I could used to this (except that liquid sunshine) - Page 4 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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I love shopping at DTD, so much variety. I did end up purchasing 3 ponchos for using later as needed. I also bought 2 pairs of special ears for tonight.
Anyway, we went back to the resort, met up with the men (kids still at Quest), picked up snacks and beverages at the club lounge and took to our room where we sat around talking awhile and hoping the rain would soon cease. It finally did. The mousekeeper added a new Mickey towel to our growing collection of animals:
Susie and I took a walk around to the marina to find where the launches were as it had stopped raining (or so we thought). I had booked a fireworks cruise boat for our group for tonight. Wayne is a minister (ok, he got it from the internet, but he was still going to play the part) and agreed to perform the vow renewal ceremony on the boat just before wishes! While walking around we noticed the various watercraft for rental and also the surry bikes etc. Susie played Vanna for me while I photographed the price list.
Susie and Wayne went back to their own room to get ready for our special evening where we are celebrating our wedding anniversary. First a call was made to remind the kids to start back to resort (they had left quest and were shopping at Lego store).
Time to get ready for the main event of the week (well one of the main events actually). So did we get to renew the vows, did the rain hold off, did the kids get back in time, am I still married to hubby (lol), did the cruise take place. Oh my, more to come.
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"My OTHER HOMES!
Last edited by disneygramma; 08-05-2012 at 07:22 PM..
Hubby and I went over to Kona Cafe' and ate a light dinner and then (it was still clear skies) headed back to room to dress up. As we were walking to our building, a light bit of rain started back up, uh oh. I am still hopeful at this point but I did call concierge to check on cruise, it was still on. So far rain was very light and tolerable, not pretty but not soaking either.
The kids got back in plenty of time, I got Kaitlin all changed and once we were ready, the three of us heases to the meeting place at the marina. We arrived a little early and it was now raining a bit harder. No problem I thought there are bound to be awnings or something to protect us from the weather. (I was sort of right and sort of wrong).
The driver(?) of the boat explained to us that there is a small cover of sorts and that it would in fact protect about 3-4 members of our group in the event of heavier rain Uh-uh I had booked a boat that seats 8 people and we have 7 in our group I stated that we need to have coverage for the entire group.
Was told it would not happen but that they would be glad to provide some ponchos for those who could not get under cover. Again uh-uh. We and our guests were dressing up for the occasion and taking photographs.
The captain (driver?) contacted a supervisor, he came to meet with us, he let us know that we could in faact cancel and not be charged (thank goodness), I mean I am not nreasonable, but for a 2 hour cruise to spend $295 I feel everyone should be protected from rain etc. Right????
I hated to do it, but we cancelled. So now what to do? We planned for the vow renewal for some time, had brought special clothing to wear to match the resort theming, I had floral arrangements ready (carried on the plane), purchased special ears, yep, I was planning a big deal for us since we had, had to put off our celebration for 6 months due to the funera and all so I was sad.
The rest of the group arrived, we told them of the problem, the kids werre of course disappointed, but we cancelled just the same. We talked about it, and headed into the Great Ceremonial House, where we proceeded with the ceremony by the waterfall. Wayne was a delightful officiant and really had the knack to deliver to the crowd. We did draw some interested looks as people passed by. Lots of smiles too.
Now that the ceremony was over, the rings exchanged, the kiss completed. Time for a few photos, and a wedding toast.
First up, a photo with our grand daughter Kaitlin who served as flowergirl AND ring bearer ( a job she took so seriously)
Next, Wayne "The Rev" really popped his cork when he opened the bubbly, and who knows where that cork ended up Susie and Wayne provided us a bottle of Moet and Chandon to celebrate the repeat of nuptials (thanks guys).
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We were in for yet another surprise. The supervisor from where we rented the boat arrived on the scene while we were taking photos and presented us with a very special cake he had made for us. It was so pretty, and I will not forget because on a future trip we WILL rent that boat. He made our night special, thanks David!
The kids had been great sports missing out on the cruise, and seeing as how the rain was very light and the lightening haad stopped flashing, we gave in and let them change into swim attire and head for the pool. The grownups picked up some beverages from the lounge and we headed to our room to drink some bubbly, eat cake and enjoy the fireworks from our room:
Everything turned out a-ok after the rough patches. Eventually, we collected the kids, bid each other goodnight, and set a time to meet up next morning for another great adventure! Tomorrow was Magic Kingdom day and Pirate's League for the 3 kids.
Good night everyone Mickey will be calling soon enough.
I'm sorry the rain didn't stay away and you had to cancel the cruise. It looked like you had a great evening anyway, the pictures from the vow renewal are just lovely. Congratulations
Tuesday July 24th. Our first Park Day and we chose the Magic Kingdom and also booked Pirate's League for the kids (yes even Evan). Gordon (hubby), Kaitlin and I went to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast (our first time, although we have been there for dinner many times). Our fellow travellers had cereal and other treats from club.
2 of the 4 cold cereal choices available daily in lounge
Kaitlin with the Mad Hatter
Posing with Mary Poppins
Pooh signs the autograph book
Tiggeriffic autograph
Visit with Alice from the Wonderland
Breakfast was delicious. My favorite was the eggs benedict with lobster sauce. Hubby loved the omelette station best. Of course we all enjoyed the mickey waffles and bacon.
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"My OTHER HOMES!
Last edited by disneygramma; 08-06-2012 at 06:59 PM..
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.
After taking oath's and getting sashes (and the boys getting their swords), all three were taken behind closed doors, we witnessed the private time, all it consisted of was taking photos by photopass, we were not allowed to take photos of course. After checking out, and viewing the photos I chose to buy photos. They were too cute to pass up!
After finishing with the Pirate's League, we went out into the park to enjoy various attractions. Of coursse the first one absolutely had to be Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion to name a few of our favorites.
Eventually it was time for the Pirate tutorial and Pirate Parade. Kaitlin chose to participate in both, the boys went elsewhere.
Of course it began raining, so we headed back to the resort. We all enjoyed a nice dinner courtesy of the club lounge (and some tasty drinks).
Yum. After satisfying our hunger it was time to plan the later night activities. Gordon decided to stay in room, Susie and I hit the pool, Wayne and all 4 kids went back to Magic Kingdom to catch any missed rides, and to ride favorites again.
Kaitlin enjoyed riding The triad of mountains (her first time doing all three as she had never been on space mountain before). The group returned around 11:30, tired but all "funned" out. It was late but the group was hungry. Wayne took his car to McDonalds and bought tasty treats for the boys and Kaitlin and brought them back. After she ate Kaitlin made it to bed after 12:30. Tomorrow is a sleep late day, no breakfast plans, so we will eat whe we wake up.
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"My OTHER HOMES!
Last edited by disneygramma; 08-06-2012 at 07:39 PM..
Another day is dawning and today we go to DHS. The kids (all ags) are excited for today. Even though last night was pretty late, we really didn't sleep in. Grabbed some oatmeal and muffins etc from the lounge. Of course we had milk, coffee and juice (love that POG juice). Then it was off to the park.
Mr. DeMille we are ready for our close up LOL
And here it is!
Once we passed through the gates, there were a LOT of rides to ride (with a bit of Pizza Planet for lunch in between).
Kaitlin (and the boys) took their first ride on TOT
Midway Mania, Star Wars, Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground, rounded out the session until it was time to check in to the 50's Prime Time for dinner.
Let's go have a little afternoon lunch/dinner at the 50's Prime Time Diner, oh boy yummy food and always a delightful time with the server, who would we get today, and how will the boys adjust to the comic goings on?
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