8 Days Without the Kiddos – June 2014 Trip Report COMPLETED - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Your flight sounded just a bit too exciting. Glad you made it safely though. Glad SSR turned out well for you all. Since you might be staying on points again next year, just a note that you can request more shampoo, soap, detergent, even towels and washcloths any time you need them. Just call housekeeping or the front desk. I do this all the time, especially for extra washcloths. Your villa wasn't too far from where ours was last October. We were in 8525, and our door at a straight line view of the pool.
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.
Your flight sounded just a bit too exciting. Glad you made it safely though. Glad SSR turned out well for you all. Since you might be staying on points again next year, just a note that you can request more shampoo, soap, detergent, even towels and washcloths any time you need them. Just call housekeeping or the front desk. I do this all the time, especially for extra washcloths. Your villa wasn't too far from where ours was last October. We were in 8525, and our door at a straight line view of the pool.
I was under the impression you had to pay for additional items. All Ears says the soap and shampoo package is $5 and the towel package is $6 per bathroom.
I was under the impression you had to pay for additional items. All Ears says the soap and shampoo package is $5 and the towel package is $6 per bathroom.
I was under this impression too. I typically bring our own toiletries to use when staying on points. Heath, you might want to consider that for your next trip.
I was under the impression you had to pay for additional items. All Ears says the soap and shampoo package is $5 and the towel package is $6 per bathroom.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyH
I was under this impression too. I typically bring our own toiletries to use when staying on points. Heath, you might want to consider that for your next trip.
We've never been charged, at least as far as I know.
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.
Just joining in! So glad you have started your TR! Looks like you are off to a great start, despite the "non-social" passenger with the closed window and turbulence on the flight! We love SSR, it is our home resort. Funny that your wife didn't want everyone knowing what she was reading! and tell her that I love her haircut!!!
__________________
Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Glad you loved your room and location at Saratoga Springs!
We did, it was awesome.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MinneyCaT
looks like a great room
It sure was.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
My first DVC stay was at SSR near Grandstand in a 1 bedroom so this brought back great memories. They've spruced up the place a little too - love the new Disney horses touches they have.
It felt updated, but not sure when that happened, of course we had nothing to compare it to.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyH
Joining in -great start! Thanks for the pictures of the room. I've been to SSR but only to visit the DVC preview center. It is a huge resort!!!! The transportation thru the resort does seem to take a long time. Not sure if I would like that or not.
It was a long process, but just part of it I guess.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great start! The room looks great!
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Cats2010
Wonderful - loved hearing about the resort. Good to know the timing to the parks with the busses. I will keep that in mind when we have to get there for dinner reservations late in the afternoon. The room looks beautiful - thanks so much for the pictures. Makes me even more excited for our trip
We always planned 45 min to an hour, but often felf worried we might be late for and ADR, so do plan accorningly.
__________________
Click Here or on the picture above to read by personal travel blog.
Your flight sounded just a bit too exciting. Glad you made it safely though. Glad SSR turned out well for you all. Since you might be staying on points again next year, just a note that you can request more shampoo, soap, detergent, even towels and washcloths any time you need them. Just call housekeeping or the front desk. I do this all the time, especially for extra washcloths. Your villa wasn't too far from where ours was last October. We were in 8525, and our door at a straight line view of the pool.
It was a bit scary. I will remember that about the soap and shampoo. We loved our room location.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo125
Just found this TR! Can't wait to read more! I love all your photos and details thus far of the trip!
Thanks for joining, I hope to start the next day tonight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
I was under the impression you had to pay for additional items. All Ears says the soap and shampoo package is $5 and the towel package is $6 per bathroom.
I had read that also somewhere, so I did not request extra. I may just ask next time and find out. I do like them, but not $5 for the sample size bottles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad you've made it to SSR!
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MosyBliss
Awesome start! You guys got an amazing deal on the room and it's beautiful! Can't wait to read more.
We felt is was a good deal.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Just joining in! So glad you have started your TR! Looks like you are off to a great start, despite the "non-social" passenger with the closed window and turbulence on the flight! We love SSR, it is our home resort. Funny that your wife didn't want everyone knowing what she was reading! and tell her that I love her haircut!!!
She was a little anti-social. I did not want to talk to her, but would loved to see out the window. Wife is funny like thatm, I'll mention you liked her hair, she will love that.
__________________
Click Here or on the picture above to read by personal travel blog.
This was a dream trip for me, as Candi and I would have complete freedom to come and go, and do as we pleased. So from the start I was looking for ways to spend as much time in the parks as possible. I booked the 6:00 am flight hoping to get a full-day in the parks on our arrival day. We also bought park hopper tickets this trip, as I thought this would provide even more freedom -- I was right.
My plan was to be in the park by noon on arrival day. Though we did not make it that quick, I felt we did okay. We landed in Orlando got on DME, checked in at SSR, got to a bus and walked through the Animal Kingdom gates about 12:35.
Let me just stop here and say that Candi and I love Animal Kingdom. People always say is is a ½ day park, but not for us. We can’t get enough, and did not have enough time this trip. When we were in WDW in 2010, we planned 1 day at AK, but it was only park we had to add a day to our tickets so we could go back.
This was also a special trip as we would also be meeting up with our old friend Bailey. My wife served on staff as Children’s Director at FBC in Dixon, Missouri for 5-years, prior to us moving to Arkansas 5 years ago. So there were lots of kids in the children’s ministry that we have watched grow up on facebook since we left. She is one of them. She was an awesome kid we hated to leave her. Well, she is a Sophomore in college and came to WDW for the college program. Then she loved it so much she decided to stay. Anyway, she works in the shops in the left side of Main Street as you leave the Magic Kingdom. She is in my favorite shop, the Confectionary much of the time. If you are going this summer, look for Bailey (the younger girl in pictures). Tell her you're a friend of Heath and Candi. We would be meeting her today.
As we were headed to the park around lunch I had one goal, to eat at Flame Tree BBQ. Everyone raves, so I wanted to give it a try. When we arrived, Bailey was not there yet, so we decided to use our first ADR. It was at Kilimanjaro Safari at 1:00 pm. It was close to that time, so we headed back there. Candi sent Bailey a text and told her to meet us at the exit of the safari.
I realize the safari is probably the signature ride in the park, but it is so much fun. It was in the middle of the day, and I was worried the animals would be hiding in the shade. However, it seemed to be feeding time and many were very active. We even had to stop for an Ostrich that felt the road belonged to him. My favorite is of course the giraffes. We had an amazing tour guide. He was so funny and made the trip even more exciting.
As we were exciting we started looking, and there was Bailey. She looked just the same, except taller. After hugs, I told her we were headed to Flame Tree and she was happy to guide the way. Is was so much fun to catch up and also get her perspective as an employee at WDW. She said that Flame Tree was one of the places she has not eaten at because employees do not get a discount there.
I had planned to do some meal sharing this trip, and thought this would be a great place to start. I knew I wanted the ribs, and planned to share. Candi would have none of that. She wanted her own lunch. Fine, would be more ribs for me. Let me tell you they were good. We have good BBQ in our area, but I think they stack up fine. They were tender, but not falling off the bone. I like my rib to hang tight on the bone until I pull the meat off. They were served dry, with a seasoning rub. Just like I like. Mine came with two sides, and I chose slaw and grapes. I wanted fries, but could not sub them as a side without an upcharge. The slaw was cool, crisp, and yummy. I could have eaten twice as much of it. The grapes were grapes.
Candy wanted a pulled pork sandwich. I was a huge sandwich, and oh so yummy. I had to steal a couple bites. The sauce choices were basic, but still good. I love a good sauce with lots of brown sugar flavor.
With food in hand, I knew from the forums to head around back and look for a table by the water. There really is a lot of seating in the back. I went all the way to the bottom of the hill and found a shady spot next to the water. We had an amazing view of Everest and the Asia lakefront scene. It was a perfect spot to build the anticipation for Everest. I did not ride it on our 2010 trip, and was nervously excited to try it -- maybe. It was a great place to enjoy a delicious lunch and get caught up with Bailey.
After lunch we found a FP+ Kiosk so Baily to try and snag a could FP with us. We had a Lion King and also Kali River Rapids for later in the day. Another strange thing I learned about cast members, at least at the time we were there. They get in the parks free (which I knew), and they can use FP, but they could not make them ahead of time. She was able to get Lion King with us, but not Kali.
We had time until Lion King, so we just kinda walked and talked. MDX said the Everest was only a 20 minute wait, so that is where we headed. Sadly it was a 40 minute wait by the time we got there, so we just leisurely walked, talked and had lots of PP+ pictures taken. We had pre purchased Memory Maker, and I intended to get our monies worth.
HEATH’S TIPS - FREE WATER: As we headed back toward Lion King, we stopped at a food stand for a FREE cup of ice water. I am sure most reading this know this already, but this is a great money saver. We do not worry about bringing in water. When you feel thirsty, just look for a counter service restaurant or food stand that serves fountain drinks. Then ask for a cup of ice water. It is FREE, and you do not have to order anything. This is a life saver.
Then we made or way to LK as our FP+ was almost there. We were allowed in the theatre before that stand by line, and had no problem finding a seat near the front in whatever section we wanted.
I was stuck by the new theatre. If I did not know it was brand new, I would not have believed it had not been there for years. It perfectly blended in with the Africa. The show had just reopened the week prior, and I was interested to see if it was the same show. I do think there was less seating in this location, but you do not get less of a show. I had only seen the previous show one time in 2010, but this seemed to be the same show. I even remember the main cast singers, and I think they were the same. This show is amazing
Off the high of the production I agreed to give EE a try. By the time we got there the line was only 30 minutes, so we cued up. Once we made it inside I wished that the line was moving slower, there is so much to look at and I just felt like we were racing by it. This would be our only chance to ride this trip, and I know I did see 10% of the exhibits. Before I had time to back out, we were directed to our train cars and were were off.
I am a coaster fan, but also a coaster cowered. I love to ride, but they scare me to death. Kinda like my sick fascination with zombies. I love to watch The Walking Dead, but then Monday morning I am just sure a zombie is going to get me on the way to my car.
I have to say, I was scared -- but I did love it. The backwards section was the really scary part. Yes, I did scream like a girl when I say the Yeti. That is me cowering, with the contorted face in the ride photo. You will notice that same expression in most of my ride pictures.
Next it was on to Dinosaur. No waiting, so we got right on. I hate this ride. in 2010 I rode with my eye closed so I would not know when to scream like a girl. This time I tried to keep them open, but did not to much better.
Now it was almost time for our FP+ for Kali River Rapids. I had ridden similar rides in other theme parks. Our favorite is the Lost River at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. This was what I expected. I thought the system for loading and unloading ride, with the constantly moving platform, was cool. I did not anticipate the first climb, but overall the ride seemed VERY short. It was nice to cool off, but not a ride I would wait in a long line for.
By this time is is getting to be late afternoon. Remember, we had not yet seen our room at SSR, so we planned to head out of the park and head back to get ready for our ADR at California Grill.
As we headed out, we notice they were loading people into “It Tough To Be A Bug.” We saw this in 2010, but I planned to do it again this trip we we got a change. I have to say, the 3D in this show is very disorienting. And I screamed like a girl again when the wasp stings you in the back. This show marked the end of our day at Animal Kingdom. We said goodbye to Bailey and headed for the bus.
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: 
Glad you made it safely though. Glad SSR turned out well for you all. Since you might be staying on points again next year, just a note that you can request more shampoo, soap, detergent, even towels and washcloths any time you need them. Just call housekeeping or the front desk. I do this all the time, especially for extra washcloths. 
Your villa wasn't too far from where ours was last October. We were in 8525, and our door at a straight line view of the pool.
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
All Ears says the soap and shampoo package is $5 and the towel package is $6 per bathroom.
Mosy and Meander and our three princesses
and tell her that I love her haircut!!!
Linear Mode
