Have Pen, Will Travel: A Solo Trip Report--Includes Dining and CSR Reviews and Photos! - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) > Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Register


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.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-10-2011, 10:56 PM   #61
DawnDenise
Community Rank: Legend
 
DawnDenise's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767

Post Thanks / Like
Just found your report and am really enjoying it! Looking forward to more!
__________________

Dawn: Travel Consultant with Ears to You Travel: dawn@earstoyoutravel.com

My Countdown Counting down to: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger
Mo and I celebrating strength and my new life.
My PassPorter Bookshelf <table width=100% height=75 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 border=0><tr><td width=86 style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/concierge/ticker/countdown8938-766.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/concierge/fantasmic-times-on-the-fantasy-trip766.html' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=86 border=0></a></td><td align=left style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/shelf8938.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/club/bookshelf.php?member=8938&name=DawnDenise' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=200 border=0></a></td></tr></table>
My Previous Trips4 trips from 1976-1999, Sept 2000 (ASMo), Sept 2001 (AS Sports), April 2005 (CBR), Nov/Dec 2005 (CBR), Feb 2006 (DL-Off Site) June 2006 (OKW), Oct 2006 (BWI), Feb 2007 (GCH-DL), Mousefest 2007 (SSR), Feb 2008 (WL-Club Level), April 2008 (DLH-DL), Sept. 2008 (CBR), Nov 2008 (GF), Feb 2009 (Poly), May 2009--Decade of Dreams (POR), Nov 2010 (WL), Feb 2011 (DCL-Dream), Oct 2012 (Disney Fantasy-Western), Nov 2013 (Beach Club), Sept/Oct 2014 (AKL), Feb 2016 (Disney Fantasy-Eastern)
DawnDenise is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 12:25 AM   #62
shanmac
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern CT
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 593

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like the perfect end to the perfect day...
__________________
My Previous TripsWDW June 88 (Contemp), WDW June 90 (Dis Inn), WDW June 92 (Dis Inn), WDW Aug 95 (Contemp), WDW July 97 (Poly), WDW April 98 (Poly), WDW & DCL Apr 99 (Port Orl (Dixie Landings) & Magic), WDW & DCL Nov/Dec 00 (Poly & Wonder), WDW Oct 03 (Poly), WDW Mar 05 (Poly), DLR Feb 06 (Paradise Pier), WDW & DCL Nov/Dec 07 (Saratoga Spring & Wonder), WDW May 08 (Port Orleans Riverside)
shanmac is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 01:19 AM   #63
disneyfan1219
Community Rank: Traveler
 
disneyfan1219's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
Posts: 355

Post Thanks / Like
I followed your live TR, but I just found this one.
I will have to get caught up tmrow.
Can't wait.
__________________

Jyl
My Previous TripsDLR Nov 2016, POP Dec 2015, POP May 2015, Cont & AoA Oct 2014, POP Jan 2014, POP Jan 2012, POP Sept 2011, POP Aug 2010, POP Jan 2010, PORS Sept 2009, POP Jan 2009, AS Sports Sept 2008, POP July 2006
disneyfan1219 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 07:59 AM   #64
elbodans
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
elbodans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Macungie, PA
Posts: 2,484

Post Thanks / Like
Thanks for reading, everyone!
__________________
Want to learn more about me and my travels? Visit...
www.suitcasescholar.com

My Countdown Counting down to: Food and Wine Fest 2016
My Previous TripsCape Cod and Alaskan Cruise, Summer 2006 (a two-coast honeymoon); Las Vegas, Summer 2009 and 2010; London, Paris, and Amsterdam, Summer 2010; Walt Disney World, November 2010 (for NCTE Convention) Beach Club; WDW, March 2011 CSR; WDW at AKL and Universal at Portofino, May 2011, Epic Road Trip: Maine Coast and Atlantic Canada, July/August 2011; Extended Disney Research Trip, September 2011, Windsor Hills Condo; Uber-last-minute Bermuda Cruise, NCL Gem, October 2011, Colonial Williamsburg and Bush Gardens, November 2011, New Orleans and Western Caribbean Cruise, January 2012
elbodans is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 08:13 AM   #65
nalexander
Community Rank: Trekker
 
nalexander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: North Ridgeville, Oh
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 1,230

Post Thanks / Like
What a great day at MK.
__________________


My Little Pirate is Turning Five
My Countdown Counting down to: Byron's 5th Birthday Celebration
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW Sept 2004 POFQ, 2008 CRB, 2009 POP, 2010 BC
nalexander is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 08:37 AM   #66
Colexis Mom
RED SOX NATION!!
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Colexis Mom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854

Post Thanks / Like
Great pics from MK and some great meals too! More please!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAUG '16 - POFQ, APR '12 - POFQ, JUL '10 - DL, AUG '09 - DCL Western, AUG '08 - POFQ/BC, AUG '06 - AKL/BC/DisneyWonder/Poly, DEC '05 - AKL, APR '05 - AKL/BC, DEC '04 - AKL, MAY '04 - AKL/BC, MAY '03 - WL/BC, MAY '98 -offsite, MAY '94 - BC, AUG '85 - Poly, AUG '83 - Poly, AUG '81 - Poly, JUL '79 - World Inn, JUL '76 - World Inn
Colexis Mom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 08:56 AM   #67
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
I'd say YES you got a lot done on your MK day. Both of your meals sound relaxing and good. I almost always travel solo and have never felt uncomfortable dining solo at sit-down restaurants anywhere at WDW.
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 09:06 AM   #68
oddboysmum
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
oddboysmum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 938

Post Thanks / Like
I think I would love a solo trip ... maybe one day, until then I will follow yours!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
oddboysmum is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 09:35 AM   #69
debrabrown
Community Rank: Scout
 
debrabrown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,867

Post Thanks / Like
Yes! Great day. I'm excited about Epcot open to close!!!

Artist Point is on my list for next trip. Thanks for the review. You hear so little about that place on these boards.
__________________
Deb
My Previous TripsWDW 1974 (off site), Contemporary 1982, WDW 1986 (off site), Dixie Landings 1995, WDW 2000 (day trip), CSR Sept 2007, CSR Sept 2008, CSR Dec 2009, POFQ Jan 2011
debrabrown is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 11:01 AM   #70
elbodans
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
elbodans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Macungie, PA
Posts: 2,484

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown View Post
Yes! Great day. I'm excited about Epcot open to close!!!

Artist Point is on my list for next trip. Thanks for the review. You hear so little about that place on these boards.
i know--i'm not sure why that is. i became interested in it after reading the description in my passporter, so it's not like there's a good reason why people don't go there more often. perhaps because it is slightly out of the way? i'd definitely return, though.

my second thought--if visiting WL, perhaps many people prefer Whispering Canyon? as it is open to the lobby, i did check it out--it looked like fun, but clearly VERY different from Artist Point! i may just need to STAY at WL at some point so i can do both during the same trip!
__________________
Want to learn more about me and my travels? Visit...
www.suitcasescholar.com

My Countdown Counting down to: Food and Wine Fest 2016
My Previous TripsCape Cod and Alaskan Cruise, Summer 2006 (a two-coast honeymoon); Las Vegas, Summer 2009 and 2010; London, Paris, and Amsterdam, Summer 2010; Walt Disney World, November 2010 (for NCTE Convention) Beach Club; WDW, March 2011 CSR; WDW at AKL and Universal at Portofino, May 2011, Epic Road Trip: Maine Coast and Atlantic Canada, July/August 2011; Extended Disney Research Trip, September 2011, Windsor Hills Condo; Uber-last-minute Bermuda Cruise, NCL Gem, October 2011, Colonial Williamsburg and Bush Gardens, November 2011, New Orleans and Western Caribbean Cruise, January 2012
elbodans is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 11:37 AM   #71
kelleigh1
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
kelleigh1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Foxborough, MA
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 675

Post Thanks / Like
We have Artist Point on our list for our next trip. I visit a few boards and have done lots of research on dining and any reviews I have read about it have always been positive. I think it's not one often mentioned because it is 2TS on the DDP and it is at an "out of the way" resort as opposed to a monorail resort.

It looks fantastic and I can't wait to dine there.
__________________
Raquel
November 2007
My Countdown Counting down to: Disneyland with the Dis Diva's
Dis Diva's Party at Disneyland!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsDCL Wonder Alaska - June 2014 WDW CSR - Nov. 2013 WDW YC - Oct. 2012 WDW CBR - Nov. 2007 WDW POFQ - Jan. 2006 Disneyland Paris - Apr. 2005
kelleigh1 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 11:45 AM   #72
cubfancolleen
Community Rank: Explorer
 
cubfancolleen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reston, Virginia
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 11,858

Post Thanks / Like
We ate at AP years ago, when it was just the 2 of us. Can't wait to go back sometime, but with the kiddos, WCC is more our speed!
Loving all your details!
I am like you - I do hate ordering things at a restaurant that I could (and do) make at home. I prefer to be wowed at a restaurant - especially if it's a pricey one.
__________________
<img src=http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h427/cmclain823/Vancouver%20and%20Alaska%202015/45127cbc-0ef5-4915-8c6d-5809f3bb6afe.jpg border=0 alt= />[
Check out my NEW Trip Report: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...d.php?t=300278
My Countdown Counting down to: Melekalikimaka - our Hawaiian Christmas
Aloha....back to reality, and a new countdown
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsDisneyLand too many times to count; DisneyWorld: ('82; '94; '00; '04; '05; '08 - twice!; '10;'11 - twice; '13; '14, '15, '17); DCL (all 4 ships): ('00, '05, '06, '10, '11, '13, '15, '17); DVC Hilton Head Resort :D ('06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13 - twice, '15, '16, '17, ‘18)
cubfancolleen is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 01:03 PM   #73
disney_duke
Community Rank: Explorer
 
disney_duke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 11,022

Post Thanks / Like
Anyone who can take notes while riding The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh can call their day at MK a very productive one.

I'm so glad you got some quiet time on Tom Sawyer Island. I think it's often times overlooked as a great attraction. There's all kinds of stuff going on over there (or very little, depending on how you look at it) and it's a win-win for parents and kids.

Artist Point sounded loverly. My DH and I almost ate there last November but switched it to Sanaa as he enjoys spicier foods more than outdoorsy foods. And I would agree with you - best husband ever!! Glad you enjoyed your meal!
__________________
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
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsVisited WDW 4 times while little from 1979 to 1990 ~ Jan. 1998, Doubletree ~ Nov. 1998, Disney Institute ~ Sept. 2000, E. Caribbean Disney Magic ~ July 2001, Courtyard Downtown Disney ~ March 2003, Comfort Inn ~ June 2004, POR ~ Jan. 2006, POFQ ~ May 2007, All Star Vacation home ~ Jan. 2008, POFQ Half Marathon ~ Sept. 2008, SSR ~ Nov. 2009, CBR ~ March 2010, AsMu Princess Half Marathon ~ Sept. 2010, Disneyland Half Marathon ~ Nov. 2010, CSR ~ Jan. 2011 WDW Marathon ~ Oct. 2011 Wine&Dine Half Marathon, POR ~ Jan. 2012 Relay Marathon, POP ~ May 2012 Expedition Everest Challenge, CBR Pirate room ~ Sept. 2012 Sheraton LBV ~ Nov. 2012 Wyndham Bonnet Creek ~ Jan. 2013 Goofy Challenge, POR Royal Room ~ Apr. 2013 POP ~ Sep 2013 DL DDD ~ Jan 2014, marathon volunteer ~ Oct. 2014, ToT 10 miler, ASSports ~ Jan. 2015 Dopey Challenge, Bonnet Creek ~ July 2015, CSR/Marriott ~ November 2015 DL Avengers ~ January 2017 Bonnet Creek ~
disney_duke is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 01:34 PM   #74
Pixar Pixie
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 221

Post Thanks / Like
I'm just getting caught up on your report, and I really enjoy your observations on doing WDW solo. My DH has offered to send me solo to the food & wine fest this year...I love the idea of it, though I am slightly apprehensive about traveling alone...your report is helping me to visualize what it might be like. Thanks - and I'm looking forward to more...
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsBay Lake Tower and Beach Club Villas July 2011,Wilderness Lodge Villas May 2009, Pop Century Sept 2007, Saratoga Springs Villas Sept 2004, WDW Offsite May 2004, Beach Club Villas Jan 2003, Caribbean Beach Sept 2001
Pixar Pixie is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2011, 02:35 PM   #75
elbodans
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
elbodans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Macungie, PA
Posts: 2,484

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pixar Pixie View Post
I'm just getting caught up on your report, and I really enjoy your observations on doing WDW solo. My DH has offered to send me solo to the food & wine fest this year...I love the idea of it, though I am slightly apprehensive about traveling alone...your report is helping me to visualize what it might be like. Thanks - and I'm looking forward to more...
i'm sorry--i just heard 1. husband sending you, 2. solo, and 3. food and wine fest. DO IT!!! i've not yet posted my rather long comparison of solo vs. not (i had a friend visit for about 20 hours of my trip) but spoiler alert--solo is better! plus, i'd love to do the food and wine fest (and, in fact, likely will be this fall--solo!) i say go for it!
__________________
Want to learn more about me and my travels? Visit...
www.suitcasescholar.com

My Countdown Counting down to: Food and Wine Fest 2016
My Previous TripsCape Cod and Alaskan Cruise, Summer 2006 (a two-coast honeymoon); Las Vegas, Summer 2009 and 2010; London, Paris, and Amsterdam, Summer 2010; Walt Disney World, November 2010 (for NCTE Convention) Beach Club; WDW, March 2011 CSR; WDW at AKL and Universal at Portofino, May 2011, Epic Road Trip: Maine Coast and Atlantic Canada, July/August 2011; Extended Disney Research Trip, September 2011, Windsor Hills Condo; Uber-last-minute Bermuda Cruise, NCL Gem, October 2011, Colonial Williamsburg and Bush Gardens, November 2011, New Orleans and Western Caribbean Cruise, January 2012
elbodans is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:06 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger