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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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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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Cameron looked like her loved that Mickey bar!!!
Looks like everyone enjoyed breakfast at Chef Mickey's, and a nice relaxing day. Sorry about the little fight though. Like others have said, it happens to all of us.
Very smart thinking to build in that rest day!! I don't know what it is about kids and pools on vacation, but that's a surefire winner every time!
Glad Cameron loved Chef Mickey's -- so cute that he wanted to follow them around (ok, not cute for you as you were the one having to chase him around...)
Sorry about the fussy little guy and your spat with Nate at DTD. It happens to all of us, even at the most magical place on Earth! I'm glad you got it worked out and managed to fit in a few more things before calling it a night!
Nice "chill" day!
We are doing a chill mornign on our trip and thought a late breakfast at CM would be a good idea. How did you like your 9:30 time slot?
I love Breanna's face in all the pics you post, that girl looks all smiles all the time, you can see the fun she is having.
Cameron in the splash area is adorable.
I feel you with not being able to make a decision on what to buy, I sware I have lost all my decision making skills after having 2 kids, it's terrible. Andre is now in a 2T and I'm in fear he will be in a 3T by fall
Sorry about the little bicker you and Nate had, happens to us too, coming more from my end and usually in the airports. However I told myself last year I wasn't going to loose my cool, because now with 2 little ones, and just me and the hubs traveling, we NEED each other to get through it. I was proud of myslef for just saying if I was upset about something at the moment and not letting it build up past that moment. It worked. Still a work in progres though Glad you both got through it quickly.
I am all caught up again. I love Cameron's haircut! He looks so cute! The picture of him holding the car while he is getting his hair cut and making that angry face is so adorable! It seems like for the most part you are having a great trip! Sorry about the bickering with your DH. My husband and I get that way sometimes on our trips too. At least you worked it out before the day was done!
The photo's of Cameron in the water are beautiful - just so full of joy.
The worst fall out I ever had with my DBF was at Disney - I had to go off and sit on a bench for a whole HOUR to cool off That was about me feeling she was leaving me to do all the boring stuff - standing in food lines etc - while she just chilled and enjoyed herself. Still, we survived that so I guess we have a strong friendship
What a nice relaxing day! Great pics from the pool and breakfast! Sorry about the bickering. It happens to all of us!
It was a nice relaxing day. Although I feel like we did a lot too. And we bicker at home so it isn't all that surprising to bicker at WDW. We love each other and our family so the little fights aren't that big of a deal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tabitha34
Great pics at Chef Mickey's! We went there too but not that day. I totally understand having to do it all yourself when DH is sitting right there totally oblivious to what is going on but I learned a long time ago to just let him know I need help. I think they all have a little bit of an attention to details problem. Sorry guys. Love the pictures at the pool. When I saw the first picture of Cameron hugging the water I could not figure out what it was. It totally looked like ice that was stuck together and that just made no sense at all. We love DTD too but Selah does not like to shop either so we always have to be prepared with LOTS of stuff to keep her occupied in the stroller. You would have thought we were going to be shopping for a week when just going to DTD for a few hours.
I need to be better about asking DH for help. He's a really great guy and he'll help me out with just about anything. He just needs to be asked. He doesn't catch on that I'm struggling, but he's always willing to help. I just need to ask more often. I also should have been better prepared with things for Cameron to do while at DTD. The problem is what he really wants to do is run around so no amount of stickers will keep that boy happy for long in the stroller.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great breakfast at Chef Mickey's! Can't wait to eat there again.
Sorry for your little fight with Nate. But don't worry it happens to all of us. Especially when you're on vacation and you're tired, hot and frustrated.
The food at CM was definitely tasty. I'm not a huge fan of the price tag though. Seems like a lot of $$ for a breakfast buffet. Although when you add in the characters I suppose it should cost a little more. Hope you're able to make it there again soon. And the little DTD spat was just a little spat. It was unfortunate that it happened on vacation, but it didn't ruin our trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Cameron looked like her loved that Mickey bar!!!
Looks like everyone enjoyed breakfast at Chef Mickey's, and a nice relaxing day. Sorry about the little fight though. Like others have said, it happens to all of us.
It probably looked like he loved the Mickey bar because he did. He asked me for ice cream the other day and I gave him an ice cream bar. He looked at me and said "Mickey". I think he wanted another one. Of course he happily ate the ice cream bar I gave him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
Very smart thinking to build in that rest day!! I don't know what it is about kids and pools on vacation, but that's a surefire winner every time!
Glad Cameron loved Chef Mickey's -- so cute that he wanted to follow them around (ok, not cute for you as you were the one having to chase him around...)
Sorry about the fussy little guy and your spat with Nate at DTD. It happens to all of us, even at the most magical place on Earth! I'm glad you got it worked out and managed to fit in a few more things before calling it a night!
I think a pool wins Cameron over every time. Vacation or not. I'm so glad I planned a rest day. We needed it.
Chef Mickey's was a blast, but Cameron's determination to get the characters was a bit difficult on his parents. It was fun watching him be so excited though so it was worth it.
The DTD fight was unfortunate, but it didn't ruin or night or our vacation. I heard somewhere that you should never marry someone until you know you can get into a fight with them and still love them and get along with them afterwards. I truly believe this as Nate and I get into fights here and there, but they are never a huge deal. You never agree with someone 100% of the time so it's important to be able to fight and get over it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
Nice "chill" day!
We are doing a chill mornign on our trip and thought a late breakfast at CM would be a good idea. How did you like your 9:30 time slot?
I love Breanna's face in all the pics you post, that girl looks all smiles all the time, you can see the fun she is having.
Cameron in the splash area is adorable.
I feel you with not being able to make a decision on what to buy, I sware I have lost all my decision making skills after having 2 kids, it's terrible. Andre is now in a 2T and I'm in fear he will be in a 3T by fall
Sorry about the little bicker you and Nate had, happens to us too, coming more from my end and usually in the airports. However I told myself last year I wasn't going to loose my cool, because now with 2 little ones, and just me and the hubs traveling, we NEED each other to get through it. I was proud of myslef for just saying if I was upset about something at the moment and not letting it build up past that moment. It worked. Still a work in progres though Glad you both got through it quickly.
I highly recommend a chill day/morning. Worked wonders for us. We're even talking about having a few chill days on future trips. As far as the 9:30 AM reservation goes I guess I wish it had been a little later. Cameron usually gets up early (6 AM or so) so I thought 9:30 would be no big deal, but on vacation he slept later - maybe because at home we are 1 hr. behind WDW. We had to wake him up to make the reservation, but once we got there everything was just fine.
I can't believe Andre is already in a 2T! Cameron has definitely slowed down his growing recently, but I still find myself thinking he'll outgrow things in about a minute. It's probably pointless to try and guess what sizes to buy a small child. They change too fast.
I'll have to work on how to deal with stressful situations while on vacation. I know I need to stop letting things fester and just bring up problems when they occur. I'm just not very good at that. It will be important once this second one comes along. We won't have the in-laws with on the next trip so it will just be DH and I with 2 kids. Like you said we will NEED each other.
And after your upcoming trip you'll have to let me know what is easier/better with 2 little kids - a cruise or WDW. We're looking at our next two trips - one in 2014 and one in 2016. One of them will be a cruise. Just not sure which one yet. #2 will be about 1 1/2 in 2014 when we would go - 3 1/2 in 2016. I can't decide which to do first.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
Cute pool pics and Chef Mickey's sounds great. My dh and I were bickering in dtd on our trip too. Some times after a long day it just happens.
Aside from the little spat at DTD we had a wonderful day. We get into arguments on every vacation. And it wasn't like it was some huge fight, but it put a little damper on our evening. It didn't ruin our fun though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
We never used to plan down days at WDW, but they are must-do for us now! Glad yours was mainly good, but sorry about the tension later at DTD!
I think down time is a must for us now too. I always used to think we had to do and see it all, but I think this day was one of my favorites of the trip. Just quality family time and a little R&R.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jessie092408
I am all caught up again. I love Cameron's haircut! He looks so cute! The picture of him holding the car while he is getting his hair cut and making that angry face is so adorable! It seems like for the most part you are having a great trip! Sorry about the bickering with your DH. My husband and I get that way sometimes on our trips too. At least you worked it out before the day was done!
Thanks! That angry haircut face makes it look like he didn't like getting his haircut at all, but he really didn't mind it at all. I'm glad I have that picture though. Makes me giggle. The little fights happen. We don't let them get us down for long though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawn in Scotland
The photo's of Cameron in the water are beautiful - just so full of joy.
The worst fall out I ever had with my DBF was at Disney - I had to go off and sit on a bench for a whole HOUR to cool off That was about me feeling she was leaving me to do all the boring stuff - standing in food lines etc - while she just chilled and enjoyed herself. Still, we survived that so I guess we have a strong friendship
Cameron just loves the water he'd never leave it if we didn't tell him he had to. Sorry you had a Disney fight too. It's not fun, but you're right you can tell how strong your relationships are when you can fight and still be friends.
You know, I always forget about the Boneyard being at AK. I think I'll have to check that out with Hope in May. It looks like she would have a lot of fun. Sorry about your minor mishap with your DH at Downtown Disney. Sometimes men can't help being men, and I'm not saying he should have a pass, because if that was my husband, I would have done the same thing, but they really just don't get it sometimes.
DH and I had a fight one year in Cooperstown, because I was constantly running after our DS, who was probably about 2 or less at the time. and he was having a good time talking to strangers and sightseeing! We still talk about that fight even today! Kids that age just don't want to sit still! But it is only a phase and will soon pass!
__________________
Donning my Wellies to cut Peat in Scotland
Melissa
You know, I always forget about the Boneyard being at AK. I think I'll have to check that out with Hope in May. It looks like she would have a lot of fun. Sorry about your minor mishap with your DH at Downtown Disney. Sometimes men can't help being men, and I'm not saying he should have a pass, because if that was my husband, I would have done the same thing, but they really just don't get it sometimes.
I think Hope would really enjoy the Boneyard. All the kids there looked like they were having a blast. Seems to me that men just aren't as observant when it comes to the kids. I know my DH can kind of just ignore the toddler meltdowns and pretend they aren't happening. I worry about the meltdowns annoying other people. I think I just need to point them out to DH and ask for help in the future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGW
Great updates!
DH and I had a fight one year in Cooperstown, because I was constantly running after our DS, who was probably about 2 or less at the time. and he was having a good time talking to strangers and sightseeing! We still talk about that fight even today! Kids that age just don't want to sit still! But it is only a phase and will soon pass!
I think having kids to take care of leads to little fights. It's a lot of work chasing the kids around and requires a lot of teamwork. Despite the little spats here an there I really am grateful to have my DH around to help me out with DS. I can't imagine what it's like for single moms.
Today Cameron ended up getting up a little on the early side. He had been sleeping until at least 7:30 most days, but today he was up before 7. Before long Cameron was ready to go. My in-laws were still working on getting ready, but Nate and I were ready and Cameron was begging to “go, go”. So we ate our treats from Goofy Candy Co. for breakfast (mine had Rice Crispies in it so it’s a cereal). Right as I was getting our park bag ready Cameron came up to me and handed me a bag. It was a present from everyone for planning such a great trip. What did they get me you ask?
I had seen these at the Contemporary Resort in the gift shop and commented on how I really liked this pattern, but it was just too expensive for me to justify buying. So I didn’t. Well remember the fight Nate and I had in Downtown Disney because I had been frustrated after being left with a crabby toddler. How Nate took off to call his sister back and it took FOREVER? Well the reason it took forever was because he went to find Breanna to check out these purses and pick one out for me. Boy did I feel stupid about getting angry with him.
Anyways, Nate, Cam and I decided to just head to the park and that my in-laws could meet up with us whenever they were ready. We got to Epcot minutes after opening. We stopped for some family pictures:
And then spotted our pal Daisy:
Then what do you do with a toddler in Epcot. Head to find Nemo of course. We rode the ride and explored the seas for a while. This time it was Nate’s turn to face Bruce:
Cam did not want to leave Bruce at all:
He would have stayed there all day and talked about how Bruce was a shark. We managed to convince him to go outside:
Then we got a call from the rest of our group and went to meet with them. Nate, Jim and Breanna all wanted to check out Mission Space and Test Track. So I sent them on to ride one and get FastPasses for the other. Jean and I took Cameron into Innoventions. He liked to look around in here, but there isn’t all that much for a toddler to do. I’m sure he’ll love this place when he’s a little older. I noticed the Disney Visa character greet, but it was closed. I asked a cast member when it would be open and they said 1-4. I made a note to try and make it back for that.
By the time Nate, Jim and Breanna returned it was getting close to 11 AM and our reservations at Le Cellier for Jim and Jean’s birthdays. We headed over to World Showcase and had to wait around 10 min for it to open. It was very peaceful just taking in the sites waiting for World Showcase to open.
Once open we browsed around Canada for a bit where Nate put something stupid on his head:
Then we checked out a little of the UK. Soon it was time for our Le Cellier reservation so we went and checked in for that. We always enjoy the food here and this was no exception. Our server was great and talked to Jim a lot about Canada and her hometown. With us being from Minnesota Canada is our neighbor. Cameron was a little cranky throughout this meal, but we managed to keep him entertained enough to not disrupt anyone else.
After lunch we decided to try to get Cameron to take a nap. Jean, Jim and Breanna set off to explore some more countries while Nate, Cameron and I took a little walk. But soon after leaving our group we spotted Princess Aurora so we stopped for a minute.
Cameron was completely bashful around Sleeping Beauty. Maybe it was because he was sleepy. After that little encounter we put Cam into the stroller and just kept walking. Eventually he fell asleep and we headed back over to France to meet up with our group. Marie was just coming out for her greet in France and noticed the covered stroller and made some gestures indicating that a baby was sleeping. We nodded and she kind of awed and continued on her way. I got myself a Grand Mariner Slush and the other ladies got the lemon drink in France. Nate and I took turns going into the various shops and sitting with a sleeping toddler.
We just continued along the World Showcase stopping at anything that caught our eye. The sales guy in Morocco really tried to sell me a bracelet that I had stopped to look at. It wasn’t very comfortable though so I didn’t want it. He kept insisting that I should get it. That bothered me a bit, but I ended up not caving and not buying it in the end so it was ok.
We ended up making it all the way to Japan. This is Nate’s family’s favorite pavilion as Nate studied Japanese in high school and Breanna has a best friend from Japan. She’s even been to Japan once to visit and I think is going back soon for another visit. I offered to stay with Cameron while he slept so they could all enjoy it here. Well Japan has to be the worst pavilion for a sleeping child! Or maybe we just caught it at a bad time. Outside the woman who makes the candy animals was giving a show so that was loud. Then some drummers were outside so I decided to go into the gift shops. Well in there they have the pick-a-pearl and they bang on the drums. Needless to say no matter where I went it was noisy. I was about to just leave the pavilion and tell Nate and the others to meet me somewhere else when Cameron woke up. He had slept for quite a while so I figured it was OK.
I met up with the rest of the group and surprisingly they said that they were kind of done with Japan. This really shocked me as when we were here in 2009 I think Nate and I spent a few hours in this pavilion alone. But they all said they were done so we continued on to America. Jean once again got stopped by a cast member asking her to pick up the phone. Goofy called her to sing happy birthday again. Then Jim walked by and was asked to pick up the phone. Goofy called him too.
The fife and drum show was about to start so we stayed and watched that. Pictures were taken:
Cameron found some seagulls and started chasing them around saying “Mine, mine, mine, mine”
We stopped to watch the trains in Germany for a while when everyone said they were getting a little hungry. So we decided since we had already done Germany and the rest of the countries on the way that we would go back to France and use our snack credits. This turned out to be a good decision as the desserts there are wonderful. Nate and I got a crème brule and a Neapolitan. I think we both liked the Neapolitan better and wished we both had gotten one.
After dessert Nate and Breanna went to use the Mission Space FastPasses they had gotten earlier. Jim went with them, but opted not to ride. Jean and I took Cameron back over to Nemo to ride again. After Nemo we stopped to watch the fountain of nations. One of the jets was broken and there was a hose fluttering about. That was kind of interesting to see. We made a quick stop in Inoventions to see about the Visa card member greet, but it was closed.
After the Mission Spacers returned everyone decided we were kind of done in the parks. We agreed to leave and stop at the Poly for dinner. We got to the Poly around 5:30 PM and headed to Captain Cooks for dinner. I do not like how you order here. With the computer screen and then having to go to the counter to pay. We were in line forever and I heard a lot of people were having trouble using their meal credits. I guess I just was not impressed with this counter service place. The food was good, but the experience just wasn’t.
After dinner we took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and got on a bus back to Pop. We were in bed by 9:30 PM. Another earlier night, but by the end of the trip we were all so tired that we just needed to take it slow.
Favorites
Nate – Visiting the rest of the countries in the World Showcase Missy – Cameron meeting Daisy and the performers we were able to catch. Cameron – Nemo, Bruce and the choo-choo’s.
Worst part about today - Cameron was a little cranky today. Lunch was difficult because he didn’t want to sit with us. And he threw a fit when we left the seas area. Mission space orange was a little intense for some. Japan is too noisy for naps.
Most interesting part about today – We left a park early. We never do that. Must be traveling with a toddler makes you stop and rest a little more.
Aww, how sweet of Nate and the others for getting you that purse! I imagine how bad you felt for getting angry at Nate but how could've you known. And to make you feel better, it has happened to me too but my husband has caved and told about his plan just to make me stop being angry.
Great day at Epcot! That's my favorite park. I love going into all the countries and taking lots of pictures.
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I don't know what it is about kids and pools on vacation, but that's a surefire winner every time!
Glad you both got through it quickly.
That was about me feeling she was leaving me to do all the boring stuff - standing in food lines etc - while she just chilled and enjoyed herself. Still, we survived that so I guess we have a strong friendship 
Sorry about the bickering. It happens to all of us! 
Love the pictures at the pool. When I saw the first picture of Cameron hugging the water I could not figure out what it was. It totally looked like ice that was stuck together and that just made no sense at all. 
We love DTD too but Selah does not like to shop either so we always have to be prepared with LOTS of stuff to keep her occupied in the stroller. You would have thought we were going to be shopping for a week when just going to DTD for a few hours. 
your new bag!!! Such a great gift from your family. And a great day at Epcot!!!
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