TR: Thingamabobs, Zebra & Giraffes, Oh My! Completed 3/25/15 - Page 29 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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What a pain about the rain. I am so with you about Animal Kingdom Lodge - I always find it so peaceful sitting outside on the balcony, watching life on the savannah.
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You see, the carrot cake cookie was another one of those treats that I wasn't able to try on my trip. My hubby offered it to me but we had an adr @ Sci-Fi, so I passed on it. Never went back to get it. Next time...
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I think relaxing in the tub every night is a great idea!
I had such a crush on that tub!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coop
Great afternoon! Although, the pics you posted were of SweetUms, not Animal. Animal is the pink haired crazy drummer. Still - it's a show we have yet to see.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
What a shame you had so much rain! Tracy's definitely right-- that's Sweetums, not Animal! Animal's my favorite muppet, totally bonkers!
OH MAN Tracy & Laurie!!! What is wrong with me???? I knew that. But oh well! Thanks for correcting me so that I can go back and change that in my notes!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Coconut mojitos sound good!
I like Pizza Planet - and it always seems like a lot of food.
Too bad about the rain.
Thanks! The rain was really a brat this trip
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Glad the rain held off during your pool time, which looked very relaxing. We love Pizza Planet. Bummer that the rain came in so heavily during your meal though.
Thanks! I was so happy to be able to relax by the pool
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
A day well spent at WDW with so much done at Epcot and Studios and you got so many attractions and character meets in with so much fun! Your breakfast at Akershus looked very good!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a pain about the rain. I am so with you about Animal Kingdom Lodge - I always find it so peaceful sitting outside on the balcony, watching life on the savannah.
Thanks! I know, I am really gonna miss AKL this year
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Another nice day and evening. You guys would have walked 30 miles if you hadn't relaxed by the pool in the afternoon!
Thanks! I know!! That is one of the issues with scott's back, if he stops - he's done - so we keep moving!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
You see, the carrot cake cookie was another one of those treats that I wasn't able to try on my trip. My hubby offered it to me but we had an adr @ Sci-Fi, so I passed on it. Never went back to get it. Next time...
Thanks! One of the tricks for me to get the snack on the way out of the park and bring it back to the room to enjoy later
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Sounds like a wonderful day despite the rain! I the carrot cake cookie! It's a must-do for us! We try for early morning and 'breakfast'....hey, it's healthy! It's got all those carrots and stuff.
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Glad you got to enjoy the pool! Great pictures from the pool and DHS! Sorry about the rain again!
Thanks! I love my pool/relaxing time!
Quote:
Originally Posted by NanaTink
Sounds like a wonderful day despite the rain! I the carrot cake cookie! It's a must-do for us! We try for early morning and 'breakfast'....hey, it's healthy! It's got all those carrots and stuff.
Thanks! I like your thinking about breakfast
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Absoltely love all the Frozen activities!! Bongos looks/sounds delish! Looks like you had a great day at Epcot- lots of great character meet & greets. We love Pizza Planet- a great CS choice at DHS! Oh...and the caramel apple.... my favorite!
You guys pack so much into a day. Love the character interactions you've had. Cute necklace from Scott! We love AKL and sitting on the balcony watching the animals.
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Doesn't seem like the rain slowed you down too much! Great pics from Muppetvision
Thanks! We don't let the rain bother us!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Glad you were able to get in a little time at the pool. Sorry about the rain, but it doesn't sound like you let it spoil your evening at DHS!
Thanks! At least the rain held out for pool time
Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
Absoltely love all the Frozen activities!! Bongos looks/sounds delish! Looks like you had a great day at Epcot- lots of great character meet & greets. We love Pizza Planet- a great CS choice at DHS! Oh...and the caramel apple.... my favorite!
Thanks! Ah - I could go for that apple right now! :roll eyes:
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
You guys pack so much into a day. Love the character interactions you've had. Cute necklace from Scott! We love AKL and sitting on the balcony watching the animals.
Thanks! We try!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeL
Love Necklace from Scott Just don't tell Kermie
thanks!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
This morning started with breakfast in the villa – I didn’t take any photos – as it really was an eat what is left over kind of morning! It was nearing the end of our trip so I wanted to use up what we had, but I have to say that my planning really did well this time, and we did not have a ton of stuff left over like we usually do! (Now let’s hope that works in future trips as well!).
After our breakfast and everyone getting ready, we hopped on the bus to Animal Kingdom to start our day!
When we opened our door, this was waiting there for us…….makes me sad.
We stopped in the front of the park for a Photopass photo – and as soon as the photographer had us do some poses, I knew who would end up in our magic shot!!!
We also saw Rafiki out front as well! I was so excited! :the wave: Years ago there used to always be characters just outside of the park for meet and greets, and we had not seen them do this in a long time. We really love Rafiki!
We finally made it into the park and of course, we stopped for some Photopass Photos in front of the tree!
Our first fastpass for the day was for Kilimanjaro Safari (would you really expect anything else from me??), so we took off for our “2 week safari”, although it was much less active than normal. No Giraffe sightings this time.
After our safari was cut short, we decided to walk through Pangani Forest Trail to try our luck at some gorilla sightings…………and did we LUCK out!!! While, we didn’t really get a good look at Lily – we did witness some behaviors from the males that were quite interesting!!! Apparently they had been “off stage” as the areas were being cleaned, and they had just been released back to their normal locations. Well, the males could now sense the females had been there, and they were letting them know that this was their territory!!
Especially this one – he was quite dramatic in his behavior!!! The photo is a bit blurred – but to me it shows the power of his strength! You could literally feel the ground shaking when he jumped up and down. And the sound of his voice was AMAZING!!!
I know it might sound bizarre to some, but for us (at least Emily and I) it was absolutely amazing to witness this type of behaviors. We usually just see them lounging around, eating or sleeping. The CM assured us that they did not seem angry – just staking their claim once again, which is all very normal behavior in the wild.
After watching those guys for a while, we finally moved on and caught the next train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
There was not much going on at the vet window, as we had spent so much time with the gorillas, we pretty much missed any procedures that they would have done.
We walked outside and entered the petting area. We had not done this in a long time.
Emily made friends very quickly with many of the animals!
This little piggy was adorable and loved tummy rubs!
This guy saw the camera and said “Cheese”!!!
We also watched a little bit of the animal show out there.
We started heading back towards the train, but noticed Chip ‘n Dale parading their way out for meet and greet! So of course, we stopped to say hi to them!
We finally got the train back to Africa to get to our next fastpass ~ Expedition Everest!
And yes, Scott took a few photos on the ride!
We were getting hungry for lunch and had not had our favorite yet – so we headed for Flame Tree BBQ! Of course, along the way, we stopped when we saw the Photopass Photographer!
While we were in line to order, Emily went and grabbed a table for us in our favorite section – the lower level down by the water! And then I remembered that we still had a 20% coupon and it was nearing 1pm, so I asked Scott if he would mind if I ran over to the store to grab a zip up hoodie I had seen that you could only get in AK – of course he said go for it!
I basically sprinted to the store and it was literally minutes before 1:00pm (the cut off time for the coupon) – I ran in grabbed the hoodie I wanted, along with a small carved rhino, and then headed to the jewelry counter register, it was now after 1 and I was not sure they would still honor the coupon, but the CM said of course! So what is a girl to do when standing at a jewelry counter with a 20% off coupon, :roll eyes: of course purchase an Alex & Ani Animal Kingdom bracelet!!! I was so thankful that the CM still honored my coupon and gave her one of our thank you cards!
With my new purchases I hurried back over to FTB and found Scott already sitting with lunch spread for us! We each had the Pork Sandwich, 2 of us with baked beans, 1 with fries. Em had lemonade, Scott had a Safari Amber Beer, and I had a diet coke. I almost forgot to mention that this is another counter service location that grants the Tables in Wonderland discount!
We always enjoy this lunch – especially the seating here – it is usually quiet with a gorgeous view of Expedition Everest. And I of course I enjoy watching the turtles.
Up next: Never a dull moment……
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
I remember the character greet and meets outside AK. Stefanie loved getting in some character time before heading in. Great picture of the cheetahs! They always elude me. Note to self: I'm going to have to pay attention to our receipts this next trip. That is the coolest photo with the lizard on the stone bird. ;waytogo:
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.
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I am so with you about Animal Kingdom Lodge - I always find it so peaceful sitting outside on the balcony, watching life on the savannah. 
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Pixie Dust
Next time...
Bummer that the rain came in so heavily during your meal though. 
the carrot cake cookie! It's a must-do for us! We try for early morning and 'breakfast'....hey, it's healthy! It's got all those carrots and stuff. 
]
Susan
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
– as it really was an eat what is left over kind of morning! It was nearing the end of our trip so I wanted to use up what we had, but I have to say that my planning really did well this time, and we did not have a ton of stuff left over like we usually do! 
(Now let’s hope that works in future trips as well!).
had us do some poses, I knew who would end up in our magic shot!!!
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