A DREAM is a wish your heart makes...Halloween on the High Seas edition - updated 09/14/2014 - Page 8 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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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!
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How great that you got to meet up with Cam! And I love that blanket. So cute! Fun times at DTD. How strange that the Lego GC wouldn't work at Legoland, but at least the boys got to pick up something at DTD.
Oh good! So it looks like there's a possibility for a meet.
Potentially!
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Originally Posted by honeybee723
I love the special blanket that Cam made for you...and the little tag is adorable! So sweet.
I know! I can't remember if I saw that right away or once at home, but it's definitely a sweet touch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Ooohhh! I may have to think about this. We would be arriving 10/16 or 17 if we move it to Oct!!!
Keep me posted!
Quote:
Originally Posted by stardust190
How great that you got to meet up with Cam! And I love that blanket. So cute! Fun times at DTD. How strange that the Lego GC wouldn't work at Legoland, but at least the boys got to pick up something at DTD.
It is weird that you can't use the gift cards there, but at least they still got to use them.
No alarm was set today as we had no real plans until dinner. I checked email on my phone as they had said they were going to send me tracking information on my pump. Through last night the pump had dried out enough and was in fact working, but I still didn’t trust it 100% and didn’t want to leave the hotel without a new one on. So we decided to check out some more of the bead activities around the resort. I think we did one at Kidani again behind the pool learning about the Wonders of Africa and what part of the country they are located. Then before heading to Jambo house for the animal tracking activity I went to the front desk to check on the pump, which I believe said it had been delivered now or should’ve been as it was after 10am now. I sent to boys on to Jambo ahead of me. Concierge didn’t have it so I went to meet up with the boys over at Jambo. They were doing animal tracking still as I arrived and it was cute to see them. Basically they worked together (Dylan & Lukas) holding a mike and the battery pack to listen for sounds made by the animal they were tracking (who ended up being Safari Mickey!). The CMs would help them and the first time we found him pretty quick. I think they may have done it again, this time so Lukas could hold the mike. And then they wanted to do it AGAIN! So one CM went to hide Mickey in a really hard place. Then we all set out to find him. We could hear Mickey but couldn’t find him. I bet we all looked for 10 minutes! Finally I turned around and saw him – in a lamp post way up high! Tricky, tricky! The boys really enjoyed themselves with this activity and I’m glad they were able to do it.
We ventured inside Jambo then to check everything out and Mike & I took turns exploring the gift shop. While Mike was in the gift shop the boys watched cartoons and I sat in a big comfy chair nearby. Then some CMs came out and asked if they wanted their face painted. Dylan didn’t, but Lukas was game so she went to work making Lukas an African warrior. He was so cute and sat so still for her! When Mike returned I went off to explore the gift shop and came back with purchases of course! I found myself a scarf that was half off (I’ll try to remember to take a picture of it at some point), the boys each a pair of binoculars which are being saved for Christmas, a magnet for a friend at work, and I’m thinking there was something else but can’t remember now. I did forget to make a donation to the conservation fund, but I made up for it later today!
It was now lunchtime and our bellies were growling so we went down to the Mara. We got several things to all share. This is a prime example of why we don’t do the dining plan. It would be way too much food for the 4 us and we don’t spend the amount it could cost for the credits. I know others like it, but it’s just for us. I may change that tune when I have 2 teenage boys to feed. Mike had the falafel, I had a Caesar salad, the boys shared a flatbread and we all shared some chips, fruit, drinks & dessert. I even cut the desserts in fourths so we could all have a little of each.
Pumkpin cheesecake & pecan tart - both were very delicious!
Once bellies were full we headed back to Kidani to check on my pump. Still didn’t have it. They thought it might have gone somewhere else and were looking into it so I said I would wait in the lobby. I think I sat there for 15 minutes when Mike called and said they’d just delivered it to the room. Really?! Why couldn’t anyone tell me that while I was wasting time in the lobby?! In the end I was just happy it was finally here. So I booked it to the room so I could change things over and wear the new pump.
I noticed this tv at the Kidani on the way back from Jambo. I liked that it showed when the buses would be by and the current time.
Now it was time to head to the outlet mall and check out the character warehouse. This place was a madhouse for parking! I found it worse than DtD. We did get one finally and were making our way to the store when I realized I couldn’t remember if I’d locked the car or not. Mike went back to check while the boys & I headed to the store. Luckily it wasn’t a long walk to the Character Warehouse aka Disney outlet. This is so different from the Disney outlet at home, this outlet has stuff FROM the parks. I think I must’ve looked at everything in the store (minus the girl clothes) at least 5 times. I finally settled on a few things: the boys each got a glow-in-the-dark Haunted Mansion t-shirt, I got a green t-shirt with hot pink lettering (it was sold online previously but hadn’t been for a while), a set of 4 Mickey head ornaments that I spilt for a few friends at work and then to Dylan & Lukas’ teachers for Christmas, Mike got some coconut patties for Christmas, and a little orange bird pin. This is where I remembered the conservation donation and got a few pins too. I think it’s neat that every location has a different pin for donating.
As you can see we also made a donation on the cruise.
We didn’t need to do any other shopping so after a restroom break we headed back to the car. We had a bit of time before we needed to head to dinner so I got in touch with my cousin that lives in Clermont and we were able to find their house (new construction neighborhood so tricky even with the GPS) and visit for a little. Lukas had fallen asleep in the car and was still sleepy/in a mood so he hung out inside on the couch watching Little Einsteins while the rest of us hung out on the back porch. Some neighbors had come by to help put a tv mount on the wall out there so they could be in the pool or outside and still watch. The MLB playoffs were going on at this time so it was important since our Cardinals were playing! Oh to live in FL and watch tv outdoors and in the pool! I hadn’t brought swimsuits for anyone, but that didn’t stop Dylan from playing in the pool. It was a good thing I still had luggage out in the car so he had some dry things to wear.
Soon it was time for us to head back to WDW as we had an ADR at Chef Mickey’s. It was so great to see my cousin and his wife and meet their new puppy. I hope we can work out to see them on our next trips as well. They have even offered us a place to stay if we ever want to do Disney “on a budget” and one day will take them up on that offer.
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.
Great purchases at the Character Warehouse! I'm thinking about renting a car for a day, next vacation, so I can swing by the outlets.
I'm still debating about the dining plan for our next trip. We're aiming towards not getting it. The main reason being that my son will be 10 and considered a "Disney adult", but he eats like a little birdie. It would be a waste of food and money.
What a great day of exploring the resort. Glad your pump arrived safe and sound.
The offer of staying for free is so tempting, but I just love staying on property. When my parents were looking into moving to Orlando I was a little excited, but knew they would want us to stay with them and I would miss out on staying on property.
So glad the pump found its way to you!!!!
We have visited that outlet a few times and find it hit or miss - glad you found some purchases!
How neat to have family living so close and able to make a quick visit!
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Glad the pump arrived!
That falafel at the Mara is my favorite!!
You will think differently about the dining plan when the boys are teens - we get it because our teenaged boy eats his portion, plus all the extra from the other three of us!
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 will definitely have to make it to the Character Warehouse sometime! That display with the times for the busses is really great! I wonder how accurate it is? I hope all the resorts get those.
What a pain waiting for the pump in the lobby, only to find it was waiting for you in the room! So glad you got it, though, and that drama is over! The tracking activity sounds like a lot of fun. I love how much there is to do at Jambo House. Except for a brief trip to Celebration once, I've never ventured off-site. Your wanderings sound like fun, though.
Thank goodness the pump made it in the end. I love that neat display about the buses - very useful.
I thought it looked pretty useful as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great purchases at the Character Warehouse! I'm thinking about renting a car for a day, next vacation, so I can swing by the outlets.
I'm still debating about the dining plan for our next trip. We're aiming towards not getting it. The main reason being that my son will be 10 and considered a "Disney adult", but he eats like a little birdie. It would be a waste of food and money.
Until those boys appetites grow I don't think we'll be getting it. We'll get the TiW instead.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Sounds like a nice day hanging out at the resort and shopping! Sorry about the confusion with your pump, but glad you got your replacement!
Thank goodness it finally arrived!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
What a great day of exploring the resort. Glad your pump arrived safe and sound.
The offer of staying for free is so tempting, but I just love staying on property. When my parents were looking into moving to Orlando I was a little excited, but knew they would want us to stay with them and I would miss out on staying on property.
If/when we go on another cruise we might stay with them the night before.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
So glad the pump found its way to you!!!!
We have visited that outlet a few times and find it hit or miss - glad you found some purchases!
How neat to have family living so close and able to make a quick visit!
It was great to see them as we missed them last year. In 2011 they came to us for Lukas' 1st birthday.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Glad the pump arrived!
That falafel at the Mara is my favorite!!
You will think differently about the dining plan when the boys are teens - we get it because our teenaged boy eats his portion, plus all the extra from the other three of us!
I'm sure I will think differently. At times I wonder when those big appetites will kick in.
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Originally Posted by jackid2
Glad to hear you got the pump!! Can't wait to read more!!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
I will definitely have to make it to the Character Warehouse sometime! That display with the times for the busses is really great! I wonder how accurate it is? I hope all the resorts get those.
If it works it would be really helpful. I'll have to check BW when we're there in June to see if they have them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
What a pain waiting for the pump in the lobby, only to find it was waiting for you in the room! So glad you got it, though, and that drama is over! The tracking activity sounds like a lot of fun. I love how much there is to do at Jambo House. Except for a brief trip to Celebration once, I've never ventured off-site. Your wanderings sound like fun, though.
We even missed a few of te activities because the timing didn't work out. I know they had a flamingo realted one too. This is the first time we've ventured off so much and thought it would be the perfect time to do so.
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