Another August Adventure with a shot of Testosterone...TR Completed 2/19 - Page 2 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
What a great group you have traveling with you and so well done on their descriptions and backgrounds! This will be a fun trip...but hope you can keep all of them in line with all the excitement!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world
__________________
Heather - "I'm Tinkerbell's biggest fan!"
WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
So you know now the cast of characters, guess it is time to let you in on where we will be staying
Our home resort is AKL and my kids love it there. Every year when I say, so where does everyone want to stay the answer is the same every time. I on the other hand know that they would enjoy other resorts if they would at least try them (and I love visiting them all) so we usually do a split stay. The girls get their dose of AKL (I won't lie it is one of my favorite too) and we also get to try a different experience.
For the most part the girls end up loving the other resort as well, but AKL will be forever their favorite.
With that being said and Leeor being a huge animal lover and loves the Lion King Jasmine said well we have to stay at the AKL.
I had also asked Alexa and she voted for AKL as top of her list as well with the BC coming in second.
So I booked AKL - 2 savannah view studios from August 7th - August 12th.
When we decided to add the extra days I spoke to the kids and said why dont we do a different resort for the last two nights?
They were all game, now our top choice was the BCV, the BWV would be nice too (I really thought the boys would love the area) but there was no availability.
But I was able to get us 2 nights in a 2 bedroom at WLV. We have always wanted to stay there so we were not complaining (but I did put the BC and BW on a waitlist and did not tell the kids, figuring if it came through them I would surprise them).
Well time passed and I did not hear anything so we basically planned on the WLV and then like 4 months later I got the email....our waitlist came through.
YEAH!!! 2 bedroom at the BCV
When I told the girls they were super excited....
So our final plans:
August 7 - 12 - Animal Kingdom Lodge - 2 Savannah View Studios
August 12 - 14 - Beach Club Villas - 2 Bedroom Villa
Great start with a great cast! How exciting to have such a good group! And I love that there is an even number!
Em's 16th is next summer and we have been throwing out the idea of letting her bring a friend or two, but not completely sold on it yet - for us, it's hard as she has 3 or 4 really close friends and I feel that it would be hard to choose (and I certainly can't afford for all of them ).
And just as an FYI, when we were there earlier this month, Rafiki was greeting in front of AK again! I had missed seeing characters out there like they used to do, so I was super excited to find Rafiki one morning!
__________________
Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
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.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Love the cast and crew intros! . So glad the wait list came through....it will be really nice to have both resorts as they provide such different experiences. And, your countdown is to single digits...so exciting!!!!
Danielle
__________________
~Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you will land among the stars~
That's great work on getting what you wanted! I've never stayed at the villas at either of those resorts, but both at the non villas sections and loved both of them! I had a savannah back in 2004 and a water view at the BC overlooking Stormalong Bay! It's amazing how this theme pool looks all lit up at night!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Signing on! Your cast and plans look and sound great It will be nice to have some "Disney Newbies" on a trip because it's almost like seeing Disney for the first time again for you as well. You get excited for them and that is always fun! Can't wait to read more
What a great cast of characters! It's good to be able to put faces to the new names in this trip report.
I drove the girls crazy trying to get pictures, Angel was pretty easy as I had some pictures on my phone. Jasmine on the other hand...she sent me one that was so blurry, ended up stealing some off her FB page
Told her my PP friends needed faces to the new cast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Yay! Another PTR/TR from Meg!!!
I feel you on the growing up too fast! My oldest DD is going into HS too! It just can't be real! No way!
Sounds like you have a fun cast going! I am so excited for you! Should make for an interesting TR!
Stupid One Direction, though, for messing up getting to Disney! Lol My girls love them too and have been bugging me to get them tickets! No such luck! Glad you were able to extend the trip further out!
The One Direction tickets were not even in the plans but once my brother called, I knew if Angel ever knew I had an offer and did not grab me she would probably not talk to me for a week (now that I think about it, that might have been a nice reprieve as Angel sure loves to talk...and talk )
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
A very lovable group! I love that everyone is fighting for the right to be your riding partner! You'll have to make a spread-sheet to make sure you don't play favorites!
I told them they will each get a chance to share an attraction with me...who knew I would be so popular.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Looks like a great group for the trip. Can't wait to hear what the guys think, given they've not done a "real" WDW trip before
I am excited to share the World with our newbies. Even Angel's friend, it has been close to 6 years for her, so many new things so it will definitely be fun.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilsEagles08
This is going to be a really fun trip for everyone!! I'm excited to read more!
I am so ready for vacation, I am really looking forward to it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinkerbellJenn99
Jumping in Meg! Sounds like quite the trip, and great intros!
Thanks, I had told the girls they could have written intros for their friends, but if I had waited for them I probably would not have gotten then until after we came back. Figured I would do my best.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Great start! With all of the extra friends coming along, it looks like it's going to be a great trip!
It will definitely be interesting
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
What a great group you have traveling with you and so well done on their descriptions and backgrounds! This will be a fun trip...but hope you can keep all of them in line with all the excitement!
No worries Dave, I told them anybody gets out of hand I will feed them to the lions on the safari . In all seriousness, they are all great kids and pretty easy to deal with so hopefully it will be an easy group to travel with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsblady01
I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Perfect! Everyone will love AKL and ending the trip with BCV in a 2-bedroom unit will be fantastic.
I always love our split stays, kind of feels like two different trips
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Great start with a great cast! How exciting to have such a good group! And I love that there is an even number!
Em's 16th is next summer and we have been throwing out the idea of letting her bring a friend or two, but not completely sold on it yet - for us, it's hard as she has 3 or 4 really close friends and I feel that it would be hard to choose (and I certainly can't afford for all of them ).
And just as an FYI, when we were there earlier this month, Rafiki was greeting in front of AK again! I had missed seeing characters out there like they used to do, so I was super excited to find Rafiki one morning!
I will tell you the Sweet 16 at Disney definitely saved money of the Sweet Sixteen. Jasmine had brought her two cousins and even after all was said and done when I compared it to what a party would have cost, it was a really savings.
So happy that Rafiki was out in front again, thanks for the update.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugmonster
Signing in to read. Your TRs are always fun.
happy to have you along.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Yay! Your waitlist came through! How exciting AKL & BCV! So much fun!
I really had given up on the idea, when I saw the email I was so excited. Not that I would not have enjoyed the WLV but the BC during the summer with Stromalong Bay and the walk to Epcot....it made my day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Congrats on the waitlist coming through! You'll be staying at our favourite two resorts!
Mine too
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydani
Love the cast and crew intros! . So glad the wait list came through....it will be really nice to have both resorts as they provide such different experiences. And, your countdown is to single digits...so exciting!!!!
Danielle
Single digits....so you know I have not even thought of getting my packing together. I am so terrible with that, but then on the flip side I can't pack as Jasmine still has half the clothes she did not wear at Myrtle Beach still in her suitcase
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
That's great work on getting what you wanted! I've never stayed at the villas at either of those resorts, but both at the non villas sections and loved both of them! I had a savannah back in 2004 and a water view at the BC overlooking Stormalong Bay! It's amazing how this theme pool looks all lit up at night!
I am so excited about both as I love each of them, the theme at AKL just cannot be beat. I always feel like I am in my own little world, but the BC with Stromalong Bay and the walk to the parks...definitely a plus.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jambo
Great looking trip. The kids will love both resorts. What a great experience for the friends.
I am truly excited to see how they take the whole trip in. As my kids say, mom traveling with you is like a whole different experience. When Jasmine told them about my spreadsheet they looked at her and said..."A spreadsheet for what?"
They were shocked when she asked them where they wanted to eat...they figured we would just grab a burger or pizza here and there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Sounds perfect, congrats on the waitlist coming through!
Thanks, that was the icing on the cake
Quote:
Originally Posted by kingfamily1129
Signing on! Your cast and plans look and sound great It will be nice to have some "Disney Newbies" on a trip because it's almost like seeing Disney for the first time again for you as well. You get excited for them and that is always fun! Can't wait to read more
I think that is what I am excited for the most. Last year we brought my niece for the first time, it made the whole trip seeing her so excited with everything.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
This will be a fun trip...but hope you can keep all of them in line with all the excitement! 
). 
Dreams, Wishes, Hopes... these are the parts of childhood we should never lose.
Liz 
PassPorter Guide Author
You'll be staying at our favourite two resorts! 
. So glad the wait list came through....it will be really nice to have both resorts as they provide such different experiences. And, your countdown is to single digits...so exciting!!!!
Linear Mode
