Live, Laugh, Relax with Cam and Fam Completed 7/31 - Page 52 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Thanks for sharing your trip with pics. It makes me so excited to get back after 15 years away. Reading about your sister, how wonderful! It will be my husband's first visit and I'm so hoping that he'll get "it"!!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Thanks for all the details with Mickey's house. We always say we'd like to build a house just like his (especially with all the 'Mickey' trim) someday...
Love, Love your TR!!! Glad to hear all you guys are havein a great time!!! Your pics are GREAT!! What kinda camera do you use? Cant wait for the next update!!!
__________________
Me and Cole in the Sears Tower Skydeck, 103 floors up, in a glass box hanging off the side!
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 have finally caught up with your TR. Every time I went to move to the next page it would freeze up so it took me forever to make it through...phew!
Anyway, I love the fact that your sister is having such a great time at MK...so special.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
By the way, when I looked at this picture I couldn't help but notice the guy in the background. He looks just like a friend of mine that I went to school with but I don't think he has a kid yet...unless it's his niece. I guess I should ask him if he was at the MK that day.
Great updates and pics as always Cam! Sounds like you had a lovely day with Pam, and I especially love the shot of her and Stefanie together. They do look truly happy!
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 really enjoyed the pictures from Toontown, you got such great detail of Mickey's house. No matter how many times I visit there, I realize there is always more I miss. I am really going to miss the visits to Mickey and Minnie's houses , while I am excited about the expansion, the houses are something that I really hope Disney finds a new home for.
Love, Love your TR!!! Glad to hear all you guys are havein a great time!!! Your pics are GREAT!! What kinda camera do you use? Cant wait for the next update!!!
I have a Sony a100 (alpha series) DSLR. it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
I really enjoyed the pictures from Toontown, you got such great detail of Mickey's house. No matter how many times I visit there, I realize there is always more I miss. I am really going to miss the visits to Mickey and Minnie's houses , while I am excited about the expansion, the houses are something that I really hope Disney finds a new home for.
Stefanie and I are both hoping that Disney finds a new home for the houses, too. Faith, Hope, and dust!
Warning: Many, many pictures -- Feel free to scroll ahead!
Having thoroughly explored Mickey’s house, yard, and garage, we decided it was time to meet some princesses. The posted wait time was 60 minutes, but it was really only about 30 – 40 minutes. Luke left to have a seat on one of the benches. He was not feeling particularly well and needed a bit of rest. Stefanie, Pam, and I continued to chatter away in line. Unfortunately, Pam got to see some rudeness in the line. A lady behind us kept try to weasel ahead of us, but Pam learned mine and Luke’s blocking strategy quickly and we preserved our space in line. Then after we were in the princess room, the mother in front of us with the 5 kids, only one who was not a teenager, decided she was going back out to bring in yet another kid who hadn’t wanted to wait in line. Pam looked at me frowning as these folks had been backing up on her the entire time and said, “You’ve got to be kidding.” I felt the CMs would not allow this, and sure enough when she began to walk back to the doors, a CM stopped her and informed her that if she left now she would not be allowed back in. So she walks back to her kids, gives them the camera, and says if she’s not back when it’s their turn to go on without her. We never saw her gain. Her kids took individual shots with Aurora and then started over as pairs and such. Just as Stefanie was walking toward Aurora, the oldest son who looked to be 18 decides he wants a picture with Aurora, too, and jumps in front of her. It was all a bit confusing and somehow in the chaos, the PhotoPass photographer did not load the pictures of Stefanie with Aurora that she had taken on to our card, though she did pass it on to the next photographer. Thank goodness I was snapping lots of photos. Still it was a bit disappointing not to have these to add the cool borders to them. Stefanie did get to show off some of her pins on her lanyard to Aurora.
Next was Cinderella and I decided not to move from the queue until that family in front of us had completely moved out of the way. I was suspicious that I’m-the-next-best-thing-to-Zac Efron teenager would jump back into get a picture with Cinderella and trample Stefanie. Stefanie had a lovely talk with her favorite princess, telling her about her trip so far and inquiring about Gus and Jacq. She was glad to know that they now lived Cinderella and Prince Charming, so they were no longer tortured by Lucifer. It really was the sweetest exchange.
My photos:
PhotoPass picture:
Then we finally reach Belle, the whole reason for making Pam wait in the long line. I could tell she was a little nervous, but Stefanie took charge. In fact Pam commented as well on Stefanie’s professionalism with the whole character meet and greet/autograph process. Earlier when the CM had reminded kids to have their books opened to a blank page, she had looked down at Stefanie who just rolled her eyes as hers was already ready. Stefanie had a short talk with Belle about her Princess of the Day honors and the pin she had bought to commemorate the event. Another sweet exchange. Then she introduced her aunt to Belle.
I had been afraid that Pam might find all of this a bit silly. I don’t know what happens to me, but I return to that 5 year old stage when I see any of the characters I love. I know that wasn’t Mary Poppins I just visited with, but for that moment it really feels like she was and I get to be a kid again. I think you’ll be able to tell by the smiles on Pam’s face that she got to be a kid again, too.
As we exited the princess room, Pam commented that it was incredible how well each of the girls had portrayed her respective character and how lovely the dresses all were, but of course, Belle’s was the most beautiful. Don’t you just love the magic! Now we began our search for Luke who was pretty easy to find as he was still on the bench where we had left him. As we returned to ToonTown proper, we noticed that the line had gone way down for Minnie’s Country House, so we decided to take Pam for a visit. She loved this house even better because of the interactive kitchen. Once again loads of pictures to follow.
For some reason, I couldn’t get Stefanie to look at the camera. This is the best of 5 attempts.
I really did takes lots of pictures here; there are many more, but this is probably overwhelming as it is.
It was getting pretty warm and we girls had been standing or walking for quite awhile now, so catching the next WDW Railroad train sounded very inviting. So we headed down to the ToonTown Train Station to board. We made a full circle of the park so that Pam could see everything, including Frontierland. She doesn’t like water rides or roller coasters, so we never explored this area with her. Once we had come full circle, we disembarked to walk on the back sidewalk from ToonTown to Tomorrowland.
Luke headed to Buzz to get FPs while we three girls got in the queue for Monster Inc Laugh Floor. We walked right in to the pre-show. We had returned to short waits with the train and Laugh Floor. Once again there was some difficulty with the chosen audience members who were to act as characters, but their confusion only created more laughter. Pam loved it as once again she loves corny jokes.
While in the pre-show, I had gotten a phone call from school. I didn’t answer at the time, but after the show I checked my voice-mail and learned that there was a problem with my end of the year grades. For some reason two of classes grades had not posted so that students/parents could see them. Not good! I called back immediately as I knew it was nearly closing time for them. Once I knew what the problem was, I assured our guidance office that I could get on line back at the room and easily remedy the problem (which I did right before bed).
Our next adventure was the TomorrowLand Transit Authority with no wait. The ride around Tomorrowland was very enjoyable and relaxing for all of us. Then it was time to use those Buzz FPs. Pam had mentioned while riding the TTA that she loved video games where you shot stuff, though she is never really good at it. So even though she had a low score on Buz,z she loved it because she got to shoot stuff.
From the Buzz exit we notice another no wait at Carousel of Progress. We all appreciated the nice cushy seats and air conditioning. Of course, it is always to see the world change right before your eyes. This one proved very interesting for Pam, too.
We all felt a drink break was in order so we headed for the Lunching Pad. Once we had liquid refreshment, we headed across the bridge from Tomorrowland. A PhotoPass photographer was there was we took an opportunity to get some photos with the castle in the background.
When we finished posing, Luke asked for the camera as he loves to take interesting shots of the castle and Pam was wanting to see what it looked like up close. Because the area was already roped off for the show, we took the back route to the castle for a chance to look inside. We stopped a moment for Belle’s story time and for Luke to set up shots.
Stefanie wanted a picture of Gus and Jacq from Cinderella’s Wishing Well.
When we arrived at the castle, CMs were closing the inside off as well, but Pam did get to see part of the mosaic. Next time (and I do feel there will be), I’m not going to be so silly. I’ll take her to the castle first thing.
Next: A wee bit more of MK time and then off to Chef Mickey’s and Where, oh where, is Bob?
PassPorter Guide Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chapel Hill, NC USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 36,592
Post Thanks / Like
I love the colors in your AK day outfits together. Very colorful. I also noticed that Stefanie has a lot of green shirts. Is that her favorite? (As an aside, I love that she thinks her grandmother doesn't like green and feels sneaky when she wears it,....my Dad pretended that he didn't like the green fireworks once when the kids were little. Now they think of him every time a green firework goes off. I love it!)
I love that you did Ice Cream for dinner.
Your luck at getting short to no waits is awesome. Fairies must have been watching over you while showing a first-timer around. How perfect!
You are really taking a lot of photos. I don't know how you (and others do it). I feel lucky if I have maybe 50 pictures at the end of a trip. I can never remember to pull the camera out.
Love the pictures of the family and your sister in front of the castle!! Cool pictures of Minnie's house. I have to live through you guys because we we get there, I am sure it will be gone or hopefully moved!! Cant wait to see the pictures from the next installment. You take amazing pictures!
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: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
Aimee
Heather
I guess I should ask him if he was at the MK that day. 
Deb
"Sparky"(My first trip.)
, while I am excited about the expansion, the houses are something that I really hope Disney finds a new home for.
it!
dust!
For some reason two of classes grades had not posted so that students/parents could see them. Not good! I called back immediately as I knew it was nearly closing time for them. Once I knew what the problem was, I assured our guidance office that I could get on line back at the room and easily remedy the problem (which I did right before bed). 
to see the world change right before your eyes. This one proved very interesting for Pam, too.
Linear Mode
