A Coast to Coast Christmas - Phase One WDW - Page 32 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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GREAT "Chorus Line" pics! I'm listening to some jazz and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" is playing and somehow it all seems so fitting - as if the song belies the attitude in the poses - cuz these ladies are definitely getting around in a most FAB way!
GREAT "Chorus Line" pics! I'm listening to some jazz and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" is playing and somehow it all seems so fitting - as if the song belies the attitude in the poses - cuz these ladies are definitely getting around in a most FAB way!
I do, too. Not a great night here, though I did have some nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
We tried Kouzzina for the first time - loved it and updated two4disney - have you had the red Conundrum? BTW, since I'm interrupting this trip report anyway, thought I'd add that I'm thinking of getting back on FB - lol! Miss you guys!
Sorry for not posting in a while. When I've had time to be on the boards lately, I spent my time reading instead of writing. Thanks for being patient!
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
This is such a great picture!!! I wonder if they used it for the show? I had such a hard time seeing the photos they were putting up there when I saw it because I didn't have my glasses with me, so you could have told me anything and I would have believed that's what I was seeing.
I think it'd be hard to spot your photo unless you knew where to look for it. But we didn't even see the show that night, so I have no idea if we were stars that night or not. Though, I like to believe they couldn't resist our sassiness and they did put us in it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
Great day at MK! But wowza on the line for Haunted Mansion! And sorry they didn't put up the tree yet.
Love the photos in front of Splash Mountain!! I wonder if they made it into the show?
Your teaser has me intrigued...
My teaser, it's quite a story!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesser Girl
I have just recently ran across the Apple Caramels. They look so yummy! Know that I know that they are at Epcot, I will wait 2 more weeks to try them. Having them at Disney will make them more magical
Ok now its time for me to get back to reading your TR!
They're tasty!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrDolphin
Great update Sharon.... now I seriously doubt they ditched you on purpose.... no one, I mean no one would ever even think about leaving Princess Sharon alone.... I', teary just thinking about. Nope... I must believe that they accidentally left without knowing you were quietly rocking in the chair on the porch... yeah - that's it!!
Well, I know you won't try to ditch me in March.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
Ya know I was starting to think you were maybe a model because you stand great in all of your photos. Now I clearly see, you all are former showgirls with the nice hand on hip action And Jill has some guns too Fabulous pics!!!!!
Linny, you are so good for my ego! And Jill indeed has impressive guns! I'm sure her trainer would happily take credit for it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mousestruck
Fun, fun, fun! What a fantastic photo, too! (You girls look mighty sassy... would put Tink to shame!)
I just love MK decked out for the holidays. We were there for the Christmas party in November and I was really surprised that the MK tree was not up. In fact, this was the first time (in early November) that it was not up by the end of our trip. I was sad, but still excited to experience the Christmas party for the first time. Can't wait to hear what's next in your adventure!
From what I heard, they didn't put up the tree at all until after the parade taping. Bummer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
While I enjoy this show, I LOVE watching it with Squawk and Giggles. The two of them *make* the show for me!!
Squawk and Giggles? We could have our own Disney Jr. show with names like that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
I actually can't remember what happened next -- what's the "bus story"?!
Well, I'm posting the story next, so it'll refresh your memory!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wendyismyname
Sharon--November 9, 2013 on the Fantasy. Join us! We are celebrating my birthday just a few days early. We could totally celebrate yours too!
Hmm... my birthday's the 11th. Wheels are now turning!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
That moniker came from our beloved TR writer and all-around Disney pal, PrincessSharon.
As did BTG, and a ton of other wickedly funny acronyms....
I have to admit that I stole "eviction notice" from another PPer, and I'm ashamed to say I don't remember which PPer it was. I will take credit for BTG and everyone's favorite, FAB!!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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Day Five, Part Two “I refuse to get off this bus until you take me where I want to go!”
Eileen wanted to see the MM&Y show from inside the park, so we left her in the room and headed off to the Studios to check out the Osborne Lights. We got a bus to the Studios and walked through the park. We made a stop at the bar in front of the Sci-Fi for some eggnog. After a long delay, we discovered that they were out of eggnog. The CM had already poured the rum, so he just added it to another cocktail for Jill and Karen. I didn’t want any, so I didn’t get to enjoy double-strength cocktails. Actually, I really don’t think I would’ve “enjoyed” that anyway. I'm kind of the lightweight of the Epcot Lush Club.
I certainly enjoyed the OL! They’re simply amazing.
There were several tributes to the late Jennings Osborne. Including the name for the radio station “broadcasting” the soundtrack.
I spotted the purple cat, or rather, the reflection of the purple cat. It was positioned where it’s terribly difficult to photograph.
You can just see the back end of the cat in this shot
Another Jennings Osborne tribute – a white angel. It’s difficult to see it in the picture I took.
And another tribute – a razorback. Jennings Osborne was a huge supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
They also added an Elvis song to the soundtrack, as Jennings was a big Elvis fan.
We waited in line to get a Photopass picture taken. It took longer than it needed to because they had to stop every time the lights danced.
After seeing the lights, we got the bus back to the WL. Our original plan had been to stop at Fort Wilderness and check out the decorations in the loop near Pioneer Hall, but we just didn’t have the time.
We returned to the room and finished getting ready for dinner at Artist Point. We went down to the lobby and got a group photo in front of the WL Christmas tree. We're all wearing the hats Karen made us, and we look dashing!
And then one of just the CLQ. Of course, there was only room for three on the bench, so…
Karen left out, once again!
That may be my favorite photo of the trip – we look like we’re completely unaware of Karen’s presence. Cracks me up so much!
Then we checked in for dinner. We’d requested Sandrine (Bob &Larry’s favorite server), but because we had to change our ADR time, we got someone else. Izzy. Dizzy Izzy. Don’t get mad at me, that’s what he told us to call him. Our server, Dizzy Izzy. At a signature restaurant. I think that’s all I need to say about him. I expect others to chime in with their own opinions. I’d rather forget him.
I skipped a starter (most of us did, if memory serves) and had the beef tenderloin as my main course.
And for dessert, the cobbler!
During dinner (which, other than the service, was fabulous) the couple at the next table got engaged. Aww! Karen anonymously bought them a bottle of wine (and we’re pretty sure Izzy took credit for it so he’d get a bigger tip ).
We were among the last diners in the restaurant (partly because Izzy was too dizzy to figure out the check, and figured we were as well and explained it as such). I needed to get some fudge, so my plan was to return to the room, put on some more comfortable shoes and then head to the MK to do a bit of shopping. Karen also needed to shop, so once we’d changed, we headed over to the MK (Joan came with us part of the way).
The Magic Kingdom was still fairly crowded (it was an EMH evening), but we stayed on Main Street.
Done with our errand, we headed back to the bus stop. Usually, this was the quickest route back to the WL. There was a bus waiting and we hurried, then we noticed there was a CM on the bus, talking to a woman, taking notes or whatever – clearly making a report. After a few minutes, the driver let Karen and me on the bus (nobody else was waiting). We learned this woman’s story. It’s so epic, I need to start a new paragraph.
This woman was staying at the Contemporary, and because it was more than an hour after regular park closing, the monorail wasn’t running. The woman had apparently tried to take three different buses, none of which ended up going to the Contemporary. So she got on the bus and refused to get off. She told the bus driver he was taking her to the Contemporary and that was that! So after a few minutes (and the CM filed his report), we dropped this woman off at the Contemporary and then went to the WL.
Now for my two cents. I actually have a lot to say about this! First, I think it’s ridiculous that they stop running the monorail after “official” park closing. Especially the resort monorail. If the park’s still open, the monorail should still be running. And I think it’s a good thing for this woman to complain about it, because if nobody says anything, it won’t change. Second, obviously, there needs to be better communication if they can’t even decide which bus goes to which resort. I’d be frustrated if that happened (though I’d never ever just commandeer a bus). And last but not least, in all this time, this woman could’ve walked to the Contemporary, been in her room and probably half asleep by then.
Speaking of half asleep, I think I was! And I certainly was fully asleep about 14 seconds after climbing into bed. Good nigh…
Up Next: I’ll never do that again!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
The fact that MK is a dry park makes that story even funnier. Did she not see her big hotel just a short walk away? That's hilarious!
Sounded like a great night. The photo of the CLT --- I mean Q -- at the WL is great!
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Tanya
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I have been waiting for the group photo in front of the WL Christmas Tree, and it was definitely worth the wait!
I never skip the appetizer course at Artist Point, and I usually get the Portobello Mushroom Soup. This next I am finding very difficult to type. I have loved this soup for years, but in all honesty must now say that it is not as good as the Forest Mushroom Bisque at Citrico's. Believe me, that is extremely high praise. And I won't stop getting the soup at Artist Point. I'm just going to have to go back to Citrico's!
I had put Dizzy Izzy out of my mind, especially after the great Karen wine gift debacle. That made it even more of a shame that we couldn't have Sandrine as our server.
Anyway, it was still a good meal and Artist Point continues to be one of my favorite venues. But the best part was being with friends, of course.
Great pics of the OL! Love them. Yes, the purple cat was not in spot that was easy to photograph. We found it (or at least the back end of it)- then a CM showed us the reflection.
And the bus woman? Didn't anyone tell her that she could just walk? I agree, if the parks are open then the monorail should be. If you stay at BLT or CR, there is no bus. (from either MK or Epcot) We found that out the hard way. We were in Epcot and the monorail was closed for a mechanical problem. They had to bring in a bus to take people to the TTC. But instead of going with the masses, we took a bus to WL and then took the boat back to BLT.
During dinner (which, other than the service, was fabulous) the couple at the next table got engaged. Aww! Karen anonymously bought them a bottle of wine (and we’re pretty sure Izzy took credit for it so he’d get a bigger tip ).
Now for my two cents. I actually have a lot to say about this! First, I think it’s ridiculous that they stop running the monorail after “official” park closing. Especially the resort monorail. If the park’s still open, the monorail should still be running. And I think it’s a good thing for this woman to complain about it, because if nobody says anything, it won’t change. Second, obviously, there needs to be better communication if they can’t even decide which bus goes to which resort. I’d be frustrated if that happened (though I’d never ever just commandeer a bus). And last but not least, in all this time, this woman could’ve walked to the Contemporary, been in her room and probably half asleep by then.
Love the photo!!
And how wonderful of Karen to buy the newly-engaged couple a bottle of wine!! Oh, I so hope the server didn't take credit for it!
We almost had the transportation problem after our special private viewing of Osborne Lights but somebody warned us to head to the tram once they started playing the last song so we did and we made the last one of the evening. They should definitely run transportation until after all events. Sheesh!
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Thanks for being patient! 
Fabulous pics!!!!!
LOVE 
We could have our own Disney Jr. show with names like that! 
Funny story about the woman on the bus!
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