The Stone Family's Magical Adventure including food photos - Page 12 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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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.
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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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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Maine Diver Scallop with Zellwood Corn and Chorizo Sauce
Duck Breast, Sausage, and Confit with Salsify and Delicata Squash Puree
Poulet Rouge with Mushroom-Truffle Ragout, Hedgehog Mushrooms, and English Peas
Austrailian Kobe Beef Tenderloin with Smoked Garlic-Potato Puree and assorted vegetables
Veal Tenderloin with Marble Potatoes and Sauce Soubise
After dinner we walked around the nearly empty lobby. It was nice to see the Gingerbread House with no one else there. It gave us a chance to really see all the details.
Jeff and thought briefly about going for a dip in the hot tub but were just too tired. We headed up to the room to find both the girls asleep. We got into bed ourselves and were quickly fast asleep!
Some numbers:
Kid's Night Out: $84 included in platinum plan $20 cash tip.
Victoria & Albert's $399.38 3 platinum plan credits $100 cash tip.
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We awoke to misty rain and haze and immediately began to worry about Remy. We had the Pirate Cruise booked for her this morning and we were afraid it would be cancelled. I went down to the Concierge desk and chatted with Vonnie for awhile. She told me that the Marina should pull up our file and call us if the cruise is cancelled. She offered to check but I told her not to worry about it. I don't mention it much but everytime we passed that desk or ran into a concierge CM anywhere in the hotel they always addressed us by name and it was always "can we do anything for you Mrs. Stone?" The were so kind and solicitous. I told Vonnie I thought they were all just so wonderful but that I'm sure they hear that all the time. She told me I would be surprised to know they don't hear it often. I guess people must take it for granted. I heapped the praise on because, truely, they deserve it! I then went to find my group and go to breakfast. We had ADRs at 1900 Park Fair. The food was good, though the Lobster Eggs Benedict is better at the Grand Floridian Cafe. I think it's just that it's really something that shouldn't sit on a steam table. I do enjoy that buffet though. The girls had a good time, Gelsey was especially pleased to meet Mary Poppins, one of her favorites. She must watch that movie at least one a week! The Mad Hatter was particularly funny as well.
hazy day from our balcony
hazy castle from our balcony
After breakfast we headed to the marina for the cruise and well, you guessed it....it had been cancelled. The girl at the marina told me she called us but there was nothing on our phone. We went back to the room to formulate a plan and discovered there was no message there either. I don't really mind, but, if I had come from another hotel for this I would have been peeved. Many days later wer did find a message...on our home phone ! The three adults all had spa appointment today so MIL was already at hers. Remy was pretty upset about missing the cruise so I told her she could go pick something out at the M Mouse Mercantile store. She chose jewelry . I had to leave for my spa appointment so Jeff and the girls were just going to bum around until I was done. I headed over to the spa for my facial. MIL was having a massage and then going over to the Ivy Trellis Salon for a cut & color. She was coming out as I was heading in. My facial was a truly relaxing experience. 90 minutes long, I had a lovely back/arm massage as well. When I came out into the spa lobby Jeff and the girls were there. It was time for Jeff's treatment. I took the girls with me back to the main lobby. They wanted to go back into Basin White again. This time they each got a bar of soap! It was still drizzleing a little and chilly but Remy was dead set on getting out in that water, so I told her once Jeff was back from the spa we could go get water mice! I took them back to the room to get extra sweatshirts and they wanted a little snack in the CL. They loved the breadstick that they put out with the dips and such. Earlier in the morning as we were passing through we saw Kelly Ripa and her kids having a little brakfast. She's just as cute in person and Teeny Tiny! I really wanted to say hello and tell her I was a fan, but being that she was with her kids I thought that would be terribly rude! I just smiled at her and she smiled back and we kept on going. Now, however, the lounge was empty. I let the girls sit down and snack a little and I had a little snack myself
Once Jeff returned from the spa we headed back to the marina. We rented to sea raycers and I took Gels with me and Jeff and Remy went in the other. We zipped all over and had a great time. We had them out for 50 minutes total and we were chilly when we came back. The girls wanted to go in the hot tub when we got back so that's what we did! I wanted to get them all showered up and hair washed anyway because they had an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique pretty soon. By the time we came back form the hot tub, MIL was back. In the room we found a lovely picture of the hotel with a note about my making someones day magical and two little stuffed bears for the girls. It was from Vonnie! She enclosed a note saying she enjoyed our chat this morning and thanks for making HER day magical. I could not get over it! They did so many lovely things for us and she was literally thanking me for enjoying it! Whatever they pay these folks...it's no where near enough!
So we got the girls cleaned up and went to catch the bus to DTD. I stopped down at the concierge desk to pick up our Hoop De Doo tickets for tonight, and chatted with Mejay for a few minutes. She was another on of our favorites. Just genuinely concerned that we were having the best time! We caught the bus in no time and soon made our way into the Boutique. The last time we were there we had to go out into the store and find all the parts to the costume we wanted. This time, however, they ask you what princess you want and the size and then they take you to the dressing room where they do a bibbidi bobbidi boo with the magic wand and you find all your costumes in there layed out! I like this much better. Remy chose Belle and Gelsey chose Ariel.
The got settled into the chair and got started. They each had a FG and then there were two more sort of running between helping. I'm pleased to see they have done away with the press on nails in favor of regular polish. It seemed to take a lot longer than I remembered and we still had to go get the pictures taken. I just knew we were going to be late for our 6pm Cirque de Soliel show. I wasn't exactly looking forward to this and had planned on maybe not even going but MIL really likes it so we were trying to make it. Once they finished up we went for the pictures and then walked to Cirque. If I had walked to Ohio it wouldn't have felt further. We did finally make it about 10 minutes late. The girls absolutely loved it!!! Jeff thought the little chinese girls were the cutest thing her ever saw. I guess it was ok. I just don't "get" Cirque. I've seen a lot of them, mostly in Vegas, and it's always to me like someting isn't quite right. It's like a circus high on Stanley Kubrink. I don't know...plus I REALLY do not like clowns. But every one else loved it. Gelsey, of course, wanted popcorn. So I went to the lobby to get it and low and behold, even though our tickets were included in the plat plan, snacks there were not. I had to laugh at the teeny pocorn I got for $7.00 Not to mention the $5.00 Coke....I swear! I have the receipt! After Cirque we made our way back to the bus and back to the room to change before dinner...Hoop De Doo!
Gelsey was getting tired. It was going to be a late night since we were going to the 9:15 show. I knew it was too much but remember, I hadn't planned on actually going to Cirque!
I changed the girls and it was decided that we would cab over to FW.
We took a cab over to FW and walked to Pioneer Hall. I went to check in, ans as I waited I looked at our ticket for the first time. Table 12. We had always sat in the middle of the room. I had been hoping that Stephanie would be able to secure us something closer to the front. Table 12! I checked in and went back to the line to get in. They were a little late opening the doors but we were soon being led to our table. What? What's this? Table twelve was not in the middle. Table twelve is front and center and perfect! Way to go Stephanie!!!! It would have been absolutley perfect if not for one thing. Gelsey was asleep. . And she was not waking up. Even once she was out of the stroller she put her head down on the table and went right back to sleep. She slept through the whole show She slept through the WASHBOARDS! Oh well, the rest of us enjoyed it. No matter how many times I see it...it's still my favorite show!
Once the show was over there was a bus waiting nearby top go back to the GF. I held Gelsey in my seat and nearly dozed off myself. I honestly don't remember getting into bed that night, I was so tired!
some #
Cirque de Soliel cat 1 seats $475.00 included in platinum plan
Hoop De Doo cat 1 seats 5 platinum credits
Jeff and Remy woke early for another guided fishing tour. It turned out to be a much nicer day. Though it was cool, the sun was starting to come out. I just wanted it to stop raining tonight since we had tickets for the Christmas Party, and that was on of the few things I had to pay oop for as it was not included in the plat plan. MIL did not feel well when she woke up. Seemed a little stuffy. Jeff and Remy were out the door by 6:45, and it wasn't long after that Gelsey woke. She seemed pretty tired though. I was taking her and MIL to the My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party at 10:30. Remy had done this before but it was the first time for Gels and of course for MIL too. I went and got her a small plate from the lounge to pick at while getting dressed. I put her BBB 'do back together and got her into her dress. Then we headed down to the lobby to the Garden View Lounge where the tea is held. Gelsey had a wonderful time. Her favorite thing was making a new friend. I think she was just thrilled to play with someone who wasn't her sister! Lunch was fine but you know this isn't a place you go for the food, unless your coming to the regular tea! She and her friend were dancing around and having a blast!
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After the tea party we went back to the room and Jeff and Remy were back. Gelsey seemed very tired as did MIL. They decided to take a little nap so Jeff and I took Remy out to the Marina and rented a pontoon boat to sail around for awhile. We went all around and Remy just loved being out there. Remy especially liked sailing over to the wedding pavillion. She informed us that someday she will be getting married in WDW. We'll start saving for THAT now!
We kept the pontoon out for 75 minutes and had a blast> I was getting a little sleepy and needed a rest so we headed back to the room. Remy relaxed and played with her Disney figures and napped a little herself. At some point we took a little peek at the offerings in the lounge for tea but it was the tail end so there wasn't too much left. Scones, jams, marmalades, banana bread, an assortment of candies and cookies and the trifle.
I wanted to get over to our Dinner ADR as soon as the reastaurant opened. We were going to California Grill and then to the MVMM Christmas Party after so I wanted to get in and get out. This didn't mean I wanted to skimp on my meal. MIL was still not feeling well on the way to dinner. We checked in and took a brief walk out onto the observation deck. The girls thought that was pretty cool since we watched the sunset and the light coming on over in the MK. Our table was ready pretty quickly. I wasn't wild about our server. He just really had no personality and it sure wasn't worth asking him any questions about the menu since his reply was always "I heard it's good"
More great updates and pictures! Fishing looked COLD that morning! Love the girls in their princess outfits, and glad Gels had a great time at the tea party!
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It gave us a chance to really see all the details.
We got into bed ourselves and were quickly fast asleep!
We had the Pirate Cruise booked for her this morning and we were afraid it would be cancelled. I went down to the Concierge desk and chatted with Vonnie for awhile. She told me that the Marina should pull up our file and call us if the cruise is cancelled. She offered to check but I told her not to worry about it. I don't mention it much but everytime we passed that desk or ran into a concierge CM anywhere in the hotel they always addressed us by name and it was always "can we do anything for you Mrs. Stone?" The were so kind and solicitous. I told Vonnie I thought they were all just so wonderful but that I'm sure they hear that all the time. She told me I would be surprised to know they don't hear it often.
I guess people must take it for granted. I heapped the praise on because, truely, they deserve it! I then went to find my group and go to breakfast. We had ADRs at 1900 Park Fair. The food was good, though the Lobster Eggs Benedict is better at the Grand Floridian Cafe. I think it's just that it's really something that shouldn't sit on a steam table. I do enjoy that buffet though. The girls had a good time, Gelsey was especially pleased to meet Mary Poppins, one of her favorites. 
The girl at the marina told me she called us but there was nothing on our phone.
We went back to the room to formulate a plan and discovered there was no message there either. I don't really mind, but, if I had come from another hotel for this I would have been peeved.
about missing the cruise so I told her she could go pick something out at the M Mouse Mercantile store. She chose jewelry 
. I had to leave for my spa appointment so Jeff and the girls were just going to bum around until I was done. I headed over to the spa for my facial. MIL was having a massage and then going over to the Ivy Trellis Salon for a cut & color. She was coming out as I was heading in. My facial was a truly relaxing experience. 90 minutes long, I had a lovely back/arm massage as well. When I came out into the spa lobby Jeff and the girls were there. It was time for Jeff's treatment. I took the girls with me back to the main lobby. They wanted to go back into Basin White again
so I told her once Jeff was back from the spa we could go get water mice! I took them back to the room to get extra sweatshirts and they wanted a little snack in the CL. They loved the breadstick that they put out with the dips and such.
Earlier in the morning as we were passing through we saw Kelly Ripa and her kids having a little brakfast. She's just as cute in person and Teeny Tiny! I really wanted to say hello and tell her I was a fan, but being that she was with her kids I thought that would be terribly rude! I just smiled at her and she smiled back and we kept on going. Now, however, the lounge was empty. I let the girls sit down and snack a little and I had a little snack myself
We had them out for 50 minutes total and we were chilly when we came back. The girls wanted to go in the hot tub when we got back so that's what we did! I wanted to get them all showered up and hair washed anyway because they had an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique pretty soon.
By the time we came back form the hot tub, MIL was back. In the room we found a lovely picture of the hotel with a note about my making someones day magical and two little stuffed bears for the girls. It was from Vonnie! 
She enclosed a note saying she enjoyed our chat this morning and thanks for making HER day magical. I could not get over it! They did so many lovely things for us and she was literally thanking me for enjoying it! Whatever they pay these folks...it's no where near enough! 
It seemed to take a lot longer than I remembered and we still had to go get the pictures taken. I just knew we were going to be late for our 6pm Cirque de Soliel show.
I wasn't exactly looking forward to this and had planned on maybe not even going but MIL really likes it so we were trying to make it. Once they finished up we went for the pictures and then walked to Cirque. If I had walked to Ohio it wouldn't have felt further. We did finally make it about 10 minutes late. The girls absolutely loved it!!! Jeff thought the little chinese girls were the cutest thing her ever saw. I guess it was ok. I just don't "get" Cirque. I've seen a lot of them, mostly in Vegas, and it's always to me like someting isn't quite right. It's like a circus high on Stanley Kubrink. I don't know...plus I REALLY do not like clowns. 
But every one else loved it. Gelsey, of course, wanted popcorn. 
So I went to the lobby to get it and low and behold, even though our tickets were included in the plat plan, snacks there were not. I had to laugh at the teeny pocorn I got for $7.00 
Not to mention the $5.00 Coke....I swear! I have the receipt! After Cirque we made our way back to the bus and back to the room to change before dinner...Hoop De Doo!
It would have been absolutley perfect if not for one thing. Gelsey was asleep. 
Jeff and Remy were out the door by 6:45, and it wasn't long after that Gelsey woke. She seemed pretty tired though. I was taking her and MIL to the My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party at 10:30. Remy had done this before but it was the first time for Gels and of course for MIL too. I went and got her a small plate from the lounge to pick at while getting dressed. I put her BBB 'do back together and got her into her dress. Then we headed down to the lobby to the Garden View Lounge where the tea is held. Gelsey had a wonderful time. Her favorite thing was making a new friend. I think she was just thrilled to play with someone who wasn't her sister!
Susan
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