The Not Like Any Other Pre Trip Report Pre Trip Report - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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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The Not Like Any Other Pre Trip Report Pre Trip Report
So I'm sitting here thinking, "Holy cow. It's only 12:45." There's nothing to do. We had surprise visitors yesterday (you'd be amazed at what DH & I can do in 1/2 hr) so my house is clean. Kids are home hogging the TV so I'm lurking(ish) around the boards, putting my 2 cents in here and there all while listening to the sounds of Disney from a music website thing.
So I thought why not try a trip report. I've thought about doing one for the last 3 years everytime we've gone but life gets in the way and I never get around to it. Yet funny enough every time I do something, I somehow make it into a trip report or post in my head. I will do my best to put some pictures in here and there but my brain has decided it doesn't really want to remember how to do it. Wish me luck.
Here's my cast of Characters.
Me, Julie (41) I know. Hard to believe. It's the whole immaturity thing. Sorry. You'll have to look in the sig to see me.
DS1, Jack (13) One of my men. I absolutely adore this child and we have fun no matter what we are doing. He is Autistic (Asperger's Syndrome to be exact) and had a small bowel transplant when he was 4. Went on his first trip to WDW in 1999 while we were waiting for his transplant. Everything was going well until he got sick and we had to come home a few days early. The WDW bug hit him though and he hasn't looked back. The only other place he would rather be in is Omaha, NE. That is where he had his transplant and we have wonderful memories. We get to go once a year for his checkup and we get excited every time.
DS2 Sam (7). I gave birth to him 7 1/2 yrs ago, but I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't been there. A couple of people (including a co-PP) have called him an old soul and that is exactly what he is. Half the time. The other half he is a maniac. I worry quite frequently when we go out because I never know what he is going to say. The latest was 3 days ago he told me he would (and I quote) "miss you when you die. Just because I love you so much. But you won't be here anymore so I would miss you." Just what I want to hear 10 days before we fly.
He is Diabetic (insulin dependant) and also has a condition in his intestion which caused him to loose his large bowel. In fact neither child has their large bowel. It's not too bad. It does make traveling interestesting. On the upside he has a medical plan in school so our vacations are approved.
Then there is the DH or as I like to call him Disney Downer. Here is Pluto's reaction to Craig calling him Goofy. Have you learned anything? 13 yrs of the Disney channel and trips and you'd think he'd know the difference. IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY MAN!! He is not a Disney fan. He doesn't hate it but it's just not his thing. He will be joining us for the last 4 days of the trip. His claim to fame is he was on the TV show Dinner:Impossible. He works for Crayola and was one of the shmoes in the kitchen. He is now convinced he is an Iron Chef. That's why he burned his omlette yesterday.
Coming up next: Memories of trips past. Ok last year but it is that past isn't it?
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So we have been on a few trips as a family. Our first, 3 (I think) years ago. We worked the dates around DH's trips. January is a big travel month for him. He goes oversee to international trade show. My father (who may or may not make an appearance this trip with the step monster) swears DH has a fraulein in Germany. Anywho, the trip was a mild success. We stayed at AKL, SV. The kids loved it, I loved it, DH, not so much. It was too far from everything. Maybe but we got there quickly. Everyone stayed relatively healthy with the exception of DH2. He got sick the day we were going to see La Nouba. 2 of us got to see it, 2 didn't. Jack & I enjoyed it immensly. Craig watched his beloved Steelers win the Super Bowl in the laundry room while the rest of us slept of a day in a park.
We then decided it would be nice to take a cruise. Sounds great huh? Well, apparently my kids got wind of it somehow. We don't tell them we are going to WDW until we wake them up that morning. Anyway, Sam got sick the Thurs before we were suppose to leave. No problem, we'll still make it. Sunday morning, problem. Jack woke up sick. It takes him longer to recover so I knew we didn't have a chance of going. I rescheduled the trip with my TA (thank you, trip insurance). We decided to put the cruise off for a year(ish) and just do the parks.
We worked the dates around DH's sales meeting in the Bahamas. Just about when Anna Nicole died. He was there either when it happened or a couple days after. He was also in Aruba the time of Natalie Holloway. Certainly I'm not saying he had anything to do with it but it does make me think twice about sleeping with my eyes closed.
We agreed the kids and I would go down early and he would join us. I booked the trip for 12 days. the first 4 were pure magic. The kids behaved and got along. They even compromised. The highlight was Cinderella asking Jack to dance. I cried. I even have a great picture. Maybe you'll see it sometime.
Then Disney Downer showed up. Sam's sugar went a little crazy and we couldn't get it to come up to a decent level for a couple of hours. Then Jack got sick. He ended up in Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women & Children for 2 1/2 days. He was thrilled. He was spoiled rotten. He was discharged 2 days before we left. It's ok. I reaped the benefit of it.
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In the spring I had gotten an email from a one of my dearest friends. She wanted to take a cruise to celebrate her 40th bday and would I be interested in going. Yes I would thank you. I made arrangements for my kids for after school. I decided I wanted my 2 1/2 days back from when Jack was in the hospital. Disney Downer actually agreed so I booked a room at the Boardwalk. I asked Dsis if she would like to join me so she did. She is a DVC member so she got us in at BWV. So for the first time in 13 years, I had a vacation. We had an amazing time and decided to make the No Boys Allowed trip an annual event.
The fall came and so did the illnesses. November was bad and December was no better. I couldn't wait for the new year.
I started getting excited for our sea/land adventure. I had enjoyed my cruise very much and knew all my boys would. Alas, it wasn't meant to be again. Sam started having ear infections. First one ear, then the other before the first had cleared up. We spent many hours in either the ER or Urgent care because of course it happend on the weekend. We quickly saw an ENT who said, we would try to treat with antibiotics but why don't we put him on the OR schedule just in case he needed tubes, then we wouldn't have to wait long. He got another infection and we went with the tubes. So what would have been our departure date, we were in the hospital getting tubes in. Ironically, when the dr talked to me afterwards he said, and I quote, "If you were to tell me you were leaving tonight for Disney World, I'd say have a great time." I laughed like a crazy woman and told him where we were supposed to be.
In the meantime, I contacted my TA (who I have used for 5 years) and told her what was going on. Let me make a VERY ugly story short. We lost all the money for our cruise. She hadn't bought the insurance as I had requested (I still have emails written to her requesting it) so I was out of luck even though the it was medical. I was told there was nothing I could do. Then she asked if I wanted to book another for the fall. And what, put another HUGE chunk of change? No thank you. We'll get it someday.
By now I'm sure you all are bored with this pre trip report. So let's get to the details!
When we realized we had to move the trip, I immediately asked Disney Downer (know here after as the Downer) when he wanted to go. He told me the sales meeting was at the GF so let's work around those dates. Ok. If this is going to be the year of good enough let it being now.
I got a speech about NOT staying at the GF because the company didn't want everyone to bring their families down and distract them. TOTALLY understand. We ususally have more fun without him so I decided to arrive the day the meeting starts. I figured he would join us on Thurs, the usual last day of meetings and we would go on our merry way. So I choose the dates of 2/23-3/3. YAY. (insert dancing smiley).
Now one thing I need to mention is the kids know none of this. We do not tell them because they first of all, Jack alone would drive me INSANE!! He talks ALOT about going to Disney World, usually with the Muppets but lately it's been the "Birds of Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room". When he asks and I don't answer him exactly the way he wants he tells me "Let's start again." Can you imagine months of that? Then there is Sam who every day I'm sure would ask "So let me get this straight. First we are going to go to bed and then we get and go to the airport. How are we getting to the airport? I better look in the phone book for someone to take us. And then we would get on the plane right? But when we get to the airport down there how are we going to get to Disney? I'd better go find a way. And then the first thing we'll do is put our stuff in our room. No we better have Jack go to the bathroom before we leave the airport because I'm concerned He wouldn't be able to hold it" and it would go on for days. Yes we have had conversations quite close to that.
So I non chalantly say "If we would go back to Disney, where would you guys want to stay?" they discuss it amongst themselves and decide the Poly. Then begins "When are we going to Disney". I keep telling them June 1. Sam is now concerned about being back from WDW in time for the end of the school year. Jack just keeps asking when. I keep telling him June. Of course that's not good enough and I get "Let's start over."
I then took to changing our flights. We were booked on JetBlue, a first for us, and I had joined their frequent flyer club thingy. When I called to change the flights, we all ended up with a credit that was credited to me. This will surely help my cause when I approach the Downer about the 2nd annual No
Boys Allowed trip. Not likely.
Of course I want to be there early so what time is our flight you ask? Why 7am thanks for asking. Which translates to I will be up @ 2:30 am, I will wake Jack at 3am and Sam @ 3:15. The car will be there at 4am. Obviously I didn't think that part through so clearly. I'll tell them where we are going when I wake them up. It should take us a little over an hour to get to the airport.
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I will do my best to put some pictures in here and there but my brain has decided it doesn't really want to remember how to do it. Wish me luck. 
IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY MAN!! He is not a Disney fan. He doesn't hate it but it's just not his thing. He will be joining us for the last 4 days of the trip. His claim to fame is he was on the TV show Dinner:Impossible. He works for Crayola and was one of the shmoes in the kitchen. He is now convinced he is an Iron Chef. 
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so I booked a room at the Boardwalk. I asked Dsis if she would like to join me so she did. She is a DVC member so she got us in at BWV. So for the first time in 13 years, I had a vacation. We had an amazing time and decided to make the No Boys Allowed trip an annual event. 
).
Then there is Sam who every day I'm sure would ask "So let me get this straight. First we are going to go to bed and then we get and go to the airport. How are we getting to the airport? I better look in the phone book for someone to take us. And then we would get on the plane right? But when we get to the airport down there how are we going to get to Disney? I'd better go find a way. And then the first thing we'll do is put our stuff in our room. No we better have Jack go to the bathroom before we leave the airport because I'm concerned He wouldn't be able to hold it" and it would go on for days. Yes we have had conversations quite close to that. 
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