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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
This is my first trip report. I did a PTR which was fun. The cast-
Me – Nicci
DH – Dan
DD1 – Crysta age 10
DD2 – Becky age 4
DS1 - Devyn age 2 Extras
SIL - Renee
BIL - Steve
Niece - Hailey (19)
Nephew - Michael (15)
Niece - Kelly (9)
great niece - Julie (1) Where:
Pop century (80's building) When:
April 27- May 4 2010
Background-
Last April 2009 We went to Disney for the first time as a whole family. The trip was spectacular, with the small exception Of Devyn getting a cold, but he manned up and didn't whine the whole time. (toddlers are bigger men then grown men,LOL) The flight there was uneventful until landing Dev got airsick. The room was ready early (or someones was and we got it so I could clean up my little man. Check in was a breeze. The weather was perfect not even a sprinkle while we were there, the crowds were enough to keep it intresting but not so much that we had to wait for anything. We decided that this would be "our Disney time" and we would do every other year.
Fast forward to Aug. SIL and I are well into our workouts and I have been dropping the lbs. pretty fast. She says we should go Back to Disney and do before and afters. I get home jump on the Web and figure out how much it would be for us with no deals and how much it would be for them. I text her the numbers. Then I approach the hubby. I tell him we can give the kids the plane tickets for their B-day and the Disney package can be for Christmas. Yes I have him Sold. OH SALES-
Sept rolls around and all the summer things are on sale. Yes I love my sales. All the kids will need new clothes because they seem to keep growing (why can't they stay little for ever?) and Mom (me) will need new things. I'm just shy of 50lbs down and down from a 20 to a 12. So I have another 50+ to go what size to get. Oh they are only $2 for shorts I get size 6 and 8. And Hubby will need a few shirts. The idea grows that I will do a color of the day. I like that photos with all things "going" together plus it makes spotting the group easier. You see what I mean later in photos. So by Nov. I have just about all our clothes packed. THE TELL-
The kids b-day is here. It's the first week of Dec. (1st,3rd,4th) We give then one huge box. inc=side is another, and another and......you get it. the final box is a gift card to Cinnabons (we let them get cinnamon buns our last flight) and the parking pass from last trip. The little kids are unimpressed but start building a fort with the boxes. Crysta gets that we are going some where but where? We had talked before about a trip to a FL. beach. Hum-mm. A few weeks later it's Christmas. The stocking were filled with mini things for their carry-on, all Disney, still no clue. They each get a mini backpack as their "big" gift. they are all disappointed, they thought they were going to find out where. HA-HA mean mommy. I make breakfast and call them to the table, they are happy the have sticky buns (AKA cinnamon buns). I say OK clear the table. I hear " MICKEY" from Devyn as he lifts his plate. Becky tosses her almost clear across the room saying " credit card" Crysta instantly get's it. " WE"RE GOING BACK TO DISNEY".
It's Feb. and time to pay now since we have our tax return. SIL follows a few days later. I make all the ADR's. I forgot to hit the allergy button so I called. while adding the allergy the CM said I should link all our rooms (3 of them) and transfers me to the resort side. They transfer me to magical gathering since there will be 11 of us. and the problems start. When they changed it the flipped ODD and DS. They had her as 2 and him as 9. I call to fix it. next I get a new invoice ODD is missing and DS is still 9. Call 3 about this, I get them fix-ish, ODD is 8, DS is 9 and 2 and middle child is on there twice 4 ( hey she's right) And ODD name is wrong, and I had to spell it for her. GRRR. I call again. They try to charge me $15 because it's so close to our trip. Negative you messed it you fix it for free thanks. they wave the fee.
While tiring to fix that I get our plane tickets. All 5 of us from NH to MCO for $903. Happy dance... Ok we are set, bags packed carry-on filled (except hubby's he'll add his laptop later) and we still have 3 weeks till we go. All I have to do is analyze and worry. I start to get OCD and fix and re fix my plan book (I will get a pass-porter for next trip but didn't know about it till this month.) I recheck the bags. I'm happy I got all of the clothes in one bag. The second is snacks and the stuff I refuse to re-buy (Mickey ears, the spray fans,signature books, glow sticks) and diaper. OCD behavior pays off.-
For some reason I decide 2 weeks before we leave I should make sure my butt fits in those shorts I got months before. Good thing I did the 8's fall off and the 6's are super lose. I make a run to target. Why are all the woman's shorts so short? I go grab ODD a pair of jean ones for the flight, Hum wonder if the kids 14's will fit they are a good length. Score the do and the are $7. I get 5 pairs in 3 shades. and a bathing suit. Suitcases are still under weight too.
UP next - we are on our way...
So who is NOT going to Disney?
That would be me. We'll get to that later but lets start at the night before. We have a 6:20 am flight so we need to be on the road by 4am (getting us to the airport by 5am) So I feed the kids dinner at 4:30pm (early for us) Give the little 2 a bath and then ship the oldest into the shower. I get them in their travel outfits (minus jean shorts) So in the am they just need to go potty and pull on shorts. They are in bed and asleep by 7:15p (not bad). Hubby puts the 2 strollers, 2 suitcases, all 3 kids carry-ons and my bag in the van. Our ride arrives so he can just crash on the couch and I wont stress about when he'll get here all night long. The adults eat and Hubby pops in a movie. We end up going to bed @ 1:30 am. AHHH I have to be up at 3am So I can shower, get the kids up, pack breakfast to eat in the van. Yohoo, bananas, bagels, and go-gurt yogurt.
My plan worked I was up at 3am in and out of the shower by 3:30 kids and hubby up and we were all out the door by 4:05 (5 min. late). But we made it to the airport ahead of time, ah hour and a half early. OK so this is where I almost don't get to go, and it's a good thing we have lots of time. I got out of the car and never grabbed my I.D. from my visor in the van. Our ride didn't bring his cell. How did I get on the plane you ask? I had my invoice from Disney, all 3 kids birth certificates (one had my address) my insurance card (hubby's) and my credit card. It took 35min to get through and there was only 12 people in the whole airport. I will never forget that again. So after they said go ahead, I got the full pat down. While I did that Crysta (the 10 y/o) took charge of the little kids while DH put stuff on the x-ray belt. She helped them walk through the detectors, sat them on the bench, grabbed the bin of shoes and got them on them (just sandals), grabbed the carry-ons and helped them put them on. and they all sat quietly while I got frisked and DH got the laptop and cameras all cleared. I was so impressed that she took charge like that. The security guy asked if they had flown a lot since they seemed to know what to do and were being so well behaved. What every mom likes to hear, her kids standing out for being good.
This is us waiting. The plane.
We took our seats and the kids asked for some thing from the bags. First things used, etch-a-sketch, magnadoodle, and magnet tic-tac-toe. Take off went well. The flight was uneventful, no melt downs, layover was fast we made it to the gate and the were boarding. that leg was a little more fun, I got to visit the bathroom 4 times, one for each kid and 1 for me. the plane we were on had 3 areas, we were in the back it seemed all the parents picked that section so it was noisy but the happy kid kind. The few people that were kid less said they hoped that when they fly with their kids they are as good as the kids in our area. Dev passed out the moment the wheels touched down (literally) We head to DME. Score No line for Pop resort. We wait for 5 min and the bus arrives and we are checked in before 11pm.
See they were horrible on the flight
The Tram
DME
The room... I got my request mostly. I was on the opposite side but the right wing and it was a refurbished room. Room 9225. (80's building 9) They were doing building 10 while we were there). I pulled out the travel sun block, covered the kids, and grabbed the stroller. We went next door to get the rest of the crew (the in-laws they arrived 10 min before us). We made our way down to Downtown Disney.
Before I get started I want to apologize for all the photos and for the fact I cant get them smaller. I tried to size them.
We were there before I had planned since there were no lines. I love Tuesday travel days. Since we had 2 hours before our ADR for Wolfgang Puck we got off the bus at the market place end and wandered to the other end. Devyn was so much more fun this year. We stopped at all the photo opts and some stores.
We stilled made it to Wolfgang early, we were all starving for real food. Just our luck a big party was a no show. We got their table. Our server was great. The last time BIL and SIL were in Disney was 13 years ago and they only went to MK one day. So I say they are newbies. He explained the deluxe plan to them and had a great knowledge of what my niece could safely eat with an all nut allergy. We got one bill for the table and this is the only one like this.
Credits used 6A 3C 2I total = $315 $60 tip. (he said DTD doesn't automatically add it) Apps. - Crispy Calamari $12.95 / Crab Cake $15.95 / Asian Style Vegetable Spring Rolls $10.95 x2 / Artichoke and Five Cheese Dip $12.95 x2 Main - BBQ pizza $13.95 x2 / Meatloaf $18.95 / pumpkin ravioli w/ chicken $22.90 / Cheese ravioli w/ meatballs $22.90 / Chef sushi sampler $25 / kids - California roll $ 8.95 / chicken tenders $6.95 / grilled chicken w/ baby carrots (nut free) $6.95. Dessert - Double chocolate mud pie $7.95 / Florida key lime pie $7.95 / 4 creme Brulee cheese cakes $7.95 x4 Kids- 3 kids make your own sundae $3.75 each **** Nut free ***** the flat bread ask for it in it's own basket. no fired foods. or "baked breads" They are baked off site. so no buns on burgers.
After we rolled out stuffed to the top we could now enjoy the shops. We went into the new D-street. Each kid picked a Mickey to do. Mine all picked a mystery clear and a sheet of stickers (for eyes and mouths). The little Mickey's are $10.20 (when you add the tax) and the stickers were $3ish. We played in the T-rex dig spot for a while then built some things at the Lego store.
Then SIL and crew decided to go back to the room because the baby was upset she had to be in the stroller. We kept on going. We went in the toy store and Becky was admiring a cast members pins, the lady gave her the one she loved without trading since our pins were in the checked bags. She got a Wendy pin.
We hit Goofy's candy shop. We were in the back area watching them make our dipped marshmallows, and I heard the cast member lost his inventor of the day, I quickly offered up my kid. Becky was so excited She got to pick what a Mickey treat was dipped in and then got to cover it with the toppings on her own. She was beaming the rest of the day and refused to take off her hat, gloves and apron.
Then we went home Daddy took them to swim while I unpacked.
Wow Nic everything sounds like just a great time. I wish we could have traded children. Mine fought about everything except for KP Missions but I will get to that when I finally get my TR started. Looks great so far. Congrats on the kiddie pants for you.
We didn't get ADR for Donald's breakfast but that meant we didn't need to be to the park till 9am so we could sleep in. I got up at 6:45 So I could relax in the shower, love those shower heads. I woke the rest of my crew at 7:30 and got them dressed. We were on our way. This is the longest wait we had for a bus, a whole 15 min.
We were on our way to Kusafiri to grab some breakfast when Devyn say "Lilo". Our first friend of the trip!!!!!! We got in line (the whole 3 kids in front of us) and got lots of hugs from her. Then we made our way to camp Mickey & Minnie It was too early. We saw Pocahontas one of Crysta's top 5 and again no line. The day was starting off great.
We finally made it to Kusafiri. It was not a bakery like in the other parks but was yum-o. 1 Apple danish, 1 cheese danish, 2 cinnamon buns and a water. The little 2 and I shared the danishes. The muffins are nut safe.
Now that we have had some food it was time to stroll over to The safari ride. The animals were all right out near the trail. An ostrich even stuck it's head in the van. The lion however was way up on the rock and we could barely see his head. Next was the walking trail, It was packed and when we got to the Gorilla there was a line slowly moving along the glass. So we waited in line to see him. Now this family decided they were too important to wait like everyone else and jumped right in front of Dev and Becky, the littlest of our group. I was upset but held my tongue. Then when we got the the glass fish pond they same family actually moved my stroller with Dev in it to get up front, DH gave me the go ahead look. I nicely said " excuse me my son was there first & we have been waiting in line like everyone else, could you please move and wait your turn." The mom gave me a dirty look but the dad quickly whisked his kids to the next thing.
Devyn thought the gorilla could get him made him scream. I think it looks like he has someones' book and is signing it.
We next went over to Dinosaur. No fast pass 10min standby time. We got our kid swap cards and SIL and I stayed while the rest went. while they were on I ran to get Becky and Devyn a Mickey cookies and cream bar. Then it was my turn to take Crysta (lucky girl got to do everything at least twice because of kid swap) Next was the triceratops ride. Becky was all nervous but loved it. Off to the the dino dig climb and slide area. They love that area.
The monsters waiting for big sis to be done the ride (there are a lot of these kind of shots)
Lunch time. We had ADR at the Yak and Yeti. The food was great, the waitress was excellent. So on the deluxe plan there the kids get the kids meal PLUS and app from the regular menu. So we had a ton of food. It was a good thing too, Dev was hungry. Apps - Lettuce cups (the best) $12.99 , Wok-fried Green beans $6.99 , pork pot stickers $7.99 , Egg rolls $7.99. Main - DH got the ribs $24.99 and I got the Maple Tamarind Chicken 18.99 , Crysta got Lo mein w/ rice $7.50 and Becky - mini burger w/ rice $7.50 Dessert - Chocolate brownie Sundae (for 1 still huge) $7.99 , Fried wontons $7.99 The girls got cookies to go (they were each salad plate size) Oh I almost forgot I got the ice tea, it was a tropical flavor and really good. $131 + tip NUT KNOWLEDGE - Chicken bites and fries were safe.
We hooked up with the rest of the crew again (we ate all meals separate) and made our way to EE. 15 min standby! what? Crysta went of 3 times in a half hour after just eating.
We were going to do the rapids ride but it was a little chilly so we watched the parade. We then swam upstream to get some frozen Chai (3lg = $17 OOP). and made it to the bug life show. We had an hour till Our Husker house ADR. so we hit the photo pass and did the Simba pose. (will share when I get my CD) then the kids played the drums.
Tusker house dinner. It's the same food as the lunch but I prefer the lunch, it's less crowded. We got the kids the cups that come with Tink and Buzz. and this time we didn't have to "pay down" the bill before she could run our card. The food was delish like always and Crysta ate her weight in desserts with a little real food.
It was EMH but a lot of things still shut down fast. We tried to make it to Camp M&M but it was done. We did see Mickey and Minnie next to the store and got in line. The photo pass guy yelled at me to get in the photos. I was hanging back taking shots so he handed my camera to the handler. LOL. On our way out we saw they were setting up for night shots at the tree. we waited for them to finish and did the last shot of the day.
Snacks used - 7= $21.08. Meals used - 8= $222.12 + tips OOP = $37.63
The kids did a lot of pin trading. We never seem to get to half this park. there is so much to just look at. Good thing there is next year.
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.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Susan
PassPorter Guide Author
Linear Mode
