Florida flowers and Caribbean cruising - the trip report! THIS SECTION COMPLETED 4/12 - Page 22 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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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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Sorry to hear your one nighter at the THV wasn't as good as you expected to be with the lackluster jacuzzi and the noisy floors! Good thing you were on the 2nd floor and not the 1st to hear the occupants above you! You got some nice photos of the Carriage House, a nice sunrise and the CR! Kind of odd to be heading to the parks, just as the sun was rising! I have an idea, what your teaser may be...but won't spoil it for all here!
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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!
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That's cool that you had some company for your stupidly early morning, even though it was only "runners on a bus"! I'm curious if you could hear the fireworks that went off every time a corral started? Enjoying your adventures!
I have to be honest, I really don't recall hearing them at all.
Well, I'm glad you finally got to stay at the Treehouse Villas even if it wasn't the best place. It's certainly unique!
That's a good way of putting it.
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Believe me, runners think it's weird to be awake, dressed, and walking around that early in the morning too. At least until we see other crazy runners doing the same thing, then it starts to feel normal. Day after day after day.......
It is a weird way to do things, although I fully understand it, as Disney want the road closures done before it's too late and of course, there are issues potentially with heat on certain days (not that Saturday - it was still chilly early in the morning )
Sorry to hear your one nighter at the THV wasn't as good as you expected to be with the lackluster jacuzzi and the noisy floors! Good thing you were on the 2nd floor and not the 1st to hear the occupants above you!
That's not an issue fortunately, as the Treehouse Villas are all one level - suspended off the ground.
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You got some nice photos of the Carriage House, a nice sunrise and the CR! Kind of odd to be heading to the parks, just as the sun was rising! I have an idea, what your teaser may be...but won't spoil it for all here!
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.
Saturday 21 February – part two: what time do these start running?
As we walked over to the Magic Kingdom, you could sense how busy it was (now remember these immortal words for later… ). We must’ve seen about four or five monorails on the way there. Unheard of usually for this time of the morning and there were plenty of buses as well…
However, when we got to bag check, we walked right up with no wait. The opening party was just finishing up as we arrived….
We had quite a wait to get in, as we had to activate our Annual Passes. That seemed to take a lot longer than it had before. I understand that you have to do extra checks, because of the DVC discount, but it seemed like it took forever to get it, then load it on to our MagicBands. Thankfully, he confirmed to us that the Memory Maker package was on there, so that was good. He told us that both the Annual Passes and Memory Maker would move on to our other MagicBands. However, I was slightly sceptical. I hope he’s right…
Finally, we were set and off we went. Yay, the machines let us, always a good start. We stopped almost immediately for a Photopass photographer right by the entrance.
Our next stop was Guest Services…
….as I wanted to get our Tables in Wonderland card, which was done easily enough and then I got my Guest Assistance Card. It doesn’t matter what it’s called now, that’s what I will always know it as. Thankfully, I had no issues this time and although I had my doctor’s note ready, I didn’t need it. It was such a pleasant change not to be challenged as I have been in previous trips.
That sorted, we headed outside and saw the horse drawn carriage out. What a great sight!
I noticed there were some other vehicles around, so I went to ask one of the Cast Members if they were running yet, as I assumed that they wouldn’t start until 8:00am when the park officially opened, given it was still Extra Magic Hours now, but he told us he’d take us and we had a private one-way trip up to the hub.
He was such a lovely guy and the sort of person who is a perfect Disney Cast Membmer, as he just made you smile. We had a great laugh with him on the way up.
When we got there, I was stunned at how much work was still going on at the hub. I thought that it was supposed to be open by spring 2015, and indeed there had been rumours circulating that it would be done by the end of February. Well, if that’s the case, they still have a lot of work to do, is all I can say.
It's so funny to hear you talk about the crowds arriving and then to see all the photos with NO people! Given all you had to accomplish before making your way into the park, it's a good thing you were up and about early!
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.
I love your early morning photos. As a night owl, I hardly ever see those sights in real life. You hardly ever get to see it alone like that, but City Hall is really pretty in your photo!
I've had "ride a Main St vehicle" on my list for a lonnng time, and I'm going to have to rectify that this trip coming up. A small thing, but I always thought it'd be a cool feeling riding down that way.
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Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow, for all you know, tomorrow, the dream that you wish will come true.
Wow, jet lag can really come in handy at Disney. Checked out, checked in, AP's, and inside MK for a private carriage ride down Main Street all before 7:30 a.m. is impressive! The only time I can make it into the parks that early is when I am running a Disney race.
I saw in another post that you are possibly headed our way in April, 2016. Keep us posted, it would be great to see you guys.
Wow!. The MK looks awesome with no one in it!! How cool that you got a private ride to the hub!! I would've put my sunglasses on and offered autographs! Glad you were able to get all of your necessary tasks done so efficiently. I can't wait to hear about your day!!
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.
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Good thing you were on the 2nd floor and not the 1st to hear the occupants above you! 
You got some nice photos of the Carriage House, a nice sunrise and the CR! Kind of odd to be heading to the parks, just as the sun was rising! 
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Pixie Dust
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
PassPorter Guide Author
Day after day after day.......
). We must’ve seen about four or five monorails on the way there. Unheard of usually for this time of the morning and there were plenty of buses as well… 
We stopped almost immediately for a Photopass photographer right by the entrance. 
Glad you were able to get all of your necessary tasks done so efficiently. I can't wait to hear about your day!!
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