A Spring Adventure: Wilderness, Flowers, and the Force (with Cam and Luke) PTR Updated 5/22 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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Congratulations on booking airfare. Glad that you did not have any issues with FP+. I was very happy to see those bubble on where the rides are so I kind of knew what to plan so we were not going back and forth. Can't wait to hear more.
The bubbles really are a neat graphic help to the planning.
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Originally Posted by melduckie
Great FP+ selections! When we went and scheduled our FP+ one right after the other, I did find that we were waiting around for the next one to become ripe - not wanting to go far to just walk back to where we were. I'm sure you'll find things to occupy you though!!
We tweaked the times so we have time for some attractions between the FastPasses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by guerns17
Great choices for fastpass plus!! I'm glad it was an easy process
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.
Sounds like you got some great fastpass+ options. I understand Luke's inability to move fast on vacation. I find that even though I'm a morning person, I don't move real fast on vacation. I had a fast pass in the 9-10 hour every day of my trip. Even though I didn't miss any, I felt rushed when I got to the parks. From now on, I won't schedule anything earlier than 10. You'll probably find that rides like The Land, you will end up not using the fp as it will be close to a walk on anyway..
I'm hoping since Luke is retired and can sleep later most days that he will not need extra rest on vacation. But if he does, that's okay, too. We've already talked about being sure to cancel FP+ we don't need and scheduling something we do once we are at WDW.
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Originally Posted by mommapants
Happy to hear you did online check in and got FP+. Even better is it wasn't a hassle since I'd heard some horror stories about the MDE site
We had read some horror stories, too. So we were quite surprised at first with how easy it all was. We did have a moment of confusion on how to change the times if they weren't quite what we wanted. But once we figure that out, it was easy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Congrats on the flights and the savings!! The plans look great!!
I can't believe I missed your PTR! All caught up now! I LOVE your new bathroom! I was hoping your 1st day would cross with our last full day, but no such luck. Your FP+ selections look great!
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.
I can't believe I missed your PTR! All caught up now! I LOVE your new bathroom! I was hoping your 1st day would cross with our last full day, but no such luck. Your FP+ selections look great!
We could get to far from WL because of dinner, so MK seemed the best choice for our first day. Sorry our paths won't cross.
Wednesday, November 13 was our 180 day mark, so time to make ADRs, but this was also the day of my colonoscopy. Oh joy! Of course that meant the day before was prep day for the scope, so I felt it was a very good thing that Luke and I had finalized our choices over the weekend. Bright and early I was prepared the morning of the 13th to make our reservations, beginning with Be Our Guest. My sister Pam had mentioned when we were down in October that she would love to eat here. Belle is her favorite princess, and a friend of hers had already eaten her and told her that she would love it. I promised Pam that I would try to get us an ADR, so she could experience it herself.
I woke up at 6:15 after a restless night of sleep, and logged onto the Disney website. I type in BOG and our preferred date. None Available! I then proceeded though every single day of our trip. On Monday, May 19 our last full park day, the None Available was replaced with three options all before 6:00 PM, but that works as Pam eats an early dinner normally. I chose 5:15. Before continuing, I immediately sent Pam an e-mail with the good news. Later that day she sent a response back. So cute! She had already gotten a personal day for that Monday and even contacted a sub. I’d say she is excited.
Moving back to the beginning, I was able to book almost everything. So here is the roster:
Monday, 5/12 – Mama Melrose’s @ 5:55, which may not work as our flight arrives at MCO at 4:25. We’ll have DME travel time plus check in before we can head to a park. ??? I’ll have to think about this one some more and may need to change it.
Tuesday, 5/13 – Tony’s Town Square @ 6:05. It has been quite a few years since we’ve eaten here, so we’re excited to return.
Wednesday, 5/14 – Rose & Crown @ 7:50. I know they are no longer taking preferences for patio seating, but they do have an area for viewing Illuminations.
Thursday, 5/15 – Sanaa @ 7:00. This was one of Luke’s requests as we did not eat here in October. Of course, it was not a problem with me as Sanaa is my favorite restaurant.
Friday, 5/16 – Hollywood Brown Derby @ 6:45. We truly enjoyed our first meal here last June with all the PassPorters who gathered to celebrate mine and Bob’s retirements. Because of that we’ve put this one on a frequent rotation with some of our other favorites.
Saturday, 5/17 – Bongos @ 7:45. You can actually make reservations here now, which surprised me. This will be a new one for Luke. I got to eat here quite a few years ago with teacher friends when we were at a conference. Luke loves Cuban sandwiches, and I’ve told him many times how good mine was here. I may see if Pam and Bob want to join us here, too. It’s a late dinner for them, but we want to get some shopping done first and then relax.
Sunday, 5/18 – San Angel Inn @ 6:30. This is another restaurant we have not visited in quite a few trips. When we rode the Grand Fiesta Tour in October, I mentioned to Luke that I love the scenery surrounding this restaurant. We decided then to return on our next trip. We Mexican food.
Monday, 5/ 19 -- The coveted Be Our Guest at 5:15. This became a new favorite for Luke and me after our first visit last June. It will be interesting to see what I failed to notice due to the excitement of that first visit.
Tuesday, 5/20 – When I got to this day, even though it was highlighted on the calendar, it would not let me book anything, anywhere. But it was now time for me to get ready in order to be at the surgery center on time. After the procedure, I just did not feel like messing with it. I told myself I’d check again tomorrow. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I awoke in the night, realizing I had made an ADR for this day. The next morning I got on and was able to get The Plaza for 12:25.
Back to that first day, Monday, May 12, I kept checking for later times at Mama Melrose’s to open up as I don’t like to start a trip feeling rushed. But nothing later was coming up. Then I had an idea. Luke is more receptive to signature dining after enjoying Jiko’s so much. We are staying at Wilderness Lodge where there is a signature dining experience at Artist Pointe, a place where I’ve wanted to dine for years. I checked on times, finding one for 8:00. WooHoo! I checked with Luke for his opinion, reminding him he would need to wear a nice shirt and khakis. He reminded me that he had worn shorts to Jiko’s. But I put on my sweetest face, saying we could change right before dinner and walk over easily. Then he said he’d wear the khakis, but he didn’t want dress shoes. He has some nice tennis shoes, so I’ll make that concession and finally get to eat at Artist Point. With that reservation made, I cancelled Mama Melrose’s. Now that’s a grand switch! Oh, and I get to wear a dressy dress. I’m a happy girl.
Yesterday as we were working on FP+ selections, we changed our minds about MK on our last half day. Instead we will be going to DHS. Right now our plan is just to do counter service somewhere, so we can manage all three of our FastPasses before heading back to the resort for DME pick up.
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Great ADR Choices. I still can't believe how popular BOG is even after being opened for two years now. I'm glad you were able to get an early reservation there. My ADR window comes up in just 10 days and I'm hoping to catch an early ADR there 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.
Great ADR lineup! (Ick to having colonoscopy prep coincide with the fun of planning...). Happy to see your arrival day dinner worked out to be extra special and that Pam will get BOG after all. Can't wait to see pics ( no pressure! of all the great food.
Ahhhh. Artist Point! It's been a while since we've dined there. We enjoyed it. I think you will too. It will be especially nice not bring rushed. All your ressies sound great! Hope the colonoscopy went well.
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The bubbles really are a neat graphic help to the planning. 
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Of course that meant the day before was prep day for the scope, so I felt it was a very good thing that Luke and I had finalized our choices over the weekend. Bright and early I was prepared the morning of the 13th to make our reservations, beginning with Be Our Guest. My sister Pam had mentioned when we were down in October that she would love to eat here. Belle is her favorite princess, and a friend of hers had already eaten her and told her that she would love it. 
I promised Pam that I would try to get us an ADR, so she could experience it herself. 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
of all the great food.
Trish
PassPorter Guide Author
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