An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 - Page 133 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
Stunning pics from WS! We got to see Voices of Liberty for the first time in January and the show gave me goosebumps! Glad to hear you had a great meal at VN. Looking forward to trying it next month.
Stunning pics from WS! We got to see Voices of Liberty for the first time in January and the show gave me goosebumps! Glad to hear you had a great meal at VN. Looking forward to trying it next month.
Finally caught up on your TR!! Thanks to your reports, my list of things we've yet to do keeps growing! Always enjoy reading your TR, seeing all the wonderful photos, hearing your dining reviews, and seeing all the great purchases you have made. Looking forward to the rest of the report!
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
I am getting better at being caught up, so I'm very happy.
I just paid my credit card off (hooray!!!), but I don't think there'll be a Disney World 2011 trip in my future.
I'm pushing for WDW during Thanksgiving personally because I haven't been down during that week since like 2001 or 2002 and I need to figure out what the crowds are like on those days during Thanksgiving week. As a bonus, my father's got a new job (in Pennsylvania... ouch) so my Thanksgiving is currently up in the air.
If I do get to go to WDW at that time, I will have to ADR my Thanksgiving morning special breakfast within a week of my finding out my plans for Thanksgiving, cause that's probably when I will hit my 180 day booking window for Thanksgiving Day.
I forgot to mention Voices of Liberty looks pretty cool. We have missed that in past trips but now that Epcot seems to be one of our family faves we will need to add that to the to to list!
Just catching up after being in the World last week. We stopped at the outpost as well and I bought one of the beaded necklaces in white. I love that the clasp is a magnet - so easy to get on and off! That's the necklace in my new sig picture!
We loved our dinner at Via Napoli too! We had the Carciofi signature pizza. It was a white pizza with artichokes, Pecorino, Mozzarella and Truffle oil. Mmmm!
I agree that the Voices of Liberty are not to be missed! They are so amazing! Too bad the show is only 15 minutes long! I have their CD as well. I haven't listened to it in a while though. I'm going to have to pull it out.
Still getting organized after being away, but one of these days I'll sit down and start getting my journal entries into TR form.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
There is a little shop in Nashville, TN that has those as well. I will have to remember to look for them when we go to WDW in November.
Where is the shop? We go shopping every now and then in Nashville.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
I just have to say that the CD I bought in the American Adventure gift shop of the Voices of Liberty is one of my favorite WDW souvies ever!
I didn't even think to look for a CD of their music, but I will be looking for sure next June.
Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
Finally caught up on your TR!! Thanks to your reports, my list of things we've yet to do keeps growing! Always enjoy reading your TR, seeing all the wonderful photos, hearing your dining reviews, and seeing all the great purchases you have made. Looking forward to the rest of the report!
Reading TRs is how I've learned about so many of the things we are getting around to doing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BJ Wanlund
I am getting better at being caught up, so I'm very happy.
I just paid my credit card off (hooray!!!), but I don't think there'll be a Disney World 2011 trip in my future.
I'm pushing for WDW during Thanksgiving personally because I haven't been down during that week since like 2001 or 2002 and I need to figure out what the crowds are like on those days during Thanksgiving week. As a bonus, my father's got a new job (in Pennsylvania... ouch) so my Thanksgiving is currently up in the air.
If I do get to go to WDW at that time, I will have to ADR my Thanksgiving morning special breakfast within a week of my finding out my plans for Thanksgiving, cause that's probably when I will hit my 180 day booking window for Thanksgiving Day.
BJ
Hope you get to go at Thanksgiving!
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
I forgot to mention Voices of Liberty looks pretty cool. We have missed that in past trips but now that Epcot seems to be one of our family faves we will need to add that to the to to list!
I believe your whole family would love hearing them.
Just catching up after being in the World last week. We stopped at the outpost as well and I bought one of the beaded necklaces in white. I love that the clasp is a magnet - so easy to get on and off! That's the necklace in my new sig picture!
We loved our dinner at Via Napoli too! We had the Carciofi signature pizza. It was a white pizza with artichokes, Pecorino, Mozzarella and Truffle oil. Mmmm!
I agree that the Voices of Liberty are not to be missed! They are so amazing! Too bad the show is only 15 minutes long! I have their CD as well. I haven't listened to it in a while though. I'm going to have to pull it out.
Still getting organized after being away, but one of these days I'll sit down and start getting my journal entries into TR form.
the necklace! Beautiful! Your pizza sounds very delicious!
WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
Up Next: Fulfilling a Meltdown Promise from Days Before
Thursday, June 16 Part 1
I was up by 8:50 but feeling sluggish. Luke’s iPhone went off in the iHome at 9:00 and all three of us began moving, at least slowly. We were ready by 10:15 and caught a bus to DownTown Disney where we got off at the Marketplace Entrance. When Stefanie had had her meltdown early in the trip about leaving DTD, we had promised her that we would be going back, so this was our first destination today.
Our first mission was to purchase a Christmas ornament from the Days of Christmas shop. I chose the Mickey and Minnie bride and groom perched on a ring to commemorate our 30th anniversary and new ring sets. No picture as this one is still all wrapped up for its protection until time to go on the Christmas tree in November.
Our second stop was the World of Memories store for a new coloring book for Stefanie. She usually buys a coloring book late in the trip for the trip back home. We also looked through the art shop beside it.
The third was the Fun Stop, but we did a very short browsing as we’d really already seen everything they had in stock at shops in the parks. Fourth was Pin Traders with the goal of getting Ann and Carly (and Stefanie) the Limited Edition Peter Pan pins. In addition, we got a brand new mystery stamp pack that had just come out that day plus a lanyard and 2 mystery pins.
From there it was off to Once Upon a Toy where we just looked, no buying. Then we did some more looking in Team Mickey. At Basin, I purchased Dr. Spot along with wooden soap dishes for me, my DSis June, and my hair dresser Tonya. Stefanie helped me chose a cute Mickey bar soap and wooden dish for our nail tech Shelly, too.
Our last stop was World of Disney. Luke found the perfect t-shirt for our niece Morgan here, a Phineas and Ferb “Brother for Sale . . . No offer too low.” She loved it by the way and gave me the biggest hug for understanding how pesky her little brother can be.
From World of Disney we walked to the West Side bus stop to catch a bus to Boardwalk in hopes of eating at Big River Grille. We had a bit of a wait for a bus, but finally we were picked up by a bus. We stopped at the Swan, Dolphin, and Yacht and Beach Club before arriving at Boardwalk Inn. Hiking from the bus stop, we arrived at Big River Grille and Brewery just before 2:00. We were seated immediately at a table with a waterview. Luke had a Kobe Burger with Kettle chips, I had a Big Brew Cheeseburger with fries, and Stefanie picked the kids cheeseburger with mashed potatoes. Stefanie’s also came with chocolate cake for dessert, which we all three shared. Very sweet and very chocolatey! Our server brought us Cokes to go, we paid, and were on our way. Sort of! I had forgotten my drink and had to run back inside to get it.
Back at the bus stop, I checked the Lines app to see which park might be our next destination. The plan was to return to AKLV to drop off our shopping bags and then go to a park for the evening. Finally, we decided on DHS and the opportunity for a second ride on Star Tours 2.0. We rode an AK bus to that park, walked across the way, and waited for an AKLV bus. Another bit of a wait before loaded on a bus to head home (temporarily).
Back at Kidani, we went to the lobby first to pay some of our room charges plus check on the DVC free souvenir ( luck on this as the DVC rep was nowhere to be found and no one knew where he was because he was supposed to be on duty). In the room we unpacked the packages and put all the goodies in suitcases. Just as we were about to leave, I noticed several, four to be exact, giraffes outside our balcony. I grabbed the camera and headed outside to photograph them.
I didn’t stay out too long as there was no shade this time on our balcony.
We trekked down the long, long hallway and out to the bus stops, but we were just seconds too late as the DHS bus pulled away as we reached its stop. So another bit of a wait. But we eventually made it to DHS.
Our first task in the park was to get Star Tours FastPasses, which we did easily. Then we walked to Voyage of the Little Mermaid, one of our favorites. The wait was about 10 – 15 minutes and then we were enjoying life under the sea.
Once we left Eric and Ariel, we wove our way back to Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular just as it was beginning. Luke found us seats on the far left about 3 rows from the top. We really got a neat view of some of the stunts and for the first time we saw the stunt actor/mechanic get chewed up by the propeller blades!
We still had some time before the Star Tours FPs were ready, so we found a pretzel kiosk and got a light supper – 2 pretzels, cheese sauce, and 2 Cokes.
We also found a shady bench perfect for dining. Then we were off to explore the universe via Star Tours 2.0. I was a bit disappointed initially as I was afraid that everything was going to be a repeat of our first ride, but then it changed entirely. Another great trip!
Our last task was to meet Woody and Buzz. The line was rather long, but the two families from New York kept us entertained with the antics of the 5 kids. Really great folks! Woody and Buzz were as sweet as always!
Then it was time to beat the Fantasmic crowd to the buses, but not before a couple of quick, shots by Luke.
This was the day of bus waits as we had a bit of a wait here, too, but a bus finally arrived and we were soon home. We stopped at Johari Treasures for another 2 liter and then it was back to the room.
Before bed, Stefanie and I repacked almost all her stuff. I started a load of laundry and finished today’s notes. Lights were out by 11:20.
Up Next: Fulfilling a Meltdown Promise from Days Before
Thursday, June 16 Part 1
I was up by 8:50 but feeling sluggish. Luke’s iPhone went off in the iHome at 9:00 and all three of us began moving, at least slowly. We were ready by 10:15 and caught a bus to DownTown Disney where we got off at the Marketplace Entrance. When Stefanie had had her meltdown early in the trip about leaving DTD, we had promised her that we would be going back, so this was our first destination today.
Our first mission was to purchase a Christmas ornament from the Days of Christmas shop. I chose the Mickey and Minnie bride and groom perched on a ring to commemorate our 30th anniversary and new ring sets. No picture as this one is still all wrapped up for its protection until time to go on the Christmas tree in November.
Our second stop was the World of Memories store for a new coloring book for Stefanie. She usually buys a coloring book late in the trip for the trip back home. We also looked through the art shop beside it.
The third was the Fun Stop, but we did a very short browsing as we’d really already seen everything they had in stock at shops in the parks. Fourth was Pin Traders with the goal of getting Ann and Carly (and Stefanie) the Limited Edition Peter Pan pins. In addition, we got a brand new mystery stamp pack that had just come out that day plus a lanyard and 2 mystery pins.
From there it was off to Once Upon a Toy where we just looked, no buying. Then we did some more looking in Team Mickey. At Basin, I purchased Dr. Spot along with wooden soap dishes for me, my DSis June, and my hair dresser Tonya. Stefanie helped me chose a cute Mickey bar soap and wooden dish for our nail tech Shelly, too.
Our last stop was World of Disney. Luke found the perfect t-shirt for our niece Morgan here, a Phineas and Ferb “Brother for Sale . . . No offer too low.” She loved it by the way and gave me the biggest hug for understanding how pesky her little brother can be.
From World of Disney we walked to the West Side bus stop to catch a bus to Boardwalk in hopes of eating at Big River Grille. We had a bit of a wait for a bus, but finally we were picked up by a bus. We stopped at the Swan, Dolphin, and Yacht and Beach Club before arriving at Boardwalk Inn. Hiking from the bus stop, we arrived at Big River Grille and Brewery just before 2:00. We were seated immediately at a table with a waterview. Luke had a Kobe Burger with Kettle chips, I had a Big Brew Cheeseburger with fries, and Stefanie picked the kids cheeseburger with mashed potatoes. Stefanie’s also came with chocolate cake for dessert, which we all three shared. Very sweet and very chocolatey! Our server brought us Cokes to go, we paid, and were on our way. Sort of! I had forgotten my drink and had to run back inside to get it.
Back at the bus stop, I checked the Lines app to see which park might be our next destination. The plan was to return to AKLV to drop off our shopping bags and then go to a park for the evening. Finally, we decided on DHS and the opportunity for a second ride on Star Tours 2.0. We rode an AK bus to that park, walked across the way, and waited for an AKLV bus. Another bit of a wait before loaded on a bus to head home (temporarily).
Back at Kidani, we went to the lobby first to pay some of our room charges plus check on the DVC free souvenir ( luck on this as the DVC rep was nowhere to be found and no one knew where he was because he was supposed to be on duty). In the room we unpacked the packages and put all the goodies in suitcases. Just as we were about to leave, I noticed several, four to be exact, giraffes outside our balcony. I grabbed the camera and headed outside to photograph them.
I didn’t stay out too long as there was no shade this time on our balcony.
We trekked down the long, long hallway and out to the bus stops, but we were just seconds too late as the DHS bus pulled away as we reached its stop. So another bit of a wait. But we eventually made it to DHS.
Our first task in the park was to get Star Tours FastPasses, which we did easily. Then we walked to Voyage of the Little Mermaid, one of our favorites. The wait was about 10 – 15 minutes and then we were enjoying life under the sea.
Once we left Eric and Ariel, we wove our way back to Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular just as it was beginning. Luke found us seats on the far left about 3 rows from the top. We really got a neat view of some of the stunts and for the first time we saw the stunt actor/mechanic get chewed up by the propeller blades!
We still had some time before the Star Tours FPs were ready, so we found a pretzel kiosk and got a light supper – 2 pretzels, cheese sauce, and 2 Cokes.
We also found a shady bench perfect for dining. Then we were off to explore the universe via Star Tours 2.0. I was a bit disappointed initially as I was afraid that everything was going to be a repeat of our first ride, but then it changed entirely. Another great trip!
Our last task was to meet Woody and Buzz. The line was rather long, but the two families from New York kept us entertained with the antics of the 5 kids. Really great folks! Woody and Buzz were as sweet as always!
Then it was time to beat the Fantasmic crowd to the buses, but not before a couple of quick, shots by Luke.
This was the day of bus waits as we had a bit of a wait here, too, but a bus finally arrived and we were soon home. We stopped at Johari Treasures for another 2 liter and then it was back to the room.
Before bed, Stefanie and I repacked almost all her stuff. I started a load of laundry and finished today’s notes. Lights were out by 11:20.
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
Deb
the necklace! Beautiful! Your pizza sounds very delicious! 
She loved it by the way and gave me the biggest hug for understanding how pesky her little brother can be. 
Linear Mode
