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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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Hi! Since we are almost at double digits , I've decided to finally do a PTR. I couldn't come up with a funny, cute name - so I just went with what it is - our 20th Anniversary Trip. I added BOOK IT and once you read along, you'll notice why. Ready?
Cast of Characters -
I think you may already be familiar with these characters -
Me - Tracy - Coop - 49 years old and a Disney Addict since I was 43! I know - not very long but we never went on vacation when I was little. Maybe a camping trip and once we drove cross country to see my aunts and cousins. But for the most part - vacation basically meant no school so we could work more hours. (My mothers boyfriend had a cleaning business and we were janitors. I was employed since I was 11 years old!) In 2010, my BFF was going to take her kids on spring break and asked if I would chaperone with her. Well, it ended up just being her, her kids and me and we spent an entire week in Disney. My first trip and after that I was hooked. I kept thinking about what I would love to show Chuck and in the back of my mind I was wondering how I was going to get back! Then, shortly after I got back, my boss (who was a bigger addict than I) asked if I would like to go back. I said "SURE!!!" and so she explained DVC to me and said that she was going to lose her points if she didn't use them before November (I think this was around June when she approached me). She wasn't going to be able to use them because of her schedule and her daughters school schedule. Well, long story short - but she gifted us a week at AKL for November 2010! She didn't want a dime! We were flabbergasted! It was awesome. We ended up meeting with her DVC rep (because we felt it was the appropriate thing to do since we were staying on her points) and we found ourselves buying into DVC within days of returning home! Since then, we have been back 6 times and have been on 2 Disney cruises! It's a way of life. *shrugs* I enjoy cooking and am trying to keep it healthy. Anyone who is fb friends with me may see some of my dinners! (Yes - I do not only do food porn at Disney. I do it at home too!) I am currently trying to teach myself the guitar. Which is a difficult task for a flute player! My for my day job I am an RN who works in an ER near Detroit, MI. So Disney is my diversion! My favorite characters are Duffy - sad that he is no longer around - and Eeyore. Favorite of the Fab 5 - Pluto. Favorite Princess - Cinderella.
DH - Chuck - chukkerB - 58 years old. (He will be 59 at the time of our trip) He's just as much an addict as I am. He went to Disney once before we met. Around the time they were starting construction on Epcot, so it had been a while! He is my thespian. He loves doing activities at the local community theater. He is great either on stage or behind the scenes. He has had parts in "Inherit the Wind", "Twelve Angry Men", "The Odd Couple", "Music Man", "Shenandoah" and "Kiss Me Kate". He's been Stage Manager for "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Camelot", "The Producers", "Almost Maine", "On Golden Pond", "Return Engagements" and "Kiss Me Kate". He has been Assistant Director for "Noises Off", "Love, Sex and the IRS". These are just a few of them- when asked his response was "Oh boy - I can't remember them all" He's going to be Assistant Director for "Bonnie and Clyde" before our trip and then audition for "Chicago" when we get back. Chuck's day job is an Orthopaedic Technologist at the same hospital where I work. Because he works days and I work afternoon/nights we sometimes wave at each other in passing. Chuck's favorite character changes. He basically loves them all. Nemo, Wall-E, Duffy, Mickey, etc. His favorite princess is Belle (probably because our that's all our daughter wanted to watch in her early years)
Trip basics
Sept 24- Oct 1
6 day Park Hopper MYW tickets
Resort - King Bed at POFQ
Travel - Flight on Delta and Magical Express
There's a whole lot of explaining as to how this trip developed. It will be better to do it in my "Calendar of Trip Evolution" which will be my next post.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! 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.
WARNING - the following is NOT because I'm looking for sympathy or anything like that. It is just the evolution of our lives for the past 9 months. It is how we came to where we are now. SPOILER ALERT - Chuck and I do make it!
"Calendar of Trip Evolution"
November 2015 - We were on our last trip (7 night Western Caribbean Cruise) and did an on board booking for our 2016 trip. We planned another 7 day Cruise out of Galveston with stops at Nassau, Key West and CC and 3 at sea days! Booked it and put down our deposit. We were really looking forward to this one. Planned on driving to Galveston and actually taking a couple extra days to stop in Memphis and Camden, TN. Camden was to see my step mother and her new place while Memphis was for some blues and que!
December 2015 - We started out this month as everyone else, working and planning for Christmas. We had planned a more sedate holiday season because we had just had a big trip. The kids weren't coming over on the holiday as we were going to plan a get together with everyone on the Sunday following. A few days before Christmas, Chuck's mom called and said she wouldn't be able to make it because she wasn't feeling good and didn't want to get everyone else sick. We were ok with that.
12/25 - Chuck and I went to see a movie. Matinee "Star Wars Awakens" was our entertainment with "dinner" being movie theater popcorn, soda and Swedish Fish. We came home and stopped at a convenience store (all that was open) and got some makings for nachos (Doritos and plastic liquid cheese). So we had that and a cocktail while ending out the night. Chuck didn't really say anything but just got up and went to lay down. I figured he was tired so I stayed up surfing my computer. Not long, I heard him stirring and all of a sudden I heard him fall. WHAM! On the floor in the hall. I knew he wasn't drunk - we hadn't had that much to drink. He was trying to get up but he was not steady. He kept saying he had to go to the bathroom but he was walking into the walls. I helped him to the bathroom and then got him back to bed. I took his blood pressure which was 70/30! I checked his pulse for his rhythm because as you may recall he had issues with a fib before our last trip. My mistake #1 - I was more focused on his rhythm rather than rate. I told him that I was taking him into the ER and he refused to go. I threatened to call 911 and he said he's refuse to go with EMS (and they won't take him if he's lucid). He said he just needed to sleep. So he laid down and I called the doc on in my ER. She confirmed that I couldn't force him to go in. SO what does a nurse do in this situation? Stay up all night and check his blood pressure every hour. I got about 2 hours sleep when his pressure finally came up to 100/60.
12/26 - Chuck slept for about 20 hours. I stayed up for about 20 hours. I was monitoring his bp and heart rhythm but he still wouldn't go in to the ER. He said "I probably just have what mom has" We cancelled our plans for Christmas with the kids.
12/27 - Chuck said "I think I just have the flu - could you make me some chicken soup?" I made the soup while he was going to take a shower. When the soup was ready, I found Chuck sitting on the bed just staring. He said "I think you need to take me in" FINALLY! Soup turned off - clothes on - we were going! Mistake #2 - I should've called 911 and had him taken to ER not drive him myself. Got to the ER around 7 pm and I had called them and told them we were coming so they saved us a room. When we got there, the tech did the EKG while I did his triage. When I saw the EKG - oh boy. His heart RATE was 40! He was in a block - meaning he was dropping beats. We had 3 docs and 3 nurses all working around him in a fury - I knew what was going on but Chuck said "This can't be good" - Nope he was having a heart attack. They raced him to the main hospital (we were at a satellite facility) by ambulance with lights streaming and sirens blaring. I followed as best I could and had called my BFF to meet me there after notifying the kids. When I saw Dawn (BFF), I nearly collapsed - I've never been so scared! We found the cath lab waiting room and stayed there until they came for us. I got to the hospital around 8 pm - so this all happened very very fast. After finding out he had 3 blockages (2 at 100% and 1 at 80%), they fixed the one 100% on the right side that was causing the heart attack with plans to fix the others in the near future. He was then taken to ICU. I got to see him there and made sure he was ok and tucked him in. Then I drove home and collapsed and cried until I finally fell into a fitful sleep.
12/28 - I got up early and made my way to the hospital. I wanted to find out what the plan was for him. I got there around 10 (when visiting hours start) but the doctors had already made their rounds. I got to help him with his bed bath and getting him up to a chair. But his heart rate was still in the 40's and even exertion wasn't making it raise much. I spent much of the day there dozing in the chair or watching him sleep. I was studying his face and listening for his breathing and crying - a lot. The plan was for a pacemaker to be placed - tomorrow. After I got home (around dinner time), Chuck had called and said that he was being moved to the step down unit.
12/29 - I got there early so I could be there for his pacemaker. It was scheduled for early afternoon but they took him right after I got there around 11 am. I had told my BFF that she didn't need to miss more work and she didn't need to be there. The kids were planning on coming up to see their dad and they would be there. I was alone in the waiting room for a while and then DD and DS showed up about 30 mins before the procedure was complete! Great timing. We all followed a really groggy Chuck being wheeled back to his room. The kids let me go in first (the room was a semiprivate room but was really very cramped) and after I got to see him open his eyes and kiss him, I let the kids come in for a visit. It wasn't much of a visit as he just needed sleep. We all kept it very short and went home early.
12/30 - Back at the hospital early - keep trying to catch the doctors but they always do rounds before visiting hours. I really wanted to talk to a doctor about the plan of care. They finally asked the Cardiology Fellow to come speak with me. The plan was to keep Chuck in the hospital for the rest of the week because they were going to change up his meds. Starting this new anti arrhythmic medication meant that he had to have serial EKGs for the next 3 days. I was wondering why they couldn't just take care of the other blockage while we were just "waiting". But I got my answer - it was the holidays - they wouldn't take him because of New Years Eve! Grrrrr. More hospital food and chair sleeping.
12/31 - Normally, if I work NYE, Chuck will come up to the hospital near midnight and sometimes bring the dog and we will ring it in together. This year we had to rely on FaceTime.
1/1/16 - I worked (yes - I was trying to keep my work schedule through most of this and that was at Chuck's insistence)
1/2 - Chuck comes home! I was up there early to spring him! I was supposed to work all weekend - but I called in for the rest of the weekend - no way was I going to go get him and then dump him at home and not stay. I didn't care that I may lose my holiday pay. (Later my boss reassured me that I wouldn't)
January 2016 - So starts the slow road to recovery. Chuck had his second Cardiac Cath with stent placement during the second week in January. That was an overnight stay as well. They took care of the 80% blockage. If you recall - that leaves another 100% blockage. Which they say they don't have to fix. He either has developed collateral circulation (circulation that naturally bypasses that area) or there's just damage that can't be fixed anyway. Either way, it doesn't bother him. We were starting Cardiac Rehab and we had signed on to our gym (Planet Fitness) so we could continue the "rehab" on our own. With all this going on, and not knowing when (or if) Chuck would be back to work - we decided to cancel our cruise. It was depressing but the right thing to do. Late January (like 28th or so) was when Chuck had said maybe we should plan a trip to the parks instead of the cruise. I think he could tell how bummed I was and that all the stress was getting to me and with no trip on the horizon, I was even more unhappy. So I started pricing. We discussed all sorts of options. I found a really great flight that I could use our Miles for and only have to pay $26. The dates were for the last week in Sept. Not our usual time but that was the cheapest week. Then we checked availability. I couldn't book DVC at OKW because we weren't at our 7 months yet. Our home resort BLT wasn't available for the full week. So I went off the rack - seeing as how we would still have to buy tickets - I checked out MYW packages. Moderate resorts - 6 day park hoppers even though we will be there for 8, we don't usually do a park on our departure day and the day we fly in we will not do a park either. No dining because we actually save money when paying OOP. All this was for less than half of what we were budgeting for the cruise. Chuck said "BOOK IT" - no need to tell me twice! POFQ King Bed, 6 days Park Hopper and flight on Delta. Booked! I added trip insurance - for a little more we get peace of mind.
February 2016 - Chuck was in Cardiac Rehab and starting to feel better. So much so that he began heading back to the theater. According to him "I'm just assistant directing - I sit around and don't do much". At least that was his explanation when I told him that he shouldn't overdo it. I was working but had to get FMLA so I wouldn't get occurrences for when I needed time off to be with Chuck. We had a flurry of follow ups/doctors appointments etc. I'm trying to cook healthy and keep things up here. Chuck couldn't use his arm for about 8 weeks after the pacemaker placement because they don't want the lead to get dislodged. I got rid of our microwave and making sure that there's no radio waves or anything that Chuck can't be around. Late in the month - Chuck started back to work at a reduced schedule. They are so good working with him there. He technically could be off for 12 weeks short term disability in a rolling 12 months. Since he had been off for a month last summer because of his CHF and a-fib and cardioversions/ablation, he only had 8 weeks left. So he went back "early". Still too early to do any ADR's but we were making a list of where we wanted to go. There were a lot of new places that we wanted to try and we found out that we would be there for the beginning of F&WF!
March 2016 - March in Michigan is depressing. Even if you don't have anything depressing going on already. Luckily, we were basically biding time until 180 days. Working. Trying to get used to the "new normal". Chuck had his show "Sex, Love and the IRS" and I was very worried about him burning the candle at both ends. "Hell Week" is when he's at the theater every night after working all day. Luckily, he wasn't working full time hours -so it was a bit easier. March 28th 180 days! I stayed up to get online and get our ressies! I worked the night before and normally don't get to bet much before 5:30 am anyway - so it wasn't much of a stretch. We didn't do too many because we are planning on some F&WF and sometimes we like to wait and see what we feel like eating. We did get HDDR, Narcoossee's, Bongo's, Splitsville and Morimoto's. (I'll put those all into the schedule later).
April 2016 - About a week after making our ADR's, I saw an availability at V&A's Queen Victoria room. (I just cruise the site and try to see what options are out there) We had done the main dining room there about 3 years ago and last year did Remy on the cruise (which I liken to V&A at sea). I told Chuck about it and he said "BOOK IT" I was a bit hesitant. "Are you sure?" and he just kept telling me to snatch it up! So I did. His theory - "we don't do much anyway - we aren't always going places or out to eat. We can do this for our birthdays and anniversary. It IS our 20th. We would probably spend about $300 on each of those. By not doing that we can splurge on V&A" And he thinks I'm the queen of rationalization! But hey - I love it! I was also looking at cruises and found a back to back 5 night/4 night Bahamas cruise with 2 stops at CC EACH! So 9 days with 4 stops at CC! AND - it's over my 50th birthday! I discussed it with Chuck and he was most encouraging! BOOK IT! We got an aft verandah cabin (our favorite) and have the same room for both sailings. Second seating. As far as health goes, he was doing much better. Had a little hiccup with his meds. He was on 3 different blood thinners - and then got a bloody nose - that lasted 2.5 hours! Well, they changed up that and took him off of one of those meds! He started rehearsals for Camelot. Again, reassuring me that he's not doing too much.
May 2016 - Well, Chuck is doing well and we are going about our lives. Status quo. Trying to get healthy (both of us). This time of year we start hemorrhaging money. We took the Mini Cooper in for a "tune up" which turned into $2200 worth of work! Serpentine belt, timing chain, oil change, filters, etc. And Chuck's laptop crashed. He was looking at iPad Pro. A few years ago, I had gotten a MacBook Air on credit with 18 months same as cash. We paid it off within that time and then closed the card. I told him that we could do that again and it would be for his birthday (remember - we weren't supposed to be doing "birthdays" right?) He applied and said "hey we are approved for x amount - what do you want? I told him that my computer and iPad were just fine and this was for HIS birthday. So he ordered his gift. When it came he started opening boxes like it was Christmas. He handed me a box and said "open it" I said "what did you do?" He just insisted on me opening it and sure enough - there was a new iPad Air for me! He reminded me that my birthday was before his! (again - no birthday presents!) Chuck had his play Camelot but this time Hell Week was not as easy because he is working full time hours now. So I told him that next play - he should plan on taking that week off of work. He was starting to get a bit more tired, easier. We really have to start getting back to the gym. Chuck also had a reunion with all the Marine guys from his hometown. He had a really good time.
June 2016 - here we are. I had my birthday (at work). Chuck came up to work and brought me dinner. Then my co-workers had cake and ice cream for me along with a card and a little stuffed Ty Minnie Mouse. On the health front - Chuck has been feeling very tired. Sometimes comes home from work just exhausted and has to take a couple hour nap. We did get to the gym once last week but the other days, Chuck was too tired. He had a rhythm strip run at work on Tuesday 6/7 and he has dropped beats! So I made him call his doctor and we just got in there yesterday 6/9. They said that his pacemaker is working correctly that it's because of the dropped beats that his pacer will take over. It's "on demand" so if he has his own beats, it won't pace but if he drops them - it picks up. BUT his blood pressure is elevated. AHA! That could explain all the fatigue. So with meds switched and orders for blood work to be done next week, we are in the clear. Whew. So today we are 106 days out (I was going to wait for double digits but I figured there was a lot to catch everyone up on) and here I am doing our PTR.
July 2016/August 2016 - Plan - work, work, work. I did take off for our "actual" 20th Anniversary. July 20. I still need to get reservations for the DVC party at AK and those don't open up until later in the month. Go through clothes, check shoes, bras/undies/shorts/shirts and dressy stuff. Make purchases as necessary. I'm trying to not have to "invest" in an entirely new wardrobe. But that being said - I want to lose weight so I may need to make some adjustments. We also need to go through our "Disney" bucket. I think you all know what that is. You know the bucket where things that you only use for Disney goes. Park bags, moleskin, fan, travel stuff, etc.
September 2016 - Work. Work. Work. I have to take my ACLS course before we leave -on Sept 13. We have to make time this month for travel size shopping. I'm not planning on major cooking for the kids - we are only going to be gone for a week! We will leave them cash and I may make just one of their favorites. This will be one of our shortest trips since 2010! We also may consider driving ourselves to the airport and parking the car in the long term lot. I think that will be easier for the kids too.
Even though I feel I have followed everything on Chuck's health since last winter, I was still anxious as I read. I'm truly glad he is doing better and the little scare this week could be fix with changing meds. Continuing for both of you! Now I definitely have to see you all again as you both describe hugs! :grouphugs:
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I usually just read without comment...but wow, the two of you have been through the ringer! I can relate to the hospital fears and wanting answers...Sully had a heart attack Christmas night 2004. I was never so scared in my life!
You will love the QVR...we did it for our 30th anniversary. Magical!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! 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.
About This Page: 
, I've decided to finally do a PTR. I couldn't come up with a funny, cute name - so I just went with what it is - our 20th Anniversary Trip. I added BOOK IT and once you read along, you'll notice why. Ready?
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More hospital food and chair sleeping.
Serpentine belt, timing chain, oil change, filters, etc. And Chuck's laptop crashed. He was looking at iPad Pro. A few years ago, I had gotten a MacBook Air on credit with 18 months same as cash. We paid it off within that time and then closed the card. I told him that we could do that again and it would be for his birthday (remember - we weren't supposed to be doing "birthdays" right?) He applied and said "hey we are approved for x amount - what do you want? I told him that my computer and iPad were just fine and this was for HIS birthday. So he ordered his gift. When it came he started opening boxes like it was Christmas. He handed me a box and said "open it" I said "what did you do?" He just insisted on me opening it and sure enough - there was a new iPad Air for me! He reminded me that my birthday was before his! (again - no birthday presents!) 
Chuck had his play Camelot but this time Hell Week was not as easy because he is working full time hours now. So I told him that next play - he should plan on taking that week off of work. He was starting to get a bit more tired, easier. We really have to start getting back to the gym. Chuck also had a reunion with all the Marine guys from his hometown. He had a really good time. 
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