Let the Magic Find You - Our October 2011 F&WF TR - Page 7 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
There is so much to the Japan pavilion - we love exploring it. I love all your treats, they look so good. You're making me hungry though...
I really love the Japan pavilion! In the past we spent so much time in the shop we passed on by the other great stuff - glad we made time this trip. Sorry for making you hungry!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Baloo
I purposely ate lunch just before checking this thread, and I'm really glad I did! Everything looks really yummy (specially that salty chocolate caramel!)
Glad you came to the post prepared!
Quote:
Originally Posted by taylan1
Yippee! More food photos! Mike would have liked the swedish meatballs since he loves lingonberries. The African filet of beef looks really good. I totally wish they had given us the sourdough bread last year, so much better than the cubes and potatoes. We did not stop at the Singapore booth last year but if they had that dish I wish we had it looks so yummy! I will have to that dark chocolate caramel on our next trip, sounds divine.
I really like lingonberries too - when we did the Akershus breakfast several years ago they had lingonberry muffns that were sooooo good!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
All that food look so wonderful
It was so good - I'm still craving it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures from the WS! And lots more great eats!
After exploring Japan, we figured we’d worked up a bit of an appetite so we’d better hit a few more booths.
I was very anxious to get back to the New Zealand booth to have the lamb slider that I loved so much last year, so that’s where we headed. There was no line at the register but as we were waiting for our food quite a long line formed behind us with other guests who were paid up and waiting for their orders – it went all the way outside the ropes for the queue. I felt bad for the chef because he was working solo and there wasn’t even another CM there to expedite the orders – he was taking the slips, cooking and plating all by himself. It must’ve been very stressful! After a bit of a wait we got our lamb slider with tomato chutney and glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
Definitely worth the wait and as good as I remembered!
As we were eating I noticed that one of the cashiers closed her line to start expediting the orders and another CM showed up to help the chef so by the time I snapped this picture leaving the area, things seemed to be under control!
Our next stop was to check off another “to do” list item – exploring the Morocco pavilion in greater detail.
It’s so pretty back here and the little nooks and crannies really made me feel like I was in another world.
We went inside one of the courtyards to try to find another of DH’s Hidden Magic items – you are supposed to be able to hear a family’s conversation here. We weren’t able to hear it though and DH wondered if maybe some of the effects aren’t always turned on.
After Morocco we hit our last booth of the day – Portugal. Being half Portuguese myself, I was anxious to try the linguica, which is a favorite of mine. To go along with it I ordered a glass of moscato and DH got a glass of Port.
Sad to say the linguica wasn’t authentic tasting at all. It was lacking the heavy smoked paprika flavor (and red color). We didn’t try the calamari because I’d already read a bad review of it on Allears. The booth never seemed to be too busy so I’m hoping they make a go of it for future years.
As with last year, we ended up skipping the Belgium booth. As much as I wanted to try the waffles, Godiva iced coffee and chocolates, there was just no room left in the old stomach. Shame as they had this really cute new seating area set up.
Since we were back near France at this point we figured it was a good time to scoot out the International Gateway and head back to the hotel.
We made a quick stop in the lobby to add a day to our tickets (for some reason that I now can’t remember, I only put three days of tickets on our reservation). They had cute balloons out advertising MNSSHP for that evening.
We also stopped in Dundy’s Sundries where I found this cute 40th anniversary pin.
We headed up to the room and I was determined to get to the pool this afternoon so I told DH NO sitting down, let’s immediately put on our bathing suits. I quickly popped my camera battery on the charger (hence no pictures for the rest of this update) and we headed out.
We went to the main pool and it was not too crowded at all. We found a couple of chairs and got into the water. It was surprisingly chilly so after a bit we decided maybe the hot tub was a better option. The hot tub was full of kids so we strolled over to the quiet pool, which was empty except for one other couple. The hot tub was completely free so we got in. We couldn’t for the life of us figure out how to work the jets. We looked all along the edge and couldn’t find the button. Later on when we were lounging the other couple got in and we realized the button is next to the “Spa Rules” sign. DOH! After lounging a bit (and I think I may have even dozed off!), we headed up to the room to freshen up for our dinner at Kouzzina.
Up Next: I remember you!
Last edited by WeRDisneyFanatics; 10-16-2011 at 06:54 PM..
Reason: fix pic
Okay, I really wished we had tried that Lamb slider. I don't know how we missed it last year. It looks so good. We love Morroco and they did such a wonderful job in the design that you do feel as if you are really there. Mike wants to try Marrakesh on our next trip. Sorry about the disappointment with Portugal. I was so looking forward to your review of the Belgium waffle I know you would have loved it and the seating area is great. What a shame you were full, it is truly devine! Next time you MUST try it! LOL Glad you were able to find time to go to the pool and relax in the hot tub. I can't wait to hear about Kouzzina, as we have only done breakfast there so far. This is really making me
Whew......I'm finally all caught up!! What a great trip you are having so far! I absolutely the view from your room!! Very cool that you are checking out stuff from the Hidden Magic book and exploring the countries more. Enjoying all the great photos.....yummy food pictures!! Looking forward to more!!
Okay, I really wished we had tried that Lamb slider. I don't know how we missed it last year. It looks so good. We love Morroco and they did such a wonderful job in the design that you do feel as if you are really there. Mike wants to try Marrakesh on our next trip. Sorry about the disappointment with Portugal. I was so looking forward to your review of the Belgium waffle I know you would have loved it and the seating area is great. What a shame you were full, it is truly devine! Next time you MUST try it! LOL Glad you were able to find time to go to the pool and relax in the hot tub. I can't wait to hear about Kouzzina, as we have only done breakfast there so far. This is really making me
Marrakesh is on our list too! It never seems to work out with our plans but I'd like to try it since we like Tangierine so much! I wish we had been in WS right at a 11 a.m. one morning because we could've made the Belgium booth a late breakfast but it never worked out that way. Oh well, guess we have to go back.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickeysgal
Whew......I'm finally all caught up!! What a great trip you are having so far! I absolutely the view from your room!! Very cool that you are checking out stuff from the Hidden Magic book and exploring the countries more. Enjoying all the great photos.....yummy food pictures!! Looking forward to more!!
Hi Lori! Thanks for reading along. We missed you guys and everyone else from last year's meet on this trip - I was a little sad when I passed "our" tables by the slushie stand.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
More great eats and pictures! Sorry about the linguica!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by truenancy
I loving living vicariously through you! I've been to the F&WF twice, but with kids both times. Sounds fantastic!
F&WF is a fun time to go kid-free. My DD isn't a very adventerous eater yet so I think she's be bored very quickly with the booths. Although there's probably some desserts that she'd love.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a shame about the Portuguese booth - I hope they up their game for future years...
We headed down to Kouzzina and were a few minutes early for our 8:30 p.m. ADR. There were only two groups ahead of us in the check in line but we noticed that there seemed to be some sort of problem. After about five minutes we heard one of the CMs say that they weren’t able to get the reservations to download from the online system so they were doing everything from a paper printout. It seemed like neither of the groups in front of could be found. The first group eventually got settled but the mother and daughter in front of us ended up giving up and walking out. I felt really bad for them because that must’ve been very frustrating!
When it was our turn to check in I saw DH’s name on the list right away so I knew we were good to go. They gave us a pager and we settled into one of the benches to wait.
Hidden Mickey!
Our pager went off after a few minutes and we were seated to the left side of the restaurant – actually the same spot we sat when we came here the first time when the restaurant was still Spoodles.
When the waitress came over to greet us I recognized her as the same server we had when we came to Kouzzina the first time in January 2010. I mentioned it to her (and showed her where we had sat right by the doors) and she said, yes that was probably her because she always gets the front of the restaurant because no one likes that section! She seemed pleased that we remembered her!
We decided to start off with an order of spanikopita and a carafe of Cat Cora’s “Coranation” wine – Sauvignon Blanc.
I love spanikopita – this one had a little more of an olive taste to it than I remembered/am used to, but I thought the tomato salad underneath was a nice compliment.
For entrees, DH ordered the Fisherman's Stew - scallops, seasonal fish, shellfish, fennel, grilled bread, and Ouzo butter, which he said was amazingly delicious.
I opted to have the Kouzzina sampler for two, which is really an appetizer, as my entrée.
On the plate is choice of two skewers with marinated olives, spiced cashews, dolmades, tzatziki, hummus, and grilled pita. For my skewers I got shrimp, which were very spicy as I remember – thank goodness for the tzatziki to cool things down, and lamb meatballs. They changed the preparation of the meatballs since last time (they are now in a tomato sauce with cheese instead of sesame meatballs on a skewer), and I thought the change was for the better!
This was the perfect “entrée” for me and just enough food. I’m not a fan of stuffed grape leaves so DH got to enjoy those!
For dessert we decided to share the baklava.
This was the only miss to the meal – it was pretty hard, not tender and oozing with honey like it should be. That’s okay, I could stand to go light on dessert right about now!
We chatted with our server a bit before we settled up the bill. All and all it was a great meal and we’d definitely look forward to going back.
After dinner we decided to take a stroll over to the Swan and Dolphin. We could see that they were getting the causeway ready for the weekend’s Food and Wine Classic.
Inside we checked out a couple of places we hope to try someday – BlueZoo and the Fountain.
We headed up to the lobby, which was surprisingly quiet. The last time we visited it was bustling with conventioneers. We browsed through the gift shop then headed back toward the Boardwalk.
We decided to walk along the back of the resort next to the waterway. Somehow we overshot where we were supposed to go in and ended up at Community Hall at BCV. We went inside and ended up in a maze of hallways – we kept following the signs for “Lobby” but if you’ve ever been to the BW before, you know how long and seemingly never-ending the hallways can be! We eventually saw a familiar site – the fitness center – and made our way to the lobby and back to our room.
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.
About This Page: 
I love all your treats, they look so good. You're making me hungry though... 
!
The African filet of beef looks really good. I totally wish they had given us the sourdough bread last year, so much better than the cubes and potatoes. 
And lots more great eats! 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
After a bit of a wait we got our lamb slider with tomato chutney and glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
It was lacking the heavy smoked paprika flavor (and red color). We didn’t try the calamari because I’d already read a bad review of it on Allears. The booth never seemed to be too busy so I’m hoping they make a go of it for future years.
, let’s immediately put on our bathing suits. I quickly popped my camera battery on the charger (hence no pictures for the rest of this update) and we headed out.
. We looked all along the edge and couldn’t find the button. Later on when we were lounging the other couple got in and we realized the button is next to the “Spa Rules” sign. DOH!
After lounging a bit (and I think I may have even dozed off!
), we headed up to the room to freshen up for our dinner at Kouzzina.
I was so looking forward to your review of the Belgium waffle I know you would have loved it and the seating area is great. What a shame you were full, it is truly devine! 
,
the view from your room!! Very cool that you are checking out stuff from the Hidden Magic book and exploring the countries more. Enjoying all the great photos.....yummy food pictures!! Looking forward to more!!
PassPorter Guide Author
. They gave us a pager and we settled into one of the benches to wait.
Linear Mode
