The Amazing Ecotour- A Key Largo Trip Report - UPDATED 2/14 - Capt. Mike aboard! - Page 9 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 Universe: General Trip Planning and Discussion > Globetrotting: General 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 11-08-2009, 08:55 AM   #121
Sandra Bostwick
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Sandra Bostwick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Jersey
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 9,025

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny View Post
It does almost look fake... and maybe a bit scary! But so beautifully interesting at the same time!
Did you notice the waterway that was cut into the rock? I kept thinking it looked like the Pirates of The Caribbean attraction. Some sections looked very much like the Disney Jungle Cruise.

The strange part of this, though, was that this was REAL! The gators, the sharks, the sounds that you can't identify...all real.

That was the exciting part, but a little spooky!
__________________
Sandy_Bostwick's_BioPassPorter GuideSpecial_Needs and the_Back_Fence.

co-leader_for_Sunday_Night_Disney_Trivia_Chat

Here's my free special needs ebook.
Navigating_Disney


Sandra Bostwick
My Previous TripsToo many to count!
Sandra Bostwick is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 09:01 AM   #122
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
These shots are fantastic! I really want to do this sometime.
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 09:07 AM   #123
Sandra Bostwick
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Sandra Bostwick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Jersey
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 9,025

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep View Post
These shots are fantastic! I really want to do this sometime.
Every time I look at these shots I am disappointed, though, because there is no way the camera can catch it all!

In some places, there was almost this cedar smell. The rocking of the boat added so much to the experience. The wind whipping past me while we were going fast took my breath away.

And the sounds! OH! It was as if the most amazing sound track had been created. Some places were so relaxing, I almost fell asleep. Sometimes, when I heard a LOUD SPLASH, a rustling in the leaves, or something brushing on the bottom of the boat it gave me an adrenaline jolt that was actually pleasant once I decided that there was no danger.

Even the feeling of the cold ice piece that I chewed to keep hydrated. There is something so refreshing about having ice in your mouth when the whole world seems like it is on fire from the sun!

I also could not duplicate Captain Mike's and Jennifer's comments. They know the area like the back of their hands, and there really was no question that went unanswered.
__________________
Sandy_Bostwick's_BioPassPorter GuideSpecial_Needs and the_Back_Fence.

co-leader_for_Sunday_Night_Disney_Trivia_Chat

Here's my free special needs ebook.
Navigating_Disney


Sandra Bostwick
My Previous TripsToo many to count!
Sandra Bostwick is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 12:19 PM   #124
LizardCop
The Original BagMan
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Legend
 
LizardCop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Shalimar, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 22,002

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick View Post
Every time I look at these shots I am disappointed, though, because there is no way the camera can catch it all!

In some places, there was almost this cedar smell. The rocking of the boat added so much to the experience. The wind whipping past me while we were going fast took my breath away.

And the sounds! OH! It was as if the most amazing sound track had been created. Some places were so relaxing, I almost fell asleep. Sometimes, when I heard a LOUD SPLASH, a rustling in the leaves, or something brushing on the bottom of the boat it gave me an adrenaline jolt that was actually pleasant once I decided that there was no danger.

Even the feeling of the cold ice piece that I chewed to keep hydrated. There is something so refreshing about having ice in your mouth when the whole world seems like it is on fire from the sun!

I also could not duplicate Captain Mike's and Jennifer's comments. They know the area like the back of their hands, and there really was no question that went unanswered.
This is one of those times when you wish you had a video recorder, with unlimited battery and storage

I've never found anything like it anywhere else!!!
__________________
My Previous TripsDisneyland twice in 1970. WDW - 1985, 1987, and many times since 1999
LizardCop is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 01:01 PM   #125
Sandra Bostwick
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Sandra Bostwick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Jersey
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 9,025

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by LizardCop View Post
This is one of those times when you wish you had a video recorder, with unlimited battery and storage

I've never found anything like it anywhere else!!!
I think I would need a 360 virtual reality room. I just sat, and as the boat turned this way or that way the scene would change. You look up, down, side, or other side and you just can't take it all in. SO MUCH going on!

I have some sunset/sunrise shots from my balcony. They don't even begin to show what it was like to drink in all that expansive beauty till your senses are practically staggering drunk! Seriously, I had to hold back tears a few times because the colors were so BIG and bright that you could almost hear them singing to you. (And, no, there was NO alcohol involved with that!)

It's the kind of sight that fills my heart up and gets me a little light-headed. I think that is where the term "breathtaking" must have originated.

You really DO have to be there, though.
__________________
Sandy_Bostwick's_BioPassPorter GuideSpecial_Needs and the_Back_Fence.

co-leader_for_Sunday_Night_Disney_Trivia_Chat

Here's my free special needs ebook.
Navigating_Disney


Sandra Bostwick
My Previous TripsToo many to count!
Sandra Bostwick is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 06:19 PM   #126
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 pictures!
__________________
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 11-08-2009, 07:55 PM   #127
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick View Post
Every time I look at these shots I am disappointed, though, because there is no way the camera can catch it all!

In some places, there was almost this cedar smell. The rocking of the boat added so much to the experience. The wind whipping past me while we were going fast took my breath away.

And the sounds! OH! It was as if the most amazing sound track had been created. Some places were so relaxing, I almost fell asleep. Sometimes, when I heard a LOUD SPLASH, a rustling in the leaves, or something brushing on the bottom of the boat it gave me an adrenaline jolt that was actually pleasant once I decided that there was no danger.

Even the feeling of the cold ice piece that I chewed to keep hydrated. There is something so refreshing about having ice in your mouth when the whole world seems like it is on fire from the sun!

I also could not duplicate Captain Mike's and Jennifer's comments. They know the area like the back of their hands, and there really was no question that went unanswered.
I kept thinking, as I scrolled through the photos, "If the photos are this amazing, I've got to see it in person!"
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 09:17 PM   #128
Sandra Bostwick
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Sandra Bostwick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Jersey
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 9,025

Post Thanks / Like
We spent some time floating along.









__________________
Sandy_Bostwick's_BioPassPorter GuideSpecial_Needs and the_Back_Fence.

co-leader_for_Sunday_Night_Disney_Trivia_Chat

Here's my free special needs ebook.
Navigating_Disney


Sandra Bostwick
My Previous TripsToo many to count!
Sandra Bostwick is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 09:35 PM   #129
DawnK
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
DawnK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Worcester,MA
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 3,966

Post Thanks / Like
I just read your trip from the beginning. Those pictures are amazing. The trees are just fabulous.
__________________
Katie's graduation
My Countdown Counting down to: August 2018-Katie's parent's survive college
And away we go !!!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Tripswdw 1982, 1987,1992, july 1995, april 1998, april 2001, april 2005, april 2007, august 2010, august 2012
DawnK is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 10:30 PM   #130
rhinohunter
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
rhinohunter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Taylorsville, NC
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 3,869

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick View Post
And the sounds! OH! It was as if the most amazing sound track had been created. Some places were so relaxing, I almost fell asleep. Sometimes, when I heard a LOUD SPLASH, a rustling in the leaves, or something brushing on the bottom of the boat it gave me an adrenaline jolt that was actually pleasant once I decided that there was no danger.
This much time in the sun, on a boat, rocking along, nice wildlife noises I believe that I would have been napping as well. Sounds and looks like a wonderful trip. This is one trip to add to my list of dream trips. Thanks for sharing.
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
rhinohunter is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 11:00 PM   #131
Kenny
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
Kenny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Southeastern Ohio
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 3,078

Post Thanks / Like
Great pictures! And yes, I believe breathtaking could apply here!
__________________

WDW Sep 2013

Read about our latest trip: In Search Of... (a trip report)
One Blessed Man
: Kenny

My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsPort Orleans/Riverside Sept 05, Port Orleans/French Quarter Oct '08, DCL Western Caribbean Oct '08, AKL July 2011, Coronado Springs Nov '12
Kenny is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2009, 02:21 AM   #132
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
More great photos!
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2009, 08:42 AM   #133
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 pictures!
__________________
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 11-09-2009, 09:19 AM   #134
Sandra Bostwick
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Sandra Bostwick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Jersey
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 9,025

Post Thanks / Like
Captain Mike became Professor Mike and gave a little lecture. Here are some of his Ecotour tips:

*Wear lightweight material. Always wear long pants and sleeves. Never wear cotton. Fishermen say "Cotton is rotton." You can always buy fishing pants that zip to make shorts if you want.

*You can wear a garment called a Buff to protect your face and neck. (See one below.)

*Wear lots of sunscreen. Let it soak in for a half hour before you start sweating. Put the tanning lotion on while you are still in air conditioning, so it soaks in without being sweated out. Captain Mike likes the Bullfrog with the red cap, which is 50 spf or above, sweatproof, and waterproof.









__________________
Sandy_Bostwick's_BioPassPorter GuideSpecial_Needs and the_Back_Fence.

co-leader_for_Sunday_Night_Disney_Trivia_Chat

Here's my free special needs ebook.
Navigating_Disney


Sandra Bostwick
My Previous TripsToo many to count!

Last edited by Sandra Bostwick; 11-28-2009 at 09:39 AM..
Sandra Bostwick is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2009, 12:23 PM   #135
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Good tips.
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp 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 02:27 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