Adventures By Disney - A Tale of Two Cities - Page 3 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Oh boy here we go . . . hey Sharon when you decide you want to do Tokyo or Hong Kong . . . let me know . . . B and I both want to get out there! I'm envious of your trip to Paris, its one of my all time favorite places to hang out! Yummy!
Hmm... We'll have to talk!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
I can't wait to see you again in just a few days' time - safe travels over here!
Can't wait to see you and Mark!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattnkatsmum
Sorry your Mum can't come, but we'll do our best to make sure that you have a Great British Welcome!
Can't wait to see you.
And can't wait to see you, Karen!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGW
Can't wait to read all about this trip! What fun! But I'm so sorry you will have to go solo. Hopefully your trip mates will be nice and fun and not too old! But those old folks can be a hoot sometimes!
Old foks can be a lot of fun, I agree! Just no loudmouths, please.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugmonster
Sounds like you will have fun even without Mom. And you will not need to hide dessert...
I won't have to find places to hide snacks in the hotel room, which isn't easy to do! I speak from experience!
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
So with everything taken care of, it was time to play the waiting game. At 45 days out, I got some Disney mail! Three boxes, in fact. I opened it up and checked out the goodies. I was happy with the stuff, but the itinerary was sorely lacking. It wasn’t much more detailed than the information on the website. Disney likes to keep everything a secret – even from us. We won’t get a nice, detailed itinerary until we check in.
That made it harder to plan when to meet up with Cheryl and Mark, but we decided since there was only one thing on the itinerary on Sunday, we could safely plan for that afternoon. I also talked to Karen (mattnkatsmum), hoping she could arrange for a day trip to London, and after checking train fares, she PM’d me (just yesterday) to let me know that she could make it! So we’ll have lots of fun!
Back to the Disney mail. Inside the boxes were an Adventures by Disney backpack, an Adventures by Disney digital picture frame (which was a bonus of the package I booked) and the box of paperwork.
The box contained the details of my Disneyland Paris add-on, plus a yellow luggage-handle-cover-thingy so the folks at ABD will know to pick up my suitcase.
There was a cute little countdown calendar
And a booklet with the itinerary.
This is what passes for the itinerary – not adequate for an uber-planner, but I’ve let it go
Anyway, here’s the sad state of my itinerary.
Thursday, 14 May – I fly out of JFK on the redeye. I’m flying British Airways in premium economy. My plan is to try to sleep on the plane, but I can take a nap the next day if necessary
Friday, 15 May – I land bright and early at Heathrow. The folks at ABD will pick me up and deliver me to the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel, which my research tells me is near the theatre district. There’s nothing on the itinerary that day except a welcome reception at dinner. I’m hoping to do some sightseeing if I’m not too tired. This is the day I have the London Eye penciled in, but it looks like it’s going to be raining, so I think I’ll wait and see what the visibility looks like.
Saturday, 16 May – We start the day with sightseeing on a double decker bus. Also on the agenda are Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and tea at Harrod’s. We’re seeing the Lion King show, and because it’s ABD, we get to go backstage after the show!
Sunday, 17 May – The Tower of London is on the agenda for the morning. That’s it for the ABD tour. The rest of the day will be spent with Cheryl, Mark and Karen. We will probably visit the British Museum and then have dinner somewhere together.
Monday, 18 May – We’re taking the Eurostar to Paris. This is something I’ve always wanted to do, so I’m happy it was part of the ABD tour. In Paris we’ll be staying at the Paris Hilton. OK, so we’ll be staying at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but I like saying the Paris Hilton better. There’s a “Parisian Orientation Tour” on the agenda. Could they be more vague?
Tuesday, 19 May – We’ll visit Versailles and have lunch at La Flotille.
Wednesday, 20 May – This is a busy day. It starts with an early bird city walk, then a visit to the Louvre, lunch in the Eiffel Tower and a visit to Notre Dame.
Thursday, 21 May – After a farewell breakfast, I’ll be on my way to Disneyland Paris. I’m staying at the Disneyland Hotel. I’m planning to visit Disneyland park this day. I don’t have a ton of time, so I plan to grab a quick meal rather than a restaurant.
Friday, 22 May – Early entry at Disneyland park. When Walt Disney Studios opens, I’ll head over there. I’m planning on my one sit-down meal at Restaurant des Stars, which is a buffet. I can control the speed of my meal, and also meet Remy from Ratatouille.
Saturday, 23 May – I’m going to spend as much time as I can at Disneyland, and then head to the airport. I’m flying from CDG in Paris to Heathrow, and from there back to New York.
The way the ABD tour works, everything on the tour is paid for. All the hotel rooms, the meals as a group, any admission fees, train tickets, etc. are included. Any meals on my own or attractions I visit on my own are not. The Disneyland portion of my visit includes park tickets, early entry admission to Disneyland Paris, breakfast at the Disneyland hotel each day (in a restaurant) and special VIP FastPass.
Up Next: The Final Details
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
I'm so Jealous!!!! It sounds like an amazing trip and I hope you have a Fantastic time and please please please take a lot of photos and eat lots of chocolate for me.
__________________
Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust! Studying Hard to Make a Difference!
It sounds wonderful. I can't wait to read your spin on everything. Have a safe and marvelous trip
(tip that I've heard from family that travel on red eye to London - take Benadryl or other just after boarding. You'll feel refreshed first day in London.)
__________________
ºOº ~*~
Oct '99: CSR ~ May '02: CR ~ Nov '04: SOG ~ May '06: SOG ~ Dec '07: Solo @ Pop ~ May '08: Pop w/friends ~ Oct '08: SOG ~ Dec '09: Pop w/LeAnn ~ Sept '10: Solo @ Pop ~ Spring '11: AKL ~ Jan '12: Pop for 1/2 Marathon ~ Sept '12: 1st trip for DL 1/2 Marathon? ~ Feb '13: Pop w/pals? ~ Mar '13: Tokyo Disney w/PP's?
With my experiences on a tour, we also had a very vague itinerary, but that was long before I became a compulsive planner, it didn't bother me. My tour also had everything paid for except meals and souvenirs, trust me, it's fantastic. Oh and of course there's the tip aspect we had. Of course, this was a 15 day tour of Hawaii back in 11/01.
I'd love to take an ABD tour. You're going to love the very pretty London and the countryside and of course you'll have tons of laughter with Karen, Cheryl and Mark!!
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.
I agree that the itinerary is sparse; it ain't no Big A$% Spreadsheet for sure. But this day...
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Saturday, 16 May – We start the day with sightseeing on a double decker bus. Also on the agenda are Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and tea at Harrod’s. We’re seeing the Lion King show, and because it’s ABD, we get to go backstage after the show!
sounds like absolute perfection to me! I'm so excited for you Sha. I have been since you first starting talking about it last year. And now I can't believe that you're leaving TOMORROW! Safe travels!
K
__________________
Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
What a wonderful trip Sharon! I absolutely can't wait to hear all about it. What a dream trip! I have always wondered about the ABD trips so it will be fun to hear how it goes!
Maybe all the vague-ness means you'll have more free time?? I dunno, it sure would drive me nuts too!!! Either way, it's all happening pretty darn soon..... like momentarily!!! Have a fantabulous time, and enjoy your friendly company along the way. Reeeaally looking forward to hearing (and seeing) all about it!!!!
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
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.
PassPorter Guide Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Southwestern Florida, USA
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 39,153
Post Thanks / Like
Likes (Given): 39
Likes (Received): 114
Thanks (Given): 18
Thanks (Received): 46
Pixie Dust (Given): 1
Pixie Dust (Received): 8
Oh gosh Sharon - this trip sounds so awesome!
I know that you will have a wonderful time and you will not know a stranger on this trip - I am sure!
I am sorry your sweet Mom could not go with you. Do her right and eat lots of wonderful European sweets!
Have a safe flight and enjoy yourself!
Sounds awesome....Andrew loved the DLH although he reported lots and lots of pink....even the toilet paper which, being a 14 year old boy, he got a kick out of! He also said to make good use of early entry...he was the first one in the park and reported not too much company....should be easy to be there nice and early since you are up with the roosters, anyways!
danielle
__________________
~Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you will land among the stars~
About This Page: 
We'll have to talk! 
I won't have to find places to hide snacks in the hotel room, which isn't easy to do! I speak from experience! 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
(and “You Call This an Itinerary?”)
So we’ll have lots of fun!
There’s a “Parisian Orientation Tour” on the agenda. Could they be more vague? 
ºOº ~*~ 
ANGIE
Linear Mode
