PTR-- MY 1st PTR---Family and Friends 7/20-7/30 2015 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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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.
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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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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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PTR-- MY 1st PTR---Family and Friends 7/20-7/30 2015
Family and Friends 7/20-7/30 2015
WDW has always been my Happy Place. I remember my mom and taking me and my 5 brothers when I was a kid. Then as I got older, we would all go as a big huge family. My parents with my youngest brother, Me with my DH and our kids, my oldest brother with his wife and their 3 kids, my second oldest brother with his wife their daughter and then 3rd oldest brother would usually solo the trip. SOmetimes a few extra tag alongs as well. We would travel in a very large group of 12-18 people. Well a few years ago both my parents passed away. My mother was battling heart disease for a long time and passed in March of 2013 and once my mom passed, my father was diagnosed with bone cancer and he passed in November of 2013. Very suddenly and still a shock.
Prior to my parents passing we took one HUGE last trip all together to WDW. we spent 18 days at the AoA in the Cars area. we did the DDP and ate at every character dining they have and did every show. With my mom we all kinda knew it would be the last time she could travel.
I wasn't sure if I would be able to go back to WDW after they both were gone but in January of last year I decided that I needed to go. I needed to remember all the happy times we had together at WDW and not let it be a bad thing but my Happy Place again. I went and spent 9 days at the Caribbean Beach Resort with a friend. It was very mixed emotions throughout the entire trip.
So now its time to head back and take the kids again. They are excited and a bit overwhelmed as well. My girls miss their grandparents dearly and have a ton of happy memories of WDW with them. They have never been to WDW without them and they are a bit worried about getting emotional on the trip. My girls were very very close to my parents. My Oldest(13 now) helped to care for my mother and father when they were ill. She would top to their house everyday after school and check up on them and keep them company. She would have my mother help her with her homework and then she would help her make bread before I would pick her up. All my girls enjoyed their time with their grandparents.
So here is my first ever Pre-Trip-Report.
WHO IS GOING?
-Me, DH, My Best Friend, 6 little girls. (ages 13, 12, 10, 10, 8, 3)
WHEN DO WE LEAVE?
-Only a few weeks from now. Flying out on July 20th and returning home on July 30th
WHERE ARE WE STAYING?
-Staying at the ASM. Me, Dh, and MY DD’s(4) in a family suite. The Best Friend(Tim) and his DD’s (2) in a standard room. He has been but this will the very first trip for his girl’s. They have never been on an airplane before either.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
-We requested Calypso building 10, handicap accessible family suite (I use forearm crutches and rent an ECV for the trip), and rooms close to each other.
ANYTHING IMPORTANT
-We are doing the DDP and the kids are super excited for the character dining. I also plan on surprising them with nightly gifts from Mickey and a trip to the Pirates League.
The Day by day break down. Not much details yet.
Day 1: We arrive to Orlando at around 4:30pm. So we plan on just hanging out at the resort and letting the kids enjoy the pool for a bit.
Day 2: Epcot here we come. This is my favorite park and my kids love it too. It’s a tradition to see Figment on our first full day. Since we live in So Cal and go to DL often, Figment is a real treat because he is different. My DD(10) has an entire collection of Figment stuff that she loves. She even has some of my old Figment stuff from when my folks took me to WDW back in the late 80’s.
Dinner at the Polynesian Ohana’
Day 3: AK with breakfast at Tusker house.
Day 4: We start the day at MK with a pirate makeover for the kids, then lunch at Be Our Guest.
Day 5: Back to Epcot.. I really love this park. Early dinner at the Garden Grill. We haven’t eaten here before.
Day 6: Headed to Hollywood Studios. Dinner at Hollywood & Vine with the Fantasmic package.
Day7: AK for some Yak & Yeti Lunch and Hoop-Dee-Doo For dinner.
Day 8: The Polynesian for an Ohana Breakfast. Some off property shopping, swimming and relaxing. Then back to Epcot for dinner at Akershus with the princesses
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 love your plans...for you saying you don't have much I think you have lots planned out. Based on the ages of the girls are you aware that the Fantasmic dinner package also has a lunch package? If you switched to a late lunch (if available) the Disney Junior characters are there. Just an idea since you have lots of character meals.
I understand all of your & your DDs concerns regarding returning to WDW without their Grandparents. We have not been since my Grandmother passed away. We had celebrated her 94th Birthday at Disney and it was one of our best & most memorable trips. We are in the early planning stages now to take my son on his first trip. But seeing our pics & looking over past plans bring all those memories flooding back. My only advice is to embrace the emotions if they should appear. Take those moments to fondly remember those special memories & all the love they had for you all. Maybe even a small tribute to them - a special tradition that you shared, etc. I hope this trip is full of magic & remember they are with you if only in spirit. [emoji56]
Last edited by cattailmarsh; 06-26-2015 at 10:33 AM..
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 never even thought about the disney junior characters. Thats a really good idea. I am going to look into that.
I am a bit worried about the FastPass+ stuff.. WIth so many kids I don't see us all getting organized and on wanting/willing to go on the same rides at the same times. Plus being stuck to such a strict schedule because of the rides..
Could have, would have, should have isn't going to help you now. So do what you can & remember it's a vacation in the most wonderful place &it will be magical no matter what.
IMHO - have everyone make a list of ride priorities & ride no no's (in case of scardy cats like me or little ones) & use this list to coordinate FPs. If some want 1 thing send pick 2 close rides & divide up. And don't forget rider swap! Check out recent threads re the ins & outs of this perk.
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.
Could have, would have, should have isn't going to help you now. So do what you can & remember it's a vacation in the most wonderful place &it will be magical no matter what.
IMHO - have everyone make a list of ride priorities & ride no no's (in case of scardy cats like me or little ones) & use this list to coordinate FPs. If some want 1 thing send pick 2 close rides & divide up. And don't forget rider swap! Check out recent threads re the ins & outs of this perk.
Joining in! Looks like it'll be a great trip! And getting close!
So sorry for the loss of your parents.... I'm sure this will be a mix of emotions for everyone, but also a chance to keep the memories alive and make lots of great new ones.
Welcome back!!! I was just thinking about you a few weeks ago & was wondering how you were doing. I'm sorry to hear about your parents. I completely understand what it's like staying away from your happy place because of the emotions it brings up. I'm currently going through that myself.
Your trip sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun especially with so many girls!!! I can't wait to read more!
This sounds like a fun and magical trip!! So sorry for the loss of your parents. My Mom passed away 15 years ago and I still miss her everyday!! She loved WDW and I am so glad that we got to take her a few times!
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I completely understand what it's like staying away from your happy place because of the emotions it brings up. I'm currently going through that myself. 
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