Southern Fried in Mickey's World Updated 12/31 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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.
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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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We visited the Rafiki's Planet Watch also in October since we knew they would be closing it either for good or temporarily but the Rainforest Listening Rooms, which we love, were already closed. They said that the Conservation Center had been struck by lightening a couple weeks before in a storm and it knocked the power out and since they were closing this area down anyway, they just never fixed them. We were hoping to enjoy them one more time but it was not meant to be. I know a lot of people didn't visit this area but it was must do for us almost every trip! I never noticed that you could see the lion's rock area from the train!!! You are such a great observer.
Ah, your photos from the Wildlife Express is just making me so sad that they're closing Rafiki's Planet Watch. I completely get why, as we're just as guilty as other visitors of not going there very often, but it is a unique place all the same and I will miss it.
I love that train ride on the way and back from and to Planet watch. Such a relaxing ride and there is so much you see and always good to keep your eyes open. As you mentioned, I love how you can see some of the backstage areas during the ride.
Kind of a little bonus to get a backstage view, even when you are not on a tour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
I never realized that you could see lion’s rock from the train! Cool!
Nice ride out and back, and a good decision to stay on the train!
This was the first time Luke and I noticed the rocks. I think we were hyper-observant, knowing it might be our last ride.
Love all your train pictures. And it’s all those details that make us keep going back - and taking pictures!
Thanks! You are exactly right! The details make WDW so much fun and photogenic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
We visited the Rafiki's Planet Watch also in October since we knew they would be closing it either for good or temporarily but the Rainforest Listening Rooms, which we love, were already closed. They said that the Conservation Center had been struck by lightening a couple weeks before in a storm and it knocked the power out and since they were closing this area down anyway, they just never fixed them. We were hoping to enjoy them one more time but it was not meant to be. I know a lot of people didn't visit this area but it was must do for us almost every trip! I never noticed that you could see the lion's rock area from the train!!! You are such a great observer.
I am so sorry that the Rainforest Listening Room was already closed. I think Luke and I are both observant, but we had never seen the rocks until this last trip on the train.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Gorgeous photos of those cute Tamarin monkeys!
Ah, your photos from the Wildlife Express is just making me so sad that they're closing Rafiki's Planet Watch. I completely get why, as we're just as guilty as other visitors of not going there very often, but it is a unique place all the same and I will miss it.
I love those little tamarins! We were guilty of not visiting RPW every trip, but it is so sad to see it close.
Back in Harambe proper, we walked into the marketplace area where I love all the little details that make this seem like an authentic African village.
We were headed toward the pathway that connects Africa to Asia and wanders behind the Tree of Life. I just love the Tree of Life from every angle.
Luke was ready for a ride on Expedition Everest, but I had to stop for a moment to enjoy the Siamang apes. They were quite active on this hot day, which surprised me.
While Luke rode Expedition Everest, I sat on a rock wall in the shade, checking e-mail.
On our way out of Asia, we noticed a PhotoPass photographer taking photos with Everest in the background. Since her line was short, we stopped. The photos again have way too much light in them.
As we crossed the bridge, I pointed out to Luke some new construction that I had read about on Disney Food Blog. Of course, I took a photo myself along with one in the opposite direction.
Coming out near It’s Tough to Be a Bug, Luke pointed out these creepy light fixtures. How I never noticed the spiders on these is beyond me. I do not like spiders one bit.
Since we were on our way out of the park, we decided to check Discovery Trading Company for a few things. I love the décor in here, especially with the addition of some fall items.
Luke found a cool Mickey Mouse football type t-shirt that shrunk in the wash. We also picked up a set of Minnie Mouse dishtowels to go along with the spatulas for Luke’s mom and a reusable Animal Kingdom bag for shopping back at home. I actually carried everything to the bus in our new bag. PS -- We tried a method of stretching shrunken shirts today.
Hopefully, when it tries it will have an inch or two back.
Once back at Kidani, we stopped at Johari Treasures to pick up some packages before heading to our room. Luke chose to take a nap. I reclined on the bed, but rather than a nap, I worked on notes.
Around 5:00 PM we headed down to Sanaa for our dinner reservation. After giving them my cell number, so they could text when a table was ready, we headed out to the overlook. I immediately saw giraffes and managed a few photos before my phone notified me that a text had arrived from Sanaa.
Our server Nick was from the Jersey Channel Islands and such an attentive young man. He first two our drink and bread service orders, an Iron Horse Fairytale Cuvee for me and a Coke Zero for Luke. We got the three naans (garlic, traditional, and spiced) plus all 9 accompaniments. Nick was back quickly with our drinks and as I sat my wine glass down, Luke noticed a hidden Mickey on the table top.
Before Nick left again, we gave him our entrée orders. I wanted my usual Potjie Inspired butter chicken with basmati rice, but I told him initially that I did not want the third item as I had tried all but one of the options and didn’t like any of them. Nick told me the best choice from the Harvest dishes was the Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables. In the end, I agreed to go with that option. Luke also went with his usual Potjie Inspired spicy Durban chicken with basmati rice and then decided to try the lentil dhal.
Before the bread service arrived, I attempted using my phone to get a few photos of the giraffes on the savanna just outside the restaurant windows, but unfortunately all of them were very blurry. We both tried to pace ourselves by not eating so much of the bread service that we didn’t have anything left for the entrees. And this was the first time that I finished every bit of my butter chicken. Delish!
As he cleared our dishes away, Nick asked if we wanted dessert, but he simply would not take no for an answer. He handed us a dessert menu, telling us to look over it and he’d be back. When he got back, I asked him about the Spice Trade Candy Bar made of coconut, apricot, caramel, pistachio, cashew bar coated with milk chocolate, topped with chai cream, pistachio crumb, and apricot gelee. I remember him asking if we liked a particular American candy bar, which slips my mind right now, and when we responded yes, he placed our order. It was delicious! Nick was awesome, so he got a little extra tip. And we both left a little too full afterwards.
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Sounds like the perfect dinner with a wonderful server!
Love all your photos. Isn't it great the way we all spot new things on every Disney visit? I think it's one of the things that keeps us all going back.
Quite a nice meal at Sanaa and Nick was such a great server! Some nice shopping in the AK but too bad about Luke's shirt!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Dinner sounds so good!
Sorry about Luke’s shirt. Hope your unshrinking was successful.
I think the unshrinking added several inches, but he hasn't tried it back on so we'll see.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Sounds like the perfect dinner with a wonderful server!
Love all your photos. Isn't it great the way we all spot new things on every Disney visit? I think it's one of the things that keeps us all going back.
The little details that pop up on each trip do keep us going back.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Quite a nice meal at Sanaa and Nick was such a great server! Some nice shopping in the AK but too bad about Luke's shirt!
I think we may have improved Luke's shirt. I was so disappointed when I discovered I had thrown it into the dryer. My plan had been to hang it to dry, and I will from now on.
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They said that the Conservation Center had been struck by lightening a couple weeks before in a storm and it knocked the power out and since they were closing this area down anyway, they just never fixed them. We were hoping to enjoy them one more time but it was not meant to be. I know a lot of people didn't visit this area but it was must do for us almost every trip! I never noticed that you could see the lion's rock area from the train!!! You are such a great observer.
PassPorter Guide Author
Such a relaxing ride and there is so much you see and always good to keep your eyes open. As you mentioned, I love how you can see some of the backstage areas during the ride. 
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