Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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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.
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11-20-2005, 07:59 AM
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#76
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,784
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Another awesome update!!!! I also have to say, I'm so impressed with Erin, what an awesome big sister!!!!! She's the big sister we all wish we had!!!!!! She looks like she's so great with the little ones!!!! Great pictures! I thought my kids were the only ones scared by Playhouse Disney! Aidan freaked out before the show even started (the first time we went), and we haven't been able to go in since. Great update!!! Katie sure is a trooper going on TOT!!!!!
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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. |
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11-20-2005, 08:37 AM
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#77
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Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Great update!!! Sorry Molly is not a fan of Bear - but other than that - your day sounded wonderful!
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11-20-2005, 09:29 AM
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#78
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 2,929
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Great updates! I'm sorry that Molly was afraid of some of the characters, I was too when I was little!
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11-20-2005, 09:34 AM
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#79
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
What a great update Stacey [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
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11-20-2005, 09:44 AM
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#80
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Another terrific update!! Sorry that Molly didn't like the bear! More please!!!
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11-20-2005, 11:00 AM
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#81
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Community Rank: Adventurer 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 570
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] your TR! I have to say that Katie looks SO adorable with her hair up. She is definitely going to be a heartbreaker when she grows up. LoL!
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11-20-2005, 11:35 AM
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#82
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 13,817
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Another great update. More please.
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11-20-2005, 01:37 PM
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#83
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
I've just gotten caught up here Stacey! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Can I just say that your girls are just adorable and you guys sure are having a magical time!! More please!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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11-20-2005, 08:12 PM
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#84
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,797
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Another great update! It sounds like you guys had a great day! Shannon's hair looked really nice in the Playhouse Disney pix...they did a great job! I'll have to make time for my DDs to get their hair done on our next trip!
Love the suspense! Unlike a soap opera, we know that you'll eventually tell us everything! (unless you get amnesia of course....)
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
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11-21-2005, 10:10 AM
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#85
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: the Burbs outside of Philadelphia
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 12,093
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Stacey Great update. Snaps for Erin and how refreshing it is to see a teenager willing to be seen in public with her family and actually help out with her little sisters.
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11-21-2005, 11:47 AM
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#86
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Community Rank: Trekker
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,904
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Great update, Stacey. The girls' hair looked adorable. Looking forward to more.
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11-21-2005, 12:35 PM
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#87
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Robbinsdale, MN
Posts: 7,526
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Great updates, Stacey! Erin rocks as a big sister! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] Looking forward to more of the Birthday Bash...
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Sponsored links
Check out the many e-books by PassPorter. The e-books are free to download if you have a PassPorter's Club pass.
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11-22-2005, 12:33 AM
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#88
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Posts: 4,751
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Day 3, Part 1: Monday, November 7, 2005 Katie’s Birthday!!
After our early day Sunday we decided to let the kids sleep in and wake up when they wanted to so I didn’t set a wake up call. Molly woke up first at 8:45 and I tried to get her dressed and out of the room quickly so she wouldn’t wake the other two girls up but Molly was happy and talking loudly and singing so Shannon & Katie were up by 9:00 a.m. (Did I ever mention that Erin was staying next door in my parent’s room so we could fit in a moderate instead of having to get two rooms at a value? I just wanted to mention it so you didn’t think I was leaving her out when I talk about us in our room!) We all sang Happy Birthday to Katie and then my parents, Erin and my in-laws came in to say Happy Birthday too. The kids went next door to my parent’s room to eat cereal and birthday doughnuts and my sisters called to wish Katie a Happy Birthday as well (my brother called later in the day probably after one of my sisters called him to remind him [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]). Finally we started getting dressed for our day at Animal Kingdom. Katie wore her special Birthday Princess Katie t-shirt.
We got a really late start and probably didn’t get to Animal Kingdom until around 12:00. On our way in we saw Terk, Chip & Dale & Pluto so we stopped for autographs and pictures.
Autographs from Chip & Dale
Shannon & Katie with Chip & Dale
Shannon & Katie with Pluto
Pluto!!
The Animal Kingdom Christmas Tree
While they were getting their pictures I went and got Katie a birthday pin. Molly still wouldn’t go up to them but she was very happy standing some distance away waving and blowing them kisses – that was a better than Sunday when the mere sight of a character may her scream and cry. Erin had stopped at a vendor with Carol & Cathy and walked up late with a pair of pink cheetah pattern mickey ears so we got pictures of her and Cathy with Chip & Dale & Pluto.
Autographs from Pluto
Cathy & Erin with Pluto
Cathy & Erin with Chip & Dale
Finally, we entered the park. We tried to get a good picture of the girls in front of the Tree of Life
Pictures of the girls in front of the Tree of Life with the sun in their eyes [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Tree of Life with Erin & Molly in front looking at something (animals or flowers I think)
but the sun was in their eyes so we gave up and began walking towards the Kilmajaro Safari. While walking to Kilmanjaro Safari Katie spotted Lilo and Stitch so of course we HAD to stop for a meeting with these two since they are two of Katie & Erin’s favorites. The line was long and I know my Dad was annoyed especially when we waited through their short break. He doesn’t understand the kids love of getting pictures and autographs with the characters [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I don’t pay any attention to him though, it’s all for the kids so whatever they want is fine with me. I figure he can always go on without us if he wants to. When we got up to Lilo and Stitch the wait was totally worth it. Jimmy was still carrying Molly and she wasn’t paying attention to where she was so when she turned around and spotted Stitch right next to her I thought she would freak out but she didn’t she let Jimmy hold her there while Lilo and Stitch signed the books. When Katie handed Stitch her book and the pen, the pen wasn’t working so Stitch threw the pen over his back and stomped out obviously “annoyed” to steal a pen from a little girl in line and then he stomped back and signed three of the books but instead of signing Katie’s he tried to eat it and when it wouldn’t fit in his mouth he started licking her book. Katie was doubled over in laughter. Finally Stitch signed the book and gave it to Lilo for her signature. Then Stitch spotted Katie’s shirt and button and pointed to it and Katie ran over to him and gave him a big hug!
Lilo & Stitch signing autographs
Stitch trying to eat Katie's book
Stitch could eat it so instead he is licking it
Katie's birthday hug!!
Now it was time for the picture, Molly was still happily in Jimmy’s arms right next to Lilo and Lilo asked her for a kiss. Molly wouldn’t give her one but she did give her a high five!! Yay a breakthrough!! Molly then stayed in the picture with Jimmy holding her – at least she’s finally IN a picture! (We figured out that Molly would gladly get in the picture as long as someone held her (usually Jimmy, she wouldn’t let me or Erin hold her until the last couple of days).
A couple of pictures of the girls (and Jimmy) with Lilo & Stitch, Molly finally got in a character picture!! Yay!!
After we were done with Lilo and Stitch my Dad admitted he thought standing in that line was a waste of time but the character interaction made it all worth it [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] duh that’s what it’s all about Dad!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]
We finally made our way to Kilmanjaro Safari
Katie on Kilmanjaro Safaris
Molly peeking
and I told Cathy & Carol they must be good luck because we have NEVER seen so many animals. This was by far the best Safari we have ever been on. Erin was really excited because she really loves animals.
When we were done on Kilmajaro Safari we were headed for It’s Tough to be Bug but got sidetracked by an awesome African acrobatic show – jump roping, jumping through hoops, there was this one guy who was jumping rope on his butt, he must have had some serious butt muscles! I swear he was jumping rope higher on his butt than I can on my feet!! His mother must be proud [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]!! I didn’t have the camera (DH did [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]) so unfortunately there are no pictures of the acrobats he was too busy getting a beer from the vendor there [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] (although I will admit to taking a couple of sips, it was really hot!) I don’t know the name of these acrobats but if you see them don’t miss it!!
A couple of pictures of us watching the acrobats
After the acrobatic show was over Molly spotted a sprinkler and since she LOVES sprinklers and it was really hot (why is Animal Kingdom so much hotter than the other parks, it wasn’t any hotter than any other day temperature-wise but it sure felt like it) Molly, Shannon & Katie ran over to get under the sprinkler.
The girls under the sprinkler
Molly trying to escape back to the sprinklers
After they had gotten wet enough (in my opinion) we started for ITTBAB again, stopping along the way at a vendor because I desperately needed a pair of sunglasses. Of course, Katie, Molly and Shannon decided they desperately needed sunglasses too so Jimmy bought them each a pair. Erin couldn’t find any that looked cool enough and with lenses dark enough to actually block the sun so she didn’t get any.
Me, Shannon, Katie & Molly in our new sunglasses
FINALLY we made it to ITTBAB. Jimmy was going to stay out with Molly but then he decided at the last minute to take her in since she had loved Muppetvision 3D so much. I was a little concerned because we had to run Shannon & Katie out of there screaming bloody murder last time [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blushing.gif[/img]! Molly is one brave little girl because she loved this too & now that Shannon & Katie are over their fear of all things 3D they loved it as well – I heard them all giggling and laughing through the whole thing!! This is now one of our must dos for the entire family. This is Erin’s favorite thing in all of Animal Kingdom so she was happy to sit in between Katie & Shannon and share it with them (she really is a great big sister most of the time except when she isn’t - all of you out there with teenagers will understand that comment!).
After ITTBAB we had just enough time to make the next showing of Festival of the Lion King. This show is just FABULOUS!! I love it more every time I see it. We all had a great time although Katie was hoping to be picked for the parade since it was her birthday so she was a little disappointed. Molly’s eyes were as big as saucers especially when she saw the flying monkeys. This was the first movie I took Erin to (that she remembers anyway she saw Aladdin in the movie theatre too but she was only 3) so this is a sentimental favorite for me and Erin.
After FOTLK it was time to wrap it up and go back to the room because it was getting late and we had to go get ready for our 7:15 ADR at the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. When we got back to the room I took a picture of Katie in her birthday shirt and pin and then with the card we found waiting for her from Minnie Mouse.
We all relaxed briefly and then got ready for Katie’s birthday dinner at the Hoop Dee Doo Revue.
Day 3, Part 2: Katie’s 5th Birthday – Hijinks at the Hoop Dee Doo
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11-22-2005, 01:59 AM
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#89
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Dopey's biggest fan!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: China Spring, TX
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 26,975
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Great update!!! Glad you got Molly into a character photo!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Looking forward to hearing all about Katie's birthday dinner at HDDR!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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11-22-2005, 07:12 AM
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#90
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859
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Re: The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/15 - The Birthday Bash trip finally begins.
Great update!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] Molly for getting on those photos!! I sure hope that you get to the Hoop-Dee-Doo part before Saturday!!
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