TR: Thingamabobs, Zebra & Giraffes, Oh My! Completed 3/25/15 - Page 22 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
What a great day! Glad Scott enjoyed his tour, and you guys had a great time in Epcot followed by a great dinner at FFC! Glad you were able to meet up with old friends at DHS!
Beautiful photos from all over!! I like that cozy back room at Flying Fish. Much less noisy back there. How fun to get to see your friend's child dancing at DHS! I once got to see a good friend's daughter perform in MK and it was really memorable.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World Its 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.
What a great day! I don't know how Scott got up so early for that tour after your late night. He doesn't look the slightest bit tired in the pics either! Dinner at Flying Fish looked delish, I'm adding that to my list of places to try
I love the bowls you and Emily made and i can't wait to see them finished! I can't believe you guys have been going all day and had the energy to stay out until 2 AM! Your dinner at Sanaa looks delicious and your late night MK adventures sound so fun!
Tara
P.S. I know I still have more to read, but this post deserved it's own response!
All caught up again - it took a bit of doing! Wonderful updates and I have to say the view from your safari in the rain reminded me of the view today our on the savannah from our room at Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Ok,all caught up, now! Scott's tour looks really cool and how fun to spend more girl time with Emily!. Your morning at Epcot sounds like great fun and I love that you finally came back and relaxed a bit again! I the Flying Fish Cafe! We are going back there in July as we haven't been for a while and I can't wait! What a nice night at HS as well! You guys are like energizer bunnies!
What a great day at Epcot! I love the little Mickeys in the ice cream
I thought that was a cute touch too!
You guys really know how to pack stuff into the day. We enjoyed Wandering Oakens too. I just noticed your camera strap has Tinkerbell, I love it! Is it custom made?
Okay....I'm finally all caught up! First of all let me say that even though I just got back from WDW, I feel I need to back...now...as I want to do all the fun things you did (but will have to be put on next year's to-do list).
-I love the both the tours you guys did- all the pictures & info. How to arrive early at the parks...great guide & breakfast at AK.
-Nathan & I got stuck (and rescued) on our very first Expedition Everext ride in '08. I thought it was cool....he thinks I'm crazy!
- I love all of your food photos! The food is always a favorite part of the trip for us and seeing what others choose, gives me ideas when planning our ADRs.
- the rainy safari pictures! What a cool experience!
- I also your quiet balcony time....I'm sure you enjoyed that view!
-Great report & awesome photos!!
That was quite something to experience KS in the pouring rain and those photos of the elephants in the water are priceless! Quite a day at the MK and especially being rescued on SM!
Your meals at Sanaa and FF looked so good. I've dined at both and love the two of them. Sanaa has become a new favorite over the past few years. I too like Cam love the short ribs there!
Glad Scott enjoyed his train tour and that all of you enjoyed your time at DHS and Epcot and got to experience a lot!
__________________
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!
I REALLY want to eat at Flying Fish! Everything always looks so good!!
Fun night at DHS.
I'm so excited for you about the floor going in!!! Looking forward to pictures later on.
Thanks! Dinner there was fantastic!! Great first experience for us!
The floor.........about half way done............and of course now it is snowing pretty hard, so Scott is out plowing
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Just catching up. The pottery painting looks like a lot of fun! I never knew they did that at AKL. Dinner looked delicious. I can't believe you had to be rescued from Space Mt. That reminded me of the time we had to be rescued from Dinosaur!
After seeing your pictures of the caramel popcorn, I could really use some of that right now. It is so delicious
Thanks! I could seriously go for some of that caramel popcorn now too
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
What a great day! Glad Scott enjoyed his tour, and you guys had a great time in Epcot followed by a great dinner at FFC! Glad you were able to meet up with old friends at DHS!
Thanks! It is quite funny that you never see friends locally - but go to WDW and spend a whole evening with them!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Beautiful photos from all over!! I like that cozy back room at Flying Fish. Much less noisy back there. How fun to get to see your friend's child dancing at DHS! I once got to see a good friend's daughter perform in MK and it was really memorable.
Thanks! Our dinner was perfect - especially for the first experience there
Of course, I would absolutely LOVE to witness Emily dancing at MK someday
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Whew - only 20 miles walked You deserved another adult beverage, given all that exercise!
Thanks! I like your justification!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
What a great day! I don't know how Scott got up so early for that tour after your late night. He doesn't look the slightest bit tired in the pics either! Dinner at Flying Fish looked delish, I'm adding that to my list of places to try
Thanks! I don't know how he did it either - but he did good! That dinner was amazing!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
the pool at Kidani. Dinner at Flying Fish looked incredible and you still got quite a bit of fun in at DHS.
Thanks! It was fantastic!
__________________
Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
I love the bowls you and Emily made and i can't wait to see them finished! I can't believe you guys have been going all day and had the energy to stay out until 2 AM! Your dinner at Sanaa looks delicious and your late night MK adventures sound so fun!
Tara
P.S. I know I still have more to read, but this post deserved it's own response!
Thanks! It was quite the long day! But the excitement kept us going!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
All caught up again - it took a bit of doing! Wonderful updates and I have to say the view from your safari in the rain reminded me of the view today our on the savannah from our room at Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Thanks! I guess if we have to deal with rain in Disney- a balcony at AKL is a perfect spot to be!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
Ok,all caught up, now! Scott's tour looks really cool and how fun to spend more girl time with Emily!. Your morning at Epcot sounds like great fun and I love that you finally came back and relaxed a bit again! I the Flying Fish Cafe! We are going back there in July as we haven't been for a while and I can't wait! What a nice night at HS as well! You guys are like energizer bunnies!
Tara
Thanks! Dinner was fantastic! We make sure to take breaks to allow for those late nights
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
What a great day at Epcot! I love the little Mickeys in the ice cream
Thanks! Aren't they cute!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
You guys really know how to pack stuff into the day. We enjoyed Wandering Oakens too. I just noticed your camera strap has Tinkerbell, I love it! Is it custom made?
Thanks! My strap is custom - I ordered it on etsy! They had all kinds of them - I actually want to order another print!
Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
Okay....I'm finally all caught up! First of all let me say that even though I just got back from WDW, I feel I need to back...now...as I want to do all the fun things you did (but will have to be put on next year's to-do list).
-I love the both the tours you guys did- all the pictures & info. How to arrive early at the parks...great guide & breakfast at AK.
-Nathan & I got stuck (and rescued) on our very first Expedition Everext ride in '08. I thought it was cool....he thinks I'm crazy!
- I love all of your food photos! The food is always a favorite part of the trip for us and seeing what others choose, gives me ideas when planning our ADRs.
- the rainy safari pictures! What a cool experience!
- I also your quiet balcony time....I'm sure you enjoyed that view!
-Great report & awesome photos!!
Can't wait to read more!
Thanks! We had such a great time and love that we can always find something new to do each visit!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Finally, got all caught up with this!
That was quite something to experience KS in the pouring rain and those photos of the elephants in the water are priceless! Quite a day at the MK and especially being rescued on SM!
Your meals at Sanaa and FF looked so good. I've dined at both and love the two of them. Sanaa has become a new favorite over the past few years. I too like Cam love the short ribs there!
Glad Scott enjoyed his train tour and that all of you enjoyed your time at DHS and Epcot and got to experience a lot!
Thanks! We really enjoyed some great food this trip!
__________________
Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Today we were up early again, as we had a breakfast reservation at Ohana! This is another one of our favorites! So we got ready, and hopped on a MK bus, then monorailed to the Poly.
We were quite surprised at all the construction going on at the Poly, I knew it was going on but it was quite a mess over there. Where you normally would have your photo taken outside of Ohana before your meal was no longer there. I asked a CM after we checked in and she told me that the Photopass Photographer is in the restaurant and will take your photo at your table. Okay with me something different.
We truly enjoy this breakfast especially the pineapple bread! I have a berry and melon allergy so they brought out individual fruit bowls so that I could eat what was safe for me! And they still brought out the regular fruit tray for Scott and Emily ~ which made Em very happy as she enjoys her fresh fruit!
And of course, who doesnt love some Mickey Waffles???
The skillet here is quite yummy also I love the potatoes!
We were visited by Mickey first:
Then Lilo, who just loved that Duffy was dressed like Stitch this morning she wanted to take him home with her!
Then Stitch came and so did the Photopass Photographer who took a couple photos of just Em and then all of us with Stitch and they were included in the Memory Maker! Stitch also was thrilled to see Duffy this morning!
And then came Pluto who was quite the playful pup this morning! He was cracking us up! He took Duffy and picked him up in his mouth and shook him like a dog toy! The GASP that came out of Emilys mouth made Stitch turn back around (he was at the next table) Stitch came over and took Duffy away from Pluto and tried to tell Pluto he was going to the dog house!
This banter went back and forth for quite a bit everyone around us was laughing and taking pictures it was hysterical!
Then Pluto took Scott by his lanyard, like it was a leash, and then put Scotts head in his mouth!!!
Pluto was definitely in rear form today!!! We had so much fun with him!!!
While we had been enjoying our breakfast we were discussing todays plans. Originally we were to go to Magic Kingdom after breakfast (that is where we had fastpasses booked) but we had decided to take advantage of having the Premium Annual Passes and go to Typhoon Lagoon instead! It was looking to be a beautiful day and we had had so much rain, we were ready for some fun in the sun!
So we settled our check, and walked over to the TTC to get a monorail to Magic Kingdom, where we then got on a bus back to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Duffy was quite content sitting in his own seat on the near empty bus away from that crazy Pluto!
We arrived back at AKL, and quickly to our room to change into swimsuits and cover ups packed up a bag with towels and sunscreen, the water camera and back out to the bus stop for the TL bus!
We arrived at Typhoon Lagoon around 11:45, and it was busy, but not as bad as I had expected. We went and got a locker put all our belongings in there except the waterproof camera and as Emily closed it it scrapped her arm pretty good! So off we go to first aid!!! Oy vie! They clean her up, put a waterproof Band-Aid on and shes good to go!
Finally we are heading to the water slides starting with Keelhaul Falls!
I love the view from up at the top!
Next was Mayday Falls!
Then we made our way over to Gangplank Falls the big family size tube/slide. This was the longest line we stood in and it was to wait for a tube. I was surprised how quickly the lines were moving today.
We could see the lazy river from the line so we headed there next!
Scott got the brunt of the waterfall!!!
Nothing like keeping cool, floating down the lazy river just relaxing! Although it may have been better with an adult beverage!
Scott wanted to swim with the sharks at Shark Reef, so we headed that way next he went in Emily and I looked around at the Pearl shop there and drooled over all the beautiful jewelry.
Scott survived his shark swim and we found someone to take our photo with this shark!
It was now time to head over to Crush n Gusher! We love this water roller coaster type ride!
We decided to ride all three of us together, first going down the Pineapple Crusher!
My face coming out of the slide is PRICELESS!!! I look terrified!!!
And of course, we got right back in line, this time taking on the Coconut Crusher slide!
The Photographers were not there this time when we came out.
It was time for us to head back to the resort we had dinner reservations later and we wanted time to shower and relax beforehand. It was nearing 2:00 p.m. and Scott and I knew Emily would want to look around in the shop before exiting.
So I took Em into the shop (Singapore Sals) while Scott went to turn in the locker key. They had a special going on normally when you turn your key back in you get a $5 deposit back but today you could get an Olaf drawstring backpack instead. Em had seen a kid with one of these earlier in the trip and had been looking for them! Never thought to look at the water park! Scott got one, but hid it from Emily until we got on the bus!
Emily found a couple things in the gift shop a beach towel (she usually gets a new one each trip) and a new pair of flip flops (good Reef ones).
When we came out of the shop Lilo was there!
We finally got to the bus and I was surprised we only took about 20 minutes to do all that! Emily usually wanders the store looking at everything multiple times before deciding what to get!
Emily was so excited when Scott gave her the bag! Somehow she never saw it near the lockers or in the store!
We got back to the resort and relaxed and showered!
Oh! And on the way back to the resort, we received an email with photos of our little Maggie she was only 6 weeks at the time!! That totally made our day!!!
Up Next: Dinner in Mexico!
__________________
Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
You deserved another adult beverage, given all that exercise!
the pool at Kidani. Dinner at Flying Fish looked incredible and you still got quite a bit of fun in at DHS.
Your dinner at Sanaa looks delicious and your late night MK adventures sound so fun! 
PassPorter Guide Author
Wonderful updates and I have to say the view from your safari in the rain reminded me of the view today our on the savannah from our room at Animal Kingdom Lodge! 
. Your morning at Epcot sounds like great fun and I love that you finally came back and relaxed a bit again! I 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
to arrive early at the parks...great guide & breakfast at AK. 
Susan
Stitch also was thrilled to see Duffy this morning!
He took Duffy and picked him up in his mouth and shook him like a dog toy! The GASP 
So off we go to first aid!!! Oy vie! They clean her up, put a waterproof Band-Aid on and shes good to go! 
Linear Mode
