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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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Twenty years and Life to Go (A Trip Report) -- Updated in Post #52
Day 1 -- Departure and the Magic of Her Dotness
Up before 5 am to finish packing & loading, and get things ready for pet sitter.
Leaving too early for words
Uneventful drive to CVG (happens when you're on the road at 6:30 a.m.) and flight to Orlando.
DH & DS
DD & me
DS & DD like to "drive" the tram at the airport
Most of our clothes and "survival" items were in two checked bags. We had two carry-on bags with swimsuits, pajamas, and toiletries as well as individual "entertainment bags". Boarded DME to Grand Floridian. Since this trip was to celebrate our 20th anniversary, we thought we should return to the hotel where we had honeymooned. Had faxed a letter to the room assigner a week before, telling them we were celebrating, and arranging for Brent's anniversary gift -- a Grand Floridian robe. A couple of weeks before the trip, I had posted for clarification on the snack/meal swap, and Her Dotness suggested maybe we should stay at club level.
Went to check in, and was told to wait a minute while the Cast Member made a phone call. Looking worried, the CM hung up the phone and explained that we had been upgraded to the club concierge level. Just then another CM walked up. My current CM explained that we were checking in for club, and the second CM took us to our building (Sugar Loaf) for check-in. The room wasn't ready, so we went to Gasparilla Island Grill for lunch.
Cheese Flatbread
Sugar Cookie
8-piece Chicken Nuggets
Cuban Panini
Chocolate Twist (dessert for DS & DH)
Pepperoni & Sausage Stromboli (without mushrooms)
German Chocolate Cupcake
After lunch and a little time in the arcade for the kids,
Killing Time Old School
we decided to swim until our room was ready. Had just gotten the kids' shoes off when the text came through that our room was ready. Quickly shoved feet in shoes and went to check out our room, then Brent took the kids to the pool while I got us started settling in and tried to take a nap.. Had just dozed off when there was a knock at the door. Bell services with our checked bags from DME. It took a few minutes, but we were finally settled in. For the first time, I used 6-shelf closet organizers to hold the kids' clothes.
Our room
Towel Mickey
Hidden Mickeys
View from balcony
The rest of the group came back from the pool, and were getting ready to head out for dinner, when another knock came.
I wonder. . .
. . . what's in the box.
A welcome gift of a beautiful chocolate.
Too Pretty to Eat
After everyone oohed and ahhed over the chocolate and finished getting dressed, we walked to the bus stop to head over to Hollywood Studios for dinner at 50s Prime Time Cafe. Really like then new time notification for the buses.
My bus will be here when?
Arrived at 50s 20 minutes before ADR time only to be told that they could not check us in until 15 minutes before ADR time. Puttered around Indiana Jones shop and Echo Lake until check in time. Still had a a 30-minute wait past ADR time. Our "Cousin" (Server) was Sue.
Cousin Sue
Indo-China was not correct.
We were on Deluxe Dining plan -- appetizers, entrees, and desserts all around.
Fried Cheese (both guys ordered this)
Kids' Veggie Platter
Crab Cake
After appetizers, DS began to quietly cry. I knew what was going on, so I asked if he was worried about the veggie rule at 50s, and he nodded. I called Cousin Sue over, and explained that DS didn't like veggies. She told him not to worry, explained that with his order (pot roast), it was easy just to push the veggies to the side. A few minutes later, she showed up with a "Veggie Pass" for DS -- something she had done only one other time.
Kids' Chicken Nugets
Pot Roast (reaction is NOT to the veggies, but having to wait to eat until I've taken the picture)
Fried Chicken
Meatloaf
Everything was tasty, but my dessert was over the top. I could not even get halfway through it.
Kids' Sundae
Chocolate Milkshake
Sugar Free Cheesecake
Chocolate Peanut Butter Layers Cake (aka The Tower of Caloric Terror)
Guys stayed for Fantasmic FastPasses while DD & I went back to hotel for swim and bedtime snack from concierge. Guys back to room at 10:20. Said they had the best seats they had ever had -- fifth row but off to the left side. So ended Day One. Tomorrow -- Animal Kingdom.
__________________
Terri B.
Last edited by TerriB; 07-16-2015 at 03:33 PM..
Reason: Day 7 of report
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Wow, what a great start to your trip! The chocolate was amazing - actually so was dessert, that pile of cream! And how sweet about the veggie pass too.
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Today's plans are to hit Animal Kingdom in the morning and Blizzard Beach in the afternoon.
Bus for AK very late. Four for MK & two for all other parks before AK bus arrived. Time for bus monitor kept sliding back. Reached AK with just a few minutes before ADR. Had bag with swim gear in it and another with water-friendly footwear in it with me, but locker rental wasn't open yet. Hot-footed to Tusker House for ADR. DD had to go potty just as they called our name. They took a few ahead of us while she went, but were ready to seat us when she got back. DD discovered she LOVED Jungle Juice, but DS didn't care for it, so she claimed his glass as well as her own and a go cup after breakfast.
Also was very pleased to be offered straws for breakfast -- sturdy biodegradable straws.
Walked back to the front to get a locker for the swim gear, but the shoes stayed with me. Then it was off to our FastPass for the Safari.
Guide on safari claimed to be a 20 year vet of the safari (for me, the math doesn't work out). Saw several animals. Even the lion (male) was out dozing on the rock.
Also some construction along the route.
After safari, we trekked across the park for a spin on primeval whirl. Had to convince DD that she enjoyed the ride last time we were there (which she did). After the ride, she said it was too scary.
Plenty of time between getting off whirl & our FastPass for Kali River Rapids,so went to buy water with snack credits but system was down so paid cash. Found a shady spot to sit with our water while we waited for our window. At the lockers, we changed into the water friendly shoes I had been carrying & stowed everything except sunglasses & magic bands in locker. Got drenched but was disappointed in length of ride.
Had planned to go to BB in the afternoon but forecast of impending thunderstorms sent us back to GF. Instead of lunch at Blizzard Beach, we had lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe. We had stopped by the room to drop off the swim gear and stuff, and I left both my camera and phone there, so I have no pictures of our meal. We started with Chilled Shrimp & Avocado (me), Carmelized Onion Soup Gratinee (DH), and Kids' Celery and Carrots (DD). Entrees were two Surf & Turf burgers (DS (without onion marmalade and arugula) & me), the Cobb Salad (DH), and kids' pizza (DD). Desserts were ice cream with sprinkles and cherries (DD), chocolate timbale (DS), and a dessert sampler (DH & me). DH took the mocha pot de cream (server had said creme brulee, but it wasn't) for himself since I dislike coffee, while I claimed the fruit tart. We split the timbale and cheesecake, and packed up the solid dark chocolate Mickey to go back to the room.
After lunch, I hunted down the laundry facilities to dry our clothes from Kali while DH rested & kids dove into their electronic devices. Once clothes were tumbling away, I returned to the room for a short nap. When clothes done, kids & I went to gather them & get mugs refilled. Storms arrived at 4:45 pm. Went down to lobby at 5 pm for a light bite to hold over until 7:10 pm ADR at Kona Cafe. DD was happy to find more of her beloved Jungle Juice.
Tropical Juice
A small sampling of the club fare
Once again, we were seated 30 minutes after ADR time, even when checking in 15 minutes prior to ADR. Hostess said it was because people were lingering at their table rather than moving on. This is something Disney needs to account for when scheduling ADRs.
DD decided to have her "princess moment" during dinner. First she asked to have the steak from the adult menu. Server Debi said that "Mickey s rules" didn't allow that, but Debi did go back & ask the chef, who agreed to make DD a child's portion of steak. Then DS wanted a glow cube like she had seen the night before at 50s. Debi explained that they weren't included in the plan so we agreed to pay the extra.
Bread & butter
Charcuterie and cheese
California Roll
Potstickers
Kids' Steak (Special Order)
Pan-Asian Noodles with Shrimp (without mushrooms)
Grilled New York Strip Steak
DS didn't want dessert, so DD used his dessert credit to get a
Kona Cone
The other dessert orders were
Chocolate Banana Creme Brulee
and
Chocolate Fondue
All the food we ordered was very tasty. All the steak eaters (everyone but me) said it was the best steak they had had. However, as a group, we were not very hungry after large late lunch.
Storms put kybosh on evening swim & water pageant. Back to room. Lights out around 11 pm.
Sorry you weren't able to make it to BB, but it sounds like an amazing 2 days so far! Your family is so cute
__________________
The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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The chocolate was amazing - actually so was dessert, that pile of cream! 
And how sweet about the veggie pass too. 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
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