer thingy on the back of it, or did you have to take it off first?
You're funny, yes you did good! But I knew all of that stuff anyway, I was more wanting to get info from people who have stayed in Europe or out West and what the value was like. I know the value at DW and DL is great, but I do know as our kids get older, we will travel to other places than Disney.......shocking. Cherly mentioned London and I am going to check that out.
YES, folding the stroller was a breeze with that organizer, well of course take the cups out of the holder. It was laying the back down that was an issue. Well I shouldn't say issue..........I love that stroller because it lays totally flat, so it's great when they fall asleep, like a portable bed ( and under the legs flip up too) so because of that, you would have to just hold the netting part away from the stroller when you released the back to lie flat. Once you did that you could just drop that netting back down. I haven't taken that organizer off since last year.
You know what, I'm the idiot! I had totally forgotten about the raffle and the special offer that they did there, which I did take - that night. Gosh, my memory is not what it used to be. : The problem is I don't think you'll have any way of knowing what deals they're going to offer until that afternoon when you board. It may be something that appeals (as it did to me, although it obviously wasn't THAT memorable! ) or it may not... of course you may luck out with the raffle or you may not. There's just no guarantees on anything with this approach....
I will go check out what they have.........hopefully it will be a little more memorable
I'm dancing with you....can't believe the cruise is so close now. I am going to chime in on the DVC wagon now...I put it off, and off - my rep had the patience of a saint because it was about 3 years from our first conversation to when I bought in and all I can say is I wish I did it sooner. When I think of what I spent on our trips for those three years I was deciding...definitely would worth putting that to my DVC payment instead.
As for mother with a million questions at the IEP meeting - that would be me. I used to think I was driving them crazy then at the end of last year her counseler at the school e-mailed me to say that she really commends me on taking such an active role in Angel's education - she said she has a lot of kids whose parents come in for the initial IEP meeting and then she does not hear from them again for the rest of the year. I call her, e-mail her - I question this poor lady all year long but I want to know what is going on and how she is doing.
Glad to hear I'm not the only one....................with being on the fence about DVC, AND being the million question mommy
Hello, my name is Linny and I am an overpacker
Really, I say this exact thing every time I travel and every time I think to myself, I am getting better. But I'm not gonna lie to myself anymore, I'm not getting better and that's just how it's gonna have to be. I bring a nice sundress for dinner, bathing suit/cover up and a skirt and tank for every day. Now some bathing suits and skirts will be repeated but that's it. Same goes for my kids, and well hubs.....he's on his own. I know what he has for dinner's but that's all.
I am almost at my pre-baby weight!!! 4lbs and I am there. I am going to make this happen before next week, watch me. I will starve myself just so I can then tuen around and stuff myself while onboard
I am going to do online check in tonight for the BC, that's exciting right??
This update is brief because I hear a little boy waking from his nap, so I'll be back later.....................
SO I'm back.
We have been trying to talk to Josie about the Mickey Slide on the ship, letting her know she has to walk up all by herself and that daddy or I would be at the bottom waiting for her. Her only comment was, she didn't want to let out into the pool, i assured her she wouldn't but there would be water. She seemed OK but I decided to go onto the DCL website and try and show her more. While watching the video she took notice to the kid's clubs and said, in slow motion " OH MY GOSH!!!" I then started talking to her about those a bit more ( keep in mind we have had all of these conversations, but I guess now that it is really close she is paying more attention) So we noticed all the Monsters Inc. characters in the one room and she asked who they were and thought they were funny looking. Well, we have never watched that movie before. So like any other good mommy i went and bought it...............what did we watch tonight for family movie night???? MONSTERS INC. She liked it, but did get really scared at one point. She is in bed now, but I am keeping an ear out for her, I wonder if she may wake up a little scared
I wanted to also thank everyone for all the advice on DVC. I am sure we won't be making any jumps while away this trip, but we will probably talk to someone again onboard one day. I do have lots of questions about non- disney DVC trips as I know traveling to Europe is one of our favorite things to do, and once Andre gets a little bigger, we will for sure be looking into that. So using DVC down in Florida ( or even Cali as we haven't been back since we moved from there in 2001) until then could very well be a great idea for us. I just wish GF or Poly was in on that. I am going to start a thread on the DVC forum. So please, fire back with whatever ya gots
I have most of our packing ready to go into the suitcases. Just some meds and little stuff left to get together. I need to plan ahead some work things for while I am gone so that isn't on my mind. Have to get the last of Josie's party stuff together too. I am having her party 2 days after we come home........IDIOT!!!! It's a pirate party and I just got the CD from Jake and the Neverland Pirates and it is really cute.
I'm just rambling now so it's not interesting...........I'll be back more this week with some spazy, frantic, ramblings.
with the packing... or should that be overpacking....
I'll obviously answer anything you post in the DVC forum, but don't forget, there is a massive amount of building work underway at the Grand Floridian right now and the rumour is it's DVC - I doubt it will be anything else, as that's really everything that Disney's built in the last 10 years, with the exception of Art of Animation.... so that dream may come true soon for you!
I am an over-packer too! I figure if I'm bringing a suitcase, I may as well fill it to the brim.
4 lbs. from pre-baby weight!!! That's amazing! You'll do it, I know you will. Because, like me, vaca is all about the food.
Ramble away. I'll most likely have nothing but ramblings after I post my ADRs.
So a week from today I will be sitting in the theatre on the Dream watching a fabulous show with my family
Wow, crazy!! So I am checked in to the BC and tomorrow I could check into AKL but actually, I'm not sure if I can check into another resort when I haven't even been to the first one, hmmm....anyone know?
I also added on the booze to the GC order today, gotta get that taken care of right?
All of my trip stuff I think is pretty much in place, just needs to get IN the suitcases. I do have alot of work prep, house prep and Josie b-day prep still to tend to this week. Not to mention Tank's 9 month check up....... AKA Andre and then of course the IEP meeting.
I am not going to worry about the weather because really, what can you do? I just am thankful to be on the ship and not the parks if it is going to be raining. I know there will be plenty of indoor activity going on, of course rough seas wouldn't be fun. I know the weather in Florida is pretty shotty right now and I hope all of my fellow PP'ers are making the best of it.
Linny, I'm just coming on board for your voyage! This time next week you all will be aboard the dream relaxing. BTW - You can check in to AKL. I had two different reservations this June and and checked into both before heading down.
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Linny, I'm just coming on board for your voyage! This time next week you all will be aboard the dream relaxing. BTW - You can check in to AKL. I had two different reservations this June and and checked into both before heading down.
Aww, Thanks Cam. Wow, now that is going to make everything really feel that much closer!!! I just wasn't sure about the whole 2 different reservation thing.
Thanks for joining in
I will be thinking of you on the Dream relaxing in the spa, watching the shows, and just enjoying every minute! I'll send some weather pixies your way too.
Okay...so they look a lot like the regular pixies...but trust me they're weather pixies!
I will be thinking of you on the Dream relaxing in the spa, watching the shows, and just enjoying every minute! I'll send some weather pixies your way too.
Okay...so they look a lot like the regular pixies...but trust me they're weather pixies!
Yeah, thanks Dawn.
I promise to wave directly at you on the webcam leaving the port. I'll be the crazy lady with a fruity umbrella drink. YES!
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. Cherly mentioned London and I am going to check that out. 
. It was laying the back down that was an issue. Well I shouldn't say issue..........I love that stroller because it lays totally flat, so it's great when they fall asleep, like a portable bed ( and under the legs flip up too
) so because of that, you would have to just hold the netting part away from the stroller when you released the back to lie flat. Once you did that you could just drop that netting back down. I haven't taken that organizer off since last year.
I had totally forgotten about the raffle and the special offer that they did there, which I did take - that night. Gosh, my memory is not what it used to be. 
: The problem is I don't think you'll have any way of knowing what deals they're going to offer until that afternoon when you board. It may be something that appeals (as it did to me, although it obviously wasn't THAT memorable! 
) or it may not... of course you may luck out with the raffle or you may not. There's just no guarantees on anything with this approach....
) So we noticed all the Monsters Inc. characters in the one room and she asked who they were and thought they were funny looking. Well, we have never watched that movie before. So like any other good mommy i went and bought it...............what did we watch tonight for family movie night???? MONSTERS INC. She liked it, but did get really scared at one point. She is in bed now, but I am keeping an ear out for her, I wonder if she may wake up a little scared
) until then could very well be a great idea for us. I just wish GF or Poly was in on that. I am going to start a thread on the DVC forum. So please, fire back with whatever ya gots
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with the packing... or should that be overpacking.... 
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