My Very "Meety" Christmas Party - COMPLETED!! 12/15/10 - Page 18 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
I must take this opportunity to give a big Thank you to Judi (lukeandbrookesmom) and to Sandy N and everybody at Instant Impressions Travel. That was an AWESOME meet!
Here is Sheri (the stinker) with me and Judi!
It was so great meeting you Cindy. I am only sorry next year's dates don't work for you to join us. I was on with the event team this morning and next year will be even more magical.
I must take this opportunity to give a big Thank you to Judi (lukeandbrookesmom) and to Sandy N and everybody at Instant Impressions Travel. That was an AWESOME meet!
You are soooo welcome Cindy!! We had so much fun at all the events, but I think this was my favorite as well Only 12 months until the next events I'm glad you had such a magical time!!!!
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.
Sorry to interrupt the story line, dear readers, but when I get a package at work from WDW, I just have to immediately share.
I like to get my "buying" out of the way immediately at WDW, so during Tuesday's warm afternoon at Epcot, I went into the Art of Disney store. Found a really cute Halloween piece by Jim Shore that was marked down to half price -- to see that, go to the final page of my "3 Amigas? Not So Scary! TR" (link below my signature).
I stood in front of a locked glass case for quite awhile, admiring Mickey and his pals in various Christmas poses. They were all so cute -- how to decide which ones to purchase
Then I noticed the prices -- they ranged from $10-$14 apiece. I startled the CM when I said, "I want them all!" All? "YES," I said firmly. "And we'll just ship all of those to my office along with the Halloween piece." So my "souvenir" buying was officially done for this trip.
I have a round white table in my office that is a perfect place to display these little pieces. (Of course, my coworker/friend Kathy had to "approve" before she'd let me "junk" up my office with "more Disney crud" -- but since they're so small, and I promised to feed and water them and she wouldn't have to walk Pluto or anything, she said I could keep 'em here at work!
I mean, seriously -- how could I have broken up that set?
Now, this isn't a "collectible," but I wanted to show the cool backpack that MEI-Mouse Fan Travel provided to every member of the WDW Today/Reunion 2010 group. My red water bottle looks in the side pocket. As you can see, I'm still using my backpack -- it makes me smile every time I look at it. Thank you, Beci Mahnken, and everybody at Mouse Fan Travel: www.mousefantravel.com/mft/index.php
I just had to share this pic of Sheri -- somehow, she looks "right" next to this sign at TSMM, doesn't she?
Then I persuaded Sheri to join me on my very favorite attraction of them all! Looks like they're doing some major work to the front facade -- well, you know that building has never been quite "right" ever since that lightning storm back in '39.
I love how each park has its own Christmas theming. For "the Hollywood that never was," I think these decorations are perfect:
Now, I noticed that some of my "ear lights" had stopped working sometime during the Toy Story breakfast, and one of the other guests said I should return the hat and get a new one. Great idea! Now, do I have time to catch the bus back to WL, find my receipt, go to the Mercantile and swap out for a brand new Goofy Santa hat -- and still make it to Epcot in time for my 1:00 lunch with the Reunion folks? Well, you know I had to try!
But of course I took just a few seconds to get this of the ole Goof at DHS -- and it's a good thing I did, because I never found time to wait in line to get my photo taken with him there. NEXT time, right?
I forgot to mention that early that morning, in addition to leaving the homemade note, envelope, and $10 for Mousekeeping, I also wrote a personal message to Betzaida to thank her for the towel llama.
So now, when I got back to my room I found it had already been made up -- and I found this little guy on my bed:
Along with this note:
There were Mousekeeping carts in the hallway, and I felt I simply HAD to meet Betzaida if at all possible, so I went outside and started calling, "Betzaida?" Another Mousekeeper came out to the hallway and said Betzaida was down on the 4th floor and would I like her to be called to the 5th floor? "YES, PLEASE. Tell her it's Cindy in 5048."
The minute Betzaida appeared, we hugged each other and then got this pic:
She was almost in tears, thanking me for the money and for my notes. I said, "I'll be here until Sunday!" and she regretfully replied that she wouldn't be working again until Monday. We wished each other a Merry Christmas, hugged again, and went our separate ways. Magical Moment #2!
I found my receipt (which was in an envelope stuffed quite full of receipts -- gee, had I really spent that much money ALREADY? ), went downstairs to the Mercantile, and they swapped out my hat. Great, now I had on a hat that didn't contain all my sweat from Tuesday!
Of course, by the time I got to Epcot and ran all the way to the Wonders of Life Pavilion, it was almost 1:30 -- I was 30 MINUTES LATE for the lunch meet. But Sandy had kindly saved me a seat at her table, and the Cast Members brought out my veggie wrap which was quite yummy and fresh-tasting, so I tried to quietly eat while taking in all the little speeches etc. by all the cool Disney gods: Len Testa (Touring Plans), Beci Mahnken & Annette Owens (Mouse Fan Travel), Mike Scopa (All Ears), Steve Barrett (Hidden Mickeys), Mike Newell (MouseWorld Radio), Matt Hochberg (StudiosCentral.com and other e-newsletters), and more!
Sandy listens to all the WDW Today podcasts, and she was absolutely starstruck. I got some pics of her with her Disney heroes:
Here she is with Len Testa:
And since I'm such a Touring Plans/Unofficial Guide to WDW fan, I got my pic taken with Len also!
After the lunch meet, we had a bit of free time until our 4:00 Skagway Alaska Reunion meet at Spaceship Earth. (Sorry, if I explain it to you I'll have to kill you...)
Sandy asked if I'd ever done "pick a pearl" and when I said I hadn't, she suggested heading over to Japan to do that. It was a gorgeous afternoon to stroll around the world.
Sandy and I each chose an oyster and then watched, spellbound, as our pearls were revealed.
Then it was time to celebrate our pearls!
That was fun -- and I highly recommend stopping by to watch, even if you don't want to buy a pearl. The Cast Members are so enthusiastic, you just have to smile.
We were tired and wanted to sit down, but knew we didn't have time to watch the American Adventure, so I suggested strolling to Germany to purchase some goodies for later.
We stopped by the little train and saw the village had been decorated for the holidays.
The line at Germany's Caramel & Chocolate Shoppe was w-a-a-a-y too long, and we suddenly realized we had about 15 minutes to hightail it over to Spaceship Earth. That "jog" gave us both a greater appreciation for the size and scope of Epcot!
Then we helped form our own l-o-o-o-ng line at Spaceship Earth as most of the Reunioneers went through the attraction together.
I hooked up with Nora (she's pretty new to the PP boards, so please help welcome her -- and I love her PP name, which is Goofynora ). When we got to the top and were asked to answer questions, I suggested taking turns -- so Nora answered the first question, I answered the second, and so on. That turned out really cool, because we both ended up seeing a "future" we'd never seen before!
Nora likes traveling solo, so she bid "farewell-for-now" and said she'd see us at the Fish & Chips meet a bit later.
I'm pretty proud of this photo. What a lovely, lovely day.
Once again, the sun started going down pretty fast, and it was time for our Fish & Chips meet. We ate standing up, behind the UK pavilion and down by the water. Needless to say, I have no photos of this event! But the Cast Members kept delivering huge portions of fish & chips and soft drinks. It was , and the entire tab was picked up by Touring Plans. Thank you, Len Testa and everyone at Walt Disney World Crowds and Travel Planning | TouringPlans.com !
While at the Fish & Chips meet, Sandy I got to talking with a couple of Brits: Michael and his mum Erica along with a young American woman named Kaleigh. Afterwards, someone suggested walking to Mexico for a which sounded like a great way to get off our feet and warm up for a bit before our big outdoor dessert party. The bar was fairly crowded, but Sandy and Michael and Kaleigh and I grabbed a table and started getting to know each other. It's such fun, making new friends and hearing about each other's Disney passions.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Susan
PassPorter Guide Author
It looks like you had a blast with Bullseye! 
I'm glad you had such a magical time!!!!
in the side pocket. As you can see, I'm still using my backpack -- it makes me smile every time I look at it. Thank you, Beci Mahnken, and everybody at Mouse Fan Travel: www.mousefantravel.com/mft/index.php
of the ole Goof at DHS -- and it's a good thing I did, because I never found time to wait in line to get my photo taken with him there. NEXT time, right? 
But Sandy had kindly saved me a seat at her table, and the Cast Members brought out my veggie wrap which was quite yummy and fresh-tasting, so I tried to quietly eat while taking in all the little speeches etc. by all the cool Disney gods: Len Testa (Touring Plans), Beci Mahnken & Annette Owens (Mouse Fan Travel), Mike Scopa (All Ears), Steve Barrett (Hidden Mickeys), Mike Newell (MouseWorld Radio), Matt Hochberg (StudiosCentral.com and other e-newsletters), and more! 
which sounded like a great way to get off our feet and warm up for a bit before our big outdoor dessert party. The bar was fairly crowded, but Sandy and Michael and Kaleigh and I grabbed a table and started getting to know each other. It's such fun, making new friends and hearing about each other's Disney passions. 
Linear Mode
