Sarilas' O-fficial Pre-Trip Report -1/2009 (a.k.a. Vacation, Take TWO!) - Page 18 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) > Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Register


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.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-11-2008, 10:57 AM   #256
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
It really is flying by... and I'm still organizing!
__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2008, 10:58 AM   #257
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
50 days till Disney! Too bad I can't really use my 50 day countdown calendar since we're now actually going to WDW on day 22! (Have I confused you yet?)

The trunk of Animal Kingdom’s Tree Of Life is an expansive 50 feet wide.
__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2008, 01:51 PM   #258
Colexis Mom
RED SOX NATION!!
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Colexis Mom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854

Post Thanks / Like
Thanks for all the trivia!!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAUG '16 - POFQ, APR '12 - POFQ, JUL '10 - DL, AUG '09 - DCL Western, AUG '08 - POFQ/BC, AUG '06 - AKL/BC/DisneyWonder/Poly, DEC '05 - AKL, APR '05 - AKL/BC, DEC '04 - AKL, MAY '04 - AKL/BC, MAY '03 - WL/BC, MAY '98 -offsite, MAY '94 - BC, AUG '85 - Poly, AUG '83 - Poly, AUG '81 - Poly, JUL '79 - World Inn, JUL '76 - World Inn
Colexis Mom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2008, 02:30 PM   #259
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
I email my DH with it every day, prepping him for the full on insanity that will be his first Disney experience! ...he has NO idea what he's in for...
__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2008, 04:59 PM   #260
DyanKJ130
Go Red Sox!! :D
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Legend
 
DyanKJ130's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451

Post Thanks / Like
__________________
Dyan PassPorter Guide: Disneyland Trip Reports, The Kitchen and The Library

My Countdown Counting down to: Bagman Days
Remembering Bill Myers: A great man; a true friend
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsPop December 2018, Contemporary September 2018, CSR/ASSports December 2017, OKW July 2017, Swan December 2016/January 2017, Pop September 2016, AKL July 2016, CSR December 2015, CSR BL July 2015, CSR/AKL February 2015, Swan December 2014, POR July 2014, WL CL September 2013, CSR BL July 2013, SSR December 2012, ASMo September/October 2012, CSR August 2011, SSR February 2010, CSR December 2008/January 2009, DLR (Dolphin's Cove Resort) February 2008, CBR September 2007, CSR August 2006, POR December 2005, WL June/July 2004, POR August 2002, Dixie Landings August 2000, Off-site February 1999, DLR March 1988, DLR March 1986, Golf Resort (now SOG) October 1979
DyanKJ130 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2008, 10:16 AM   #261
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
Okay, today is 49 days till Disney and let me just tell you, 49 was NOT an easy piece of trivia to fill in! That being said...

On December 12, 1949, Actor Bill Nighy - Davy Jones in the Disney feature Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - is born in Surrey, England.


Yep, that'll do it.
__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2008, 10:25 AM   #262
triddle67
Community Rank: Traveler
 
triddle67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 307

Post Thanks / Like
Lara, I think you should still use your calendar and maybe on day 22 when they lift the flap have is say you are going to WDW today or something like that. I don't know how you intend to surprise them, but maybe that would help. How exciting, I can't wait to hear more.
__________________
Trish
,
Me and the family Magic Kingdom New Years Eve
December 29, 2009-January 9th, 2010
My PassPorter Bookshelf <table width=100% height=75 border=0><tr><td style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/shelf24182.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/concierge/bookshelf.php?member=24182&name=triddle67' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=100% border=0></a></td></tr></table>
My Previous TripsNew Year 2010 WDW, Raised in Los Angeles, CA and have been to Disneyland many times,
triddle67 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2008, 10:49 AM   #263
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by triddle67 View Post
Lara, I think you should still use your calendar and maybe on day 22 when they lift the flap have is say you are going to WDW today or something like that. I don't know how you intend to surprise them, but maybe that would help. How exciting, I can't wait to hear more.
That's actually exactly what I did! I wrote "Surprise! We're going to WDW tomorrow!" under day 22 (I guess it's the 23rd day we're leaving on! LOL) and then taped it down really well so nobody can peek. My 1 year old keeps ripping the Mickey heads off anyway so nobody's noticed that #22 seems to be REALLY well taped down yet...

It's such a weird time to be planning a trip to WDW, during the holidays- it's hard to find time to do what needs to be done in the midst of presents and family obligations!

Note to self: Next time go BEFORE or well after Christmas!
__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2008, 12:27 PM   #264
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
Actress June Foray provided the voice of Grandmother Fa in Mulan 48 years after providing the voice Lucifer the Cat in Cinderella

Alright come on, that was an original one!

I hope everyone's having a nice Saturday! My DH is out tutoring a friend in Photoshop so I'm all by my lonesome this morning. Or as by your lonesome as one can be with four kids!

I've got an ADR update I'm working on (you KNOW how I like my visuals) and I want to show you the daily cards I'm sending to my phone rather than carrying physical cards with me each day- it's good to have one of these new fangangled phones I tell ya!
__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2008, 04:18 PM   #265
DyanKJ130
Go Red Sox!! :D
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Legend
 
DyanKJ130's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451

Post Thanks / Like
__________________
Dyan PassPorter Guide: Disneyland Trip Reports, The Kitchen and The Library

My Countdown Counting down to: Bagman Days
Remembering Bill Myers: A great man; a true friend
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsPop December 2018, Contemporary September 2018, CSR/ASSports December 2017, OKW July 2017, Swan December 2016/January 2017, Pop September 2016, AKL July 2016, CSR December 2015, CSR BL July 2015, CSR/AKL February 2015, Swan December 2014, POR July 2014, WL CL September 2013, CSR BL July 2013, SSR December 2012, ASMo September/October 2012, CSR August 2011, SSR February 2010, CSR December 2008/January 2009, DLR (Dolphin's Cove Resort) February 2008, CBR September 2007, CSR August 2006, POR December 2005, WL June/July 2004, POR August 2002, Dixie Landings August 2000, Off-site February 1999, DLR March 1988, DLR March 1986, Golf Resort (now SOG) October 1979
DyanKJ130 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2008, 03:36 PM   #266
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
Walt Disney purchased over 47 square miles of land to build Disney World in after being frustrated at the inability to keep cheap motels, neon signs, and tourist-trap gift shops out of view of his guests at Disneyland.

Yeah, that IS a problem with Disneyland.

And I'm still working on that update for you all- I've got Cherry Pecan Bread in the oven and banana bread ready to go in- I'm working on my updates in between holiday baking!
__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2008, 09:45 PM   #267
DyanKJ130
Go Red Sox!! :D
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Legend
 
DyanKJ130's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451

Post Thanks / Like
__________________
Dyan PassPorter Guide: Disneyland Trip Reports, The Kitchen and The Library

My Countdown Counting down to: Bagman Days
Remembering Bill Myers: A great man; a true friend
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsPop December 2018, Contemporary September 2018, CSR/ASSports December 2017, OKW July 2017, Swan December 2016/January 2017, Pop September 2016, AKL July 2016, CSR December 2015, CSR BL July 2015, CSR/AKL February 2015, Swan December 2014, POR July 2014, WL CL September 2013, CSR BL July 2013, SSR December 2012, ASMo September/October 2012, CSR August 2011, SSR February 2010, CSR December 2008/January 2009, DLR (Dolphin's Cove Resort) February 2008, CBR September 2007, CSR August 2006, POR December 2005, WL June/July 2004, POR August 2002, Dixie Landings August 2000, Off-site February 1999, DLR March 1988, DLR March 1986, Golf Resort (now SOG) October 1979
DyanKJ130 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2008, 10:02 AM   #268
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
Approximately 46 million tourists visit the Disney World theme parks annually.

And Dyan, I LOVE the pic in your siggy with the Mad Hatter!
__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2008, 10:20 AM   #269
mcc0313
Community Rank: Legend
 
mcc0313's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 16,622

Post Thanks / Like
I just am loving the trivia, and what a great bunch of surprises for the kids
Looking forward to seeing your ADR update...(by the way I the gingerbread houses).
__________________
Meg

My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsBWV & POLY 8/15, OKW 2/15, BWI 11/14, AKV & BCV 8/14, CSR 10/13, OKW & AKV 8/13, AKV & BLT 7/12, AKV & BWV 8/11, BCV 2/11, POR & BWV 8/10, POR 8/09, POR 12/08, ASMo 6/08, POR 5/06, WDW 10/83
mcc0313 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2008, 09:45 PM   #270
Sarilas
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Sarilas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 243

Post Thanks / Like
So, after much delay I FINALLY have an actual update for everyone! I know, cue the shocked looks now! :lmao:

We've been having power fluctuations all day so if my power goes out while I'm typing this I might loose my noggin. You've been warned.

First of all there are new ADR's to speak of! When I last left you there were some serious gaps in our dining plan. Well no longer! NOW we have a complete schedule and everyone is happy- and it only took 6 months and a bazillion changes to get that way!

Here's a breakdown of our schedule with our dining plans for the day- I uploaded this to my phone along with individual daily plans and ADR #s! It works GREAT. No index cards, no pieces of paper to lose... just my phone to keep track of!


January 30 - I'm not sure what time we'll arrive in Orlando (hopefully plane tickets will be purchased this weekend!) so lunch is a questionmark of where we'll be. Dinner will either be Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express, depending on what catches our fancy when we get there!


January 31 - AK day! We'll have lunch at either Yak & Yeti QS or Pizzafari (DH is not a fan of BBQ), and probably head back to POR for a break- this is questionable as it IS day 1 and it IS a short day for us- the park closes at 5 and we have reservations at Boatwrights back at POR at 5:30... who knows, we may try to hack it out the whole day!


February 1 - MK day! We'll get there early for ropedrop (the early night before should help) and have lunch at Crystal Palace. Then we will DEFINITELY head back to POR for naps and general chilling out, as we'll be heading back to MK for dinner at Tony's and a night of EMH!


February 2 - Epcot day! We'll do our darndest to make it to ropedrop at Future World, but if not it's no biggie- we're planning on multiple days here. Everyone wants to grab lunch at various QS places throughout World Showcase, so that's just what we'll do. Then we'll probably head back to POR for naps and restage, and back to World Showcase for dinner at Le Cellier (tonight is a late dinner so everyone can get really GOOD naps this day to catch up on lack of sleep).


February 3 - DHS day! Today we'll try for ropedrop again (we'll see!) and grab lunch at a yet to be determined QS location inside the park. (Your input here would be greatly appreciated- I haven't heard fabu things about DHS eateries!) We'll determine needs for naps (lord knows the little ones may just crash in their strollers if the big kids are having a good time) and head over to SPOODLES for dinner! I'm really excited to try this one! There's a boat to Boardwalk from DHS, is that right?! I'm dying to check out the Boardwalk!


February 4 - Today our second MK day! We'll shoot for ropedrop again and today... TODAY we have lunch with Cinderella in the castle! Talk about a bunch of excited little girls! (And one big one!) Then we'll grab naps at POR and head back to MK till our late dinner at Chef Mickey's! (Where I plan on my husband falling in love with the Contemporary so we can stay there next time!) :rolleyes1


February 5 - This could be the beginning of our park hopping days. We have no need for it the first few days but IF we end up falling in love with AK and/or DHS we may squeeze park hopping in here on the second half of our trip! But as it is planned for now, we'll quite possibly take the chance to sleep in before heading over to Epcot. We'll grab a QS lunch from wherever the heck we wish, probably go back to POR for more sleep and then head back for dinner at Tokyo Dining! Everyone's looking forward to this one for sure (the thought of sushi has the men in my family drooling out the corner of their mouths).


February 6 - Scheduled at MK, we'll see if everyone's rejuvenated enough to make it to ropedrop or not! We'll grab lunch at a QS location, take our usual break at POR and head back to grab the monorail for dinner at 1900 Park Fare! YES! Finally I will see Anastasia meet Anastasia! :rotfl:


February 7 - Our last full day at WDW. Sigh. We'll do our darndest to make Future World as it opens, grab lunch at World Showcase again (the kids would eat at all 11 countries for lunch if they could) and then head back to POR for our break. Then we'll return to World Showcase for dinner at San Angel Inn, which we're all looking forward to! Both for the ambiance AND the menu- we love authentic Mexican food (we like Tex Mex too but LOVE the real stuff) and are looking forward to the new menu here!


February 8 - Check out day. Sigh again. This day is kind of up in the air until I get our plane tickets- IF I can get us tickets on a late flight we may get another park ticket for this morning and afternoon! If I understand correctly we can pack up, leave our luggage at bell services and go into the parks before returning to the resort to catch the bus, is that right?! 'Cause that'd be AWESOME! :woohoo: But we'll grab a QS lunch from the hotel or a park or wherever we happen to be that day for sure.


And here's my calendar of what we're doing each day, at a glance- this helps a ton when I'm trying to remember where we are and when!


Coming soon... Park bags and park shoes and trinkets, oh my!



__________________
My Previous TripsGrew up in Orange County, CA - been to Disneyland more times than I can count!
Sarilas is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:44 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger