The Good, The Bad and The Buggy - Nov 2011 TR - Page 16 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Did we ever find the key? - NOPE. We checked everywhere. Even when we got back, I thought maybe it was in with the clothes. Nope. That little stunt cost us $210. Because that is what it costs to have another key made and programmed. But we were insured for the windshield - so to replace that was no cost.
Overall, we had a great trip! We did a bunch of new things. We bought AP’s and are planning to get at least 20 days on them for the year! We did a couple extra “hard ticket” things but they were totally worth it. The WAT - I was a little nervous but I thought it was fantastic! I would do that anytime. We also did MVMCP, which wasn’t new for us. We did it last year too. It was fun but not a must do every year. We did the Lunch with an Imagineer which was very fun! We got to learn some “behind the scenes” scoop while having a top notch meal! 11/11/11 - four parks/one day - that was really tiring but very fun! I thought we would spend more time traveling that day but it worked out nicely. I was amazed that we had the stamina to do it all!
Hotel- a little disappointing. BLT is our home resort so I think that is why I was so disappointed too. I really like the location. Being able to walk to MK is great. Just a few things that we didn’t like and the bugs topped the list. There were other things as well, 3 ice machines in the entire building, building showing wear, no Mickey head towel, the lax rules. It was just missing on the magic. So next time, we will wait until the 7 month window and book at a different resort. It may be a while before we try a repeat at BLT. We did contact the DVC and Chuck spoke with them. I will let him update you on that conversation and the results.
Travel - Driving farther down on the first day made our arrival day really easy. Then coming home, we split the drive almost in half. It went super smoothly. We always have fun on road trips. We just like traveling together. We aren’t just married - we are best friends and that makes things so cool!
Food - OMG! The food! Love dining at WDW. So many great restaurants so little time. DxDP was worth it to us. I haven’t done the financial breakdown exactly yet. But for the meals we were eating, we were definitely getting our $86 pp a day. We could not have eaten like we did for less than that - I’m sure. We did end up with a lot left over. But we are still planning on DxDP next year too. It just works for us. When we were on the reg DP, we would still order apps. And for the TIW card, we don’t want to have to worry about what things cost and have to bring the $ for it. We ordered things and didn’t even have to think about the cost while on the DxDP - I love that! Next year, I have to lose weight before the trip just so I can dine at Disney!
We are already planning for next year. So - not too shabby for our 1st attempt at a TR, if I do say so myself. It was fun to write and revisit it all. Chuck will be adding his final thoughts and two cents in here sometime soon. Thanks for following along.
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.
The bugs were kind of everywhere. On the wall by the elevator, on the balcony, as well as by the pool. What side of the building were you on. Maybe that had something to do with it? I'm hoping that it was just a fluke and that things get better.
We were on the side facing MK, but we had a pool view. Now that I think about it we did notice the bugs on the balcony the first day, but they werent as bad as the trip progressed.
Great TR Coop! I have enjoyed it immensly! Partially, bc we are friends and I like to know what you were up to when I was missing you!
40 snacks??!!! That is crazy! I read on here somewhere in the last few days that Disney is cracking down on meal trade ins starting next year. Gone will be the days of being able to do that. From what I read, as of now, it depends who you ask and where (like you found out) but next year it will be NO trades across the board. Ugh.
Sorry you had a not so magical time at BLT, but it seems like a magical trip overall. I have to say that I think that it would be hard to have a non magical time with Chuck! You two are so cute!
Can't wait to hear from Chuck what happened with the DVC rep.
Thanks for sharing your adventures and loving relationship with all of us!
Thanks for sharing! It sure did sound like you had a wonderful trip. Bummer about the bugs and the key, but otherwise it seemed to be just what you both needed, especially with your busy lives leading right up to the trip!
I'm glad Contempo Cafe was able to exchange your credits for snacks. I had heard sometimes no one would do that, and you'd be left with wasted credits. I would've loved to have so many snacks to enjoy after a trip!
I'm curious to hear how Chuck made out with the DVC folks! I'm hoping that they were sincerely sorry that your first DVC wasn't the most magical.
__________________
Huge Disney Fan...Always Have Been...Always Will Be!
Disneyland 60th Anniversary Celebration TR here!
2013 WDW trip here!
2011 trip to Hawaii here!
Thanks Coop & Chuck for your TR! I really enjoyed it. My wife and I are thinking about an adults only trip next November, and I got a lot of dining ideas from your report. It's going to take some convincing, but I'm also going to try talking her into doing the 4-in-1 day too!
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.
So,final thoughts and an after trip report.
We had a FABULOUS time,despite the bugs,and the attitude of some rude concierge employees,the missing key,and did we mention the bugs? We had a smooth trip home,except for the windshield crack.It seemed to fly by as we listened to the CD's we bought at WDW,and talked about our trip.We had already started planning our next trip,and planning our dining plans.
I did have an odd feeling when we returned,that the bloom fell off the rose,so to speak.I wanted to let the DVC know that we were a little disappointed in a few things.I had a few things to get off my chest,so I sent an email asking them to contact me.
They sent back a reply,and it said "due to the nature of your email,we will have a representative contact me". Hmmm sounds like they take these things seriously.
A few days later a representative called.his name was Travis,and he was definitely their "fireman" He listened as I went over the trips events that seemed a little less than Disney-esque. He never interrupted and was very pleasant on the phone.We talked about things for about 30 minutes,and I felt a lot better.He told me a few things that I will share.
When you make a complaint,they(DVC) researches your visit,where you stayed,what,if anything,was going on at the resort,ect.
Secondly,BLT is having BIG problems,and we weren't the only ones who weren't happy.They are going to go into some additional refurbishing(on a newly constructed resort)they have already had major alterations immediately after they opened.
They have completely turned over management of the BLT,and are changing some of the housekeeping procedures,and maintenance.
The DVC really does care about their members and he certainly proved it.
We received some refund points(totally unexpected) and we would be getting some gifts in the mail.(probably a mug haha)
A few days later,we checked our home page,and sure enough we had refunded points in our bank.Then later on a Fedex truck pulled up with a package. In it a whole bunch of "swag". Hats,water bottle,signed picture of Mickey,Minnie,Donald,Daisey,ect. lunch bag,and a couple more gifts.
I really felt better about the whole deal,and whipped off a quick email to the DVC to thank them and say what a good man they had in Travis.
A few days later,a call came from Travis,saying that he was called into the office and they read him our note,and he got some kind of award.He did go "above,and beyond" in making it right in our eyes.His call was sincere,and I think I made a new friend.
Thank you all for your support,it was/is fun to share our trip with people as "nuts" as we are about the mouse. We pretty much have our trip planned for next Sept. and probably OldKeyWest. I know we'll be doing a trip report then,Coop loves the sharing of this crazy addiction,And I need feedback on next years wheel cover haha
Merry Christmas,Happy Chanukah,and a Happy New Year to All.
When we had problems last June, DVC went above and beyond to make it right for us, too. Reminded me yet again why I really love being a member. Glad it worked out for you all, too!
Glad to hear about your great DVC experience after your trip!
I figure we are crazy nuts about the mouse when you plan what meals you want to do before you even really leave WDW.
We were doing the same thing! I have a list going of all the places we want to do again, as well as new ones we want to try. Yes, we started the discussion...at the airport on the way home. No, I'll be honest some were talked about while sitting at the table waiting to pay for the meal.
Thanks for your thoughts Chuck. It's been such a fun report getting feelings and point of view from you both. Plus, you know how much I love Coop, so it's been nice to get to know you as well.
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: 
Because that is what it costs to have another key made and programmed. But we were insured for the windshield - so to replace that was no cost. 
We also did MVMCP, which wasn’t new for us. We did it last year too. It was fun but not a must do every year. We did the Lunch with an Imagineer which was very fun! We got to learn some “behind the scenes” scoop while having a top notch meal! 11/11/11 - four parks/one day - that was really tiring but very fun! I thought we would spend more time traveling that day but it worked out nicely. I was amazed that we had the stamina to do it all! 
BLT is our home resort so I think that is why I was so disappointed too. I really like the location. Being able to walk to MK is great. Just a few things that we didn’t like and the bugs topped the list. There were other things as well, 3 ice machines in the entire building, building showing wear, no Mickey head towel, the lax rules. It was just missing on the magic. So next time, we will wait until the 7 month window and book at a different resort. It may be a while before we try a repeat at BLT. We did contact the DVC and Chuck spoke with them. I will let him update you on that conversation and the results.
and that makes things so cool!
So many great restaurants so little time. DxDP was worth it to us. I haven’t done the financial breakdown exactly yet. But for the meals we were eating, we were definitely getting our $86 pp a day. We could not have eaten like we did for less than that - I’m sure. We did end up with a lot left over. 
But we are still planning on DxDP next year too. It just works for us. When we were on the reg DP, we would still order apps. And for the TIW card, we don’t want to have to worry about what things cost and have to bring the $ for it. We ordered things and didn’t even have to think about the cost while on the DxDP - I love that! Next year, I have to lose weight before the trip just so I can dine at Disney! 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
so much for sharing your thoughts and adventures with us! 
Thanks so much for taking us along for the ride! 
"Sparky"(My first trip.)
about the key and windshield. Glad you could trade in the TS credits for snack credits. 
your TR, 
Linear Mode
