Forever Young: A Disneyland Trip 50 Years in the Making COMPLETED 1/16/16 - Page 41 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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 your picture of Haunted Mansion! The holiday overlay is so incredible!! It was a favorite when we saw it. Nice teaser for the next update!
Our first ride on this on Wednesday had me so excited about it. So nice to get a second chance to ride.
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Originally Posted by wheezie
I'm all caught up now.
I loved your description of WOC. It sounds spectacular! And I really enjoyed your description of the walking tour. It sounds like it would be right up my alley. I love history, so I'm always eager to learn all I can about the history of WDW and DL.
This walking tour reminded me a lot of the KTTK tour at MK. Both are full of history and explain so many of Walt's little touches.
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Originally Posted by SuperDave
Looks like a nice tour and glad you have a good guide! Nice that you got to ride a couple of attractions during this via like a VIP entrance! Too bad it was so ridiculously hot!
The weather being milder is the only thing that would have made this tour better.
Disney does a wonderful job on the making guests feel special when a meal is included as part of the tour. Our lunch was at Jolly Holiday Bakery where we’d had our breakfast on our first Disneyland day. As we came up the steps to the seating area, two young female cast members began to collect our listening devices and earbuds. That sort of made the tour feel over, but I knew lunch was going to be good. An area of the outdoor seating was reserved for us and was close to the building and totally in the shade. (By the way, there is no indoor seating at this restaurant.) Our meals were already nicely set up on each table with a name label on each seating. That made it easy and quick to find where we were to sit. We were at a four top with a newlywed couple, and if I remember correctly they had got married the weekend before and were still on their honeymoon. We had both chosen our meals earlier, which were identical. We each had Oven Roasted Turkey on Ciabatta along with house-made chips plus the Flourless Chocolate Cake for Dessert. We did vary on our drink with a Coke for me and a Diet Coke for Luke. Everything, especially the chocolate cake, was so delicious, but my sandwich and cake proved to be a little much for me and I wasn’t able to finish either. Luke quit with a portion of cake left too. We could not complain we weren’t full.
While we were eating, Jeff and a couple of other cast members handed out our commemorative pins, which were quite impressive.
John who had checked us in for the tour at the front kiosk came around to each table to be sure we had had an enjoyable tour. Everyone commended Jeff on an excellent job of guiding us. Then there was a lull as the cast members worked to clear our tables and dispose of the trash, but we were asked to remain seated. I was thinking this was mainly to keep us out of their way, but then John announced that he would be leading us on the final portion of the tour – the Dream Suite! Cue a squeal sound effect. I didn’t actually squeal, but along with others I clapped. We were now a very excited group of folks. The excited remained, but we were a little disappointed to find out that we would not be allowed to take any photos. With John in the lead now and Jeff bringing up the rear we headed into New Orleans Square. We were guided to a backstage area where an elevator up the apartment is located. One of the female cast members was in charge of taking us up as we were divided into groups small enough to fit in the elevator. I’m not remembering clearly right now, but I think we were in the second group to board the elevator.
Upstairs we were let into the apartment via the back door, which Jeff was holding open. I know another group or two entered after us because I wondered about all the park notice being a nuisance here. But then the final group came inside and Jeff shut the door, and quiet reigned. Now before you all get disappointed at the lack of photos, let me tell you that I’m a determined little soul and I wanted photos for a scrapbook layout. Once back at home I searched the internet and found out that some folks have taken photos, and I’m borrowing a few of those for scrapbooking. Of course, I’m going to share these here because my words alone would be inadequate to describe everything we saw. If I remember correctly, the apartment was designed by Walt so that as his family grew with grandchildren, there would be a place for them to come. But I think John said the suite’s current décor is a later creation. Luke mentioned to me as we toured that some of the special bits of magic would not have been possible before Walt’s death, but they were ideas Walt was hoping one day to implement.
As we entered the apartment, we gathered in a long hallway that included art work both on the wall and an entry table. Honestly, once that outside door shut, we had not idea we were in the midst of a busy amusement park.
At the end of the hall we turned right down another hall that was lined with windows and doors where we could see a comfortable patio area totally surrounded and private. Eventually, we got to go out here, finding quite a bit of seating and again quiet. There were even Disney fireflies around (special lighting feature to imitate lightning bugs and designed for Pirates of the Caribbean where they are still in use).
The first actual room we entered was the master bedroom. As we entered, we first noticed a large, luxurious canopy bed. The room was quite spacious and definitely homey. I would feel regal spending the night in this room. Before we moved on, John ask one of the other guests standing near the bedroom door to push the button behind her labeled, Kiss Goodnight. The room gradually darkened, stars came out on the ceiling, the artwork over the bed changed to a night scene, and soothing music played. Magical!!!
From here we entered the master bath, which clearly had lots of Lily touches. The most impressive part was the stain glass and mosaic over the tub. Again a switch dimmed the lights and gave the whole bathroom a spa feel. Off the bathroom was a walk-in closet per Lily’s request. I’d have requested one, too.
From here we walked through the main living area into the second bedroom complete with two queen size beds. This room had a much more masculine feel. You can probably imagine Luke’s excitement when he looked up to see shelving around the ceiling, including a train. Another Kiss Goodnight Switch was here that activated the train as well as dimming the lights. The bathroom for this bedroom was also much more masculine in design. Off this bedroom was a balcony area that would guarantee you the best seats in the house for watching Fantasmic!
We returned to the living room where I began to believe everything was magical. A lot of the pieces here were collected by Walt and Lily during their travels. The décor is a tribute to Lily’s taste as well. The grandfather clock transforms when it chimes with Tinker Bell making an appearance. The chiming also triggers a magical mirror across the room where the castle suddenly appears. Both Walt and Lily were fascinated by birds, and on one trip, Walt discovered a small animatronic bird that he brought home to create more of his own. One of his birds is in a gilded cage with a switch that brings it to life.
Once we’d taken in all the magic, John told us that before we exited he would take a photo of us in the living room of the suite, using our own cameras. We were several families back, so while we waited I pulled my camera out and was working on setting it so all John would have to do is push the button. Luke looked down at me, thinking I was about take some photos and asked what I thought I was doing. I clarified that I was still a good girl as no pictures had been taken. Finally, it was our turn.
Once our photos were taken, John returned our camera and Jeff opened the front door for us, so we could descended the main staircase up the suite. I did feel special then as we made our way down. At the bottom of the stairs the young couple who had taken our photo early with Jeff asked if we’d mind doing another swap on photos. They stood at the base of the staircase next to the Dream Suite sign and I captured the moment for them. Then they took one of us in the same spot. Actually, Liefa took two as I had. We knew this was too special to mess up with just one photo.
Afterwards we talked for a bit about how special this tour had been for all of us. Liefa, the wife, was in tears and she almost had me there with her. She and I both noted that it was all we could do not to bring our cameras up and take a few photos. About 5 or so minutes later, we parted ways, agreeing we’d all do it again in a heartbeat.
Glad you got to visit the Dream suite. We were allowed to take photos in there on the ABD tour. It was fun to tour it, but it really didn't impress me that much. I did love the magical effects, and loved seeing Walt's mechanical bird, as my grandfather gave me one just like it that he bought long ago in Switzerland. You can really see the beginnings of all the animatronics in that little bird. The Footsteps tour seems like a great thing to do on a DLR trip!
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Lunch looked delicious! Touring the Dream Suite is a great way to end the tour. Too bad you weren't able to take pictures. I do like that they took a picture of you in the suite though.
Thank you so much for sharing the photos that you found of Walt's apartment! I so enjoyed seeing them, and of course, reading your commentary on each room! The tour was certainly special and the addition of the apartment at the end made it even more amazing. The lunch that was included looked delicious.
Oh wow, that is a truly magical end to the tour! I think we will have to try this tour the next time we're in Disneyland...
It was interesting to see the photos of the suite, having been lucky enough to visit Club 33 - you can tell they were designed in a very similar way.
I've been wondering since you asked about the walking. Because of the excessive heat, we might have actually stood in the shade when we otherwise might have been walking, but he was trying to protect us. I'm not sure about that. I've just been wondering. I know you would love this tour for the history and the magic. John mentioned that Club 33 followed a similar design, but until you mentioned it I had forgotten.
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Originally Posted by wheezie
Wow, what an awesome treat!! That dream suite is gorgeous! I want that bathtub and stained glass in my house darn it! LOL
I have a friend who actually had a similar tub with the stained glass. Stefanie would always tell her that if she got tired of it, she would love to have it. So seeing Walt's tub made me think of her. I'm sure she would have wanted this one, too.
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
What an amazing way to end the tour!
The Dream Suite was definitely the most incredible part of this tour.
Glad you got to visit the Dream suite. We were allowed to take photos in there on the ABD tour. It was fun to tour it, but it really didn't impress me that much. I did love the magical effects, and loved seeing Walt's mechanical bird, as my grandfather gave me one just like it that he bought long ago in Switzerland. You can really see the beginnings of all the animatronics in that little bird. The Footsteps tour seems like a great thing to do on a DLR trip!
I think I was most impressed with how quiet it was there even though we were above PoC. Lily's decorating taste and mine are quite different. How cool that you had a similar bird. It really was very interesting that this was the start of animatronics. I would do this tour again, but probably not every trip.
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Originally Posted by MayraLR
What a magical ending to your tour!!
Magical ending in deed!
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Originally Posted by KMB733
Lunch looked delicious! Touring the Dream Suite is a great way to end the tour. Too bad you weren't able to take pictures. I do like that they took a picture of you in the suite though.
I wish I could have taken my own photos as I might have selected different shots for the scrapbook page, but I am excited about our photo in the suite.
What a great end to the tour! The commemorative pins are so cool.
I was very impressed when Jeff handed Luke and me our pins. They really are beautiful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
Thank you so much for sharing the photos that you found of Walt's apartment! I so enjoyed seeing them, and of course, reading your commentary on each room! The tour was certainly special and the addition of the apartment at the end made it even more amazing. The lunch that was included looked delicious.
I got so excited when I discovered these photos that Luke asked what I was up to. I knew the details in my mind would fade, but now a scrapbook page will preserve the memories. The whole tour was done perfectly!
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Our first ride on this on Wednesday had me so excited about it. So nice to get a second chance to ride. 
Too bad it was so ridiculously hot! 
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With John in the lead now and Jeff bringing up the rear we headed into New Orleans Square. We were guided to a backstage area where an elevator up the apartment is located. One of the female cast members was in charge of taking us up as we were divided into groups small enough to fit in the elevator. I’m not remembering clearly right now, but I think we were in the second group to board the elevator. 
Now before you all get disappointed at the lack of photos, let me tell you that I’m a determined little soul and I wanted photos for a scrapbook layout. Once back at home I searched the internet and found out that some folks have taken photos, and I’m borrowing a few of those for scrapbooking. Of course, I’m going to share these here because my words alone would be inadequate to describe everything we saw. If I remember correctly, the apartment was designed by Walt so that as his family grew with grandchildren, there would be a place for them to come. But I think John said the suite’s current décor is a later creation. Luke mentioned to me as we toured that some of the special bits of magic would not have been possible before Walt’s death, but they were ideas Walt was hoping one day to implement. 
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I think we will have to try this tour the next time we're in Disneyland... 
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