Twenty years and Life to Go (A Trip Report) - Page 2 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
Up before alarm again. Once again DD immediately slid over to my side of bed. Set out DH'S anniversary gift -- a Grand Floridian robe. Went to get b'fast while rest got ready. (Was too busy supervising meal distribution and kids' getting ready to snap food pictures for breakfast.) CM said adults got only one pint of milk on plan. Asked for bag to carry food back to room & was given two small bags which would not fit the plates. Supplemented meal with club service -- fruit for DH & me, banana bread & milk (because DS drank the pint meant for DH's for coffee)for DH, and an apple muffin for me. Once fed and dressed, we were off to Hollywood Studios.
Another long wait for bus. Transportation CM with clipboard at bus stop. When we arrived at the stop, arrival time for Studios bus was 8:53 a.m. By the time the partially filled bus arrived, it was 9:20 a.m. Rode standing up because no seats available. Had arranged a FP+ for TSMM. Barely made it. Played mixed doubles. Scores were me--129100 ds -- 82600 dh --156409 DD 78600.
Had time to kill before FP for Star tours.
Got waters on plan because DD "needed to hydrate" then she threw away almost half a bottle. Strolled Streets of American and found Mr. Gold's Pawnshop.
Think the name's wrong?
Saw the Muppets and snagged a couple of Photopass pics of the kids,
then it was time for FP. We toured Tatooine.
Went to commissary for lunch. Very crowded with a tour group. Boy a little younger than DD was having a major melt down, yelling about people (his family I guess) shouting in his face and "always erupting" him. Once we got our food and found a table (quite a hunt), things were a bit more peaceful.
Kids' Hamburger Meal with Applesauce & carrots
Bacon Cheeseburgers with fries (one without any vegetables)
Couscous, Quinoa, and Arugula Salad (plain -- I picked out the mushrooms & olives)
Chocolate Mousse
After lunch & potty stop for the girls, we split up. DH & DS went to Lights, Motors, Action on FP while DD & I went to Ariel. Line for Ariel was very long. We were seated on the very edge of the theater. DD enjoyed show. Cruised shops waiting on guys.
With the group back together, we grabbed a 4:15 FP+ for The Great Movie Ride then stopped at Min & Bills for chocolate shakes & frozen lemonade. To fill time until fp+ we went to One Man's Dream and hit a couple photo pass photographers then strolled to great movie for FP.
After that, browsed a few shops before strolling the long way to our ADR at Sci-Fi. Right after we checked in & settled on the bench, a summer Florida thunderstorm moved thru, and the waiting area became packed. Our shortest wait for a dinner ADR yet. Had a car on the front row.
DD was disappointed by lack of steering wheel.
Chicken Wings
Kids' Tomato Soup
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Onion Rings (had them delivered with my entree)
Smoked Turkey Sandwich (my entree)
Kids' Burger & Fries (guess she was in a mood for it that day)
Chicken Pasta
Flame-broiled New York Strip Steak
Kids' Sundae (again)
Oreo Shake
Out of This World Turtle Cheesecake
Warm Glazed Donut
DD loves getting her Driver's License
By the time we finished dinner, the rain was over. Headed back to the hotel so the kids could night swim. I stayed in, tidying the room and resting my feet while they swam. Lights out for me at 10:30 p.m., but then the swimmers walked in shortly after I had gotten comfortable.
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.
Happy Anniversary!!! Sounds like a fabulous day filled with a lot of great food
__________________
The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
[URL="http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-adventure-disney-world-trip-reports/288847-ch-ch-changes-ptr-july-16-24-a.html"]
Day 4 -- Epcot & Wishes: Things Start Going a Little South
Looking like rain early today. B'fast adr at Grand Floridan Cafe. A little late in arriving because DH slept thru alarm but seated immediately.
Waiting to order
DS didn't care for b'fast potatoes but everything else was yummy. I was really enjoying the hash when, about two-thirds of the way through, I found a mushroom(not listed in the menu description as I recall and not something I would expect in a hash). I finished most of it. As I explained to DH, mushrooms are more of a texture issue than a taste issue for me, and everything in the hash had about the same texture so I didn't notice the slimy things.
Lobster Hash -- WARNING: Here there be fungus!
Minnie's Grand Cake
American
Ham & cheese omelet (DS surprised me by order this instead of Steak & Eggs without the eggs)
Hopped on monorail to TTC. Held up twice for "routine maintenance" on trains ahead of us. At TTC, switched over to Epcot line. Again held up for "traffic clearance " but only long enough for the announcement to play. Construction walls were up behind bag check, but couldn't see what was going on as we left.
Construction at bag check (as seen from turnstiles)
Hit our first fp+ --test track.
DS & I designed our car for power and capability while deliberately minimizing efficiency. DD designed her & DH'S car for efficiency. The car i designed with DS placed third overall.
We strolled over to the seas for our fp+ with Crush. I forgot that you could skip the clam ride by entering thru the gift shop, so we did stand by which was about 20 minutes.
The conversation with Crush was cute. Crush asked the first kid where he was from, and the kid said here. The second child became speechless when her turn came,so crush turned to her mother. He asked her how many little ones she had. His jaw dropped when she said "six". "Don't have to worry about the humans going extinct" with this child's mother around, said Crush. We fish gazed a while, stopped at sunshine seasons for a snack, and snagged a photopass session before heading to our next FP --spaceship earth.
Snack Time -- Chocolate Mousse Cake, Brownie, and Apple Crunch
Inside Apple Crunch
All fps used and time before our ADR, we found a kiosk and added a fp for imagination that was going to open in 30 minutes. A quick stop at photo pass photographer and a bit of shopping at Mouse Gears (a trivia book for DS, and ear buds & travel hairbrush for dd). Also swung by Club Cool for DD to sample Beverly Soda (link to video: https://youtu.be/Sv5vBxjM8K0 ), and then it was time for our FP. Headed out of Club Cool, we were offered a chance to personalize a Coke can, but we turned it down. On our way to Imagination, I noticed the construction cranes. Maybe the Soarin' Expansion?
DD has nor yet learned that a well-timed exhale avoids the skunk smell. Let the kids play around in imagine works until time for adr. Checked in at Le Cellier, and we're seated shortly thereafter. Maybe linner (late lunch/early dinner combo) is the way to go for Disney vacation. Delicious food & prices made me appreciate Dining Plan, even at two credits each. Desserts were just the right size, but I don't like any green with my dessert except mint, and ,while all the stacking is pretty to look at, I shouldn't need an engineering degree to figure out how to eat my dessert.
Bread Basket
Maple Sea Salt Butter
Kids' Salad without tomatoes and cucumbers
Canandian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Baby Beets and Masumoto Peaches (I am so duplicating this at home)
Orecchiette Pasta without Cheese Sauce (only my DD would order pasta at a steakhouse)
Le Cellier Filet Mignon with Bleu Cheese Mashed Potatoes instead of risotto (DH was not in the mood for risotto)
Angus New York Strip (DS order the same thing only without the kale)
Kids' Chocolate Mousse (DS's choice -- DD ordered another Kids' Sundae, but I thought you might be tired of seeing those)
Maple Creme Brulee
Grapefruit Ginger Cake (the greens tasted like thyme, so I pushed them off the plate)
Tummies full, we headed back to the room to recharge our bodies, phones, and active links (dhs -- I charged mine yesterday). Camera was starting to get low, and I discovered that what I thought was the camera's charging cable (has a very distinctive input end) was actually a mini-USB (wouldn't work).
Monorail back to TTC
The kids grabbed Cokes from the lobby, and DS scored the best "Share A Coke" can of the trip.
Photobomb
Major thunderstorm rolled thru during nap. After naps and snacks from the lobby, headed to the dock to [fingers crossed ] catch the boat to MK. Monorail was down. One of the large Fort Wilderness boats came across from MK, loaded to the gills. Enough got off for us to get on. DD rode on my lap, and DH & DS rode to poly standing. When we stopped at poly, we took advantage of lull between offloading and on loading to fill our bench. DH continued to stand to MK. Thru bag check & gate to line for dessert party. Plenty of yummy treats.
A Little Bit of Everything Except. . .
Tiramisu (I can't stand the taste or smell of coffee)
DD, who had begged to do this, ate very little and did not want to watch the fireworks from the rail with us. Camera battery very low so took no pictures. Stopped at camera shop on way out to see if I could buy a charger for it. No luck. Waited in long line for boat back to hotel. Express monorail was running but resort line was still down. Hoped to check with concierge about a charger but they weren't in at our building when I rolled in
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.
You all are having very full fun-filled day with some delicious food, too. All your meals at Le Cellier looked very yummy. I wouldn't mind having that filet mignon this evening. I'm with you on Tiramisu or anything with coffee in it. Not a fan, though I do like the smell.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
You meals at Sci-Fi look so scrumptious. 
PassPorter Guide Author
Love your Sci-Fi meals!!
I'm goingto Disney World!!! 
I'm with you on Tiramisu or anything with coffee in it. Not a fan, though I do like the smell. 
Linear Mode
